THE DELIGTFVL HISTORY of Celestina the Faire Daughter to the king of Thessalie Shewing how she was inchaunted by the three Fairies with the strange Aduentures Trauels Chiualries Tournies Combats Victories and Loues of diuers wandring Princes and knights errant but especially of Sir Marcomyr of Tharsus who did conquest hir by the sword and enioied her afterwards in mariage with the Thessalian kingdome for hir dowrie and his perpetuall inheritance Done out of French into English NON PLVS WB LONDON Printed by A. I. for William Barley and are to be sold at his shop at the vpper end of Gratious street 1596. To the Worshipfull and his verie good friend M. Barley of Petworth in Sussex W.B. wisheth health and prosperitie REmembring sir the great good wil and vndeserued kindnesse which your Worship hath shewed vnto me makes mee to thinke my self much bound vnto you so much as if I should not by some means shew my selfe thankfull to your Worship I might be condemned of great ingratitude Wherefore I haue thought good euen now being vrged thervnto by the kindnesse which I haue found at your hands to shew my thankfull mind towards you although not in so ample manner as I would doe or as I hope hereafter I shall doe when it shal please God to make me better able till which time I humbly desire you to accept at my hands this token of my feruent good will wherein I haue made bold to set foorth vnder your Worships Patronage this Booke entituled The delectable Historie of Celestina the Faire hoping it wil be the better regarded of your Worship first in respect of the indeuour and pains which hath bene taken in translating and publishing of the same to the intent the reading thereof might be some pleasure and delight both to your Worship and your good friends and secondly in respect of my thankful and willing mind towards you who wisheth vnto your Worship all bountifull happinesse in this life according to your hearts desire and in the life to come eternall felicitie Your Worships to commaund William Barley The delightfull Historie of Celestina the faire daughter to the king of Thessalie Shewing how she was inchaunted by the three Fairies with the straunge aduentures trauels chiualries tourneys combats victories and loues of diuerse wandring Princes and knights errant but especiallie of sir Marcomyr of Tharius who did conquest her by the sword and enioyed her afterwards in marriage with the Thessalian kingdom for her dowrie and her perpetuall inheritance CHAP. I. THe time being then come that Belcarin king Frisols sonne should receiue the order ofknighthood hee humblie besought the Emperour to knight him with his owne hand the like request made yong Tiraquell sonne to duke Eustace of Micene who desired likewise the honor of the same order which the good Prince graciously graunted foreséeing how worthily on them knighthood would be employed Therfore after obseruation of the Uigill as the vse was on the Monday morning next after Easter day hée armed them both knights with great magnificence beséeching God of his goodnesse to make them of that valour which should neuer degenerate from their auncesters Belcarin especially to whom with a louing kisse on his chéek he began thus Deare nephew I pray our Soueraigne aboue to accomplish in you the perâ—ection of all noble vertues that euerie one may say you are sonne to the good knight Frisol no lesse hardie and valâ—râ—us then anie whosoeuer bore Armes in his time The ceremonie being ended they all reâ—urned to the Palace where the new knights as soone as they could be disarmed attired themselues in most rich and sumptuous robes for the more honour of the feast which for their sakes was solemnised with verie great pompe throughout all the Court But Belcarin made no tariance to behold the â—â—litie of that assemblie his mind was rather occupied in the high intended thought of his future glorie then in the excesse of a feast which made him begin thus to debate with himself Belcarin thou hast now no more idle time to spend hauing taken vpon thée the honourable degrée of knighthood and art therewith inuested by the hâ—nd of thine vncle the Emperour one of the best knights whom euer the diuine prouidence hath adorned and made illustrious through many laudable vertues which neuer wanted thy father also in any thing that might bée requisite to a man perfectly accomplished in armes if thou hast liued hitherto in delights and pleasures yet now it is high time for thée to trauaile the world to shew wherein thou resemblest thine ancestors treading in their steps who with great paine wandered before thée and purchased therby that famous renoâ—me the memorie whereofshall euer remaine immortall the which if thou wilt not blemish thou must hasten thy departure from hence and looke out to séeke some strange aduentures as they did After manie cogitations which perplexed his mind not a little he resolued in as secret maner as might be to depart with one onely Squire to attend vpon his person purposing to take his voyage directly into Macedon there to make his first assay of Armes in the aduenture of Celestina the Faire who was at that time enchaunted within a castell of the I le of Carderie for at that season there was no other talke euery where but of the great number of knights who dayly flocked thither enterprising to win her by the sword being to haue her in mariage afterward with the kingdome of Thessalie for her dowrie so great should be the recoÌ„pence and guerdon of him who could deliuer her out oâ—the inchanted dungeon But as yet had no knight been séene there who could set foote within the castell to set frée this yong Princesse Now were Belcarins eares oftentimes tickled with the fame of this aduenture which euerie one reputed so strange that he determined to goe thither to trie what he could doe with an incredible desire to performe it for besides he should thereby purchase great honour and a generall commendation of the world he might yet thinke himself most fortunat making his so rich and faire a Damosell and that by dint of sword So that being excéeding glad through the hope which he had conceiued to atchieue his desired purpose hee did onâ—ly but thrée daies honor this solemne feast with his presence and the fourth day endossed verie early in the morning a rich armour burnisht greene which he had caused very priuily to be made and commaunded to paint on his shield in a siluer field a castell of Gâ—wles representing a Iasper stone in verdure for his deuise Departing thus the citie without knowledge of any person hee tooke his voyage towards the kingdome of Macedon The Emperour who heard afterward ofhis secret departure was passing glad of this enterprise and in presence of many knights began thus in his fauour Now as God mee helpe I haue an opinion nay a confident hope Belcarin will be haue himselfe so valiantly in feates of armes that
Marcomyr was disarmed by Celestina and her damsels and hauing washt his hands and face within the same basin hée put on a long and rich gowne which was brought thether for him then sat him downe with his lady vpon two magnificent and pompous chairs couered with wrought gold and because that Herebus had sent his daughter to hide the day and to spread his darkenes all ouer their hemispheare there were brought thether many candles and torches lighted The swéet smelling and oderiferous sent of roses violets and other naturall flowers of the garden with the vnspeakeable beautie of Celestina then the melodiâ—us harmonie which procéeded from the musick well consorted with diuerse instruments wherevpon the damsels plaid most perfectly and could moreouer sing most swéetly therevnto so that you would haue thought of purpose Orpheus Arion and al the other diuine musitions had ben there assembled did rauish the spirits of the knight vp to the heauens and made his memorie forget al his trauels and labours past thinking himselfe in a place of all ioy and blisse where he séemed to behold not the perfect beauty of a goddesse but of a shadow only which did steale away his heart and charmd his eies to looke vpon it The like was it with the yoong ladie maruelling as much or more at the beautifull forme and the wel accomplished proportion of the knight not for all that without inwardly thanking the God of heauen to giue her such a husband and in veritie these two louers were one of the most beatifull couples that euer man saw matched together woorthie to compare with Hero and Leander those two glistering stars of their time In this trance of ioy and content past all conceit did they remaine till the damsels aduertising them the supper was readie spread before them a very faire and rich table of wood made of a Citron trée naturally crisped in and out smelling like balme which they couered with many rare and exquisit dishes making at one of the ends thereof their dresser replenished with basins cups and plate of gold and pearle whose price and valour was inestimable But small chéere serued the two vassals of the sonne of Citherea for that they saciated themselues with looking one vpon another for there is nothing more delicious to a louer then to behold the obiect which he loueth because loue making a breach vpon the body and planting his seat round about the heart debarreth the passage to all nourishment while it is fed with this amorous conceit which is such that all you who haue tasted it may iudge of the swéetnesse or bitternesse thereof So supped Marcomyr and Celestina and strait were the Tables taken away by the damsels who afterwards going to take their refection left them both alone to deuise together at their ease Then approched the knight to her who had euen now rauished his heart and taking her by the hand thus he began Alas Madame well aspected may I call the Horoscope of my natiuitie séeing so great and souereigne is the happinesse wherevnto the celestiall bodies would forepoint me in making me win by force of arms your loue I know now that to be most true which you told me lately in the temple of Delphos to wit I might sée you bréefly at my will Commaund me then I pray you all that it pleaseth you I shall doâ— and shew me the way whereby I may reapâ— some fruit of the perpetuall seruice which I vow to your surpassing and most excelling vertue that I may pacifie giue some solugement to the inextinguible flame which kindleth more and more in my heart Faire knight replined Celestina as touching the fire which you may now féele thinke from the same sparke procéedeth the heat which burneth me reciprocally whereof I cannot so much maruell considering the will of the destinies as of you to hear you say you saw me in some other place for since I was thrée yeres old the Fates haue enclosed me within this castle whereinto neuer knight nor other person euer eâ—â—râ—d since but your selfe alone As for the boone which you 〈◊〉 graunted me it is that you shal not attempt any thing against mine honour and chast will till the day when â—he mariage shal be solemnised betwéen you and me which cannot be before you haue rescued my father the king of Thessalie out of the hands of the great Turke whose prisoner he hath bene a long time Wherefore you must enterprise this aduenture which you shall bring to a fortunate end in making your selfe lord of me and of the whole kingdom of Thessalie wherof I am lawful heire after the decease of my father so that in testimonie of this my transporting hence from this present I put my selfe wholy into your power vpon condition notwithstanding you shall not infringe the promise you haue made me Marcomyr gaue great eare to all this and for a while answered not a word thinking if hée should send away or himselfe conduct the damsel towards the Emperour and in the meane time not to disclose himselfe to any bodie before he had performed the voiage of Turkie bringing with him at his returne the king of Thessalie if God did fauour him so much that he might set him frée out of his captiuitie And as he was maruellous glad of this secret resolution which he had laid down he brake silence in this manner Madame so feruent and déepe is the loue I beare you that to get the monarke of this inferiour world I would not cause you the least griefe which might moue and displease neuer so little your vertuous mind second to none liuing so that albeit I had not promised you that which you haue demanded I would neuer for all that haue disobeied your commandement For I repute my selfe the most fortuâ—ate knight liuing vnder the zones of the heauen at this day not for the honour or glorie which I think to purchase by this aduenture but only to sée my selfe captiued with the perfect beautie and supernaturall grace wherwith I sée you are diuinely enriched which from hence forward shall giue me such courage to attempt dâ—â—ficult magnanimious enterprises that the farthest distant of my race shall be greatly bounden to you for the glory which by this meane shall redound vnto them And assure your selfe well Madame for any paine or trauell which may present it selfe before mine eies I shall not refuse to employ the best of all my forces to set the king your father in his pristine libertie wherein so contrary effects cannot succéed my desires but the only remembrance of the incomprehensible felicitie I shall win in exploiting it will make me estéeme them lesse then nothing or els very weake and féeble things which may neuer in any wise alienate my mind from remembrance of you In the mean while I hope to leaue you in the power of the Emperor whom I loue and desire to serue most affectionately to whom séeing I cannot more surely send you I
the seruices which I will frankly from henceforth enterprise to make you know the good zeale I haue not to remain ingratefull for your so great courtesie The which if you haue easily granted me as the only remedy and salue of mine afflicted heart I hope before it be long to make you part of ameÌ„ds as you shall vndoubtedly perceiue being inuested with the great riches and high estates which you may vnderstand are prepared for you so it may please you to go along with me into a place whether I hope â—o conduct you in safety for albeit you sée me now in simple equippage yet so it is that God hath made me to bee borne a king and a soueraign ruler ouer many prouinces not for any other end but to continue more honorablie the vnremoueable amitie that I shall beare vnto you all my life This said he vpon hope to marie her with his cousin Ozalias to haue giuen them the kingdome of Tarsus if she would haue consented therevnto Faire knight then quoth Leifida I can but meruell at you who being a king and so valiant as euery one who shall sée you manage armes may easily iudge are come hether for me simple damsel vnworthie of so great honor yet not to dissemble vnto you my resolution assure you without my fathers consent I will neuer goe with you by my good wil for that otherwise I should commit a too disloiall and hainous offence Thus much will I willinglie doe for you which I neuer yet offred to any other knight to goe along with you to my father whom I will aduertise that you are nephew to my nursing mother who desire to serue him in whatsouer it shal please him to employ you being assured when he shall sée your Prowesâ—es and chiuâ—lries he will be very well content to accept you for his sonne in law And then with his sufferance and the consent of all my friends you may cary me whether you shall thinke best promising you for my part neuer to make him further priuie to your doings Notwithstanding it would bée farre better to manifest vnto him the veritie of all Then Marcomyr who desired nothing els but to get within the castle by any meane whatsoeuer plaid vpon her thus Madame the heat of my passion is so vehement that I neither sée nor can find any good thing which procéedeth from any other fountaine but from the source where it tooke his beginning my vitall spirits receauing no force and vigor to execute their functions but from your gentle and vertuous discretion to which I referre the going when it shall please you before your father and to say vnto him whatsoeuer you shall best deuise for the assurance and peaceable fruition of the good which I preteÌ„nd These words did he vtter with a maruellous grace because of the ioy and gladnes which had seised his heart séeing the cariage of his busines come to so good passe as he could desire and the damsel on the other side she found her selfe so much rauished with his loue that she could neuer glut her eies in surueying his beauty and lesse forsake his companie so that constrained at last to go to bed could not sléepe of all the night but a little all sléepe being driuen away by plurality of amorous discourses swimming in her fansie which had before gotten so much the vpper hand of her spirit that incontinent they put away all other imaginations from her With the rigour of this scourge did Leifida féele her selfe most gréeuously plagued a far diuerse torment to that of Marcomyr who sought but by his dissimulation to worke in short time the recouerie of the good king of Thessalie so that he past almost all that night in conferring with Ozalias about his sleights and stratagems which he was to worke for that effect Praying him of all deare loue being entred once into the castle to shew himselfe hardy and valerous putting all those who came before him to the edge of the sword so soon as euer he should heare him giue the word of assault The morrow morning being come Leifida attired her selfe very richly and before she did depart tooke her walke thorow the delectable enclosures of her lodging with the two knights alarmed except their helmets who praied her agood to take them both with her to Albase to the end they might haue better and more honest mean to present themselues before the captaine of the castell to whom they desired so extreamly to doe seruice Leifida thanked them very gratiously and said her father should be right glad of their comming then mounting altâ—gether on horsebacke they arriued about noone at the castle the situation building of which edifice drew Marcomyr into great admiration for the groundworke and foundation therof being planted vpon the top of a high and fearfull rock did of it selfe only strike a feare into the beholders and being garnished with victuals and other munitions was indéed inexpugnable Approching the gates the Damsell alighted from her hackney and the knights tooke her quickly by the hand whom the garders suffered to enter without making any reckoning nor enquiring otherwise of their estate séeing them so well acquainted with Leifida whom the lieutenant loued so dearely that whatsoeuer she commanded or did might not in any wise be gainsaid Presently were the draw-bridges pulled vp the gates well barred as they were wont and the princes were caried into the hall where Marcomyr vewed euery place exactly and thinking euery hower a thousand years before he were at the skirmish in so sure a place thanked God who had so well and prosperously conducted him thether CHAP. XXVII How Marcomyr and Ozalias slew the captaine of the castle of Albase and all his guard who were then within deliuering the king of Thessalie father to Celestina out of the tower where he had remained twentie years captiue WHen the captaine of the castell of Albase who was a very honorable old gentleman and therefore the great Turke established him chiefe of the guard of his treasure saw his daughter in companie of the two knights of Tarsus he was in a meruellous mase as if that accident had presaged vnto him the conflict and cruell slaughter which was to bée made soone after in the fortresse Which made him quickly say vnto her Why daughter how are you come hether without your brother Father quoth she the desire I had the last night very late to sée you made me presently to hasten my return hether in the company of your two squiers of my foure Damsels and of the knights nephewâ—s to my nursing mother whom I found at her house passing that way and well can I ensure you that this she shewed him then Marcomyr is one of the â—est and most courteous Gentlemen whom you euer knew in your life whereof gaue me assurance the victorie that he obtained in the â—ourney at the mariage of my brother beside the honest conference he held me this morning declaring
deuotion to become a Christian and to receiue the holy sacrament of baptisme Wherevnto a certaine deuine instinct did prouoke him which the most highest of all gods did put in his mind and also not for to loose her whom hée loued with so cordiall a zeal that without her only he could not liue one halfe quarter of an hower albeit in doing so he lost the hope of euer returning againe into his kingdome of Tarsus When the Emperor vnderstood these things he assured himselfe incontinent Marcomyr must néeds be his son by the prompt and summarie suppuâ—ation he made of his age and of the time he was in the prouâ—nce of Pasmeric where the Quéene his mother by a subtil deuise had iouyssance of his loue by meanes whereof he became shamefast a little in beholding the Empresse wherof the purple coulour which made his face blush shewed a cleare signe for the vermilion tincture thereof went and came in such sort that the Empresse and al â—hose of the same side where her chaire of state was set perceiued it well but she only suspected what the matter might be calling to mind the fine trickes the Quéene of Tarsus plaid her as the Emperor himselfe had sometime told her albeit she as a ladie prudent and of great discretion made as though shée had known nothing and the Emperor then remembring at the same instant the perfections of Marcomyr accused himselfe of great simplicity to be ashamed of so perfect a péece of a worke therefore calling to him againe his former gladnes and spéech bespake him thus My dear friend Marcomyr surely I loue and estéeme you much more then before hearing you say you are son to that Quéene which hath honoured me so much in her countries whose onely name resounding in mine eares make me call to memorie the exploits I did there so that I cannot expresse my ioy especially séeing you resolued to renounce paganisme and the heathen sect of your gods to reduce your selfe totally to our faith And mine aduise herein is that thinges be not prolonged too much but that to morrow morning you receiue the holy charactor of Christiandome and by the same meane vnder one to be celebrated also the solemnitie of your affiancing with madame Celestina for reason willeth in this case we hasten your attempt séeing for hâ—r sake you haue endured so many trauels and forsaken such a kingdome as yours is the ertendue riches and fertilitie whereof is not a thing vnknowne to me To vnderstand Marcomyr was a king were meruellous glad the king and Queene of Thessalie and far more without comparison when they were certified of the first degrée of his genealogie of which the Emperor would not yet make any further enquirie vntill he had better coniecture of the truth but well he knew how to alter his talke and falling with a good decorum from one thing into another they conferred ioifully together till supper time when the tables were spread thorow the court In meane time the Empresse and the Quéene withâ—rew themselues into their chambers leauing the king and Marcomyr to â—up with the emperor where they were magnificently serued not only with exquisit and rare dishes but had also of all sorts of musicall Instruments which they vse at the repastes of great princes The tables being taken vp the Emperor praid the king of Thessalie to retire himselfe to the Quéen his deare wife séeing the time did then require to be a little together without any beholders to stand by Whervnto he willingly accorded as well to gratifie him therein as to quench the desire which might stirre him forward to reconquest the place where no refusall was made at the entrance and where the long distance of yeares wherein he endured such sufferance did so much more augment his forces Yet he did at his wifes request cut his haire and trim his beard and for him were quickly made very rich habilimeÌ„ts to be on the morrow present at the betrothing of his daughter in such array and sumptuous attire as did beséem his roial estate At the length Marcomyr remained alone with the Emperâ—r who desired so affectionately to know if he were his sonne that being not able to endure any longer this disquiet thought which troubled his spirit he tooke him a little aside with instant praier to tell him the very troth Sir quoth Marcomyr then Surely I can no longer conceale it from you séeing you so carefull to know albeit I had rather hold my peace a great deale knowing my selfe vnworthie of such generation by reason of my too litle valor notwithstanding to obey your request know that you your selfe begat me in the cittie of Alâ—arin in the kingdome of Pasmerie the same night you tooke very gratiously your congie of the Quéene my mother Who being duly aduertised of the perfections which Nature had bestowed vpon you aboue all others was so ardently enamoured of you that being vnable to resist the impatient desire which made her more yours then her owne she found meanes to acquaint her selfe with you by the vertue of a certaine potion mixed with many drugs that a most expert Magitian had composed for her the working wherof was so vehement that your vitall spirits could not preuaiâ—e so much but they remained attainted and oppressed with such an assured forgetfulnes as she had craftely of you that which by praiers she did despaire to obtain And this act hath not so much displeased God but he hath permitted to be procreated thereby a deuout creature of his who euidently knoweth the Predestination vnto which euer since his nauitie he submitted it Which is my selfe your most humble son and obedient seruant to whom it séemeth impossible this extream desire should not giue you some presumption of the matter when you shall haue certaine assurance by the remembrance which may now refresh your memorie of that which happened betwéene you both But she gaue me moreouer at my departure from Tarsus a gage whereby you shall further sée more apparent tokens of the truth commanding me to deliuer it vnto you by the which you may cal to mind the like wherof she made you a present when you were to depart from her countries and Celestina now hath it in possession if she haue not lost or put it away Of all this mysterie would she not tell me the least word till the old beldame which put Celestina into my thoughts had before giuen me to vnderstand For shée dreaded a thing which soone after came to passe that I would abandon my kingdome to take my iorney towards you to serue in the suite of your court The desire with which I found my selfe afterward inflamed for the same purpose hath so without all cease night and day prouoked me forward that neuer perill or any aduenturous danger might diuert my spirit from employing it in those things which might a little recommend me to you till the time that this should come to your notice wherein albeit
I may haue no griefe to forsake this world but that only she may haue some coÌ„passion to sée breathlesse the seruant more deuoted to her seruice then any other whom she may find in these lower regions when she should séeke from Boreas to Auster and from the Indians to the Moores So he held his peace when Diocles and those who did accompanie him demanded of him the occasion of his so suddaine trance whom he answered not a word he felt himself so perplexed and confounded in his thoughts as no lesse was Philocrista for her part knowing her selfe the principall cause of his maladie with which he had quickly finished his life had hée not had spéedie remedie as you shall heare by and by CHAP. XXXI How the Embassadors of France arriued at Constantinople where they were honourably receiued by the Emperour who hauing vnderstood the effect of their embassage and therevpon conferred with the prince Arnedes immediatly affianced to him his daughter Philocrista by whose hand the Embassadors presented him their kings letter of commission THe post which Arnedes had dispatcht from Constantinople into France made such expedition that within few daies he arriued in the famous cittie of Paris where the king vnderstanding the will of his sonne resolued soone vpon the conclusion of this busines and did chuse out incontinent for the chiefe of this embassage the duke of Orleans a very sage prudent Siegnior commaunding the Marques of Oliuet and the Countie Peter one of the best knights of his court should accompanie him and many other Barons of Marke so braue and richly suted in their habilliments that they shewed euidently how much the French excéed all other nations in magnificence and many other good parts which now we will not speake of being besides our purpose The king hauing deliuered them their letters of commission instructions in the state of their embassage sent them away with many attires pretious gifts which he sent to Philocrista to the prince Arnedes but before they were departed there arriued in his court a knight who came froÌ„ the court of the Castilian king to aduertise Recindos how his brother being departed without issue al the people did much reioice that the scepter of such a kingdome fel into the hands of so valiant a prince as he When the king of France vnderstood this newes by the Spanish gentlemaÌ„ named Pinedes he answered him that Recindoâ— was gone with Arnedes his sonne into Constantinople where as he had since heard they won daily great honor renowne this was cause that Pinedes purposed to passe ouer into Gréece with his Embassadors for the same occasion they went to TollaÌ„ in Prouince to embarke themselues in the Mediteranean sea where sailing with a prosperous wind they arriued at ConstaÌ„tinople almost at the same time that Arnedes fel into the same trance you read of before Being come within the hauen two little Frigates which went alwaies before the vessell of the Embassadors were the first who cast ankers there and soone after by coÌ„mandment of the duke of Orleans began those within boord tokens of ioy to render thanks to God for their fortunate nauigation Whereof the Emperor being aduertised sent incontinent to sée what might those actions of ioy meane And vnderstanding they were the Embassadors of France he felt a great gladnes in himself hoping Arnedes might recouer some amendment by the report of this news So y t he coÌ„maÌ„ded they should forthwith let him know therof praying him to be of good chear séeing y e noblemeÌ„ of his couÌ„try were ariued theÌ„ in those quarters We néed not ask whether Arnedes found himself any thing eased at these tidings séeing the sodain recouerie he had in a moment by that meane skewed well therein did consist the true Phisicke of his griefe the which he left the same hower behind him in his bed to goe with Diocles towards the Emperor who séeing him come so lustie was a glad man of his amendment when he said vnto him siegnior Arnedes it seemeth to me the arriuall of these French Gentlemen hath made you strong and to recouer of your maladie You say true my lord quoth hée it is that which is mine onely restoritie and sole remedie Philocrista who knew full well the meaning of Arnedes affectionate desire was not glad a little of this occurrance so that to behold her in face and countenance one might plainely haue read in her heart and soone knowne whence this her gladnesse procéeded wherein she secretly declared to the French prince that which his tongue durst not manifest alowd a thing wherein he néeded no interpreter but thanking her with like signes went strait from thence toward the hauen to sée vnto which of his seruants the king his father had committed this legation The Emperor sent with him many of his barons to the end to accoÌ„pany the embassadors to his pallace for the greater honor of whoÌ„ Diocles himself would néeds go with Arnedes who sent his dwarf before to aduertise theÌ„ of his coÌ„ming towards y e port for this cause y e duke of OrleaÌ„s his other two coÌ„mpanioÌ„s came quickly aland in one of y e two seigats wher seeing y e prince first of all ran vnto him bareheaded to kisse his haÌ„ds in y e which doing he imbraced theÌ„ then said to y e duke of Orleans Ah my sweet cousin how many pleasures doth your arriuall in this cittie bring me Surely many more then you may thinke but tell me I pray you without passing farther how doth my lord the king my father My lord the ioifullest man in the world answered the Duke and as he who hath an extreame desire to sée you ere long sendeth you word that soâ—orning as little as possibly you may in these parts you would take your iorney quickly to returne into your good countrie of France Therein will I obey him willingly replied Arnedes before any long time passe after this day in the meane time doe your honor vnto Diocles the emperors son who of his grace would néeds take the paine to come so far as hether to receiue and entertaine you TheÌ„ Diocles maruelling all these knights and French Nobles did so much honor and reuerence to the prince Arnedes imagined presently he must néeds be their kings son And in regard therof vsing many amiable spéeches to the duke of Orlians and the other Embassadors he praid them very gratiously to aduertise him of Arnedes busines who vntill that hower would neuer manifest himselfe to any bodie My lord answered the Duke he is our prince and soueraigne siegnior who through the ardent desire which hée had to offer his seruice to the Emperor your father determined to come vnknowne into this court and to remaine here dissembling his person till he might sée the things designed by him to come to so good issue as he desired wherin I hope according to the embassage which the king his father hath committed to our charge
should feare more then a feather which the king did hardly beléeue but being assured by them of the certaintie they opening a little yron dore put him forth of the irkesome chamber which he had kept twentie years together without euer going out of it so vindificatiue was the deadly grudge of the great Turke against him Yet he did not firmely beléeue his deliuerance vntill he saw the Castilion and all his guard lie as dead as dogs in the court then falling on his knées lifting his eies vp to heauen spreading abroad his hands in sign of more sincere deuotion he began to thanke God who had after so long time remembred him beséeching him not to take regard to his offences for that the least which he had committed against his diuine law since hée had reason did deserue a perpetuall and a more auâ—â—ere captiuitie then that After he had made this goodly spéech he rose vp and came chéerefully to embrace the knights whom he thanked with great honor for restoring him to his pristinate libertie praising them much for so singular and notable an enterprise wherevnto Marcomyr answered it was not best to stand further to talk there but to be gone from the place with all spéed Which they did as soon as one of Marcomyrs squiers had brought one of the best steeds in the Quirry to mount the king who felt his strength but féeble so had his master commanded who remembring the words wherewith the Damsell Leifida reproched him would not permit any thing else to be taken out of the castle CHAP. XXVIII How Marcomyr being departed with the king of Thessalie from the castle of Albase found the great Turks daughter by the way whom he tooke away with him by vertue of his sword and carried her with him to Constantinople AFter Marcomyr had bethought himselfe well of his returne to Constantinople in the late of the euening leauing the gates open the drawbridges downe they mounted on horsebacke and riding a good pace they came about midnight néere vnto the mannour of Leifidaes nurse mother there they saw many torches lighted amongst a tuft of trées and a very costly bed in the middest of them which casâ— forth a most radiant splendor all the companie past by it except the gentle knight Marcomyr who desirous to know what it was gaue his horse into the hand of one of his squiers who remained behind with him went strait to the place with his sword in his hand which had the handell of adamant sâ—â—ne So casting them therby into a profound sléepe round obout him he came néere to a rich couch wherein he saw a yong and very beautifull Damsell lying She was called Marencida eldest daughter to the great Turke and wife to king Ocurites the very same whom Marcomyr found rouing in the Gulfe of the Tane and Fennes of Meotis thether she went to take some recreation with her mother the Turks wife who was not farre from thence for some daies before she was retired from the court taking snuffe at her husband because he loued another better then her whom he espoused after her nuptials Marcomyr then came as softly as he could to her bed side where he lifted vp softly the couering because the vertue of his adamant did draw humane flesh to it the Damsell came close vnto him who tooke her faire in his armes staying her face against his something she felt yet perceiued nothing what he did vnto her and turning to and fro in his armes she embraced him casting hir selfe more vpon her right side because he caried in that hand the sword whose handell did draw her close vnto him and the blade prouoked her to sléepe in so much that shée was forced to remaine betwéene his armes as did faire Daphne betwéene those of Phoebus when Iupiter turned her into a bay trée So did Marcomyr beare hâ—r vnto the place where Orican attended him with his stéed mounting in the same sort and riding amaine gallop he soone ouertâ—lke his companie who maruelled how in so little while he had gotten such a bootie which he laid behind his squier whilest hée put vp his sword into his sheath she was not so soon from him but she awaked before she was aware and séeing her selfe in the hands of them she knew not in a great â—eare she cried out Out alas quoth she where am I O wretched creature I sée none of my owne people about me nor know I whether I am thus strâ—ied so far Who are you which haue ben so rash as to â—â—eale me away thus out of my bed Truly your ouerbold indiscretion hath purchased you nothing els but the most cruel and inhumaine death that may be deuised for you Madame replied the prince we will saue vs from that as well as we may and as for me I am a prince of a strange countrie who hearing the lamentation you made for the captiuitie of the king your husband to sée whom as you said you desired to goe to Constantinople I had pittie of your affection Moreouer being carefull to please you therein and in all other things whatsoeuer it shall please you to command me I did imediately take you out of your bed Promising you by the faith that I ow to God and to knighthood not only to shew you the king Ocurites but also to gard your chastety vndeâ—â—led and your honor as safe as I receiue it now into my hands Thou false and disloial knight quoth she againe how is it possible I should not hereby incurre great shame and dishonour séeing thou hast alreadie outraged me taking me away against my will from the middest of my guard for if I desired to goe to the king my husband it was only to content the heart which prouoketh incessantly the spirit of my vehement affection not that I would make my words true considering I cannot in that respect goe one step without the congy of my father but I had rather end my sorrowâ—ull life in this place then goe with thée whom I know not from whom I can expect no goodnes hauing thus théeuishly set vpon me I am neither robber nor theefe answered Marcomyr but a knight who will obey you faithfully if I sée you take my seruice in good part further séeing I haue you now in my power resolue to goe with mée with a good will or by force assuring you I will take kéepe of you that you shall not die as you say Then Marencida began to pull off her headgeare to feare her hairâ— wring her hands anâ—â—rie as one out of her wits but the prince caring little for such feminine importunities wrapt his squiers cloake about her then commaunding him to ride on drew foorth his swoord so that the Damsell was cast into a sléepe againe euen as if she had swounded or falne into a trance And for that Ozalias discoursed vnto the king of Thessalie the whole fortune of his daughter Celestina which he willingly heard because that
since his imprisonment he neâ—er vnderstood any newes of the affairs of his kingdome and knew not he had issue of her he went with the teares in his eyes to imbrace Marcomyr curteously saieng Truly sonne all the miseries and irksome torments which I haue hitherto not without great paine indured séeme nothing to mée in respect of the extreame ioy and gladnesse that I receiue now hauing found for my sonne in law a man of so tender loue and affection being moreouer a very glad man of the prise of this ladie for I hope by this meane to be reuenged on the Turke In this coÌ„ference they rod so long that on the point of day they were on the top of a mountaine at the foot whereof came the sea washing in where the knight putting vp againe his swoord into his sheath Marencida awaked once more still in her lamentable tune nothing could comfort her no not the promise of shewing her husband to her and because she had nothing vpon her but her bare smock which was of so fine linnen that all might well behold as well the excellent beautie wherewith nature had enriched the lineaments of her bodie as the feature of her countenance in the most perfectest graces accomplished This proper péece made such an impression into Ozalias brest more then all others that froÌ„ that time forward he loued her most ardently Being then ariued at the hauen and imbarâ—ued Marcomyr put vpon her one of his nightgowns yet for all that fauour she neuer ceassed to sigh and lament still no more nor lesse then Ariadne did at the comming of Bacchus when she was by Thetis abandoned at the seashore but renewing more strongly her imprecations she did make many petitions to the gods of the salt waters to Neptune and Theâ—is and to the Tritons their heraults to all Seamonsters Waternymphs and Mermaids that Marcomyr and all his crue might be â—â—allowed vp in the waues and her sâ—lfe to be viand and meat for fishes Whereat Ozaliaâ— hauing some pittie bowed him vpon his knee very low before Marcomyr and 〈◊〉 a request in this manner My deare cousin of your â—auâ—â—r I must intreat you to accord me one boone whiâ—h is presently to giue me this womaÌ„ in mariage for whom I know the desâ—iniâ—s haue reserued me considering the sodaine change that my passionat heart indureth wherin the obiect of so many perfect ladies could neuer any whit heat the cold yee which this in a moment hath resolued into warme and almost a boiling water Most willingly shall you obtaine your request of mée answered Marcomyr were it for a farre greater matter then you require at my hands and assure you I shal shew my selfe alwaies so zealous a furtherer of your honour and aduancement as of that of mine owne person hoping neuer whilst I liue to sée any diuorce betwéene vs two to make a difference of our estates Ozalias thanking his cousin would faine haue kist his hand yet Marcomyr would not suffer him but imbraced him louingly for the cordiall amitie reciprocall betweene them In fine this new â—ouer resolued to employ himselfe in all things decent for the seruice of Marencida omitting nothing which might by any means be pleasurable to her But for al he could do she would neither sée him nor hear him the rigour of her stonie and adamantine heart could in no wise be mollified through any continuall disquiet and anguish of mind To returne to the gards and companie of Marencida they awaked all at the first and second time that Marcomyr put vp his enchanted sword into his sheath and the third time was al the very hower when he caâ—e to the sea side where being to apparell the Damsell and to giue order for his spéedie embarking he put it vp for all together so that they then awaking thorowly and séeing not their ladie in her bed you may imagine in what perplexitie they were Some ran like mad men among the trées thinking she had hidden her selfe vnder the thick bowes and finding her in no part they began to pull off their beards teare their haire strike themselues on the breasts as hard as they might with their fistes calling oftentimes for death which was their last refuge knowing there was no way of escape for them if the Turke were once aduertised of this misaduenture to be briefe in this pittifull spectacle was there séen nothing but tragical actions Thus did these poore desolate men remaine and could not tell what were best for them to doe for none of them durst carrie these sorrowfull newes to the Turke till at the last some going one way and some another all scattered themselues and neuer would returne vnto the court afterward leauing behind them the heauie and woefull damsels of Marencida bewailing the losse of their Ladie and mistresse in that infortunate place Where we will leaue them to returne to Marcomyr who is now ready to hoise sailes to goe for Constantinople CHAP. XXIX How Marcomyr arriueth with his companie in Constantinople where he was honourably receiued by the Emperour who went to the harbour to meet him the speech hee had with the queen Marencida after they were arriued at the pallace and of the great ioy of the queen of Thâ—sâ—aly and of Celestina her daughter at the arriual of Marcomyr and the king of Thessalie MArcomyrs ship being vnder saile there blew such a prosperous gale in her poupe that she snigled quickly into the main sea where he sailed the most ioifull man in the world calling to mind the happie fortune which followed him in deliuering out of prison the king of Thessalie who for his part was no lesse ioifull all things represented before his eies séeming to bée but dreames and false visions through the remembrance hée had yet of the sorrow which he suffered in his so long captiuitie Yet could he well iudge of the inestimable valour of Marcomyr and therfore he reputed himself blest aboue his fortune to obtaine such a knight to be his son in law so that after dinner walking both together vpon the hatches he praied him in all courtesie to tell him the name of his familie but he with graâ—ious and honest excuse constrained him to dwell in his desire vntill they were arriued before the Emperour So that this humanity many other courtesies which Marencida saw him continually vse did giue her much consolation in this her heauines déeming thereby she was not fallen into the hands of so barbarous people as she supposed Cupid also began to lure her a little shewed afterward some signe of amitie to Ozalias who would neuer be farre from her to make her know the good deuotion he had to her seruice They had faire weather and a calme sea so long together â—ilâ— they came to surge without any let within Bosphorus of Thrace whence Marcomyr soone dispatcht his cousin toward the Emperour most humbly to entreat him that he would receiue the king of Thessalie who câ—me in his