almightie God in that he did know her to be his soueraigne Ladie and sister Then the good Troyan Oristedes went and offered to kisse her handes and yéelded himselfe wholie vnto her grace The Princesse did surrender vnto him thankes and receiued great contentment to haue in her companie so high and valiant knights For with iust reason might be sayd that there was ioyned together all the bountie and prowesse of the whole world So all together with great ioy and pleasure they commanded their shippes to be made in a readinesse and sayled together towardes the Empire of Grecia And being at sea they met with a great and mightie shippe wherein came the worthie and valiant Prince Clauerindo who with the company of his vnkle Flamides brought with them the faire Princesse Lindaraza And when they knew the one the other there was great reioycing of all theyr partes buâ— in especiallie béeing giuen to vnderstand by what strange aduenture the Prince did bring her and of the good will which he had for to marrie with her at such time as they should ariue at the mightie Citie of Constantinople in the presence of the Emperour the ioy of the brethren was the more and they receiued Lindaraxa with great loue vnto whom she séemed to be in all points of great valour and she lykewise with more ioy and pleasure than euer she receiued before in all her life went along with them and gaue great thankes vnto God for that good fortune she had to meete them Then she embraced with great loue the Princesse Oliuia who with great ioy dyd receiue her being either of them verie much amazed at the strange beautie the one of the other and verie gladde that they should enter together into Grecia So with great ioye and delight they sailed on their voiage and had so gallant conuersation amongst themselues that they neuer felt the trauaile of the sea There dyd the Princes Zoylo Bargandel and Lyriamandro vnderstand of Rosicleer all his aduentures and what he had passed in them after that he departed out of England who receiued great pleasure to heare him although to the contrarie they did complaine much of him for that they taking so great paines in séeking of him with great desire of his companie he woulde not discouer himselfe vnto them So passing the time with these and other such like sports they sailed towardes Grecia and in few daies with prosperous windes they ariued at the port of Constanstinople and thinking it great reason before that they did disâ—mbarke theÌ„selues to giue the Emperour Trebatio vnderstanding of their ariuall it was concluded and agréed amongst them that the king Sacridoro should goe vnto Constantinople for that he knew the whole discourse of Rosicleer and sawe by experience the most part of his valiant worthinesse that hée might declare the same vnto the Emperour and Empresse and in what sort he doth bring with him the Princesse Oliuia and Clauerindo Lindaraza and how they are all together in the port of that Citie readie for to come a shore and by reason that the daie was farre spent and the night drew on they dyd inferre it till the next morning when that the king Sacridoro went a land and did his message How the knight of the Sunne Rosicleer and the other Princes and knigâ—tes with the Princesses Oliuia Lindaraza went a land and were meruailouslie receiued by the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Briana Chap. 7. WHen the next morning was come the good King Sacridoro went a land beeing armed with his whole armour verie richlie alonely with one Squire and entered into Constantinople who finding the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Briana in the great hall together without anie dolour he came in whereas they were who when they sawe him receiued him with great ioy and pleasure as well for that he was so great a friend vnto their sonne Rosicleer as also because they hoped to heare some newes from him the which they longed verie much for for of long time they had not heard from him Then the king went to kisse the hands of the Emperour who did embrace him with great loue and said King Sacridoro my verie good friend you are heartelie welcome into this Countrie for with your comming I doe receiue great ioy and pleasure Therefore tel me what is become of your greatest friend Rosicleer for that I meruaile greatlie that he is not come in your companie I am fullie perswaded that it is a great thing that should depart you a sunder Then the king after that he had done his due reuerence answered him and said Mightie Emperour I came in the companie of Rosicleer and God forbidde that so long as I liue I shoulde separate my selfe out of his companie for therewith I receive more honour and contentment than with all the whole kingdome of Antiochia the which I holde by his valyant worthinesse And héere I giue you to vnderstand most high renowmed princes that your mightie valiant most worthie sonnes the knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer are in the port of this Citie accompanied with worthie valiant princes and knights and doe bring in their companie the most excelent and faire princesse Oliuia daughter vnto the puisant king Oliuerio whome Rosicleer falling in loue with did by force of his strong arme take out of the court of the king her father and with one alone shippe in the which we are come made his defence at the sea against more theÌ„ sire thousand knights there did he shew vnto him a great part of all that had passed in that enterprise and of the great sorow which he receued for the worthie knight of the Sunne and of Oristedes his friend as also how by fortune at the sea they met with the prince Clauerindo who brought in his companie the faire Lindaraza with her vnckle Flaâ—nides with the whole discourse how he brought her out of the castle in such sort as he tolde them at the sea But wheÌ„ the Emperour and the Empresse heard these newes they receued great ioy and comfort thereat as those who haue great experience in cases of loue did not greatly meruaile at that which Rosicleer did for the loue of Oliuia likewise they receued content for that he had accomplished his desire being fullie certified that the princesse should inherit the kingdome of great Britaine after the deceace of the king her father and how that Rosicleer could not marrie with a damsell in all the world of more higher estate Also theyr ioy did encreace at the newes of the comming of the knight of the Sunne Then the Emperour and the Empresse dyd render vnto the king Sacridoro great thankes for that he would come to bring them so ioyfull newes And the Emperour did straight waies commaund his nobles and worthie princes knights that were then present in his court to be in a redinesse for to goe and receue them who in companie with them all with great pomp
the which as one that hath atchiued by his wisedome the acknowledging of things for to come doth giue thée aduisement oâ— some that is requisite and doth accomplish verie much thy honour as shall appeare by the same And in saying these wordes the gentlewoman knéeled downe before the Emperour and kissing his hands she deliuered vnto him the letters Then the Emperour with great loue did cause her to arise and tooke the letters and gaue them vnto his sonne Rosicleer for to reade them who did open them and reade them that all that were present might heare it the contents were as followeth HIgh and mightie Emperour of Grecia although these my letters be strange and new vnto thée yet is it no new thing in the good wil which I haue to serue thée for that aboue all Princes in the world thou doest deserue the same as also for the great dutie and seruice in which we are bound vnto thy sonne doeth constraine vs to acknowledge thée to be our Lord and to giue the counsell as vnto our vâ—rie good friend The hearts of valiant and stout barons there is nothing suffiâ—ient to disturbe them and thereâ—ore in few words I will shew thée the cause wherefore I doe write vnto thée Thou shalt vnderstande good Emperour that all the Pagans of the 〈…〉 against thée and in a short time there will 〈◊〉 together so great an armie that those of Darins Xerxes altogether were not so manie and the chiefe Captaine and generall of them all is the Emperour Alicandro father vnto the Princesse Lindabrides Emperour of the 〈◊〉 king of the Scitas and Lord ouer the orientall region who as thy 〈…〉 will passe into Grecia with determination and good will for â—o destroy thâ—e He hath in his companie so manie 〈◊〉 and valiant knightes other of mightie stature that it shall be requisite thy great power and valiant courage with the ayde and helpe of all thy friends On the other side doth arise the 〈◊〉 regions who with great and mightie armies shall 〈◊〉 all the Grocian fieldes against thée but haue a good heart iâ— all things and make thy selfe readieâ— for that these mightie things are not ordained for hase stomacks but for the mightie and generous as thou art Neither doth the valiantnesse of the heart shew it selfe so much as it doth in receiuing the 〈◊〉 blowes of Fortune who alwaies showeth it selfe most contrarie at such time as he is exalted vnto the highest of her whole And for that all that euer I can declare vnto thée in this matter is spoken of in a Prophesie which the wise Artemidoro writ vpoÌ„ y â— fore front of this palace I wil inlarge no 〈◊〉 but saye that all shall come to passe as it is ther written Also my nephew king 〈◊〉 and I wil be shortly in Grecia with so much people as possible we 〈◊〉 and take you no sorow and griefâ— for the 〈◊〉 of the knight of the 〈◊〉 for although manie daieâ— shaâ—â— passe before you sée him yet the time will come that his sight shal be more acceptable vnto thy royall person then at this present wherewith I conclude in kissing thy Emperiall hands This Letter being read by Rosicleer it caused in them some alteration saue onelie in the Emperour Trebatio and in him that did reade it for the which they 〈◊〉 moued semblance neither did appeare in their faces that they receiued anie trouble thereat although the Letter did import much matter of great importance because in equal sort they could suffer both aduersitie and prosperitie This béeing done the Gentlewoman did straight waies open the coffer that the sauage brought in tooke out thereof a sute of armour all red of so fine a coulour and glittering stéele that all the péeces thereof séemed as though they had béene made of fine Rubies and vpon the â—réast of the 〈◊〉 there a crowne of verie 〈◊〉 and rich sâ—ones that 〈◊〉 them verie wel to vnderstand for whom it was And when she had taken it all out shée turned her selfe vnto the Emperour and saide This armour the wise Lyrgandeo doth send vnto thée for that considering the great daungers and perilles that are ordained against thée hée hath nothing at this present to send thée that shall bée more profitable and hée doth desire thée that thou wilt put on no other armour but this for that hée hath made it with his owne handes and vsed therein all his knowledge onelie for the safegard of thy person The Emperour Trebatio was verie gladde and ioyfull of that armour the which the Gentlewoman brought him but much more of the good aduise and warning the which the wise Lyrgandeo dyd write him as from his good and perfect friend and knew not how to gratifie so great friendship good wil as the wise man did shew vnto him Then those mightie Princes worthie knights which were there present sayde vnto the Emperour that it was good he should vnderstand in putting remedie to preuent that which the wise man did giue him warning of to put all the people of his Empire in a readâ—nesse that he bée not taken tardie and also to write vnto his friendes for their aiâ—e and helpe all that was possible So amongest them all â—he first that arose vppe was the Prince Clauerindo and offered himselfe to departe out of hande into the kingdome of Fraunce and to bring from thence all the people that euer he could make Then straightwaies arose vp the good king Sacridoro and said as much and after him Bargandel of Bohemia and the two princes Rodomarte and Rodofeo and many other mo that were there present and subiect vnto the Emperour whome altogether did offer vnto him ayde with their owne persons and with all the people that they might well bring out of their countries Here the valiant Tartarian Zoylo could not offer anie ayde or helpe vnto the Emperour for that he was certaine and sure that the king his father and all his people would not be against the Emperour Alicandro neither could not that worthy Oristedes for that the people of that destroyed Troy were verie fewe neither could not the king Alamades for that hiâ— kingdome of Cornewall was in great Britaine Likewise the Prince Liriamandro for that he was fullie certified that his Father the King of Hungaria came in the fauour of the king Oliuerio against the Emperour Trebatio but yet all foure of them did offer to ayde him with their persons promising neuer to faile him so long as life did last At which friendly offer the Emperour Trebatio receiued so great ioye pleasure to sée with what good will they did offer themselues that his ioye did much more surmount the anger that he receued when he heard the newes sent him by the wise Lirgandeo and gaue vnto his sonne Rosicleer the charge in aunswering of the wise man gratifying him very much for his good aduice as also for the ayde of his person and people as
those Pagans were saued for that there was 〈◊〉 that came out of Persia but turned all Christans Likewise the valiant and worthie Prince of Fraunce in this time did reioyce himselfe with his loue the faire Princesse Lindaraza as two that loued together exeéedinglie The like did all the other Princes that had their Mistresses there in the Court as the Prince Don Siluerio with his loue the Quéene Arquirosa and Rodomarte and Rodofeo with their Ladies and as all these receiued great delight so to the contrarie Bargandel Liriamandro the king Sacridoro and Brandizel were verie sorrowfull for the absence of their Ladies although the great good wil which they had for to serue the Emperor Trebatio in those warres did witigate the great griefe which otherwise they should haue receiued for their louers After this sorte they were all in sundrie and different thoughts although for to giue battaile against their enimies they were conformable in which time vpon a sodaine there was brought newes vnto the Emperour how that the king Liseo and the faire Quéene Radamira were come into the port they for whome the knight of the Sun made baâ—taile with the stout and doubtfull knight Raiartes restored vnto him the kingdome of Lidia the Quéene brought with her foure thousand knights the king sixe thousand all valiant and well armed who comming towards Grecia by fortune did méete together at sea and comming both in one demand they kept companie together vntill they came into the port Then so soone as the newes was knowen in Constantinople the Emperour Trebatio did so much that his sonnes and all that worthie crew did go forth to receiue them being together in the field they went vnto the sea side whereas they found at their comming thether that the king and the Quéene were landed a shore comming vnto them to giue them entertainment the knight of the Sunne said My good Lords from this daie forwards we may haue little feare of our enimies hauing your highnesse on our side This feare may we all put a part being in your companie sayd the Quéene Radamira for he that deliuered me from that furious and fierce Raiartes will deliuer me from all the knights of the world Well then said the king Liseo I am no lesse bound vnto this happie Prince than all the rest for that by him I haue my life all my whole kingdome and there withall they embraced one another with great loue all that were there reioyced of their comming for that the king was a verie good knight furnished with all good manners and conditions the Quéene Radamira was verie faire and gratious and receiued wonderful ioy and contentment to sée the knight of the Sun for there was nothing in all the world that she desired so much to see but when she sawe him so much growen as well in bignesse as in height more than he was at such time as hée was in Babylon she meruailed verie much When the knight of the Sun and those that came with him had giuen them their welcome they tooke their waie towards Constantinople passed by the camp of the Pagans in sight of them all who did behold them offered them no harme nor discurtesie for that there was a truce betwixt them When they came vnto the Citie the Emperour and the Empres and all those Ladies and Gentlewomen that were with her receiued great ioy loued their new guests grasifieng very much their comming And héere you shall vnderstand that at this present that worthie and valiant Tartarian Zoylo when he sawe the Quéene Radamira was taken in loue with her with great good will for to take her to he his wise and spouse if that she were so content therewith and from that daie forwardes he did procure by all meanes to giue her knowledge thereof and she when she was aduertised knew him to be so valiant a knight and high a Prince she tooke great pleasure in his seruice So by reason that the time drew nigh of the generall battaile with great diligence the Emperour and all those worthie knights minded no other thing but to visite their people commanding that they should be prouided of good armour of all other things necessarie for the battaile as they that made account that they had all that remained in the world against theÌ„ Likewise on the other part in the campe of the Pagans they did as much for in all the daies and time of their truce they vnderstoode no other thing but to make all things in a redinesse against the daie appointed being determinded amongest themselues to goe forth all the whole Campe vnto the battaile for that they would at that time make an end and destroie all the Gréekes and straight wayes enter into the mightie Citie of Constantinople and so remaine Lords ouer all the whole Empire Thus after this sorte they passed awaie the daies of the truce and afterwardes there happened many other things as shall be tolde you in this Chapter following Of the rigorous and bloudie battaile that was betweene the people of the Emperour Trebatio and those of the Emperour Alycandro and of such meruailous things as happened therein Chapter 38. I Had néed of an vnderstanding iudgement much more higher thanâ—that of Plato who was amongst the Philosophers had in reputation of a diuine vnderstanding more prompter than that of Epaminondas or of Cirus amongst the Gréekes and Persians who were accounted without comparison and also a memorie more greater than that which maye be giuen me by the Memoratiue art of Simonides eloquence more eminent than Homer or Demosthenes to declare here the worthie and incredible déedes and memorable acts of those heroicall famous knights that in the last battaile betwéene the Emperours were ioyned together in the field of Grecia in the sight of newe Rome founded by Constantine the Prince for that if with good affection you read the Historie before written you shall sée this pleasant Hystorie so intangled and the worthinesse of renowmed knights so exalted that for to declare perticularlie euerie one of their mightie acts you shall well perceiue that it were néedfull of the diuine fauour againe if you do remember the most parte of the names of those worthy knights and the varietie of Nations there ioyned together you had neede of a good memorie and to tell of them and euerie thing in order it is for to manifest all the whole world and all worthinesse therein So I séeing this worke to mount and ascend so high my small vnderstanding not able for to comprehend the same was determined for to 〈…〉 last Chapter and not to procéede anie farther but leaue this trauaile vnto some other that hath a more sharper vnderstanding than I haue and remayned certaine daies in this determination and occupied my wits in other diuerse and variable things béeing fullie perswaded that my vnderstanding was not sufficient for to declare and make
fortunes of locasta whose misfortunes were such as was not in the whole worlde to be compared yet may it not be compared vnto mine Oh fortunate Eucuba and soueraigne Quéene who alonely remained for to sée the sorowfull sight of the destruction of Troy and the death of thy husband and valiant sonnes and faiâ—e daughters and after for the same cause thou wert of thy enimies stoned to death Comfort thy selfe with my misfortune for that it is not lesse dolorous then thine Oh Sophonis be Queene of Numidia who being with thy husbande prisoners in the power of thy enimie and being comforted to marrie with him first before that thy marriage was selebrated thou wert slaine by poision I consider with great griefe thine not to be equall vnto mine for that thou diddest lack time to acknowledge thy hurt in me it remaines for to suffer so great griefe Oh Cornelia wise vnto Crasso of that mightie Pompey of Rome banished with thy husband lette our sorowes be ioyned together when that with great hope for to sée thy Pompey thou wert lost and wert comforted by Cato Vticense Happie werte thou Cleopatâ—a Quéene of Aegipt séeing that thou werte forgotten by Caesar in so short space thou diddest quench so great a fire thy faire breasts béeing drawen or sucked by Snakes till such time as they sucked thy bloud which made an ende of thée Oh how pleasant should thy death be vnto mée if that in the seruice of God so great crueltie might be permitted I should thinke my selfe happie if that the bloud of my brestes with those cruell Snakes were drawen out so that ioyntly therewith the furious anguish of my heart should be expelled Oh pittifull tears of Licurgus for thy Arquimoro and those of Atalante for her Partenopio how farre doe mine excéede yours and with much more iust cause I doe shedde them Oh falce and disloyall knight what reason coulde constraine thée to falsifie and break thy worde promise giuen to be whollie mine It appeareth that thou dost follow the law Gentilica of the god Mercurio that doth not obserue kéepe their woord they say that it is more polesie then disceit Oh how I doe know now to be true that there is nothing so difficil to be vnderstoode as the humaine heart Who would euer haue thought that so great crueltie and disloyaltie might be compreheÌ„ded in a knight that doth surpas all other knights in the worlde What man hath bene in the world so cruell and peruerst as thou traitour hast bene vnto mée of truth none no not Iupiter god of y â— Gentiles whome thou dost worship that banished out of his kingdome his Father the king Saturno Neither that Ptolomeo king of Egipt that slewe his owne father brother and in the ende his wife Euridice onely for the loue of his friendes Orestes was not so cruel that slew his mother Clitemnestra nor Nero for Agripina nor Antipater for Thesalonica nor Theseus for Hipolito nor Phelipo for Demetrius nor Constantine Emperour of y â— Romances for his son Chrisippo nor Marco Caâ—taginense that did crucifie his sonne Cartalon neither that Phaces king of Parcia the most peruerst of all kings who slew Herodes his olde and afflicted father with thirtie of his bretheren and his onely sonne nor any whatsoeuer that hath bene cruell in the world so cruel as y â— knight of the Sunne hath bene vnto Claridiana for vnto them was giuen the death and afterward they felt nothing so that their crueltie was but in slaying of them but this is more crueltie vnto mée then the death for that from hence forth I shall wish to die because I deserue not to liue for to féele so cruell griefe and paine How can I liuing suffer one moment so great dolour to sée the knight of the Sunne in the power of an other Ladie Oh that he were now in this countrie surely I would be slaine in battaile with him or else his great disloyaltie should be reuenged by mée In saying these words the Empresse Claridiana her sorow was so great that she receued that many times she fell in a sound in the armes of Arcaâ—sia and all the comfortable wordes which she spoke vnto her were not sufficient in anie point to appease her great griefe and certaintie guish dolour was so great that it cannot be imagined that the griefe of anie woman whom she haue named might be compared vnto hers for as in wisedome reason and discretion with soueraigne bountie and highnesse she doth exceede all other in the world euen so is her griefe the more and the greater reason she hath to complaine for that she knowing to be without comparison in beautie estate with all other excellent gifts that should be in a noble Ladie and hauing set her minde vpon the knight of the Sun as one that alonlie did deserue her and now to sée her selfe forgotten changed for another not leauing in all the worlde anie conformable vnto her highnesse with whom she might marrie so that she desired no other thing but to die the death for to euitate the suffering of so great euill and from that daie forwards her life was cleane changed ouer that it was before neither did she exercise her selfe in armour nor 〈◊〉 hunâ—ing as at other times but as one that was past all hope euer to be marrried and as a widowe she spent her time in her closet all alone occupying her selfe alwaies in praier leading the lyfe more of a religious woman than of so high a Ladie as shée was alwaies waiting the comming of the knight of the Sun for to be reuenged on him Whereas the Historie doth leaue her for to tell you of Rosicleer that was sailing by sea with the Princesse Oliuia How Rosicleer carried the Princesse Oliuia by sea whereas they met with a great storme wherewith they were in 〈◊〉 how meruailouslie they were succoured Chap. 6. THe Historie hath declared vnto you how in what sort Rosicleâ—r in companie with his good friend Sacridoro did carrie the Princes Oliuia but of England how that they sailed on the sea with prosperous winde in the 〈…〉 in béeing so much before the other Fléete All the diligence of the Marriners nor the greate desire of the Prince was sufficient for to ouertake them for that they were a great waie before which was the occasion that with great anger be cursed the windes because they did blow stiffer lifting vp his eies vnto heaven shedding many teares he sayd Oh diuine maiestie how doe you permit that so greate force and iniurie shuld be done vnto me and that my louing spouse should bée carried awaie from me in this sort How is it that thou dost not execute thy iustice and let thy wrath to fall vpon this robberâ— Oh that thy diuine maiestie were so pleased that the same ship might strike vpon some rocke or else that that little 〈◊〉 called Remora in climbing vnto the ship might stay the furie of
onely sonne and heire of his kingdome and then his daughter to be stolen and caried away requesting of them all fauour possible to helpe him to take reuengement for the same 〈◊〉 that to conclude some there were that for verie friendâ—â—ip and loue did ayde him And other some for the ill will they bare vnto the Gréekes of very enuie of their prosperiâ—iâ—es dyd ayde and help hâ—m and not onely with their people but with their owne proper persons 〈◊〉 vnto the King Oliuerio and there was so great hast and diligence made in the executing thereof that many daies was not past whan that in great Britaine there was ioyned together more then â—ne hundred and fiftie thousand knights where as the Historie doth leaâ—e them putting all things in good order as appertained vnto so valiant an enterprise for to tell you of other things that happened in the meane time How that the Princesse Lindabrides did craue of her father the Emperour Alicandro reuengement of the knight of the Sunne and how the Emperour at her request did call a Parliament and what happened in the same Chap. 9. IN great confusion and alteration remained the whole Court of the Emperour Alicandro for so sodaine departure of the knight of the Sunne but aboue all the rest was the fayre Princes Lindabrides whose lyfe was so full of sorow and griefe that manie times she was at the point of death And there was nothing that could comfort her in séeing that y â— knight of the Sunne was departed and returned to his owne countrie and was verie certaine that if once he came into the presence of the princes Claridiana it were past all remedie for him to haue her any more in his remembraunce so that she might vâ—rie well abandon her selfe of all hope euer to sée him any more the which was more bitter grieuous vnto her then death And coÌ„sidering with her selfe by reason of the great loue she bare vnto him that it should be great comfort vnto her and remedie for her griefe if that she did once againe returne inâ—â— Grecia by what maner of meanes so euer it was she cared not thinking by that meanes for to disturbe the knight of the Sunne that he shoulde not haue aâ—ie time nor space for to serue the Princesse Claridiana neither for to marrie with her for the which to put in effect the 〈◊〉 nothing so good as for to craue reuengement of the Emperour her â—ather for the iniurie done by the knight of the Sunne which might be the occasion that he with all his power should passe into Grecia and to tarrie her with him thether to be crowned Empres of Grecia séeming by those meanes the knight of the Sunne shall be constrained to doe perforce y â— before he wold not by his frée will the which she put in vre according vnto her thought And as many times the Emperour her father came into her closet to visit comfort her whereas she continuallie remained and neuer went abroâ—e vpon a daie when that hée was fullest of griefe comforting her whose sorrow pricked him to the verie heart for the greate loue hée bare vnto her The Princesse shedding many teares from her christaline eies said It is lost labour my Lord and Father for to comfort or giue anie consolation vnto this vnhappie and vnfortunate Damsell your Daughter for that thers is nothing that can remedie nor helpe mée but onelie the death the which if the high Gods were so pleased were so high â—ee that I could not make an end of this my speaking for that death were a great deale better vnto mee than to liue for to feele and suffer so great an iniurie as thaâ— which the â—nighâ— of the Sunne hath done against you and mee for if you my Lord would consider thereof as is right and reason you woulde leaue off comâ—orting of your Daughter and 〈◊〉 by all meanes that this our reproch may bée 〈◊〉 wherewith if pâ—esencâ—ie I should depart out of this world I should gâ—e with comfort but of the 〈…〉 that from their high Throâ—e they â—ill yeelâ—e 〈…〉 seeing that you doe so little esteâ—me it 〈◊〉 should other Damselles of base birth looke for 〈◊〉 that a Damsell of so high estate as I am 〈◊〉 oweth participate with the diuine 〈◊〉 of the hâ—gh Gods and being 〈◊〉 by one alone 〈…〉 griefe of her great wrong nor anie that will take vpon him to aunswere the quarrell With great reason therefore from this daie forwardes may your vassalles and subiectes take heart at grasse and bée bolde to rise vp against you seeing that you will put vp such an iniurie and euill proffer done against you by one alone Knight and an enimie vnto your lawe and will suffer mée that am your Daughter to liue without reuengement My Lord and Father I praie you beholde and consider your high estate which is such that all the kinges and Lordes of the Orient are obedient at your commandement and seruice and doeth honour and reuerence you as a parent and kinsman vnto the immortall Gods and if now you doe dissemble this great iniurie which vnto you and mée hath béene committed without making cruell reuengement you shall neither bée feared nor estéemed but had in lesse reputation than héeretofore you haue béene and your honour ouerthrowne from the throne which your predecessours vntill this present daie hath maintained and vpholden And that which séemeth to bée worst of all is that the diuine prouidence will féele and acknowledge part of this great iniurie the which I do most earnestlie praie and desire that they doe not execute against you their wrath in that you haue neglected to take reuengement For this cause onelie hath the diuine Gods giuen vnto you this high estate exalting and placing you aboue all other that are in the world because you should execute iustlie héere vpon the earth as they haue ordained in their diuine Consistorie This faire Damsell had not so soone concluded these her wordes when that the Emperour her Father vnderstanding the effect of her â—omplaint with great griefe and sorrowe vnto his heart béeing full of anger and wrath arose vp and laide his hand vpon his head as vpon a precious relike and said these wordes following Héere I doe sweare vnto thée by this sacred head and by the diuine Deitie that I doe participate of the immortall Gods for to goe with all my power into Grecia and in reuengement of this great iniurie to mée done I will destroie the Emperour Trebatio and giue a cruell and dishonoured death vnto his wife and children and crowne thée my daughter for Empresse of that Empire So with this conclusion without speaking anie moe words hee went forth of her Closet and calling together certaine of his counsaile he concluded that a Parliament shoulde bée proclaimed throughout all his kingdomes and dominions commaunding all Kinges Princes and Nobles of the same to come vnto the sayd Parliament in paine of death Lykewise hée
as doe procure to haue a fame in al the world with equal courage ought to offer their persons in doubtfull attempts as well as in prosperous affaires with like constancie to harden themselues against afflictions as vnto delights pleasures Of our owne part we doe saie y â— although our yéeres doth require more to take rest â—ase in our owne Countrie than to trauaile into another yet if it so be concluded that we shall take this iourney vpon vs so farre off and so costlie wée will that you doe no more therein than you sée vs to doe as trauailing by the waie nauigating by Sea cléering our passage assaulting our enimies in all these wée will bée the first and not the last To conclude our verie good friends are desirous to be reuenged of this great iniurie done vnto vs by the knight of the Sun that you wold not thinke agreeing héereto with vs that these our white haires shall lacke good wil for to passe into Grecia for that if once wée come thether wée hope in the immortall Gods not alonelie to bee reuenged of this iniury done vnto vs but also to make subiect vnto our consecrated estate that whole Empire And wée are fullie perswaded that the diuine prouidence hath permitted this offence to be done that we should haue occasion for to destroie the whole power of the Christians We do not meane héereby to bring vnto your remembrance how oftentimes it happened in times past in this Countrie the Emperors Captaines of Rome came not onlie to make reuengement of the iniuries offences done vnto themselues but also for them that were their friends subiects vnto y â— Empire of Rome in executing whereof they did neither respect the largenesse of their iourney expenses of their treasures neither the trauaile of their persons so y â— their camps armies were as coÌ„mon in Asia as in Italie or Rome so that in consideration if those onelie for the honor of their friends did little estéemâ— their long trauailes into those Countries wherefore should we thinke it much in reuenging of our owne iniuries to passe into Grecia Wée desire the high Gods y â— no such cowardnesse may be found in your noble minds neither so many mightie kings Princes as be here present to consent to the contrarie but y â— this great iniurie should be reuenged Now séeing that we haue declared vnto you the occasion of calling you together vnto this our court of Parliament we do desire you so let vs haue your iudgements vpon this that we haue proponed hoping to haue it in so ample sort as alwaies wée haue receiued at your hands When all those that were present with the Emperour had well heard the words that were spoken and that concerning the same he had asked their counsailes yet his determined purpose was for to passe into Grecia so that ther was amongst them some that were verie glad and ioyfull for the same and other some that did not like of the iourney as it is a naturall thing amongst men in like affaires to be of contrarie opinions The Emperour at that time did looke for their answere but nothing was supplied til such time as they did all together desire the old king of Gedrosia in the name of them all to answere vnto the Emperours proposition for that he was estéemed in all those kingdomes to be wise and one that was well séene in the warres and as it hath béene told you in this Hystorie he was well seene in Astrologie who being by them verie much importuned arose vp and spake as followeth The speech which the olde king of Gedrosia made vnto the Emperor Alicandro before all those high kings nobles concerning the passage of their armie into Grecia MOst high and mightie Emperour our Lord I would verie faine excuse my selfe to giue my iudgement considering this grieuous case which you haue declared vnto vs for that you haue it for custome to aske counsaile of your nobles in causes of importaunce and things requisite And yet in the end saie they what they can yéelding their iudgements according vnto reason all things must be done according vnto your desire will whether it be good or bad giuing to vnderstand that the counsaile which you doe aske of your nobles subiects is more to complie with them than anie good will you haue to be counsailed But yet for all this although I doe know that my iudgement in this case will bée as much as nothing and will bée conceiued to another intent purpose contrarie vnto my meaning yet will I declare it for that héereafter you shall not complaine at anie time of the olde king of Gedrosia in that he did not aduise you in time that you might proue your fortune And héere I protest before the immortall Gods that this which I doe pretend to saie vnto you is not so much for the feare dread the which I haue of the Gréekes as it is for the great loue good wil which I do beare vnto you and to al our Countrie I would not most mightie Lord that you shuld put so great confidence trust in this your puisant high estate thinking therewith to be verie firme and sure voide of the subiection of vncertaine and immutable fortune and neuer to slide or fall from the high throne in which you are exalted if you do beléeue this to be true There are many things past in this world long since of mightie Princes that if you will enter into iudgement of them rightlie as you ought for to doe you shall plainlie sée and perceiue that it is all false and contrarie as a spectacle of many Caesars Romanes in which time past were Lords and rulers ouer all the world as Iulius Caesar Caio Caligula Nero Claudio Galba Oton Vitelio Domiciano Comodo Pertinax Basiano Macrino Heliogabilo Belusiano Valeriano Galiego Probo Iuliano Bauio Constantio Valente Graciano Valentiniano and an infinit number more which hath béene ouerthrowen from the imperiall throne in the which Fortune did exalt them and no other occasion to the same but that all humane things hath no securitie nor firmnesse and hée that is exalted and set in the highest of the whéele of mooueable Fortune the same is most apt and readiest to fall And in this thing you may beléeue me that looke how much the humane power doth surmount so much is the Empire or what estate so euer it be subiect vnto fortune and all the great fire laden with wood is charged with the mightie windes in the highest partes euen so likewise most mightie Emperour this estate is not so high but it hath with it great perill so that you néede not to goe and séeke other daungers in strange Countries so farre from this that when it shal fall out all thing to succéede and bée prosperous vnto you yet shall it bée greate meruaile if you doe returne backe againe aliue into your owne countrie how
the which fléet was so great y â— it couered from the port Tenedon a great part of the Egean sea and all the Hellesponto vnto the Proponte and it was not to bée meruailed that so great and mightie a fléete of shippes should be ioyned together for that many dayes before the Emperour Alicandro caused all the maisters and shipping that was to bée found in all the coastes of Asia to bée brought thether so that in a short space after that they were ioyned together this mightie Fléete was furnished with all kindes of victualls and other necessaries abiding winde and weather for to depart the which when that it came they hoysed their sailes and began to take their iourney towardes Grecia with so great a noise of diuerse kindes and sortes of instruments that euerie Nation brought that it was a wonder to heare So in this their iourney the Hystorie doth leaue them till time doth serue How the Emperour Trebatio had newes of the comming of the Pagans and how he made all things in readinesse to receiue them Chap. 18. AS the Emperour Trebatio was aduertised of the comming of the Pagans before they deuarted out of their Countrie euen so had hâ— intelligence by certaine scouts messengers at such time as they were ioyned together and imbarked in the Port of the Tenedon and how that they were all at the Sea at which time the Emperour was readie and had all things in good order although there were not come vnto him the aide and helpâ— that hee looked for from many other places but yet of his owne Countries and other kingdomes subiect vnto his Empire he had ioyned together one hundreth and twentie thousands of verie good knightes and chosen men for besides al Grecia ther was subiect vnto his Empire the kingdome of Macedonia and the kingdome of Epiro and the Kingdome of Arcadia all Ciâ—ilia was his and Italia Pannonia Dalmasia Dardania Hungaria Bitania Sueuia Saxonia the Ilandes Ciclades Creta and Rhodas and many other Ilandes which I leaue in the Tirreno Sea whose gouernment is by mightie Princes all subiectes vnto the Empire and are at the commaundement of the Emperour at all times when that hée will call them vnto the warres So that the Emperour Trebatio was in a readinesse as well with all these people as also with those valiant and worthie Knightes which were at that time in the Court and others which hée looked for euerie daie and although hée receiued greate sorrowe and griefe for the absence of his sonne the knight of the Sunne in the time of so great necessitie and for that it was long since his departure and neuer to that houre hée coulde heare anie newes of him his heart gaue him that he should not heare of him so quicklie for the which hée was verie sadde and heauie although his valiant heart and courage was of so great force that hée dissembled his sorrowe and shewed so pleasâ—nt and ioyfull a countenaunce vnto all people that of none it was perceiued And in all this time that they were awaiting the comming of the Pagans hée nor his sonne Rosicleer were not idle but alwayes procured to fortifie and strenthen the Citie with armour armes and victualles in amending the walles and trimming the gates causing the fieldes to bee made cleane for disturbing of themselues So that this good Emperour was alwaies occupied and readiâ— at all pointes as he who looked for against him the greatest power and mightiest armie that euer was séene Héere the Hystorie doth leaue to speake of him and returne to speake of the greate and puisaunt Fléete that was ordaining in England Of the great and mightie armie the which the King Oliuerio ioyned together in great Britaine for to passe into Grecia Chap. 19. NOw saith the Hystorie forsomuch as the King Oliuerio had verie gréene in his memorie the death of his sonne the Prince Edward and also Don Siluerio the robbing and taking awaie of that precious and faire Princesse Oliuia the which hée hoped to haue to wiâ—e both the one and the other dyd procure to make reuenge with all diligence and spéede possible So that Don Siluerio was not contented with such 〈◊〉 as hée coulde take out of the Kingdome of Lusitania but also hée went vnto the king Zenodoro who was at that present king and Lorde ouer the Godos in 〈◊〉 who were the richest and mightyeâ—â— people that were to be founde in all Christendome who for that they were neighbours and friends he gaue vnto him twentie thousands knights all very good and well armed amongst them there were some young knights of the Godos who for to show foorth the worthinesse of their persons thought iâ— good to goe foorth in these warres and dyd vse themselues very valiaâ—tly as shall be declared vnto you in the processe of this Historie With these and other thirtie thousand more that Don Siluâ—rio brought out of his countrie which made to y â— number of fiftie thousand very good souldiers he went to great Britaine and at his ariuall theâ—her the king Oliuerio had in a redinesse other fiftie thousand chosen men out from amongst all other kingedomes that were subiect vnto him as Scotland Ireland Wales and Cornewall and other mightie Lordes of 〈◊〉 so that there was ioyned together in great Britaine one hundreth thousaÌ„d fighting men Likewise he receiued letters from the king of Hungaria that he had in a redinesse for his comming fortie thousand knights very good and chosen men and well armed in all points this he had besides others of great number which would méete him by the way the which did giue courage stomacke vnto king Oliuerio not alonely to assalt the Emperor Trebatio but also to conquer a great part of y â— world So making his fléetâ— in a redinesse and all other necessaries néedefull for such an enterprise the historie doth leue them and retourne vnto the Emperour Alicandio How the great and mightie fleet of the Emperor Alicandro came vnto the port of Constantinople and forcing to goe a land the Pagans had with the Christians great and rigorous encounters Chap. 20. THE time is come that the great and puisant fléete of the barbarous Nations did faile and nauigate with prosperous winde and wether to wards Grecia with so great 〈◊〉 and power that it séemed they were sufficient for to conquere the whole compasse of the world for that since the arte of Nauigation was firste inuented there was neuer so puisant and mightie a â—léete séene on the seas for the first onset of them did couer the greatest parte of the Proponto besides these that remained for to passe the straights into Egeo Upon a daye earely in the morning at such time as the Sunne began to spred abroade his beames vpon the earth this great and puisant fléete of shippes was so nighe vnto the lande that they were discouered by them of Constantinople that dyd abide their comming who were not a little amazed when that they saw
of other Nations The third battaile was lead 〈◊〉 gouerned by that most valiant Prince Meridian who carried in his companie that stout Brandimardo the Prince of Candaria with twelue Gyants verie bigge furious and terrible to beholde which went onelie with him for the safegard of his person hée carried also fortie thousand knightes of the Scitas This being done the Emperour would not ordaine anie more battailes for that those which were ordained serued sufficient for to maintaine the battaile all that daye and being in a readinesse they remained waiting till such time as they did appeare in sight with their Ensignes for to set vpon them thinking them to be their enimies Now lette vs declare what Rosicleer did in the meane time who was verie desirous to goe forwards with his pretence after that he had made the contencion with the king Antipatro he straight waies ascended vp againe that mountaine whereas he was before he had not bene long there when that he descouered to come from that great armie of the king Oliuerio foure knights in maner of postes who came before the rest for to discouer the enimie but when he saw them somewhat farre of from the armie and nigh vnto the place where as he was he descended from the mountaine and put himselfe in the high way and trauailed forwards til such time as he met with them who séeing him they went towards him and demaunded of him if he were of that countriâ— I am saide he but wherefore do you aske mée this question we doe aske thée this said one of them for to know how manie miles it is from hence vnto Constantinople and to know in what estate remaines the Emperour Trebatio where he hath aduise of our comming or not therefore knight aduertise vs the trueth thereof if thou wilt not be our prisoner To whome Rosicleer aunswered and saide as followeth Of trueth I am very well content to certifie you of this that you doe demaund of mée for that it is not a thing degressing from knighthood but that I may verie well do it without anie compulsion You shall vnderstand that from this place vnto Constantinople you haue two miles and touching the estate of the Emperour know of trueth that he is all in a redinesse and tarrying your comming in the field with no lesse mightie and puissant an armie then this which your Lord the King Oliuerio doth bring with him and be you assured of this that when you shall come nigh within a mile of the citie of Constantinople he will méete with you in the way with all his people and giue you a verie terrible and rigorous battaile The foure knights were verie much amazed at this which Rosicleer had told them for that they thought verely that the Emperour had not bene in so great readinesse and without any more wordes they left him and returned from whence they came for to giue aduice vnto the king how that his enimies were in a redinesse and would méete him in the way and giue him battaile So when they came before him and gaue him to vnderstand of all that had passed he straight waies commaunded to put all his owne armie in a redinesse for as they were gallant and well armed knights it was a iolie thing to behold he made then repetition of his armie and deuided them in foure parts the forefront he gaue vnto the gouernemeÌ„t of the two knights of Spaine being brâ—thren and were of the principall house of the Godos they were both very valiant the one of them was called Don Claros and the other Arcalus and there comming vnto these wars onely for to proue themselues and giue to vnderstand vnto the world their great valour These two carryed with them fortie thousand knights twentie thousand of them were of Spaine and the other twentie thousand of Don Siluerio and in their companie went to the number of twentie knights of the Godos who did not a little in this battaile The second battaile was giuen vnto the gouernement of Don Siluerio with other fortie thousand knights and with him went the Princes of England Ireland Scotland the third battaile had a principall knight of Hungaria with all y â— knights of that kingdome And the fourth and rereward the king had with all the high Princes of his kingdome and the rest of all the people that remained When that they were all diuided and seperated in foure battailes and in good order and readinesse they began to march forwards by little and little till such time as the scoutes as well of the one parte as of the other had discouered the armies which came to the battaile and hauing aduice of the same they marched on the faster till such time as the forewards of either part was within a cros bow shot the one from the other which might be about two of the clocke in the after none All this time was Rosicleer beholding what passed vpon a littell hill where at he receiued great contentment thinking the tyme long to sée them together by the eares in battaile his desire was not long delated for as those two â—urious Pagans Bradaman and Bramarant came before all the rest thinking the time long to sée themselues amongst their enimies they pressed forwards towards them with so great furie that it sâ—med the earth to shake And although their furious countenaunces was sufficient to put in feare anie good knight that did behold them yet those two valiant brothers Don Claros and Arcalus putting themselues before all their companie went forth to meete them and in the face of both armies they made their encounters verie strongly Bradaman who did encounter with Don Claros lost his stirrups and declined somewhat vpon his Elephant and Don Claros embrased himselfe with his horse necke and spurring forwards his horse he setled himselfe againe passed forwards without falling Bramarant was encountered by Arcalus vpon the vizar of his helme that the sperkes of fier flew out in great abundance and being halfe amazed with that blow it made him to lose his encounâ—er which he made with â—is aduersarie So in this sorte they passed all foure of them without any falling the two brethren were highlâ— coâ—â—ended by Rosicleer that dyd with great content ment beholie them and also of the Pagans that were there present for that they had made so strong and valiant resistance against the furie of those two Pagans the which fâ—ll out euell for a great number the little profit that they had by this encounter for being full of great courage and encenced with anger in a short space they furnished the wide and broade fieldes full of dead bodies of their enimies not sparing any degrée that they dyed all the grasse with bloud of the great destruction they made on their aduersaries and in such sort they besturred themselues amongst them that all that did sée them iudged them to be diuelles of hell for that they cut knights asunder in the wast
did write Letters of greate loue vnto other Ilandes that were not subiect vnto him which were inhabited with Gyants and furious people requesting them to come vnto his Court of Parliament Among all hée wrote a Letter vnto Bradaman Campeon who was returned into his Countrie againe the effect thereof was as followeth GRan Campion Lorde of the Orientall Ilandes that are in the Octian Sea I doe beleeue that it is manifest vnto thée the iniurie done by the Gréeke Prince vnto our sacred estate and the great offence that hee did vnto thâ— immortall Gods therefore now thou shalt vnderstand that by the vertue of that part of the diuine deitie that is in vs it is concluded in our diuine Consistorie that order shoulde bée taken in such sorte that reuengement may be taken for the same in such ample wise that the whole Empire of Grecia may bée destroyed downe to the ground and not to leaue one stone vpon another as a iust punishment for the offendours and an example to all others howe they shall offende against the diuine maiestie For the 〈◊〉 end to the executing of the same wée doe desire 〈◊〉 in this enterprise thy fauour maye bée the first for that as the diuiâ—â— Gods haue created thee so strong and mightie ouer 〈…〉 all mortall creatures so lyâ—â—wise art thou 〈…〉 maintaine and defend their diuine honours 〈…〉 to make reuengement of this 〈…〉 Prince hath done vnto vs. Héerein I do inlarge no farther but abiding thy comming for to haue thy opinion what were best to be done héerein Written in our sacred Court c. When that Bradaman had receiued this Letter in all his life he was not so glad and ioyfull for that occasion dyd so â—erue that hée might execute that great anger and wrath that hée had conceiued against the knight of the Sunne because it was a great shame vnto him that hée was ouercome by him and hée could not forget that great iniarie receiued but had as much desire to bée reuenged for the same And you shall vnderstand that this Bradaman had at that time a sonne of twentie yéeres olde the most brauest and â—iercest creature that euer was séene by men of whome shall bee made more mencion in this Hystorie Bradaman had not this sonne by a faire Gentlewoman but of the cruellest and furious in condition amongest al women for that after y â— by the mightie power of his person he came to bée Lorde ouer the Orientall Ilands which was a kinde of people which for their fiercenesse neuer before could be brought in subiection he determined within himselfe for that he would not that that Segniorie should be lost after his death to procure to haue so valiant a sonne who for the worthinesse of his person should be sufficient to sustaine that estate as he did get it in his life time And with this determination and desire he made many sacrifices vnto the Gods desiring them to giue him such a sonne to bée his heire of no lesse force and strength than he was for the defence of those kingdomes At the same time there was in one of those Ilandes a woman of so stout and furious condition of so great strength that with her owne handes shée slew a great number of gyants and other terrible and dreadfull beasts Bradaman did know her in such sorte that nature working in her by the will of the high Gods shée was deliuered of that furious and fierce sonne and gaue him to name Bramarant At whose birth Bradaman his Father was verie ioyfull and caused him for to bée nourished with the milke of Lions and Tygers and other â—arious beasâ—es such as were to be found in those partes and would neuer consent that hée should proue of his mothers breasts for that he would his sonne should be the more fierce and strong In this sort hée was nourished so that afterward it appeareth that the double strength and fiercenesse of the Father and oâ— his mother was comprehended in him with the aide of the milke that he sucked which did worke such effect in him that when he came to twelue yéeres of age he would go alone into the deserts mountaines without anie armour more than certain sodden skins hardned in the Sun and would seeke out the strong Lions and fierce Tygers with other furious beasts and all that euer he could take he would teare them to peeces with his hands as though they had bene young and tender Kids He would eate no other meate in all the time of his hunting but the milke of those she wild beasts that he met withall and sometimes of the flesh of the most fuâ—ious beâ—st that he killed and that should be rawe But when that hée grew vnto more yeres he left of his hunting of wild beasts and fell to exercising himselfe in armour feates of armes in such sort that his great force and strength was verie déere vnto a great number for that he would neuer heare reason in the triall of his strength as did become good and curteous knightes but without anie occasion in the woâ—lde â—ee would haue contention with all them that he met withall béeing armed without anie feare if they were two twentie or thirtie with them all hée woulde contend and kill them tearing them in péeces with so great câ—ueltâ—e that hée was feared of all could finde none that was able to make râ—sistance against him although all the 〈◊〉 of those Ilands were verie stout and couragious and almost all Gyants And â—or that Nature dyd shew her selfe â—uch â—auourable vnto Bramarant the Hystorie sayth that hee was not in stature of his bodie so 〈…〉 but hee was as bigge as anie knight might 〈…〉 Gyant and of so mightie huge and great members that whatsoeuer hée lacked in his height hée 〈◊〉 it comprehended in his bignesse and was of so great force and strength that there was no equalitie in that of Milo of whom they saie that there was not his lyke in all the whole world for that he dyd things that séemed to bée incredible to all that dyd sée them and besides his great strength he was so swiâ—t and light that he would ouertake Lions and other wilde beasts in the plaine running after them This young Bramarant séeing himselfe to bée so puâ—sant and mightie aboue all others was so stout and proude that at such time as he came to twentie yéeres of age there was not one if hée were displeased with him that durst come into his presence so y â— in all those Oriental Ilands he was feared more estéemed thaÌ„ his Father and was not content that they had him for their Lord but also would bée worshipped of his as their principall God and said that al the Gods the which they did worshippe had no power ouer him neither were they equall in valour And Bradaman his Father séeing him so feared and reuerenced of all and how great and mightie his strength fiercenesse was was