Nowe seeke they no slyght no warde nor no agilitie to defende and offend but onely committe the hazarde of their Lyfe or Death to the strength of their armes and with the vttermost force that Sarmacia hadd possest with Pyrrhus blade twixt both handes shee layde on the aduerse helme making her with the force of the stroake to set her handes on the grounde which shee had not done when another was redoubled with no lesse furie lighting on her shoulders which she extreamely felt More nimble farre and more vsed to toyle then was Horaliza was the Lacedemon Ladie and so loosing her shield and sworde stayed till she rose and ere she setled her selfe closed with her casting her right arme with such force twixt her legs that ketching her some-thing suddenly she raised her from the ground and with a great fall cast her on the earth But as it often happens amonge the wrastling challengers at the Olympicke games so fel it out betwéen these Ladies For by how great the fall is by so much the more it strengneth the vnder lying to recouer his lost aduantage by amendment of his foyle euen so was it heere because as shee cast her on the grounde and both fell on their sides the Macedonian Lady found opportunitie by a sudden scape to ketch warlike Sarmacia vnder There perceaued Horaliza that shee had occasion by the front through so venturous a fal and so she set her knées vppon her and because she had no dagger for it had been taken from her she cast her strong arms about her for it was all she could The Ladies were so tyred with the former toile that this present labour left theÌ„ breathlesse for after they had thus contended a long houre without sence they stretched themselues vppon the earth to Celindos great sorrow who alinghting from his horse went to his deare Sister and vnlacing her helme found all hir face besmeared with blood pale like ashie Death His hart trembled when so he sawe her lye and leauing her that the aire might breath on her he went to see what Knight the other shoulde bee that had the power so to vse his Sister and when he also sawe she was a Lady with a shaking cold sweate was all his bodye couered But this was not through any newe passion but for the remembrance of Rosiluera which he sawe portrayed in his inchaunted habitation and seing her greatly to resemble Alphebos daughter no feare was equall vnto his thinking they were dead The which straight vanished for beginning to stur they shewed happy newes of their liues He would not so leaue them for it might be occasion of new quarrels and so taking his Sister before him because hee would not leaue so valiant a Lady without a horse hee caried her within the Forrest to see if he could finde any place where shee might haue the rootes of her hayre cured on her head For else woundes had she none because her armour did defend it And méeting with no place they were faine to alight there bringing water from a cleare springe whose current that way ran into the Sea paying his Tribute to the Ocean he cast it on her face till she recouered her sences And seeing her selfe in that manner shee thought shee had béen by her aduersarie vanquisht The coÌ„sideration of the caused griefe through these imaginatioÌ„s I leaue to you kind Ladies to suppose the which because I haue so much to doe onely wandering but vnder the shaddowe of your fauours I doe not explicate No lesse was the valerous Sarmacias who not able there to remedie it she rose and mounted on her Coâ—…rser determined to take her next way to the Cittie because the next daye the Tryumphes there began whose aduentures doe not immerited require a newe Chapter CHAP. IX How the Tryumphes began in Constantinople the wounders that in the Iustes did happen COme is the day most beauteous Nymphes of the chast Goddesse so celebrated throughout the world when the Christians with prayses and the Pagans with superstitious ceremonies doe solemnize the Natiuitie of the glorious St. Iohn Baptist on which the famous Tryumphs were begunne with the noise of so manye millions of millitarie instruments as if the Citie were at the point of warre Nothing was heard nor seen but what apertained to Martiall discipline nor through the citie no vesture appeared but might be shewen before their Princes Euery one would so adorne themselues as well in seruants liueries as on their own persoÌ„s Round about the place where the Iustes should be made were set great bigge pillers with fine chaines of steele that the battles might better be deserued vpoÌ„ them were painted all the haughtie deeds chiualries of all the Greeke Princes with so naturall liuely coulors that they wanted nothing but speaking At this time came the Emperor from his pallace with such maiestie as he seemed a God on earth For their horses coches chariots and attendants were numberlesse In one that was drawen with foure white Vnicornes road three Ladies whose beautie darkened the shepherds brightnesse that for loue left the golden eye of heauen They were the most excelleÌ„t Princesses Claridiana Oliuia Rosiluera with the faire Artemisa Princes of EnglaÌ„d that more deuine then a humane creature séemed The respleÌ„ding miror of beautie Fortitude Archisilora Quéene of Lyra would not be séene but on horseback with Capparizons with so rich imbroderie of stones pearles that scarse her excellencies could be deserued through their reuerberating rayes By the brydle was she lead by the Emperour Alphebo Knight of the Sunne his mother that on the vpper hand accompanied her did Sacridoro lead that knowing of these feasts had sent for his déere wife Orisilua who went in company of Lindaraza Archirosa of Portugall that already with Don Siluerio was arriued Al these were attyred in murry vestures cut vpon Gréene with diuersitie of curious workes More excellencie of perfect beautie gallantnes neuer did the worlds vast territories behold The three Princesse Oliuea Roseluera and Artemisa were clad in greene robes imbrodeed ouer with whit roses sett with infenitt stones of enestimable vallour The Empresse Clarideana came al in whit laid w e goulden twist w e Iewels shining like the sunne In this Maiesticke equypage ariued they vnto the proud stupendious theater that for their sight was built round about the place were scaffolds infenit set vp And after that with their presences it was Metamorphized vnto a brighter skie then the white Christall Heauen with their appearing out of the windows the chaleÌ„gers pauillioÌ„ was set vp all of greene with like roses the Ladies woare it was of no lesse woÌ„der then any thing in the place Through the which entered the Emperiall ensigne with twelue thousand men of guard the which did set it on the Pauillions top with such sound of trumpets as if that were the generall sessions of the world the which the ships Gallyes anchorde
shall ere long bee specified For now Meridian and the Troian expecting this time vnbuckled their helmes and went to speake vnto the Emperour who entertained them with that Maiestie that the highest God aboue all others had giuē him and so said Let vs go braue Princes backe to the Cittie for the Empresse must enioy with vs these ioyfull tidings Galtenor would be first that should tell it them who thus spake In satisfaction of the discontent I gaue you great Princes by taking away the Princes my deare Children receaue this small seruice I meane the glad newes of the comming of the Princes Rosicler Meridian and Oristides with the mighty Queene of Lyra who are comming to the Cittie after the finishing of a mortall battell between my sonne Claridiano and her wherein both were conquerers of each other a greater faulte then this should haue bene forgiuen you Mighty Kinge replied the Empres for the ioyfull newes you haue giuen these Princesses In faith the leste shall not be the Princesse Oliuias said Claridiana for we all haue taken parte of her greefes and with reason wanting no lesse then Rosicler And so when they all arriued they receaued one another with the greatest content in the world I heere faire Ladyes shunne a tedious trouble-some prolixitie referring to your thoughts the consideratiō of such courtesies that betwene such states in such occasions is required Hee that worst sped was poore Claridiano that could speake neuer a word vnto his Ladie for she was so free and graue that it made her dissemble what her harte sufferd keeping the Prince thereby in wonderfull torments But to the purpose Triumphes and feastes are these that are ordained to drowne in obliuion the most memorablest that euer in the world were seene The Ladies appointed for chalengers and their defenders of certaine Iustes to be solemnyzed twenty daies after the valiant Troian Oristides the hawghty Bransineano sonne vnto the puisant Prince Brandezell of Percia and of the Princesse Clarinea a Knight no doubte of the brauest in the vniuerse whom a litle before the Emperor had Knighted And the third with them was the coragious Clarindo then also Knighted sonne vnto Lindaraza and the Prince of Fraunce Such were these Knights that euery one said that the honour of the Greeke Ladies would be well defended All the court began to prepare their armour horses and best abilliments of war the gallant amorous youthes to solicite their Ladies for fauors against that daye The Emperour cōmaunded againe that proclamation with safe-conduct should be published throughout all his Empyre for all Nations and Knightes whatsoeuer Whereby the citie both within and without was so filled with multitudes of armed Knightes as if it were on the point of warre Where we must leaue them returning to our loued dispairing Rosabell that with his great friend Oristoldo of Antioche returned to Niquea because they would there discharge their promise CHAP. V. What in Nyquea befell vnto the Princesse Rosabell Oristoldo about the libertie of the three Kings WIth greater griefe then may be imagined they took their leaues of their four friends hauing lost the gallantest Lady vnder the starrie Canapie of Heauen and knowing no certaintie where she might be the poore Knight traueld the most afflicted in the world thinking that he should neuer see her more to asswage which sorrowes nothing preuailed the comfort of his deare Oristoldo that more felt his paine then if it were his owne It is proper vnto louers to feare the thing loued though hauing it present then how much the more seeing it absent and so doubtfull and not knowing where it was At length deare Mistresse of a reiected soule they arryued at the spring of a cleare fountaine where sitting downe they eat of such meate as the discreet Allirio had prouided not without infinite sighes of the Heroike louer Rosabell to whome the gallant Prince of Antioche thus spake If all the aduentures of the worlde magnanimous Prince might happen to the content and sort to euery ones desire then neuer had any arriued vnto the topp of true Immortalitie by reiecting of crosse successes only to knowe a transitorie good The touch-stone of valiantnes it is wherwith their honor to eternitie is purified as also to haue mighty cruell foes that obteyning a hard victorie the triumph maie be more sweet then that atchiued without blood Neuer did Alexander the mightie Macedonian conqueror your Predecessor more esteme of any Kingdome then of the Pertians because none coste him somuch blood And that for which apparantly he was seene to preferre all perills was for the famous Asia bycause the very desire of the same would reioyce him especially when vpon the borders of the riuer Sale he mustered all his wel furnished host receiuing a pleasure exceading measure with the wauering of his displaied ensignes in the aire the neighing noice of his barbed steeds the sound of innumerable military instruments for warre But what most did delight him was his marching against Asia And so being demanded the cause of it this was his answere to euerie one Bycause I know it will cost much and that is the cause it is worth so much He neuer did cōceaue a thought of care for the bridge that so many yeares was in building nor yet for the toile in making firme land in midle of the furious Sea and why for his perpetuall fames immortality that thereby he hoped This haue I said magnanimous Prince bycause conforming your selfe with his wil that hath it so appointed you should not loose the glorie of a valiant sufferance by giuing exteriour signes of feeling this businesse thus greeuously I well know the waight therof what reasō there is to waile so great a losse with eternall teares of liuing luke-warme hartes blood But I finde it a stayne to your honour a blemish to your Nobilitie and a weakning of your valour in not shewing it sufficient to resist a more vnhappier chance for she cannot be in place so secret but it will be knowne and once found who will dare without death to hinder what soly is due vnto your vertues And liuing assured that Liriana is yours and you her deare espouse what euill maye happen that this consideration will not make gentle pleasant and her absence tollerable Glad and in truth verye glad became the faire youth Rosabell with his tender harted friends discourse because hee knew he had reason and so hee thus replied Valiant Prince and my soules treasurer now rest I fully satisfied more assured that we shal happily terminate all our affaires since fortune had reserud me so good a woes comforter and griefes diminisher with your deare companie and because it is no vertue vtterly to dispaire I will hope and expect how the heauens will dispose of Lyriana to both our euerlasting ioyes for fortune will not so farre prosecute her rigour against me as at least not to shew me the place of her abode that with
expect thy coÌ„ming to the place with the hoarse sound of a deuillish voice the Pagan cryed Oh Mars what mighty wrong is this to thy beloued Grantelmio permitting that one Knight maye looke me in the face much more stay for me in the field away Captiue as thou art thou shalt not thinke to haue so honorable a death as to die alone for neuer shall the heaueÌ„s suffer it to be said that thou didst singly combate with me in open listes Discourteous Giant farr more proude thaÌ„ valiant saide the bould Britanian take thy armes for I alone will giue thee so much worke that I will make thee wonder at the droppes of thy liues blood that I will make thee sweat O hellish furies answered the rauenous Tyger is it possible such words shold be spokeÌ„ wtout suffitieÌ„t reuenge And not respecting the Souldan but his infernall rage hee stopt to the gallant youth with his fift raised aloft saying stay for without armour I will terminate thy demaund Nothing did Rosabell feare him but as he was striking he parted aside with his hand he stroke him on the left chéeke so braue a buffet that hee tumbled at the Souldans feete at suche time as the valiant Bembo and the gallant Assirian entred the hall where séeing the hurlyburly went on forwards to knowe the cause and séeing the Giant casting blood through his mouth and fier froÌ„ his eies going against his aduersarie the Achayan with his couragious minde stept betwéen theÌ„ hauing his sword drawne and said kéepe foorth Knights for before the Souldan this is vnséemely He was already risen and coÌ„maunded the Giant to arme himselfe to end the battaile who went to do it more to reuenge himselfe than to obay a Lord whome he neuer acknowledged And so was the amorous Bembo left between the Souldan and the Greeke who being infourmed of the matter more guided with desire to fight with any of them than by reason said that the strangers had been ouer bould before the King The gallant Oristoldo could not endure it and therefore sayde Truly Knight yf of so great experience you are in arms as rash in iudging that you know not it were not much I refused your battle Neuerthelesse I affirme that not only we haue coÌ„mitted no misdemeanor before the King but also that the giaÌ„t you are disâ—oâ—all in ouer-boldly prating before the King and hereupon accept my gage He did accept it for on the earth he had not refused it to any and so all of them being armed they straight went to the field where there assembled so much people that they hindred the earth from the Sunnes warmth The Kings were set by themselues whereof the Gréeke reioyced hoping to giue them libertie and so hee sent his discréete Squire to aduertise the forreners to be in readinesse as the cause required wherein he vsed such diligence that hee quickly gathered aboue sixe Thousand men that setled themselues where easilye they might repaire to the Ladies scaffold because the kings were not far froÌ„ them that way could they better rescue them being requisite Sraight commaunded the Souldan that two Thousand men should garde the field and that vppon paine of death none should ayde or fauour anye of the combatantes The first that entred the listes was the valiant King of Achaya mounted on his mightie Courser and being a Knight of so braue disposition and armed in such mourning armour many at the sight did feare him chiefly when with more Maiestie then the Sunne in his fierie carre he traced round about the place in the aire shaking his launce in Thousand shiuers straight was he presented with another leauing the assembly admired with his gallantnes Presently entred the two gracious youths Rosabell Oristoldo with as much brauery as the world contayned They were attended with infinite forraine Nobles that because they were the Kinges Champions woulde néedes accompany him But the entrance of the Gyant considering the pride that ledd him a newe volume rather then a Chapter doth require CHAP. VI. The end of the daÌ„gerous battaile betweene the foure Knights about the libertie of the three Kings WIth nothing so great an honourable trayne did the mighty Emperor Titus passe through the stréetes of Roome natures rarest beautie when hee triumphed ouer that sarced land wherein the woorke of our saluation was wrought as that which attended on the proude King Grantelmio That of Alexander the great when he entred Babâ—lon was not comparable to this and because he had taken the Souldans part there was no Prince nor Lord but did accompanie him so gorgiously attired as it séemed only an immaginarie vision More people came with him then did guard the listes He himselfe came last in the middle of two youthes Nephewes to the Souldan yet neither carried his armes because he would delay no time in taking them thinking euerie minute a yeere He was mounted on the mightiest horse for strength that was knowne of colour he was roane and called Bollador because of his swiftnes that was such as he might passe his carries along the edge of a sharpe sword he came prauncing vp downe with such grace that a mans heart could desire no more for though the Giants heauinesse were extreame yet his strength sufficed for his weight had it been farre greater His armour was of a skie coloure with many srarres in an azure field in his shield foure Giants head-lesse himselfe in the middest without armes sauing his sword representing him that ended that aduenture as the true conqueror thereof for one day being without armour those foure Giants would haue stollen away his wife and hee with his sword alone rescued her from their villanies striking off their heads for recompence of their madnesse So soone as he entred the listes he closed his Beauer said to the Knights for he supposed they had been all three against him why now discourteous Knights come and you shall sée how far better it had béen not to haue angred me yet notwithstanding theÌ„ I had pardoned your liues which now the heauens shall no way saue from my handes cruell sword On his part stept the valiant Bembo and mildely to pacifie him said Most puissant King séeing this matter concerneth another and not our selues doe not refuse to fight with a single knight for it is well knowen this whole assembly is vnable otherwise to resist your mighty strength and so I am of your side against the Knight of the Lyons in the russet armour somewhat did the valerous Bembo quiet him with his gentle wordes neuerthelesse hee vttered the vaunts that such infernall fiends accustome which béeing heard of the Greeke to anger him said that all the place heard O sauage Monster why doest thou spend the time in such proude boasting when thou maist better employ it in déedes No longer stayed the furious Pagan but togither with his companion turned the best horses on the earth and al of theÌ„ with their
to the death wronged me where I will spend my life in wishing thine that thou mayest confesse thy fault and acknowledge my much wrong Out of his hand did the woefull Prince let the Letter fail with a thousand cries would he publish his griefe but hee feared to be heard he would not suppe but lay tossing on his bedde till the middle of the night were past which he wasted with teares then called he for Palisandro to helpe him on with his armour and to make his horse readie hee did it not demanding him the cause thereof because he saw him so discontēted he requested him to stay in Constantinople with his Father for he would guerdon his good seruice towards him to no other thing then this would the Prince be perswaded So he tooke his Iourney through those desert woodes Complayning to the heauens with what crueltie he was intreated not knowing whether nor which way to goe he trauailed all night vntill by the appearing of the day he could decerue his armour whose sight amazed him seeing their murrey colour turned to yellow blacke with many red flames which though it were a pittifull deuise yet made it a gallant shew In the middest of his shield was the picture of Crueltie as the Achayans were woont to paint her with foure punniards sharpe edged on all sides a Knight lying at her féete with many woundes The word this Oh happie one amonge so many That would his poore hart pierse In steade of ioy that craues his hearse He straight imagined that his father the wise Galtenor had byn doing there which was some cōfort to the sorowful youth for he thought the since he knew his griefes the cause of thē that he would procure their remedies with that good will he had thitherto wisht his welfare he came to the sea-side where hee shipt himselfe for Alexādria not remēbring how his father kinsfolks wold lamēt his departure who knowing he was not there cōmanded him to bee loked for but his page came declaring the manner of his going not suffering him to goe in his company alleadging he went in search of his Vncle Don Eleno This somewhat quieted them yet not in such maner that being knowen vnto the Quéene of Lyra and how through her meanes he was absented but that her sorrowe excéeded the boundes of comfort A thousand times was she about to follow him had shee not feared to haue béen noted for it She left it for another time passing her life in continuall laments deseruedly seing she would not only to shew her selfe cruell liue a sweet and pleasant life in her Louers companie She could not so close couer her griefe but Rosamond at length plainely perceaued it and séeing she knewe it did confesse it She would requite it disclosing vnto her that shee was great with childe which something gréeued speciallie with her Dacians absence That day in the afternoone to sport themselues and expell that heauinesse the Emperour with all his Court went a hunting for euery one desired it On the beginning of the game the gallant Rosabell and his friend Oristoldo straied so farre that they came to the Sea coast by the way rowsing a Hart whiche they in the plaine kild they alighted to gaze on the calmenes of the quiet waues of the still sea They had not long staied there when they sawe come towardes them a little boate more swifter then the racking clowdes euen to the place where they sate talking of Lirianas losse Out of it there came foorth a womā of strange behauiour all clad in mourning wéedes accompanied with an old man so soone as she sawe them of such gallant disposition she went to thē and doing her dutie in the woefullest manner shee could with many teares said Braue Knights so the diuine powers comfort you tell me if lately you haue seene the knight that last of all entred the Iusts in Grecia or else where I might finde him for it concernes me to meete with him no lesse then my life and others that iniustly are like to loose them Well perceaued the Prince of great Britaine that she enquired for him so he made himselfe knowen saying Gallant Lady I am he you seeke Shee suffered him to speake no more but falling at his feete proceeded Oh most excellent Knight now is the time you must shew your valour for theron depends the life of the fayrest Princesse liuing who against all equitie is like to perish And yf thou wilt not loose thy propagated Fame blazoned thorowe the worldes vast regions then enter my barke for my time limited is short I am cōtent replyed the resolute youth the like sayd Oristoldo but to him the Lady sayd how without cōpanie it behoued the Knight to goe alone for in the secretnesse of one alone consisted the good euent of her businesse It grieued the two friends to part yet being necessary they imbraced one another The Gréeke intreated him to excuse him with his Parents and kindred that he departed wtout their leaue And entring the barke it cut away with incredible celeritie Greatly desired Rosabell to haue his owne armour and horse but seing it could not bee hee contented himselfe with his good sword hee had with him Oristoldo returned where he had left the Ladies that were redie to goe backe to the Pallaice being all there sauing Rosabell and the Troyan Oristides They demaunded for them whereupon Oristoldo declared the aduenture that befell his friend It greatly grieued Oliuia but the wisemen did cōfort her intreating her not to thinke on him for fortune did leade him where he should be the most esteemed though to the cost of his cōstancie of any in the whole vniuerse Thervpon they went to the Cittie whence euery one ordered his departure to their owne Kingdomes So did the Emperor and Empresse of Trebizound taking with thē their daughter Rosiluera with the beauteous English Artemisa and euery one aduertised of what the wise man had writ vnto Don Eleno Onely was left in Court the Gracious Tartarian Zoylo with his louing Tigliaffa to whome they tould howe the mighty Andronio his couzen did come to seeke him and knowing he was dead returned whome the Tartares hadd Crowned their King A better thinge could not they haue done answered Zoylo then that And so because I will not take from them the Prince the Heauens hath giuen them I am contented with what my deare wife hath For Andronios valour a farre greater recompence deserues with soueraigne prayses euery one applauded that haughty deede of the Tartares proceeding from the magnanimitie of a Noble minde where we leaue them hauing much to dilate CHAP. XIX What in the woods of Grecia happened to the valiant Sarmacia with her beloued Oristides and how she stayed there SO small is not the faith and beautye of the faire Sarmacia swéete Ladies but her perticuler affection maye deserue a particuler Chapter who though she had wonne little in the Iustes yet estéemed
commodiousnes of the place haue forced me to beare you company although respecting the sorrow your armour doth expresse I belieue it will discontent you delighting in solitude a meanes that loue hath inuented to louers costes to ease their paines and incorage their pensiuenesse Amorous was the Pagan and vsed to saye hee merited not the to bee named a Knight that woulde not in a Ladies behalfe aduenture his life hazarding his owne affaires to doe them seruice and so answered In faith faire Damozell though all humane conuersation were troublesome vnto mee yet yours shall not bee so because I thinke you are a little schooled in the good of solitude a manyfest token that hee that spares none hath pleased to make you his tributarie these discourses beeing those the soule conuerseth al alone to haue nowe one to aunswere mee will make my paines more tollerable perswading my selfe of good lucke in all thinges in his lande where my fortune hath cast me being welcomed by such a good beginning where shee replyed It well séemes sir Knight you bee in loue seeing with your reasons you woulde so soone launche into the déepe of beautye a common thinge amonge Knightes that only loue for the present there is no cause you should assure mee of my beautye for with it the Fountaine restes more gladded then that wherein Narcissus gazed So that Sir Knight you must séeke other meanes then these to Court the Dames of Trebizound which is the Lande you nowe are in for this here is too common and they knowe it verye well that presume so on their beautyes for telling them of it is to increase their rygor against them that in this land so wooe I am much bounde vnto your seruyce pleasaunt Ladye replyed Bembo gladde to heare the chatte of the riggish Dame for this aduise for as a Nouice in thys lande not knowing the manners thereof I talked according to the practizes of other Nations at this time since there is no content to Ladies equall to the calling of them beautifull receauing griefe by the contrary and not the least in compting them not fayre although the heauens haue towardes them byn niggards in their influences making them not of the absolutest She answered They doe so that will not beléeue what they are contrary to vs in Trebizound and therefore be they pleased to be tearmed by what they are not giuing their louers fauors though faygned for it who more by insinuating then a firme faith procure the content of beeing beloued Not for all the Ladies so saying to their gallantes sweete damozell answered the Pagan Cease they to be liberall carefull and for their Mistres good most ready The damozell replyed with that t is so for it doth more euidently shew how the hart loues and on the last groūding what abroade is vsed I saye that Ladye is ingratefull that will not shew her pittie being assured shee may by a Thousande new fauors that her gallant may be animated knowing if he liues by louing that his fayth is also repayd by loue This is that which best assures the hoped good betwene louers on the Ladies behalfe their glory of being beloued Other maner of courting vse you here faire damozell sayd Bembo thē in those places I haue trauailed for the gallāts in my countrey onely procure by louing to assure their Ladies thereof that they may be pleased to condescend therto making their wills knowen vnto them In respect of the intollerable paines suffered do they neuer require any guerdō but only procure to propagate that magnanimitie wherwith they sacrifize thēselues vnto their Ladies setting in their hands their hearts soules expecting nothing hereby but the glorious sirname of their amorous knights Strange things haue you tould me sir knight said she gladly would I know whome you loue to be certified whether it be so or no but perswaded it is so I know not what the Trebizound Ladies meane so much to debase their beauties And far more thē to receaue a iewel of great prize would I esteeme to haue longer time to discourse with a knight so grande a seruitor to Cupid but the hast that cals me away constraines me to depart for my Lady the Princesse expects an answere of some busines by my returne who to rest a while remayned not farre hence in a house of pleasure and with her is the Princesse Artemisa of England and to my thinking not so frée as were conueniēt So sir knight I pray you pardon me for fortune maye appoint better occasion that I may enioy your amorous conuersation which hath not a little attracted me At all times faire Ladye replyed the Moore that you will so fauour me will I accompt past my deserts reputing it according to your many merits the discretion of so faire a dame And if my power may any way procure your content commaund me for with all diligence necessarie will I accomplish it With this she departed leauinst the amorous Pagan affected to her witty wantonnes And mounting on his horse he cōtinued on his way wherein befell him what the next recounteth CHAP. XXI What in the Forrest happened to the couragious Bembo with the Princesse of Trebizound and her guard with other aduentures MOunted on a brauer horse then anye they which drawing the goulden eye of heauen compasse about the Terrene Orbe somewhat after his meridionall decline trauelled the mighty Bembo with his pilgrime thoughts onely on his Lady that to driue him from them was the wanton damozels prettie chat no meanes desirous ere he left that Empyre to see that Court so famoused throughout the world by reason of the excellent Princes that gouerned there On this ranged his pensiue imaginations with some ease which the pleasant sounde of the chirping birdes mooued seing that to among them loue hath his cōmaund For if they will striue either to excell other in their notes it is because he raignes among thē that makes the rusticke countrey swayne more excellenter then Demostenes in eloquence of speech so he be toucht with loue What tongue or pen hath he subingated that hath béen poore in skill and not rich in wit who could euer vtter the aboūdance of a copious and artificiall tongue vnlesse mooued by the sonne of his moother Venus The Sarracine Prince did not call himselfe deceaued for yeilding of his faith but considering he had past any time without Loue he tearmed it lost and that life worse thē death that is not troubled with Cupids amorous passions In this and in a thousand complots which Loue propounded him was he occupied when from out a fragant thicket he saw comming a companie of Knights richly armed not farre after them there came three attending on a sumptuous Carre wherein he thought hee sawe some Ladies till approching more nigh he was assured it was so ouer-viewing the riches of the knights Two of them were of one deuise all gréen with the spanish armes vpon their shields wherby he
Prince with such haughtie thoughts that Mars himselfe would haue feared him With furie at length they mette in middle of their course with most strong incounters But the Dacians Horse being the best in the world meeting with his aduersaries tumbled him on the ground and with a mighty fall made his Maister measure his length on the earth himselfe stumbling at a speares struchon Whereat the Prince fearing some mischance seeing him so stagger leapte from him with such nimblenesse that his gallantnesse as much delighted the Lady as it grieued her to see her brothers disgrace who fearing a sudden death with his sword drawne and his shield wel buckled about his arme made towards our Knight that in like manner expected him desirous to prooue the cutting of his Romaine blade wherewith he laide vpon the toppe of his enemies shield entring it with such might that al that quarter with a pece of his helme he threwe to the ground He seconded another not so dangerous yet more fearfull because lighting on his breast it gaue him a wide wound Trembling stood the Lady at her brothers chance though he like a valiant warriour setting his right foote forward so struck him on the leggs that had his sword been like the Dacians he hadd greatly hazarded his victorie Forward he stept with his other foote to make a stronger blowe and so thrusting at him with his point it chanced between the buckles of his skirts that had he not turn'd aside he had there been slaine out-right notwithstanding it made him a little wounde whereout issued some blood The Dacian thinking it to be greater like a furious Lyon before he was able to withdraw him vpon the little left him of his shield gaue him such a blow that parting it from one end to the other and the point slycing all the armour of his arme he threw his shield on the ground leauing all that side without defence With the feare of death rested the Knight amazed but incouraging himselfe with his sword in both hands he made against his aduersarie discharging on his shield so braue a blow that falling on his head he forst him to retire backe with staggering stepps which séeing he followed the aduantage with a point had almost ouerthrowne him But our new Louer firmely staied himselfe raysing aloft his Romain murthering sword at such time as the Ladie getting to her Horse cried out Knights withdraw your selues for this is no combate any farther to proceede But she came too late for ere shee mounted her brother groaned his last falling on the earth with his head parted in two which sudden death grieued euen the very soule of the vanguisht victorious Dacian But what the sorowfull Lady did admits no comparisō for casting her selfe from her Horse all the moouing motions of her breathing senses left her so disposest of Life as they hadde the Prince with this vnlook'd for accident He vnlaced his helme and sitting on the blood-dewd grasse he tooke the amazed Ladies head betweene his hands which he durst doe bycause the weapons of her excellencies through a pale ashie trance had left her beautie without defensiue armes and began to vse those meanes for her recouerie that his braue heart did neuer study and with bitter exclaimes he saide Oh cruell fortune may it be thou shouldest so soon temper with so sower a chance the first time thou wouldest a little fauor me Oh wise Nabato my professed friend why didst thou tell me thy care should alwaies be to cure my woes if all things now conspire against me to ouerthrowe my content In his owne helme hee caused some water to bee brought him and sprinckled it vpon the Ladies faire face till with a sighe proceeding from her oppressed soule she return'd vnto her selfe yet for all this did she remember the pitifull lamentes that the Knight hadde vttered and that the force of Loue did onely force him to But séeing the brother that she most affected lye before her besmeared with his owne blood so cruelly slaine she stepte from the Prince saying Let mee goe rude and discourteous Knight for the wronges you haue gainst me committed cannot be satisfied with lesse then the heart blood of your dearest life And casting her selfe on the dead carcase with such pitifull compassion that it would haue drawne teares from a Tygers eies she wailed her brothers losse and drowning his head and face with a pearled shower of water distilling from her two clowdie founts she thus began her plaintes May it be deare brother that the angrye Heauens should so oppose their happie reuolutions against our youth suffering the cruell fates to persecute thee and me with so lamentable a chaunce kept in store by that constant Lady of inconstācie giuing the world so great a losse thorow thy vntimely death who shall dare carye the vnlucky newes of thy vnhappie end vnto our Parents Oh Princes of Callidonia now must you take new weapons and put on armour of reuenge and build an alter to Rhamnusia offering thereon the cruell sacrifizes of Nemesis bloodie rites that she maye further your reuenging thoughts to take so iust a vengance For you haue this day lost a Prince of the best the brauest Ah tender youth so suddenly bereaft and ill enioyed Oh pittilesse inhumane death with what extreames dost thou performe thy cruelties hauing without mercie or respect of innocencie with such barbarous sauagenesse snacht from hence my poore Larsyno on whome the enuious worlde had placed all her hopes And if impartiall destinies inexorable Sisters you had determined this partiall doome within the consistorie of your counsell house why suffred you not sterne goddesses my brothers mortall wound also to fall on me and end in my hart and not leaue mee thus with life to feele so many deathes Thus did that beauteous Ladie poure forth her sorowes for her deare Larsyno But the inraged passiōs that did possesse Don Eleno when he vnderstood that he had slaine her brother whom he loued more then his owne soule had almost forced him with his owne dagger to drawe his owne harts blood to pacifie her rage if he had not feared eternall damnacion for so great a sinne yet esteemed he that a profitable death where nothing was hoped but what should be more cruell For all this he animated his drooping heart and turning to the weepyng Lady sayde Seing my more then vnhappie fortune deuine Lady hath permitted he should displease you and in this sort that was only borne to adore you soly desiring life to please you bethinke what satisfaction you will haue though it be with the dearest blood chambred in my soule and at your command these hands shall sluce it forth bycause with such a death my life will end with ioy if something it may extenuate part of your discontent conceaued Any reuenge most cruell Knight replied the sorowfull Lady will be but little in recompence of the highe wronge I haue receiued by those murthering handes guiltie of
my proper blood But for this time I will no other reuenge but your departure from my company leauing me sufficiently assured of your cruelty to my cost and I will liue for my misfortune will haue it so with the only desire of a more full reuenge Wherefore from hencefoorth I straight doe banish you my sight for I will haue it so If I shall depart in your disgrace most beauteous Lady I will not haue my life with your disfauour to torment me replied the Prince but since you desire to be reuenged on him that only would liue to admire you take it with this sword cawser of your woes and my misfortune and therewith strike of my sacrifized head to appease your wrath for I willingly offer it on your pities altar with all I else possesse already subiect to your will and only this doe praie that after you haue done it you would rent forth my harte for none shall witnesse your crueltie but your selfe and there shall you see your selfe engrauen though not so naturally yet with rarer perfections reasons suffcient to force me to elect you sole patronesse thereof The which remaining in your handes being loues thrall may moue clemencie towardes his Lord to sturre your anger to pitie your captiue euen with his owne reliques Wherewith prostrated on his knees before her with his eies closed with water holding the sword by the point againe thus said If only in my death great Ladie there rests any small comforte for mee it will bee the greatest that I may imagine receiuing it with this blade by your hands for Guerdon of my rashe attempts although if I had knowne what this dead increaser of your griefes did concerne you my selfe had only been the procurer of his life with farr greater care then for my owne which wil be hatefull to mee if still you will insist in your conceaued wrath Knight said she more barbarous then the Sauages of Hircania and the cruellest that ere my eies beheld thus I will not execute my reuenge for it will not be so cal'd performed with the offenders liking and bycause you said it is life and the sweetest to bereaue you thereof with my handes neither will I therin so much content you but expect and sollicite the heauens to order my reuenge after some other sorte The afflicted Prince hearing so sower and bitter answere conceaued such extreame griefe which with sobbes and sighes so besieged his harte that it berest him of his senses falling at his Ladies feete which was another new kind of torment to afflict her for abandoning all crueltie she tooke him in her armes and sitting on the ground she laid his head on her lappe which had the grieued Dacian felt he would not so soone recouer himselfe and bewailed this lamentable spectacle with new laments that moued the tender Ladye to breake into these exclaymes Oh blind despightfull Fortune enemy to my rest how well hast thou manifested thy mutabilities hauing so well pleaded for the greatest enemie I had that I am forst to cōmiserate his woes and pitie his distresse Oh Goddesse who might certenly knowe if with my death she would end her rigorous changing courses execute at once against my tendernesse the whole power of thy despight for the wrongs past hauing been the greatest that might befall mee or thou do mee will I with ioy accept bycause I know they come from thee for she that was borne to no good can receaue no harme to hurt her and with this deceipt may she passe her life that in the beginning hath felt the vtmost of thy cruell power Oh cruell Goddesse vnworthie of a better name because in all thy actions thou performest the deedes of an Hircanian Tyger And being vnable to doe otherwise she cōmanded Fabio to bring her some water wherewith the distressed youth obtained his loste senses and with a sighe that seemed to burst his weake harte he saide Vnhappy stars that gouern'd my natiuitie and more vnhappie I to liue to see my woes to conquer death that dares not approche where he is onely wished with his crueltie to end a life oppressed with cares Oh vnfortunate hap who would haue thought so long and tedious a nauigation should anchor in so vnluckie a Port Oh valiant friends now must I for euer in absence with ayrie words take my latest leaue for my fates saye he shall neuer see you more that onely liued with your deare sights Oh valiant Princes of Grecia what balefull newes will it be when you shall heare of my death whose life alwaies and content soly delighted yee And seeing himselfe in the Ladies lappe a little lifting vp his eyes with so many sighes and throbbing sobbs that might haue mooued a Lions fiercenes to relent but to the extreamest point was this Ladies furie come that it would admit no Impression of any mercy vnlesse it should altogether yeeld to pittie which she thought was yet too soone to doe he sayd Since no pietie noe pittie nor no mercie that are the vertues which glorifies all your sexe maye sturr a litle compassion in your obdurate breast then at once cruell Lady end the tormenting of my poore soule with so long prolonging a despised life and take what reuenge you will on this weeping hart subiect to your Imanitie Knight answered the Lady ill would it beseeme me if by yeelding to your request and in that maner to worke your content I should become cruell against my selfe I wil not take any reuenge that may rather redowne to my dishonour then honour But for this time only I will haue you grant me two things Being all in all yours replied he there is no cause why by promise you should séeke to winne my will which so truely doth acknowiedge your souerainetie Why then said she my first demaund is you giue mee the order of Chiualry and as for my other request you shall after know it I doe sayd he esteeme my happinesse farre greater now then a little afore I esteemed my selfe vnhappie in that deare Soueraign of my soule you haue deygned to imploye me and in affayres more difficult farre would I haue had you hazarded my life but séeing this is your will I am content to obaie and bycause I perceaue you want armour I do beseech you to accept these which were giuen me for good and I shall be more glad thereof bycause they shall obtaine a worthier owner I thanke you for your offer replied she But these of Semyramis nothing inferiour to those I had not long since on yonder vallie giuen me and that with them I should end the greatest aduenture of the world And so casting off her hunting garments she discouered the rarest armes that the whole earth could afford for they were all of Pearles and Dyamonds with such arte vnited that it made them farre strōger then if they were of fine tempered steele on one side they bare a painted harte but made of inestimable orient Rubies whose glister alyenated the
my former successes through your meanes the happie sight of your first approch so alienated my selfe frō my selfe that I was faine to submit my soule to hope some redresse for so great a change and yet thereby loosing the same hope of remedie through the vnhappie death of your deare brother though now I haue not altogether lost if of his life because that learned man that sent vs this shield hath vndertaken the care of his safetie But because I am and will be yours vntill the fatall Sisters of life and death shall abridge my soule of her breathing sacrifices I beseech you by the firmenesse of our sincere loue you will assure my hopes confirme my desires and set an end to my painfull longings With the end of which wordes with more boldnesse thē his feare required he kist her on the chéeke which done he dyed his own with such a bashfull tincture that it altogether stopt the passage of his spéech Well did the Lady perceaue his alteration who with some showe of anger replyed I would not Prince of Dacia that the committing of my honours puritie and my Maydens fame into your hands should be occasion of your little regard vnto the great respect due to the confidence I haue in you reposed wherein yf you neglect the dutie you owe thereto I will rather cast my selfe into these deuouring waters then the glorie of my chast thoughts shall endure any stayne And the receauing you for my Knight hath not been so smal a fauor but might sufficiently so content you that my kéeping you company thus alone to trust you with my immaculate vnstayned imaginations should be no cause to mooue you to this discourtesie And offering to goe frō the hatches the Prince with Millions of sighes proceeding from his soule stayed her by the arme with these wordes That I haue displeased you Imperious Princesse so torments me that I know not how to satisfie your discontent conceaued vnlesse you now will take a full reuenge for my many trangressions though it bee with effusion of my dearest dearest lyfe and yet what I did was forced by the motion of a pure sincere loue and not of any lasciuious thoughts So assured was the beauteous Rosamond therof that she thus made answere Since my happie starrs braue Prince haue put me in your hands they haue dryuen me to that necessitie that I must forget and forgiue any offence whatsoeuer but if you shall passe these lymits my selfe will execute on my owne life the cruellest death ere heard of With incredidle ioy the amorous Prince kist her hands for the fauor being warned by the palenesse of Cinthias shine that it was time to withdrawe themselues they returned to their seuerall cabbins comparable to any Monarches chamber where they past the night with such conformable thoughts that hadd they durst either to visite the other at that seasō it is doubtfull whether they would haue differred the glory attending on such attempts A little before the Messenger of morne began to lace the Heauens with her goulden hayre the Princely youth séeing himselfe so true a seruitor vnto the God of loue so derely to be loued raysed himselfe on the bed and leauing on his pillowe tooke his Lute in hand and making it sound the repetition of his ioyes he sung the felicitie that the heauens gaue him in the possession of so rare a Lady in these verses Let th'happiest dye with enuie of my state And as vnhappie haue a speedy fall If soule and thoughts tormented were of late T was to obtayne the soueraygnest good of all In whome deuyne Apelles with his art For beauties sake drewe forth her better part Dye fayre Adonis and Apollo perish Pyramus and Leander breath no more Endimion eake that did with fauors florish Well knowes the world my loue the heauens adore And as their estimation passed myne So in content let them so much declyne He ended with a sigh saying Oh loue with how greate reason art thou honored and like a God adored seing thou canst cherish him that hath not felt thy churlishnesse and on whom thou hast not extended the intollerable waight of thy rygorous power Well did the Princesse heare him ouer-ioyed to be loued by so braue a Prince imagening she could not hope for more hauing so great a good there present Notwithstanding she determined yet to dissemble her affection vntill the time did counsell her what she should doe and because the Sunne had begun his rysing in the East she made her ready putting on her white most rich armour went directly to the Princes cabbyn who with his new care had it not to clothe himself yet seing his Lady come he woulde rise but she staying him sayd I would haue had you done it afore Sir Knight for he that liues so carelesse should not belike doubt of his Mistres fauors and with my soule I would be glad to know her that I might aske her if she ioyes in so carelesse a louer Deuinest Princesse replyed the ioyfull Prince with nothing doe I more expresse my poore soules pensiuenesse then with such carelesnes which being well noted it will be iudged a carefull confidence for it cannot be more séene nor better deserued in any then in whome true loue hath rooted his conceipts for without care of anye thing else he doth onely busie himselfe in the swéete imaginations of his owne alienation Notwithstanding answered the Lady I doe condemne so great confidence almost grounded vpon an extremitie and in most respcts little respecting the Lady loued for the ouerielous louer did neuer but die confounded in his owne expects A care magnanimous and honorable is to be alowed excused and worthy of estimation but vtterly to bee ouer-whelmed in pensiue suspence and make you séeme nothing but a louer befits you not nor yet becoms it one boūd to accomplish so many things as you I doe ioy so much deare Mistres of my hart to loue and wholy to employ my selfe therein that I would shewe no signe that I can any thing otherwise and although I should doe so I do not requite the worth of my imployment for if I had a Thousand soules al were to few cōpared to the content of my imaginatiōs where al the good is decyphered the otherwise I might expect and I finde that being not this waye yf would be more then troublesome Sir Knight replyed she you doe so highly accompt the thing loued that I doe wish I were she to obtaine that glorie that neuer Venus did enioy though in beautie a Goddesse and it should be for no longer then I might knowe whether it be true all that you publish Thereof excellent Princesse replied he craue no better testimonfe thē the paine that I conceaued with your sight Then answered shee you cannot denie mee that to loue is more to feare then any other thing seeing you say that the first sight left you so wounded whereby I inferre your paine proceeded
this pittefull spectacle gauld the hawghtie Oristoldo to the harte yet durst he not helpe his frende being appointed Iudg. Notwithstanding was Lindoreanos dasht in his intent for ere he arriued the braue Greeke had recouerd himselfe and seing his aduersarie runne towards him gordged with desire of the blowe he staied for him and as he closed a little stept aside with his good courser that he was struck but on the side of his shoulder and all that quarter was brused Three howres is it since the battle begune and yet no aduantage betweene them was knowne The field was strewed with peeces of their armour that their blows did tare By this the streakes of light laced the vaullie heauens as messengers of the approching morne wherat Rosabell seeing the little he had done and how much it concerned him being a matter that so nearly towched his Grandfather a quarter of an hower before the sunne principiated his dyurnall course Iudging it weakenesse to lett a battle so long indure he warded a heauie blowe the youth let flie at him closed within him where might there besene one of the branest wrasles that the world euer sawe for their horses more firmely fixing their hoofes on the ground then the rooted rootes of strong oakes within the earth gaue leaue vnto the combatants to gaine aduantage in the loftie ayre New maner of warre was this for the two that in one daie were instalde in the honored order of armes and chiualrous desynes But the dexteritie the strong sallyes the braue closures and furious moouings made apparance of more experience then they had For both their ages co-united amounted not to xl yeares and notwithstanding shewed they ensamples of learning armes for Mars that on them gazed and documents for the proudest to emulate In kindled wroth was our amorous Champion on fier thinking his owne side had the worst of that wrasling So fayned he a new pollicie that altogether suffitiently contented the louer of Venus Vulcans competitor which was he made shewe to let him goe that hee might doe the like his hopes were effected for the Nyquean seing that way he got a litle aduantage loosd him but scarcely had he done it wheÌ„ with the strength of his legges he set spurres to his fierie Courser and taking hould of him with greater strength then before he snatcht him from his saddle bearing him in his armes to the grieued Iudge Oristoldo who the ioyfullest aliue adiudged the Prince of Nyquea vanquished Vnder the tytle Iâ—le not accept him sayd Rosabell but as a deare and my soules friend Let it suffice sir Knight replyed Lindoriano to haue conquered me in the battle of swoordes not to require a more coÌ„quest otherwise by bearing away the trophies of knightly courtesie which though it be due vnto you yet wil I not so slightly let it goe but seeing I am by you vanquisht coÌ„maunde me according to our agreement for I wil performe it The first that I intreate not command is that you receaue me as a friend which I will truely be vnto the extremest passage of my breath And the next that you continue still to loue your Lady with the firmenesse of an immoueable hart for there is no Lyon so fierce but will be mooued with the good done him But this will I haue performed without preiudice to the Greeke Emperour for otherwyse it will be rather an impouerishing then inriching of your honour And in signe that you doe so I must haue you shewe it in prohibiting any whatsoeuer that you shal méete with such an vniust demaunde Moreouer if for the gayning of your loue there is any neede of our companieit and our persons wee offer hencefoorth to be by you ymployed the which we will better doe by deedes then we speake it in wordes Magnanimous Knight replyed the Prince of Nyquea I am exceeding glad that since this chance was allotted me that it fell out by your handes being a Knight so well accomplisht in all vertues and so I thinke you haue counselled mee what most befitted myne honour And seing we haue no more to doe I promise by the fayth and honour of a Knight and Prince to accomplish it which he full-well did execute to the cost of som ones life as shal be remembred For no meane aduentures befell this Prince about his loues which were notable and that fully I may depart contented sayd he I beseech you tell me whome ye be We are of such remoted countries that if we should declare it you cannot knowe vs. At this time onely are we named the Knights of Fortune And this sayd Rosabell we accompt the worthyest that these many dayes hath happened vs. Thereupon they tooke their leaues parted the twoo friends taking their way to Grecia in which nauigation they met with many aduentures that the wise man here omitted which not a little grieues me for so famous a thinge as the winning of Hectors armes wherewith he did desie Achilles challenging him vnto the fight and Oristoldos getting those of Aeneas should not onely distinctly be set downe but at large particularized in a sole Historie He referres it vnto the Greeke Annales where Rosabells life is more copiously memorated There may these aduentures bee seene for at this time is onely sayd that with the best armour in the vniuerse they landed in the Port of Hircambella one of the chiefe citties of the Grecian Empire where they went a shoare onely with Allirios companie and seeing so many multitudes of strang Nations there arriued and euery minute still ariue they supposed some generall warre had been against it moued vntill they were certified of the cause to the Princes great contentment specially when they knewe their deare Fathers were in Greece In this manner mounted on the mightiest horses that the earth affoorded surpassing those that daylye drewe the burning Charriot of the Sunne they approached Constantinople walles where wee must leaue them through certaine aduentures which in that season did befall CHAP. VIII What happened in Grecia to Don Celindo and the beauteous Floraliza his sister with a Knight I Haue with such delight bene carryed away with the hawghtie deedes of Rosabell that had I not remembred what affection deare Saints and Venus votresses you shewed to the Scithian Princesse I had ouerpast them with obliuion did I not feare the rodde of your displeasure But now with your fauours for without them I dare not I do enter in the relation of their famous actes which were so memorable that Lirgandeo at large doth set them forth the which hauing lefte their inchaunted habitation entring within the Sea of Greece they had in sight the worthie Zasinthus Isle situated right opposite to the Corinthian gulffe where they learned how many trauailed to the Grecian Empyre against the solemnitie of the braue tryumphes that should be made in the famous Citie of Constantinople In millitarie actioÌ„s greatly delighted the two brothers thinking there better then in any other place
aduantage knowne which made the spectators begyn a new ioy for the Pagans demaund had angred them all The acknowledgment of his aduantage was not so great but that the other might recouer it to the louers deare cost wearying him with assaulting auoyding warding and offending The people in the place celebrated euery blowe with promises aboue the skies But the impatient Moore blaspheming against his gods as thinking that his disgrace from them proceeded went to his enemie and with both hands let flye at him such a blowe that lighting on the side of his Helme he cut away all the buckles of the right side which had he spyed no doubt but he had made an end of him by againe recharging there But he with-held so long that the gallant Louer recouered himselfe and with both armes aloft marched against his enemie who in like sorte met him and with more horror then the furious waues beate vpon the flintie rockes they discharged their blowes vpon their Helmes with such puissance that both sencelesse fell on the ground the Nyquean without his Helme but the Pagan with his head scull and braynes broken scattered within his owne The people would haue gone to them had not the guard stayed them till they sawe what became of the Knights traunce But straight was the victorie proclaimed for the valiant Lindoriano returned and seeing him selfe in that manner flung to his weapons to assault his foe but seeing him so lye went to him and vnlaced his Helme saw his head broken in three or foure pieces it grieued him for he was but yong scarce hauing any beard But seeing he could not doe withall demaunded the Iudges if he had accomplished to his honour And in such manner replyed they most valiant Knight that for euer shall your memorie here indure Alreadie came the Emperour and all the Kings that were with him to receiue the Knight who knowing which he was prostrated himselfe vpon his knees requiring his royall handes to kisse them he would not do it saying He that hath them so good Sir Knight with more reason ought his to be demaunded then ours giuen and raysing him from the ground verie kindly imbraced him demaunding who he was he replyed excusing himselfe the best that he coulde saying that for that time he was called Venus Knight The Emperour would not suffer him to staye in the Tent but that he should be cured in court Where the Empres Bryana in company of all the Ladies in recompence of what for the Emperor he had done visited him which from death reuiued him to giue it him more sweeter with their hāds The Ioustes ceased by the Emperors commandement for eyght daies while the Knight was in cure where he was so much made of as if they knew him in estate to be one of the greatest Princes of the world So many things happened in these few daies that some of them maye not be omitted what they were the next Chapter memorateth CHAP. XI What happened to Don Eleno of Dacia after he departed from the Emperor in search of his deare Lady Rosamond of Callidonia I Cannot sweete Ladies but intermingle some pleasing matter amonge the turbulent hurleburlies of bloody Mars shewing thereby in part the thankfulnesse of my minde due for your willing patience hitherto showen for which your beauties admiration shall while these lynes endure eternally remain the which if the world as a strange new rarytie adoreth my self by louing though vnregarded cannot but esteeme it And while the reward proceedes from some danger harken faire Ladies what befell vnto the warrelike Louer Who departing frō the Emperor and the other Princes with the swiftnesse of his Tyrio returned the waye that he came thinking to meete with his Ladie it otherwise happened for loosing himselfe within the woodie thickets of that forrest wandering many daies hearing no newes of his sowle So great were the torments he indured and his exclaimes vnto the skyes that his voice was hoarce with plaints With his dagger on euery tree he mett he engraued this When Don Eleno shall forget thee Maye fortune then reiect mee And vnder it to explaine more the efficacie of his greefe how that waye he sought Rosamond he thus added Since Rosamond is Life And soule of him that seekes her T' obtaine it without strife Why should I cease to seeke her In this maner did the Datian Lord acquaint the buzing winds with the secrets of his pensiue hart regestring it on the hard okes as if they were able to redresse his woes but t is alouers cōfort to cōmunicat his greefs vnto the aire Angry with this fortune he past 4 daies in the end wherof hard by the sea side finding himself alone and seing his misfortune he thus began to sing thinking that none did heare him Deuinest Nimphes that in your shadie bowers Doe lead your Liues contentedly in Loue And you that free doe daily spend your howers Recording those that yours will neuer moue Harken to his that his poore heart deuowrse And pines in woes and doth in torments liue Bereft of Ioyes of glorie and of fame By loosing her in beauty cheefest dame See how on me Loues tyrannie is shewne By which the Heauens and cruell fates torment me My loue refus'd my constancie for sworne Through which my Ioyes in loue I once did see To shew some pittie now were some renoune When life when hope when Ioyes reiected bee This maye you doe by telling her I seeke That I would meete her ere the sunne doe peepe For pitties sake this fauour dain to do me For whilst I greeue she greeues except you tell her Because our soules in woes coparteners be And absence is a scourge and faithes abayter The which you know and well I woot doth she That lost our Ioyes by absence loues afflicter Once I did loue and was againe beloued Now I must weepe seing my loue remoued Of both I am a scholler to experience Insample to of aforgotten louer And though I liue proclaimed was the sentence That me condemnd to sorrowe hartes tormenter Yet all I sufferd but this plage of absence I cannot being my Ioyes remouer I pine she weepes and we would faine now meet Except you helpe we neuer shall regreet None of all the forrest Goddesses and Nymphes that in their shadie Celles were ending of their taskes but gaue it ouer and in such sort pittied the complaints of the wofull Louer that the gentle Datian sawe himselfe incompassed with a more then celestiall cōpanie all of them offering him their helps assuring him the happinesse that his constancie had obtained and that he which can so well suffer the hard crosses of absence should not loose the hope of his future good They all promised him to aduertise his Lady of the intollerable passions that for her sake he sustained They brought him to the next straight way and departing returned with matter ynough to talke off concerning the amorous Prince that with vnaccustomed pace
daunger hauing such strong enemies The gallant of Argentaria returned her his aunswere with such strength that he made her see more starres then in the heauens were But who bewayled the blowes in their soules with sighes and pearled teares were the two wofull Ladies seeing their louers in such daunger For Artimio alreadie bewailed Florisartes death alreadie calles the Heauens vniust alreadie complaines on Loue calling him a tyrant that liued by honouring Cupid a pittifull God If this way there is such excesse of griefe what shall the beautifull Princesse of Rome do seeing her Don Eleno with Lisarte For though he had the better her loue disliked it making her beleue what easily she credited But her sorrow helped not nor her louing with such intiernes auailed to asswage her passions They could not deuise no meanes to make the battle cease for as they were flesht in it they thought it impossible that any thing lesse then the death of some should part them for at this time it semed that with more fiercenes it increased The Tharsians dexteritie was it that defended him agaynst the angry Dacian yet was it not so much but being reached euery time he set both hands and knees on the earth he passed not much better for his aduersarie neuer gaue him blow but brused and tormented his body so that if he gaue he receaued In no lesse danger was Rosamond for onely her armour was it that in this battle saued her life Euen whē the Sunne would set widdowing the earth of his light there arriued the valiant Mauritanian Brufaldoro that following the search of the Tynacrian and not finding he came thither iudging that for feare he had hiddē himselfe And seing the crueltie of that fight hee could not but say Oh Iupiter what Knightly valour is this The fierce Pagan was gentle and affable of condition and so pittied the faire Pages that wéeping stood speaking thus Can you tell me pretie Pages the cause of this battaile which should not be little considering the fiercenesse thereof It is so small sir Knight replyed Artimio that it is gret pitie it should be continued to the end for so slight a thing the cause being only that this Knight pointing to Florisarte weareth asword which he in the Russet challengeth for his saying he would not part without it vnlesse it cost him his life No longer stayed the mightie youth but drawing foorth his sword put himselfe betwene them that were on foote saying Heare me sir Knights that seing ye haue no other reason then what these Squiers haue told me it were to be reasōlesse to leaue the world Orphant for so small a cause of your valour and for a sword The vndertaken battailes all discréet Knights should be grounde vpon some suffitiēt reason for that is it which assureth the victorye making hym more famous that prosecutes it with Iustice and not with passion to procure to maintain their fame vntill death well did the Dacian know him iudging him of great vallor seing he sustained himselfe to his honour against his Cosen Pollephebo and so replied It is not so small Sir Knight as you thinke it for that knights sword is mine and I requested it with much courtesie which was enough for him to giue it me he not only denyed it but allso threatned me till death if I more demaunded it which you see is sufficient for a-thousand battles and I knew that in no cause you would haue left it That were answered the beautious Arbolinda with many teares had not you giuen it willingly vnconstrained and with it leaue to be giuen to any hauing no action to require it and if like a Knight you gaue it you should no more haue rememberd it The Dacian thought he should know that voice to be of the Princesse of Scotland and so with some a maze answered how know you good page that I did giue this sword I was brougt vp in Rome replied the disguised Artimio sure enough to be vnknowen where I saw that in recompence of an inprisonmēt by the gentlest Gaoler in the world you gaue it All this while the most beautious Roselea did nothing but weepe currents of sault teares vnable to speake on word yet thus replied Don Eleno So many requires a peace valiant Sir that he should not deserue to inioy any that would deny it and so for this time I remit the battle so pleaseth these Knightes They will saie the woefull distressed Roman were it but to be more pittifull then you that forgetfull of your owne honour and what you are bound to do wander vp and downe challanging battles of whom you know not and without any reason More a mazed then at first with these things remained the Datian for by their voices he thought he knew them both and thinking long till he spake with them said to Rosamond in her language that it behooueth him to leaue that battle She that was borne to loue him woulde not therein discontent him And so stepping apart left the battle leauing the Princes so brused that they could scarce stand The king of Mauritania seeing the matter ended demaunded for the Knight of the Branch of whome Don Eleno gaue him the newes he knew not knowing he was shipt to Sea after he departed from him No longer stayed the Moore but in all hast possible with his wife tooke the way that the Dacian directed him and no sooner was he departed but Rosamonds louer mounting on his Tirio went to the Pages saying your spéeches gentle pages haue so confounded one that I wold giue ouer a Thousand battles so I might intreat you to tell me whether you know me or if my name in Rome bee knowen Wherto Artimio answered you haue no reason prince of Dacia to conceale your name and yet wee wish wee had not knowne you were it but because wee would not haue had a Prince so great an as you renowned haue erred against such excellent Ladies as the Princesses Roselia and Arbolinda for the former is with reason wronged with the discourtesie and ingratitude or rather crueltie wherwith you departed from Court she hauing shewed you so manye fauors which were suffitient for one that had a clearer iudgment then you to make him leade all his life with content but I feare you were onely borne to mocke poore Ladyes Then consider the blot of your fame and reputatiōs staine and the greatnesse that in Rome you are loued and moreouer the toyle and labourous trauayle that I and my companyon haue suffered in our tedious voyage to séeke you all which well pondered may bee some cause that leauing the present state of all thinges you returne where by minutes you are expected by them that fill the ayre with sighes And that you maye see it signed receaue this her better whose tenor I knowe not whose obdurate harte it woulde not mollefie but Don Elenos Prince of Dacia who tooke it not to be moued to Loue for therein he had not where
another that almost in two peeces deuided he fell vpon the paued floore At what time the Gyant came foming through his Beuer like a chafed boare and raysing his horrible mace would execute his blowe with his lightnesse the louer shunned it arriuing with a happie stroake for it cut his mace and his left hande whose paine made the gyant roare like a Bull whereat Oristoldo that was without also feared he gaue backe yet not before the Prince hadd entred with a mortall thrust pittifully wounding him on the brest By this had he drawne a strong axe wherewith he marched against the Gréeke Hercules giuing so manye and so mightie blowes that he néeded all his skill to frée himselfe from them and at length one reached him with such puissance that falling on his rich helme it made him set hands and knées on the grounde hee followed with another which made him thinke he was in Heauen so neare him he saw the starrie Firmament he loste much blood thorowe his Beuer which was the cause altogether to inrage him And ere hee gaue him another hee rose laying on his legge as he past so braue a blow that it cut it cleane off This was the blowe that gaue him the victorie for following him as he wanted his legge he stumbled with his head at the Princes féet who receaued him with a blowe with both handes on his helme whose two fingers thicknes was cut wounding him on the head that the blood issued in gret aboundance though with trouble yet hee raysed himselfe stāding vpon one foot which litle auailed him for wāt of the excesse of blod he had lost by his 4 woūds which had broght him to the passe that he could no lōger stād on foot This noted the Britannicke Lord and warding his last blow he closed with him giuing another which hée felt no lesse then the others No other remedie had the diuilish Gyant but to cast his armes about him crushing him so strongly that he oftē lost his breath To end this warre Rosabell drewe foorth Hectors dagger and twice stabbing it within his infernall bodie at the last he drew it foorth with the Gyants life and soule remayning so weary that he could not stirre but séeing what he wanted to doe he stayed for Oristoldo to buckle on his Gauntlet which in the beginning hee had lost who did it with exceeding ioy to sée what he had done Hée straight tooke his leaue of him and taking his shéeld marched towards the second Arch where was a bigge proportioned Knight armed all in azuce armour with barres of gréene ammell who came to Rosabell and saying neuer a word drew foorth a most rich sword the like did the Greeke and at once discharged the waight of eythers armes that both field and Castle did resound The Knight of the Arche tooke him vpon his Helme and made no impression there through the finesse thereof yet it made him set handes and knées vpon the ground He scapte not better for the swoord being incomparable reaching him on a side it pared away halfe the helme and with but a litle more strength taking him full it hadd doone the like of his head yet the furious blowe past forwards throwing downe a peece of his shield Like an aspen leafe the sight of his enemies blowes made him tremble seing that euery time he reached him both armour and flesh he cut his lightnes not his inchantments here auayled him for his aduersaries sword was of more antiquitie and so hee was faine with nimblenes to defend himselfe entring and sallying to Rosabels cost So sidelong he gaue such a blowe that he made him giue backe so much that hee almost fell he was so quicke that with a counter-buffe he helped him to it and iustling him with his sholders he almost ouerthrewe him if he had not fallen on his hands The occasion would not the inchanted youth omit for with both hands he gaue him such a blowe vppon his shoulders that the paine made him roare a loude but as hee ended so great was the inraged kindled wrath which in the Gréekes brest burnt that the hunted Lyon by the furious ounce was inferior to it and méeting with his enemie he gaue him a mightie wound on his breast which verie neare did cut the bone This contented not the angry youth for hee gaue him another vppon his helme leauing him their pitiously wounded The gallant louer considering how much hee had to doe hastened the end of the battle and therefore they assaulted with their swordes crosse and with a spéedie trauesse the Gréeke voyded his aduersaries stroake and like an Eagle on the left-side he entred with a downe right blowe that his thigh was cut away It caused the inchanted Knight intollerable griefe but it was no time for pitie with a poynt he pierst his arme and followed it with such desire that hee of the Castle procured to cut away his cushes It was no ill deuise for giuing him a mighty blowe on the legges he so tormented them that had he at that instāt closed he had obtained the victorie but he staid himselfe with another that at his waste he let flie which wounded him though but little Till then was neuer séene a more crueller battaile for the Greeke is almost tired and with many blowes that brused his flesh and thought his enemie farre more nimbler thē at first though besmeared with his owne blood that from his woundes yssued It was an admirable thing to see the horror that their swordes made which excéeded the gyanticke noise in Vulcans worke-house when those armes were forged which the Gréeke woare who putting his trust in them letting fall his shield with both hands hee went to his enemie that being alreadie resolued to die killing or be kild in like manner came against him and together they discharged such blowes that the Greeke Prince fell down voyding blood from his eyes nostrels and mouth he recouered himselfe a while after and loking for his enemie hee founde him on the earth for though the blowe was not on the head lighting on his shoulder it cut him down vnto the bone casting him dead vpon the ground He reioyced to haue obtained the victorie though he remayned so brused that hee was faine to sit downe and take of his helme to wipe away the blood of from his face Oristoldo and Allirio then came for as he wonne the arches they past forwards which they could not doe till the end of euery battle They demaunded how he felt himselfe weary replyed hee though glad to haue ended so dangerous a battle as with the Knight in the azure armor he would no longer abide but taking his weapons went to the thirde arche where walked a Knight nothing inferior to the former armed all in yellow armor barred with azure This thus sayd Knight I esteeme honor thee as thy merits doe deserue for the haughty deedes thou hast done which none else in the vniuerse could
coulde defend himselfe with a furious thrust he pierced his left arme This wounde greatly grieued Trebarios Nephewe and so with the paine he would enter vppon his enemie who being skilfull set his rapyer against him that if he had not spied it hee had runne himselfe vppon it notwithstanding it wounded him sorely vpon the brest With his left hand he beate awaye his aduersaries rapier and with the vtmost of his strength he thrust at him on the side of his head and bearing his rapier downewards halfe of his head he threw at his féete ending one of the difficultest aduentures that then the world contained He sat him down staying the coÌ„ming of his friend Oristoldo who with his Squire stanched the blood â—f his woundes binding his arme which caused him extreame paine he was againe armed and so great was his desire to end that aduenture that without any wordes they entred into the great yard whose admirable workemanship greatly amazed them for the pillers about it seemed of rich pretious stones all inameld with gould and blew which ioyed euery sight One the floore of the same yard beneath were ingrauen many Histories with all the famous Knights most liuely figured They sawe the battle which the Tartarian Zoylo had made with the hawty Mauritanian Brufaldoro and his dolefull departure from his deare Tigliaffa who supposing he was dead was by Lupersios order with drawne within that pallace Greatly did the true Louer pittie her seeing how intyrely she had loued the Tartare and how ill her faith had bene repaid In the middle of the yard they saw a great alter like to a Piramides made for the death of some great Potentate and round about the galleryes of the same were burning many tapers and two seruants clad down to the heele in mourning that did nothing but loke to them and the lampes of siluer and finest gould As they were about to goe to them and inquire where the Prince was they heard within one of the galleryes a dore opeÌ„ from whence came forth two and two to the number of 12 Ladies all in blacke veluet with their faces masked Through away hung all of the same liuery they past vnto the Tombe where they began a most lamentable musick whose time the Ladyes wold breake with many sudden sighes whose eccho was recorded with in the sepulcher with some doleful sounds of funerall instruments which in the Princes caused some woefull fear when they had done a dame that seemed Lady of the others wherby the Princesse iudged her to be the Princesse Tigliaffa somewhat high that they might heare thus said How long deare Lord will my cruell fortune suffer her to liue that with thy want accoumpts it but a mortall torment what life maie I liue that only liued by seing thee ay me poore Tartare how haue they offended heaueÌ„s propagated my happlesse life for my greater paine that while thou art wanting the glasse wherein I did behold my selfe I might bewaile the good that from mee they bereft haue done thou cruell death by one to rid mee of so many as I suffer seing deare Lord that my lucklesse fates haue appointed me a new kinde of torment that when all the course of thy life being towards me without loue vnto the cost of my content thou shouldst shew such greatnes of vnexpected affection in that short momentarie space that I enioyed thée twixt mine armes Oh if I knew my life would doe thee good now thou art gone whom should I make the executioner but her that more loued then she did her selfe As she was performing certaine ceremonies she did espy the Princes that with their Beuers vp gazed on her beauty which they reputed to be the greatest they had seen wheÌ„ she knew they were none of her newe keepers shee ended her lamentations in great hast entring froÌ„ whence she came with mighty noyse shutting the gates after her No loÌ„ger stayed the louer but like an Eagle mounted the staires comming to the dores he found them so fast as hee thought it impossible to open them he compassed all the cloyster to see if he could finde any other entrance but hee sawe it all built of impenetrable marble he returned to break them open with his sword but found them to be made as he thought all of brasse on the one side he reade these letters He that by the strength of his arme and weapons helper hath arriued vanquishing the keepers of my Castle let him leaue his armor for only to be to haue byn a faithfull louer must end this aduenture Straight did the couragious youth put them all off setting his sword vpon them and so went to the gates at such time as Oristoldo came Assone as he arriued they opened seing no body sauing that within he heard some noise which the Ladies made without any feare hee entred within the hall which he hardly had done when two stronge Knights set vpon him they toke him so suddenly that they raysed him from the ground and had verie nere ouerthrowne him But the youth whose forces admitted no compare recouered himselfe winning his lost aduantage and setled himselfe farre better for he got an entrance for his armes All helpes did he neede for the two were there set onely to wrastle which at this time was admirable for they hadde somewhat wearied the Greeke They came tumbling at length to the gates which occasion vnwilling to let passe with great strength he droue the one from him in spight of his valour threwe him out of the inchanted hall hee had scarce done it when the Heauens were darkened with blacke fogges and mistie clowdes with horrible thuÌ„dering and lightning which fearefull tempest continued for a little space with whose end all the Castle vanished leauing no memorie thereof more then the dead beasts which in the beginning the Princes had slaine hee found himselfe vnarmed with his friend page in the open field hee quickly armed him for they heard new cries which was that the distressed Lady wept ouer her louer not to see him dead but because he was wounded Straight she remembred how she and he had been inchanted being liberated by a Knight that had slayne the kéepers which the wise man had toulde her did guard the Castle Then arriued the Prince presenly she knewe to whome shee was so much bounde and rising leauing the wounded Tartare with her damsells she went to the Prince that with his Beuer vp was going towardes her and imbracing him sayde Most valiant Knight the best that euer guerded sword I cannot suffitiently thanke nor enough memorize your deserued prayses for the good worke you haue done me and the Tartare my Lord both which I leaue and only say that in doing what you did you did perform the duty which your selfe did owe vnto your selfe by succouring the most distressedst Ladye on the earth Neuerthelesse if in part of satisfaction for so great a debt my life may be any imployed in your
content the same shal be my chiefest felicitie Soueraigne Princesse replyed the Prince so greatly were you wronged by being here detained that what I did ought not to be esteemed any thing for your constancie deserued far more I want abilitie most excellent Knight aunswered she to expresse my thankfulnes more then to remaine perpetually at your commaunde onely nowe I must intreate you that since you haue restored vnto my handes the thinge that I most hoped for in this world that you woulde helpe me to cure his woundes for though we haue been inchanted yet they séeme now as fresh as when they were made by that most barbarous Knight In hast they went al vnto him and taking of his armour with the ayre that breathed in his face he returned from the trance he fell in betwéen his Ladies armes when she thought it was his lastly gaspe he opened his eyes and seing himselfe in hir hands he once did hate and nowe excessiuely did loue with great faintnesse sayde May it be deare Ladie that the power of a constant loue hath so rooted it selfe within your brest that not respecting my sauagenesse my more then barbarous sauadgnesse cōmitted against your loyaltie you should still loue mee you should now pittie me you should feele my déepe wounds in your soule hauing made them so great in yours with my life Ingratitude hath been myne worthy of your disgrace deseruing to haue left comfortlesse the most rebellious body that ere the earth did foster leaue we this answered the amorous Ladie my most dearest Lorde for seeing I was borne onely to loue by doing so I discharged my dutie together with what my loue-afflicted soule instructed mee to It neuer grieued me to be vnloued but it onely tormented mee as in reason it should that the first time so famous a Prince should shrinke from his worde it should bee from me This and nothing but this hath made mee wander through the world as it best can witnes so greatlye to my fames cost and honours blemish but since it hath pleased the heauens to pittie my paines mollifying your flint obdurate heart in recompence to see my selfe beloued of my deare Zoylo I accompt my discontent my greatest content yf I any did passe And now le ts giue order for your woūds cure for yet you are more bound then you are aware of depart they would vnto the next village when through the Forrest they spyed a damsell comming towards them more swifter then the raging winde and arriuing sayde Away braue sirs for the Tartars life hath been reserued by the Author thereof onely for my comming And so going to hym she drewe forth a glasse with a most Odoriferous licour whose fragrant smell comforted all the circumstants the which she set vnto his mouth Oh deuine thing for scarce she had set it and hee tasted what it contained when hee remained whole of his wounds though weake through the much blod he had lost his due thanks would hee render for that great good déede but she was vanished vn-seene of any To this famous Knight sayde Tigliaffa must you giue them for t is he that his mightie arme hath fréede both you and me from whence the world else had not béen able to do deliuering vs from the cruell torment wee both iniustly suffered for these wounds for all they séemed so freshly to bléede you receaued them aboue 6. yeares agoe in presence of the vnhappie Tigliaffa that seing it receaued them no lesse Thereupon did the beloued Prince remember that about the armes of of Bramarante a Knight had giuen him them He turned to the gallant Rosabell that excéedinly ioyed to sée him well casting his armes about his necke seing him so young said Oh most mighty Knight is it possible that from your hands hath proceeded such a benefit there is no recompence can equall my receaued fauor I will not binde my selfe for it though eternally I will acknowledge my debt because I feare that being of such waight my short life will not suffer me in part to shew my gratitude but oh God what greater comfort maye I now enioy then to beholde betwene my armes him that so much resembles Rosicler the Prince of Grecia my greatest friend and if in any thing he touches you sir Knight I intreate you by the thing you must loue hope to enioy in this world you would not denie it me for if you are Sonne vnto my Lady the Princesse Oliuia much did the king Sacridoro in her rape yet cost it mee no lesse woundes and had I lost my life it had been pleasing so hee obtayned her his desired pryze to his valour onely due Excellent Prince replyed Rosabell your valour was suffitient without your merits on the Gréeke Princes behalfe deserued to binde all the worlde to your seruice In the rest touching himselfe I knowe no more then that to this Prince of Antioch sonne vnto that King you named and to mee there hath happened so manye thinges since my Fortune caused vs to meete in me to knitte a league of inuiolable friendship besides what before befell mee euen afore that Greeke Lord that we dare presume to saye I am sonne to those so much behoulding vnto you and with like deceipte was prince Rosicler by a strange aduenture parted from me in Lacedemon More then this I assure you I knowe not This is ynough most excellent Princes aunswered the Tartare and for me the greatest comfort that nowe Fortune could giue mee to set mee with the Sonne of those in whose amitie I esteeme my greatest felicitie Anewe they imbraced each other for greater friendes the earth neuer knewe Exceeding glad was the gallant Ladie to see her selfe in companie of such hawghtie knights but more to be beloued of him that once liued by hating her So well did the two friendes handle this matter that they altogether assured the Iealous Lady of her hopes procuring the Tartare to espowse her seing her fayth dyd meryt more then that The gracious Zoylo dyd not refuse it but rather expressed it was the greatest good hee might receaue There the braunches towring trees would bend to make them arbours to spende the nights in pleasure till they arriued at Constantinople Many times would the two louers willingly loose themselues among the thickets where they might inioy what the cursed Selagio pretended with his artes to auoyde and it was no small benefite vnto them for the Lady remained with child of a Sonne that in armes was called Mars a daughter that in beautie excelled all those of her age for whose loue one of the Gréeke Princes doted till the death as the fourth part recordeth where a while wee must leaue them returning to Constantinople for alreadye were the Triumphes begun with farre greater solemnitie CHAP. XIIII How the Tryumphes were againe begun and what admirable battailes happened in them WIth such verie gret affectiō hath the wise Lirgandeo faire Ladies shewed him in the discription of the Tartarian
Zoylos affaires inlarging himselfe out of measure in them that it hath made me more labour in the abreuiation of this inchantment then if my selfe had newely built it indeede fearing that though the matter of it selfe bee pleasing yet the tediousnes of a harshe stile might prooue displeasing The discréete breuitie with it bringeth the content so it arriue not to a point of extremitie for then with the newe name turnes it to discontent by loosing that good which by a safe mediocritie it had obtayned Procuring this in all thinges I dare almost say that your beauties haue tane some delight in reading it which by the other way had not been so for though the Iusts that past in Constantines great Cittie deserued a large admiration yet wil I striue to flie a delightlesse prolixitie procurer in some respect of heauie Melancholy rather sinning by being short then offending with a little superfluous length So at length the terme appoynted for them being come deuynest purities of Natures treasurie scarce had the gallant sheapheard of the Heauens displayde his goulden Tresses ouer the earth in company of his chast Sister when the couragious Prince of Niquea with his bright Sunne-shining armour presented himselfe in the place to no small ioy of the Princesses seing how well the stranger maintayned their beauties Need he had to inure his hāds in toyle for he had no soner leapt into the listes when against him did present himselfe a well proportioned Knight clad all in gréene armour with so many pretious stones that it dazled the beeholders sight in the place a more brauer thing there was not séene In his shielde was pictured the face of a beautious Lady closing her eyes to a Prince that gaue her his soule with these wordes What auailes it to be strange My true-loue to disdaine When neither faith nor it doth range But will for aye remaine There was none but fixed his eyes on his gallantnes hauing it as he that was no lesse then the valiant Don Clarisel Prince of Assiria who departing frō Nyquea had taken his way towards Grecia where it had been better he had not arriued for by the swiftnes of their horses at length meeting they gaue one another such fierce incounters that the Gréeke Ladies gretly feared the miscarying of their knight who was incountred so strongly that hee lost both bridle stirrops and also was it maruell hee did not forgoe his saddle too if warily he had not got hold of his horse necke But with it he did a little prolong his honor making his horse passe forwards At this time the Assarian got the worst for being hit on his inchanted shield he was so hard thrust that he was throwen out of his saddle t was his good fortune to fall on his féet and so with incredible spéede recouering his lost saddle hee went out of the place leauing it glad to see the valour of the Ladies knight A rumour arose in the place with the coming of another for with the brauerie that he crost it no maruaile if Mars had feared he was apparelled all in cleere bright steele more blacker than the finest Iet of the same colour was his Courser sauing that he had some roane spots which greatly beautified him the plumes of his head on his owne Crest were all yellow agréeing best to his greeued thoughts In the middle of his shield which was like his armes was portrayed a Heart incōpased about with many flames of fier that seemed to burne it beneath was this Motto Whilst in Loues burning fier My heart findes no reliefe Why should it prooue a lyer Not shewing foorth his greefe A brauer Knight was not seene in Greece nor that better managed his horse he entred the Lists and being exceeding courteous he first did his dutie to the Ladies a thing that in euery one is highly to be comended What thinkes your Maiestie said the Prince Meridian to the Emperoure Trebatio of the aduentures gallantnes I doubt the Ladies Knight will incurre some disgrace for such disposition few obtaine Of the like opinion was the Emperour the most of the Court it was not much for more deserued the knight who with admiring puissance spurred against Lindoriano that doubting some mischance had taken fresh horse but it preuailed not for he in the Blacke encountring him in the middest of his shield did cleerely pierce it staying in his brest-plate hee thrust him so mightily that cleane ouer his horse-backe he fetched him to the ground with the saddle betweene his legges for yet in that would Fortune seeme to fauor him that som partial fauorits he had might attribute his fall to his horses fourniture and not for want of strēgth which was so well knowne to the cost of so many His stirrops lost the distressed aduenturer but he recouered them so soone that fewe noted it not he returned with such brauery that most were affected to him except the Ladies that extremelie sorrowed for their Knights disgrace It no lesse grieued Rosicler who fayning some indisposition went to arme himselfe for he would not haue it sayd that in Greece the strangers had got the best and putting on his inchanted armor he cast ouer them a russet coate that he might not be knowne And in this manner vpon a mighty horse hee went forth of the Citie determined to enter in the listes in Ladies behalfe astonished at the Knights valour vnable to imagine who it should be bethinking himselfe it might bee the Mauritanian Brufaldoro hauing heard him highly praysed Hereupon he stayed to let the day be farther past that the Knight might get more honor who like a fleshed Lion with the anguish that for his Lady he sustained t was pitie to behold his lamentable blows for eyther slaine or sorely woūded none escaped his hands Well did the Mirrour of Chiualrie Claridiano see it and had the like desire that his Vncle but he so despaired to see the strangenesse wherewith his Ladie vsed him that hee would not arme himselfe vnles he were commaunded And to moue it he stept to the Princesse Oliuia for with her the Queene of Lyra Archisilora still accompanied and to her he said I belieue most excellent Princesse that he in the black will so well he haue himselfe that he will force many to trie their fortune although some are so without it that not going with some particuler fauour they are like to meete with some greater misfortune Well did she perceaue with what affection hee hadd eyed the Queene and as shee was skilfull in that art by the cause shee spyed the effect and desirous to speake for him shee sayde Greate reason haue you braue Prince to require so iust a thing and if myne may in any thing preuaile from henceforth I giue it you though seeing what is betweene vs it should be attributed onely to Rosicler But here is the Queene of Lyra that will giue it if it be by cōmanding you for otherwise against her is the
with his swoord drawen he so soone saw him not Almost was the whole place in an vproare for Florisarte required a battle alleadging hee was not ouercome So farre paste this matter that of necessitie it was carryed to bee decyded by the Emperour and other Kings there who adiudged that the Knight of the Sunne could not returne to the Iustes nor demaunde farther battle because hee had lost his saddle he held his peace séeing whoe hadde ordered it and so on foote he stoode looking on the Iustes talking to the timerous Squires Long stood he not so for the Emperour sent him a Courser nothing inferior to that hee hadd lost Both Father and Sonne imputed it to Soueraigne magnanimitie At what time matters past to Bembos immortal prayse together there entred the yarde two Knights on whose disposition all the lookers on fixed their wondring eyes The one the best became his saddle was in yellow armour full of halfe Moones ouercast with a Russet coate at his saddle pummell there hung a mightie mace of steele On his shield that of fine skill séemed was a Ladye in liuely coulors figured and hard by her a Phenix with this Motto It is a quection hard And euer was most hardest Whether the Dam or byrd be fayrest The Knight seemed so braue a horse-man and shewed so rare a constitution that manye suspected who hee was no lesse brauery adorned the second that on a strong mightie Roane Courser was mouÌ„ted his warlike abillements were of a sad red coulor with greene barrs and golden grauings On his shield was a beauteous Lady lying along in a meadowe and hard by her foure Gyants among whom stoode he with his sword all bloody for about her libertie he had cut off their heads and hauing done he semed to approch the Lady that stretching forth one of her hands seemed to accept that seruice also on the shield were these words Thryce happie is that death Which doth assure his hope That lyes not in loues scope For a iust guerdon iudged the Princesses and shee that was figured meritorious of much prayse for intertayning a knight that in the beginning of his loues performed so honored a fact This Knight first arriued at the beginning of the listes whose hawghtines well shews him to be the mightie Brufaldoro that not finding the Tynacrian hoping to meete him in those Feastes changing his armor came thither at the instant that the other Knight did the like disguised in the habit of an Affrican Who comming with so great desire to Iust without farther aduise would haue entred the listes had it not been that the furious Mauritanian said you Knight because of your new attire will not onely commit a discourtesie but thinke it should be tollerated keepe you out for others haue first arriued and with more reason to Iust then you Courteous was the Knight for if I be not deceaued it is the gallant Greeke Rosicler So he replied So greatly hath yonder Knight angred mee that I thinke too late euery minute that my reuenge is deferd Nay theÌ„ stay answered the Pagan for gret is thy forgetfulnes so much to long to meete with him in the blacke and therefore to deale with mee the large fielde will affoorde vs ampler roome To make thee know and confesse thy rude vnciuilnesse I am content replyed Oliuias husband and wtout more repetition of words with the Iudges leaue they went vnto the field The whole world would I haue present most beauteous Sâ—â—nts of Venus Temple to viewe the most valiantest that it contayned Now doth my want crie out for helpe intreating with incessant prayers that Thalia or the recordresse of memorable acts vnto eternitye Clio I meane would dippe my slowe pen in their brooke of euer-flowing eloquence for therof it hath no litle need wtout it dares not daunted with feare of insuffitient skill to distinguish the particularities of a war so admirable There was none but with attention turned their wondring eyes vppon the battle The furious Bembo woulde not loose it but rather raysing his Beuer vppon his fierie Courser leauing on his launce stoode to behold it With more horror then a Tempestuous Sea met the twoo most mighty warriours in the middle of their strong shieldes with their strenghts clearely piercing them The furie of each aduersarie was stayed on their brest-plate froÌ„ whence the shiuers of their broken lauÌ„ces mounted into the highest regioÌ„ of the aire whose altitude might haue bereaued Argos of his hundred eied sight Forwards they past without receauing any more tormenting griefe then eyther did conceaue to sée the other on horsebacke So with this rauening wrath which possessed both alike they returned either vpon the other On the earth there was not séene then the Gréeke a more skilfuller knight of the weapon that at his saddle hung And so at once with the strength of such mightie armes they discharged so puissant blowes that euerie one considering their furie thought them the last All the toppe of his Burgonet lost the Greeke and voyding blood hee was cast along his horse back Worse sped the Pagan for Rosicler reaching him fully with the heauie mace had almost tumbled him from his horse notwithstanding it so fell that hee fell sencelesse vpon his Coursers necke shedding much blod through his nose and eyes Many with feare of those fearefull stroakes wisht themselues farre off but they that were borne to it quickly ioyned It was well for the Pagan to haue entred with his sword for vnder his shield about his left side betwene the closing of a buckle he wonded him It is not a fierce or daÌ„gerous blow that can daunt the hawghty Greeke but to see his owne blood spilte madded him yet that conted not the Moore but as he stept forth with a counter buffe he strucke him on the helme This blow dazled his sight and therefore he could not execute his to any purpose for taking him on the outward side with the mace the Moore turned awaye for fewe were nimbler then hee making him not onely loose the blowe but hazarded the condicion of his victorie because the strength thereof with the wayght of the Clubbe so disturbed him drawing hym after that the Pagan might at his pleasure giue him twoo thrustes at one of his sides Eyther of them hadd pierced him if hee had not put on that precious armor that with such curiositie of art the wise Artynidoro had forged Neuerthelesse hee felt such paine that hardly hee could drawe his breath he returned altogether like an Hyrcanian Tygre and with his steele Mace he gaue him suche a blow through anger of reuenge he somewhat mist his ayme that the Pagan thought himselfe wrapt in fome clowde so nigh he imagined to be to Heauen séeing such multitudes of Starres about his head hee arose and began so fierce a battaile that the Princes which beheld them rested amazed What thinke you braue Prince said the Emperour Alphebo to Meridian of the valour of
these Knightes for in my opinion I haue not seene the like and hee of the deuise with the Gyants greatly resembleth a Pagan that I knighted who after about the armour of Bramarante bereft of life our deare friend the Tartarian Zoylo for by his sudden assayling and the liberall domination he hath ouer himselfe in the battaile I iudge him to be hee he will neede all helpes replied the Scythian Prince for his aduersarie differs not in shew from that youth we met in Lacedemon whome wée left with opinion to be your cousin and if it be he the victorie will be his for the Prince Rosicler as he himselfe said was with twoo blowes by him feld The noise that in the place did suddenly arise broke off their talke for if any of them obtained any aduantage straight some fauourite of his would celebrate the blow of his affected as now some the Greeke and some the Mauritanian would praise aboue the heauens Somewhat a wearie were they and séeing the sunnes declining with the nights beginning to approch with the vtmost of their forces they discharged their furie in such sort that they struck each other frō their horses to the astonishment of all the beholders His Mace dyd the Greeke loose out of his hands first executing a braue blow which wrunge his aduersaries helme about his head greatly blinding his sight they had not fallen when quicker then immagination they rose The Greeke drew foorth that good swoord which Brandafidell did giue him when he lost his of Queene Iulias and with it before the Pagan setled himselfe he strucke him about the toppe of his shield he cut away a peece therof with all the brimme of his helme on that side he made him stand trembling like a leafe shaken by a Northren blast he well noted his amaze and so lost not the occasion for with a loftie florish ouer-head hee made him there repaire his warde leauing his legs without defence Whereuppon the Prince stept more in with his left foote and standing strongly thereon withdrawing his swoord with both handes executed his blow on his left thigh cutting it to the bone This wound was it that gaue him some aduantage ouer the Mauritanian and also the victorie if the battaile to the end continued For the Pagan began to loose much blood and to shrincke through faintnesse on that side euery time he was there charged They parted to breath for foure houres without rest had they combated since they began The Greeke as he walked cast vp his eyes towards the windowes where he spied his deare Oliuia and with a sighe breaking from the middest of his heart he began I know not why thou shouldst esteeme thy selfe Prince of Grecia to haue obtained thy Lady by force of armes Thou art wronged and not in the least degree so to be praised for it hauing no reason for it seing that before al thy Parents freinds and kinsfolkes their presence must beare witnesse of all thy former honors wracke in this sole battle Where in this particuler Combate with a single knight thou loosest in one minute all the glorie in so many yeares with dere experience and losse of thy dearest blood thou diddest atchiue No lesse exclaimes did the furious Pagan breath into the aire blaspheming gainst his Gods saying Why now none néed feare the name of Brufaldoro nor is there any cause his Ladye should estéeme him since before his greatest enemies so ill he doth defend her beautie reason hast thou to cōplaine deare Ladie of thy Gallant that in sight of thy rare perfections he hath not the power to beate his aduersarie from the field but see himselfe to be brought vnto the point of a shamefull ouerthrow he ended turning to his enemie that like a raging whirlewind marcht against him To meete him went the haughtie Pagan being the first that executed such a blow vpon the Greeke that he made him set one knee to the earth discharge he would another but Rosicler being more actiue in that Art before the Pagan strucke setling himselfe on his right legge he stept aside not making hym loose his blowe but staggering seeme to fall with a thrust did the louer of Oliuia reach him it pierst his armor and he felt it within his flesh like to the winde he rose with both hands did strike at him Little preuailed the defence of the strong shield for frō the one end to the other it was cleane cut and so ouer-charged him that both handes hee set on the ground He thought to surprize him as hee fell and so entred within him more then he should insomuch that he could not wound him For the Pagan cast his mightie armes about him beginning with aduise an admirable wrastle He raysed him from the ground and had almost cast him down if the Greeke had not withall his power held him fast and in that occasion with a trip got from him strongly swinging him about hee hurled him well nighe foure paces from him both falling downe But scarce had they fallen when with such courage they rose that all the behoulders were amazed to see so cruell a battle Nyne woundes hath the Pagan and the one exceeding troublesome on the thigh The Greeke hath foure all about the buckling of his armor two of them dangerous and hys body brused and tyred that his legges coulde scant sustayne him A windie noyse began to sound throughout the place who the Moore of the Moones was iudging him the valiantest that ere was seen in Greece for by this time the Pagan began to faint by reason of his wounded Thighe whereby his aduersarie knewe his aduantage ouer him So long it was argued who it might bee that euerye one happened rightly on whome in deede it was For the Emperor Trebatio himselfe commaunded all the Pages to tell the truth At last it was known that the valiant Moore was Rosicler It could not be kept so close but it came to Oliuias hearing who liuing by louing him began to bewaile the battle with millions of pearled teares that ran down the current of her rosed chéekes seing in what cruell combate her deare Lorde had put himselfe and so besmeared with blood With many out-cries she had descended but that the Ladyes stayed her As much griefe for it tormented the good Trebatio that no longer able to with-hould tooke his horse when Phaebus light was altogether drencht wtin the Cauers of the western Ocean at what time the two famous warriors cried out for lights From out the Tent were presently brought aboue 1000 torches so wearie were either of the aduersaries that scarcely they were able to stand on their féete Neuer a steppe made the Moore but with his blood hee left it printed on the grasse and the Greeke sturd not but hee felt a bloody sweate ouer all his bodye Great was the aduantage he had ouer the Pagan because of the troublesome wound of his thigh At length disparing of the long fight the Moore closed
him that had he not been so yoked to the beauteous Liriana surely some other had cured him for this Ladie was of the fairest in the world and hauing séene her valour might haue moued any ones affectiō yet was he a little amazed though applyed Phisicke doth not altogether heale yet at lest it takes away some hurting quames Remembring himselfe with a chéerefull looke he sayd In faith valiant Ladie I must néeds confesse I wrōged your beauty in taking the battaile from yonder Knight since by the one and by the other your honour was so great Shee answered I would not sir Knight haue you so soone shew your selfe against me iesting at that little the heauens haue on you imparted the which my good wil to worke your cōtent deserueth not specially since I saw you at the Iusts in Constantinople where I had been glad you had stayed to see the end of them that you might not be deceaued with my little beauty in that against so many Knights as thither came two Ladies wonne the prizes whose rare beauties made Cinthia pale and Venus blacke and I thinke Mars reserued not for himselfe more valour then he gaue them eyther was accompanied with a Knight no lesse then they adorned with grace and Fortitude who after were knowne to be the one for Nephewe and the other being Don Eleno Prince of Dacia couzen to the Emperour Trebatio The ladies were Archisilora Quéene of Lyra and the other Rosamond Princesse of Callidonia These be they braue knight whom the world should iustly serue and acknowledge for Soueraignes therof for their beauties doth deserue it You haue highly fauored me faire Lady sayd he telling me such famous Tryumphes as the Greekes haue had and you shal make it compleate binding me to your seruice to make mee partaker of your name and Eountrey I am content aunswered the Dame for in all things I desire to pleasure you my name is Sarmacia Princesse of Lacedemon and through a certaine aduenture in quest of a Knight I came to Greece which hath not a little contented mee hauing enioyed the sight of your valour With the greatest ioy in the world dyd Bembo rise and sayd Oh Soueraigne Princesse I beséech you giue mee your Royall handes for onely to me is this fauor due as to your couzen Bembo being the Knight that stands before you In her Countrey had the Ladye heard admirable report of that Princes valour and howe neere of kinne they were his Mother being her Fathers Sister In her soule did she reioyce to bee acquainted with him so she imbraced him vsing many kindnesse betwene them confirming the Consanguinitie among them with their pleasaunt couersation which was not to so small effect but after it greatlye auayled towardes the concluding of the geneall peace In their discourse hee could not but discouer to her his Loues and losse of Liriana which so tormented him with repetition thereof that hee could not but watter them with many teares more like a tender Louer then a warlike Knight whose enemies they be His faire couzen did comfort him with these words Courage braue Knight for onely it must set your Ladye in your handes and be not amazed nor wonder at Loues proceeding For his vnconsuming fier pardons none but rather shewes it selfe most furious against them that are with lesse care onely that it may bee knowen yf there bee anye plague worse then other in the world t is subiect to his more fiercer torments and that he is whom ought to be acknowledged for sole Supreame Lord of the vniuerse A mallady is yours so common that hauing many to bee companions in it it may be some cause to lessen the paine that particulerly is receaued And it is not possible the place where your Ladye is inchaunted should be so secret as not to bee knowne and being for what shall your valerous arme serue but to fetch her forth though in the enterprize wee loose our liues and my selfe from this time offer myne to bee imployed in any thing you shall néede That 's not it swéete couze that grieues me replyed the amorous youth but to haue heard the in her house company a knight was brought vp whom t was told me she loued as her soule t is suspected this was he that stole her from Nyquea though I was there assured that hee had also lost her why that 's an easie remedy sayd she by taking away the Knights lyfe from betwene you And if altogether fortune will persecute vs with barbarous crueltie there are other Ladies on whome you may imploy your thoughts that may be no lesse beautifull then the Princesse of Nyquea though hers be so matchlesse as you say whereto he replyed Onely that doe I feare excellent Lady that loue will bring me to that passe that I shall not loue what I doe now And in faith beleeue me to a true louer nothing but this is odious For he that loueth onely in this procures to propagate his Fame leauing in hand of inconstant fortune the remedie from the partie loued who seing how shee is loued and for her sake what is suffered she may bestow her guerdon not as this deserues but according to the liberall fauors that louers vse In this that were these amorous Princes when along the same meadowe they spyed a Knight comming in rich white armor with many knots of gold and greene about them on his shield in the middle of many flames was set a faire Cytie Straight did she knowe him and it was not a little she did in not manifesting her loue with the ioye she conceaued to see her deare Oristides who was he that came At that instant she laced on her helme saying to Bembo Behold yonder deare couzen the whole remaynder of destroyed Troy beleeue me the world hath not a better Knight I am glad you are in such an occasion present for I haue a combate to performe against him agreede vpon in Lacedemon where we had a certaine controuersie But that arryued the gallant Troyan verie glad to see them so well armed hee saluted them and sayd Can you tell me sir Knights any newes of a Knight in Indian colour armour with seauen starrs vpon his shield who maks me seek him with more care about these wods then I haue reason for The Ladie made answere we haue not seene him sir Knight but according to the care you saye you haue to seke him no maruel if you bee carelesse of a battle you appointed at Lacedemon for t is an ignominious wrong you offer to your person not to performe your promise hauing giuen as a pledge of your word fayth some of your armour In quiet did not the Louer liue after he departed from her he had present lamenting her absence with continuall teares a true token of his alienation yet coulde not he thinke that his Lady should depart from her Country to séeke him So he replyed Truely sir Knight you doe me wronge to charge
began battle but assuredly thought the Iustice on his side Being Conquerour hee would more plainely shewe the generositie of his minde attracting the wills of the conquered with singuler clemencie saying that so rare a vertue ought not to be extinguished by the honour of a bloody victory and so would take the conquest on hymselfe as the conquered Finally Lirgandeo sayth that exceping his Competitors the world had not a better Prince his loues distracted him of his best sences for imagining that another loued his Lady and was of her beloued he lost the raignes of patience with sighes publishing what his soule indured vrged thereto by the aboundance of his swelling hart as nowe hee did with in the shippe he went For the fourth day of his Nauigation seeing himselfe more ouerwhelmed in his imaginarie thoughts then in the waters whose furious billowes his barke plowed hee rose about midnight sitting on the hatches to ease his moanes hee sighed forth these loose rymes Hart without ioy and woes with woes opprest The power of loue is with more force adrest To make me slaue to vylde captiuitie Loosing all hope of hoped libertie There is no sweete vnlesse from her it comes That Lillies white and Roses red still shames What ioy without Liriana can be pleasant In absence of her beauty nothing's decent But if she send the ioy it is past ioye A buckler gainst all paines and dyre annoy It yeeldes in torment pleasure and content And when t is worst t is voyde of discontent I must nor not I dare not hope for any Since loue my woes procures by waies so many Bereauing me by stealing her of rest Changing my ioy to paine my peace t'vnrest Oh thou vast sea through which was no man dryuen Oh watrie waues clere skie and brightest heauen If any pittie you on earth bestowe Shew it on me that am by loue trodde lowe Maistred with woes inchain'd without all pittie Made poore in hope but rich in miserie Acknowledging content in discontent Calling that ioye where no ioy ere was ment She 's faire but coy excuse me in dispaire For all my ioy is in desire made bare There wanted no louing sighes wherewith the valyant youth bemoaned his paines and the glorie that from them he conceaued calling the Sea Gods and Goddesses to witnes his passions who hearing what the gentle Louer published could not but pittie him So past he the night till about the bright lacing of the high heauens he sawe a barke more swifter then the winde passe by his along thereon lay a Knight all armed no lesse lamenting his griefes then he and yet with more reason he went saying Oh loue may it bee thou shouldst by all meanes seeke to ruinate my onely hopes being so long since assured that if I liue t is but to loue yeilding to thée the awefull tribute of my tributarie selfe as liedge man to thy deitie and that for all these spoyles hauing my hart as hostage of my faith thou shouldst delight to permit the enemie of my death to vse mee thus giuing me life to liue in such distresse No more could the amorous Pagan heare by reason of the celeritie it carryed though by it he vnderstoode the wrong he suffered and seing howe generall it was sayde Oh woefull Prince what little remedie is there left thée seeing t is denyed to euery one there is no hoping for it by liuing Oh pestiferous plague how much art thou wrapt within the poyson of thy torments and yet how wished is it to the dire cost of louers poore soules that with such bitter lamēts doe celebrate their swéete woes By this did he sée that the bark was stayed not farre from the foot of a stately edefice builded vppon the sea The Achayan Lord rested amazed with the sight and to knowe what it was commanded his to bee dirrected thither he entred by the side of the inscriptions in sight of the Knight that was already ryzen resembling Mars himselfe by his magnificence with the first scrowle that Bembo mett with was this The entrance of the marueilous Tower is granted to none not bringing the armor of the ingratest Louer of the earth Naturally bould was the furious youth and not respecting the contents of the scrowle hee flunge at one of the pillers thinking that way was the ascending to the Tower But he had scarce taken it with his handes when sodainely there arose so much fier that the Knight seemed all of a kindled coale and certainely he had incurred mightie daunger of his life had he not had on the armes of Saturne whose nature resisted that element Notwithstanding he parted frō it almost stifled with the heate that entred through his visor Well did the other Knight sée it that not farre from thence gazed on those that looked towardes the occident seeing the fier that had risen though more ready he seemed for his graue then to smile yet he laughed so high that the fierce Pagan heard it that not a little was abashed thereat and not able to dissemble it sayd I would gladly knowe sir Knight the cause of your content since with such exterior signes you haue shewen it None other replyed hee in the yellowe of this colour was his armour but to haue séene sir Knight with what vehemencie that flame would haue imbrast you within your armour It cannot bee exprest what rage entred within the Pagan by the aunswere he turned to the dispayrer saying It had been farre better since you haue séene armour to haue tryed the sauor of the fier of the pillers in that the scorching flames of Loue you haue already published along the sea in your Nauigation and now I dare affirme you are with reason thus suffred to liue considering how much you flie from labour Wise and aduised is the Ladye that from so cowarde a Knight detaines her fauors But since you haue séene with what audacitie I embrace yonder fier prepare your selfe for to your cost will I make you know how I can defend the inclosed in my hart There was no need to aduise him therof for with Mars would he haue fought touching what Bembo there had vrged Neuer vpon the doubtfull seas nor on the certaine Lande was there euer séene of a single fight a more fiercer cōbate For the warriors are the flower of Christendome and Paganisme and the dispayrer was no lesse then the Greeke Prince Claridiano who out of hope in loue as Lirgandeo hath related departed from Grecia None of the waterie Gods woulde loose such a battle for neyther Faune nor Nymphe but came to behold it And not so much but the amorous Trytones lifted vp their heads to looke on the twoo sole rare in the world In sight did the angry swelling waues neuer séeme more milde then nowe Peace did Eolus and Neptune make together with all their seuerall attending traynes raynging along the gréene azured waters till they came to the place where the battle was to be fought The gentle
Dolphins Friendes to Humane kinde with sportiue leapes began to solemnize the fight In the aire appeared the mighty God of battailes in the same forme that he became Venus Champion to approoue her fayrest The windowes of the wonderous Tower were opened at the which appeared all the inclosed Ladies whose presence beautified the deepe and made the loftie heauens farre more faire All the Ladies sea Goddesses with Marses coÌ„sent ordained Iudge of the fight the most beauteous Lyriana that fayrer them the causer of the Grecian discordes appeared all in white Euery one aboue beneath made her a solemne coursie Mars descending lowe with his Celestiall throne inuited her into his seate The gallant dame would not admit it but rather set her brests chiefe purities of chiefest purenes to leane ouer the windowes at what time the inraged Pagan turned his eyes and saw her whose Image in his soule was stampt He was amazed with the new sight Euery thinge slipt out of his memorie and with the greatest forgetfulnesse of the world he cast himselfe vpon the pummell of his sword and loosing the raygnes of all his imaginations he so occupyed himselfe in the good he viewed that he thought there was no more to be hoped ioying to haue founde where she was inchaunted that so had inchaunted his desires There was neuer séene a more quicker distraction then that Wherein Bembo was onely gazing on the excellencie of his Lady Well did Claridiano note the Mores amaze but thinking he did it in little estéeming him he leant into his shippe and therefore was the battle more fiercer and stepping to him shaking him by the arme sayd It should séeme Knight you haue forgot the proud words you gaue me seing how carelesly you stande looking on Ladies As one wakened out of a swéet dreame returned the Pagan vnto himselfe replying I was not so forgetfull of thy discourtesie but I haue it well in remembrance glad that none is here to disturbe me from reuenging it That was no time of ceremonious courtesies for ere hee ended his replie our new baptized Knight had assaulted the Pagan with more puissance then he that beheld him Vppon his rich helme hee gaue him such a blowe that it made him set one hande vpon the grounde This was the greatest blowe the Pagan did receaue since he put on armour Before he rose he had giuen him another on his Beuer that squadrons of sparkles flew about his head Abashed was the Moore at such mighty stroakes vnable to imagine whom so strong a Knight might hee but altogether beeing recouered to the toppe of the Gréekes shéelde he let flie a pitty lesse blow which made him giue backe with twoo or thrée vnseemely stepps To helpe him downewardes did he enter with one and another thrust with the vtmost strength of his arme either of them had stuck him but his sure armour rebounded theÌ„ backe notwithstanding they put him to great paine The Pagan followed with vehemence thinking to ouerthrowe him but Archisiloras Louer that perceaued it houlding his owne swoord hard turning away let him goe by him and as he past on the toppe of his plumed helme did Claridiano discharge the furie of his strength that he made his mouth a conduit of his luke-warme blood Ere he recouered himselfe he gaue him on that side a furious thrust it was well for the Pagan to giue backe at the strength thereof yet it happened betwixt a ioynt cutting his flesh leauing him sore wounded The warmest blood within the Pagan fréezed to see it on his aduersaries blade his shield he cast at his backe and with both handes at Claridianos hee let flye it yeildes him no defence for from the one to the other end it was diuided and it was a miracle he did not the like by his arme with the swords point he descended cutting a great peece of his skirt also falling on his Cushes which being pierst it wounded him a little on the thigh They that were borne to bee feared feared not each other but setting their left féete forwards and swoords in both hands began to change their practise to that vsed among the Cyclopes in Vulcans Aetnean worke-house the seas resounded with the furious noise of their battaile The heauens racking clouds were driuen with amazement from their standings posting one through the other at the sight thereof So did they that gazed thereon sometimes ducking their heades vnder the water because they would not see the remorcelesse blowes of so pittilesse a combate Three howres haue they sought yet no aduantage could be decerned they were so tired that with one selfe will they wtdrew apart to breath It was worse for the Moore because the Barke being narrow he had no roome to walk and so the wound in his side being great began exceedingly to grieue him In a thousand imaginations was he in calling himselfe coward that in presence of his Ladie one sole Knight should put him in that state In faith with reason said the Pagan may the world blame me since so little courage I doe shew where from whence I ought to drawe it out of weakenes what iustice canne I haue to craue redresse and remedie for my paine putting the first battaile in my Goddesse presence on such a danger how may I be trusted with any rendring so ill an accompt of this next to this a thowsand blasphemies breathed the Moore against his Gods whose furie with such deuotion he had procured but séeing it is come to this continued he I will reuerence yee as your carelesnesse deserues But Claridiano insenced with yre vttered many things against himselfe being by one Knight so bayted Iniustly said the furious Greeke may I be called the sonne of such a Father for he had by this ended twoo such Combates but I that am his Sonne haue hazarded the losse of one that is presented to me I cannot be he that is the Louer of Arâ—…silor for he that tributaried his hart to her in the woods of Greece had before this obtained a glorious victorie His furie so encreased that he tooke his swoord twixt both his handes and made towardes the Pagan that more couragious than a Lyon stayed for him Together they met and with such blowes regreeted each other that Mars in his supreame throane did tremble One knée to the ground did the Greeke set but the Pagan his right hand he arose as swift as a towring Faulcon and crossing his swoord with the Greekes entring on a sudden with his left foote with more celeritie then the quicke minde he let slie at his legs It was a wonder he did not vnlace them but it so tormented with payne the one of them that hee could not sturre it and Lirgandeo sayth the smart thereof lasted all the while the fight indured Well did the More sée the good blowe hee hadd made and therefore would he close with him and the Gréeke could not refuse it being taken with some aduantage he was almost ouerthrowne
maled sléeue To his defence came that Gyant entring with his left foot forwards It was what the Dacian desired For by his nimblenesse auoyding the blowe for on foote his companion hadd no aduantage ouer him he gaue him another on the toppe of hys helme He stretcht not foorth his arme to much fearing his aduersaries lightnes and therefore was not his blowe mortall neuerthelesse it cut away all the Collet of his plumes and with them a great péece of the Burgonet with some of his scull Yt descended to his shoulder bearing away a péece of the fine stéeled Targe that in stead of a shield he vsed It did not a little auaile him to leaue the pursuite of his assault because the Gyant turning his heauy Semiter discharged it in middest of his shéelde It did not cut it but it ioyned yt with such strength to his heade as if a Tower had fallen thereon It made him stagger two steps backward He followed him close thinking hee had him sure with a mighty thrust of his sharpe sword Aduised was the Dacian and so expected him opening his legges to stande more firmer all was little ynough for a Thousand signes of falling didde hee make Hee was so abashed heereat that like a Lyon hee turned vpon his enemie At once they discharged such mighty blowes that at the noyse all the fielde left séeing of the Gréekes combate to gaze on this His knees bended Don Eleno thinking that the latest momēt of his life hee so felt the blowe the bloode that through his Beuer yssued witnesseth asmuch Hee so remained for so soone to rise he had not power The Gyant did the like with his sword hand vpon the ground wanting al that part of his helme with a most dangerous wound on his right side and the sword descending to the brest though thrée fold double it was it cut it downe right vnto his thighes with al his coate of male Trembling like a shaken sappling with Boreas breath stoode the knight Iudging the battle lost the like did Lindauro with the sight of such blowes who sitttng next the Kinge was animated by him saying he should not grieue thereat for he purposed to deny the prisoners Hereuppon they turned to wonder at the Gréeke for the earth contayned not a better sight then to behould the ligeritie strength wherewith he combated and had couered the gyant with his own blood he stayed for him for he well saw his amazednes so did the Gyant who in that science was most skilfull perceauing the Gréekes intent whereby both stoode fore-warned The furious Gyant woulde execute his blowe which was the Gréekes desire the which hee had scarce intended when swifter then a bird he closed letting fly at his knées to make him forsake his standing but his nimbles yssued too costly for the Pagan being Maister of his arme stayd the blow till then discharging it with his strength vppon his helme Miraculously héere God defended him for his head hée had strucke cleane off bearing aloft his blade yet was it such a one that it cut away part of his burgonet wounding him a little on the head it made him fall on his face a thing that all the place hung the head to sée especially the beauteous Venus that in hart shed teares of blood seing the disgrace of her Princely Champion Héere the Nephewe of great Trebatio was not slow nor remisse for it is dangerous in war quickly setting himselfe on foote not losing his blow prepared It was venturous and that which to his little cost did assure the victory for it cut him to the bone making a fount whence procéeded more blood then had an Oxe béen there kild Forth stept the Gréeke saying Now shalt thou sée infernal beast that here do déeds more auaile then insolent proud words that thou maist know gainst whom thou fightest I am the Despayring Knight Some feare conceaued he at the name seing himselfe so sore wounded But his pride was so great that he salued that saying Then stay base Knight thou shalt sée how neither heauen nor earth are able to kéepe thée from my hāds by which I wil disioynt thée bone by bone Whervpon he wold haue flung after him which had bin his death for his knée vnable to support him hee staggred that hee almost fell with his head forwards The Gréek seing it thoght himselfe sure of the victory so desirous to terminate the war he toke his sword with both hands letting it fly at his head with all the strength that he could fetch He mist his blowe which caused in many great griefe striking his sword vpon the earth that therein it ran to the middle himselfe falling vppon the pummell Very neare him was his Vncle that in his soule did sorrow for it so desirous to succour him with a point thrust the Gyant from him at two steps was with the Gréeke at such time as the mightie Ballurdano with both his hands raised his heauy semiter He had slaine him had he not arriued who at his armes let fly that venturousest blow of the world for it was with such strength that his left arme from the elbow it snatcht away leauing the other so tormēted that his sword fell from it loosing the execution of his owne stroke Great was the content himselfe the fielde receaued at the good ayd hee had giuen his companion But specially the gallant Venus that almost swonded with ioy not knowing who the knight in the Russet might be that more furyous séemed then the Sunne in his hastye course Who hauing that good occasion hearing the Sonne side-waies comming in his Fathers defence went towards him séeing the Gréeke already dangerlesse and as both went with mighty strength and hast they could not choose but méete with more horror then a blazing Comett renteth through the Cloudes Both went to the ground breathlesse to the admiring wonder of all that beheld the battaile The furious Giant for all he was maymed would go to helpe his sonne but Claridiano stept before him saying Stay vilde beast for ere he returne vnto himselfe thy head shalt thou leaue with me He warded a stronge blowe which made him see more starres then did the Heauens containe yet was it no part to driue him from casting his Herculean armes about him The like did the Pagan but wanting one arme and his mortall wound on the knée with a trippe he fell with the Louer vpon him that not forgetting his dagger thrée times he stabd it in his body drawing it foorth with his hart blood Concluding that warre with the fiercest Pagan of all Syconia himselfe remayning so weary that not able to stand he made a seate of the Gyants tronke making all the spectators laugh to sée what stoole he had found The Dacian was alredy risen excéeding glad to sée that the knight had ended his battaile He continued not long with his for hauing his aduersarie mortally wounded with two blowes he laid him on