lead with a vaine hope of conquest vndertooke the warres against Arsaces king of the Parthians in which warres himselfe was miserably slame with twenty thousand of his men and ten thousand taken prisoners Marcus Marlius was for the like occasion throwne downe from a rocke and brake his necke Oh that men would consider the fruits of ambition who would then willingly offend for as the wise man saith coÌ„paring them to smoke dispersed with the wind desire nothing more then to runne out their race in continuall cares and miseries and calamities depriuing themselues of all liberty and which is worst pawning their soules to an eternall and moste miserable thraldome Thus let vs detest ambition whiche is an infinite euill and companion of pride so muche hated of God and men let vs consider that wise precept whiche is written by the learned Tarian to Plutarcke I enuie sayde this good Prince Scipio Africanus and Marcus Porcinus more for their contempt of offices then for the victories they haue gotten because a conquerour is for the moste part in fortunes power but the contempt of officers and refusall of honours consisteth onely in preiudice let vs marke well this one saying of Titus who vsing continuall sithinges at meate and elswhere being demanded the cause said I cannot keepe my selfe from sighing and complaining when I call to minde that this great honour which I haue is not certaine but moueable that my estates and dignities are in sequestration and my life as it were layde in pawne or pledged vnto me Let the saying of the good Philip Prince of Macedonie be well noted of great men who one day falling in a place where wrestling was exercised beholding his bodie printed in the dust good Lord quoth he how litle ground must we haue by nature and yet we desire all the habitable world Thus Andrugio in thy sollitarie life thou must hauing nought els to do call to minde what in studie thou hast read and in the bitter griefe of thy heart bewayle them that liue in those daies of miquitie and note how God suffereth all sortes of people to raygne giuing triall by his aboundant giftes to all estates some to rule some to obey some to wealth some to want some to sickenesse and all to proue either their aspiring heartes by promotions or their patience by trouble whereof thou Andrugio hast iust experience whiche being yoong in respect of the aged for yeares hast continually tasted the rod of hys wrath yet thankes to him that frameth my heart to beare with patience this crosse of pouertie for in the ende shall it fall out with me the better in this contented life shall I be better pleased then with al the aboundance of the world for riches prouoke manie infirmities which worldlings thinke not vppon especially to the couetous minded of whome Aristotle saith the couetous man desireth to haue from all parts without reason and vniustly withholdeth that which belongeth to another he is sparing and scantiue in giuing but excessiue in receauing the couetous man is neuer contented but the more he hath y e more desireth the medicine golde and siluer which he seeketh increaseth his disease as water doth the dropsie and may most rightly be compared to mules which carrie vpon their backes great store of gold and treasure yet eat nothing but hay They indure labour in procuring but want the pleasure of inioying they inioy neither rest nor libertie whiche is of wise men moste desired but liue alwaies like slaues to their riches Their greatest miserie is that to increase and keepe their wealth they care neither for equitie nor iustice yea for riches they contemne both God and man and all threatninges and punishmentes God hath pronounced against them they liue without friendship and charitie and lay hold on nothing but gaine when they are placed in authoritie aboue others they condemne the innocent and finde alwaies some cleanly cloke to their bribing making no difference betwixt iustice and profite wherefore we may well say that couetousnesse is the roote of all euill for what mischiefe is there not procured through this vice from whence springes quarrels strifes sutes hatred and enuie theftes polling sacking warres murders and poysoninges but from hence God is forgotten our neighbours hated yea manie times the sonne forgiueth not the father nor the brother the brother nor the subiect the Lord for desire of gaine O execrable impietie to be well thought of amongest vs it causeth men to breake their faith giuen to violate all friendship to betray their countrie and subiects to rebell against their Prince but note how manie mischiefes couetousnesse hath attempted Mulcasses king of thiues had his eyes by hys owne sonne put out that he might cease vppon his riches Polimnestor sonne to Priamus of Troy slew his kinsman Polidorus to gaine golde for the which Queene Hecuba comming vnto him without anie shewe of discontentment hauing him alone in a chamber with the helpe of her women thrust out his eyes The Emperour Caligula was so muche touched with couetousnesse that there was no meane to get money how vnlawfull soeuer it were which he sought not out insomuch that he layd a tribute vppon Vrine and solde his sisters gownes whome he had banished yet in one yeare of his raigne he spent prodigally 67. millions of gold which Tyberius his predecessour had gathered together I call now to minde the remedie of a couetous cardinall who vsed when his horsekeepers had giuen otes to his horses to come downe all alone by a trap dore without light into the stable and steale their otes and carried them into his Garner whereof hee kept the key himselfe so long as he continued this goinges and comminges that one of his horsekeepers not knowing who was the theefe hid himself in the stable and taking him at the deed doing with a pitchforke so basted him that he left hym for dead so that he was faine to be carried by foure men into his chamber These with manie other examples may moue vs to open the inward meaning of the heart by true prayer to the giuer of all goodnesse and learne with modestie the heaping vp of worldly treasures for godlinesse with contentation is great gaine and let all Christians procure that God may be worshipped duetie and reuerence giuen to superiours concord be amongest equalles discipline to be vsed towards inferiours patience towards enemies mercie towardes the poore but men puft with pride ambition couetousnesse and al vile sinnes shew themselues ingratefull to God their maker a vice odious in the sight of God and men for note first Adam hauing an vnthankefull miâ—de to his creator did eat the forbidden fruite contrary to his expresse commandement to whome he owed all obedience thus as by his ingratitude he neglected his obedience to his Lord so his punishment was according to the maner of his offence for his owne spirites which were before at his commandement rebelled against him and led him to
gained so the loue of all the people that none of the retinue of his Lord was helde in such account of all estates as well of Nobles and Gentlemen of the countrie as the inferiour sort It fortuned this Lord Ieronymie hauing one onely sister wise beautifull and well gouerned hearing such generall commendation of Andrugio and amongst the rest her brother so highly to commend him in all places and at all times so that his common talke was euer to the credite of Andrugio which noted in the yoong ladie Messeliua for so was she called her affection began to encrease towards him in such wise that from a small sparke the fire of fancie began to grow to a great flame and her chiefe and onely delight was in beholding of her best beloued Andrugio yea her thoughtes were so setled vpon him that in the night she dreamed of him and in the day he was neuer out of her remembrance in so much that this passion increasing she began to growe into great extremities euermore deuising what meanes she might best worke to make her loue knowne vnto him now casting this doubt then another so that in no sort shee might settle her thoughtes how to bring her desires to effect in such maner as she might be void of suspition to the world and acquaint Andrugio with her secrete loues towardes him hauing not any friend of familiaritie to bee aduised by but her wayting woman of whose trust and fidelitie in such a waightie cause shee was not assured of Yet notwithstanding arming her selfe with hope the only comfort of the distressed she resolueth with her selfe a litle while longer to beare it out hoping that time and her courtesie vsed towards him might cause him to craue that which she could willingly and with all her heart offer him Andrugio on the top of his pleasure leading a life free from all incumbrances of body yet could not forget the loue he bare his Susania which howe often he called to minde the more began his sorrow yea such desire he had to see his best beloued that his whole studie and continuall care was how to accomplish the same in doubt of euerie occasion that might hinder his determination Thus betweene doubtfulnesse and dispaire liued this yoong prince discontented that he tooke no pleasure in keeping anie kinde of companie at all Such was his honourable minde with duetifull allegiance tied by the lincke of faith vnto his Lord who had freed him that he durst not for feare of deniall make any request for his fauour therein and to goe of his free-will he thought it villanie to requite with such ingratitude so honourable a man that loued him as his owne Well so long continued those passions abiding such grieuous tormentes of minde that his liuely collour began to waxe pale and wanne yea his bloud which was fresh and well beseeming dried and his bodie growne with continuall griefe into a faine sicknesse insomuch that his alteration was noted of all lamented of many that did know him but especiallie of the noble Lord Ieronimie and his sister Messalina who continually noted euerie sight and woulde oftentimes demand the cause of his sorrowe whiche by no meanes they could vse he would discouer But Lord Ieronimie as one carefull of his well doing woulde neuer be satisfied with such answeres as Andrugio would giue nor allow his excuses for trueth wherefore taking him one day into the fields of purpose to solace they spent their time in walking pleasantly discoursing vntill the Lord Ieronimie comming to a pleasant medowe bedecked with natures ornamentes as much as they had seene which viewing they both censured of the bewtie of the field one commending the delightful smell of floures the other the situation of the place which was most excellent neere vnto the edge of one side running a most pleasant christall streame which bubling ouer the round Poples gaue a sweete noyse to the hearers vpon the side whereof was growing a rowe of moste exceeding fine poplar trees which ouershadowed the place as it was most pleasant This place aboue the rest that they had chanced on Lord Ieronimie those to solace himself in as also fit for his purpose wherefore commanding Andrugio to sit down by him like a louing kind Lord hee began to participate with Andrugio in this wise Andrugio mine owne Andrugio I haue long sought fit opportunitie to haue secret conference with thee and hauing found place and time for the same be not moued that I growe into those speaches which I haue to vse considering that they bespoken of loue and not maliciously First my Andrugio whiche I haue to say vnto thee is this I haue since our comming from the mariage of my liege the Emperours daughter noted many a sad and heauie countenance in thee which I knowe argueth a discontented mind proceeding as my coÌ„iecture assureth me of loue now Andrugio as I freed thee from the bondage of y e turks vnknowne if there be anie such cause feare not to make it known vnto me I haue vowed to pleasure thee al y t I may stand not therfore on nise tearms but let me know y e dame whom thou hast made choyse of to gouerne thy affections and if I seeke not all possible meanes for thy heartes content accuse me euer of dishonour and holde me the moste wretched vile creature on the earth Andrugio hearing this discourse of his Lordes which he least looked for could not well on the sodaine tell how to answere for that he was not assured whether he spake vpon surmise or that he had some secret knowledge of his loue to Susania yet thinking to hasard his credite with Lord Ieronimie he answereth My gracious Lord what humble thanks my heart rendereth for so great fauours my toonge cannot declare But gracious Lord where fortune hath placed an extraordinarie want their wil shal supplie the defects of wealth loyaltie performe that whiche my meane abilitie can neuer put in practise The tree that bringeth foorth no fruite is good for fuell and stones are not to be valued by an outward view but an inward vertue Prometheus did consture wel of the workes of Lycias and I hope my gratious Lord will not misconsture the will of Andrugio but rather to cast an eye to my secret willingnesse then to looke for merites which I cannot manifest what I finde noble Lord by experience the time and place forbids me to participate least I be accused of flatterie yet what I conceiue I leaue to your honourable coniecture which I cannot any way discipâ—er onely this alwaies accompt Andrugio is your duetifull and loyall seruaunt vntill death which hee hath vowed by the true band of friendship neuer to violate Thus finding in my selfe a will that shall neuer wauer a faith vnfained and a life vowed to perpetuall loyaltie Hoping that as Protagenes was excused for his vnperfect pictures by doing what he could so also shall I finde your Lordshippes fauour since I
A Defiance to Fortune Proclaimed by Andrugio noble Duke of SAXONY declaring his miseries and continually crossed with vnconstant Fortune the banishment of himselfe his wife and children Whereunto is adioyned the honorable Warres of Galastino Duke of Millaine in reuenge of his wrongs vpon the trayterous Saxons Wherin is noted a myrrour of noble patitience a most rare example of modest chastity and the perfect patterne of true friendship Verie delectable and ful of varietie Written by H. R. Printed at London for Iohn Proctor 1590. TO THE WORSHIPFVL WILLIAM Borough Esquire comptroller of her Maiesties roiall Nauie H. R. wisheth long and happy life with fortunate successe in all your attemptes and after death the ioyes euerlasting ALEXANDER Right Worshipfull amongest men greatest on the earth ceasing his hard toile froÌ„ pursuit of his enemies he held no recreation in such account as reading of histories especially such as treated of the honours gained by noble warriours long before his time entombed in the intralles of the earth wherein his delight was as much as in maniging his steed or shiuering his lance in the midst of his foes SCIPIO that noble Romaine which subdued manie nations had no small delight in the like exercise noting by reading the euentes of war and pleasant baites of fortune how Warriours gained honor and then againe how they were subdued the mighty kings by pesantes and men of base account displaced and the ignoble exalted changing all estates at her pleasure This Fortune of the Poets fained a Goddesse hauing the raigne of all estates in her hand disposeth like a blind guide at her wil setting vp and pulling down whom she list to ouerthrowe or aduance An example of which right Wor. I present to you in this historie wherein you shall see her mutabilitie shewing continuallie her froward vnconstant mind in crossing that noble and vnhappie prince Andrugio sometime Duke of Saxonie whose miseries exceeded al that euer I read or heard of from the sixteenth yeare of his age neuer inioieng long time of content according to his estate but manie daies spent he in extreame miserie as the historie of his life shal manifest to which I leaue you humbly beseeching your Worship to shield it vnder your protection and when time shall permit you leasure vouchsafe the reading of it in which I doubt not albeit the style be rude but that you shall finde something to delight you And if it so happen I haue my wish and the long desire I haue had to make my zeale knowne vnto your worship in somâ— sort is satisfied Your VVorship to commannd vntill death H. R. The Miseries of ANDRVGIO Duke of Saxonie SIENA famous throughout the world for beautiful scituation ciuill gouernment good education and prositing of her students was so renowmed that none of any reputation liuing within the dominions of the Emperour but had an especiall desire to haue their sonnes trained in that vniuersitie especially the Dukes princes and Nobles Amongst many gallant youthes to whose eares fame had bruited this peerelesse report of so goodly a City with the vertues therein abounding Andrugio some and heire apparant to the noble Duke of Saxonie a toward Gentleman prone to all vertuous exercises desirous to attaine the knowledge of al artes hearing the fame of Siena desirous also to see the place and to spend his time in study as also to acquaint himselfe with other princes which came from all partes to this place to see their behauiour and knowe the maners of their countrie pricked with a continuall desire to this attempt maketh humble suite vnto the Duke his father for the furthering of this entent which so long he prosecuteth in such earnest maner that after manie denials of the aged Duke as a louing father whose tender care might not endure the absence of his deare and only sonne hauing a fatherly regard vnto him yea and morâ— than ordinarie affection of fathers vnto their children wearied also with the importance of his suites whicâ— day and night he continually sollicited both by himselfe anâ— his friends at length granteth his good will as what is it that parentes will not graunt for their childrens benefit yet to be aduised better before he suffer him to depart sommoneth all his Nobles and Estates of the countrie beseeching their counsels touching the request of his some Vnto whome hee recounteth the effect of the Princes carnest suite These Nobles hearing so honorable a motion of the yoong Lord wel noting his delight in studie at home beeing of years so tender not yet attaining to the full tearm of sixteen yeers wer woÌ„derfully amazed to hear so eâ—nest a suit from so childish a mouth wherefore as desirous to further his suite hauing considered what profite it would be vnto them and their posteritie in time to come to haue a wise learned well gouerned prince with other vertues which attend the learned which bring knowledge of the Gods and indue the followers with ciuill pollicie and good gouernment liuing in great hope hee woulde prooue to be such a one as he seemed they geue their consent for his departure became humble suitors also for y e obtaining y e same at the Dukes hands at whose request he is content it should be so giuing his Nobles thanks for their fauours towards his son commanded that presently he be furnished with all thinges befitting his estate which with all speed was performed The Duke taking all his care forhonest wise and well gouerned Tutors for him which might by their discreet and sage caunsel train him in such wise that after the Castostrisie of his life he might prooue as his hope was honorable learned and wise that he night be worthie to gouâ—rne so noble a countrie and they haue ioy of so yoong a Prince yeelding him such dutie as becommeth subiectes to their soueraigne which he might requite with a tender loue of a prince and a carefull miâ—d of his peoples good The hast that was made in prouâ—ding of all thinges for the princes iourny according to his desire is accomplished wherefore accoâ—panied with many yong Noblemen of his countrie and Gentlemen sent by their Parentes for the Princes companie Comming before the Duke as desirous to loose as little time as might be they humblie take their leaues to depart At which many a teare both of the Duke and his Nobles was shead for whom his father indured many sorrowfull daies thorow his absence yet could he not denie his request nor seek to crosse his desires which weâ—e honorable and beseeming the son of so noble and famous a father Lord ANDRVGIO his departure from the Court vvith his aduentuâ—â—s THe noble mind of this yong prince now in the flourishing tune of his age began to shewe it selfe in such sort as he might wel be knowen to descend of so honorable Parentage as the Duke of Saxonie for as the sonne-beames cannot be hid so did vertue appeare in him pricking a forwardnesse to his
shall wish or desire Lorenzo sleeped litle time but hauing made his prouision departed the citie and iornied day and night vntill hee came to the deserts of Gusqueno where the beloued of his Lord made her abode to whome Andrugio his messenger came not before he was looked for nor so soone by many yeares for that she neuer heard of him since his going first to Siena by reason of his troubles Lorenzo hauing recouered y e Millers house enquired after the maiden to whose presence being come in reuereÌ„t maner more then she would or wished doing his duetie he recounteth vnto her Andrugio his message declaring that it was his pleasure that presently she come vnto him for that the time was nowe come that all thinges to her content and his desire should be perfourmed Susania when her hope was all past euer to see or heare of him againe hauing bene absent so long and neuer coulde heare any tydings of him neither in his owne countrie nor at Siena whether he iornied from her fathers house thought verily he had bene dead wherefore on the suddaine could not tell what to say yet viewing the peece of ring which she did well know she imagined that he was liuing wherfore after diuers questions demanded of Andrugio his successe in his absence both abroad and at home answered what you are I know not wherefore I beseech you of pardon if vnreuerently I vse you or not as beseemeth your calling my bringing vp is rustick as you see in this poore cottage and your self a meere stranger vnto me Touching my Lords demand I know not what to say being not at myne owne disposing but to be gouerned by them of whom I receiued my being as I haue euer by them bene ruled so wil I of them be aduised yet my Lords loue is deere vnto me yea dearer then mine owne soule Rest you I beseeche you sir this night with such homely viandes as this wildernesse affoordeth welcome I assure you shall be your best cheare and at my Fathers home-comming you shall know more Lorenzo wearied with trauaile accepteth her offer yeelding thanks for that fauour Susania descanning on Lorenzo his message imagineth whether her heart was ioyful or no hauing so good a cause and her hope so great to come from a Millers cottage to a princes liue in court honoured of Nobles This happy tydings could Susania with much paine indure to conceale any time wherefore shee dispatcheth a messenger in all hast to seek her father and mother vnto whom being come shee recounteth at large Andrugio his message deliuered by Lorenzo with his happie successe and attayning vnto hys dukedome with all beseeching her father and mother as they loued and tendered the preferment of their childe not to gainsay the will of the noble Andrugio for that their loues had bene equall fortune had done them both wrong to separat them so long seeing it stood with the pleasure of God after many daies of trouble to her louing Lord and no little sorrow to her selfe that they might inioy ech other his francke consent with her mothers might be granted Thus with ioy the toonge faltering in hir mouth shee could not vtter a word more which the father perceiuing beganne to censure the cause proceeded of great ioye and entering into iudgement of all causes which might be preiudiciall to his childe as also the desire he had to see her well bestowed the old beldam his wife casting their heads togither in priuie counsell betwixt them it was agreed that she should goe although nature would hardly brooke to forgoe her especially so farre that all thinges considered and that their faith was plighted one to another they woulde not be denied wherefore at supper Lorenzo being placed at such homely viandes as could be sodainly prepared the aged father said Gentleman of Saxonie if my Andrugio your Duke were present he could be but welcome and so he hath bene to this simple cottage so assure your selfe you be and thankes I yeeld you with my heart for this paynes taken for the benefite of my poore childe for whome without bâ—ast I may with teares report I haue and euer had a fathers care Many a good yeomanly sonne yea and sonnes of gentle race hath shee forsaken proffering their loue with large dowries vnto her But since the time of your Dukes lodging in my house she neuer had anie minde of mariage taking lesse pleasure in hearing of any such offer then in ought else might be spoken my selfe coulde neuer tell the cause but that my wife her mother did partly vnderstand somewhat of her mind being heauy sad diuers times sickely when other youth spent their times in pleasure and sporting to recreate themselues she would wayle and lament in such sorte as it hath not a little greeued me to behold But my Lord what was concealed then I partly gesse at now it was loue I see the loue of my Lord Andrugio who by what meanes I know not hath obtayned her heart and faithfull liking and since I heare by the report of my daughter howe constant hee remaineth in hys choyse not respecting her base birth and that I holde it the wil of God after manie perils they should inioy ech others companie I am content she shalbe at his graces obedience and my selfe with what I haue at his commaundement praying God to make them in loue so happie as the fortunatest that euer liued And this by the way my good Lord since it hath pleased him amongest manie others to make you the man should take charge of my childe and to bring her to his presence I doe herewithall beseeche thee as thou art noble and bound to defend virgins to the vttermost of thy power to be ayding vnto her not suffering her to be iniuried in what thou mayest remedie I knowe her aduancement shall haue manie enemies who spiting that she from so base birth shuld be so exalted wil enuy her happinesse and be a meane to set discord betwixt the duke and her by which meanes she may be scorned cast from hys presence and so constrained to seeke her fortune in miserie wherefore to preuent insuing euils as thou tenderest the loue of thy princely Lord that sent thee sweare vnto me by that order of nobilitie which thou professest in all extremeties to be ayding vnto her and in Gods name at your pleasure she shall accompanie you Lorenzo listening to the large discourse of this kinde father noting the care he had for his childe whome he tâ—nderly loued presuming on his Lordes constancie vowed with solemne othes vnto him that so long as euer it pleased the deuine deities to preserue him with life hee would stand and abide a father and firme friend vnto her and in al honest causes maintaine her iust quarrell against all men yea if it were against the duke himselfe Time now is come when they must depart wherefore these aged parentes might not forbeare the shedding of teares in
Saule sought his life came into the tent of the king finding him sleeping yet durst not touch him for feare of vengeance from heauen If treason were helde in such contempt in those dayes howe ought it much more now to be despised Proceede therefore noble Prince and let the tender care you haue of these innocents whose cause you take in hand deserue such honour in the courtes of all christian Princes that no talke may be but of Galastino duke of Millaine and his honourable reuenge of those traytors that draw their swordes against their soueraigne and hauing vanquished the villaines let their punishmeÌ„t be answerable to their deserts that it may breed terrour to all such as shall euer attempt the like action and remaine to the end of all thinges in memorie towardes the performance of which of our own cost we freely allow ten thousand men well furnished for warre with all y e charge wages and what else to them belongeth besides our owne persons to attend your excellencie which shalbe readie speedily awaiting your gracious pleasures The Duke which found no lesse then hee expected at the handes of his nobles was so rauished with ioy that it amazed him wherfore yelding them such honourable courtesie as their large and friendly offer required he thus replied Noble friends on whose fidelitie our welfare consisteth Thankes for this friendship so likewise for many others past more haue you honoured me by your consent to this my fiâ—te then I list nowe to vtter but assure you on the word and maiestie of a Prince that your friendships shall neuer be forgotten Touching my determination for our iournie to Saxonie knowe that our purpose is by the assistance of God whome I trust fauoureth our good intent and will helpe vs according to equitie of our cause within two monethes to be ready for our intended voyage wherefore as you honour me see that you accomplishe your late offers against that time prefixed vnto whiche they faythfully promise dinner time Drawing on the duchesse aduertised the duke therof who inuited his nobles thereto where the Duke relateth vnto the duchesse of Saxonie his parlie with the nobles of Millaine with their courteous offers for the benefite of her and her children which newes was so pleasing vnto her as nothing could ioy her more hoping by that meanes the Duke her husbands children shoulde inioy their lawfull right and shee her selfe liue to see the same Thus with much pleasant parly passed they diner carowsing to their happysuccesse and fortunate iorney vntil some of them haue taken such colde in the handes that they might not stand on their feet Time that worketh al things commandeth these Nobles away eâ—ch making to their home wherefore taking humble leaue of the Duke and the two Duches thy depart carefull of what the Duke gaue them in charge to set all thinges in a readines against the time appointed The Nobles gone the Duke calleth his captaines and men fit for charge geuing them warrant for leuieng his power with great command that his company should bee of the best and ablest men in the Dukedome which with care they see fulfilled according to the truste reposed in them The Duchesse for whose sake those preparations were made conceiued such ioy at the same that she thought euery moneth a yeare and euery day a moneth vntil shee saw to what happy end the Dukes pretended iorney would happeÌ„ vnto often commending in her heart the faithfulnesse of the Duke of Millaine to his friend In recounting whereof she shed many bytter teares for Andrugio her beloued lord and husband somtime exclaiming against both Gods and men for his losse who so dearely she loued The remembrance of whom was likely diuers times to bereaue her of life yet in the midst of her sorrowes when she beheld the yoong prince a liuely picture of the exiled Duke how often with sweet imbracings woulde she kisse the tender youth bathing his tender cheeks with teares distilling in aboundance thorow extreame griefe of heart from her eies hoping yet before death should shut those eyes of hers to see him and once against to inioy his companie The yoong prince growing to some discretion beeing thirteen yeares of age well noting the sorrowe and heauinesse of his mother would by cyrcumstances enquyre of the Duke his father of his country and the cause why hee left the same with many other questions of which when the Duchesse had resolued him made relation of each thinge which he demanded describing also at full how dearly hys subiectes loued him and in what regard they held her it would moue the prince often to shed teares wishing that his years had bene such that he might haue remembred his father and of power to reuenge his wrong vowing if it bee the pleasure of God to endow him with life so thorowly to requite those iniuries vpon the vsurping traitors that al the chronicles in the world should record the same in memorie And so comforteth his mother in the best sort hee could praying her a while to be content till God had placed him in his right whereof he hoped in short time to bee possessed Those wordes of comfort proceeding from so greene a head the Duchesse did much admyre no doubt had greate pleasure in her sonne of whom she had no litle ioy whose education was answerable to his byrth hauing learned men of all sciences to read vnto him by whome hee profited in learning so excellently that it was rare to finde any in Millaine or the whole Dukedom comparable vnto him for study and other agility of the body for which he bare the prize from al of his yeares whose conditions were so answerable to the noble Duke his father that if any man did know the one would suppose soone who the other should be Whilest the Duke of Millaine was furnishing his power newes was brought him that Flodericus one of the vsurpers had by poison brought his companion vnto his longest home to auenge whose wrongs Sextilius son and heir vnto Gonsalo deceised had gathered all his allies kindred and friends in armes and was in the fieldes with intent to suppresse Flodericus and claime in right the Duke dome in trueth and lawfull succession belonging vnto neyther of them This 〈…〉 the suddain Galastino could not wel beleeue till hee was by letters from diuers Nobles of Saxonie and friendes to the noble Andrugio and his thereof aduertised whereof beeing thorowly resolued he hasteneth his powers and hâ—â—ing a gaâ—â— to serue their turne After many sorrowfull fâ—rewels and womanish teares shed by both the Duches he taketh the seâ—s whose honorable purpose fauoured by God the maintainer of trueth brought them safe to the road of their desire anchoring in the night perceiued of nâ—ne by reason of the gloomy weather Galastino commandeth a 〈◊〉 to be prepared which being accomplished he presently dispatcheth messengers from ship to ship with letters of direction for their suddaine landing to
Citie to deuise some pastimes as well to recreat their mindes which were giuen to melancholicke for losse of their shippes of whome they heard no newes amongest which the captaines gathering theyr men togither rigged and furnished a dosen gallyes and pinnasses to the sea with intent to shewe their maner of fight and sea skirmishes to which seruices was Andrugio and his fellow pyrate called to take their places at an ores end as before they had done When all thinges was prouided for this pastune the princes hauing taken place to beholde the same in whiche fight after a little time the gally wherein Andrugio was being by another taken his captaine aswell to shewe what extremitte they vsed to those they vanquished as to grieue the body of Andrugio caused him to be stripped and most greeuously to be whipped and after by the armes with two great waites at his toes hanging to be drawne vp to the yard arme where when he had hanged that all men pitied him sauing his mercilesse captaine at the crie of the people was at length let downe But to agrauate still his extreame griefe and torment of body the Captaine as one bent to seeke his vtter destruction prouided yet a more greater torment both bytter and cruell for loe when time had brought their pastimes to end This mercilesse tormenting Captaine inuited all the Captaines to a banquet aboord his Gallie at the end whereof he caused Andrugio to be cased in the raw hide of a new slaine woolfe which with the shipdogges from euery Gally baited him beastlike in such maner that they had like to haue wearied him sometimes tearing his armes and legges otherwhile the other partes of his bodie which crueltie of the dogges vexing poore Andrugio bred such content to the barbarous villaine that his heart was more ioyed with the sight thereof than if hee had receiued a noble victorie against his enemies such deadly hatred had the cruell tyrant conceiued against Andrugio At this banquet there chanced to bee a noble man of the traine of the Princesse Gurdania whose heart pitieng Andrugio so much that he could not endure the sight of his extremities but turning his head from that which the barbarous people tooke delight in he secretly enquyred what hee was that was so hardly vsed aboue the rest of those slaues these questions of the noble man was demanded by chance of y e pyrate before taken with Andrugio who being a faire welspoken man and of good demeanor recounted at large vnto this noble man Andrugio his tormentes besought him that as he was a gentleman to take compassion on his miserie and buy him for money or by some other meanes to worke his deliuerie for that if he remained amongst them this would euery day be their vse vntill God by death shal thinke good to end his sorrowes albeit hee was in his Countrie a Gentleman of good name and honorable reputation The noble man mooued with pitie and compassion at the Pyrates ruthfull tale thought euery minute of an hower a day vntill he might come to the presence of those two kinges and the Princesse which he might not do that night Wherefore in the morning awaiting earnestly to bring his desire to effect he was brought before them vnto whom he recounted the grieuous sight he had seene and how much it troubled his minde and grieued his heart to thinke that euer Christian should endure such miserie VVhere in the most earnest manner that hee coulde besought the Princesse and the Kinges of Denmarke and Swethland to procure his freedome either by intreatie or for ransome at his charge to what somme soeuer it amounted The princes hearing this dolefull discourse mooued to pitie his miserie sent for the gouernour and besought him that as their welcomes had bene great and their entertainment exceeding so they might craue his friendship in a suit they had to impart vnto him The Gouernour glad to content those princes with all the fauours he might did not only by his word assure what they desired but deepely sware they shoulde obtaine what they craued holding himselfe highlie in their fauour that they would demaund any thing that lay in him to performe beseeching to know what their suit was The princesse thanking him for his kindnesse and fauor told him that their suit was for the libertie of a slaue a poor man and what ransome hee would demaund he should haue with thankes My gracious Lords quoth the Gouernour not one but all the prisoners and slaues in this place shall bee at your highnes command and therefore I humblie beseech you to let me knowe his Captaines name and the person and hee shall presently be sent for The noble man whose desire was to haue Andrugio his libertie very glad to heare his suite growe to so good effect gaue thankes to the gouernour describing vnto him what he was and in what Gally but his name he could not remember which by the especiall notes giuen was well knowen vnto the Gouernour who with all speed dispatched one of his seruantes for Andrugio commanding that hee should be brought vnto his lodging which presently was accomplished Whom when the gouernour saw he demaunded of what calling and countrey he was and how long hee had serued in their Gallies To whom Andrugio answered by byrth noble Lord I am a Saxon of reputation a Gentleman and passing the seas was most vnfortunatelye taken prisoner by the Fleete of Gallies that last serued against the king of Spaines forces This fourteene moneths haue I endured most miserable seruitude and grieuous punishmentes by my vnmercifull and rigorous Captaines-command VVhen the Gonerall had heard him commaunded his man that he should be cloathed in a faire suite of apparell of his owne and so presented him to the Princesse vnto whō he was verie acceptable Thus when Andrugio by the appointment of the Gods had remained a while at libertie and that the princes had well reposed themselues prouision was made for their departure vnto the Barbarian King of whome they were expected long by reason of some of their Fleet arriuing in his countrie all things being ready for them a faire gale blowing they take their leaues of the Gouernour whome they reward with great and bountifull presentes with much courtesie and thankes for their royall entertainment the which they vowed should neuer be forgotten And so bidding them farewell they imbarqued themselues for their pretended iourney with whom also departed Andrugio attending vppon the Lord Ieronymy who had released him Thus by the prouidēce of the hiest Andrugio was from the miserie he endured deliuered and in great fauour of the Lord Ieronymy his maister vnto whose gouernment hee committed all his affaires who so well behaued him selfe that he was in great account of his Lord and louing maister Their businesse and honorable mariage of the Emperours daughter accomplished and the kinges with their traines safely retourned to their owne countrie Andrugio highlie in fauour of his Lord