Gerileon doe aduaunce W. M. THE FIRST BOOKE of the Hystorie of Gerileon After the death of the most puissaunt and vertuous king Brandismell King of greate Britaine there succeeded hym in the gouernement of the said Realme a Sonne of his called Floridamant The whiche beyng in hys Pallace at London feastyng his Lordes and Barons and making preparatiō one afternoone to go course an Harte in the company of the Princes Huberte of Scotlande and Dorian Sonne to the Kyng of Spaigne which Harte he had seen in a wood neere to the Castle of Mirandoll There entered into the Hall a Damsell who hauyng recounted to hym a certaine aduenture had hym away with her The first Chapter THOSE whiche haue been curious in readyng of auncient Histories are nothing ignoraunte howe amongest those Realmes whiche for their fertilitie and worthinesse haue in tymes paste merited any Commendations Brittaine the Greate hath not only matched but also farre surpassed them all As well because of naturall beauty goodnes therof as in that it is the country vnder heauen which of all Antiquity hath bene more populous better stoared of strong and valiaunt Knightes then any other whatsoeuer thether drawen and allured partlie by the excellent and deuine beautie of the Ladies there inhabityng partly by the merueilous and straunge aduentures there accustomably found In so much that for this occasion it hath béen often called the Lande aduenturous Neither might any one of forraine Coastes or Countries name hym selfe a true and valiaunt knight if in it hee had not made proofe of his worthines there atchiuyng some straunge aduentures But especially in the tyme of the moste Puissaunt and vertuous king Brandismel whiche hauyng by his prowesse and valiauncy conquered many Realmes and Prouinces as Norwaie Swethlande and Denmarke instituted also the order of the twelue couragious knightes of greate Britaine beyng suche and endued with so greate force and valiauncie that fewe their likes were as then to bee founde in the whole worlde Amonge whom for moste valiaunt was the kinge Ferrande of Norwaie Dom Grandilaor and Dom Murcibel king of Denmarke The rest also because of their bounty dexteritie and bouldnesse in matters of Armes were greate praise worthy For this occasion was king Brandismel much feared and redoubted of his neighboures and borderers yet no lesse beloued of them for his courtesie liberalitie lenitie and humanitie with other vertues infinite whiche were resplendisaunt in hym And in suche forte that there was not hee whiche doyng hym the most toylesome and agreable seruice hee coulde did not yet estéeme himself most happy to be insinuated into his good grace and fauour so to gaine his gratious amitie But the fatall Sisters most impious and enuious of the good successe and felicitie of humaine kinde and of those especially whiche retaine a singular contentment and pleasure to bee in the fellowship and acquaintaunce of a Prince so vertuous and debonaire bereft them the shinyng gleames of noblenesse and myrour of Chiualry out of this worlde shreading a sonder the last thréede of this so vertuous a king the yere of grace after the death of our Sauiour Iesus Christ 418. the 66. yere of his age and 32. of his raigne Whervppon I can not rightly expresse the dolour sorrow that the couragious knightes his Subiectes receiued with his most priuate and best frendes In so muche that as recounteth vs the Historie there were suche of them as remained twoo or three Monethes without power to refraine themselues from weeping and lamenting most bitterlie when as it came to them in minde of the Bountie and Vertue of that noble Prince And chieflye the worthy olde Candior Duke of Normandy a Prince surelie amongest the Sage and hardy muche commendable Neuerthelesse as there is noe griefe so greate whiche in course of tyme a quite consumer of all thinges is not put foorthe of remembraunce So for iuste cause this good Lorde of Normandy together with the reste whiche were moste dolefull for the losse of a King so debonaire and vertuous at laste made ende of their plaintes and lamentations And for iuste cause saye I in that he lefte them for successour a Sonne of his begotten by his deere and loyall Spouse and Wife Florixe whiche not many yeres before had departed this life whiche saide sonne after the death of his Father was Heire not onely of his terreine Dominions and Possessions but also of his most rare and singuler vertues For besides that he was a good knight prudent and hardy past measure beeyng of a large stature his members well made formed and proportioned in equality the one with the others of sixe or seauen and twentie yeres of age ▪ or there aboutes he was also had in reputation for the most sage modest courteous Prince of his tyme In so much that to make briefe no man could require or wish any thing proper or conuenient for so great a personage as his whereof his valiauncie and inuincible prowesse was not beautified and adorned This same was called Floridamant the which did neuer finde man of what force or puissaūce soeuer he were who daring to Iust with hym hadde not geuen plainly to feele and vnderstande that he was peerelesse and not matcheable For this cause there was no knight in all Brittaigne the Greate whiche at his newe arriuall to the Crowne did not deliberate and determine to conuerte and tourne the lamentations and weepinges of his Fathers death into ioyes and gladnesse for hauing after the losse of a good Lorde and Master recouered and receaued a better kyng To whom there lacked so litle that he should degenerate from the bountie and goodnes of his predecessour that by his vertue whiche rather more then lesse did hym illustrate he did in suche sort striue and endeuour in equalitie of valiauncie and good behauiour to imitate and counteruale hym that his Knightes Princes and Barons with other of his Vassailes and Seruauntes thought in no wise to haue chaunged their Maister who vnwillyng to omit anye iote of his greate magnificence a while after his Coronemente made and gaue so many faire and Godly Giftes and Presentes not onely to the couragious knightes his Subiectes but also to such straungers as were come to visite him and to make offer to hym of their seruice beeyng nothyng ignoraunt that liberalitie rendreth men subiect and bounde towardes those whiche vse it that there was not he whiche pricked and prouoked with a desire to doe him agreable seruice so muche his lenity and liberality had charmed and enchaunted their affections would not willinglie haue put his life in hazarde for the maintenaunce conseruation of his honour And for that that a little afore the decease of the good king Brandismel his Father he had espoused the daughter of king Barrachen of Scotlande named Bellizenne a Princesse as sage and vertuous as faire and gracious for fewe there were who then for beauty good grace durste compare with her There were come to visite
because hee was armed with Harnesse wholy so enchaunted that neither sword nor other weapon whatsoeuer could pearce or cut hee resisted well more then an hower against his aduersarie who also defended hymself valiauntlie as God knowes he had neede for both of them were strong valiaunte and skilfull in Armes True it is that if Kyng Marton exceeded hym somewhat in force hee againe counterueiled it in agillitie and nimblenes of bodie and in craft of Skirmishyng as wel appeared by him in this mutual combat But the other to counterueile all that gaue hym now and then such grene atteintes that the red bloud began alreadie in some places to runne doune his body but for al that neuer made he any semblaunce of griefe to condemne hym self of Cowardyse But as the Beare and the wilde Boare beyng enuenomed one against another stryue still with rage to pull eche other in peeces so these twoo valiaunt Champions did all their powers to depriue eche other of life although the one had small aduauntage of the other whiche made them maruell much of their owne prowesses still paiyng eche other as the Smith with an heauy Hammer doth his Anuild often and as the one his Harnesse so did the others nimblenes kéepe them both aliue long And thus endured the Combate a greate while duryng whiche the Knight of the Dragon his fellowe rushed in amongst the Paynims of whom he made a merueilous buttherie and slaughter and with his Meyny behaued himself so well that many were slaine and a multitude drowned neither coaped he with any but hee loste either Leg Arme shoulder Necke or some parte of his body alwaies hauyng a soueraine care to saue his owne Ships notwithstāding whereunto after a while all his men reentered by his commaundement For séeing the rest of the aduersaries Vessels at hande whiche Kyng Grandowyne and his twoo Sonnes led whom if they had taried they had bene all discomfited they hoyst vp sailes and moued Dares to departe with all speede contenting them selues with the honour which they had gotten in resisting so many with so smal a power to the great damage and ruine of their Enemies and yet loosing a very few of their owne party neither any vessell but that wherein was the knight of the Dragon who whiles hys men prepared them selues to gayne the North kepte Marton plaie still to whom seeyng then readie to departe hee gaue suche ablowe with his Sworde on the head that hee made hym fall on his knees so astonished that he knew not where he was and then taking a little Boate whiche was swiftlie furnished with Sailes and Mariners hee retyred with the rest of his Armie awaie from his aduersaries leauyng them agreeued at this encountrie who not knowyng how to be reuenged set fire on that great shippe whom hee had lefte them For as it was better they thought it good rather to retyre with that gottē victory then with daunger to attend the comyng of the rest of the Army to their great ouerthrowe and confusion a thyng rather to be reputed rashenes of them then hardines Although the Paynims thought verely to haue gotten the honour through their flight Who taking their voyage towarde greate Brittayne tooke Porte a while after at the Cittie of London where as then laye the good Kynge Floridamant who with a greate Troupe of his Barons and Lordes wente to welcome those twoo valiaunt Knightes which so had vsed the Paynims whom he a farre of knewe by the ensignes hanged on the Mastes of their shippes to be the valiaunte Kynge Ferrande of Norwaie and worthy Grandilaor his Neuewe whom not long afore Floridamant had made crowned King of Swethelande at the discease of Antizilianas Father whom hee had married who were come from their kingdomes sente for by Kynge Floridamant in order as is afore saied to giue hym succour For you must note that the Noble kyng of greate Brittaine beyng certified of the waste and iniurie whiche kyng Brandissant had made in goyng through his Realme perceiued well that hee went toward his Father the kyng of Cornewayle who prepared against hym a mightie Hoaste to reuenge the death of his two other Children whom hee had put to death And beyng aduertized of the greate force and puissaunce wherewith he came against hym And doubting hym selfe not able to resiste so greate an Armie had sente Ambassadours on all sides to the kinges his Neighbours to desire their ayde and chiefly to these two his Subiectes who failed not herein to come And by the waye knowyng that the Paynims were not farre from them they had parted their Armie in twoo to embushe and assaile theym as you haue afore heard to their great ruine and decaie Who a while after theim came to take Lande before the Cittie of London from whence after a long and a sharpe Combate they were expulsed and driuen backe and so cōstrained to caste Ancour elsewhere aboute a Myle from the Cittie where Maugre the Christians they descended as I meane to shewe you in the firste Chapter of my nexte booke God willing with the rest of their Battels and discomfitures But as now you must accorde to graunt mee some reste to the ende that with more grace and excellencie I maye recompte it vnto you then I haue done anie thing heretofor For my Head now is amazed my Penne worne and my Hande so benomnie That if I haue not now some rest I neuer can at chiue the rest The Pagans hauing laide seege to the Citie of London determined with one consent to roote out all Christians vniuersally and for the winnyng of the Citie they elected the Kynges Guitarde of Baccaleos and Angrofolt who tooke with hym the twoo mightie Giauntes Brizard and Rogemont and with mayne force entred into the Citie where Guytard bearded by Kyng Floridamant was forced to retire backe in more haste then hee had entred not without the slaughter of all his people wherevpon Angrofolt beyng encontered by Kynge Floridamant after Combate enduryng a long season was taken Prisoner with the stout Saracen Micophron The. xx Chapter NOw my noble Lordes and fauourable Dames since that my spirites haue reposed them selues and the instrumentes of my speach are recreated euen as of your fauors ye haue deigned I entende in prosecutyng my purpose to recounte vnto you the residue as yet vnrehearsed wherevnto I craue your attentiue eares For so muche as I am assured that in the rehearsall thereof your mindes shall receiue singular contentation euen as my studies are bent to guide you into the possession of suche passyng delightes as ensue Mention was partly made afore howe after that the Pagans who at their firste landyng would haue entered and harboured their Nauie directly against the City of London by the valour of the Kynges Floridamant Ferrand of Norway and Grandilaor the hardie and by the courage of the valiaunte Knightes resiant and soiournyng there no lesse manfullie then bloudily beaten backe bloudily I saye for that with greate slaughter and
occision of their people they were enforced to take landing at an other place difficult and vntowarde inough liyng more then a Myle distaunte from the Citie where immediatly vppon their ariuall without anie stoppe or impedimente because the Inhabitauntes of the Citie perceiued theim selues not of sufficient force to pursue or assaile theim any further they descended from their Vesselles and went a Lande with a greate noyse and Tintinare of Trompets Shalmes Drommes Fifes and other like melodious Instrumentes of Warre at sounde wherof the Pagans that first tooke Lande did nought els but daunce and triumphe iolily whiche brauerie of theirs endured but for a shorte season For presently after that the kynges Grandowin Angrafolt Brandissant and the rest with their Souldiers and all their traine whom they had conducted to assaulte the Citie of London whiche they imagined to take within three or fower daies at the moste were descended from their Shippes they marched on meanyng to encampe in a faire and verie wide plaine which as then was situate not farre from the Citie In the middest wherof a manne mought haue seen the stately and magnificente Pauilions of the mightie Heathenishe Kynges and the others whiche resembled an high Groue enuironed with a multitude of lopte Trees among whiche there was erected one farre surmountyng all the reste in length and breadth whiche serued the vse of these kynges in steede of an huige Halle to consulte and deliberate touchyng their affaires the same as a sumptuous and braue Castle with Towers was hemde in with Pauilions of the Kynges Angrafolt and Brandissant on bothe sides wherevnto did closely adioyne on the one parte to the lodgyng of Brandissant the Pauilions of kyng Salazard Zorlot Cambarel and Phagotrof on the other appeared the lodgynges richely besene of the puissaunt Tauladas kyng of Canada and Guitarde lorde of the I le of Baccaleos together with those of the old kyng Grandowin Barant and Marton the strong of Cantabrie All whiche on the morrowe as sone as their whole traine and furniture were sette in order failed not to assemble theim selues in the greate Pauilion to take deliberation and aduise what were beste to bee doen where vnto all the principall knightes that is to saie Dukes Erles and Barons were called of whom there was a greate number The old kyng Grandowin for that by occasion of hym the assemblie was made sittyng on the highest Seate of all whiche was verie sumptuouslie prepared and adorned hauyng his twoo Sonnes Angrafolt on the right and Brandissant on the left hande and all the other kynges with Lordes of greate power stoute and braue knightes aboue sixe hundred begann to speake vnto them in this maner Moste mightie and excellente Kynges Princes Dukes Erles Barons and knightes if the greeuous sorowe and extreeme heauinesse wherewith through the remembraunce of the losse and death of my twoo Sonnes my hart is burdened and tormēted had stirred vp my courage alone with an inflamed desire to take suche straunge and dreadful vengeaunce as vnneth hath been heard of vpon the murderer of theim and of the chief parte of my lignage certes I would haue had no slender regard as one lothe to seme importunate vpō your Maiesties excellencies honours in requiryng your aides and succours in this enterprise well weighyng that my merite to you wardes is of no suche cōsequence that of so many mightie Lordes as in this assemblie are presente to offer and aduenture their gooddes and liues vpon the hazarde of Fortune and of death also should emploie theim selues in this attempte for my sake seeyng that for the accomplishment of the same I my self am of power sufficience with the aide of these my twoo sonnes who are no lesse bounde to take vehemente indignation at the shedyng of their blood and myne then myne owne self But sith the case so standes that the deuotion of the Goddes and the desire to augmente our Lawe and Religion ought to embolden and inspire our courages with an vnaccustomed valiauncie and prouoke our stomackes with bloudie rage not onely to bryng to vtter ruine the moste traiterous and mischeuous Tiraunte that euer did weare Croune hym I meane of Greate Britaine but also wholie to extermine and roote out this cursed ofspryng of Christians who in comparison of vs that hold in subiection Asia Afrique and the greater parte of Europe are but an handfull and yet if wee suffer theim to reigne in peace thei maie receiue suche encrease that as it happeneth not seldome the lesser augmente and the greater decrease in conclusion thei maye dispossesse and depriue vs of our Countries and Dominions ▪ the Inhabitauntes whereof to the greate dishonour of our God Mahomet thei will infecte with the contagion of their false belief to our singuler dammage and confusion of our Successours For whiche cause perceiuyng that the destruction of this accursed kyng Floridamant of Greate Britaigne who is one of their proppes and pillers of their Faithe is an acte in myne opinion verie necessarie for me to atchieue it semes also to bee a verie good and easie enteraunce by meanes of your assistaunce into the residue of our exploites remainyng behinde that is by our prowesse to deface and abolishe the vniuersall race and cable of Christians whose wealth and Seignories wee maie afterwardes diuide emong our selues as in our Iudgementes shall seme reasonable Behold ye noble wightes the chief occasion that hath moued me to assemble so many powers at one instaunt borrowing also your aides the whiche as I thinke should encourage you muche more chen if the enterprise were onely attempted in my behalfe consideryng that it cōcerneth and toucheth you well nigh so muche as my self Wherefore this is myne aduise that wee prosecute earnestly our enterprise vndertaken and begonne since that wee are here readie to put the same in execution doe plie the Iron whiles it is hotte and that without delaie if you iudge it beste to enter forcibly or by other practizes into the citee whiche in respecte of the goodly buildynges and monumētes therof we will neither burne nor raze but it shall suffise that we onely put to the edge of the Sworde all the people whiche wee shall finde within the same as well the small as greate bothe Women and Children murderyng and stayng theim in suche sorte that there shall not reste one to carry tidynges and to hym that can take the kyng Floridamant aliue and hym deliuer into our handes to bee doen to vile and ignominious death wee promise to giue in lieu of his deserte twoo thousande Talentes and so to aduaunce his estate that he maye accompte hymself a fortunate persone but the Dames and Gentlewomen suche as are endowed with singuler beautie shall bée saued to serue for our share and to bee disposed after our likyng Immediatelie after this Saracen had belched out these woordes out of his malicious mouthe and stinkyng stomacke all the other Pagan kynges saied with one voice that he had spoken passyng well and
hym the twoo valiaunt Princes Hubert of Scotlande Brother to the Queene Bellizenne and Dorian Sonne to the kinge of Spaine whiche had aforetymes beene Compagnions of Armes and atchiued many Exploites and haughtie enterprises with hym He determined to addresse and make readie all sortes of recreations and pastimes the more honourablie to feaste and entertaine them as to appoint Iusâ—â—â—ges and Tourneis for the loue of Noble Dames and Ladies and to conducte them to the Chace of wilde Boares Hartes Roebuckes and other suche like beastes But as he enforced hymselfe to showe them suche and all other like pleasaunt recreations and pastimes whereof he coulde bee aduised Fortune which by her mobility inconstancie neuer suffreth thinges in one esse nor abiding but like to the immutatioÌ„ of the Sunne which sometymes lendeth vs his Raies and Beames moste resplendent cleare and brighte and his pleasaunt smilyng visage sometymes againe couered and ouerwhelmed with an infinite number of thicke and darke Cloudes or Mistes to vs appearyng obscure and darke causeth to fall vpon vs a multitude of waterishe and rainy showers straight waies is to vs frendly and fauourable lettyng vs sauour and smell the sweete taste of an infinite number of delightes and pleasures by and by contrariwise tournyng vpsidedoune the order of humaine affaires by a chaunge and alteration of dolours and sorrowes which she mingleth produceth amongest her voluptuos entisementes bringeth vs most often of anguishes and dolours a multitude innumerable making vs feele as muche bitternesse in the ende as she hath in the beginnyng brought pleasure ne permitteth loÌ„g these Princes which as then had none other care but to make good cheare and too entertaine eache one of the Queenes Dames and Damozelles which were full faire and gratious whom he bare most affection vnto to enioye these delightes pastimes without depriuyng them thereof shortly and that by the moste straunge aduenture whereof euer was made mention For so it chaunced that the newe king Floridamant beyng in his Pallaice at London in estate and forme aboue recouÌ„ted accoÌ„pagnied with the Princes Hubart of Scotlande and Dorian of Spaine purposing at after dinner to goe to course an Harte whiche hee had seene that mornyng in a Wood neere to Miranaol which was a Castell of one miles distaunce from the Towne geuen by the king to his newe espoused wife at certaine seasons there to recreate and refreshe her selfe when she should thinke good The whiche besides the Architecture and magnificent buildinges with diuersities of woorkes whereof it was framed and wrought the moste pleasaunt and riche of all others as then to be séen was in like maner so delectable and pleasaunt because of the said wood wherwith it was enuironed more then a myles compasse aboute that it was vnpossible to ioyne ought thereunto to geue enlargement to the perfection thereof in all that which one could desire or wishe to a place of like pleasaunce there entered into the Hal a Damosell of meane beauty whose countenauÌ„ce to sée to séemed so bedewed with teares dolefulnes that one would haue thought that of long tyme she had done nothyng but weapt and lamented in that as yet appeared along her face the trickling Teares distilling by grosse and greate droppes This same Damsell apperceiuyng the king whom she seemed well to knowe came to prostrate and fall doune on her knees before hym and sighyng bitterly eache one hauyng pursued her to vnderstande that whiche she would saye she spake on this sorte Most puissaunt king in whom al bountie and worthines of Chiualry and vertue aboundes more then in any other vnder Heaven the same of your prowesse humanitie courtesie and value which so often hath flowed from the one till the other side of the worlde hath caused mee to come from farre euen to these Coastes to requeste and beseech youre Royall highnesse the whiche I truste is not dispuruaied of mercy ne pittie that taking compassion of the most vnfortunate and miserable Damsell that liueth it may please you in respecte of the order of knighthoode whiche you haue taken not to denie me your succour and ayde against the most presumptuous wicked wight that liueth on the Earthe For saide she drawyng a sorrowfull sigh from the bottome of her hearte I am of opinion that none my Lord but you hath power to succour mee in this case so fierce and puissaunt is the disloyall wight whiche hath wrought mee this wrong But I hauyng so greate confidence and affiaunce in your bounty and prowesse suppose that you onely may matche hym and geue hym the ouerthrowe whiche hath bene cause that reiectyng all feare and shame through the necessitie which oppressed mée thus ouerboldly and vnreuerently I haue dared to beseech your Royall highnesse to bee so fauourable to mee in this my so vrgent affaire assuryng my self that not forgettyng in any pointe the duetie of a wise and valiaunt knight suche a one as you are accompted which is to succour Ladies Damselles afflicted as I am you will not gainesaie ne denie mee of the request whiche I pretende to make to you for that no man euer heard say that for cowardise or slacknesse vices whiche lodge not in you you euer disdained or discourteously denied any other who as I now do requested you to geue them aide and succour After that she had made an ende of her tale the king which had seen her in speaking weepe so bitterlye and three or fower tymes to breake of with suche continuall and hartie sighes and sobs that there was no harte so harde cruell and vnpitifull whiche she would not haue moued to coÌ„passion tooke such pity of her that hauyng caused her to stande vp where afore she kneeled he made her this aunswere Damsell tell mee hardly in what affaires my succour may serue and be fauourable vnto you promisyng you that nothyng forgetting my duetie I will hazard my life to sustaine your right or at the leastwise I will knowe what therin you haue Then the Damsell greatly appeased satisfied with so good and gracious an aunswere thankyng hym for the same with a lowe reuerence coloured her visage with somewhat more ioye then she brought therein painted a while afore and ceassyng her teares saide vnto hym Than I desire you Sir to geue mée audience while I make you a recitall of my ill lucke and misfortune and attentiuely to vnderstande the forme of myne aduenture more vnhappie then anye other whereof euer mention was made since the memorie of man Wherin it is meete you knowe that I am by birthe of the Lande of Thrace and Daughter of a Noble and vertuous Kynge named Minoberis who in hys tyme hath beene as strongt and valiaunte in Armes as anye other whatsoeuer but so smallye fauoured of Fortune that nowe she suffereth hym to consume the reste of his age so miserably as is possible to imagine for that he liueth in a Prison made cruell and tirannous with a torment tenne hundreth
any man to traueli there but on foote Then goinge thus through the Forreste thitherwarde where hee hearde the neighynge the whiche the more hee wente forwarde the further of was it hee was brought into suche extremitie that after long and vaine toylyng through hedges and bushes hee loste and dismissed hymselfe from the Pathe by the whiche he was come into the most thicke of the Forrest Notwithstandyng hee did so muche at laste by goinge and comminge from one place to another that within twoo howers after he began to finde a Pathe whiche conducted hym straight to the place where hee had lefte his horse tyed to a little Tree Whereof hee was somwhat ioyous but his ioye endured smal time For when he was ariued he founde hym not there Whereof he became farre more astonied and sorowfull then afore for he had bounde hym so well that in no wise he coulde escape to flee awaie as in deede he was not fledde but as writeth the Historian Gallarx he was taken and stolne by the subtill shift and craft of a good fellowe which was commonly called the wily outlawe remainyng in that Forreste And wyly outlawe might hee well bee called in that verie fewe passed that waie of what disposition or qualitie soeuer hee were whom hee had not by some meanes robbed of somewhat alwaies as he now did these twoo Horses of the kinges For the euenyng before duryng the tyme hee fought with the knight whom hee slewe this Thiefe had filched and stolne hym whiche in followyng the Damozelles Palfreie all the daie before was laide doune on the grounde for fainte and feeblenesse and that mornyng beyng determined to gette somewhat by suche as passed by accordyng to his custome aperceiuyng the king passing that waye beyng mounted on an other Horse had greate desire of hym to beare hym compaignye to the intent to gette that other horse also And to bryng the thyng he purposed to passe hee went neighing through the Forrest like an horse feigning so well the matter that the king hearyng hym beleued stedfastly that it was his Horse whom to pursue he was alighted But duryng the while he was in the rough Forrest in quest of the same the Royster was come to take awaie the other by an other bypath whiche he well knewe Whereof the kyng was so vexed and wearie in that as a Lackie it behoued hym to goe a foote that he beganne to curse and banne the Damosell whiche was wandered and straied from hym repentyng hym but to late of his follie Notwithstandyng he trauailed so farre a foote for fallyng here and there that about Middaie he beganne to abandon the Forest a mile from the whiche he mette an Heremite in a fower cornered pathe who kneelyng deuoutely afore the Crosse read busilie his Mattens with spectacles on his nose for he was so old and feble that he sawe but little in so muche that the Kyng was full nere afore he could discrie hym But seeyng hym armed as he was the visier of his healme being let doune he had of him so great feare that thinkyng he was some euill Spirite or Phantasme began straightewaies to marke hym selfe with the signe of the Crosse one while hym self an other while the Kyng mumblyng with his mouthe many suffrages and holie Praiers in Latine to coniure him Which the kyng seyng knowyng his feare to assure hym 〈◊〉 better toke his hedde péece of hauing humbly saluted hym reasoned with him in this sorte For Gods sake Father saied he bee you nothyng astonied of me for I am nought els but as you are also tell me where I might finde a place to repose my self and take some refection for since yester daie Mornyng haue I neither eaten nor dronken whereby I féele my self so feble and weake that with paine I can vneth sustaine my self The good manne Heremite hearyng hym speake of God hauyng taken courage to hym aunswered hym in Latine with like woordes Manne I knowe not what thou demaundest but if thou wilte vouchsafe to repose thy self in my little Celle I will giue thee to drinke water of the cleare Fountaine whiche is there nere vnto vs and also I haue some Chestenuttes and rootes of Hearbes boiled since yester night whereof if thou wilte thou maiest eate The Kyng whiche vnderstoode Latine knewe well that he could speake no other waies wherefore he aunswered hym in the same language that he was thereof content In so muche beeyng come into the Heremites Cell hee eate with a reasonable good appetite certain Chestnuttes the whiche the old man gaue hym verie daintely deemyng by hym self that fewe would suffice hym after whiche hauyng dronken a good cuppe of the fore saied Fountain water he departed not without greate thankes to the Heremite giuen reasonably well satisfied with the sustenaunce of that sumptuous banket Then did he nothyng but trauaill till it was nere night that he ariued on the Sea coste where he founde a boate in whiche was a man slepyng full soundly whom first hauyng awaked hym he required if he could transporte hym into any hauen where he might embarke hym self to goe to the Realme of Thrace and the manne aunswered hym yea and that he was thereof right well contente and that same euenyng he would bryng hym where he should bee lodged in the moste magnificent Castell that euer he sawe The Kyng being ioyous and right well apaid of so good an hap entryng the boate nothyng knowing how to take the wordes of his Ferie man but to sone alas he knewe them to his great damage For scarce was hee a mile frō the shore when he sawe not his man within the boate well might he perceiue the Oares to moue and traile forward the boate vpon tke waues of the Sea with so greate celeritie and swiftnesse as though some one had moued theim whereof he was more astonied and abashed then euer he was of any other thing that euer had chaūced in his life Notwithstandyng he yet reioysed somewhat that the sea was calme and quiet hauyng none other winde to tosse or trouble it but a sweete and pleasaunt Zephyrus And hauyng remained in this forte wandering solely vpon the sea without trouble of any Tempest hauing nought to eate but certaine course bread peeces whereof hee founde in the Boate till suche tyme as hee might discouer and perceiue in the mornyng when the Sunne began to shine vpon that parte where his vessell pretended to take Lande a faire Ilande garnished and munited with a multitude of faire leauie Trees and grassie greene Meadowes and in the midst therof approaching nearer and nearer the hautie Towers of an exceeding faire Castell whiche there was pight And issuyng foorth into the I le to finde some one which might tell hym what Countrey that was he saw moreouer in one coaste of the same the aire as red as flamyng fire Then muche marueiling what aduenture that might bee determined so still to walke till he might finde one that might tell him
thereof incontinently and herevpon sent hym into the stable to dresse and make ready his Horse against his spéedy departure all whiche he did willyngly But whilest he was aboute the same the Youthe not able to sléepe did nought but ponder and premeditate with hym self how and in what order he should demaunde his knighth ode of the Emperour of CoÌ„stantinople and what condigne thankes he should yeld him after the receipt of the same But assone as he had builded anye faire Bulwarke howe to atchiue the same it was straight waies striken out of his minde by the inuention of some other to hym seeming better And in this cogitation abode he so long that Geliaste was retourned from the stable whom a newe he caused to set open the Windowes to beholde if the glimmeryng light of Cynthia woulde as yet depart and geue place in the Celestiall vaute of the Mournyng skie Messenger of her Brother Phoebus But he aunswered hym noe because of the greate desire that he had to sleepe although Aurora began as then to waxe red whiche brought to passe that the Youthe and likewise his poore Squire fell both a sleepe till suche tyme that the Sunne was well eleuate from the Indian Regions and began to cast his Raies vpon their faces Whereof Geliaste whiche in his Cloathes was couched vpon a little fielde bed in his Maisters Chamber beyng first awaked runne halfe a slepe as hee was to awake the Youthe who muche blamed hym that he had not doen it afore thaÌ„ but he sware to hym by his honestie that he had called hym twoo howers since but because of his sound slepe he had suffered him to reste still and better to coÌ„firme his saiyng he said that he had well broken his fast and drunken a good Cuppe of white Wine whiche was geuen hym Wherefore the Youthe blamyng his too muche sluggishnesse conuerted tourned the anger on him self And taking in greate haste his apparell by the helpe of his Squire was quickly cloathed and also harnised Than descendyng doune into the Halle founde his breakefaste all readie where he had scarce either eaten or drunke but he mounted vpon his braue Horse Lycocephal and his Squire vppon an other after leaue congee taken of the Noble Fairie Ozyris of the faire Naiades who at his departure wept and mourned bitterly he departed and went straight towardes the Porte where he founde a Barke full fraughted appointed ready to passe wherein wheÌ„ he was embarked the Pilot launched forth and hoiste vp sailes the winde being to theÌ„ fauorable And so thei passed still on one whole Moneth without any daunger of shipwracke or any other tempeste Atende whereof they tooke Lande in a Hauen before the Citie of Constantinople late in an euening And then when the Mornyng was come the Youth of the Fairies beyng landed with his Squire Geliaste mounted on Horsebacke all armed except his Head and Armes whiche were adorned with verie faire and riche Garmentes wente on streight towarde the Pallace of the Emperour whiche as then was at Deuine seruice and therefore he remained on horse backe still in the Courte attendyng to see his comming from out of the Chapell not without geuing greate occasion of astonishmente to many Knightes and Gentlemen there walking who tooke greate pleasure to beholde the singular grace and incomparable beautie of the Youthe and by his onely looke and pleasaunt grauitie thei iudged that he was descended of some noble house and full of manly courage as in veritie there was nothyng otherwise to their wenings nor coÌ„trarie to their esperauÌ„ce And whiles thei were thus busie to beholde him as it were with admiration hee gaue twoo or three prickes with his Spurres to the good Horse Lycocephal who thereat vautyng into the Ayre with a marueisous might and nimblenesse soone sente backe the beholders from his Maister who were nowe more astonnied at the goodnesse of the Horse and at the grace of the Knight whiche had pricked hym And duryng the while that hee thus dallied with his Horse the Lady Porphiria daughter to the Emperour the goodliest and fairest Gentlewoman whiche euer was in the worlde was as then in one of the Gallaries of the Pallace ouer againste her Chamber takyng singuler greate pleasure in contemplatyng of the Youthe of the Fairies Of pleasure sothly say I for she not able to satisfie her selfe with the sight of his singuler beauty and grace was so ententiue to behold the pointes and prickes which afterwarde pearced her as you shall vnderstande that shee leanyng and restyng on her two armes in the gallerie was so rauished with maruell and astonishement that one would haue iudged some sounde sleepe had sealed her settled eyes when as out of her Chamber there issued out a moste faire and yong Damozell called Harderina whiche was daughter to the kyng of Hungarie and Cosin to the Ladie who with beauty and brauitie of Graces was as well endewed as any other there to be founde in all Greece onelie excepting the Ladie Porpheria who in al pointes glittered more perfect not onely before her but also before all other which were vnder the cope of heaueÌ„ For I beleue that nature had expressed in her all the precious treasures of perfecte beautie the most rare and singular that she had in store from the beginnyng of the worlde so prodigally and with suche cunnyng that fince the memorie of manne vnder heauen was neuer seene suche a peece of woorke were it that any other Ladies or Damozelles though full famous in Feature chaunced to approache neere vnto her one would haue déemed that Nature had dispoyled them of their dewe and requisite beautie for to bestowe it wholy on her and that thei semed foule to shewe her more singular faire and perfecte And here it forceth not to make comparisons with that beautie so famous whiche caused the vtter ruine and ouerthrowe of proude Iâ—ion with the destruction of the Troiane kyng his children and subiectes and muche lesse that of the pompous proude Romaine whom the Senate caused to bee canonized to couer her impudicitie Yea we maie imagine that if the goddesse whom the Poetes faine to be mother to hym which causeth vs loue had beene set by her her beautie had had more light then Diana hath of clearnesse being adioygnaunte to her brother Phoebus But what is it for me to amaze my selfe here in describyng of beautie because of her inestimable perfection consideryng that the most skilfull in eloquence and those whiche haue the faculty to discouer with greater Emphasis if so I maie saye and aboundaunce of flowyng Phrases should be well wearied in vnwindyng this as it is worthie therefore now let vs reclaime our digressions The maiden Haderina seyng her faire cosin Porphyria so profoundlie pensiue requested of her what she so busily behelde who as it were newly awaked out of a deade sleepe saied thus to her I praie you deere Consine marke well this Youthe whiche is belowe if