loyall companie As Gerileon spake these words and further would haue proceeded his purpose was preuented by the sudden course of a goodly horsse that trayled along a Knight well néere â—ead hanging by one foote in the stirrop and holding a Launce in his hand but the Fayrie knight catching the horsse by the bridle tooke of the knights Helmet where he found a very dangerous wound in his head then getting his foote foorth of the stirrop perceiuing some life yet remained in him and that hee was not but in an amazed â—raunce with the helpe of the prince Phynander and the Ladie Orphisa he was recouered againe Beeing come to himselfe he knew well the place where hee was which made him thus speake to Gerileon For Gods sake sir knight help vs and let vs quickly get vs hence for héere â—wels the most cruell and inhumaine monster of the world who as yet I hope hath not séene vs therefore I aduise ye presently to be gon as for my selfe I had rather bee dead then tarry in a place so daungerous as this is Feare not the monster you speake of quoth the Fayrie knight for if hee that hath thus shrewdly dealt with you had had no more power then the monster at this instant â—at you should be more healthfull and in better disposition then ye are I sée well sayd thâ— wounded knight that you haue not heard the inexpugnall force of the Sauage Polyppe for if ye had once experimented it yee would sorbeare to talke of him and tary in this place lesse while then yee doe I know more of him then you doe quoth the fayrie knight for you know nothing but by heare say and that which I knowe is by experience the mistresse of vertue and true discouerer of all things And to let yee sée that I speake not by hart I will giue ye some instance Then taking the knight by the hand he shewed him the Sauage monster dead which when he beheld hee trembled as full of feare and astonnishment as if he knew not whether this 〈◊〉 a dreame or a certainâ—ie and beholding well Gerillions countenance sayd Sir knight haue you then beene one that 〈◊〉 this monster to his death surely I beleeue that since you had the stomack to come so neere in vsing courage against him while hee â—ed and are one of the braue â—rmie that hath discomfited him you dare as boldly doo something for the Christians and I iudge if yee be a Christian and such a one as I imagine ye to be you will not refuse to reuenge the shame and outrage that hath beene offered me Beleeue me Sir quoth the Fayrie knight I am a true Christian and to any bee they Persians Arabians Syrians or Assirians I would giue succour according to my power and their necessitie wherefore I pray ye tell me in what affaires haue the christians need to vse my helps and who hath thus vnmanlie outraged yee to the end I may assuredly giue them assistance and also do my endeuour to auenge your wrong tell me the trueth without any further feare of the monster concerning both the one and other Sir answered the knight héerein will I gladly satisfie yee but because I haue verie much to discouer if I should recount each necessarie pointe therto belonging that ye may the more bréefely vnderstand these high affaires I wil shorten the discourse conueniently as I may reueling nothing but the very principal matters Know then sir that I am a knight my natiue countrey is the kingdome of Persia neere to the great cittie of Tauris and not long since was I sent in company of twelue other knights with the strong puissant Ariodant a knight of great reputation neere coosen to the mightie Mutiuell king of Persia who was elected and chosen by the greater part of the inhabitants of that countrey to goe to the great Emperour of Constantinople to intreate his succour for a multitude of good knights and christian souldiours whom the young prince Mauspasian brother to the great Sophie of Persia very straitlye besieged in the citties of Susa and Tauris beside diuers other places of the Persians kingdome And to the end ye may know wherefore we went ye must note that some while since the great Sophie a man worthie of great dignity for the high prowes where with he is indued hauing séene a portrait curiously drawn of the faire princes of Constantinople daughter to the Emperour became so carryed away with the loue of this most beautifull Ladie as he immediatly resolued to make her his wife what hazard or aduenture so euer stood thereon And to compasse the same he sent ambassadours to the Emperours to demaund her in marriage but the Emperour at that time made refusall because hee was contrary to him in religion and it was not lawfull for a Christian to marrie with a Pagan neither for a Christian to ioyne in any conuersation with a heathen Which was the cause to take away this difficultie which onely séemed to hinder the mariage that the great Sophie of Persia with all his people would become Christians and should be baptized And because the popular sort should frame their actions and fashion their manners answerable to their king himselfe was the first that receiued holy baptisme and commanded in all the countries of his kingdome that the Christian law should be anounced and preached Which being doone according to his will and commaund many willingly receiued the faith and religion others finding the alteration very strange withdrew themselues in displeasure some other that would not at all receiue it but were constrained thereto thought better to forsake their houses lands and possessions to liue in another kingdome with libertie of conscience and so continue the rest of their liues in the Pagan law After these things were thus ordered it chaunced that the king absented himselfe so that no one could tell what was become of him some sayd that as in former times hee had beene accustomed so now like a knight â—rrant he was gon in search of strange and perillous aduentures with especiall intent to make proofe and combate body to body with the puissant Nabot and Squamell who were counted the most hardie knights in the world Others sayd that being transported with this amourous passion hee was gon to the Emperour of Constantinople to demaund of him the Princesse his daughter for if he found her to be of such â—erfect beautie as the Painter by his art had discouered surely by force or fayre means he intended to haue her But which way so euer hee tooke very true it is that soone after his departure the Prince Mauspasian his brother whom hee had left to gouerne the Realme in his absence would by force of armes compell such as had abiured the pagan lawe and were become christians to take againe their former religion saying that what the king his brother had doone and intended to doo was but onely to induce the Christian Emperour with more
the messenger but that his intent was not to accomplish and performe anie of those seuerall demaundes in that they were ouer iniurious and vnreasonable and not to bee allowed of in any wise Beside that hee said if his enemies eyther had or should set downe such a resolution concerning his ruine and destruction hee with his councell and Nobles were concluded to stande on theyr defence in resistance of the least euill that might â—e For the rest each one should doe their vttermost endeuour according as himselfe hither to had doone and neuer yet could any enemy compell him to matters against his will wherefore it was too late for him now to begin and so quoth he to the messenger yee may returne with this answere Which presently he did whereat the Pagans greatly meruayled that a man hauing so few to helpe him should containe such hardinesse as to talke to them of resistance aboue all the rest old Grandowin was extreamely eâ—raged saying that this was not the first act wherein appeared the effects of king Floridamants oure-wéening wherefore he would spéedily take such order with his people as should sharpely make him repent his follie and rashnesse Wherevppon within thrée daies following at the most each one should prepare himselfe readie to armes when such an assault should be made against the cittie as not one stone should be left standing vppon another but bee rased and extermined altogether In regard whereof euery one should withdraw himselfe to his quarter and giue order for all things needfull against the day of assault Heereof the Christian king being aduertised commaunded the Pagan Mycrophon to bee closely locked vp to the end that during this troublesome time hee might compasse no meane of working any treacherie or treason But as for the king of Corse hee restrayned not him of libertie which hee had to walke within the walles of the Pallace royall where was roome sufficient and verye spacious well perceiuing that he was so carryed away with the loue of his daughter with whom and the Queene Bellizene he still kept company assuring them that he would expose himselfe rather for theyr defence then offence and in respect of the conuersation he had had with them no iniurie should bee offered to theyr honor In which spéeches the Queene reposing some confidence but the mayden especially the more willingly they would conuerse with him and among other familiar conferences the Quéene made him recount the number of straunge nations the diuersitie of kings and great captaines that were in theyr Armie their estate forces and deedes of chiuaâ—rie by them in former times performed By which reports they cunningly gleaned from this imprudent Pagan what best might serue for the defence of the Cittie and thorow ouermuch talke he discouered how on which side and by what secret meanes the enemyes had concluded to assaile and seaze on the Cittie withall hee declared to them the manner and custome that those nations were wunt to obserue and vse in such warre which was most likelyest and which not By these meanes king Floridamant had knowledge of many things that serued as speciall rules of discipline to his Court of guard and therfore appointed his men in readines against the threatned daye continually trauayling day and night with Grandilaor Fertand Candior Sylban and other hardie knights of name that were in the Cittie with him who according to his commaund busied themselues very carefully letting nothing flip that any way concerned theyr change During which time one night secretly arriued at the Cittie wall the two valiant knights Andregon Duke of Suffolke and Lampridion Countie of Norffolke both Cosens germaine and highly belooued of king Floridamant The first came from demaunding helpe for the Christians of Dorian king of Spayne and the other from the like affaires in the kingdome of Gaule whether they were sent before the Pagan armie had engirt the Cittie with siedge and both returning at one selfe same time after many aduentures befalling them in the expedition of theyr voyages met together on the way and so trauailing in company arriued there about the houre of midnight not being espyed by any of the enemies Campe who then were in their dead sleepe and comming to the foote of the wall on that side where the king of the Suitzers had charge and where as then a good Cittizens was Sentinell one of the richest and best Souldiours of the Cittie being called Hoaster that knew them very well because he had familiarlie frequented the houses of these two Christian knights and and they well perceiuing that Hoaster knew them by their spéech sent presently woord of their arriuall to king Floridamant who caused the neerest gate of the cittie to them to be opened when they safely entred not being at all discouered by the enemie Hee that came from Spaine aduertised his maiestie how king Dorian vnderstanding his war against the Pagans concluded immediatly to come himselfe in person attended on by a strong and puissant armie to assist king Floridamant his old companion and the christian people that inhabited great Brittaine for which cause he summoned a méeting of his subiects promising to be in England in very short time These tidings brought Andregon and Lamprydion deliuered the like from king Belligand of Gaule how forward hee was in deuoire to send him succour his armie being leueyed and readie to depart and had â—re then set forward but that the king daylye expected the Prince Diodamas his sonne a man of great valour who had not long before receiued his order of knighthood being gon in quest of an other knight that had in his keeping a Fayrie Launce where of hee had robd the king his father which Launce hee heard was againe recouered by the young prince and he returning home ward when being come hee should away to England with the armie For these glad tidings king Floridamant thanked God trusting in him and to the speeding supplie each houre expected resoluing to defend himselfe if he should be assayled without any issuing foorth to the enemie neither to sight except he should be enforced there vnto vntill these Armies were ioyned with him Attending which time he thought good to prolong day of the assault kéeping their enemies in breath and these affayres in good foresight which to compâ—sse he thought on euery likely and expedient remedie as yee may perceiue in the Chapters following CHAP. 16. Howe the Princesse Polydamie beholding from the height of a Tower the Campe and countenance of the Pagans was shewen by Angrafolt who were the cheefe commaunders in so great a multitude And the Princesse seeing the Scythian monster swouned with conceit of feare when Angrafolt conueyed her thence into the Queenes chamber MEane while to finde some meane of deferring the generall assault which the Pagans in their councell had determined against the Cittie of London king Floridamant consulted with the hardie knights of his councell and other noble personages that then were in the Cittie with
with him in such sort as yee haue read in the Chapters treating thereof The shape heereof was so fearfull to her as shee became troubled in minde out of measure which made the Nimphe quicklye remooue it from her sight and plunging into the Fountaine water vanished away with whose departure we knit vp this two and twenteth Chapter CHAP. 23. How the king of Phez recited his genealogie and aduenture to the holye Hermit and the fayre Pilgrime and howe the Hermit tolde him a goodly discourse to confirme him in the Christian religion Moreouer howe Squamell was conducted by diabolicall artes into an obscure Chamber hard by Auernus hoping to bee healed of his woundes by the helpe of deuils with that which happened to him afterward BEcause the change of discourse brings no lesse delight to the Reader then the varietie of daintie viands contenteth such as take theyr repast for a while I intende to change our purpose leauing a part the amourous flame of the fayre princesse Porphyria to come againe to the historie of the valiant king of Phez not long since made a Christian miraculously as yee haue heard before To let ye vnderstand withall according to the truth in writing of him his genealogie and aduenture whereof himselfe maketh recitall to the holy Hermit and fayre pilgrime when hee was thereto by them required beginning in this or the like maner It is a long while since that Artabaz sometime king of Persia was enamoured on the â—ayre Quéene Lyxandra the most fayre and wealthie Ladie in riches and other goods of fortune that was in those times for vnder her obedience and Empire as also her lawes liued in flourishing prosperitie the people of foure opulent kingdomes which are on the coast of Barbarie to wit Phez Marocco Thunis and Alger But Looue had not touched with selfe same shaft the hart of Lyxandra as he did the hart of Artabaz because the more earnestly he loued the more mortally she hated â—y reason that in the life time of king Brunon her father hee had dayly vexed him with warres seeking to depriue him of his kindomes and Signories For this cause he trauailed and molested him as no man in the world could doo the like so that being ouercome with weaâ—ines of the passed warres Brunan finished his dayes after hee had made some treatie or accord of peace with the king of Persia euen then when first he began to loue the fayre Lyxandra who hauing auncient mallice engrauen in her heart continued dayly in resolution to hate him more and more Héerevpon she not willing to graunt marriage with the Persian king nor to listen his solicitings requests and temptations which stretched so farre as he could deuise the perticuler discourse whereof were too long to rehearse hee concluded to winne her by force of armes and to renew the former warres against her more sharpe and cruelly then euer hee did against the deceased king Brunon her father Which being thus pursued he brought the vertuous princesse into such necessitie as hee left her neither kindome Cittie towne nor burrough place nor Castell but all was brought vnder his obeysance and all of them spoyled the strong Cittie of Phez onely excepted wherein being constrained to shut vppe her selfe he so long time continued the sâ—ege against it as she was on the pointe of yeelding to his mercie or else to take away her owne life but then by good hap a young Knight so highly accomplished as any other whatsoeuer arriued on the coast of Barbarie euen as the Quéene was in this great perplexitie deuising with her selfe what she were best to doo he hearing by the common reporte blazed abroad what harde holde the Queene Lyxandra had against the Persian Tyrant beeing brought so neere the place by violence of the windes that droue him on the seas was willing to succour her beeing touched partly with pittifull affection which the goodnes of nature had endned him withall and partly prouoked on by fayre desire to make appearance of his hardie valour the fame whereof alreadie was bruâ—ed through most places in the world but seeing at this first attempt that his accesse and entraunce into the Cittie so narrowly besiedged on eueriâ— side would prooue very difficult the gates being ramd vp and the walles enuironed with Persian men at armes An indifferent while he deuised with himselfe by what meane both easily and couertly hee might get entrance Hauing some space considered heereon the Historie saith that he especially noted one side of the cittie wall where the enemies had made a very great breache to enter thereby on the morowe vpon the answer Quéene Lyxandra should returne to king Artabaz and this breach was guarded by certaine armed men of the Cittie while the Quéene assembling her councell should agree on some expresse resolution of answer concerning her submission to her enemie The assaylants on the other side of the breache were making banquets passing away the time very merrilye vnder certaine assurance that now the cittie should be yeelded or taken vppon theyr request within of composition and well ye wot that a Cittie comming to composition is more then halfe taken This was the cause that the young knight beeing come neere the breache and séeing they that kept it were verie carefull of their charge hee softly whispered with them to know by what meanes hee might enter the cittie to haue some spéech with the queene Lyxandra concerning matters of importance that would prooue profitable to her desiring them to let her vnderstand thereof in that the cause of his comming thither was earnest desire to impâ—oy himselfe for her defence in this warre The Souldiers made him answere that one should presently goe do his errand and the Queene being aduertised heereof was very glad knowing well by his renowme and valour that he was the gentle knight of the Flower for so was he called because as then hee loued a Ladye named Florixa in regard of whose name he bare a Uermillion Gilliflower painted in his sheeld a man so hardie and valiant as hee was esteemed beyond all the knights of that time Héere vpon she gaue commanâ—dement that he should be let into the Cittie by a doore that passed from her Castell to the Towne marrie it was to be doone in the dead time of the night and that so couertly or closely as might be thus escaped the knight in vnseene of the enemie with his armour and horsse and one Squire that bare him companie In breefe to tell ye what passed betweene them the quéene letting him vnderstand the occasion of this warre the successe thereof and the extremitie whereinto she was brought farre more in effect then the knight had heard reported she fell downe on her knées before him and with the teares trickling downe her chéekes intreated him to helpe her both with councell and valiance promising to deliuer vp all the treasure of her kingdome into his handes if in this darkenesse he could illuminate them with some
hir daughter that for recouerie of her health it was thought expedient shee should change the ayre and it she were so pleased she should be conducted to the Emperours Castell of pleasure which was not farre without the Cittie of Constantinople She answered with a spent and wearyed voyce that she submitted her selfe to their good pleasures and desired she might haue to kéepe hir companie her Coosin Harderina and the Lady Marcella You shall haue them quoth the Empresse with all things else shall stand with your liking in meane while then bee of good cheere that wee may â—ee yée well againe so soone as possible may be if ye regard the ioy of the Emperour and mee Hauing spoken these words the teares fell from her eyes in such aboundance gréeuing to sée the faire princesse of the world in this weake estate as being ouercome with sorrow she was constrained to depart the chamber not saying any thing but that shee should rest her selfe awhile and shee would go giue order for her departure Which accordingly she did and after all things were in a readinesse the day being still calme and cléere Sagibell aduised the Emperour and Empresse that now the time serued most fâ—tly for conuaying the princesse to the place appointed without making any longer stay least any contrarie accident should happen as â—ight crosse theyr determination so sound and profitable Wherefore the Empresse with consent of the princesse Porphiria who was pale wan and consumed with greefe as nothing was expected more then her â—uriall so woonderfully was she weakened and changed hauing lost hir vermillion blush the life and essence of her diuine beautie which made her loued and honoured of the most fayre and valiant Knight of the world to wit the man so farre renewmed by Ozyris caused a Litter to be brought couered with greene veluet and lined all through within with the same the nayles and frindges of beaâ—en gold and the arches ouer head richly embolished wherein was layd the languishing and amourous princesse who séemed therein as a bright shining Sunne such as chased Diana amongst the troope of hir fayre Nimphes and therein was placed with hir Harderina to entertaine the time of iourney with comfortable spéeches Each one may imagine without any setting downe in writing the wofull sighes and teares of the father and mother and the generall lamentations on euery side at this departure for they had neither heard or séene any cause of reioysing in long time before In this sort and very well accompanied especially with her phisition she was conducted to a very faire and pleasant Castell which the Emperour had caused to bee built fiue or sixe miles from the Cittie of Constantinople wherin because it was seated and builded so meruailous stronglie the Emperours treasure riches and most precious iewels were kept This Castell was erected very stately to beholde for the walles wherewith it was enuiâ—oned was of stoâ—e so white as â—ine Iuorie the inclosures and base courts were on the one side guarded with the maine Sea and on the other with ditches so large and deepe as the space contained thrée quarters of a mile rather more then lesse so saith the Historian that saw the measure thereof taken by a Geomatrician of that time when it was made It was bodyed with many beautifull lodgings in goodly faire Towers and Turrets euery chamber being in most swéete and wholsome ayre and backt with sundrie galleries of all sorts and fashions the couerings whereof were of lead wrought and cut into many curidus deuises of workmanship hauing standing aloft thereon fayre vaynes and weather cocks of golde and siluer The Gardens and Arbours were heâ—d in with swift runnings riuers and cleere fountaines and to say all in breefe there wanted not any thing that could be imagined both to strengthen the place as also beseeming such a dainâ—ie compassed Castell Heereinto was brought by the councell of her phisition the most faire princesse of the world for more assured commoditie of knowing and seeing what she most desired according to the promise of the wise Magitian in whom she reposed very great hope and trust and there happened to her what yee shall read heereafter for now we must borrow a little leaue to speake of other matters Chap. 2. Of the Sophie of Persiaes loue to the beautifull Porphiria and how he forsooke and left his kingdome to goe see if her exquisite perfections answered the report of her renowme And how on the way he met two Pilgrimes of diuers sorte the one whereof recounted to him the prowesse beautie and high chiualrie of the Fairie youth during which time they heard a great noise in a Forrest which caused them goe thither Wherein one may note how amorous passions do so maister the hearts of the greatest personages as leading them from the pathes of reason they forsake what is their dutie and all important affaires whatsoeuer cannot withdraw them from seruing their affections And by the Pilgrimes discourse wee may see how commendable true and sincere freendship is and that a good turne ought to bee greatlie esteemed and bindes him in no small bond that hath receiued it especially the heart addicted to noblenesse and vertue I Haue héereto fore declared as yee may read in the fourtéenth and sixtéenth chapters of the former Booke that the great and puissant king of Persia was wonderfully surprised with the loue of this faire princesse whom because we so latelie left yee cannot easilie forget and that by all meanes possible he could deuise he sought how he might attaine her to be his wife So that imagining the contrarietie of his religion might yéeld some reason of hinderance he caused himselfe to be baptized to the end all his people might become Christians he sent for diuers diuines into Christendome that they should come preach and do all the other seruices of good and faithfull Christians in his kingdome Notwithstanding this which he did was but counterfeit and dissimulation that so vnder this pretext he might the more easilie induce the good Emperour of Constantinople father to the maide without difficultie to grant his mariage And to this end sent he messengers and ambassadours expresselie to him to vnderstand his pleasure attending which time transported with impatience of so long delay one day he determined secretlie to depart himselfe that he might behold this so famous beautie by whose picture drawne to the life by some excellent painter of that time he had drunke this sweete sirrop of conceiued loue And as he had suddenlie thus determined as suddenlie did he put it in execution not hauing any companie with him but a Squire of his owne whose fidelitie he neuer called in question to him he gaue his Helmet and Launce to beare is Helmet I say which was beyond all other in temper and goodnes hauing on the Creast thereof a bright shining Carbuncle made in resemblance of the Sunne which an hundred paces euery way about him gaue in the night time
such an exceeding cleerenes and light as dooth the Moone when she is in hir fullest perfection He sometimes wun it from a great and puissant king of Assiria whome he had conquered in combate that for the prize of victorie had set his kingdome against a part of Persia but after the conquest he released him and in recompence of such wonderfull courtesie the Assâ—â—ian gaue him this Helmet which he estéemed more then all his good Héere vpon the Sophie did vsuallie weare it when he went in any notable or signall expedition and especiallie when he had any occasion to trauaile by night about any affaires of importance as this which now he had vndertaken leauing his kingdome in weake and poore estate through diuersitie of religions which there he suffered And this oftentimes is cause of the intire ruine and desolation of the very greatest Monarchies and common-wealths yet left he the rule to one of his bretheren a young man voyd of experâ—â—nce in such high affayres And albeit hee was apt to armes and a good knight in triall of his person yet had hee not sence and vnderstanding to gouerne the helme of so huge a vessell as was the monarchie of Persia. Thus was the Sophie not assured of his suffiencie and but that his head was troubled with amorous conceits he would not haue reposed any such trust in him but let it be he did it by indisâ—retion or else for more assurance of his secret departure not thinking his voyage would be so long as afterward it prooued suffice it he did not wisely as you shall perceiue by the discourse following in the historie Hauing committed this poore kinde of order to his very greatest affaires he departed in equipage as ye haue heard riding many dayes and nights together vnder cléerenes of his meruailous shining helmet without finding any aduenture worthy the writing and passed thorow diuers Citties of his owne kingdom vnknowne of any one and made such quick expedition as he came to the vtmost merge of Persia where finding a Barque readie to depart in few dayes hee landed in the desert of Arabia and from thence by great trauayle not without enduring sundrie hazards and perrils on the way he reached the countrey of Palestine still carryed on with the inward remembrance of his loue as he little regarded whether he rode right or wrong Being thus arriued in this countrey he entred into a Forrest thick beset with trées which contained many miâ—es both in length and breadth wherein he had not ridden any long while but he met two pilgrimes conferring together the one of them being young of age and endued with very singuler beautie for his haire was yellow like wyers of gold and the prettie downe on his chéekes and chin was of the same couler in his face like wise stood the liuely couler of the Rose his stature was neither great nor smal but indifferent euery way his broad haâ— was garnished with Scallop shels round about and Medialles of gold and siluer intermingled with little pilgrime stones of Iuorie very artificially framed his Cassock and hose was of fine linnen cloth and at his girdle hung a little bottle wherein hee had both wine and water according as he had occasion to vse them and in his hand a staffe piked at both the ends The other pilgrime was an old man the haire of whose head and heard was of reddish couller grizâ—led among with many white haires his visage drie and withered and tand with blacknesse almost like a Moore flat nosed the tooth standing in his head very vgly to behold of very euill fauour was he and disposition his stature was grosse and short big bulkt before downe to the girdle and on his back arising mountaine his garments were of old besmered lether all ragged and torne and his hat in stéed of shels was garnished with skales of some young Tortoise his Medailles were of saffronned lead where among stood little staues of the bones of dead beasts The Sophie drawing néere them saluted them very courteouslie and addressing his spéech to the younger man demanded of whence he was whether he went and wherfore he was disguised in that sort considering that his countenance deliuered him to be a man of other qualitie then his garments made shew of and if I be not deceiued sayd the Sophie you are discended of some noble linage and are a man likewise of no meane valour Sir answered the pilgrime if ye will somewhat slack the pace of your horsse and withholding his bridle make him goe according as we do if likewise ye will vouchsafe such patience as to heare my discorsiue answere to all your questions I shall satisfie ye concerning the matters enquired and beside acquaint yee with other things whereat yee will not a little meruaile Beléeue me said the Persian king I am very well contented and I thinke my horsse would gladly ease his pace awhile then the pilgrime thus began My Lord because I perceiue both by your wordes and behauiour that you are a man more accustomed to commaund then obey I would intreat yee not to be offended if talking familiarlie with yee perhaps I haue indiscréetly said that to listen what I conceiue worthie of meruaile you should enforce your Stéed to a more gentle pace that happily would run so fast as he could according to the weightie affaires of importance you goe about which hardlie will permit yee to stay my discourse being in regard of your selfe not so worthie hearing as I estéemed but rather may yéeld yée more discontent then pleasure If then I haue offended héerein or shall do by ouer tedious circumstance I beséech yee imagine I was not well aduised which in respect of my submission may the more easily be pardoned Well well quoth the king vse no more words concerning me but answere what I haue demanded for were I not so desirous to knowe I would not shew my selfe so inquisitiue and if your discourse be worthie the hearing as you haue sayd it cannot be too long for me to listen or displeasing any way but verie acceptable First then quoth the Pilgrim you must vnderstand that albeit in this estate you behold me yet am I discended of noble linage for my father beares the title and crowne of a king and my mother was sister to the puissant Emperour of Constantinople a man that for his manifold vertues deserueth to be highly estéemed and accounted of In whose Court both in my youngest age and since the time of mine infancie I was carefully nourished and brought vp vntill the houre I receiued knighthood which is no long time since Notwithstanding after I began to enterprise my first exploites of good or bad fortune trusting more to the strength and dexteritie of my body then reason would I should for a proofe or triall what I could do I was so hardie one day to goe in person alone to aduenture on the Den or Caue of Rock Alpine and there assayled the horrible
Launce into your hand to keepe whâ—le we Ioust which I am assured he will not refuse to do thus may you depart and beare away the Launce with yee but if this deuise should faile vs assure your selfe that quickly we will finde another for I will receiuâ— no money of yee before yée haue this Launce so much desired in your possession My father liked well of this councell and to make short it came to passe euen as the theefe had before deuised for the king of Gaule hearing the defiance and weening that all my father tolde was true made no doubte of giuing the Launce into his hand and my father being possessed thereof while the king of Gaule went to put on better Armour both he and the cunning theefe departed so that none could tell what was become of them The king and all his Court at the first tidings hereof was greatly abashed but vnderstanding soone after the cause of this theft and who was the inuenter of this pollicie it was made but a merrie iest of In the end notwithstanding this pleasure did not so con-continue but this fine theefe fearing to be taken was glad to flye from the kingdome of Gaule and passed thence into England where afterwarde hee liued and remained a long time As for the king my father he returned againe by Sea to Lisbone and from thence to Saragossa where the king Doriâ—o then held Courte where beeing arriued he behaued himselfe so well with this slie gotten Launce as all the knights that Iousted against him yea euen the braue knight Floridament were foyled and dismounted to the ground whereâ—â—t the Princesse Pollyda who bare no loue at all to the king my father beeing greatly displeased would haue reâ—used the mariage before agreed vppon by the king Doriâ—o saying that for her parte shee had giuen no consent and without the Brides consent hardly can any mariage be accorded especially with such a one to whome shee could not vse any affection Héereat the king my father being highly offended in furie flunge foorth of the Spanish kings court giuing him many hard tauntes and iniurious speeches for the diâ—â—oyaltie that he sayd remained in him On the other side the king was full of rage and anger against the infant his daughter whom he ceased not dayly to perswade that shee should like well of marrying with king Diegonde of Lusitauia least his credit and reputation should be condemned in vsing trecherie and perâ—idie to so great a Prince So what thorow loue and pleasing spéeches as also force and frowning countenances in the end she yeelded to his wyll But this was after the Lady had had conference with a noble and excellent Fayrie named Ozyris who had beene greatly helping in her birth endowing her with manifolde vertues and riches of spirit for which she was not a little commended and after the decease of her mother Sister to king Barachen of Scotland she had sometime nourished her in her rich inuinsible palace which was in the realme of great Brittaine and euer afterward shee perswaded her that she should not marie with any liuing man which was the cause shee helde so aloofe from this aforesaid marriage After she had well schooled her concerning this matter the noble and vertuous Fayrie sayd that in respect children by the diuine lawe ought obedience to theyr parents and it was her fathers will she should match with the king Diegonde who alreadie had doone so much for her looue and was euen readie to despaire if he fayled thereof shee councelled her not to withstand her fathers appointment And although in former time she had diswaded her from mariage it was because she discerned by her skill that such issue as discended from her in mariage if shee fortuned to haue any should haue hard hap and prooue very vnfortunate which would be such gréefe both to her husband as the greater part of theyr youth would bee spent in greefe and pensiuenesse Notwithstanding if this marriage must néedes be accomplished she promised to vse the matter in such sort as by this coniunction she should neuer haue child And so found she meanes to comfort them sufficiently as heerafter yee shall vnderstand the manner how without iniurie to the beautifull Pollydon but my father by himselfe and his should féele the euill and misfortune whereto yet she promised a day of finall conclusion The Princely maide giuing credit to hir propheticall speeches was greatly comforted and satisfied and so resolued to marie with the king my father after which determination once knowne soone was hee sent for by the King Dorino when with great pleasure and content to euery one he espoused Pollyda with her he liued more then twentie yeares yet could he haue no issue by her which so greeued him confounding his thoughts with sadnes and melancholly as the most part of the time he eat his bread in mone and teares for I imagine it a meruaylous hart breake to a man that desires to liue after his death and perpetuate his memorie by his children to sée his mariage consumed without any generation that might make mention of him when he is dead And such heerefore was his intire conceit of gréefe as oftentimes he meant to repudiate his Queene Pollyda but such againe was the woondrous loue he bare her fearing to offend God and displease king Dorino her father as hee was still diswaded when such thoughts entred his fantasie All this likewise the Queene very well noted and notwithstanding her former despisings yet after her marriage she loued him exceedingly pittying his gréefe but shaddowing her owne so much as possibly she could séeking by all meanes to remedie both as in the end she did by the aduise and counsell of the wise Ozyris who euery daye and in all places assisted her perswading her to doe as followeth One of her wayting Damosels whome my father vsed good countenance towards because she was of perfect beautie being named Olympia daughter to he Duchesse of Terciede a chaste and prudent dame with her the Fayrie aduised the Queene that my father should haue dalliance She following this councell one night when the king my father sent woord to haue her company in bed so cunninglie handled the matter that this damosell lay there insteed of her for the maide was likewise secretly amourous of the king which was the cause that being where she would be she disliked not this swéet and pleasant deceit but without any shew of displeasure shee gladly endured the kings pastime with her séeing the Quéene was so well content to affoord her her place and priuiledge To such effect grew my fathers labours who little thought he was thus beguiled as the Maide was conceiued with childe when afterward the Queene comming to sleepe with the King sayd that she felt her selfe conceiued answerable to his so long desire for which good fortune hee should applaude the heauens from whence procéeded so great good to her Héereof was the king my father glad
honest talke and familiare conference which more and more serued to prouoke forward his loue and from milde amourous conceit to make him more violent inducing this cruell enemie to an euill and pernicious intent such as heereafter ye shall knowe more of For in this Chapter I must tell yee what chaunced meane while in the enemyes Campe. whether safely were retyred as yee haue read in the first booke the king Guittard of Baccaleos and the Carybes who had beene in the thickest of the hurlie burlie and not a little offended were they to be thus shamefully driuen and repulsed from their enterprise It is necessarie then that wee consider howe almightie God dooth sometime send afflictions on the good to make tryall of theyr perseuerance in well doing supporting with pacience the aduersities wherewith they are exercised so it séemed now that he would permit the Pagans of all countreys farre and neere to assemble together with their inexpugnable forces to peruert and ruinate altogether the estate of Christendome whereof the kingdome of England was the great and strongest colour For the day after this meruaylous assault there arriued in the enemies campe for theyr helpe and succour a great multitude of theyr allyes and confederates such as had vowed with them the euersion and totall ruine of Christendome Among others there came a Captaine sent by the king of the Turkes named Grimoaldo a man hardie and valiant of person who conducted vnder his Ensignes fiftie thousand braue fighting men and in goode quipage Hee with his troope was welcommed and receiued by the heads of the Pagan armie especially of the old king Grandowin who feasted and entertained him in the best manner he could deuise for hee knâ—w well that this Grimoaldo was a man of marke as skilfull in feates of armes as any in all the host He caused him to he lodged in the reregard of his Campe whereof he was the head and gouernour and this fresh supply made the Heathen so glad and ioyfull as nothing was heard among them but sounding of Tabourines Trumpets and other warlike instruments expressing no little ioy and pleasure amongst them with menaces against them of the Cittie of quick discomfiture and extermination This ioy endured a great many dayes together and as theyr succour encreased so did theyr iouissance for beside this Turkish Captaine there came a puissant and meruaylous Pagan of monstrous forme and Giâ—ntine stature a proud monster mutinous and a mightie drinker He had thrée heads or faces vppon on neck that supported them all and when he entred the Campe he wore a massie Crowne of golde triple fourmed according to his heads the crownes were made high like the Turrets of a strong Tower and vnderneath was written this verse I am Triphon the great and puissant king of Scythia The most valiant and strongest in combate I conquer This arrogant and proud subscription was no leasing for he was so strong and puissant as himselfe was able to foile a whole Armie and therefore to this assembly he brought with him but ten thousand combattants with whome hee thought himselfe sufficient to subiugate all Christendome And the cause why he â—are these thrée crownes was not in respect of his thrée faces so combine together but because he was king of thrée kingdomes and held thrée cruell kinde of people vnder his obeâ—sance to wit the Geâ—es the Seythians and the Sarmates or Sauromates He shewed in the middest of his troope as a great high Pine trée in the midst of a little wood where the braunches beeing but young and tender do begin to spread for beside his vnmeasurable â—â—ature he was mounted on a furious bull of excéeding height more prompt and apt to beare a saddle run and carrire then any horsse that was to be found in the world as fit was he likewise eyther for the ioust or combate because if the Pagan seated on his backe ouerthrew his aduersarie the bull immediatly with his hornes would beate downe the horsse whereon the knight that fought against him was mounted In this manner enuirâ—ned with his men eâ—â—red hee the Pagans campe many of them being surprized with meruailous feare to sée him of such a terrible aspect and furious â—orme The other that were of better spirite and courage knew well that his arriuall would bee greatly succourable to them because his force and valiancie was vnspeakable and inuincible farre beyond any other humaine strength And he that ioyed most to sée him was the arrogant and fierce Brandissant who sent for him and at his request he came for they two had long before beene companyons together in many robberies and cruelties by them doone ioyntly and by their association forcibly violently and thorow tiranny they had gotten kingdomes many rich booties and heritages which they deuided betwéene them as brethren that parte the common herritage of their Father when hee is deceased So by reason of the wunted familiaritie and acquaintance that the one of them had with the other they vsed many sundrie ceremoniall embracings to each other being glad they had so fortunately met in this place where they assured themselues of the pillage and spoyle of the famous and wealthie Cittie of London beside the rich treasure of king Floridamant after they had vsed towards him and his people the like or more bloodier crueltie then euer the Grecians in times past did shew to Pryam and his warlike Troyans And surely this good Christian king was verye sad and sorowfull in his heart seeing himselfe so weake against such a puissant armie wherein were so many hardie and strong knightes as but fewe like them could bee founde through the whole world and aboue all the rest this monster of Scythia was most redoubted in that he was most to be feared for his force and crueltie yet notwithstanding putting his trust in God the walles of his cittie beeing strong and well appointed hee was pacient in this perill expressing meruaylous hardinesse in his countenance encouraging his people with fayre speeches and exhortations that by their generous actes and behauiour they should be vigilant and carefull for the defence of the cittie giuing them to vnderstand by woorthie examples how religiously euery subiect stood bound to their king and countrie in that behalfe The enemyes on the contrarie side for the reasons alreadie declared were so merrie and ioâ—â—nd as through their campe was nothing but songs of ioye and pleasure dronken pastimes beastly gourmandisings and such like insolencies for beside the succour before rehearsed came to the Pagan hoste two strong and puissant kings from the coast of Barbarie the one named Phoas king of Alger and the other Orontes king of Marocco both coâ—sens germaine and kinne in the same degree to Adylas king of Thunis and to the king of Phez whom we spake of before beeing of no lesse force and valour then those two Withall they brought in theyr companie a great multitude of armed men good archers bearing Persian Bowes and
are knights of marke and great reputation the one is king of Niuarie a riche and opulant kingdome that with one Launce brought to death thirtie Cantabres when king Brandissant my brother made warre vpon them wherefore at this day he beares them all depainted in his shéeld as yee might behold if the gréene shaddow were away wherewith it is couered As for the other two they are the valiant Cambarell and Pagâ—traff Kings of the Iunonian Isles in riches and valour they are not equall to their two former brethren but in age onely and nothing else and further of in midst of the troupe where ye sée yond multitude of goodly pauillions are their people tarrying but when they shall bee ranged in order for the assault toward king Grandowin are they now martching to vnderstand his aduise and councell in what place they should assemble while the rest of their companie beeing merrily disposed fall to such pastimes as martiall men are wunte to exercise And fronting that troope yee may behold my six Giants which shew so high aboue the other as stéeples in a cittie ouerpéere the lowest buildings and they are prepared as they were when I maistred them to resist a verye puissant armie But what is he quoth the princes on the right hand that rides on the roane Courser managing a strong launce vppon his thigh clad in blacke Armour grauen all ouer with golde glittering so brauely as hee rides to an other troope some what further off You meane he Madame said Angrafolt that beares thrée golden Sunnes in his sheeld deciphered in a greene field and bordered round about with purest golde He I meane answered the Princesse that talkes with another knight of like apparaunce hard by the multitude mounted on a sorrell Courser with a very strong Launce in his hand and in his shéeld thrée Leopards heads in a Sable field It is replyed the Corsean prince the worthie king Tauladas of Canada a man woonderfull aâ—â—able and debonaire albeit no lesse hardie with swoord or Launce then anye other in all the Campe euen so is he with whome you see him talking the redoubted Barant king of Carybe they both being come to associate this warre rather for proofe of man to man in combate against king Floridamant your father the fame of whose renowmed vertues called them hither then any desire to doo him hurt or damage but true it is that to fortifie our Campe they haue brought with them from theyr countries and kingdomes great store of armed men and well appointed I am much deceiued sayd the princesse if he whom I see standing with his face toward vs bee nâ—t some Pagan king of great name he I meane that now marcheth 〈…〉 all bearing Ensignes or Guydons of diuers coullers in their hands and he riding somewhat aloofâ— before them on a horsse more whyte then any Swanne harnessed with â—â—mosin veluit the â—â—uddes and buckles of perfect golde and if mine eyes fayl me not he 〈◊〉 three 〈…〉 sheeld and those I take to be his armes Madame answered the Pagan I did not well note his countenance beacuse he suddenly turned back toward his 〈…〉 but if hee beare such arms as you speake of it 〈…〉 Marton king of Biscay or 〈…〉 among other things to conduct men of warre on the Seas where in our â—omming hithâ—r hee was cheefe leader of all our Armie hauing the whole gouernment and charge thereof by reason of the great valour abiding in him and long experience in manie affayres they that follow him are all knights of esteeme whose charge is to manage the Ensignes and Standards in the ships I haue not yet séene sayd the Princesse Polydamie two more braue and comely knights then these two that ryde hitherward ech on a black Stéed marked alike with white in their foreheads their backs and legges richly harnessed with greene veluet one of them beares two Collomes in his sheeld figured in an Azure field the other a flourishing braunche of Roses carrying theyr liuely Roses in a golden field and each hath in his hand a Iaueling pointed with golde and garnished with siluer studdes theyr horsses trot alike both of one 〈◊〉 and height I am 〈◊〉 they are none of the mâ—anest in your companie I pray ye sir tell me what they are These two Madame are arriued heere since I was taken but as I haue heard by messages from my noble father they are the two princes Orentes and Phoas the one king of Marocco the other of Alger two neighbouring kingdomes on the coast of Barbarie abounding in riches and treasure so likewise of their persons they are as hardie and valiant as any in the world and as heauie enemies to the Christians and their religion the expresse cause of theyr comming hither to hurt and destroy them so much as possiblie they may As the Corsean king held on this speech to the princesse the kings Maurus and Phorbon and betweene them the monstrous Tryphon king of Scithia Gotia Sarmata and Geta came foorth of their pauillions to dorayne theyr people and as the young Ladie noted theyr gestures and countenance intending to enquirs what they were câ—â—â—ing her eyes vppon the Scythian Mouâ—â—er mâ—unted and â—quipped in such forme and manner as before I haue tolde yee shee was so surprized with feare at the verye sight of him her heart beeing tender daintie and delicate as giuing a loud shrike she fell in a swoune or traunce which the Pagan king perceiuing and dreading some wurs inconuenience would ensue he tooke her vp in his armes and caryed her thence verye gentlye and modestlie into the Queenes Chamber where he declared the occasion of her feare and continued to them the discourse of those thrée before named kings which the Ladyes heard very attentiuely and while the Pagan bethinkes himselfe where to breake off his discourse heere thinke I good to conclude this Chapter CHAP. 17. How king Floridamant hauing assembled his Councell to receiue aduise from the cheefe of his friends and well wellers concerning what was best to be done in this necessitie After he had heard the diuersitie of their oppinions in the end hee set downe his rest on the councell of the wise and aged duke Candior of Normandie KIng Floridamant was all this while in Councell to be aduised as I tolde ye in the former chapter how hee might best delay the assault and by likelye meane deâ—erre it till the expected ayde from Gaule and Spaine were arriued In which councell there were many of different and contrarye oppinions for some thought good to temporise a while without fighting vntill they should bee somewhat stronger to endure so sharpe and cruell an assault as the Pagans intended against them because in very déede they were ouer-weake to withstand so fierce a charge as was like to be offered for if theyr mishap should be such as the issue of fightes and battaâ—les is most certainlye vncertaine to be vanquished and the Cittie taken in the assault the hoped for
to these other called Anses who as the painter discribes weare theyr hayre long before and shorte behinde theyr daughters once a yeare fight extreamely with stones in honour of the Goddess Minerua whom they adore The great mount ye sée not farre from this place is the mount Atlas whereby the neighbouring people are called Atlantide which in the greatest heate of the day rayle the sunne and cuâ—sse it with many iniurious spéeches They that are on this side hauing the right side of their heads shorâ—e and raced toward the-left side are called Maxes that vsuallie paint their faces with Uermillion and make vaunte of theyr discent from the Troyans as likewise do these Zigantes being not farre off from them and they liue by the flesh of Apes wherwith the countrey meruailouâ—â—ie aboundeth These other abiding in the region of the Hesterues are named Troglodites otherwise Megauares people that being dead make no account of buriall but after the decease of buriall but after the decease of one of them they vsually come to the place where he is and being loden with stones in a great laughter they throw them at him and so returâ—e againe without any thought of death To these are next neighbours the Hylophages and Spermatophages the first are so called because that for their nourishment or food they climbe and craule vp Trées like Squirrels and there cutting the tender sprigs or branches feed thereon and so liue The other are so named because they substantiate their bodies with many séedes of hearbes that come from the midst of the marishie grounds in that soyle There hard by likewise are the Ceneigdes which inhabit the woods and sit sleeping all the night on the trées like birds Furthermore concerning such like people in the deserts of Lybia are the Acridophages which liue onelye but by Locusts that are found is those deserts and therevpon they are so called In the extreame being of this part of the world are the Cynanimes so called by the Greekes in their language but wee call them sauage men They which yee see heare all naked are the Ichtipophages and there is the place called the cape of Gardafuni which lookes on Arabia named the happie where are the kingdomes of Adel and Barnagas In this marshie Isle neighbour to Aethiopia and mount Atlas named Hesperia within the Tritonian â—ennes dwell the Amazones women experimented in feates of warre and which onely manage the affayres of theyr common wealth with out men medling or inhabiting among them I leaue all the other people that are heere in this parte because it would be ouer long to expresse their names life manners and dayly behauiour wherefore passing ouer this straite that seperates the great Ocean from the Mediterranean sea called Gibaltare or Hercules pilles is the kingdome of Hea which hath on the north side the Ocean and Athlantique sea and toward the middest the great mount Atlas I shewed ye before there also are the kingdomes of Phez Marocco Alger and Thunis inhabited with terrible and cruell people and soure Pagan kings all cosens germaine in their possessions they are very mightie men well skild in warring against theyr enemies But aboue all the king of Phez is of high resolue and meruailous valiance as I will declare to yee anon when seeing the place where hee is at this present I shall recount the meruailous aduenture happening him so long since forborne and with speech of him I will likewise tell ye tidings of your Colen Pharisor who is as sorrowfull as you for the wante of his companion They that gouerne these two kingdomes of Marocco and Alger the one named Phoas and the other Orontes haue led in their conduct a great multitude of the barbarous people of theyr Realmes to sight against the Christians and with huge numbers of Pagans expressely assembled séeke to destroye the great and famous Cittie of London wherein king Floridamant father to your knight is cruelly besieged in danger to loose his liâ—e or see himselfe disposest of crowne and kingdome but God of his infinite goodnes will prouide some helpe that such misfortune shall neuer befall him As for the third vnder whose lawes and commaundements they of Thunis are gouerned to wit Adylas I will likewise tell yee more when we meet him in place where he is to let ye know what he hath doone and then shall yee see him that yee are so desirous of But before this may bee doone or you attaine to behold the long wished place I will tell yee what these fayre Islandes are which you see within the Sea the neere bordering neighbours to this kingdome Knowe then that these are the Hesperides otherwise called Fortunate Isles and commonly Canaries not such as many haue esteemed them to bee they are greatlye abounding in Dogges but much more fertile are these aforesayde Isles abounding in store of Reedes or Canes from which are made the Melasses Cassonades and then Sugars most fine and swéete abounding in very great quantitie The people there dwelling are subiects to a puissant Pagan king who at this daye swayes the scepter thereof named Brandissant that chased thence sometime Argamor the cruell father to foure sonnes who succoured king Brandissant in so dooing because the king had promised to each of them one of these Isles for his part and seuerally they should weare kingly crownes such was their greedie desire to reigne before theyr fathers death whose life was more offensiue to them then any infectious disease to a healthfull time according to which promise after that Argamor was then chased thence who afterward dyed with extreame greefe the foure brethren the eldest whereof is named Salazard the second Zorlot the third Canibarell and the fourth Phagotroff had the gouernment of the foure isles by them demaunded conditionally that thenceâ—foorth they should be obedient to the commaundements of great king Brandissant and liues as they ought vnder his Empire all these are likewise at this instant in these warres with great multitude of the Islanders and other neighbours that owe tribute and allegeance in company of the father to Brandissant who hath engirt with siedge as I told ye before the famous Cittie of London assisted by many more whereof ye shall know anon Thus breaking off the faire Nimphe Aegle turned and quickly ioyned together the seperated partes of the sphere which beeing inuisibly closed and brought into the former estate and casting it into the Fountaine immediatly she threw her selfe in after it promising to returne againe vpon the more owe to tell what remained to the princesse of Constantinople she sitting still by the fountaines side rauished with ioy and delight for seeing such are sights and heere because the day continued no longer wee gaue great reason to knitte vp thys Chapter CHAP. 22. How the Nymph Aegle appearing againe to the Princesse Porphyria daughter to the mightie Emperour of Constantinople made her see in her Globe of all world all that which Asia containeth and in what
he cannot liue without ye as hauing caused his people to change their religion to take away the former allegation of refusall he is departed long since from his kingdome and commeth in person into this country only to require ye once more in marriage when if he be denied he meanes to carry ye hence wherof it behoues ye to take héed for he will doe his vttermost which ye must perswade your selfe will proue no little matter But I hope my Lady Ozyris will assiâ—t ye wiâ—h such good councell as in the end ye shall escape the hands of this tyrant who to speake sâ—oth beareth ye entire earnest affection But soone after when once he might glut himselfe with the swéetnes of your loue and fauours he will so hate and setâ—e his heart agaynst you as the most foule woman in the world shall be more fayre and amiable in his eye then 〈◊〉 such is the nature of this barbarous king Now while hee trauailes in vaine about these affayres he shall one day sée himselfe depriued of Crowne and Scepter which he will take from him whom he seekes to rob of his greatest good for this effect Sée héere alreadie his kingdome troubled and deuided for you must note that all the people in his realme are reuolted one against another because some are good and true Christians and others onely gouerned by frenzie fearing that their king will renye his Christianitie by force of armes seeke to reduce the rest to their former religion which beeing vnable to compasse such venemous hatred and despight is kindled amongst them as hee must hope of another remedie for so great an euill but euen a new mutation of the kingdom and gouernment which will so come to passe in very short while For your knight who is arriued heere but lately since shall prooue to be their new Lord and king after he hath somewhat more trauailed and suffered for the same Then when he hath brought all into quiet and gathered the people vnder his obeysance the destenies who will not staye his course from better fortunes in a place so straunge and with so few exploits of his vertue and prowesse shall fill his sailes to more high desires especially the incomparable loue he beareth you and extreame affection in him to let you sée by effects the seruice hee hath vowed to your diuins beautie this shall make him for some while abandon this famous Monarchie for euer to continue in dooing déedes of vertue laudable and worthie of great admiration During which pursuite these people being againe reuolted he shall send hither a strong and valiant knight who with great paine and trauaile shall once more bring these mutinous rebels vnder his awe and obedience his name by reason of his generous acts and braue enterprises shall be knowne from this part to the other side of the Pole yea hee shall bee so redoubted and feared as the verye hardiest shall tremble to heare him spoken of In this time the Sophie transported with amourous affections not able to compasse his desseignes and enterprises will vnfortunately end his dayes as your selfe in time shall perfectlye beholde You tell me meruayles answered the princesse but yet yee shewe me not where the knight is according to your former promise of whom though I was desirous to heare yet should I be much more pleased so behold him Lady quoth the Nimphe it is as necessarie for yee to knowe all these things as it is expedient for you to sée him because I am assured both the one and other is agreeable to yee Looke now then on this Orientall region which is called Persia of Perseus the sonne to Iupiter and fayre Danae daughter to Acrisius king of the Argiues according as poeticall fables testifie Regard I pray ye how many thousand armed men are heere asseâ—bled euen for the occasion so lately expressed See this famous Cittie called Tauris neighbour to the Medes a people not long since spoken of behold how it is besieged by the Persian pagans vnder the conduct of a young foole named Mauspasian brother to the Sophie hee that hath caused all this warre behold into what extremitie these poore Christians are brought that are within the Cittie they haue nothing left but bread and wine to preserue life withall and within these fewe dayes they were constrained to â—éede vppon the flesh of their horsses which was openly solde in the butcheries of this faire goodly cittie yet will they not for all this yeeld to theyr enemies or forsake their religion but trusting in succour from aboue because else-where they cannot expect anye rather desire héere to finish their liues miserablie Sée the other goodlie Cittie of Susa almost in the same necessitie looke on distressed Ariodant the prop and sole comforte of the Christians who by flight escaped the hands of Adylas king of Thunis that would haue slaine him by treason because he refused to yéeld him selfe prisoner On this other side beholde the braue minded knight Taffinor who halfe dead by good hap fell into your knights company and he healing him of a mortall wound vndertakes to reuenge the iniurie doone him by the traitour Adylas O inestimable and not to bee comprehended curtesie of so braue a knight Sée I pray ye with what deuoyre he begins to pursue this vengeance see Argontes the fauourits of king Adylas dead on the ground vnder his horsse slaine by the valiant right hand of this renowmed knight with many other of his complices the most apparaâ—t and best knights in the host of Adylas Not contented heerewith note with what fierce hardinesse hee assayles the mightie pagan euen within his Tents notwithstanding he is accompanied with three or foure hundred knights of name and marke euen the men of greatest valour in all the kingdome It will not be long before a hot and dangerous fight happen betweene them from which Adylas shall not escape by my aduise so well as he weeâ—eth Thus spake the fayre Nimphe and euermore as shee discoursed shewed all these things vnto the princesse who was so ioyfull seeing her knight represented to the life as shee forgot to vse any more questions and albeit the figure of him was very little yet I thinke no tongue can expresse no pen can set downe neither hath any heart the power to comprehend the surpassing câ—ntentment she enioyed at this instant The historie reporteth it to bee so great that she wept with conceit of ioy and loosing all countenance so far forgat her selfe that she offered to run and embrace him in her armes yea to salute him with a sweete kisse but her labour was in vaine as well in regarde that the workmanship and visâ—on of all these things were not to bee touched by humaine creatures as also because the fayre Nimphe hindered her and would not permit her to come neere it Ouer and beside all the former representations she shewed her the dead figure of the Sauage Polyppe recounting the wonderfull combats Gerileon had
meanes whereby they might escape the tyrants power that forciblie sought to make a rape of her wherevnto before shee would condiscend shee minded to murther her selfe with hir owne hands When the knight of the Flower had noted his words desire of honor prouoked him rather to fight for her then all her teares promised her with the helpe of God that dread of death should not with-holâ— him from defence of her case which according to her recitall séemed to him most iust and reasonable In this resolue he thus aduised the Quéene to answer the Persian tyrant that shee would not yeelde her selfe to his mercie before shee made some proofe of the loue he bare her aâ—d whether it were so effectuall that he durst on the morrow aduenture the combate against one knight man to man with what armes himselfe would choose For one should be sent foorth of the Cittie armed at all pointes whom if hee could vanquish shee would condiscend to his will but if the contrary happened and he were conquered he should raise his siedge and depart with his hoste from before the Cittie deliuering and restoring into her repossession all such Citties townes borroughes places castels lands and seigniories as he had taken and ruined rendering and restoring to her likewise all the treasure which she spent to maintaine her resistance in warre the vale we and summe whereof he should credit aâ—d beleeue vpon her owne oath If he pleased not to accept this offer she was determined to kill her selfe with her owne handes rather then shee would graunt what he so earnestly desired This councell was so agreeable to the Queene that presently she dispatched a messenger to Artabaz to heare from him some answere or resolution At this message hee did nothing but smile and laugh in derision and mockerie as it were assuring himselfe of the victorie and therefore accepted the Combate with knightes ordinarie armes of Launce and Swoord but to make short the knight of the Flower and hee combatted the next day man to man in such sort and so long time as after a fierce and extreame cruell fight Artabaz was vanquished and yeelded prisoner to the Queene Lyxander where by meanes of the knight of the Flower he forcibly was compeld to performe the articles conuentions sollemnly sworne on either part before the combate When Artabaz was enlarged from the Quéenes prison conquered despight and despaâ—â—e hee ranne himselfe vppon his owne sword to let out the loue he before had conceyued towardes the Quéene Lixandra who thus was deliuered from miserie and captiuitie as also the violent furie of so great an enemie Nor fayled â—he to thanke the yong knight the mean of her deliuerance entertayning and feasting him there the space of a whole yere euen perforce as it were causing him to tarrie with her so that in the end she became enamoured of him and but that she was a Pagan and hée a Christian he being lykewise else where vowed she woulde haue ioyned with him in marriage And notwithstanding this prohibiting bond both of the one and other religion she could not support the extreame flame of this amorous fyre but being ouercome with incontinencie was constrayned to yeld her selfe in such sort as she had knowledge of him almost against his heart and will Howe oft this continued I knowe not but within short time she was conceiued which the young knight perceiuing beeing wearie of these amourous sportings which else where ought to be emploied euen in place where his heart serued one daie secretly getting from his companie and being disguised hee went whether the winde and fortune would conduct him At his departure she was meruaylously discomforted causing diligent search to be made for him in all places her lande as also far and neare to enquire after him being willing to change her religion and become a Christian onely to marrie with him or once more to get him in her custodie But hearing by credible reporte that hee was the valiaunt Brandismel king of great Britaine who being a young knight so chaunged his name and disguised his armes hauing espoused his Florixa from whome came the king Floridamant of whome at this daie is held such account she comforted her selfe so well as she could and couered her fault so cunningly that albeit shée was great with child she married with the worthie Knight Florinor at that day king of Armenia in time of whieh mariage by about seauen 〈◊〉 after she was deliuered of a goodly son called Florant in remembraunce of the knight of the Flower his father Within thrée years after she had thrée other sons one named Adylas the second Phoas the third Orontes all found such hardie aduenterous knights as euer liued in anie time Now because Ferramond was chased forth of Armenia by Clarion brother to Artabaz who was king after him and father to Mutinel at this time raigning a long while he vexed him with warres to recouer home his kingdome agayne but he could not compasse what hee intended vntyll Florant grew strong and abie to carrie armes who beeing assisted with a mightie and puissaunt armie and especially imployed in these affayres went forward with his charge so effectually that hee expelled thence Clarion and his people who grew into such vexation heereat as séeing he was no longer able to stand agaynst him he caused him traiterously to be slayne by foure Persians who counterfeiting to come in embassage to him with letters pretended from Clarion as he talked alone with them in his chamber they câ—uelly murdered him with certaine pistols which for the purpose they had closely hid vnder theyr maÌ„tles Florinor who tooke himselfe to be his father was so offended and grieued hereat as a good father will naturally be for the death of so valiant a sonne and sent Adylas his other sonne with a far more great and stately armie to reuenge the death of Florant his brother but hee followed his busines so slenderly that albeit he was a valyant knight ther he lest his life and his armie discomfited which went so neere the hart of Florinor that with conceyt of griefe he dyed being then aged in yeres as lykewise was his Quéene Lixandra who carefully nourished me vp being the sonne of Florant and endued with his name as also young Adylas bearing likewise name after his slaine father In this time or soone after the death of Florinor Phoaz and Orantes seeking after aduentures as knighâ—es arrant prickt forward with desire of fame and honour were slayne in two seuerall encounters by king Floridamant beeing then as they were a young knight and following the same affayres Eache of them left a sonne behinde them bearing their owne names who lykewise remayned in the charge and kéeping of Queene Lixandra our grand-mother shee verie carefully nourished and brought vs vp especially me to whome verie often shée discoursed these accidents and litle before her death which rather was through age than anie other extremitie she parted and
diuâ—ded the kingdomes betwéene vs appoynting to one the realme of Phez Adylas Phaos and Orontes my cousins had giuen to them the three other seigniories to witte Morocco Thunis and Alger wherewith wee all haue beene well contented without quarrelling or falling at debate for anie cause whatsoeuer But we being as yet verie young were assayled again by Mutinel the king of Persia in reuenge of Artabaz death his predecessor and would haue depriued vs againe of our kingdomes but we so well defended our selues as he coulde not altogether defeate vs of our right but in regarde of our ouer young yeres we promised him certayne yerely tribute and obeisance or homage when he woulde commaund vs to haue it done which euer since we haue dayly continued and in consequence hereof being charged by him to arme themselues agaynst the king of great Britaine in companie of king Brandissant and his brethren to ruinate and destroie all christendome together wee entered on the seas with a goodly great armie thitherward and sayling merrily certayne daies in our voiage we were surprized with a greate tempest which separated vs one from another in such sort as I know not what is become of the rest Well wot I that my ship was wrackte against a huge rocke and none saued aliue of all that were with me but my selfe alone Since when hauing recouered horse and armour such as by fortune I brought with me into the forrest of great aduentures wher méeting a proud and arrogant knight that challenged all passengers to combate with him promising for prize of theyr victorie a goodly horse a fayre armour and a golden cup of inestimable value desirous to gain these thrée if I could I entered the combat with him and all daie wee fought together without apparance of victorie on either side till the verie declining of the daie when wee were euen on the point to knowe where the lot woulde fall when another knight no lesse valiant than proud came to trouble our intent very suriously assayling vs both In which sirange conflict it chanced that this curteous Lord came and seeing our confused order of fighting behelde howe I was wounded of which hurts through the mighty and supreame diuine vertue I am now healed Thus good Father haue I fully satâ—sfâ—ed your request if ye will command me anie other seruice assure your selfe I will doe it verie gladly Thus king Florent of Phez ended his discourse when the olde hermite began an excellent exhortation to confirme him soundly in the christian fayth charging him to liue and die in defence thereof and not to persecute it as before he had done Taking occasion by the example of Saint Paul to incite him forward to his dutie according as he procéeded in Gods soruice after hee was so diuinely called When he had finished his sermon wher with the king was highly satiffied and contented after hee hadde humbly thanked him for so great good receiued he departed in companie of the faire pilgrime with him to go visite the holy sepulchre of Iesus Christ where what happened to them afterward you shal reade at large in the third volume of this worthie historie which if God permit you shal see verie shortly The discourse of the Giant Squamell SQuamell the ouer wéening proud knight mightie in strength and of Giantine stature was conducted on the blacke riuer as yee haue heard very farre vnder the earth by the diabolicall arte of the Necromancer Charonifor euen into a dark chamber full of fyre and smoake the verie next neighbout to black Auernos wherein hee was no sooner arriued but certaine young spirits or deuils the waiting seruants on the sorcerer came quickly about him foure bringing vnguents others clothes another a candle of Rosen to light their maister that he might make readie his necessarie emplaisters wherewith the Giants wounds should be healed And he being halfe dead was laid along on a banke before a great fire that burned extreamly within the chamber which onely serued to giue them light night and day thrée times he swouned while Chironifer his chirurgion felt the depth of his mortall woundes which notwithstanding by his speedy helpe succour and dilligence within few dayes after were made verye whole and sound Right well he knew how to thank the Necromancer vowing his loue for euer after to him and Charonifer likewise as glad of his health exhorted him still to follow his aduenture and returne to the Forrest where hee was wounded there to stay till he met a knight in black armour mounted on the horsse which was one of the prizes of the combate assuring him that hee was one of the best knights in the world If therefore he 〈◊〉 at honor and reputation such as beséemed â—he order of knighthood hee should not rest till he had fought with him and slaine him otherwise it he failed in this 〈…〉 great 〈…〉 performe 〈◊〉 departing froÌ„ his nightly shade after he had taken leaue of the Necromancer he was conducted back againe by the same way he went entring the black Boate to goe view the light of the sunne which hee had neuer seene since hee â—ame thither Beeing in little while arriued in the forrest of high aduentures and riding by the morning light the space of an houre he found a Ladie of meruailous beautie hanging by the neck on a Tree the fatall instrument being the laces that bound vp her hayre which being discheueled round about her hung downe to her very feete The Giant presently knew her to be the Lady Lucinda whom somtime he loued and now so mortally hated as hee was not a little ioyfull to behold this sight lauding his gods especially Cupid who so meritoriouslie reuenged the rigour which shee in former time had vsed toward him for when he intirelie loued her she scorned him wherfore in â—esting maner he imbraced the dead bodye swinging her about from one side to another but at last hee was ware of a paper which with a small thred was fastened on her bosome which hee taking downe and seeing them to be verses read them to himselfe in this manner The verses written on a little Labell and fastned about the Ladyes neck as she hung vpon the Tree THou that goest by if pittie thee possesse then take compassion on this noble dame Who foyld by loue and fortunes forwardnes heere as thou seest hath doone a deed of shame Making her hands the engines of her death And on this Tree sent foorth her latest breath If â—hou be knight and valour doost containe doo thy deuoire to wreake her haplesse end On cruell Squamell honors foulest staine whom teares nor treates could make a Ladies frend But full of rancor pride and high disdaine Still made her breath her sighes sutes in vaine If thou be Lady or some vertuous dame and knowst the man that holds thy fauours deere Loue him againe and thinke not on my name in whom the effects of scorne dooth well appeare I was beloou'd and then