that might haue vndertaken to cleare this doubt crauing licence of the Emperour went presentlie and armed him selfe because he was enamoured of faire Argentina the Infant of Spaine and returning againe to them after he had taken farewell of all the other Princesses and Ladies he came and fell on his knee before her and requesting her hand to kisse spake in this manner Madame my spéeches to you must be after the blunt Allmaigne fashion such is your beauty as it giues mee courage to maintaine against any that dare denie it that you are the very fairest Lady this day liuing and worthy the seruice of all other whatsoeuer grace me then with so much fauour that I may entitle my selfe by the name of your Knight onlie to add luster to the first enterprise that I shall vndertake wherein I doubt not but being armed with your gracious regard I shall gaine immortall renowne all which you may iustly claime as your owne because it was atchieued vnder the vertue of your name The Infant in the déepe reach of her owne discretion perceauing the young Emperour to eye her with affectionate regarding began to dispose her thoughts to the like as well in respect of his faire and gentle demeanour as also to reach the height of an Empresse for women are ambitious by nature and often times doo striue to out-goe others in beauty and rich ornaments rather then in discréete and vertuous reputation but returning to Argentina thus shee replied My Lord Trineus vnwoorthy is my beauty to be respected and by so great a personage as your selfe but séeing you please to confesse it of such estéeme as it merrits in your eye an affectionate opinion and in your selfe more then any other I were no Lady of ciuill demeanour if I should not accept you as my Knight whereof that you may haue the more chearefull assurance taking a Diamond that hung bound in her tresses with foure great pearles thereto pendant I giue you this iewell But thus farre vnderstand me that I will not endanger any iote of mine honour by whatsoeuer courtesie I vse to you at this instant for all my fortune remaines in the hands of the Emperour Primaleon and the sacred maiestie of the King my Father This her most honest and courteous behauiour was generally commended and the other Ladyes who had expressed little kindnesse to their amourous seruants disposed them selues to a more gentle humour after this especially respecting the care of their honours Trineus departed highly pleased and embarqued him selfe with a thousand followers men ready to aduenture on any occasion but leaue we him to his iourney and returne to Florendos who after he saw the Serpent was caried away grewe full of doubtfull suspitions but not knowing what to think of it followed his voyage and arriued soone after in the port at Tubante CHAP. XLV How the Christian Armie departed from Tubante and what happened to them by the way in their going toward the Kingdome of Niquea DIrdan otherwise named Eduardan for the loue which Maiortes the graund Cane alwayes bare to the Prince Don Edward after hee fled from Tubante went first of all to his Kingdome of Paraz where in the place of his father hee was created the great Cane a title onely belonging to those Kings and setting the state in firme condition hee mustered together fiftéene thousand men and had likewise a younger brother of his with him named Cagnino With these men he ariued in the Realme of Niquea where by Tirrena who had the generall fauour of the people he was receaued into the Citty which kindnesse was the sooner affoorded him because he had renounced his Christian faith a Religion which in all those parts was greatly abhorred So Dirdan espousing the Lady and ruling ouer the whole state enioyed the same peaceably for two moneths space albeit he daily expected warre for resistance whereof hee made all prouision possible And that he might haue some other good Knights in his company hee wrote to a Gyant called Palurdan who was King of Turben and his Cosen sonne to Brondione the Giant that was brother to his father Maiortes entreating him to come in his assistance remembring him beside what slauerie his kindred had endured by the Grecian Empire and that now in recompence of their blood shed as also his owne father slaine in their seruice the very chéefest of the Empires Caualierie was comming vpon him to depriue him of a Kingdome which not onely his good fortune but likewise the loue of a beautifull Lady had enriched him withall Further aduertisements he thereto annexed as to be forward in his ayde to his vttermost least him selfe should chaunce to repent it for if they ouercame him meaning him selfe yet could they not but account him also as their enemie because he stoode as a neuter and leaned to neither side in assistance which yet would returne him but slender aduantage because the Christians being naturally foes to Pagans if they should once be possest of Paraz they would hardly be drawne to pardon Turben Palurdan who was further entred into yéeres then Dirdan considered with him selfe iudicially on this motion but the true kindnesse of the Christians more preuailing with him then the alliance of Dirdan made him resolue to send him no ayde at all Notwithstanding by reason hee kept the Letter in no greater secrecie two stearne and moodie Giants his sonnes the one named Lanfranco the other Broco all on fire in their thoughts till they were séene in armes whether their father would or no prouided them selues of ten thousand Souldiours all in hast they would goe ayde their Vnckle But first they aduertised a bastard sonne of the Giant Gataru called Gargante who tooke possession of his fathers Signeuries after that Cardigea was married to Almaroll Hee and three thousand of his followers ioyned with them and with this strength they came to Niquea where Dirdan very gladly entertained them not doubting but by the valour of these thrée Giants boldly to withstand the Christian forces Neuerthelesse remembring that there was Palmerin Florian Florendos and Dramusiande of especiall courage among the other braue gallants hee thought it requisite to be fore-guarded by a strong enchauntment wherein if they found some intricate labour he might finish his hopes with the lesse contention Héere-vpon bethinking him selfe of Drusa Velonna the same Enchauntresse that set the magicall spells for carrying away the Princesse Leonard◠where Florian notwithstanding the wise Aliarts helpe sweated sufficiently ere he could get her thence as is declared in the second part of this History he wrought such meanes as he preuailed for her comming to Niquea Now because it was a fruitlesse labour to offer her riches or treasure in regard shée made no reckoning thereof as beeing able by her Arte to store herselfe sufficiently when she pleased he promised her what she much more estéemed to wit to keepe her in his Court secure from all perrill so that shee would prouide him
of some benefite or other which by meanes of her intercessions they had before receiued Hauing thus the full state in their owne power and béeing entred into the cheefe royall Citty y e night they lodged in the Pallace where Primaleon lying that night with the Countie Trasino none béeing neere but themselues alone he thus spake I haue daily labored in my thoughts which way to requite so honourable loue and kindnes as to me a poore vnknowne Knight you haue extended wherein yet at length the heauens haue fauoured mee and though it reach not to your woorthy deseruings yet accept it as an earnest of a greater good will You sée how Madame Laurea is beloued of these people who notwithstanding can neuer rule them well without a husband therefore will I bestow her on you in marriage and the kingdome likewise with her as her dowrie Trasino hearing such an offer made him whereof hee neuer had hope or expectation suddenly fell on his knee and kissing his hand said Nowe is it seene for an euident truth that the famous race of Palmerin d'Oliua is not only powerfull in gaining kingdoms but euen as prompt in giuing them it were dishonour in mee to refuse the gyft comming from so royall a hand enioying thereby so fayre a Lady and a kingdome so wealthy and populous Primaleon béeing well pleased with this aunswere the next morning wrought so with Laurea that shee caused to assemble there many armed Knights those in whose trust shée might best relye least the people should enter into any commotion and in two dayes they had gathered in one cōpanie aboue two thousand who ioyning with them belonging to Trasino cast themselues in a Ring about a Scaffold erected before the Pallace whereon Primaleon soone after shewed himselfe hauing the Ladie Laurea and Trasino in his company with more then twenty of the chiefest Lords in the kingdome who were well contented to haue such a King beeing familiarly acquainted with his fayth and honourable disposition as also that he was descended of the progenie royall The people there in this manner assembled and Primaleon commaunding silence by a signe made with his hand he thus began You haue already found by very good proofe what difference is betwéene a good King a Tyrant and albeit I could acquaint yée with the benefits ensuing by the one and sad desasters attending on the other yet doo I not now hold it so necessary because your owne last tryal of eyther is sufficient It is enough for mee to tell yée that the Tyrant is chased hence and shée to whom the Kingdome in right appertained turning Traytresse to her owne iust title and her defenders damage stands likewise depriued of her prerogatiue and that you néede make no doubt of Filenias treason héere is the Letter written to Garnides vnder her owne hand which whosoeuer shall make any scrupulous question of at any time the sight thereof shall more at large resolue him Nowe in regard I would not leaue you subiected to anie other Kingdoms emperie though partly by desert but most of all by iustice the disposing of this estate consisteth in mee I commit both it and you to the noble Countie Trasino whom you all know to be a man of especiall merrit fauoured and estéemed by this Lady wel loued of you all and these doo I appoynt to be your King and Quéene No sooner had he thus spoken but the Crowne of leaues and flowers vsed of long antiquitie in those part was brought vnto him where-with hauing first dignified the King he afterward placed it on the Lady Laureas head to the no little contentment of all the people right glad to sée themselues so freed from the Tyrant and likely now to enioy much peace and tranquilitie so with loud shoutes they celebrated the names of their King and Quéene This was as pleasing to Primaleon because his minde ranne still on the aduenture of Fortune which Dorina was to conduct him vnto wherefore he would needs haue them immediatly married and passing on royally to the cheefe Church after a solemne Masse sung by an Arch-bishoppe of very holy life the marriage was performed with greater content of the King then the Quéene who with much better will would haue had Primaleon But after better consideration that she could not enioy him whom she so deerelie affected Trasino béeing the very noblest and most estéemed Knight of the Kingdome she beganne to respect him with a more regardfull eye and in their returne backe to the Pallace she shewed him such gracious and delightsome lookes that Trasino doubtfull before of her grace and fauour beholding an alteration so strange yet pleasing accounted his happines beyond comparison The feasting was sollemnly performed at the expence of the treasure royall euen that which Garnides had with mighty taxations gotten together for hee beeing still doubtfull what should befall him made prouision of treasure to carry with him when neede shold require euermore thinking to escape thence by flight but it sorted not to his expectation The feast continued for eyght dayes together and longer the King would haue had it in the honour of Primaleon but he whose minde was labouring else where ful of heate and hastie expectation that he might the sooner sée his Victoria first made the King and Queene swear to execute iustice and that Garnides nor Filenia should raise any more commotions but iustly and truly performe theyr homage likewise all the people vowing to doo their loyall allegeance he prepared to depart on his iourney Many meanes were made for his longer detayning yet all would not serue to hinder his determination but y e next morning following taking the King by the hand and kissing the Quéenes fore-head as the custome there is shee shewed herselfe much displeased for his departure Which she perceiuing the King to noate turned backe to him with these speeches Be not suspitious my Lorde if at the departure of thys Knight whom indeede I once loued farre better then you I expresse some outward discōtentment because I thought to haue enioyed him as my husband but my fortune therein failing me by reason of his loue else where addicted giue me leaue a while to grow forgetful of him which by little and little I shall easily attaine vnto then let this be your setled perswasion that I shall affect you as intirely as I doted on him fondly These words were deliuered with such gesture and maiestie that the King both admired and highly commended her so after some small discourse concerning state affaires he descended with Primaleon downe the stayres where after an honourable kinde embracing hee mounted on horsebacke and so departed CHAP. LXIIII. Of that which Florendos did with Saboco Isota and how after he had subdued a Serpent hee returned to Tubante euen as the Christian Army was preparing to depart FLorendos and Saboco had theyr wounds well looked vnto and the danger of life on neither side now to be doubted whereuppon
there might happen some matter well worth the noting went on feeling for his way thorow a darke passage and came at last into a faire Cabbin or Chamber the walls whereof was richly hung round about with cloth of golde all the roofe or vpper part was of Crimosin silke very curiously embroydered with siluer Starres and the Sunne and the Moone therein wrought so artificially as they gaue a shyning splendour to all the Chamber In one part of the roome stoode a goodly bed hung round with purfled curtaines of gold and silke wherto presuming to aduaunce his steppes and drawing one Curtaine somewhat aside with his hand he saw there lie sleeping a Lady of such wonderfull beautie that albeit his loue was deuoted to Victoria yet this faire face séemed so highly pleasing to him as if they both had stoode in person before him hée could hardly determine where he should place his election Standing thus transported in his sences for a long space he grew so desirous to behold her bright eyes open as touching lightly her snowie breasts with one of his hands hée made her to start awaken but then her heauenly lookes did so mightily preuaile with him as hardly could hee abstaine from that which honour forbad him till remembring himselfe that thether he was brought about some aduenture of moment which made him modestly refraine and lending her his hand to helpe her rise thus he spake to her Beautifull Lady I wonder as much at your rare perfections as the strangenesse of my aduenturing hether therefore so pleased you I would gladly know of whence and what you are and why among Lyons you haue made choyse of dwelling thus on the Sea The Lady seeming no way discontented with his demaund replyed in this manner Aduenturous Knight whose vallour hath ledde thée to what others durst neuer attempt but when they haue seene the Lyons bring the boate to the shoare would cowardlie flie away into the Woods I account you the onely man who dreadlesse of any perrill whatsoeuer in the aduenture are desirous to vnderstand the full nature thereof wherefore if Fortune be so gracious a Mistresse vnto you you shall finish the onely aduenture of regard that euer anie Knight alone accomplished Know then faire Knight that I am the daughter to king Frysoll who sometime gouerned the Morning Ilands til age setting heauie foote vppon his backe made him elect a seruaunt of his owne education whom he had made Lord of the Flowrie I le and in whom hee reposed speciall trust and confidence to his care and custodie was I and my brother committed with such allowance of subiects homage and other dignities beside as might well suffise to haue made him very respectful of vs. All matters beeing so established that when death was controuler of the King our Father my brother should remaine vnder his protection till such time as by benefite of yéeres hee coulde lay claime to his kingdome and then hee should haue it honourably resigned to him Garnides for so was y e Knight put in trust called promised much more then our dying father could vrge so giuing him the Ring and Staffe of Protectorship the King our Father closed his eyes and died Nowe was Garnides in full possession of the gouernment hauing at his commaund all the Forts Castels Treasuries and euery thing there wanted nothing but the title royall and thereto ambitiouslie he began to aspire My Brother being the maine sâ—umbling blocke in his way within few dayes hee was bereft of life and then in all the hast he would call himselfe king but séeing things not succéede yet to populare satis-faction but that more eyes and tongues went on his procéedings then he willingly would haue then woulde hee haue mee ouer-young in yeeres as then to be his Wife to sette a more substantiall ground on his tirannous vsurpation yet happily when time serued to rid the world of me to An Earle named Bernuccio in whose Castle I was at that time kept by the vsurpers appointment wheÌ„ he heard that Garnides laboured to make himselfe King and knew himselfe ouer-weake to vse any resistance he béeing a meruailous expert Magitian thought y t the best way to keepe me from the Tyrant wherefore he brought me hether in this Shyppe enchaunting héere likewise the foure Lyons which conducted you aboard limitting his Arte to such proportion that none should be so bold as to come to this ship except his courage serued him to vndertake a great aduenture vntill which be ended I cannot be married and Bernuccio fearing least Garnides for this would put him to death enchaunted himselfe in his Castell in a very strange manner and he must combate with variable shapes that shall be his deliuerance At this instant Sir there remaineth nothing else for you to doo but to fight with those two Lyons on the prowe of the Shyp nor is there any necessity of their death but onely to binde them fast which perhaps will appeare so toylesome a taske vnto you as may make you repent the vnderstanding of the enterprise But that once doone the other two Lyons will be obedient vnto you and keepe yée company thorow a Wood which we are to passe and they will stand vs in very great sted kéeping vs from being deuoured of strange wilde beasts whereof you shall see there such aboundance as els it were impossible to escape with life The Knight of Fortune stoode with great pleasure to heare this strange aduenture and was on fire till he came to try his vallour in it wherefore séeing the Lady in that sort to pause he said Procure swéete Lady that we may be set an shoare againe if I binde the Lyons for I know not how my strength shall preuaile beeing thus on the water Doe aunswered the Lady that which appertaineth to you and leaue the rest to my direction Hée hearing this reply went vpon the decke and ere he was halfe mounted the Lyons on the prow beganne to assaile him one of them catching holde with his teeth on his armes the other grasping his Helmet with his clawes but Primaleon got one of them fast by the legge and puld him in such sort as he made him tumble ouer backward and to the other he gaue such a blow with his left hand as one of his eyes fell out of his head Yet for all this when hee would haue stept vppon the decke where hee was to binde the Lyons one of them caught him fast by the thigh and griped him so hard as the Armour which he wore on that part for his defence was rent in péeces and the paine of the gripe entred to the very bone but to auoyde further oppression by these beasts he caught one of them by the shag-hairde maine and the other by the taile wherein appeared his admirable strength for lifting them both thus from the ground he stept vp with them vppon the hatches and there would haue throwne them into the Sea till remembring himselfe
hee lustily ascended the staires but before he was halfe way vp he was met by a man in the likenes of death who caught hold on the Piller behind and held it so strongly as had hee not béene endued with extraordinarie vallour hee had béene tumbled ouer backward with it But because hee would conquer all impediments whatsoeuer hee layd about him cheerefullie with his sword that the fleshlesse bones flew all in squanders diuers wayes and beeing so ridde of that disturbance he went vp the staires where iust at the doore as he would haue entred he met with a furious dog of wondrous hugenesse which snarled at his legs tore and rent his armour and would not let him set a foote forward all this beeing doone to make him let fall the Piller which when he could not compasse he leapt vpon his shoulder and got vpon the Piller where standing vpon the head of the Image hee counterpoizde it in such sort as himselfe could hold no longer footing Then ranne he to the base where the Collomne should be set where when all his labour prooued to no purpose the dogge leapt out at a window of the Pallace and fell downe broken all in péeces So set he vp the Piller and so ended the enchauntment whereat the Knight receiued such excéeding contentment as it seemed to him that he had endured not trauaile at all The Lady very ioyfully came running to embrace him but he not vnmindfull of the former wrong he had offered his owne Mistresse repulsed her so disdainfully that shee who was in hope before to enioy him as her husband began to conceiue such hatred against him as her vehement affection toward him was now quite forgotten and changed to a plotted peece of treason to haue him murdered by the Tyrant Garnides for women loath extreamely where they loued extraordinarily especially when no more fruite followes their amourous purposes CHAP. XL. How as the Christian Knights at Tubante were setting forward to the conquest of Niquea Florendos despayring because hee coulde haue no cure for his lamenes departed away with a Damosell and what he vnderstoode by her FLoraman beeing confirmed Generall of the whole Army which should goe to the conquest of Niquea prepared all his forces in readines that were to accompanie him thether appointing euerie Officer his charge and limitation according as he thought it most conuenient But Florendos to whoÌ„ his impediment of lamenes séemed very offensiue could giue no patience to his disturbed thoughts because whensoeuer he ran at y e Launce hee founde his right knée so to faile and deceiue him that withdrawing himselfe from the others company as intending to vnder-goe no charge at all hee purposed priuately to depart and leaue them But euen in the heate of his determination there suddainly entred the Pallace gate a Damosell Dwarffe hauing two men Dwarffes with her that were her Bretheren and dooing a duteous reuerence to all there present thus shee began I a poore and wretched Lady doo bring hether no tydings of any aduenture to be accomplished but séek means to be reuenged on the very strangest iniurie that euer was offered to any Lady The Knights beholding her to be of most admirable beautie although in stature so low little had the more compassion of her cause and Oliuanto béeing the youngest Knight of all made tender of his seruice on her behalfe but his father deliuering a discontented countenaunce thereat caused him to sit downe againe and returned this aunswere to the Lady I take it as most agréeable with reason that my selfe béeing the onely vnfortunate man in this assembly should bee your companion in this cause either that wée may both remaine in equall misery together or both be fréed at once of so insupportable a burthen The other Knights who had long noted the discontented state of Florendos thought it ill-beseeming courtship to crosse and disswade him whereuppon the Knight arming himselfe immediatly tooke leaue of them all hauing first in secrete aduised Oliuanto to sette his eye on the admired chiualrie of Palmerin and Don Florian his brother whereby they had attained to such a height of reputation The Lady not a litle pleased that she had such a Knight of worth in her company embarqued her selfe with him and his attendants and sayled thence with such swiftnes as in short while they which stayed had lost the sight of theÌ„ And floating on the billowes of the maine Sea the Lady imagined in her owne thoughts that the Knight could not chuse but be very desirous to know whether she intended to conduct him whereupon sitting downe very modestly by him she began to deliuer her minde in this manner Sir Knight that you may vnderstand the iniurious disgrace doone to me first let me tell you that I am daughter to a King of India and that part of the country which is vnder his gouernment is peopled with none other then Dwarffes such as we are Long time did peace liue and florish among vs without any wrong offered to a nation of such weakenes till another Indian King of great stature descended as he vaunts himselfe to be from that king Porus which was conquered in battaile by great Alexander hearing some fame spred abroade of my beautie made meanes to enioy me in marriage promising to make mee Queene of his Land The King my Father diuining before hand what might ensue heereon and perceiuing more perrill therein then my shallow discretion could reach vnto in silence shewed himselfe vnwilling of such an alliance yet was hee loth to withstand what-soeuer pleased me because I as all women are wont to doo could not coÌ„tent my selfe with one of mine owne condition but thirsting after change contrarie kinde and noueltie thought euery howre a yéere till I was with him Oh how can mens golden promises beguile weake women My poore selfe crediting too much his liberall protestations in no place could enioy any quiet of minde vntill the match were thorowly concluded then sollemnelie hee came with thirtie of his chéefe attendants to espouse me a thing vnlikely in my simple opinion that with so fewe people he aymed at vsurpation of a kingdome which hee shadowed with all smooth semblances that might be and had continually twentie of them about him armed after their custome in platted coates of shells The wedding was sollemnized and hee so full of humanitie and curtesie that my Father began to repent his former hard coÌ„â—ecture and thought it a happy and fortunate marriage no way to be doubted or feared afterward After wee had spent some two monthes in feasting and delights to generall contentment but especiallie mine fiue hundred of his people armed after the same manner as the other were entred my Fathers kingdome pretending that they came to waite on him home because some dissention had hapned among his subiects during his absence and could hardly be pacified but by his presence Saboco for so was this Indian King my husband named when hee
saw that he had men sufficient there to kill vs all for I was the tallest in stature in all our Country beeing a cubit and a halfe in height and euery one feared me in regard of my greatnes he laboured to haue mee home to his owne kingdome whether God knowes I went with no little willingnes little suspecting any trecherie towarde me and this he hastened with the more spéede because hée had gotten intelligence that my Father by these armed troupes growne suspitious of his sonne in law had helde conference with a neighbour Nation confining vppon vs requesting assistance if occasion should vrge it Our departure was celebrated with all possible ioy and triumphs and béeing come to his kingdome I was receiued with exceeding honour and all maiesticall dignities beséeming a Quéene But eyght daies were not fully past till I beheld my husbands countenaunce strangely changed which pierced my hart with such inward affliction that in his lookes I might reade the presage of my ruine Within some fewe dayes following I sitting alone with him in his Chamber and doubtfull of some imminent ill fortune he suddainly caught mee by the haire of the head and pulling me from my seate after he had shaken tugde me as himselfe pleased he threw me against the grounde giuing me so many spurnes with his féete as the breath was readie to flie out of my body When hee sawe mee in such an affrighted distracted estate as hee iudged I durst not denie what soeuer he demaunded with wordes full of furie and bitter despight he spake to me in manner following Isota for so am I called looke what I enioyne thee performe vpon thy life as thou will auoyde worse torture then I haue yet inflicted on thée Write to thy Father after thine accustomed course of enditing and tell him thou lyest sickly at the very poynt of death in regarde whereof this is thy desire that accompanied with thy eyght Brethren and foure Sisters he would come and sée thée before thy death And because thine owne attending Dwarffe who in respect of his credite with the King thy father shal carry the Letter may the better assure him by worde of mouth likewise that he saw thée very sick when thou hast written and sealed the Letter thou shalt betake thee to thy bed feigning and dissembling extreame sicknesse indéed I perceiuing at what marke Saboco made his leuell though I was shrewdly shaken and very sore with stripes tolde him that the vnnaturall dealing he had vsed toward mee might well enough suffise his vnkind inclination without making mee the meanes to betray mine owne kinred and Father Then like a mad man he flew into a more violent fury excéeding the former crueltie extended to me and haled me by the hayre along the ground so outragiously treading on me and beating me so vnreasonably as hee brake diuers vaines in my body and armes and bringing mee in his armes to a great bay window proffered to cast mee headlong out thereat saying Thus diest thou if thou yéeld not to what I haue enioyned thee So much preuailed with me the feare of death y t I cryed out to him saying Deere Lord saue my life and I will performe what soeuer you would haue me Héereuppon setting me on my feete againe he shewed himselfe to be highly contented and with a countenaunce pleasing and words most perswasiue he brought mee pen and incke then on such a leafe as the Indians vse to write I set downe the purpose of what soeuer he willed mée and the Letter beeing closed vp I was conuaied to my bedde where I needed not to counterfet or dissemble sicknes his rough vsage had brought mee into extreame sufficiencie both in bodies debilitie affliction of minde Then bringing the Dwarffe to me in whom I reposed no meane confidence I gaue him the Letter with speeches sutable to my present estate and his appointment desiring him beside to be very earnest with my Father to delay no time least I dyed before his comming The King my Father beléeuing the Letter and the messengers testimonie that brought the same within ten dayes space was come vnto mee and finding mee in that weake estate expressed a kinde Fathers true sorrowe for his childe Saboco dissemblingly entertained him with great honour till so many dayes were out-worne as his furie could allow in which time diuers Lords that came in company with my Father by his direction were returned to theyr owne houses because my Father would attende my death or recouery and the Lordes fayled not to report theyr royall vsage by Saboco which made euery one free from mistrusting his trecherous intention When hee sawe time fitting with his long expectation he caused my Father with sixe of my brothers to be layde hold on and likewise my foure sisters but these two forewarned by me at that instant to respect themselues and labouring to aduertise the other but coulde not compasse it whereupon they fledde with all possible spéede not a little gréeued to leaue theyr Father brethren in a tyrants curtesie Saboco bringing my Father and Bretheren to my beds side with menaces torments did enforce them that my Father should write to the chiefest in his kingdome to deliuer the Castels of defence treasuries and what soeuer else him pleased to such as Saboco should send to demaund them Now because the Indians neuer vsed to contradict anie thing theyr King commaunded all that the Letter imported was forthwith performed and those Princes who before were our confederates by this meanes remained desperate of theyr owne iurisdictions Newes being brought to Saboco that euery thing sorted to his owne direction hée brought my Father and his sixe sonnes into my Chamber where before my face he first murdered the aged King and afterward his sonnes without any compassion then causing my Sisters to be seuerally brought thether likewise he deflowred them one after another in my fight and my selfe which had deliuered such a wealthy Kingdome into his hands he deliuered ouer to y e rascalitie of his Court to dishonour me first with abhorred luxurie and afterward with wilde beasts to be torne in peeces But heauen beholding my intollerable iniuries exceeding the abilitie of any liuing creature to endure raised me vp one friende among so many monstrous inhumaine villaines a Gentleman of his Chamber who séeing mée left to violent prostitution pittying a Kings daughter shoulde be so brutishly disgraced considering my beautie pleaded for farre better respect deuised this shift in hope to doo mée good that to auoyde contention who shoulde enioy mee fortune should be descided by lotterie and lots beeing cast his was the honour first to possesse me which hee crauing that the eye of day might not looke on an act so detestable purposed to performe me as he said the night ensuing but indeede he promised me to conuay me thence and sette me safe with some tryed friende in my Fathers kingdome But Fortune yet not satis-fied with my
so many iniuries crost vs againe in this determination for by the way as we rode with all circumspection wee could deuise wee met with certaine of Sabocos friendes returning from taking possession of my fathers Realme in his behalfe They knowing me and out-facing mee that I laciuiously fledde from my husband with the Gentleman of his Chamber who for my defence had brought twentie friendes along with him fell to such discention with vs that in the fight few on either part were left aliue and I beeing mounted on a tame Hart according as the Queenes vse to ride in those Countries doubtfull how the issue of the fight would prooue fled into a wood not farre distant for I had no reason to expect good of Sabocos followers As I rode on still looking where I might most conueniently hide my selfe it was my good happe to meete with these my two brethren that by my meanes had escaped with safetie of life they espying me a faâ—re off knowing mée to be their poore distressed Sister met mee with the greatest ioy that among so many miseries coulde be expressed especially by my wretched and despised selfe who neuer thought after our parting to see them any more and the like oppinion held they of mee imagining I coulde no way escape with life They mounting vpon the Hart behind mee because in such neede no time was to be lost wee gallopped away amaine thorow the wood and came at length to a certaine Cittie of my Fathers kingdome where Sabocos people as yet had taken no possession There wee assured our selues of some securitie for when wee had aduertised the people what had happened to the King and his sonnes we founde them so loyall ready and diligent that they made liberall offer of theyr owne liues for preseruation of ours The newes of our arriuall there was soone spred thorow the kingdome which was extreamely ruined by Sabocos followers yet in mightie troopes abandoning theyr goods and houses they flocked to vs daily with mindes resolued to maintaine vs in the iustice of our cause Certaine Lords belonging to Saboco who held the royall Citty and forces thereto belonging in short time gaue intelligence to their King heereof and he falling to his wonted mad furie slew thrée of my Sisters vpon report of the newes but the fourth beeing the fayrest he kept still with him as his Concubine and leuied tenne thousand of his subiects to get vs againe once more into his possession All which notwithstanding our people continued theyr faythfull resolution desiring rather a thousand times their vndooing and deaths then that we should fall againe into the Tyrants hands Yet we perceiuing our strength to be small and doubtfull beside least any treason might bee wrought in conference with y e chiefest of the Cittie where we were wee thought it most conuenient for vs to escape thence so might they finde grace and fauour of Saboco but detayning vs and fighting for vs endanger both the Citties ruine and their owne destruction Vpon this consultation the next night ensuing disguising our selues in garments for our purpose and mounted all three vpon my Hart wée tooke our leaue departing whether good fortune might guide vs. The Hart who naturally shunnes the haunt of men especially those of great stature because hée had béene bred and made tame among our little race brought vs safely through whole Armies of our owne Nation but auoided all resort of greater people In this manner we escaped safely and comming to y e Sea-side turned off our Hart into a wood adioyning and hitting by good hap on this little Barke directed our course thether where we fouÌ„d you vnderstanding that the flower of the Grecian Knights were then in Turkie This most dishonourable iniurâ—e kindled such a desire in Florendos to reuenge y e Ladies wrongs that he thought he should neuer get soone enough into India but after they had sailed diuers dayes together at last they put to shoare where shée with her brethren first tooke shipping and looking awhile about them they sawe the Hart to come againe to them out of the wood which they taking as an argument of some good successe to ensue mounted on the beastes backe as before they had doone and so set forward with the Knight on their iourney CHAP. XLI Howe Florendos met with a strange enchauntment and afterward ouer-came Saboco with great perrill of his owne life SAboco hauing doone diuers odious and barbarous trecheries to the Indians grewe to be so generally hated of euery one that for getting an others kingdome in such bloody manner hee was now in good forwardnes to loose his owne Wherefore hearing how the Lady was so secretly departed to prouide her selfe of some Knight that might punish his villanies growing suspitious withall of the Grecian Caualierie whose fame was dispersed quite thorow the world fearing to enter combate in so vniust a cause hée went to a Magitian of an hundred and foure-score yeeres old liuing there in his kingdome with good estéeme and fauour and held with y e best as a man of great experience to him he imparted his minde setting this downe as a full rest and conclusion that who soeuer should come to combat in the Ladies defence must by his skill be kept backe and impeached The olde Wizard who knewe that no enchauntment could continually endure but that iustice will preuaile against all sorcery whatsoeuer aduised Saboco to restore the Lady to her kingdome and flie all occasion of resisting against right but hee more respecting worldly authoritie and pompe then the punishment due to deedes of iniustice with a sterne countenaunce returned him this aunswere I come not to demaunde any counsell of thée but helpe therefore spéedily determine with thy selfe that least anie Knight should come to check my hopes that thou hinder his passage by some powerfull incantations and because I see thee scant willing to pleasure mée I will not let thée depart vntill I see my selfe free from all dread of danger The old Magitian séeing himselfe in power of the Tyrant performed such an enchauntment as shall héereafter bée declared but with small hope of life because he knewe it by sound experience that against the progenie of worthie Palmerin the greatest enchauntment would prooue of no force thus much as an inducement to that which followeth Florendos béeing mounted armed vppon his Courser and the Lady with her Brethren vppon the Hart which they found by chaunce there attending for them rode directly toward the kingdome of Saboco and scarely had they ridden the length of two leagues but they beheld before them a farre off a Mountaine so shining as if it had beene of the purest siluer whereat the Lady not a little meruailing because shée sawe none such in the time of her flight desired the Knights oppinion thereon who béeing well acquainted with Magicall illusions immediatly gessed what it should be and said Faire not Lady Knights haue many times met with such
WEll may I curse that Traytor Bernuccio high mightie and most honourable Lord who so long hath beene the hinderer of my happie fortunes shutting me vp in his deuillish and damnable enchauntment wheras els I might haue beene your Queene diuers yeeres since and wee two haue swayed the Kingdome in peace and tranquilitie But nowe there is come a Knight inuinsible who hath finished the magicall charmes of Bernuccio and comes by force of Armes to compell you as at his commaund to deliuer mee my Kingdome which I had rather ioyntly enioy with you making you Lord both of it and mee Hazard not your selfe in a single fight with him but promise him whatsoeuer he shall demaund of you to the end you may the better get possession of him which beeing cunningly compassed you shall afterward heare more from me Yours Filenia the Princesse This Letter was conuaied to Garnides two dayes before Primaleon could get thether and not a little welcome to him I warrant yée but when the Knight came kéeping off from his Castell a bow shoote and more hee sent his faithfull Squire to challenge him the fight Garnides dissembling as if hée had receiued no former intelligence armed himselfe onely and comming into the field gaue faire salutations to Primaleon whose errand béeing other matters then bare talke onely some-what roughly thus hee spake to Garnides I know not Sir what reason you haue to vsurpe anothers Kingdome without any intent me thinks of restoring it againe I am therefore come to tell you that eyther you must winne it or die iustice sits on my sword intending to restore right and punish wrong Garnides pulling off his Gauntlet shewed his naked hand which was a signe that he would peaceably conferre with Primaleon and Primaleon perceiuing it dreadlesse drew néere when Garnides returned him this aunswere With patience Sir Knight I hope you will heare me I haue held the kingdome belonging to Filenia by such order as the King her Father appointed me because her brother dyed by a fatall accident which Bernuccio falsely and maliciously imputing to me as if that I had either done or procured it got hence the Princesse then but very young and enchaunted her in a Ship with certaine Lyons which it should appeare you haue by your vallour ended If then I haue not doone what you déeme expedient herselfe béeing now at liberty I will performe what soeuer you woulde haue mée for by no meanes will I aduenture the combate with you both in regard of your renowned vertues as also because no good successe attends on ill actions These spéeches deliuered with very good lookes calmelie so preuailed in the minde of Primaleon that beléeuing faithfully what he said he went very kindly with him into his Castle though much against Lord Trasinos mind that was there with him neuerthelesse he was very graciously entertained and the Knight expressed equall curtesie beeing glad Filenia should haue her kingdom quietly restored without combatting with a man so ful of affability as Garnides outwardly declared himselfe to be The dinner was serued in most sumptuously and the more to secure him from any imagination of ill meaning hee sent for a Lady his Daughter of very exquisite beautie commaunding her to sit right before Primaleon which so highly pleased him séeing her so beautifull and vertuouslie modest withall as suddainly he became much enamoured of her Dinner beeing ended a fayre Violl de gamba was brought her whereon the Lady so rarely and cunninglie playd and sung thereto with a voyce so sweet and heauenlie that Primaleon though his thoughts forbad him to affect her yet was hee well contented to heare her the better to hold out conference with her oft would hee vrge her to play some lessons twise or thrise ouer and to sing againe diuers of her ditties especially these two following wherin he very much delighted ¶ The first Dittie of Laurea daughter to Garnides sweetlie sung to her Violl de gamba in the presence of the Knight of Fortune In loue there is no greater blisse Then when desires doe kindly kisse EYes and thoughts why doe yee gad From the bounds are you assignde You that made your Mistresse glad Will you now peruert her minde Then my mothers words be true Greater foes are none then you In loue there is no greater blisse Then when desires doe kindly kisse Eyes you first did tell my minde There could come no harme by gazing That my thoughts too false doth finde Madly now they runne amazing Neuer felt I this before I le neuer trust a lyer more In loue there is no greater blisse Then when desires doe kindly kisse Make amends for eithers wrong Eyes when as my thoughts doe sterue Feede your selues with looking long Lend them hope they may deserue So eyther shall prooue others friend And in peace this warre shall end In loue there is no greater blisse Then when desires doe sweetly kisse FINIS †Her second Dittie to the Knight LOue of late lay all alone begging almes at Beauties gate Hee was aunswerd There was none all was gone he came too late Yet hee would not from the doore begging still for pitties sake But the rich vpon the poore would but little pitty take Yet would Loue not so leaue off hoping pitty still to moue Then he aunswerd was in scoffe Beautie had no looke for loue And shee cast him such a frowne as did such a fixing proue her That hee fell in such a swoune as hee neuer could recouer While in silence sorrow cryes in behalfe of his behoue Curssed be those cruell eyes that will hide a looke from loue FINIS With these and sundry other well composed Ditties did the Ladie both please her owne thoughts the Knights attention béeing not onely very skilfull in hand but as excellent and delicate in her voyce and these songs agréeing with her owne conceits soupled also with some perswasion of the Knights affable nature that hee was not made of Adamant but by such allurements might bee drawne to loue caused her to spende the whole day in those amourous deuises hoping to enioy him as her husband At night Garnides lesse aduised then he was aware off suffered his daughter to come againe into the Hall when among other passages betweene her and Primaleon not béeing heard by any she said thus to him If any disaster doo happen to you by my Fathers meanes it shall cost my life before you be iniuried These words mooued some suspition in the Knight that doubted no inconuenience or trechery at all vntil he heard these spéeches from the Lady Supper was prepared with most royall pompe which béeing past ouer and some prettie space spent in Musique songs and other pleasing pastimes Primaleon was afterward conducted to a princelie Chamber where the King purposing to be surely possessed of the Knight stayed holding discourse till he sawe him in bed and then with a dissembled conge departed Primaleon bethinking himselfe of the Ladies wordes lay awake till
Isota was sent for and her Brother who came together yet verie fearefully as timerous of Sabocos cruell handling but when they came to the chamber where they both lay wounded Saboco shewed such affable signes of loue and kindnes as the Ladie grewe into good securitie of her selfe hearing that hee would fulfill what-soeuer was enioyned him and restore the Kingdom of Dwarffes to her elder brother named Pigmeo the other to haue honourable respect beside While thus they attended theyr hurts recouery Florendos was very desirous to know whether any Ladies were hidden in the Mountaine or no because that two had there appeared to him whom he thought to be his wife Miragarda and the young Lady Victoria but béeing resolued by the Lords there present that all those illusions were doone by the Magicall wizzard he forbare to question any further in the matter Before ten dayes were fully passed by good care and dilligence they were thorowly recouered then were diuers Chariots of Ladies prepared onely to accompany and attend on Isota so rode they honourably to the chiefe Citty of the Kingdome where their feasting and entertainement was beyond comparison and Florendos as a man going beyond all other in famous deserts welcommed and very honourably respected Thence departed they to the Kingdome of the Dwarffes where Pigmeo was created King and there they gaue themselues to all kind of pleasures but most of all they delighted in hunting wherein Florendos still bore the chiefest praise for killing the fiercest and wildest beasts One day among the rest when they were preparing to goe to the woods Pigmeo ordained that euery man should arme himselfe because there liued a Serpent so bloody and cruell as of whole multitudes that had gone to encounter him not one could be known to returne back againe That morning Florendos being desirous to deliuer the Country of such a deuouring Monster sent for an yron maule that Saboco had with certaine pykes extended out at the clubbe end about some foure yards long and making it fast at his saddle pommell on he rode with them towardes the place huge numbers of people following very ioyfully not a little proude of hauing the Knight in their company by whose valour they had good hope to be fréed from the Serpent Dispersing themselues seuerally thorow the woods it was Pigmeos hap to meete first with the Serpent from whom he prepared himselfe spéedily to flie for he was mounted on the Hart he had vsed to ride on but by ouer-much hast hee fell beside his beast and so the Serpent got him vp in his mouth till perceiuing he was a man of so little stature as scorning a pray of no bigger moment hee threw him from him againe so that what with feare and force of the fall he lay still as quite bereft of sence beeing hardly able to recouer him selfe againe When the Dwarffes at first sawe theyr King in the Serpents mouth they gaue such a lamentable out-cry that Florendos and the rest presently gallopped thether where the Serpent came very proudly against them all the Indians not daring abide to behold him but onely Saboco and a Cosin of his who were gotten vp into a high standing to sée how Florendos should speed against the Serpent Hee hauing the fore-named Maule in his hand and the Serpent making furiously at him scaped the Monsters first proffer and wounded him in the left wing striking off diuers of his hard scailes whereat the Serpent grew so angry that suddainly fetching his taile about he got y e Knight fast by the Helmet there-with making him turne round giddily three times together smit him down at last against a great stone on the Mountaines side and such was the vnhappines of the stroke that hee fell downe backward and the Serpent as vaunting of already gotten victory passed quite ouer him thinking as others had sped before that he had giuen him his latest payment But the Knight nimbly recouering footing againe nothing at all dismayed with the stroke he had receiued made out into a more spacious part of the wood where by his actiue dexteritie he might the better helpe himselfe The Serpent perceiuing his labour not ended followed him with exceeding rage and furie where the Knight so plyed him with the poynted Maule that strewing y e ground plentifully with his hard scailes he gaue him diuers little hurts and wounds albeit the Monster helde out so against him that he would not permit him the very least breathing while At length by ouer-much labour expence of blood Florendos perceiued the Monster to waxe weary whereon hee aduaunced himselfe the boldlier before him and gaue him a very shrewde wound in the face whereat he shewed himselfe so enraged that whéeling againe his long taile about he got the Knight fast by the midst and throwing him on his backe betwixt his winges ranne so away with him Saboco béeing much grieued to behold him in this danger prepared to follow him but it auailed nothing for the Serpent ranne excéeding swiftly leaping ouer bushes rocks and hillockes where a horse had not the power to pursue Florendos feeling no other discommoditie but that hee was thus borne from the ground after he had with much adoe vnwound himselfe out of the Serpents tayle leapt valiantly on his feete and gaue y e Monster such a stroke with his Maule on the head as though it slaunted some-what aside yet it smitte him to the grounde and thinking then to steppe vpon him and dispatch him the Maule fell out of his hand so neere the Monster that hee coulde not recouer it without manifest perrill which made him then to vse the benefite of his sword and comming therewith against the Serpent he â—ound him risen vp so madde and furious as had not the Knight stood well vppon his guard his case had then béene very desperate For the Monster making no reckoning at all of his sword caught him with his teeth about the head and much did the goodnesse of his Helmet steede him for else he had vndoubtedly bitten his head quite off Florendos féeling this gripe to be in a maner mortall florished about with his sword he could not tell how but by good hap it lighted vpon the Monsters throate where the skinne was some-what tender voyde of scailes and passing quite thorow it they both fell downe together the one starke dead the other in a traunce or swoune Saboco who with his Cosin had followed the poysoning smoulder of the Serpent came at the instant when a farre off hee sawe the Monster fall but not séeing Florendos his hart became so full of griefe that mending his pace with greater hast he came and found him lying like a man dead Taking off his Helmet and perceiuing that hee breathed not he gaue forth many dolorous complaints whereat his Cosin breaking forth into a laughter sayd Now doost thou euidently prooue thy selfe to be a foole in bemoaning his death that depriued thee of
of her beautie but there appeared a hande as pointing to her and vnder it was written this motto Proude beautie Thus rode the Knight on his minde still hammering on loue and desire of glory and then he espied Dorina comming toward who before had stoode inuisible by and shee causing him to goe on board againe set sayle immediatlie for Constantinople CHAP. XX. How the young Princes arriued at Constantinople where they receiued their order of Knight-hoode and how preparation was made for a Tournament THe Shyp that was embowelled with the gallant young Princes casting Anchor in the Port at Constantinople they were by the Emperour Empresse verie louingly entertained and vnderstanding by Aliarts Letters the cause of their comming it was appointed that they should be Knighted the Sunday folowing and each one hauing watched in his Armor the night before accoring to the custome in such cases prouided there appeared certaine signes vnto them which gaue notice of important matters to diuers of them Leonato the sonne of Palmerin beeing deuoutly at prayer he beheld an aged Emperour enter the Chappell who laying his hand vpon his breast said Behold I take all feare from thee that may be iniurious or hurt thee in any perrillous enterprise make thee Knight of the Sword which deuise he bare while he liued atchiuing manifold honours thereby and it was imagined that this old man was the shadow of the Emperour Palmerin d' Oliua These spéeches were plainly heard by diuers of the rest and others entring the Chappell founde him both armed and girt with a Sword which made them suppose that hee should neede no doubt of arming by the Emperour To Arguto who was at his deuotions in another place by himselfe appeared a King with a Shielde which had figured in it a goodly Sunne and taking him by the hand said I know that thy fortune will heereafter cause thee to offende one whoÌ„ thou rather oughtest to honour but because thou shalt not be the meanest in those seruices which thou art to vndertake I giue thée my shield of the Sunne which shal be impenetrable part therefore from hence after thou hast thy title of Knighthoode No other hearde what this King had sayde to Arguto but sawe howe hee armed him as a Knight To Tarnaes the sonne of Platir came an old man in verie short garments who wanted one eye and in breefe termes he spake thus to him I giue thee this Armor which once belonged to King Phillip of Macedon which shall make thee famous in all thine enterprises and arming him therewith presently departed Many that saw him at his departure iudged him to be Lycurgus the Law-maker of Lacedemonia In the morning the Emperour not a little wondering at these strange accidents gaue the other Knights theyr degrees whereat Oliuanto the second sonne of Florendos was much discontented because the Emperour had not in like manner knighted him though indeed his young yéeres was his onely hinderance The feasting was very pompous and the Emperour shewed himselfe exceeding ioyfull as beholding his Court now begin to flourish againe which had béene before very sad and solitarie in regard of the mighty losses sustained and the case of Prince Florian caused some discontentment albeit a little glimmering of good hap appeared in that so many Knights was departed in quest of him and doubtlesse would defend him from any perrill of life The new created Knights to giue some presage of their hopefull valour concluded a Tournament among themselues at the Launce onely and it was free for all commers what soeuer onely it was in this manner ordained because if any Pagan Princes should chaunce to be there no treason or villainie could then be offered The fame of this Iousting flew through diuers parts of the world yea euen into Turkie where the Christian Knights were in great ioy and feasting for the happy deliuerance of the Prince Florian. And Targiana omitted no gracious kindnesse what soeuer that might auaile for his delight or contentment so that the Turkes thought shee had made him her husband whereat they grewe sad and much displeased expecting euery howre when they should be forced to deny their fayth and be subiected to a Christian Prince the thought wherof to them was worse then death Very gladlie would these Christian Lordes be present at Constantinople as well to see the behauior of their Sonnes as to make proofe of them by their owne experience for at these yeres men ought endeuour to make themselues glorious and in imitation of their Fathers contend who should be most famous But they could not as yet get away from that Country because Ristorano hauing mustered together many Persian Knights collected from diuers parts of the Prouinces that came not in time for the ayde of Sucusano were reputed to be a very great Armie and they were making speedilie to Tubante hauing foure crowned Kings in their companie who were to be knowne by these descriptions Carino King of Illium was y e first who had with him two huge Giants and thirty thousand armed Souldiours Drago King of Memphis the second who had a Monster in humane shape the very strangest that euer was séene before It went both on two feete and likewise on foure the heade like a Goate with foure long bending hornes two turning toward the face and two forward with the first hée wounded when hee stoode on his two féete and with the other when he went vpon his foure His armes were hairie bristled and more long then they that bore his bodie hauing nayles or talents so sharpe piercing as they woulde enter through any Shielde in all the rest hee resembled a man except his feete and in stature greatly he excéeded any Giant whatsoeuer Vlderino King of Tanais was the third a man very valiant of himselfe hauing twentie thousand followers and two Sonnes of a Giantlike stature The fourth was Stupendo the most cruell King of Scithia with fiftéene thousand of his armed people according as theyr custome is to goe onely with Launce and bow mounted on horsebacke but without any bridle All these ioyned their forces with Ristorano who likewise had an hundred thousand men what with his Persians and those of Turkie who marching disordredly cumbred much ground and were greatly feared all the way they went for now no other newes ranne any where abroade but that their Princesse Targiana was married to Florian King of Thrace and thereby they doubted subiection to the Grecian Empire which was very yrkesome to them but to heare When the Christian Knights heard what a power was comming against them and that so many Kings had ioyned their strength with Ristorano fearing least theyr supporting this present occasion in Turkie might abridge them from euer beholding their owne Countries they dispatched thence certaine Turkes to perswade the Kings that the Christians had no other busines there but onely to seate Targiana their naturall borne Lady in her Kingdome And thâ—s perswasion had past
for currant with them but that Ristorano hauing no meane care to keepe those Kinges firme vnto him got intelligence of this treatie from the Christians and causing the Turkes to be quickly apprehended commaunded them forth-with to be hewen in péeces This dissigne thus miscarrying the Christian Knights prouided for their best defence but they founde all thinges out of orâ—er that should auaile them for all the Turkes were in a mutinie about the marriage of Targiana and she beeing altogether transported with her affection to Florian made such outward appearance of but an inward supposition as the matter suspected grewe to be soundly assured so that not daring to build any trust vpon the Turkes and themselues prouided of very fewe people they stoode in an amazement not knowing what to say or doo for theyr owne aduantage Blandidon perceiuing he was not farre from his Kingdome of Niquea promised to write thether that so many armed men should be sent him as they could make and Dirdan the Graund Cane was vrged to the like that he would also send to his kingdome of Paraz But he that stoode rather disposed to make conquest of Niquea and take to wife the beautifull Lady Tirrena béeing thereto before sollicited by sundry inuitations alleaged such excuses which although they were slenderly credited yet none knew directlie how to obiect against them The messengers from Blandidon béeing come to Nequea there they vnderstoode by diuers good friendes of his howe matters stood already accorded coÌ„cerning Tirrena wherfore without deliuerance of their Embassage they returned backe againe and certified the Christian Lords of their ill successe This disastrous chaunce much troubled Palmerin and the rest but especially Blandidon beyond them all who remembring the dreame he had in the Perilous I le and telling the same to the Knights they all founde it not fit to contend with so mighty a puissaunce but to take the best course for the safetie of the Cittie which not beeing so intirely furnished with prouision they thought it best day by day to deale by single fights vntill they had made hauock of the Leaders and Captaines In these hopes and determinations they expected the enemies approch who founde as they came but small resistance by reason of the fault imputed to Targiana and the Turkes were very desirous and thirsty after newes because they heard that Targiana with Prince Florian was with-drawne into the Castell and daily they endeuoured to fortifie Tubante Héereupon Ristorano béeing come within a league of the Citty and there deuising on his best and aptest meanes in procéeding to besiedge it was the generall conclusion Palmerin to giue a beginning to their former intention armed himselfe and comming foorth of the Citty staying a place farre enough from the enemies Campe gaue them to vnderstand by an Heralde at Armes after what manner they demaunded battaile Ristorano who was wise and prouident found very readily the purpose of the Christians and knowing that these were the flower of all the Grecian Caualierie would not agrée vpon such single combate or fight alleadging that in regard they were but few they had no other way more expedient for their owne defence For they coulde not expect any further assistance because the Empire of Constantinople was so emptied of her Souldiours in the late battaile as thence could come no supply and therefore it was meetest to engirt the Citty with strong sledge which was the onely way to vanquish without any damage This indéede was the soundest counsell and aduise but the Kings beeing youthfull and gallant vnexperienced in the proofe of the Christian warriours would not allow of any thing but Combate and because they contended who should be formost to conclude all further iarring it was determined that Carino with one of his Gyants Drago King of Memphis and Stupendo King of Scithia shoulde combate with any foure Knights of the Citty This aunswere was returned to Palmerin that he and three other should prepare themselues to deale in Combate the day following neere to the Citty and in meane while shoulde no wayes by them be iniured These newes were not a little welcome to the Christians seeing theyr desseignment sort to so good effect heerevpon they made theyr preparation and because that all of them were willing to goe forth they were commaunded to be in readines according as afterward should more aptlie be concluded vpon So Palmerin who already had accepted the Combate Floraman remaining still as Captaine generall Florendos Dramusiande and Berolde were to be the other with him whereat the Prince Florian was greatly offended and this was a good helpe of preseruing the Cittie from losse as in the successe heereof shal be declared But leaue we them now in their former preparation and returne againe a while to Constantinople CHAP. XXI How they proceeded to the Tournament wherein Arguto would haue slaine an vnknowne Knight because he could not endure his company ALiart who trusted not a little to his arte sent diuers of his Magicall messengers to vnderstand by them how the affaires went in the enemies kingdome and when he was resolued that there was no Armie prepared to come against the Christians but onely that of Ristoranos who would much more willingly haue held his gouernment in quiet then hazard it by medling with the Christians whom he verily imagined to be inuincible he grew excéedingly desirous to send all the Princesses with their daughters into their owne iurisdictions And as they conferred héereon together they concluded to goe for Constantinople especially such as had lost their husbands because theyr sad mindes would not admit them to sée their natiue homes where they were assured to find nothing but greefe and desolation This their determination displeased not Aliart wherefore causing a Ship to be very well prouided they all went aboord and himselfe was the more willing to beare them company because no sinister chaunce should befall them by Sea which vsually was wont to be perrillous by reason of the enemies forces béeing abroade but nowe in better quiet by their late disabling Safely they sayled along to Constantinople where the newes of their arriuall ranne quickly through the Cittie and the Emperour coÌ„maunding the young Knights forthwith to Arme themselues accompanied with y e Empresse Grydonia and Basilia went to giue welcome vnto the Ladies The Quéenes Palitia Melissa Francellina Arnalte Miragarda and Polynarda were the first that went on Land the three formost in their widdowed attires but Arnalte more pompous and proude then euer before there followed them Alderina Leonida Bramaciana Denisa Sidelia Onistalda Clarissima Bernarda Clariana and Florenda who because shee was high minded would needes be the last and went alone by herselfe from all the rest Then followed the younger Ladies in such sumptuous ornaments as they drew all eyes to behold and admire them Victoria daughter to Prince Florian because she was eldest was admitted the priuiledge of landing first seconded by Argentina the Spanyard so excelling in