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A43362 The most excellent history of the valiant and renowned knight, Don Flores of Greece, Knight of the Swans, second sonne to Esplandran, Emperour of Constantinople being a supplement to Amadis de Gaule / written by Mounsieur de Essule, Nicholas de Hereby ... ; translated into English by W.P.; Cronique du tresvaillant et redouté dom Florès de Grèce. English Herberay, Nicolas de, sieur des Essars, 16th cent.; W. P. 1664 (1664) Wing H1493; ESTC R15863 48,470 68

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wherewith he found himself in a great perplexity neverthelesse with the best and chearfullest countenance he could shew he made King Norandel answer saying Cousen the King my Father is not a learner to prove the force of these Pagans neither yet am I. Divers and sundry times have they assailed to land in great Brittain as also in my countries but God be thanked they never wan any thing therein but death or their confusions and as much shall now happen unto them neverthelesse we must advertise the King together with all other Christian Princes to the end they may be prepared for them especially the Kings Agraies and Grasandor The Kings of Scots of Sardignia and Sobradise my Vnkles as also the Prince Florizando all which together are strong and puissant enough to withstand and resist these brave Giants and others their assistants in the East Countries and if they make way hither believe mee they shall find with the aid of my Son Luisart and others our friends but a hard morsel for them to chaw So may it bée I beséech God said the King but yet am I in great fear as touching the Country of great Brittain for as Cosdroel hath very well noted unto mée Arms are therein of late time so much left off and unfrequented that at this present there is not a wandring Knight to bée found therein as was accustomed to be neither yet any other doing that whereby in times past they were so much estéemed of more then in any country of the World Truely said Don Flores then thereat am I much abashed and truely I made my account that you my Lord turning unto the Emperor would have given me leave to travel thither there to receive the order of Knighthood therein to prove my force and valour in such manner as you Luisart my Brother and other kings our predecessours have done in times past but by your sayings I perceive I must be forced to take another course The occasions of trying your manhood are sufficiently at this present offered in our own countrey said the Emperor and here shall you finde from henceforth wherein to employ your strength and exercise Arms being knighted without séeking any further at the least if all be true that Cosdroel saith In good faith my Lord saith the K. and so I think he doth but in the mean time what is your gracious pleasure that I shall do with him he would gladly it might please your grace to give him liberty that he might go and perform his voyage upon condition to return and yeild himself my prisoner again as now he is and so hath he desired mée most earnestly to crave the same at your hands but I made him answer that it lay not in mée to do but rested onely upon your Graces Will and Commandement and that I would move it unto you I am very well content said the Emperor that he shall not onely have liberty to do as he requireth but also that he shall go whither it pleaseth him letting him well understand both to him and his that we fear them but a little and that we care not for their enterprizes Truely said King Norandel your Grace speaketh like a great and couragious Prince and you cannot better do for therby and as also by him they may well perceive that you are not so easie to be feared as they think neither yet Christendom so lightly to be won as they account VVell then said the Emperor go and carry him these news and let him depart hence as soon as it pleaseth him Then King Norandel went presently unto Cosdroel and finding him up out of his bed began to speak unto him saying Sir knight the Emperor hath by mée understood all that you declared unto mée this morning and because he estéemeth you for such a person as I have told him and what you are he giveth you not onely liberty to accomplish your Ambassage but also to go whither it pleaseth you and so you may do as soon as your health will permit It shall then be presently answered Cosdroel and after diverse congratulations and thanks with other spéeches that they had together whereupon I mean not to stay taking leave one of the other they departed Crosdroel entring into a ship by him prepared and Norandel returning unto the Emperors palace CHAP. IV. How the Emperour Esplandran sent Sergil into great Brittain to King Amadis to certifie unto him the news hee had received and of a strange adventure happened unto Don Flores THe matter by King Norandel declared the morning before did not cease to trouble the Emperors minde and more did it move him the night following till the next morning so that he being up hee called his counsel together to whom hée declared all the discourse before rehearsed desiring them as much as such a Prince as hée was might do or require at the hands of his Lords Friends Servants and Subjects to give him as spéedy good and faithful counsel as they might the matter being of so great importance as it was Where many points were discoursed some left off and others agréed upon in the end they determined that the Emperor should dispatch Sergil of an Ambassage into great Brittain to certifie King Amadis of the great preparations made against him unto whom instructions being given there was a letter delivered which the Emperor wrote unto the King his Father wherewith the Messenger had charge to signifie to him that all the Pagan Kings perswaded thereunto by the Children of Arcalaus and others which hée named prepared divers Armies for to invade his Land and therefore hée wished him to prepare all his Haven Towns to fortifie his Frontiers and to assemble from all parts his friends allies vassals and subjects because the descending of those Armies were uncertain and that the Emperor could never have any intelligence thereof but only by Cosdroel Yet did hée estéem it for most certain and true remitting the rest unto Sergils consideration whom he estéemed wise enough to deliver the same as having heard it likewise from the mouth of King Norandel himself Hée being then dispatched away having wind and shipping ready imbarked himself and being at Sea leaving Thrace and sailed towards Italy and from thence passing the straights entred into the Ocean Seas making towards Brittain but wee will leave him on his voyage for this time that Don Flores complain not of us to have forgotten him Hée being pricked forward with the spéeches of his Father thought hee did him wrong to delay his taking the order of Knighthood until the coming of the Turks wherewith hée found himself not greatly pleased but tossing and revolving in his minde on the same had no other thought but only to find the means how without his Fathers leave or his knowledge hée might attain unto his purpose but by no means could hée devise the same for first hee had heard King Norandel blame the over great sluggishnesse of the Brittish Knights for being
old Knight travelleth taking pains to please you she cannot do it for a greater Prince nor one that more deserveth it and so hath she given mée in charge to shew you which having done I am presently to return back again unto her Wherefore my Lord having fulfilled her commandment it may please you to give mée leave I am well content said the Emperor My friend said the Empresse you shall commend mée heartily unto her and shall give her certain small presents which I will send her and to her two kinswomen Then she commanded a little coffer of Cedar to be brought full of exquisite things which the old Knight having received and his leave taken both of the Emperor and all the rest he returned the same way he came leaving the Court very joyful and contented with the good news he had delivered them kéeping on his way as best pleased him And now let us sée in the mean time what Sergil being embarked for England on message to King Amadis doth to whom Wind and Fortune was so prosperous that having sailed the Italian Seas and Ports of Spain passed the straights entring into the Ocean Seas sailed so well that within two daies after he departed he arrived at Winsore where he met with Angerote de Stravanx whom he knew very well of whom he asked where King Amadis lay for that séing the town so bare of Gentlemen and Knights he thought that the King had not as then béen lodged there Angerot bade him welcome and therewith lead him unto the Court to the Kings presence of whom being welcomed hée said In Gods name Sergil what is the cause you do return so soon again from Constantinople How doth my Son My Lord said Sergil and it like your Grace your Son is well and in good health commending him unto you and therewith kissing the Letter he presented it unto him Which the King having read said It certifieth us of some news at hand Such news and it like your Grace answered Sergil were good to be certified unto all your councel Then the King commanded to send for King Arban of North Wales Listoran de la tour Blanch Grindolan Brother unto Angerote Saquilles his Nephew Lazadin Lescrimeur the Earl Durdalin and divers other before the which assembly Sergil turning himself toward the King began to recite what had happened unto them after his departure from Brittain what a great tempest he was in in what danger they were the battel betwéen the Sarazens Ships and theirs the imprisonment of Cosdroel and lastly the determination and pretence of the Pagan Kings moved thereunto by the Children of Arcalaus and others as mischievous as they whereof the Emperor my Master hath thought good to advertise your Grace to the end you may provide for them that you be not taken upon the suddain And to the same end prayeth you to send for all your Captains and Souldiers Friends and Allies together with the Emperor of Rome all which being assembled and your Ports well furnished in Warlike manner he hopeth this great and huge Army of Enemies can nothing at all hurt you but that all will turn unto their own confusion and overthrow And for his part assure your self my Lord he sléepeth not but determineth if they enterprize against him so to receive and entertain them that he hopeth to give them cause never to be so bold again as to visit him in such sort Truly said the King these hell-hounds have still a quarrel against mée yet have they at other times sufficiently found and assayed what I can do But if God will they shall féel once again this voyage what slaughter I can make of them for if they once set foot on land be it in great Brittain or in any other place where I command whatsoever falleth out I will give them battel My Lord said King Arban things done deliberately and by counsel have commonly good successe If they come to visit you as they brag they will time and season will give you means to resist them then as you shall find convenient In the mean time according to the Emperor your Sons counsel you shall if it please you make the matter known unto the Emperor of Rome and the rest of your friends by whom you may be ayded giving order likewise that your Ports be well furnished and all your ships rigged and prepared to set sail when it pleaseth you So will I do answered the King and therefore good cousin I pray you let mée have your counsel therein Séeing it is your will my Lord said Arban that I do it I will take what pains I can therein But who will you send in Embassage unto Rome Marry you my Lord Lazadin said the king taking him by the Arm shall take that charge upon you You have heard what Sergil hath declared unto us from my Sonne the same shall you declare unto the Emperour and that I desire him to have his men in a readinesse promising him that if the cloud falleth in Italy presently to aid him there and that whensoever it falleth here about that he will aid mée in like case as I doubt not but he will My Lord said Lazadin your pleasure shall bee fulfilled And I pray God give mée grace there and in other places to do you any service I may Prepare your self then said the King and take what company you think good with you That done the Counsel brake up every one repairing to his lodging The King and Arban together devising what order were best to bée taken for the Country In the mean time Lazadin having Vessels and men prepared with a prosperous Winde set sail unto Ostie where being arrived he Landed and from thence took his journey unto Rome being there hée presented himself before the Emperor of whom he was first most courteously entertained and then demanded the cause of his repair thither And if it please your Grace answered Lazadin King Amadis my Master recommendeth himself most affectionately unto you and hath written you a Letter wherewith he presented the same unto the Emperor wherein was nothing specified but onely a credit for the Messenger and that he could at large dilate the matter unto him Wherewith the Emperor prayed Lazadin to delare the same which he did from point to point as ye heard before desiring him at the end in his Masters behalf to prepare a puissant Army ready to resist the Pagans power wheresoever they should Land were it in Italy or great Brittain assuring your Grace said he to the Emperor and so hath the King my Master given me in charge to declare unto you that if the cloud fall in your countrey he will aid you with so great a force that you shall know what desire he hath to do you pleasure and if it falleth in his Countries that it will please you to succour him in like manner for that he saith your two forces being united together with your Friends and Allies all the Princes
affairs and the little leisure he hath had to receive the Princes Knights and others that are come to visit him whereas I have béen constrained to remaine so in such sort that forgeting my self I did not once remember you till this morning that my affairs being somewhat lessened I called you to minde and there with came hither not only to visit you but also to amend the fault I had committed in your behalf And it liketh your Grace answered the Knight I do now very well and better than before perceive that it should bée a thing unnatural if the trée should not bring forth fruit like unto the root from which it first sprang I say this my good Lord in respect of you touching mine own part that have not deserved the honour you did unto me you will therein follow the bounty of that famous King Lusart your Father a man estéemed of throughout the whole world not only for his magnanimity but also for his wisdome and courtesie as much as any Prince that lived before his time or since Wherein truely you so well imitate his steps and that in such manner that having vanquished me in battel I confesse my self more vanquished then before by reason of the great courtesie I finde in you so that I am constrained to account this your victory of greater honor then if I my self had overcome ten of the best Knights in great Brittain Truely said the King this courtesie you talk of as far as I can perceive doubleth in your self But let us leave this discourse and tell me if it please you in what case you find your body and whether you find your self any better then you did upon the seas By how much the more said the Knight that the health of my body increaseth and approacheth so much the more diminisheth and withdraweth the joy I was accustomed to have in place whereof I am solicited by most grievous sadnesse and not without great cause one by reason that perceiving my self healed I finde my self in Prison and arrested whereby my heart is so grieved that I would willingly by death bee delivered out of pain not as I said before because I am so happily falne into your hands but by reason I may not accomplish the voyage I have taken in hand nor yet satisfie and fulfill that which I have sworn and promised to do having already passed so many perils and misfortunes for the attaining of my desire whereunto I have so long time aspired And now because I know that my purpose is failed and the grief my Prince will receive by my fault as also the losse that so many great Lords shall receive by my long staying it so much vexeth me that in a manner I am almost out of my wits and ready to destroy my self This discourse pleased well the King for thereby he perceived his prisoner entring into the very matter it self whereof he was so desirous to be satisfied which the more easily to procure hée said unto him what the cause of your grief is I know not but of this one thing can I well assure you that during your abode here you shall be well assured to receive all the honour and good entertainment that may bee de●ised among us for such is the Emperors will and pleasure so courteous and merciful a Prince is hée In the mean time séeing we are in this discourse I pray you sir by the promise I look for of you on the faith of a Knight ye will declare unto me that which I shall ask you Therein I will do your pleasure said the Knight for though I say it my self I know not any Gentleman living more desirous and careful to maintain his credit and promise than my self and ever will wherein I will not yield to any man Such is to bée looked for said the King at the hands of men of your calling now therefore I pray you declare unto mée who you are what your name is and what that King and those great Lords are which attend your return as also the occasion of your voyage My Lord said the Knight the faith I have given you holdeth me so straightly bound thereunto as it forceth me to declare that fréely unto you which a thousand deaths together should not constrain me unto I am saith he called Cosdroel of Anfamia Son of that valiant Knight Brontaias of Anfamia of the Isle of Sagitaries who was slain by the hands of the Valiant Knight Amadis de Gaule in the battle that King Aravigne fought against King Lisuart your Father _____ At the time of whose death I was so young that I may very well bée excused of the revenge I ought to take for his death and since that time likewise fortune hath béen so adverse and cruel unto King Aravigne that hée attempting twice to supply my want of years and ability assembled two Armies but if he sped evil in the first hée had worse fortune in the second for although he wan the victory and the town of Lubame was taken where King Luisart and his army were overthrown hee was neverthelesse himself overthrown and before his departure from thence remained Prisoner by him that before had béen his Captive which was done by the force of King Amadis whereof I spake before who only hath béen the cause that neither the revenge of my Fathers death nor yet the losse of the King of Aravigne could for those times have any other issue then shame and dishonour Which I considering in my self and being attained unto age and strength correspondent determined once again to try fortune and by all means devised still to recover the losses past in such manner that from the day that King Aravigne made mée Knight with another of my Kinsmen son of Ancidel slain likewise with my Father by the hands of Don Frestan King of Sardaign he and I vowed and made promise unto our Gods to revenge our losses by all the wayes we might and although the means were taken from us to execute vengeance on our Principal enemies at the least we would do our endeavours against their Parents and Allyes wherein wée had already so well procéeded in the War begun against King Brundo that having in a manner recovered all the lands of King Aravigne and dis-inherited his enemies we thought utterly to overthrow him but Don Florestian succouring him with twelve of his Knights fought against twelve of our Knights whereby King Aravigne remained not only vanquished but was slain his people put to flight his honour defaced and all our Army so feared and abashed at so many crosses and evil fortunes that loosing both heart and courage wée retired with shame and dishonour determining neverthelesse once again at some better time to assemble and again to pursue whatsoever befel on so just a quarrel and revenge In the mean time beléeve mée sir I never was at my hearts ease nor yet shall be until such time I shall have revenged my kinsmans blood
shed in such sort as I have declared unto you And for that wée are diverse of this one opinion and intent we therefore have made a league and promise to yeild and all with one consent have required aid and succour of all the Pagan Kings our friends who to that end have already begun to assemble men from all parts and that in so great number that they being altogether and once entered into great Brittain it shall be impossible that the King raigning therein should resist us neither whole Christendome although they were altogether assembled and would undertake the same But what Kings and Lords said Norandel dare so much presume séeing that those which in times past assayed the like have sped so ill that the greatest part of them have left their lives remaining so well chastised for their presumptions that this country whereof you speak hath béen their Sepulchre and that therein as yet are living the same Knights which in those times both overcame and vanquished them Ha answered Cosdroel assure your self as I said before unto you that their number is now so great and they mean to descend in so many places of the Land that the small number of those valiant Knights you praise so much will be estéemed as nothing in that behalf and which is more we are well advertised that within this little time Knighthood is rusted among them that in a manner there is not any more talke ministred of wandring Knights but all like carpet Knights in stead of following Arms as in times past men were accustomed to do study onely to fit by the fire and court fair Ladies which maketh them so much the worse estéemed of I pray you then shew mée saith the King who are these Pagan Kings whereof so much you vaunt VVho answered the King first the Soldan of Liquie the Admiral of the great Turke the King of Licom son of King Ataligo the King of Libia the King of Persia the King of Media the King of the Isles of Colcos the Children of Arcala most strong and valiant in arms with all those of the Isle of Caville kinsmen and friends unto the Children of Dardan le Superbe the Gyant Dramiron of Aucone bastard Son of Bonterbo a far better knight then ever was his Father and bringeth with him above ten thousand fighting men the Gyant Gromolias the son of Panorente Brucalan le Brave Manibuenca le Dissemblalle the Duke of the Desart the Signeur of the Brave Rothe both Gyants and the Gyant Almandragro Nicrofero son of the Gyant Bultrase and divers other valiant personages And now I came from the great Turk himself having béen with him to desire his aid therein who of his great liberality and vertue hath made mée answer that of his own power he will cause so many men to enter into Britain and France that hée himself will onely overthrow them meaning in the mean time to send so puissant an army against the Emperor and thereby give him so much to do that he shall not by any means be able to aid or assist King Amadis or any other his friends These things are not so easie saith the King to be atchieved and gone thorow withal as they are begun by reason the first point is easie but the second much more hard and to prove it to be so assure your self that in all the countries by you named they shall find such and so many good and valiant Knights and Souldiers that never in their lives it may be they found themselves so hardly matched and their proud enterprises as I hope shall remain as much voyd and frustrate of all means as they to the contrary think it strong fortified and Iust Iuster then it is can it not be answered Cosdroel for that some of them come to revenge the deaths of their Parents and kindred other their own injuries and the most part for to recover their lands and possessions lost VVho are they said the King Who answered he I will shew you that is Cosdroel of Aucone to recover the Isle desart that was his Fathers the Children of Arcalaus the Castles and places of the Isle that Dragonis holdeth Barsman the Seignior of Sansuegne wherein at this present Don Quedragant remaineth the Kingdome of Aravigne that King Brundo holdeth which most assuredly was the said Kings whose sonne not long since hath béen elected and crowned King of Licome and a thousand other which I could name unto you To which King Norandel for that time would make him no further answer meaning thereby not to give him any intelligence or perseverance of the desire he had to understand further of the matter but onely demanded of him in what time hée thought they would be assembled and joyned together In good faith answered Cosdroel the greater part of them are already prepared to embark themselves and attend onely the comming of the Turks Army that they may set sail all together and you for your part sir Knight said the King what shall become of you Are you in hope to be there in person Yea truely said he if your vertue be such that setting apart the revenge you might well take of so poor a Prisoner and a stranger as I am you will discharge him of imprisonment and give him liberty to accomplish his message he hath promised to make unto those Lords to whom hée was travelling at such time as you stayed him which done look whether it will please you I shall return I promise you of my faith so to do without failing in any point Touching your liberty can I not dispose said the King for that concerneth the Emperour himself but I will declare the whole discourse unto him and therein will use my self so well in your behalf that I doubt not but according unto his accustomed clemency and Princely magnanimity you shall obtain whatsoever you request at his hands therewith bidding him farewel he took his leave and departed CHAP. III. How the Emperor understood of the Pagan King's enterprize and of the Turkish Prisoners deliverance KIng Norandel thus departed from Cosdroel went presently unto the Emperour whom onely being accompanied with Don Flores he said may it please your Grace my Lord I have this morning béen to visit our Turkish prisoner but as far as I can perceive and learn by him your Grace hath more cause to assemble men of War and prepare your Armors then either to dance or use any other pleasure Why said the Emperor what saith he Then King Norandel began from point to point to declare unto him the whole discourse which you heard before as touching the great assembly of men made by the Pagan Princes not onely to assail great Brittain but also the whole Land of Christendome and the City of Constantinople it self And as he continued on his discourse not omitting any thing thereof the Emperour both wise and well advised in the mean time pondered in his mind the dangers and accidents that might happen thereby
become too idle and slacker in arms then the honor and duty of Knighthood did require and yet had he not any acquaintance elsewhere Neverthelesse his age greatnesse and force together with his courage willed him to forget that effeminate and courtly life and from thenceforth to employ himself unto works of vertue worthy of great dignity and praise wherewith his minde being both night and day perplexed and troubled that he could not kéep the matter so secret but that of force he must use some spéech thereof to Lipsan of Moniaste Son unto Brian King of Spain whom he loved affected and was private withall more than any other that attended on his person so that one day among the rest they walking together in an Arbor and being out of all company he began to discourse unto him the secrets of his heart without omitting any point thereof desiring his opinion therein Sir answered he my advise is that in all things you ought to follow the will and pleasure of the Emperor for you must think that whether it bée in this or any other thing that toucheth your honor hée is more careful for you than your self You say so said Don Flores and yet you know well enough at what bay hée holdeth mée and the prolongation he useth against my desire wherefore I am determined whatsoever happeneth thereof to depart from hence whether I hope not to return again until such time that by my valiant enterprises in Arms I may bée estéemed worthy the linage whereof I am descended for that accursed is the Son that resembleth the Father no more but only in being his Childe and not in his vertues and good conditions You know my Lord said Lipsan that I will never disobey you but will bear you company not only in this enterprise but in all others it shall please you to undertake as hée that most desireth to do you service Of my faith my good friend said Don Flores I assure my self thereof likewise do I love and estéem you more than any kinsman or friend I have and because I perceive King Norandel coming towards us let us leave off our discourse for this time and the next day when we ride on hunting we will conclude whereas we may with more privity and leisure devise thereof So it is best answered Lipsan whereupon King Norandel approached to whom they went telling him that they determined the next day to hunt so to passe the time Of my faith said the King such pleasure is fit for young Princes and great Lords at the least said Lipsan if we cannot prove our force against wandring Knights wée will exercise the same upon all kinde of Beasts wée finde Being in this discourse they entred into the Palace where they met Falangris Abris de Sausirege and other Gentlemen unto whom the enterprise of their hunting was made known to the end that each of them might bée ready the next day Next morning the hunters went abroad very early into the Forrest to make preparation before the Princes coming thither but scarse had they entred therein but that all the young Gentlemen were at their héels The wood was very full of Harts Hindes Does Wolves Bears Lions and other kinde of Beasts giving sufficient cause of recreation as also a place very fit to bring them up for besides the largenesse and thicknesse thereof it was at the end closed with the Sea and on the sides with Rocks and Caves where they were not long time séeking game but Don Flores alwaies accompanied by Lipsan began to say unto him I pray you my good friend let us go aside and there make an end of our devise yesterday begun which to do as then was not very difficult for that some were busied in setting up of nets others in loosing of Hounds and other Dogs after their Game and the most part in beating the bushes and séeking who should first finde some kind of beast or other lying at rest whereby these two young Princes had means to follow their pretended deliberation and without any thing perceived by Don Falangris who the Emperor had expressely sent thither to attend upon his son They entred into the thicknesse of the Wood wherein they had not ridden long but issuing out of a bushy path way entred into a pleasant meadow in the midst whereof sprang one of the most fairest and clearest fountains of water that could be séen at the brink whereof they alighted for that already the Sun begun to be somewhat high and the air to be hot and unbridling their Horses giving them liberty to féed sate them down under a great Palm-Trée where Don Flores returning unto his matter the day before begun let his Friend understand that his mind was fully resolved not to return any more unto the Court but to depart thence séeking his adventures until such time as he might obtain the order of Knighthood for believe mée saith hée my good friend it is small honor for mée being the Son of such a Father as I am and Nephew unto the great King Amadis to dwell so long time among Ladies and to bée their minion continuing an effeminate and idle life I had rather chuse not to have any other riches in this World then only a good Harnesse a strong Spear and a gallant Horse to ride on wherewith I assure my self and my heart so giveth mée that I shall win Renown and may attain unto that degrée of honour which so many good knights heretofore have obtained Lipsan hearing him speak with so great an affection and considering that very hardly should hée break off or disswade him from that which he so resolutely had concluded in his mind answered him saying My Lord I find your devise good but yet it séemeth unto mée very hard for us to escape out of this Countrey in such secret manner as you desire either by Land or Sea Did you never hear said Don Flores that to the thing a man pretendeth and purposely goeth about nothing is hard or difficult God hath likewise created him above all the beasts most singular and incomparable Wherefore let us boldly enter into our journey and you shall sée that aid will not be wanting and if the worst fall let us enter disguised among others into the first Bark that setteth sail yet were it better answered Lipsan to take the Bark wherein I came hither and with my men sail whither Fortune shall lead us It is well said answered Don Flores and for the rest let mée alone We will depart by night and I will take so much money with mée that we will have sufficient to furnish our selves both of Horses and Armors And being in this discourse they heard the bushes and hedges shake and therewith a great noyse as it were rushing through the thickets of some thing that séemed to make towards them and presently they perceived a great and fierce Lyon with most fiery eyes issuing forth of the Wood which being oppressed with
have correspondent to serve your turn in all places where you travel then unbinding the other shée took out another Armour all white as snow with a Shield Or streamed with flames of fire gules And these said she to Lipsan shall be yours for like as in this Shield are painted flames burning so shall your heart flame in the love of Ladies Which indéed happened afterward for he bare such and so extream an affection unto the fair Clistibalda Daughter of King Norandel that he was ready to dye for her sake and for the love of her he accomplished and brought to an end many fair and strange adventures as it shall bée recited in the discourse of our History wherein he shall be called by his Esquire the Knight of the burning flames Then giving order for his Horse and other necessaries convenient and fit for his and Don Flores departure she said I pray God my Children that all may fall out to his glory and service and that to your honours you may receive the order of Knighthood to bear Arms during your lives as your ancesters have done before you whereunto that you may attain in the morning betimes you shall enter into a Ship ready rigged and prepared for you in the Haven and shall sail right unto Rome where these my Gentlewomen shall accompany you for they shall serve you and do you much pleasure in divers places assuring you that in all my life I never knew any man nor woman except Mrs. Elizabeth more expert in surgery than they are Therewith the two young Gentlemen gave her most hearty thanks and for that time took their leave the next morning minding to imbark themselves which they did assoon as day appeared with so good a wind and prosperous journy that they arrived safely at Rome where the two Gentlewomen not ignorant what they had to do apparelled themselves most richly then commanding two white Geldings to be sadled got upon them desiring the two young Gentlemen to stay for them till they came again for said they it is requisite that we go before and speak with the Emperor which done we will return and certifie you what answer he maketh God be your spéed answered Don Flores and Lipsan Then they rid in haste unto the City where they arrived at such time as the Emperor with the Ladies were set at meat they entred into the great Hall where they found them almost ready for their fruit and with most reverent countenance presented themselves before him And as being well brought up made unto him thrée low courtesies Gentlewomen said the Emperor have you any cause to use my help or any others that are of my Court. And it liketh your Grace said they unto your self only are we adressed you then have found me said the Emperor ready to make you acquainted with the good desire I have to shew unto all Ladies and Gentlewomen any service I can We hope no lesse of the vertue and magnanimity that is in your Grace answered they although we never deserved the same at your hands Well then said the Emperor in what thing will you now imploy me for if it be possible assure your selves I will accomplish the same My Lord said they wée are come out of a far and strange Country to bear company unto two Gentlemen of most high and noble Parentage one whereof hath great desire to bee made Knight And because there is not any part of the world wherein Knighthood flourisheth more than in this your Court he hath resolved and determined with himself not to receive the same unlesse it be at your hands my Lord if it please your Grace to invest him therewith and for that he knoweth that such favours are commonly granted by Princes and great Lords such as you are sooner to Gentlewomen than to others whatsoever they are he therefore hath desired us to take the pains although to us but a pleasure to come unto your Majesty to present this his humble request which and it pleaseth your Grace under your correction you shall grant him assuring you that both the one and the other for whom we intreat are of blood Royal and of so noble houses that it shall redound unto your Graces honor and glory Truely Gentlewomen said the Emperor you shall not be denied at my hands a thing so reasonable and vertuous but I pray you most instantly at the least if you may do it without offence to shew us more at large what manner of men they are My Lord answered they your Majesty shall pardon us that can we not do for it is expreslie forbidden us wée will presentlie go fetch them and sure we are you will be greatlie pleased with the sight Which said taking their leave they returned the same way they came leaving the Emperor much musing at the adventure saying to his Lords that certainlie such young strangers suits desiring Knighthood out of so far Countries as the Gentlewomen had reported must néeds be of more account then commonly other Knights are Mean time the two Messengers were again returned unto Don Flores and Lipsan that stayed for them unto whom they declared what they had done as you have heard before wherefore said they you must both mount on Horseback Armed in the same Arms my Lady our Aunt gave you and wée will guide you to Rome even unto the Emperors Presence which they presently did They were both most fair and of most excellent form of body especially Don Flores whose forme and shape was so perfect that for greatnesse and strength correspondent he séemed some young Gyant and in truth during his time he never found any that ever prevailed against him Then setting foot on Land and mounting on their Horses Armed as they were they travelled towards Rome and being come thither rid streight unto the Court entring into the great Hall where the Ladies were devising together by whom they were most courteously welcomed especially of the Emperor who with great honour received them and after a pleasant countenance and courteous entertainment given them turning unto the two strange Gentlewomen he asked of them if these two young Gentlemen were the same they had shewed him off Yea and it liketh your Grace said they And I am ready said the Emperor then to fulfil on them the promise I made unto you and to give them the order of Knighthood when it shall please them to receive it It shall then be to morrow said Don Flores if so it pleaseth your Grace this night according to the custome wee will watch and in the morning your Majesty shall accomplish on us what shall séem good unto you The Emperor had not in long time before béen requested to do any such thing nor that turned him unto greater honour wherefore he determined to kéep a feast and to shew his great magnificence for the love of the two young Gentlemen strangers whom hée should make Knights In the mean time the two Esquires brought from