him such a terrible blow vpon the creast of his helme that hée made him cleane to loose his feeling for a greate while The Moores horse by reason of his wearinesse was readie to fall downe on euerie side This valyaunt Sardenian séeing him in that case and remembring in what order he had before left the knight of the Sunne without anie more tarrying tourned about his swift and light horse and with as much swiftnesse as might bee possible he returned vnto the place where as he had left the knight of the Sun and when hée came vnto the place wheras the battaile was fought betwéen the two warriours he found not the knight of the Sunne there but retourning backe againe he tooke his waie towardes the Sea side following the foote steppes of them and theyr horses and in a small time hee came vnto the place whereas he sawe a barke which was at an anker fast vpon the shoare and comming nigh vnto it he knew it to bée the verie same which had brought them thether and for to knowe of certaintie whether the knight of the Sunne were there or not he called with a loude voice vnto them which were in the Barke vnto whome the Greeke made aunswere and when he saw that it was his friend Tefereo that had called he was verie gladde and likewise Tefereo did greatly reioyce to sée him and therewith he entered into the Barke and when hée was entered therein he heard one with a lowde voyce which sayde Tarrie tarrie thou cowardly villaine and doe not thinke to escape mée without thy due punishment At which greate noise the Knight of the Sunne looked about and saw that it was the King of Mauritania which with verie greate hast came towardes them The Prince wold haue gone out to him if y t the Barke had not ben so far in the sea as it was for the which he was very sad not a little disquieted yet for all the anger which the Prince had he could not choose but saie that the king was a good knight and of as much might as Bramarant and somewhat more valiaunt and politike and meruailed with himselfe whether he were his sonne or no. So when the Pagan sawe that he coulde not execute his furie and rage hée beganne to roare lyke a Bull and although he was not purposed anie more to imbarke himselfe to sea yet at that time hée was constrayned to chaunge his pretence and finding opportunitie by reason of certaine Merchauntes which were fraighting of a shippe to Grecia hée determined to goe into her There hée imbarked himselfe and the winde béeing verie prosperous they departed and in a verie short time they ariued at a hauen in Grecia where as hée went a lande and trauailed in the Countrie certaine dayes So it happened one daie that hée founde by a house of pleasure a great companie of Knightes Ladyes and Damosells which were recreating of themselues What they were and what the king did in following the Storie you shall vnderstande and I will nowe leaue him for to tell you of the heroycall sonne of Trebatio who for the space of sixe dayes sayled on the Sea with greate pleasure often talking of the great strength and force of the Moore the seauenth daye he ariued in a verye faire hauen or port which was nigh vnto a verie sumptuous Citie the which was furnished with greate shippes and Gallyes and other small Barkes and Foystes Amongest all these they passed verie quicklye without the interruption of anie person till such time as the Barke was fast a grounde and perceiuing that it was there conuenient that they shoulde disimbarke themselues they leapt a shoare and lykewise tooke out theyr horses and straight waye they leapt on theyr backes and tooke the waye which lead them vnto the Citie wherein they discouered on the one parte a verie fayre and greate armie of men and lykewise all the fielde was pitched with verie rich Tentes and as they looked aboute straight wayes they sawe come foorth of the Citie fiue mightie and strong Knightes and a verie greate and strong Gyaunt and in the other parte of the armie one onely knight whose armour séemed to bée of a passing fine Rubie all to bée spotted with starres of golde and set with Pearles This sight did lyke them so well that they were looking on that one Knight a greate while verie earnestly and tooke greate pleasure to sée his good demenour The Knight of the Sunne was imagining with himselfe what knight that shoulde bée that was of so gentle disposition and proportion beléeuing certainely that it coulde bée none but some of his lignage This knight passed harde by those two friendes who did beholde them verie much yet hée made no staying but without speaking anie worde he passed on forwardes and when hée was come into that place of the fielde that was appointed for the battaile he put his speare in his reast at the which token one of the sixe knightes came foorth to make resistaunce whome the knight of the Sunne did knowe But nowe for that the historie goeth in order it is néedfull to leaue them in this order till time shall serue and to returne againe and tell you of the Emperour of Grecia that came to the port of Cimarra and there did disimbarke himselfe ¶ How the Greeke Emperour did disimbarke himselfe at the Citie of Cimarra and what happened vnto him there Cap. 25. YOU haue heard before how that the Emperour ariued at the Port of Cimarra which was gouerned by the Father of that vnfortunate Herea where when hée hadde put in order his inchaunted Barke hée leapte a lande and going on foote armed with that rich armour which Garrofilea had giuen vnto him carrying his right hande vpon the reast which was in his armour and his left hande voon the pomell of his swoorde and his helme close which couered his face and hanging at his necke his gallaunt and rich shéelde with a comelye and graue countenaunce he went towardes the Citie and of the first that hée met withall he asked what lande or Countrie that was for that hée was ignoraunt thereof and straight waie it was tolde him in the Sarasin language that hée was in the kingdome of Cimarra whereat hée was not a little delighted and considering the knowledge of the wise Lyrgandeo he went forwardes on his waie without staying till he entered into the gates of the Citie and all they which met with him did verie much beholde him greatly meruailing at his grauitie good disposition and wonderfull stature There were sundrye that aduertised the King thereof as soone as hée was come a shoare howe that there was a knight which did disimbarke himselfe at the Port or Hauen which came without gouernement béeing armed with verie rich and costly armour and one that was of an excellent stature and good disposition The auncient King of the Countrie who was aduertised thereof before by the wise Lyrgandeo did straight waie knowe that
it was hée which had passed the terrible kéepers of his murthered Daughter For you shall vnderstand that as soone as the Emperour was departed from the Ilande the wise Lyrgandeo commaunded that the bodie of the Ladie shoulde bée carried vnto Cimarra aduertising her Father that the long looked for reuengement was not farre of And lykewise how and in what manner the knight which did it shoulde come into his lande and also who that Knight shoulde bée Wherefore as soone as the king was giuen to vnderstande of his ariuall without anie more tarrying béeing accompanyed with all his noble men and leading in his hande a very fayre and young childe about twelue yeares olde the most best proportoined that euer nature coulde frame of whome you shall heare no more in this booke for that in the seconde booke it shall bée declared at large of him The king went forth till he came to the chiefe place of the Citie there to méet with the Emperour whereas likewise he met with this old and auncient King who boowing his knées to the earth and shedding of many teares with ioye receiued him saying O high and mightie Emperour giue me héere your hands that I may discharge the dutie that all humane creatures do owe vnto your highnesse how much more I that am bounde therevnto for that with so much firmenesse thou wouldest confirme thy oath and take the charge in thine owne person to worke my reuengement The Emperour was in a great confusion to heare himselfe named and neuer gaue anye in all that lande to vnderstand thereof but strayght waye hée suspected that Lirgandeo should aduise him of his comming And héerewith vsing of his accustomed bountie hée tooke him by the hand and lifted him from the grounde saying Good King the debt which thou sayst is due vnto me thou hast repayed in showing the noblenesse of thy heart and courage and otherwise I am constrained by y e order of knighthood and iustice to make reuengement of that cursed facte which was without all pitie committed vpon thy daughter And seeing that there can be no other remedy but onely reuengement héere of my part I doo offer thée to doo all that in my power is possible to be done desiring thée that thou restraine these teares and giue order that with great spéede there may be ioyned together all thy power to the end that we maye goe and conclude that which in me lyeth The King with a sad voyce aunswered High and mightie Emperour this hath bene prouided for before for all my people and shires are at an houres warning to goe to the ayding of so iust a cause and we tarryed for nothing but onely your royall person who must be the sword of my reuengement Thus with these and such like communications they went vnto the Kings pallaice which was hanged all with blacke clothes for others he would not consent to haue hanged since the death of his daughter Herea There was the Emperour vnarmed and serued with as great highnesse and honour as though he had bene in Grecia Notwithstanding the Emperour would not soiourne nor rest there much for the next daye in the morning he commaunded that all th◠people should march forwards vnto a hauen which was at the vttermost parts of all the Kingdome wheras they found ships and barkes of all sortes verye well furnished of all things that was néedfull There was thrée hundred ships one with another in the which there was imbarked fiftie thousand Moores meruailously well appointed and committing their sayles vnto the winde all this Nauie tooke theyr voyage towards Numidia So they nauigated and founds the winde fauourable which brought them vnto a porte or hauen which was but two leagues from the Kings house There with great ioy and pleasure they went a shore with out any resistaunce or gainsaying So when they were all out of the shippes a lande they displayed their ancients and in very good order they marched forwards And at such time as Apollo had made an ende of his iourney and that the darke night came on they came in sight of the Citie and without taking any rest towards the lande side they pitched their tents and fortified themselues in the best wise they could in such sort as their good Captaine which did gouerne them had commaunded without dooing any thing to the contrary So when all things was put in good order as they would haue it he commaunded that all the armie should go vnto the gate of the Citie that was most néerest the which was straight waye done and in thrée dayes after they did no other thing but ease and rest themselues for that the people were somewhat out of quiet with their great trauayle The fourth daye the Emperour séeing that there was no sturring in the Citie the which was done by pollicie tarying to sée what the enimies would doo the Emperour called for his armour and being armed there was brought a verye fayre and mightie horse vnto him and with his accustomed courage he issued out from amongst his companye and rode towards the wall of the Citie and put himselfe into a faire gréene playne nigh vnto the walls and lifting vp the visour of his healme he set his horne vnto his mouth and did sound it very strongly which was to warne them that were in the Citie to come to the walls and harken what he would saye and when he sawe that there was much people attending to heare him he began to saye O King Noraldino of Numidia how carelesse thou art in this thy strong countrey thinking that the strength thereof will defende thée that thou payest not the price of thy naughtie treason which thou didst vse with that vnfortunate Herea Take vnto thée thy armour and for that thou hadst a heart to commit this euill déede haue now likewise a courage to make thy defence come foorth of these thy walls thou traitour and destroyer of the royall bloud All they which were on the walls did heare the threatenings and straight waye went and tolde it vnto the king of Numidia who was at that time in communication of warres and of armyes and of all things that belonged therevnto and when he hearde these newes giuing a great sigh he sayd Oh ye Gods are not you content to sée me in this perplexitie and so much wronged but likewise with sound of trumpet suffer me to be outraged in calling me traytor These fayned griefes and sorrowfull words had so much force that it moued the harts of the Princes that were with him for to goe out into the field for his defence and in great hast they commaunded that their harnesse shuld be brought vnto them with determination to dye or to defend his cause And there was none that had any feare but onely the Gyant for that he would not giue any credit vnto the Kings words although he dissembled neuer so muuch but by reason that he had sworne therevnto hée was constrayned by his oath
take him out of his armes then he lyke a man awaking out of a slumber retourned vnto the king and sayde Most mightie Lord the great contentment that I do receiue at the sight of this young man hath caused me to forget to bee in thy presence and I did occupie my senses in such sort that I coulde not doe that which I am bound by duetie to do O king thou maist account thy selfe for happie for that thou hast obtained so much fauour as to bring vp so gentle a youth worthie to be had in as much reuerence as the mightie Iupiter and turning vnto the king he sayd There commeth a messenger froÌ„ Arginaria with a message nothing profitable therefore good king it doth stand you in hand for to make in a readinesse all your power and to suffer the furious warre that is ordeined against you Heere my Lorde I doe certifie thee that it had bene the more to haue bene feared if thou haddest found thy selfe without this young man in thy companie who is the flower of all men The king when he heard these newes could not but receiue some alteration and it was in such sort that he was constrained to sit downe to talke with Galtenor and sayd I sweare by God my friend séeing it is so let your discreation remedie that which mine is not able to comprehend that wee fall not into the power of so cruell an enimie Claridiano who was verie attentiue vnto that which Galtenor had tolde vnto the king and lykewise vnto the answere which y e king made kneeled downe on both his knées and with greate humilitie hée desired the king to graunt him two things the which he wold aske the which the king by the counsell of Galtenor did graunt and did lift him vp from the grounde imbrasing him verie louingly The Prince Claridiano sâ—eing that he had graunted it him hée sayde My Lorde the first thing that you shall dooe for mee is that you giue vnto mée forthwith the order of knighthoode and the second is that you doo giue me license to answere the messenger of Arginaria It grieued the King very much for that he had graunted him these two things for that he did well vnderstand his intent but séeing that he could doo no otherwise he was content Great pleasure receiued Galtenor to sée with what good grace Claridiano did aske these two things of the king and for to put away part of that discontentment which they shoulde receiue at the messengers hand he tolde vnto them some pleasaunt and ioyfull deuices So straight way it was accorded that Claridiano shoulde that night watch his armour the which was giuen him by Galtenor They were all white and bespangled with twinkling starres of golde and his shield was also all white and in it one onely Luzero which did occupie all y e whole shield all garnished with fine pearles that it made them that did looke on it almost to lose their sight the brightnesse was so great that procéeded from them and they were such that no Lorde in all the worlde had the like When this famous youth was armed with them the delight was so much that the king Delfo receiued to sée him so well set and so gallant that he could not refrayne but distill some salt teares from his eyes for very ioye and sayd My brother héere I doo desire the soueraigne Gods that they make me so ioyful with thy good fortune as I am now at thy sight The prince did watch his armour that night and the next daye with great solemnitie he was armed Knight and gaue that daye many and great gifts In the afternoone was ordained great Iustings and daunces of all sorts of very faire Ladyes and damosells which the King had commaunded to come together for the same effect But they who did most participate of all these pleasures and pastimes was the heroycal young man and his nourse whom he tooke to be his mother So that in the Kings Pallaice there was no other thing but feasts and pastimes tarrying for the Embassadour that shuld come and they of the Citie had care in the fortifieng of the same as well with victualls as repayring the wals and putting all the people in good order in such sorte that within eight dayes they found within the Citie tenne thousand Knights meruailously well appointed at the which Claridiano did receiue greate contentment The ninth daie after that hée was made knight there was brought newes how that the messenger of Arginaria was come a lande of the which the king béeing aduertised hée sate himselfe in his royall seate abiding his comming beeing accompanied with verie rich and well estéemed knightes and on his ryght hand was Claridiano and on his lefte hande the banished King of Arginaria and béeing all in this manner as hath béene tolde you the Embassadour Bruno entered into the hall with a furious countenaunce and without humbling or making anie kinde of reuerence he drew nigh vnto the king and with a wrathfull voyce he sayde King what diuell was that which put it in thy head to denie that tribute that thou wert wont to giue vnto my mightie brother and thou doest not onely denie it but I sée that thou makest thy selfe in a readinesse to make resistaunce for the which héere I doe tell thée that there is no punishment that can make satisfaction of thy boldnes and follie notwithstanding if thou wilt cléere thy selfe better then thy ouermuch pride doeth deserue giue mée straight waye double tribute of that which thou art bounde to paie but if thou doest it not by the mightie Gods I sweare to thée that he will take of thée and thine reuengement with such rigor that the mightie Gods shall tremble when they sée it All this he spake with so greate pride and wrath that it made them all to quake to sée his furious demeanour saue onely he to whome all the honour of Knighthoode belonged who did little estéeme his vnreasonable and proude wordes but with greate sobrietie he aunswered They dooe not denie anie thing which they ought for to giue vnto this tyraunt whome thou doest name for thy Brother and although he did loose the Ilande that he doeth nowe possesse yet shoulde hée loose nothing that hath bene his for that with tyrannie hée hath vsurped the same Therefore without anie more tarrying get thée hence and tell thy brother that the king of Trapobana wil not onely detaine from him the tribute which hée doth not nor neuer did owe him but also with armed arme he doth pretend to recouer againe all that which without reason he hath receiued carried awaie and he doth giue him to vnderstand that hée will not rest till such time as he doth thrust him out of y e Iland which with so great tyrannie he doth possesse from which he depriued my father Galtenor So w t this answere thou maist returne vnto him who sent thée hether w tout anie hope of other
thy kingdome and for that effect thou hast had mée hetherto in thy kéeping Why doest thou now consent that my fame perish and decaie I remaining in this Ilande O immortall Mars to thée I do inuocate that being by thée holpen and with thy fauour I may stretch forth the bright beame which with thy partiall hande thou gauest me So vttering these and such like complaints he passed a few dayes till that vpon a certaine daye following his accustomed exercise hée saw comming towards the shore a Foyst which was gouerned with foure marriners and beholding who was therein he saw come from vnder the hatches a very faire Damosell who was all apparailed with mourning apparaile and with her two auncient Squires who led her by the armes apparailed in the same manner and guise This Ladies face was all to bedewed with teares and her countenaunce did declare and showe that she suffered great sorrow and anguish This valyaunt and worthy young knight very desirous to know the occasion of her greate lamentation mooued himselfe towards her and hauing saluted her he desired her if it were her plesure to declare vnto him the occasion of hir complaint The Lady turning vnto him who had demaunded the occasion of her sorrow and being greatly amazed in viewing his comely grace and gentle disposition she sayd Gentle knight if thou doest desire to knowe the occasion of all my harme bring me before that worthie young knight who slew Geredion Bendambul and ther thou shalt vnderstand the greatest wrong without all reason that euer was done to so noble a Damsell as I am The Prince taking pittie of her great sorrow aunswered I doe not not knowe for what effect purpose you doe aske after this knight but be it what it will be you shall vnderstand gentle Ladie that he whō you doe aske for is before you and séeing that it is so you may be bolde to declare your pleasure and héere I doe saie vnto you that if it be requisite and necessarie in your seruice I will venture my life without putting anie excuse for to remedie this your great sorrow and griefe which you do◠shew to haue And you shal vnderstand that I will do it without taking anie leaue of my Lord the king Delfo and there is nothing that dooth so much gréeue mee as that I am not armed This sorrowfull Ladie séeing her good fortune would not loose the occasion but with a new lamentation and complaint shée knéeled downe before him and kissed his handes for the great offers which he made vnto her the Prince did take her vp from the ground with great reuerence then the Ladie with amorous wordes sayde If that by the occasion of king Delfo gentle knight we shall receiue anie disturbaunce héere I doe desire thée by the honour which thou dost owe vnto all vertue that we make no farther delaie nor detainment for héere I doe giue you to vnderstande that there remaineth but a small time for the remedying of my sorrowe and griefe Well let it bée out of hand answered this valiant Gréeke and at our comming a land the first knight that we do méet either with his good will or ill will shall lend me his armour and therewith taking that faire Ladie by the hand they put thēselues into the Foist commaunding straight waye that they should retourne theyr voyage vnto the Sea so finding the time and winde fauourable in a verye short space they were passed on their waie so farre that they cleane lost the sight of anye land What shall I saie of the king Delfo and the Princes nurse when they could not heare of the Prince what was become of him but onely that he was departed awaie But if I did not put before me the great duetie which I do owe and consider the grauitie of a Prince I might saie that he did things more lyker a mad man then a Prince surely he had great reason for he had lost the companie of the best knight in all the world so this warlyke Gréeke did saile vppon the Sea with an indifferent thought béeing in companie with y e faire Ladie who likewise went verie well content for that with so great ease she had found and obtained him that she sought for But this I can certifie you of Claridiano that he had not forgot y e words which the dwarfe had tolde him but alwaies remembring the same it put him in great confusion in such sort y t he did not remember to demand of the Damsel the occasion of her griefe who with such dilligence went to seeke him At such time as Diana did spred abroad her golden haire ouer all those troublesome waters he discouered that there came towards them a barke in such hast that in a smal time they were come vnto them the which barke came without anie gouernment and he sawe sitting on the poope of y e barke a gyant who had his head and beard verie white and apparelled with roabes of estate who was straight wayes knowen by Claridiano to be Galtenor for the which he receiued great ioy When the barkes were ioyned together Galtenor went and imbraced the Prince saying Sonne do not thinke to depart awaie in such sort but that first I will reioyce my selfe with the presence for it shal be more profitable vnto thée then thou doest thinke for as well for the remedie and ease of thy thought as for the adorning and sauegard of thy bodie To whom the Prince aunswered and sayd I do verie well know my Lord that from you can procéede nothing but that which is good as alwaies hath bene the vse and custome hetherto Then the Gyant sayd vnto him This thou maist perfectly beléeue that so long as my soule is ioyned and knit with my bodie that it shall not exercise it selfe in anie other thing but in thy seruice And now for that thou stand est in néede of armor héere I doo bring it vnto thée for that before many daies come to an ende thou shalt haue néede thereof Also I doo bring thée a meruailous precious sword forged and made by my great skill such a one as in all the worlde there is not a better And this shall continue indure with thée till such time as thou shalt be in battaile with the Bastard Lyon then shall it loose his vertue and valor for that thou shalt recouer another of no lesse price and of a greater fame ioyntly with thy honor in the acknowledging of thy vnknowen parents and in that time thou shalt loose all thy seruice that euer thou hast done in the honour of Cupide béeing in company with the disguised Hinde all though altogether thou shalt not loose thy great loue till such time as by the Goddesse Venus shal be throwen at thée the African launce which shall pearce thy heart cleane through Then did he declare vnto him how he was stoln out from his mothers lap certefieng him that he was sonne vnto the mightiest
acceptable in thy heart Onely for that I will not displease thâ—â— I will with myne owne proper handes open this my louing brest and sprinkle the bloud therof round about these thy ingratefull feete Oh what paine and sorrow was in the heart of this faire Lidia when she spake these wordes vnto her ingratefull Brenio and yet not one of all hir sorrowes was sufficient to cause him to shewe anie kinde of comforte vnto her With these and such like extremities the night passed away and when the lightnesse of the daye had entred in at the windowes of the chamber he arose from his bed and likewise this sorrowfull Ladie which had passed all the night with heauie wéepings and sorrowfull sighes without putting of hir clothes in such sort she went out and followed him The Emperour was then risen and readie and was putting all things in order that was necessarye to pacifie and make quiet the people of the countrie the which was done with great ease when it was knowen that their Lords wer dead whom they did without all measure hate for that they were so great tyrants and foure great Cities beside manye other faire townes and villages did yéelde and surrender themselues vnder his iurisdiction The Emperour caused them to sweare to receiue Rosicleer as their true Lord and they to be his faithfull subiects and with them likewise all the whole dominion the which they did with a verye good will and the Emperour appoynted a gouernour amongest them to gouerne all the land All this béeing finished and that the Ilande was in peace and quietnesse he commanded to make readie two galleyes the one for the faire Lidia and hir Brenio and the other for his owne person for that hée would depart for Africa So all things was prouided presently in good order and being readie the Emperour commaunded the faire Lidia to imbarke hir selfe and to carrye with hir hir Knight who straight waye went aboorde the galley and commaunded the marriners to take their course towards Spaine Likewise the Emperour did take his leaue of all them of the Castle who for his noble customes and valiaunt Knighthoode after that they knewe who he was they both feared and loued him with all their hearts And when he was imbarked in the galley he commaunded the marriners to take the way towards Africa What is he that could signifie by any reason the small contentment and ioye that the faire Lidia receiued in beholding the lad and melancholike countenaunce that hir Brenio continually shewed who without speaking any word sayled on till they found themselues in the Ponticke sea wheras continuallye it is accustomed with his furie to terrifie those which doo nauigate that way So there arose a mightie and great tempest which was such that it caused y e gâ—â—ley to tumble and tosse from the one parte to the other in great perill and daunger Thus they remained three dayes three nights in this great danger the fourth day they wer driuen a land at a small Ilande vninhabited that was called Rees This Ilande was hid in the sea very farre from anye lande and was poynted with very great rockes Ther they came to an anker with their galley and for to refresh and ease themselues of their great trauaile which they had passed they went a lande and commaunded to raise vp a fayre Tent which they brought with them and therein they made a bed whereon Brenio laye downe to ease himselfe and this faire Lidia leaned on the bed side by him and was somwhat in quiet for that she sawe that the sadnesse of her Knight was a little abated And by reason of the great paine and dolor that she had receiued and the vnquietnesse in the tempest and againe for the contentment she had to sée her Knight in better quiet her wearied body required some rest in such sort that as she was leaning on the beddes side she fell a sléepe This false Brenio when he sawe her at rest and in a sound sleepe in great secret he arose from the bedde and went vnto the waters side whereas he had lefte the galley and entering therein he commaunded all those that were alande to imbarke themselues and to hayse vp the sayles and wold not by any meanes tarry til that the seas were calme but rather did put himselfe in y e peril of these furious waues then to inioye the swéetnesse of this faire Damosell and lefte her all alone in this desolate and vnpeopled Ilande Oh Neptune that gouernest â—he seas let loose thy furious outragious waues and sinke so vnnaturall and inhumaine a Knight and suffer him not to liue that vncourteously did leaue this louing Lady in this distresse who for his deliuerie had put her selfe in all this trouble This sorrowfull ladie still sléeping dreamed that there was a great and fierce wilde man which stood before her with a very sharpe sword in his hande making as though he would kill her and shée was so troubled with the great feare that she receiued that she gaue great shrilâ—es and called vnto her Brenio for aide succour and as she thought with his handes he stopped his eares for that he would not heare her and séemed that hée would not mooue himselfe in any respect This dreaming ladie seeing this determined to make her owne defence so well as she could it séemed vnto her that there appeared before her a Centaure which said feare not faire damsell for I am come hether to aide succour thée yet for all that this wilde man did not let to strike her vpon the breast and as it séemed to her her breast was all open and how that the Centaure put his hand into the wound and pulled out hir heart and threw it at the wilde man and sayd Take vnto thée this heart y t without all consideration loued a man which with such ingratitude hath rewarded her So straight at the same instant there appeared a Knight which likewise layd holde on the heart with the wild man and they two striued greatly betwéene themselues with much contention who shoulde pull the heart out of the others handes but in the end each of them remained with his péece in his hand and the hearte parted in two So the péece which remained in the power of the wilde man tourned into a harde stone and that péece which remained in the power of the knight tourned into red bloud and being in this great perplexitie this sorrowfull ladie did awake thinking to haue tolde this terrible dreame vnto her beloued Brenio but she found him not in place and tourning her face to the other part to sée if she coulde sée him but she could neither behold him nor any other person of whome she might enquire Wherewith she leaped from the bed and with a loud voyce she began to call for hir Brenio but all was in vaine So with a swift pace she went down to the waters side thinking to haue found him there But
I doo not retourne againe into her Citie for I was so ill receiued the first time that I haue no will to retourne the second And more I desire her of my part that she doo intreate better and giue better intertainment vnto such Knights as I am then she gaue vnto me least she get vnto her selfe the name of a wrathfull Quéene and be accounted as one subiect vnto hir own opinion of all other things if any thing doo chaunce let her thanke none but her selfe for that she hath bene the onely cause therof And moreouer I doo desire her not to trouble her selfe in sending to séeke me for that I say not her power alone but all the power in Africa is not sufficient to retourne me againe into so great straights as once she had me in And so without any more speaking he spurred his horse and rode a reasonable pace towards the sea side which was not farre from that place and when he came thether he sought to sée if he could finde by chance any barke or galley to carry him whether he wold with his good will or els by force He had not gone farre when that he sawe a very faire and great barke at the sea side hard aboord the shoare The Emperour entered into it to sée if there were anye marriners his horse which was hard by him without being constrained by the Emperour very lightly leapt into the Barke He was not so soone with in when that the Barke began to make waye in such sorte that in a small time they were very farre at sea At y â— which the Emperour was greatly amazed but there was a voice which did satisfie him that sayd Mightie Trebatio Lyrgandeo doth gouerne thee at the which the Emperour was very ioyfull So he put his horse in a place by himselfe in the bark wheras he found sufficient of all things néedefull Likewise hée found all that was conuenient for his owne person which was ready vpon a table in very good order all kinde of dressed meates and béeing set downe to eate he was serued so bountifully and with so great diligence and care as though he had bene in Greece In this sort the emperour went sailing eight dayes in y e end of which he discouered land which had belonging vnto it a faire hauen or port and nigh vnto it a very faire and great Citie The Barke went straight into the hauen and brought her selfe to the shore Héere we will leaue y e Emperour in his barke in y e hauen and will tell you of the great lamentation y t the faire Garrofilea made for that the Emperour departed in such sort ¶ How the faire Queene Garrofilea made great lamentation for the departure of the Emperour and how at their last being together she remained with childe by the Emperour Trebatio Cap. 23. AFter that all the Knights of Tinacria haâ— ioyned themselues together and had made an ende of their battaile and trauaile they repaired vnto the citie with great ioy and gladnesse for their good successe Rubio of Yscla went to declare vnto the Quéene his message y t the Emperor had commanded him at y â— which the Quéene was so troubled that she could not in any wise dissemble it but in a great sound strayght way she fell downe as though she had bene dead This couragious knight when he saw her in this trance tooke her vp in his armes caryed her vnto her Strado or seate straight waies when the Ladies heard the noyse they all came forth to sée what the matter was when they saw their Quéene in that traunce they began to vse all meanes and remedies till such time as she came again vnto her remembrance And although it was with great trouble the quéene lifted vp her â—yes séeing that she was coâ—â—â—assed about with Ladies and others shee shut her eyes againe and gaue a great sigh which came from the bottome of her heart and in this sort she remained a greate while and her Ladies and Damosells seeing that she was so troubled determined to vncloath her and to carrie her to her bed Then she made signes with her hands that they should depart and leaue her all alone whose commandement they straight wayes obeyed not without great sorrow of all them that did beholde her for that the quéene was meruailouslye well beloued of her subiects There was not one that could vnderstand the cause of this sodaine euill but onely the earle of Modique who discréetly did imagine what it might bée who kept it close to himselfe at time vntil such time as time the matter it selfe shuld declare whether his imagination or thought should fall out true or no. This afflicted quéene when she saw that she was alone began to exclaime against her fortune putting forth these sorrowfull reasons When wilt thou be content thou peruerse enimie and without all reason Thou which hast warped such strange webbes in this Kingdome Thou gauest me into my power the Gréeke Emperour very poore and without all comfort of thée and absent from all his Empire This thou didst for that with his sight I should be wounded with the cruell dart of loue that without all remedie of anie comfort I most vnfortunate damosell shoulde be constrained to set my life to sale and to sell my honour as it were with the common cryar compelling me to doo vnto my selfe that which I onely did being made blinde by him which would y t all others were as blind as he himselfe is And although me life were set at libertie by him which without anie weapon bereaued me thereof yet am I not at so much libertie nor so frâ—e but that wheresoeuer he goeth my heart doth followe him Woe is me for my virginitie which my parents gaue me such great charge to haue a respect vnto that it hath bene so euill kept and so lightly regarded me I will so chastise my selfe for thus forgetting of my selfe and be so reuenged for the little regard that I haue had of my honour that it shall be an example to all others which be of high estate Oh miserable Quéene Oh vnhappie Lady thy spéech is too too foolish for although this thy desperate hand should pull out the despised heart of this miserable and afflicted bodie yet shouldest not thou make satisfaction of the dishonour which thou hast committed against thy selfe Oh cruell death why doest thou not with thy sodaine furie set at libertie me most vnfortunate from these gréeuous paines Oh Emperour of Greece those louing and amorous wordes which thou spakest vnto me I would they had neuer ben spoken O false and deceiuing Lorde thou shouldest haue suffered me to haue tasted death when with so great good will mine owne hand would haue ministred it to me and not now to cause me to indure a thousand deaths only by thy departure With these other like lamentations this afflicted Ladie passed awaie the time till at last she found
of them of the Iland they went a land and raised vp their tents and pitched their campe This fierce king being mounted vpon an Elephant went with great care and perused all his people and put them in very good order so all was apparant and knowen vnto them of the Citie The King of Trapobana feared much his fierce and cruell aduersary and so likewise did many of them that were in the Citie but yet that couragious youth did feare him nothing at all nor estéemed him any thing but rather did desire the houre to sée himselfe in battaile with him for to make satisfaction with his déedes works of that which he was in debt vnto his Lord. At such time as the campe was pitched and all in good order the radiaunt Phoebus had made an ende of his iourney leauing in his absence the sadde and darke night So when time camâ— that he began a new to take his accustomed course and to show his shining face dispersing his glittering beames ouer all the Iland the king of Arginaria called vnto him a trumpetter and with a furious voyce he sayd Go thy wayes vnto the Citie and in such sort as thou thinkest best salute the king Delfo and tell him on my behalfe that without anye tarrying or taking farther counsel he send me him who did intreate my brother Bruno so euill and if not I sweare vnto him by the high Iupiter that I will doo so much that his body shall be made meate vnto dogges The trumpetter when he had well vnderstoode his message taking libertie of the accustomed pride of his Lord went with great arrogancie vnto the Citie The Scowtes when they saw him let enter into the Cite and they caried him before the King before whom when he came without showing any kinde of humilitie he sayd The Gods confound thy person state and breake downe thy great pride power y t dredfull king of Arginaria my Lord doth send me vnto thée y t when thou hast heard my imbassage forth with thou send vnto him that vncurteous knight and of small valour who with his proud hand stroke out the téeth of his welbeloued brother Bruno and thou must send him prisoner and bound before his royall presence that he may giue him the punishment that his great boldnesse doth deserue When this valiaunt Claridiano heard the proud words that the Embassadour brought and with what arrogancie he deliuered them he was altogether without patience and hauing no power to refrayne his wrath he went vnto him and sayd Héere I doo promise thée goodman brablor to giue thée answere according as thou dost bring the imbassage and it is great reson that we make thy bodye to flye at large as thou doest cause thy tongue to runne at libertie and procure out of hand that thou maist the better leape to call vnto Mercurie for to sustaine thée without any more saying he tooke him by the cholar with out any power to make resistaunce he threw him out of a window letting him fall vpon the pauement before the pallaice gate that he broke all in péeces and this being done without speaking any more word he went vnto his chamber and armed him with his armour with the help of Galtenor his father for so he alwayes estéemed him but his wrath and anger was such that neither his father nor the King durst speake a word vnto him all the time he was arming And when he was armed he turned his face vnto the king and said Worthy king and my Lord haue a good confidence in the Gods and in thy iustice and right that I shal be he that shall take away from before thée this proud enemie of thine And without any more tarrying he demanded for a borne so straight way there was one giuen him of Iuorie very rich the which he cast about his necke and descended the staires out of the Pallaice where he found a very faire great horse meruailous wel furnished lightly he lept on his back with a reasonable pace he rode his waye towards y t campe of his enimie Galtenor the good king of Trapobana followed him being armed w t very rich armor and commaunded that all the people should be in a readines So they put themselues in a place whereas they might well sée all that Claridiano did ¶ How that Claridiano went vnto the campe of the King of Arginaria and how he demanded of him battaile and of all that succeeded in the same Chap. 2. AS many times the hungrye Lyon doth compasse and search the foldes roaring with rauenish hunger and finding the strayed Goaâ—e or Hart discouering them from farre by their hornes and with a souereigne ioye doth sift vp his necke neuer rest vntill such time as he be musting in their bloud with great desire to satisfie his pining hunger euen so with like desire went out of Trapobana the Prince Claridiano till he came in sight of his aduersaries and carried his visour vp and putting him selfe in place whereas he might be heard of his enimies hee blew his horne to giue a token that they shoulde hearken vnto that which he would speake vnto them and then with a loude voyce he sayd O â—ruell and tyrannous King what dost thou thinke by threatenings to showe thy furie come forth and take to thée thy armour for héere doth tarrye and abide thy comming he that stroke out the féeth of thy brother Bruno he that not long since did teach thy Embassador to speake whom thou sentest this daye with thy proude message The dogge Cerberus when he was made fast with Alcides leash did not shew himselfe so furious as did this terrible Giant at that present and rising vp from the place whereas he was set he turned vnto the Image of Iupiter vnto whom he had done great sacrifices stretching forth his rigorous arme he tooke it from the place whereas it was set and threw it out of the dore of the tent in such sort that he made it to flye into the aire more then ten fadome with which it fell into the sea and he said Get thée thether thou God of little valor that being honoured of so valiaunt a man as I am thou wilt consent that so vile a man after that he hath angred me so much should put himselfe with so great pride before my presence And not content with this but with the same fury he tooke a great club and what on the right side and what on the lefte he threw downe all the Images of his Gods that were there and broke them all to péeces One of the ministers that alwayes did assist them in their sacrifices sayd with a bolde courage Wherefore do you so euill intreate and misuse your Gods The Giaunt stroke him such a blow on the forhead with his fist that hée broke it all to péeces and threwe him dead to the ground sayd Get thée hence and goe and make relation vnto Iupiter and
this seruice of me not for any courtesie that I found in your Knights but for the great bountie and vertue which is in the Dutches and her daughter The Earle of the déepe lake aunswered and sayde Of truth gentle Knight it had bene better that you had accepted our demaund which we asked in the seruice of the Ladies for that being subdued by your great valour we had not come into so great miserie and trouble in the which we haue séene our selues Sir Earle aunswered the prince Claridiano my heart is so cleane voyd of the subiection of loue putting apart my bounden dutie towards theÌ„ that by the oath that I haue sworne to the order of Knighthood that it is not to be meruailed if I did denie your demaund putting for intercessour that which my heart was neuer subiect vnto Then the Dutchesse with a goodly grace sayd Yet I do certefie you gentle Knight that at this time you shall not remaine so much at your owne libertie but that by me you shal be constrained to be my guide to the Citie of Nabatea With condition sayd the Prince that the day of the iusting you doo not manifest my person vnto any creature I doo accept to be your kéeper and defender The condition aunswered the Dutchesse daughter is graunted and accepted but yet I must néedes charge you with another request which I will aske of you and it is that in my name and as my Knight you wiâ—l carrye with you a Iewell of mine and enter into the iusting at Nabatea with the Earle in your company I cannot deny anything y t you doo aske of me said Claridiano for that you haue power to commaund me and therefore I doo accept and graunt vnto all things that your highnesse shall demaund And being in this communication the Princesses thet remained at their Hostes came whereas they were and in their companye the Knight of the house who was almost in an extasie with the great ioye and pleasure he had to sée the two Giants and his company dead and requested them instantly that they would goe vnto his Castle to take their rest to the which they did graunt for the necessitie which did mooue them Galtenor did declare vnto vs what shuld be done vnto these Giants and said that they were Lords of the faire Ilands enemies vnto the King of the Nabateos and as they had vnderstanding of the greate triumphs and feasts which was proclaimed in Nabatea thrée of those Giaunts which were all bretheren went forth to doo all the harme they might in company with their mother who was a great inchaunter The one of the Giants who was more furious and of a mightier strength then the other two wold goe alone and these two came together of whom wer haue tolde you The Knights of the Dutchesse wer meruailously ill intreated in the battaile which they had with Claridiano and it was requisite that they should remaine a few daies in the castle for to ease comfort themselues but the Prince his hart could not in any wise suffer to tarry so long to ease himselfe but tooke his leaue of y e Dutchesse for to depart who did graunt it vnto him with a very good wil for that she would remaine in y e Castle till such time as her knights wer better coÌ„forted amended So y e Prince his company tooke y e way which they thought best wheras they trauailed eight daies in which time he did woÌ„ders in arms punishing rapes and extremities offered in such sort and so many that his fame was exalted vnto the cloudes some called him the Knight of the Ladies and other some the Knight with the Purple armour And when they vnderstoode that the time of the Triumphes drew néere they tooke the waye which led them straight vnto the Citie of Nabatea and for to goe thether they must néedes passe thorough a woode of eight miles long in the which they trauailed til it was noone time and therein they discouered a very faire castle and féeling themselues somewhat weary they went thether for to refresh themselues the which chanced vnto them otherwise as in the chapter following you shall vnderstand ¶ How the Knight of the Ladies went vnto the Castle and of the great treason which was there ordained by Arte Magicke and of the successe thereof Cap. 13. THe Gréeke Prince for to take some refreshing tooke his way towards the Castle that he saw in the wood with all his companye but yet it fel not out with them as they hoped for that when they came thether they found the gaâ—es fast shut for all that they gaue mightie blowes thereat and called yet there was no body that made them any aunswere and séeing this they determined to goe round about the Castle to see if there were any other part wheras they might call that they might be heard but in all parts they found it a like for the which the Prince was very sorrowfull and pretended to departe some other waye and turning about with his horse he sawe a pillar which was made of stone on the which was written in the Chaldean tongue these wordes Let none be so hardie as to enter into this Castle except he will for his boldenesse die the death The Prince when he had read this title laughed thereat and sayd I knowe none that is so hardie to enter into the Castle séeing before his eyes the inconueniences and harme that will thereof procéede and againe hauing the gates shut in suth sorte that vnto no bodie they will open them neuerthelesse although the perill be great yet if they would open the gates I know not whether I should feare the entrie or not if it were but onely to know what he is y t is of so great power nigh vnto the sayd piller was there another of the same making at the which there hung a Bugle horne and thereby was written these words which said He which is of so great hardines hath confidence in his power and strength and will enter into the height of this castell let him blow this horne and the entrie therein shal be in safetie but the comming forth shall be doubtfull If I wer once within said the knight I wold procure y t my comming forth should be without trouble and therewith he tooke the horne in his hand and before that he beganne to sound it he sayd vnto the damsells Faire Ladies I am determined to procure the entrie of this fortresse to see what there is within and likewise him that doth proclaime so great feare in y e meane time I desire you to tarrie for me amongest these gréene trées for that the castell is small and will quickly bée looked ouer so that in short time we shall know who what there is within and making an end of desiring them to tarrie he blew the horne and made it to sound verie strongly in such sort that it might be heard verie far There
The Emperour was verie sore troubled when he perceiued y t he was knowen the which this faire Ladie marking went forwardes in her talke and sayd Doe not vexe your selfe neither bée anye whit troubled most mightie Prince for that you are knowen considering that of such a one as thou art it is reason we doo estéeme according to thy desert neither can my captiue heart consent vnto anie other thing but the exalting of thy honour Alasse what shall I saie who hath receiued most wrong for their imprisonment it hath bene onely my christal breast and captiued heart they haue wronged thy bodie but for a time but me loue hath bereaued of my former libertie in wounding my hart so that it is almost vncurable In this my good Lord you may vnderstand that I a lone am shée which hath the greatest wrong Thou valiaunt Emperour hast taken awaie from the Earle of Modique his sonne but thou hast robbed me most infortunate of my heart Oh how much better had it bene for me to haue bene pertaker with him of death then now to liue not knowing what cruel loue will doo Oh immortall Gods how is it that you haue permitted that the tender hart of a poore damsell béeing alwaies willing to offer vnto you sacrifices and exercising of my self daily in your seruice and now in payment of all this you haue permitted it to be sacrificed vnto the cruell will of Cupide who hath forcibly pearced my feeble heart with his furious darts I beseech thée O Emperour doe not denie mée this my vnreasonable demaund although thou séest it so far to exceed the meane Oh virginitie thou maist well be compared vnto a rose which so long as the leaues are reserued w tin the bud it kéepeth the naturall coulour but when it once begins to blow then doth it quickly change euen so the flourishing beautie of virgins doth no sooner bloome but Cupide blotteth it with his despiteful blemish O foolish quéene what caused thée to depart out of the Pallaice whereas thou werâ— at libertie and without griefe didst thou it for to do honour vnto the Emperour yet not knowing him Well for what cause so euer it were see now what is become of it for that fréely thou hast yéelded thy selfe vnto him without reseruing anie thing in thy owne power All this the quéene deliuered with such sorrow and lamentation that it would haue caused a stonie heart to haue relented But the emperour who with a single heart did loue the Empresse Briana and moreouer béeing a verie good christian was not moued with one of these lamentable words neither made he anie shew of loue vnto the quéene but wishing rather to haue had battaile with one of the hardiest knightes in all the world then to haue found himselfe so sodainly assailed by this amorous woman wherfore when this faire Ladie had plainly declared all the whole secret of her heart the Emperour vsing his accustomed discreation did shew himselfe to be verie heauie and â—ad for that which the quéene had heard and taking her by the hand they sate downe together vpon the corner of the bed and beganne to answere vnto her amorous reasons although not so much vnto her purpose as she desired saying 〈…〉 Ladie and quéene I am fully certified that from so 〈…〉 and beautie there can procéed nothing without 〈◊〉 and therefore I did now loose the confidence of your â—â—uour when I was vnknowen much more nowe that you 〈◊〉 know me to be the Emperour of Greece the truth wherof I doo héere confesse And although I finde my selfe in the land where all the people be my mortall enimyes yet for all that I will not denie who I am because my heart wheresoeuer it becomes cannot but vse manifestly his noble courage Heere this Quéene did cut off his answere saying Oh Emperour I doo not aske of thée anie recompence neither doe I demaund of thée whether thou be our enimie or our friend but the thing which I alone desire of thée is this to giue a remedie vnto this my paine a plaister for my sore for that the viewe of thée hath béene the onely occasion therof Oh Emperour what trifling is this to talk of that which is not aunswerable vnto that which I demaunde Oh worthie Emperour haue compassion on me for that thou alone maist remedie this my euill for thou séest apparauntlye the néede I haue of thy helpe Oh that it had pleased the Gods that my remedie were as sure as thy libertie restore vnto me I beséech thée that wherof thou hast bereaued me by beholding thée yéeld vnto me O swéet Emperor séeing that I am alreadie yéelded vnto thée insomuch that there is no doubt but to put into thy handes the spoyle of my royall marryage The Emperour did leane his chéeke vpon his hande verie pensiue all the time that this Ladie was declaring her complaintes not for that he was without pittie but for that he was mooued with greate compassion and yet not with determination to satisfie her disordinate appetite but with faire words to put her in good hope of remedie And verye faine she woulde haue aunswered but that shée was cut off by a Damosell which called her The Quéene dissembling her heauinesse in the best wise she coulde went out of the chamber to sée what they would haue vnto whom the Damsell saide Ladie there is a messenger come from the king of Mauritania which dooth tarrie for you belowe in the pallaice wherat this faire quéene did féele her selfe troubled the occasion was for that this king was in loue with her who was verie valiaunt and of great force and began to gouerne his kingdome verie young with another brother of his who at that time was not knighted neuerthelesse to heare him named in all Africa it made the people to tremble with feare therefore manie times by reason of his greate pride his fame was much abated This king did determine with himselfe to marrie with the Quéene eyther by fayre meanes or else by force and for to put this his pretence in practise hée sent vnto her his messengers and for a more maiestie hée made his owne brother Lord Embassodour And séeing this historie will most intreate of this young man who was called Brufaldoro y e wise author wold discouer his customes and manners he saith y t he was in the stature of his bodie well néere a leauen foote high and all his members conformable vnto his height béeing indued with incredible strength he had his countenaunce verie graue and of great beautie without anie anger verie tractable and a gentleman of great curtesie hée detested to doo anie thing that was vnseemely he was verie readie to correct where it was néedfull and farre from anie vnhumane crueltie all which vertues were extinguished when he was angered for that then in all Africa and Asia there was no wild beast so fierce and cruell And many times it hath ben séene when his anger had ben
went about the field The Moore had well thought that the Emperour had bene dead and stoode still and sayd Well I doe beleeue Emperour that thy promise shall be in vaine and mine shall fal out true At that time the Pagan spoke the truth for that the Emperours promise did not fall out true so straight way he came againe to himselfe and saw that he was so ill intâ—â—ated with one blow alone he turned and recouered his sword with great ire and wrath he threw his sheeld at his backe foamed at the visour of his helme with verie wrath that he had euen as an arow driueÌ„ out of a â—ow by y e hands of a Sirian so he pressed himselfe vnto the More sayd Tarrie thou diuellish Pagan tarrie for héere I doo promise thée that by one blow alone I will take awaie thy life for that thou with one blow didst depriue me of my vnderstanding And thus my rude pen waxing wearie and verie desirous to take his ease as also my hand being gouerned by that Nymph Caliope causeth me to make an end of this first parte for that in the second part hauing refreshed my selfe and gotten newe courage I may goe tearing of the skies and the troublesome waues not resting till I come into those concauits where as Vulcan doth commaund the Cyclopes hammers for to giue a new aduise vnto this workman which neuer will be wearie and that he be in a readinesse ioyntly with fierce Mars to assist me to declare the new deeds and acts of knighthood contained in the second booke of this part The end of the first booke of the second part of the Mirrour of Knighthood The second Booke of the second part of the Mirrour of Knighthood Of the Prince Claridiano how the king of Arginaria sent his brother to the king of Taprobana and of all that happened to the messenger with the Prince Chap. 1. AT that time as the warlike Moore in the supremacie of his triumph and power had blased his famous feates of warres most worthie of memorie and causing that actiue Vulcan onely for his contentment shoulde double the Smithly rumour of his forge for to animate his artificers with his rough and hastie callings that they might with more furie moue and strike those restlesse hammers vpon the laboured and well beaten Anfield At that time did the mightie prudent Pallas spread abroade her streamers with a peaceable blast holpen by the fresh Fauonio or west winde ouer the great and renowmed Iland of Trapobana the heroycall sonne of that renowmed Alfebo or knight of the Sunne nephew vnto the magnanimous Emperour Trebatio being in the same as it was told you in the first part of this historie who was nourished and brought vp vnder the power of the king Delfo excelling in all beautie and fayrenesse so much as euer nature bestowed on anie humane creature there lacked nothing in him but onely the knowledge of Iesus Christ for in that hée was brought vp amongest Pagans he knew him not Hée was so indued with vertue and mightinesse of courage that the wise Lyrgandeo thought it best to holde his peace and to bée in quiet referring himselfe vnto his workes as in the processe heereof you shall vnderstand therefore he will saie little at this time but onely he was one that God had indued with many graces and good gifts that the Pagans did account him to be one of their Gods The king Delfo did make so much of him that he woulde not at anie time let him departe one minute from him He brought him vp with greate maiestie vntill he came to fouretéene yéeres of age and at that time whosoeuer had looked on him wold haue iudged him to haue ben of more yéeres according vnto the high stature of his bodie for there was no knight although he had bene a gyant that could be equall with him not only in his height but also he was so well set and knit double membred conformable At which time this great Giant vsurper of y e great Arginaria when he sawe himselfe so mightie a Lord his pride so much increased that he was not consent with that Ilande which with so great peace quietnesse he did possesse but coâ—eâ—â—â—snesse increased so much in him that he likewise would be Lord ruler ouer other kings Princes whose countries were adiacent wherfore he determined 〈◊〉 take into his power the Iland of Trapobana had no sooner thought thereon when straight waies he woulde put his desire in practise taking for his quarrell y t he had denied their tribute which they were wont to pay him and so without anie more counsell he commaunded to call vnto him a brother of his a mightie giant although nothing so strong as he himselfe and when hee came before him with a proude and terrible voice and with a great maiestie he sayd Bruno take vnto thée two galleyes let them be meruailously well furnished go thou by force of winde smiting the sailes likewise by good gouernment that they may make the better diligence for thy nauegation being holpen w t those knottie oares to cut by force those deep waters not taking anie rest till such time as thou art a land at Trapobana or wheresoeuer the king Delfo is vnto whom without anie humilitie thou shalt say from me That seeing his hardinesse hath bene such to denie me that which the Gods if they did reigne or dwell on the earth were bound â—o giue me if he doe not now send it me with a new confirmation of his subiection that by the omnipotent Iupiter I doe sweare to giue him such correction that when it is hearde throughout the worlde they shall all tremble shake This Pagan and youthfull gyant without anie more tarrieng prepared for this his departure Of all this that had past was Galtenor aduertised by his learning hauing wel vnderstood the whole secret it moued him in great hast to cause a cloud to descend out of the aire into the which he did put himselfe wherein he was carried in verie short time to the Citie of Trapobana and without giuing knowledge to anie person he went vp into the kings Pallaice whereas he founde the king and the Prince walking vp and downe in the hall talking of matters of pleasure who with the good entering of Galtenor hadde their ioye and delight doubled The king shewing greate mirth and pleasure did aske him saying What is the occasion of this your comming my good friend vnthought or vnlooked for it cannot be without some newe and straunge thing In the meane time whilest the King was speaking these and such lyke wordes Galtenor had the Prince in his armes who receiued such ioy to see his great beautie fayre bodie and good disposition that â—ee was blinded therewith and hauing the Prince Claridiano in his armes he forgot himselfe that hee was before the king and the king seeing him in that traunce procured to
The giant stood did behold him very much with a fearful countenance his eies turned into a sanguin coulour laughing or smiling in manner of mocking he said I sée without anie outward proofe but onely by thy foolish wordes that thou art but a young and new made knight as such a one I wil estéeme intreate thée if my comming hether were not more for a messenger then for a warriour for this thy boldnesse which thou dost shew I would vse thée in such sort y t thy answere shuld little auaile thée yet I should remaine satisfied of all y e anger which thou hast caused me to haue The prince Claridiano when he heard that with so great disdaine he was rauiled with as much anger he went towards him and with an altered voice he sayd By all the Gods that are in heauen I sweare vnto thée if I did not consider respect the curtesie which is due and ought to be shewed to Embassadours I would bereaue thée of this thy brauerie in such sort y t when thou art before such a king as now thou art thou shouldest bridle thy tongue euer after haue in remembraunce y e punishment y t I would giue thée but not respecting thy follie but onely my estate I will stay my selfe from correcting of this thy ouermuch pride The wrath of this Gyant was so much wheÌ„ he heard himself so reuiled y t he could not by anie meanes refraine himselfe but layd hand on his sword and went towards the Prince Claridiano and threatened him with a very mightie and strong blow striking at his head The prince when he saw the blow comming retired with a light leape which was y e occasion y t he failed of his blowe by reâ—son of the great strength wherwith it was stroke the sword fell out of his hands and flew along the floore of the great hall the Prince without drawing his sworde with a trice ioyned with him entering in at his left side with his fist he stroke him so strong and mightie a blow vpon y e mouth that if his hand had ben armed it had ben the last which the Gyant should haue receiued yet for all that it did so much harme that his téeth fell out leauing his mouth all bloudie with the great strength of the blow it made him to fall backwards on his backe and with the great paine which he felt he scantly knew where he was The Prince when hée sawe this stayed without doing anie more harme for y t hée would not disgrace the king but put himself on the one side the king did shew himselfe verie much gréeued for y t he was an Embassadour for if it had not ben done by him which did it who so euer els should haue done it would hardly haue escaped w tout punishment And for to appease y e messenger he arose out of his seat and did helpe to take vp the Gyaunt looking toward Claridiano he sayd Brother I would y t this thing had not chaunced by thy hands for that all this harme which you haue done vnto Bruno is done vnto me not vnto him TheÌ„ this valiant Prince sayd Hold your peace my Lord for those vâ—â—urteous messengers such as do digresse goe from that which they are commaunded should not alonely be intreated in this sort but also loose their liues and haue their tongues cut out Bruno did complaine him verie much of the griefe seeing himselfe without téeth and so dishonoured he blasphemed against his Gods but this inuinsible Gréeke made little account of any such thing but turned himselfe toward Bruno sayd Now maist thou returne in the diuells name tel thy brother the Prince of pride that he doth commaund to plaister and cure thy téeth for that from hence thou goest well cured of thy great folly Also thou shalt tell him of my parte that as I haue hurt thée with the strength of my fist so I will vse him with the sharpe edge of my sworde gouerned with the selfe same arme that vnto thée hath done this damage And I doe héere hope in such sort to search that proude bodie of his that all the worlde may take an ensample by him and his pride Bruno who was at the point of death with the great paine he felt vnderstood all that was spoken and without making anie aunswere hee went out of the kings Pallaice and returned vnto his Galleyes where hée was cured and put his Sailes into the power of the winde and in a verie short time he ariued at Arginaria and went a shoare carrying all his face wrapt and bound with bondes and rowles of linnen cloth and his mouth all to be plaistred In this sorte he went and presented himselfe before his brother and sayd I haue giuen thy Embassage vnto king Delfo as thou hast commaunded me and to giue me aunswere there arose vp a new and young knight whom I doe beleeue and as I haue proued the same that he hath in his bodie all the infernall strength and in his fistes all the Legyons of diuells that are in hell as it did appeare by the greate furye wherewith he hurt mée that he did not onely strike out my téeth but also threw me to the ground as though I had bene a child This proud Gyant the king of Arginaria when hée heard all that his brother had sayd with a terrible blaring noise that he made all the Pallaice to shake sayde O vile coward and is it possible that with fistes lyke a vile vilaine he made thée to fall in such sorte that thou diddest kisse the ground with thy mouth Bruno answered Brother I dooe sweare vnto thée by the high Iupiter that if thou hadst proued as I haue done the strength of his â—istes thou wouldest not reuile me in this sort And héere I do giue thée to vnderstand that he sayd and bad me in his parte to tell thée that if from me he hath taken awaie my fore téeth that he will not onelye take awaie thine but also thy double téeth and thy life But when this Arginarian king heard this hee arose vp and went from him with so much wrath and anger that he séemed rather a Diuell then a man and without taking anie farther counsell he commaunded to assemble all his people together and that they should bée called with all the spéed that possible might bée and when they were come all together he found that there were two thousand horse men and sixe thousand foote men made Captaine generall ouer them two Gyants brothers y t were Lordes of one Iland ioyning vnto his Iland called Bisperia And he commaunded them to imbarke themselues with great furie and when they wer all imbarked he commanded to hoyse vp anker and to commit their sayles vnto the winde y t which they found prosperous and brought them vnto the Iland of Trapobana and without any impediment or disturbaunce
the order of knighthood to be giuen him the which the Quéene did refuse verye much to doe as one which thought that if he were once made knight that he woulde absent himselfe séeking whereas he might exercise his strength for to get him fame This young Prince did continually importunate the Quéene and euerie daye his desire did increase more and more the occasion was for that hée did sée so greate knighthoode at that time vsed in Tinacria and all for the loue and sight of the fayre Princesse his sister so that the knights did not occupie themselues in anie other exercise but in iustes and tourneyes The Quéene did continually perswade her sonne with gentle and louing wordes to tarrie and not to take the order vppon him till such time as hée came to more yeares laying before him the greate inconueniences which myght happen for lacke of his full growth and strength but this delaying of the Quéene did cause the Prince to be very sadde and pensiue and also caused that all the feastes and sportes that the knights did dayly vse waxed altogether colde in séeing the Prince to be in that heauie case and vpon a daie as hée was imagining with himselfe séeing the small comfort and good will which hée receiued in his mother for the fulfilling of his desire he determined in greate secret as soone as was possible to depart the court the which hée straight waies put in vre and tooke out of the armourie verie secretly an excéeding good armour the which was all russet and enameled with blacke and imbroudered round about with grauen worke all guilt also hée tooke out a shéelde of the same making sauing that it was not graued as his armour was and commaunded a young Gentleman that was sonne vnto Rubio of a good disposition and hardie that he shoulde kéepe themselues gaue him to vnderstand of all his determined pretence and although it did grieue this young man verye much yet for all that séeing the great friendshippe which he vsed with him in vttering his secrete vnto him before anie other without replying to the contrarie he verie diligently tooke the armour and hidde it till hée found conuenient time to put it into a ship◠verie secretly So likewise he put into the sayde Ship two of the best horses which the Prince had and forthwith hée gaue his Lorde vnderstanding howe that all thinges were then in a readinesse and in good order The Prince dissembling with the accustomed heauinesse hée vsed withdrew himselfe into his chamber till such time as the night came which when it was come he made himselfe readie with his apparaile and when that all the people of the Court were at their rest and a sléep he alone with his page who was named Macedonio went out of the pallaice and went vnto the sea side His page did call the marriners of the ship who straight way brought vnto them their boat in the which they entered and went straight a boord the ship and being therin for that the winde was very faire he commaunded to waye their ankers and to spread their sayles and to take their way towards Grecia and as he commaunded all was done and in a short time they found themselues ingulfed into the sea farre from the lande This excellent Prince went very much to his contentment but when the Quéene vnderstood of his departure the lamentation which she made was very much and commaunded to go vnto the sea side to know if there were any shippe that departed that night and it was tolde them that there was a ship of Grecia which that night haled vp their ankers hoised saile and went to sea so straight waye they vnderstood that the Prince was gone in her I cannot héere declare the greate griefe and sorrow which the Quéene felt in her sorrowfull heart for the absence of the Prince which she alwayes suspected feared But whē y e absence of Poliphebo was knowwen in Tinacria all feasts sports ceased for that you shall vnderstand of all his vassailes he was very well beloued The Quéene did procure to dissemble all her griefe for the great sorrow which her vassailes had shewing her self more ioyful in her face more then anie contentment she had in her heart giuing them to vnderstand that he had done it for that which he did owe vnto his high linage and the great allygation he had to procure his honour and fame and that hée had done that which she and all them should haue desired that they should not be sorrowfull for that which héereafter would be the occasion of great ioye and plesure With these and such lyke resons she did quiet all her vassailes and kingdome and caused them to returne vnto their accustomed pastime and sports So Poliphebo sayled forwardes on his iourney through the déepe sea with great delight to sée howe he had fulfilled his desire And he sayled thrée dayes with a very faire and prosperous winde and the fourth daye in the euening it was very calme and no winde at all so that the Marriners went to take their rest some on the poope some in the foreships for to ease their wearied bodyes The prince who sate vpō y e poope of y e ship asked for his lute of his page the which straight way was giuen him and when he had it in his hands he played and sung so swéetly that it séemed to be a heauenly melodie And being in this swéete musicke hée heard a very lamentable crye as it were of a woman and leauing his musicke he gaue attentiue eare to hearken what she sayd and he heard the voyce saye It will little profitte thée thou cruell tyrant this thy bolde hardinesse for thou doest well know that I am of a lignage that will reuenge it of thée to thy cost Then he heard another voyce which said Now I haue thée in my power there is no humane power able to deliuer thée from me Poliphebo could heare no more by reason that the barke wherein they were passed by in so great hast This heroycall Prince by the words he hearde vnderstood that she was carryed by force awaye and putting the lute away he began to fall into a great thought and was very heauie and sorrowfull for that he had not receiued the order of Knighthoode for to giue the enterprise of this aduenture but yet his stout stomacke could not suffer that such compulsion and vyolence should passe without being punished And returning vnto his Page Masedonio which was a sléepe he strake him with his foote and awaked him saying What didst not thou heare the great lamentation and sorrowfull complaint which a Ladye made as it seemed in a small bark that is passed by and is gone forwards along the sea to the which Masedonio aunswered nothing for that he was still a sléepe what counsayle dost thou giue me that I may doe in so great outrage which is done before mine eyes that I may receiue no