of the worlde because that in liuing I shoulde not bée odious vnto her nor cause her anie more anger and of one thing she shall bée sure that so long as shée liueth shée shall neuer haue anie newes of mée When the knight of the Sunne had sayd these wordes these two his good Squires did weepe so bitterlie that they had no power to speak in a good space in the end they caught him by the armour and held him fast saying Oh our good Lord wherefore is it you pleasure for to leaue vs in so great sorrow and care and to cause your father and mother brethren and friendes alwaies to liue in great heauinesse and griefe What great griefe is this that you haue conceiued which is the occasion that you doe desire the death What greater euill may happen vnto the world than to haue the lacke sustaine the losse of such a knight as thou art Consider our good Lord that if you doe performe this which you saie you will you doe not alonelie loose your life but also your soule for in conclusion it is a desperate death For the loue of God our good Lord let not such things passe once into your thought for that no man in all the world can imagine a thing of a worser determination and héerein you shall also loose both bodie and soule and shall be the occasion of the death of the Emperour Trebatio your father and of the Empresse Briana your mother for as they doe loue you more than themselues they will die with verie anger and griefe when they shall heare of your perdition vnto none it wil be so griouous as vnto the Empresse Claridiana who is the occasion of all this your sorrow What shall we doe vnhappie as we are when that wée shall finde our selues all alone without your companie How can we returne vnto Grecia when that the subiects doth lacke their so greatâ— estéemed Prince With what semblance or countenance can we come in the presence of your Father not daring to declare the losse and death of his sonne Ought not we greatlie to be sorrowfull to thinke how our hearts must be hardned that when your brother and friends shall demaund of newes of you and we knowing the conclusion dare not be so hardie as to vtter it What is he that can suffer so great griefe or dissemble so great sorrow God forbid that euer anie such thing shoulde bée permitted wée will first consent to bée drowned in this déep sea than to returne into Grecia without your companie And if you doe still contend to goe a land on that Iland of the diuellish Fauno we will goe with you and beare you companie for that wée shall thinke our deaths happie to loose them with yours and had rather ioyntly to die with you than to liue one moment in this worlde for to lament and feele the griefe of your death These and many other thinges in effect sayd these good Squires shedding many salt teares for to withdrawe their Lord the knight of the Sunne from his determination but all did profit nothing for although it was great anguish and mortall griefe vnto him for to depart from them yet was he so firme in his determination to accomplish that which he had said that if all the whole world had bene there present for to disswade him yet had they not ben sufficient for to withdrawe him from the doing thereof And therewithall he requested the Mariners to launch out their skiffe on the water But when the Mariners and all those knightes of Candia did vnderstand his determination and sawe how pittiâ—ullie his Squires did wéepe for him they were greatly amazed thereat and thought him to be a desperate knight and one that was wearie of his life that wold giue attempt to so strange aduenture hauing heard the wonderfull thing that the olde Pilot had tolde them of that Iland who beeing there present saw with what determination he wold goe vnto the Iland and with what efficacie he dyd demand the skiffe for to goe a land before them all hée sayde these wordes I greatlie meruaile at you Sir knight hauing heard the wonderfull things that I haue tolde vnto you of this Iland of the diuell and yet you haue so great will to go thether of truth I cannot iudge that it doth procéede of anie strength or couragious heart but of some desperation that you haue with you whereby you doe abhorre your owne life for that stout and couragious Barons doe neuer put their liues in aduenture but whereas they haue hope to get honour and victorie but that man which doth put himselfe there wheras he doth aduenture no other honour but to die the death it may be wel said y â— it is more of desperatioÌ„ than of force or courage What account doe you make of your owne strength I saie if it be equall with that of Hercules that of Thebano yet were it not sufficient to escape from the hands of that possessed Fauno if once you goe a land and it is well knowen that all the people of the Iland coulde not make anie defence against him although there were amongst theÌ„ more than thrée thousand knights besides other common people verie stout and clubbish and yet will you take vpon you alone the enterprise surelie it is a plaine thing to vnderstand that you will kill your selfe for that you will put your selfe in that aduenture whereas it is impossible to saue your life the which is a thing most abhorred before God and this proceedeth onelie of the lacke of wisedome weaknesse and want of patience and to the contrarie each one where wisedome remaineth with equal hart and valiant courage doth suffer all humane troubles not for euerie little trouble doth straight waies abhorre themselues and so from a little euill fall into another far greater What other thing haue you in al this world that maketh a man more to abhore and hate himselfe and his owne life than afflictions and troubles And it is manifest vnto vs as it is spoken by the wise that troubles appertaineth onelie vnto men Likewise that holie and afflicted Iob saith that for trauailes and troubles man was borne but those which haue no patience nor strength for to suffer aduersities thinketh that al things that doth not fal out according vnto their desire and appetite that they haue iust occasion to desire and procure the death and vpon the sodaine they are in such a rage that for euerie light thing they doe not onelie anger themselues against fortune but also against themselues and that which is worst of all they are out of patience with God that dyd create them vsing against him wordes of greate abhomination as though that if God did not all things vnto their willes then doth he them great iniurie but vnto them that bée wise what state so euer God doth send them they accept it in good part if it bée with prosperitie and ioy they
and beare you companie and will not departe from hence till that death doth conclude and make an ende of one of vs or both together The Knight of the Sunne was greatlie amazed as well at the gentle disposition of the Princesse as also at the great bountie and curtesie which shée offered vnto him and beléeued verilie as well in the riches of his armour as in all other thinges that hée shoulde bée some knight of highe estate and beeing verie desirous to gratifie his wordes hée sayde Sir Knight I doe giue you great thankes for this your curtesie and great good will which you doe offer vnto mée and I woulde if it were Gods will that my fortune might bée such that I were able to doe you anie seruice or pleasure but my fortune hath béene so contrarie and my euyll destinie hath brought me vnto this estate that I cannot affoorde my selfe to leade anie other lyfe than this which I doe now leade neither haue I remaining in mée so much power and libertie for to accomplish anie thing of this which you haue spoken vnto mée off for that according vnto the greate fire wherewith I am tormented I haue not anie more hope of my life neither haue I anie more certaine continuance than the flame that in hast consumeth a candle and he that hath his end so nigh at hande to what purpose I praie you should he goe and séeke his owne naturall Countrie for to die there for that it is death to leaue both both the one other and as wise men haue sayde That vnto man there is no Countrie proper but all the whole world is a common Inne touching this misâ—rable life and for that Grecia is my naturall Countrie in no part in all the world can the death be more grieuous vnto mée than there the lamentations of my parents the teares and wéepings of my brethren the complaints of my friends the cryings of my subiects all the which will be an occasion to me of greater torment and the griefe much more greater vnto them so that for to excuse all this I am determined to die there whereas nothing else but my sorrowful death shall be grieuous vnto me and there whereas I shall alwaies haue it in memorie and now séeing that my fortune will not suffer nor consent to anie other remedie I do most heartely desire you gentle knight to returne againe vnto the sea vnto your owne companie from whence you came and let mée remaine héere alone in this Iland and although it be solitarie yet am I accompanied with so many sorrowes griefes and tormentes that I haue no néede of anie other companie Héere the Princesse could not choose but féele at her hart verie grieuous the wordes of her knight but of his greate fidelitie she was verie glad and ioyfull and had great pittie of his sorrow and griefe and willing to proceede in farther talke with him she said Of truth worthie Prince I doe not knowe what euill this of yours should be so great and so stranâ—e that in this sort hath taken awaie your stâ—â—ngth that all the power you haue is not able to resist it if it bée not that the which could tame the mightie Samson the most strongest of all men and that Hercules that had so greate power and force against the Centauros which is Loue that did bring these in subiection and many others moe in the world if it be this which hath brought your life into this estate I knowe not what she shoulde bee that against you should shew her selfe so cruâ—ll except it be such as wâ—ll peruert the courses and naturall mouings for being as you are amonst Princes the most highest and amongst the most excellentest and inducd with all goodnesse of nature I doe beléeue that there is no damsell in the worlde of what estate and beautie so euer he be but would receiue great contentment and thinke her selfe happie to bée of you beloued knowing the loue that you beare vnto her to bée perfect and â—oiall and if it fall out not to be such beléeue mée for that I knowe thus much of women that first they will consent themselues to die burning in amorous fires than to make anie shew of loue vnto them that they thinke to haue their thoughtes occupied in other partes and so farre foorth as I can see they haue great reason for that the heart of a man being set vpon more than one there is none that hath anie parte in him neither can his loue with anie bée perfect the which you maye verie well iudge by your selfe in thinking of that which you would do if so bee that you did sée this to bée in her whome you at this present doe so earnestlie loue Ah good knight sayde the knight of the Sunne this is the hidden fire wherewith I am scorched and that wherewith the bones of this my mortall bodie doth consume This is that which hath me prisoner and hath inchaunted me and that to whom all my force and strength is yéelded without hauing anie other thing in mée to make anie resistance but to doe that which hée desired and suffer with a good will all such paines and tormentes as hée giueth mée estéeming much of the wound making poison to bée sauourie bitter swéete paine delectable torment ioy and pleasure and finallie death to bée verie swéete and easie And if that loue hath shewed her selfe so cruell against mée good knight doe not meruaile thereat for that that high and soueraine Damsell the which my fortune and destinie dyd permit mée to loue is of so greate valour and high desert that héere I doe confesse that I am not worthie of her for that fortune amongest humane creatures did exalt her most highest and nature did painte her in such sorte that putting a parte the power of God I am perswaded that there was to bée done no more on her This waie hath shée bene cruell vnto mée and not that waie Sir Knight which you haue giuen mée to vnderstand for that shée it is alone whom I loue and my heart is fixed vppon no other but onelie vpon her It is not néedfull that I saie anie more heerein for that my lyfe doth beare witnesse of my greate fidelitie for iâ— so be that I had my thought fixed in anie other place then should not my disfauour haue so much force and power ouer mée as to cause mée to receiue suche mortall griefe Then shée sayde of my faith Sir Knight according vnto your wordes and as you haue giuen mée to vnderstande by them it can bée no other for whome you doe suffer this sorrow and griefe but Claridiana the Empresse of Tâ—apisonda for that shée is a Damsell as well in highnesse as in beautie and gifts of nature that doth surpasse all other that be in the world and if this bée not true I tell you that you doe iniurie mée in this which you haue sayd for that I haue séene her and I doe beléeue that
laced on their helmes and came forth to the ship side and asked what they were that would take them prisoners Then straight waies more than ten knights of a gallant proportion and wel armed came forth vnto them and sayd That vnto two alone knights as they were there was no néede for to make that account but yet for that you shall vnderstand vnto whome you shall yéeld your selues prisoners know that we are all belonging vnto the gran Cleonidas and we doe pardon vnto none their liues except they doe yéeld vnto vs at the first to be our prisoners Of truth sayde the Princesse this cannot be that you should be belonging vnto that rouer Cleonidas for that he is not in this world neuerthelesse if that you be in your workes and deedes as hée was you shall quicklie be wheras he is and that is with the diuell How is this sayd they is our Lord Cleonidas dead It is not possible for that there is no humane power neither yet diuine that is of so much power for to kill him Then you shall vnderstand of a truth sayde the Princesse that I dyd sée him slaine onelie with one blow But these knights would not beléeue it but thought verilie that they sayd it because they woulde deliuer and cleere themselues from their hands and one of them would haue laide holde vpon her and sayd False Knight they mocking shal little profite thée for in spite of thy heart you shall goe with vs prisoners Then the knight of the Sunne who heard and sawe all that passed without drawing anie sword stroke him with his armed fist such a blowe vppon the head that he buckled his helme into his braines and ouerthrew him dead at his féet Then all the rest greatlie amazed at that blow drew their swords and leapt altogether into their ship and beganne to charge them with their blowes in the best wise they could but these two who in the like conflicts were verie well experimented drew out their fine and slashing swords and so besturred themselues that with a few blows they slew sixe of them the other which remained making a great noise leapt againe into their ships out of the which came straight waies forth more than thirtie other knights who séemed to be verie good and well armed and altogether began to leap into the other ship and charged the knight of the Sun and the Princesse with their blowes all that euer they coulde but it wel appeared that they did not know their great worthinesse in that they approched vnto them without order but in a short space they lost all their brauerie for that in the space of lesse than halfe a quarter of an houre that the battaile was begun they ouerthrew more than twentie of them to the ground with such mortall blowes that the rest which remained aliue being terrified and amazed retyred backe vnto their ships and the knight of the Sunne and the Princesse followed them whereas they found a new resistance with certain fresh knights and other people that were in the ships who began to charge them verie greatlie and laide vpon them many heauie blowes but the knight of the Sunne taking the foreward of his mistres setled himselfe in such sort that if there had ben a thousand knights before him he wold haue estéemed them little and being verie desirous to bée reuenged on the long time that he was idle in the solitarie Iland he put himselfe amongest his enimies and charged them with such mortall blowes and without all pittie that if the battaile had indured but a little longer he had not left one aliue of all that were in the ships Then those which remained seeing there was no resistance to bée made against the furie of those two knights 〈◊〉 downe before them and craued pardon for their liues Then they who were redie to accomplish their requests did grant them their desires and vnderstanding the truth how they were rouers how that they had many prisoners in their ships they commaunded them to bring them forth before them Then they obeying their commandement carried them into certaine bigge cabbines in their ships whereas they found many men and women with chaines and boltes of yron and amongst them the knight of the Sunne knew his good Pages Binnano and Aurelio and the twentie knightes of Candia that were in his companie Likewise the auncient Pilot that tolde vnto him the storie of the diuellish Fauno of the which he was not a little glad for that they were deliuered by his handes But when they knew him as well by his armour as by his face for that at that time his beauer was lifte vp it is not to be spoken how greatlie they meruailed and what ioy and pleasure they receiued and as amazed they looked the one vpon the other and could not beleeue that he should be aliue and his two Squires as from themselues came vnto him and knéeled downe before him and began to kisse his armed hands and the skirt of shirt of maile saying O Lord God how can we gratifie this great curtesie which thou hast done vnto vs in letting vs sée before our deaths this excellent and worthy prince our Lord. The knight of th◠Sunne receiued them with great loue and raised them from the ground saying My good friends those who haue had you in their powers did not loue you so much as I haue done and I giue thankes vnto almightie God that I doe now see you and I doe desire him to giue 〈◊〉 so much libertie that I may gratifie you these greafe troubles the which for my sake you haue sustained for surelie it was a great griefe vnto my heart for to leaue you alone in that case without all comfort when I thought to goe and leaue my life Goe and kisse the handes of my Ladie and mistres the Princesse Claridiana who next vnto God hath deliuered me from death They hearing the same meruailed verie much thereat and went and knéeled downe before her and would haue kissed her hands but the Princesse caused them to arise and receiued them verie curteouslie for that she knew the knight of the Sunne did beare them great loue and for that she would not be knowen of the other she did not raise vp her beauer but commaunded that it shoulde not be knowen who she was Then the knights of Candia and the auncient Pilot came and kissed the hands of the knight of the Sunne giuing him greate thankes for their libertie which at his handes they obtained who receiued them with great loue and commaunded their chaines and shakles to be pulled off Then they asked the knight of the Sun what had happened vnto him in the Iland of the diuellish Fauno My good friends sayd the knight of the Sunne God of his infinit goodnesse and mercie gaue me power for to cléere and deliuer my selfe from him and to kill him for that in that Iland he may be serued being peopled as he hath
parents shew their due duties vnto them with reuerence and not doing the same it is a iust sentence that rebellious sonnes doth suffer And this punishment is not so small but vnto him that suffereth it séemeth verie much for that there is nothing that doth so much afflict and torment the minde of man as an iniurious word spoken by a rebellious childe And as by these two worthie knights all children may take an ensample so lykewise there is to be noted the great parte that is their fathers as appeareth by this Emperour that deserued to be so estéemed and beloued with so great reuerence of his sonnes considering his excellent vertues and the great loue that he bare vnto them did constraine them for to loue him and shew him humble reuerence Also when that their sons doe not proue to be good then ought their Fathers to suffer and beare with them til such time as their childhood is past then after as they doe increase to correct their vnbrideled nature forcing them to leaue their vice wherto they are inclined and to learne to embrace vertue which is the badge of all Christians Dauid Methridates king of Pontus and Seuerus Emperour of Rome did suffer and beare with their rebellyous sonnes Affricano dyd heartelie loue his sonne although in nothing he did resemble him but cleane contrarie to him in his vertues Héere we will leaue these admonitions vnto auncient and olde men who hath greater authoritie to giue them Returning to our Hystorie which saith that the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Briana receiued meruailous great ioy contentment and pleasure to sée in their companie their two so valiant and obedient sonnes accompanied with so high and 〈◊〉 â—ompanie Likewise they were ioyfull that the Prince Clauerindo was so desirous to marrie with the faire Lindaraza and thereto asked the good wil oâ— the Emperour and the Empresse who at the request and desire of the knight of the Sunne dyd graunt it vnto him whereat Clauerindo receiued great ioye and pleasure and shewed himselfe verie pleasant and gallant for the same and wrote vnto the king Oristedes his father that he would thinke well thereof and to request the Emperour Trebatio to thinke well of the same Thus as the Court of that mightie Emperour was in great ioy and pleasure with this gallant companie came thether at that present the wise Artemidoro and béeing knowen who he was he was meruailouslie well receiued of the Emperour and of those Princes and Knights there present but in especiall of Rosicleer who calling to remembrance what he had sayd and done for him did beare him so great loue as vnto his naturall brother Héere did the wise Artemidoro aske the Empresse Briana if shée did remember at such time as she was first troubled with passions how that a Nymph out of the Fountaine of water dyd giue her comfort and consolation giuing her to vnderstand that it was done by his arte and how if shee dyd call it well to remembrance that next vnto God shée was by that consolation comforted at that present who séeing that al that which the wise man had sayde was alreadie fulfilled and come to passe shée knew not how for to gratifie him for so greate a benefite done vnto her but hée was meruailouslie honoured of her the Emperour his sonnes and of all that were there present Then did Artemidoro as one that dyd knowe it verie well make manifest all that had passed with Rosicleer from the time of his first birth vnto that present ioyntlie with all that which had passed by the Emperour with the Empresse Briana collected into one booke which did declare all things perticularlie as though he had béene present at the doing whereat the Emperour was meruailouslie ioyfull gaue vnto the wise man great thankes â—or the same So that the Emperour and all the 〈◊〉 Princes and knightes that dyd reade those wonders meruailed greatlie at the strange thinges which Rosicleer had passed and were verie glad that all his trauailes troubles for loue were brought to so good an end And for that there was not written nor anie mencion made of the wonderful acts done by the knight of the Sunne the Emperour dyd aske of the wise man wherfore they were forgotten Who answered him in the presence of all the nobles in the Court that hée dyd leaue off the writing of them for that there was another greate wise man who had better intelligence thereof than hée and had the charge for to write and put in memorie all things that toucheth the knight of the Sunne and how that before long time doe passe they shall sée him in that Court who will discouer by writing so many wonderfull and straunge acts that neuer shall bée forgotten so long as the worlde endureth And although the mightie Emperour Trebatio and all that were with him did not vnderstand who that wise man should be of whom he spake of yet did the knight of the Sunne know that it was the wise Lyrgandeo and was verie gladde to heare him saie that he would come vnto that Court for that hée desired much to sée him with his nephew king Florion and did not forget that which for him hée had done and was verie desirous to haue opportunitie to gratifie him for the same But when the Prince Clauerindo had tolde vnto him the misfortune at sea that happened vnto the Prince Brandizel his sorrow was so great that many daies after hée verie heauie and saddâ— thinking verilie that his verie friend Brandizel had béene lost But the wise Artemidoro who knew it to the contrarie to put remedie to his sorrowe tolde him that hée was safe and sound and in a place greatlie to his contentment and how that he shoulde sée him verie shortlie The knight of the Sunne gaue him great thankes for the same and the wise man in the meane time that he was in the Court dyd write with his owne hand in the fore front of that mightie Pallace in greate Letters that all men might reade it a Prophesie which sayd as followeth At such time as the mightie shepheard hath best kept gathered together his â—locke shall come the braue and stout Lions with rauenous and hungrie wrath and betwéene her and the most stout Lion shall passe a verie cruell and perillous contention and being put a sunder by the mightie shepheard the stout Lion shall fall at the roaring of the furious Lions and for a long time shal loose his name till such time as the roaring of the sayd Lions doth awake him and with her strong armes raise him vp againe At that time shal the mightie shepheard be verie heauie and there shall come vppon him the great she Beare verie irefull and in her companie so many Wolues and dreadfull Tygers that shall make all the worldâ— to wonder and the â—locke of the mightie shepheard by them shall be scattered abrode and the gréene and flowred fields shall be turned into red
all those y â— haue anie notice of this Iland doe not onelie refuse to land vppon it but also they dare not come nigh it with their ships for that many times this possessed Fauno hath ben séene enter into the sea a great stones cast when that anie ship or barke were nigh the shore and if that by misfortune those vnhappie trauailers doe fall into his hands there is none that escapeth with their lius for that with the horne that he hath in his forehead at one only blow he teareth a ship in péeces then after with his strong armes and vnmercifull téeth he rents teares in péeces all that is before him and there is no strength of man nor armour so strong that can withstand his â—urie for that his hoarie skin is of so great hardnes y â— it is not possible for anie weapon to enter it This is y â— occasion gentle knight y â— this Iland is so much spoken of and so feareful vnto all sailers that passeth this waie and why it is called the Iland of the diuell and that fire which we doe sée with that thicke smoake that ascendeth into the aire is all that which procéedeth out of the terrible and horrible mouth of that diuellish Fauno for that it is full of infernall diuells By this you may iudge what the monster should be that throweth from him such wonderfull and terrible infections This worthie knight of the Sun at this discourse of the olde Pilot was greatly amazed and so were all the knights of Candia that came in the same ship the which thing seemed vnto them to be one of the straungest that euer happened in all the world yet the straungenesse thereof was not so terrible vnto all the rest of the hearers as it gaue great desire vnto the valiant worthie knight of the Sun to go a land at that Iland and to goe and seeke out that possessed Fauno for that the hearing thereof did not cause anie feare or dread in his couragious heart as he who for such like attempts aboue all other stout knights was created did litle estéeme the venturing of his life whereas the honour and glorie of such worthinesse is put in aduenture and in especiall in that time abhorring himselfe in consideration of his fact he was so furious and desperate that he neither feared nor dreaded the entrie into hell much lesse the Iland Thus he béeing fullie determined to goe a land called vnto him Aurelio and Biniano his squires and calling them apart in shedding many salt teares which ranne down his graue countenance he sayd these wordes My good friends God doth know what great griefe it is vnto me for to declare this which I haue to saie and what sorrow I doe féele at my heart before I doe vtter it not so much for that it doth touch me although my misfortune aboue al other in the world is most strangest as it is for that I doe sée at such time as I should doe some thing for you to giue you reward for your great good seruice done vnto me I am constrained to abandon and leaue you alone without any hope euer to sée you more this is the thing that doth so grieue me ioyntlie to consider how my losse will bée lamented of my father and mother my brother and all my friends that to declare it my tongue doth faile mee Ah my good friends you shall vnderstand that my departure out of Constantinople was for no other intent but for to leaue the worlde and for to goe whereas I might shorten my daies and thether whereas it might not bée knowen vnto anie whether I be aliue or dead for that my euill fortune is such that it doeth not atcomplish mée for to liue anie longer héere amongest men and in consideration heereof I dyd at our departure so much request you that you should haue remained with the Emperour my Father for that he and my brother Rosicleer might reward you for the great seruice done vnto me for that I am not able to doe it and being at that time so much importuned by you that by anie meanes I could not leaue your companie but now the time is come that my sorrowfull destinie hath permitted that from this daie forwardes I am constrained to leaue you and to make reckoning that of you nor of my father and brother I was neuer knowen The occasion therof I will not declare vnto you for that alonelie my hart who doth suffer the inconuenience shal know it But thus much I will saie vnto you that if the perill in loosing of my soule did not disturbe me I haue sufficient cause to giue my selfe a thousand deaths with my owne handes and for that my life is so heauie and grieuous vnto mée and that my force strength is not sufficient for to suffer the same I am determined for to go a land on this Iland of y â— Fauno and there to end my vnhappie daies and if it so fall out fortune to be fauourable vnto me in that I do ouercome and kil the monster I shall doe great seruice vnto God in taking out of the world a thing so fierce and abhominable then afterwarde shall that Iland be verie solitarie and fit for my purpose where I meane to end my sorrowfull daies And if my fortune be such that I die in the power of the Fauno as sure I am that I owe a death then shall I there paie the death that is due vnto this my mortall bodie and the debt that is due vnto this vnhappie and troublesome world Therefore my good friends I doe most heartelie desire you for the great good loue which you dyd alwaies beare vnto me that at this present you will shew it to be more than héeretofore and to be conformable vnto my will and to thinke well of this my pretence and to haue patience and perswade with your selues in this my departure and to comfort your selues in that it is a great griefe vnto me for to leaue you and to conclude the lyfe of man is briefe and short and full of miserie and anguish and I praie and beséech the vniuersall creator that we may in the other world with more ioy quietquietnesse and pleasure So my will is that after I am departed you go with these knights vnto Transiluania and from thence to returne into Grecia and there to establysh your selues with the Emperour my father without giuing him to vnderstand of anie thing that hath happened vnto me since my departure out of the mightie Citie of Constantinople but saie that you lost me in the wildernesse of Grecia and remaine with him for that I am sure that hée and my brother Rosicleer will doe as much for you as though I were there my selfe and if at anie time by fortune you doe méete with the Empresse Claridiana you shall saye vnto her that at such time as I departed from you I left your companie for that I went out
to moue himselfe and turned into another place and began to distill from his eies so greate abundaunce of teares that it was a griefe to beholde Then she because she woulde not wake him quicklie withdrew her selfe on the one side and stoode behinde a trée where she tarried to sée what he would doe but could not satisfie her selfe in beholding him and giuing thankes vnto almightie God for that she had found him aliue All this time the good knight was in a dreame and dreamed that the Princesse Clandiana his mistres was come into that Iland and how that she went round about in seeking him and could not finde him and he hauing a desire to goe vnto her procured himselfe to arise but by anie meanes he could not for his strength would not serue him and shee séeing that she could not finde him returned againe vnto the Sea side whereat he receiued so great sorrow and griefe that he wept and shed those teares which the Princesse had séene Likewise it séemed vnto him that she was departed which caused in him so great anguish and griefe that in the end he awaked as one scared and amazed but when he saw it was but a dreame his griefe increased the more tumbâ—ing himselfe from one part vnto another wiâ—h mortall griefe and raging anguish he said Oh loue how is it that thou art new become lesse pittifull and more cruell than anie furie and more stronger and terrible than anie of the elements All things created hath but one kinde of death but against mortal men thou hast so many and so different kinde of torments for to cause them to die as there is difference in the diuersitie of thy thoughts and desires but yet if God were so pleased that some of them might make anâ— end and separate this soule from this my sorrowfull and heauie bodie for that it might be cléere from this outragious and burning fire but this is thy order of crueltie to kill him that is liuing not him that hath time to bewaile his death Let it suffice thée Loue this great disfauour that I haue receiued at thy hands and let it content thée in that I was of the world and now thou hast banished me into this solitarie Iland and doe not now giue mee anie new kindes of tormet in making me beleeue in dreames that the Princesse Claridiana my mistres doeth come to seeke me and to set me at libertie of this exile to the which I am committed How is it possible that shee should haue anie care sorrow or griefe ouer me she lifting vp the sword with her rigorous arme for to kill me and againe so high and soueraigne a Ladie shoulde come and seeke a knight so vnfortunate and abased as I am It may well be said that it is a dreame being a thing so variable and out of all consert and I doe now well vnderstand that it is a new procuration of loue to call vnto my remembraunce setting before mine eies that high and soueraigne glory that after being deceiued and finding my selfe frustrate and not worthie thereof it may be the occasion that my sorrow and griefe maye the more augment But now Loue vse thy will against me and let fortune shew me as much crueltie as she can for that the crueltie of the one nor the tyrannie of the other is sufficient for to make me to leaue off and not for to loue the Empresse Claridiana my Ladie Mistres and louing her for to suffer abide anie kinde of torment whatsoeuer for her sake for that the daie will come that the life shall leaue this mortall bodie the burning fire which continuallie flameth shall cease his furie In saying these wordes the knight of the Sunne expressed so great sorrow throwing from him such profound sighs that the Princesse did verie well vnderstande the greate griefe that he had at his heart and thought it not at that time perillous to giue vpon a sodaine knowledge of her being there for that she could not suffer anie longer to hide her selfe but would put remedie to her euill but yet for that shée would that that pleasure should enter into him by little and little she pulled downe the beaueâ— of her helme in such sort that he could not know her and began to goe towards him making a noise with her going that the knight of the Sunne heard it and looking about to see what it was he was greatlie amazed to sée that knight there a foote and one of a gallant disposition and well armed wher withall he straight waies arose vp vpon his féete and did abide his comming then the Princesse changing her voice all that she could saluted him saying God defend and kéepe thée noble and famous knight for that as I vnderstand and according vnto the things which I haue séene in this Iland you should be the knight of the Sunne who hath slaine the diuellish Fauno So the Lorde increase in you gentilitie and worthinesse Sir Knight he answered truth it is that I am the knight whom you haue named and meruaile greatlie to see you in this place for that many daies past there hath not landed at this Ilande anie other person but I alone I doe verilie beléeue it sayde the Princesse for that this was not a Countrie that anie other should enter in of lesse bountie valiant force than y â— of yours for that there is none other in al the whole world amongst humane creatures but onelie you that was sufficient for to cléere and set at libertie the entrâ—e into this Iland And you shall vnderstand that by the force of a greate storme that wée had at the Sea we were driuen vnto this Ilande and being desirous for to knowe what Countrie it was I came ashore whereas I haue seene so many strange things that so long as I doe liue I shall haue inough to do to tell of the same and I giue great thankes vnto almightie God who hath brought mée hether as well for that I haue séene some parte of your worthinesse as also for to importune and desire you for to leaue this solitarie life which appertaineth vnto brute beasts and to departe from hence turning a new to vse and exercise your armour for that such a worthie Knight as you are shoulde not bée absent from the worlde and héerin you commit great offence against God for that hée hath employed in you so greate bountie and you not to vse it you shall vnderstand that God did not giue it vnto you for your selfe alone but also for to defend and succour all such as hath neede thereof Lykewise it cannot bée without grieuous offending of the almighte God to cause vnto your parents so great sorrow and griefe alonelie for your absence which is no lesse griefe vnto them than the death and for my parte heere I doe aduertise you that if you doe not out of hande departe from hence in my companie that I wil remaine héere with you
sorrowful newes vnto all them especiallie when they vnderstoode of the death of the Gran Campion and how that their valiant and worthie knightes did euerie daie decrease and waxe fewer in number on their part and how that on the part of the Emperour â—rebatio they dyd increase euâ—rie daie more more yet was all this nothing in comparison vnto that griefe which the fayre Princesse Lyndabrides felt when she vnderstoode how that the knight of the Sunne in companie with the Princesse Claridiana was come into Constantinople vnderstanding verilie that he was continuallie with her in presenceâ— all the time that he was absent out of Grecia and how that he had taken her to be his wife It cannot bée heere rehearsed the greaâ— griefe and exceeding anguish the which the felt within her selfe in such sort that many times shée was readie to die therewith and putting her selfe in a closet by it selfe in her tent she dyd nothing but wéep complaining against her selfe and fortune and after that many contrarie thoughtes had occupied her minde and senses fighting one against an other without finding anie comfort or case in thinking of them with great wrath and anguish of heart shée tooke paper and Inke and with her owne hand shée wrote a Letter vnto the knight of the Sunne the contents were as followeth A Letter written by the Princesse Lyndabrides vnto the knight of the Sunne IF the diuine Gods and my cruell destinie had permitted that as I am constrained to loue thée I might I 〈◊〉 had so much libertie for to forget thée then had not I returned againe into Grecia neither had consented that the Emperor my Father with so infinite a number of people had enterâ—d into this Countrie for to be reuenged of thée for that it had béene a sufficient reuengement and satisfaction vnto mée for to leaue thée and not to thinke that I was shée that was of thée forgotten but to leaue thée as one â—nworthie of my great beautie not deseruing to inioy my emperiall and consecrated estate But oh my euill fortune and mishap which caused mée so firmlie to loue and beare thée good will that there remaineth no part within mee but it is yeelded to bée all thine neither haue I so much power as for to put thée one moment out of my remembrance I knowe not what cruell and vniust lawe is this of Loue for the more that thou diddest vnderstand and know that I did loue thée thou haddest the greater libertie for to forget mée and the more that thou wert cruell and forgetfull of mée the more did my loue and good will increase towardes thée I am aduertised that thou and the Empresse Claridiana are come together to Constantinople the companie of so worthie a Damsell is not to be left neither is there anie reason to speake euill of her but for her that doth loue thée as I doe it cannot bée without suspition for that my sorrowfull heart hath deuined it and mine eyes doth now sée that thou doest desire her to bee thy wife and shée is not displeased therewith but when that I doe imagine with my selfe what thou hast bâ—ne and consider lykewise what thou nowe art I cannot thinke anie other thing but that there are two knightes called of the Sunne in this world and that thou art another and not the same that was wont to bee all at my commaundement Is it possible that thou art hee who at the first time that thou diddest beholde mée in my triâ—mphant Chariot â—ert troubled in such sort that if thou haddest not been succoured by thy Page and my Damsell thâ—u haddest follen from thy horse vnto the ground Art thâ—u by fortune that same knight of the Sunne that for to defende my iustice thou tookest vpon thée that strong and perilloâ—s contention with the Prince Meridian 〈◊〉 brother 〈…〉 not bee that thou shouldest bee that knight of 〈◊〉 Chariot that diddest so long time defend the great and singular beautie of the Princesse Lyndadrides in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio Of truth it must néedes bée some other that did shew so great and entire loue vnto mée and so absolutlie dyd publish himselfe to bée all and whâ—lie at my commaundement What is become of those amorous and swéete wordes that thou wert wont to vtter and speak vnto mée and those deepe and profound sighes with the which thou gauest mee to vnderstand the greate griefe that thou receiuedst for my loue Is it possible that thou hast forgot thy selfe or hast thou lost thy wits and memorie With what great ioy and contentment thou wentest in my companie towards the gran Tartaria hoping at thy comming thether to be married vnto me and how many times I was required of thée in that iourney Hast thou forgotten that for the celebrating of our nuptials thou diddest cause in the gran Catâ—ya to bée ioyned together all the kings and mightie Lords almost all the Pagans how that my father the Emperour Alyâ—andro had receiued thée for his sonne and all his subiects for their Lorde Of truth I doe verilie beléeue that all this thou hast forgotten and doest not remember anie of these things of the which I doe not greatlie meruaile for that hee who did forget the lawe of the diuine Gods and doth renounce the same it is not much that hée doe forget and denie all this that betwixt him and mée hath passed My verie heart doth cleaue and part a sunder and my soule is readie to depart my bodie with great griefe when that I doe thinke thereof and the great abundance of water that dailie distilleth from my eyes doth declare and testifie that it cannot indure long but that my life will likewise distill and consume awaie the which I do beséech the immortall Gods that it might shortlie come to passe for it shall bée vnto me a great glorie to lacke lyfe rather than to féele such excéeding great anguish and mortall paine I woulde write vnto thée more at large for according vnto the great reason the which I haue to complaine my selfe of 〈◊〉 although I dydde nothing else in two dayes yet should I haue matter inough against 〈…〉 thinges which doth withdrawe my handes and my will not to consent that I shall doe it the one is that they who haue borne thée so much good will and loued thée as I haue done it is not good for to inlarge much with anger for that vttering with passion causeth for to saie that which after doth repent them the other for whereas doth lack loue and good will many times briefe reasons doth séeme large and prolixious the third is for that I doe know that all whatsoeuer I shall write vnto thée thou wilt stoppe thy eares thereat so that all my writing shall bée in vaine and therefore I am determined to bée quiet and holde my peace and conclude with this that either the bones of this sorrowfull and vnfortunate Princesse Lyndabrides shall remaine in Grecia or else
manifest her glorie she did shew vnto the king Tiberio and vnto the Quéene Augusta her Mother her third sonne who was the faire Prince Claramante and at that present was norished in the court with his Mother with so great care as in this next Chapter following shal be declared vnto you for the which this Historie doth leue of all the surplus of this receiuing and comming of the king of Hungaria and the Queene Augusta for that they remained a long time after in the court whereas they declared at large the one vnto the other the whole circumstances of all that had passed and from that day forwards the king Oliuerio and the king of Hungaria were great friends as well for the kindred that was béetwixt them by the marriage of Rosicleer vnto the Princesse Oliuia as also for y â— in times of necessitie these two kings did verie much the one for the other But in especiall the king of Hungaria setting apart the great loue that he bare vnto his sonne in law and neuew he would accomplish his dutie bound vnto the king Oliuerio and ayde him with his people to goe against Grecia as hath bene told you in this Historie All this noble crue remained certaine daies in the Citie of Constantinople in which time they spent their time in no other thing but in mirth pastimes triumphes which were made as well by strange knights as by them of Grecia and might well be saide that there was ioyned together all the magestie of the world How the young Prince Claramante was nourished in the court of the Emperor Trebatio of other things that was spoken by the wife Artimidoro and Lirgandeo with other things that happened Chapter 47. IN all the time that the Emperour was in Constantinople there lacked not the two wise men Artemidoro and Lirgandeo who were of the Emperour Trebatio and of his sonnes and of all that were in the court verie much estéemed and honoured for that their great wisedome vnderstanding did deserue the same and they knew that they had in charge to write and put in memorie all things that should passe And although for that as then it was not time for to discouer the secret loues of the knight of the Sunne they would not in this part make them manifest neither of the Prophesies before saide although the most part of them hath come to effect yet in all that euer these two wise men dyd write they neuer writ any thing of this faire youth the Prince Claramante sonne vnto the Emperour Trebatio but onely one chapter which was written by the wiâ—e Artemidoro of his wonderful Natiuitie The occasion hath bene as I beléeue the great trouble which they had in penning of such things past as séemed to be most necessarie in this part of y â— Historie And now for that it semed they wer all occupied in trâ—umphes feastes these wise men were at more leisure so that both of them did write of the youÌ„g prince Claramante as of a person whome they knew afterwards should be made great accompt of They said that at the season that the Emperour Alicandâ—o remained in Constantinople Claramante was nourâ—â—â— brought vp in the pallas of the Emperour his father and was of the age of thrée yéeres the semeliest whitest and fairest creature that was to be found in all the worlde for that his force séemed to be a celestiall Seraphin as may be immagined here amongst men his haire was lyke vnto thrids of gold Likewise of stature tall such as did well appeare in him y â— when so euer he should come to his perfect groth he should be iof bigge stature hée was of a grâ—cious semblaunt and merrie yet had he therewithal so great seueritie that of himselfe he séemed to haue the deitie of a Prince But to conclude what shall we saye of this childe the wise men say that in all things he dyd so much resemble his brother the knight of the Sunne that many times as shal be declared vnto you in the second part of this mightie Historie the one was taken for the other Oh happie and fortunate Claramante saith Liâ—gandeo that vnto such a knight and soueraigne Prince thou arte compared wherein can we more eralt thée but in this thy age to attribute y e excelencies which thy brother had being but a childe But after y â— he was an armed knight this faire childe was of all knights Ladies and damsells so welbeloâ—ed that none would willinglie depart out of his companie And now for that he was so amorous all people receiâ—ed with him great pleasure and sport but aboue all other he was estéemed and beloued of the precious princesse Lindabrides For that he did resemble so much that figure the which she hadde printed in her heart she could neuer leauâ— him out of her armes so that when the childe should depart he conceiued a displeasure and the princesse an inward sorow for his absence equall to the absence of the knight of the Sunne The occasion thereof was for that she dyd cocker and make more of him then any other the childe conceiued a greater loue vnto her then vnto the Empresse his mother that nourished him with her breastes so that the child could neuer be from her wherat the Emperour the Empresse receiued great pleasure and it was the occasion that they loued and bare a greater good will vnto that royall Princesse And as vpon a day in the mightie quadran were ioyned all those mightie Princes and knights and all the Ladies and damsells of the court shâ—wing great ioye and pâ—stime there was amongst them the olde king of Gedrosia for that he and other fiue kings vassailes vnto the Emperour Alicandro after the blouddie field was done were taken prisoners by reason they were ouerthrowen from their horse they could not flye out of the campe as other dyd as it hath bene toulde you in this Historie before that this king was very wise and well seene in deuinations and partly knew of things to come and tolde many things vnto the Emperor Alicandro before he departed out of the gran Tartaria that afterwards came to passe that if they had giuen credit vnto his good counsell the Emperour had not bene brought vnto that extremitie in the which he was Not for that those things which are ordained by God may be eschued but for that all men hath frée will to apart them selues from such things as be euill hurtfull but if God doe first determine and predestinate any thing it is for that he doth know to what ende the frée will of man will â—row vnto Being there in that conuersation with the king of Gedrosia and séeing the great pleasure and pastime that was amongst them giueing a great sigh that was heard of them all he saids Oh miserable world that for one pleasure alone thou doest giue and retourne two thousande griefes and sorowes In saying these words he hild his peace and
gran Cataio y â— knight of y â— Sun neuer left y â— princes Lindabrides insomuch y â— her great beautie coÌ„tinual coÌ„uersatioÌ„ wrought such effect within his heart that you were cleane blotted out of his remembraunce and the promise that he made vnto you cleane forgotten so y â— in the way of our trauaile he did offer himselfe whollie vnto her intreating of loue and made her prontise that so soone as they should come vnto the Gran Cataia he would marrie her the which promise she did accept by reason whereof she did make her defence till such time as they came vnto the court of the Emperour Alicandro where as they were with great pompe and maiestie receued So the daie of the marriage being appointed all the nobles of the land were called and assembled together and for the space of twentie daies that I was there they gaue themselues to no other thing but to bankets and feasting for the marriage of the Princesse whereas the knight of the Sunne did so high and wonderfull feates of armes that his fame will neuer be forgotten in that countrie To conclude I séeing that the time was short and at hande for the celebrating of the marriage with great sorow and griefe I departed from thence and made so great haste as possible I could for to come hether to giue you to vnderstand thereof So wheÌ„ that y â— Empresse Claridiana had heard these newes of so great dolour and griefe and vnderstoode the whole effect thereof there was no paine torment griefe that might be compared vnto hers at that present neither was there any sufficiencie in her heroicall and baliant courage wherewith she did quaile ouercome those terrible guards of the Princesse Elisea for to suffer and to dissemble so cruel contrarie and peruerst fortune but that losing the vse of her remembraunce as one past all hope she fell in a sownd in the armes of her Damsell Arcanie whereas she remained more then one whole houre before she came againe vnto her selfe in such sorte that Arcania who did helpe her thought verelie that she was dead altogether and did repent her selfe that euer she did declare vnto her those heauie newes In the ende the Princes came againe somewhat vnto her selfe who in mortall anguish did yeald out from her troubled breast such cruell sighes as though her life would follow after then she began to saie as followeth Oh high and soueraigne maiestie how is it that your diuine maiestie doth permit and suffer that your Empresse Claridiana should receiue so great treason and especiallie of him whom in al the world she best loued Oh false and traiterous knight now am I fullie certified or y â— occasion of thy long tarrying and thy dispitefull wordes and promises are manifest vnto me as also who doth detaine thée Oh knight of the Sunne what mist of darknesse hath daseled thy eyes that the sight of the princesse Lindabrides could so bleare and blot out of thy memorie the figure of Claridiana Be these the effect of thy amorous words which thou vtteredst vnto me comming by sea from Lidia and the fained teares that thou diddest impart with me How oftentimes diddest thou desire me for to receue thée to be mine after y â— I offered my selfe to be thine consider of thy promise made vnto mée the which now thou hast vtterlie falsified and broken If thou haddest well considered O thou traitor who I was how that my desert is without comparison thou wouldest neuer haue changed me for anie other and that which séemeth vnto me to be without reason is that thou hast matched with one that is not of thy lawe and faith What was become of thy wits and where was thy vnderstanding that thou diddest not see and consider how much thou hast offended the soueraigne creator with that marriage and how worthie thou art of punishment in committing of such wretched sin I doe not now much meruaile that thou hast not kept thy word and faith with me when thou hast not kept thy faith with the liuing God neither doe I meruaile at the committing of so great sinne for that not long since thou fainedlie diddest take the name to be a Christian the which I doe suspect thou hast reiected and denied And the better to bring thy pupose to effect thou doest publish thy selfe to be a Pagan Oh that the wrath of the diuine iustice might now descend vpon thée and the burning lightnings and thunder engendered in the high clowves might make reuengement on thée for thy great tniurie shewed Oh that thy misfortune had beâ—e such that thou haddest fallen into some of those perills and dangers that I suspected to chaunce to thée or else that thou hadst died with some sodaine vnlooked for death What cruell death punishment or euill fortune might bée conformable vnto thy desert in committing so great an error There is nothing that grieueth me so much as y â— thou wert the floure of all knights and being gone there is not in all the world that is worthie of my excellencie although I am not married yet doe I remaine a widow the greater my griefe to sée him y e which I thought should haue ben my husband in the power of another Oh fortune how contrarie haue you bene vnto me in that you haue giuen me so great beautie and soueraigne dignitie If thou haddest created me foule euill fauoured and of base birth then had not the one bene occasion of my pardition neither the other had reason for to destroie me If that my singuler beautie highnesse were not I might put remedie in my great griefe as Ariadne that was left of Theseus and Medea forgotten of Iason But who is there now in all the world with whom I may make change of so faithfull loue What woman is there in all the world that euer felt so great griefe for loue Trulie there is no comparison to be made vnto mine no not that of Deyamirâ— whom Hercules changed for Yo le nor that of Penelope for Vlysses nor of Phillis for Demophoon Let not that be spoken of Io that was conuerted by Iupiter to a cowe and presented vnto Iuno and that of Biblis that followed that cruell Cadmo Neither may be compared that of Tisbe and Prâ—amus nor of the Queene Dido that built Carthage for Aeneas Great reason had Gero for to bewaile her welbeloued Leander when she sawe him drowned and laie vpon the sandes of the huge riuer but yet comfort thy selfe with mée for that thy great dolour and griefe should I receiue for glorie if that I did sée the knight of the Sunne to die for my loue and with a great deale more spéede than Gero would I beare him companie in death Comfort thy selfe with me than Gofreda which was the occasion of his death that loued her best And if that File and Laudonia were comforted with their sodaine deathes Comâ—ort your selfe with me by y â— euil
spouse and husband and doe you not consent vnto his death for if you doe I doe héere make a vow vnto God that at the very instant that he shall receiue his death with this sword I will cleaue mine owne heart asunder At which words Don Silueâ—io made no account although it was a griefe vnto him to vnderstand the great loue that she bore vnto Rosicleer by her outward semblance yet notwithstanding there were in that companie knights of the king Oliuerio that did reioyce to heare those wordes for to haue the better occasion to helpe Rosicleer without anie colour to attempt anie thing against the king their Lord amongst whom was the valiant Zoylo Bargandâ—l Lyriamandro and Almades of Cornwaile all which did beare good will vnto Rosicleer and were in the fore part of the ship readie to giue the first assault vnto the expectation of the rest At this time was Don Siluerio with thirtie of his knights entering into the ship of Rosicleer who receiued them with such mortal blowes that quicklie they ouerthrew sixe of them dead into the water and Don Siluerio had ben one of them if that his inchaunted armour had not defended him but yet for all that with his terrible blows he was so terriâ—â—ed that he withdrew himselfe backe and put his knights forwards and by reason that there were so many of them and euerie one did procure to enter into the shippe of the two knightes there was such a noise amongst them that they could not one heare another All this time was the Princesse Oliuia beholding the â—â—ttaile lamenting verie much to sée her Rosicleer in so great perill in such grieuous wise that it would haue moued anie man to compassion to haue séene her and with verie anguish she had vâ—ed there if that her damsell Fidelia had not béen who did comfort her in the best wise she could But this valiâ—nt and worthie Rosicleer séeing that they did in great hast compasse his shippe round about for to enter in with so great strength and courage as euer was séene in Knight hee besturred himselfe from the one part vnto the other defending the enterie of his enimies with such mortall blowes that hée might account himselfe vnhappie that was within the reach of his sword which was that of the Quéene Iulia and so noble a cutter and he so valiant who flourished therwith about him with so couragious a streÌ„gth as one which next vnto God hoped to set his lyfe at libertie for that hée neuer stroke blowe but that either hée slew or ouerthrew a knight so that all his aduersaries were wonderfullie amazed at him and not one amongst them all that was so hardie that dursâ— come nigh the place whereas hée was Likewise that good king on the other side did meruailouslie defend the enterie and gaue them wel to vnderstand by his terrible blowes the great good will that he bare vnto Rosicleer who dyd not estéeme to venâ—ure his liâ—e for his good friend and did so behaue himselfe amongst his enimies dealing such mortall blowes that hée slew and ouerthrew a great number of them in such sorte that all those which dyd beholde him by reason they knew him not were greatlie amazed At this time the thrée worthie Princes with the King Alamades séeing that it was high time for to succour and fauour Rosicleer with great lightnesse they leaped into his ship and returned against Don Silueâ—io with their swordes drawen in their hands and sayd Enforce and courage thy selfe valiant knight â—or wée that be heere are 〈◊〉 friendes And all together with a â—oude voice sayd â—aâ—taria Tartaria Hungaria Hungaria Bohemia Bohemia Cormualâ—a Cornualia So when Rosicleer by the naming of their Countries did know them he receiued great comfort and not hauing space for to answere them he did no â—ore but humble himselfe and for that his shéelde at that time was shieuered and broken all to péeces with the mightie blowes he had receiued he tooke his sword in both his hands and put himself amongst his aduersaries and did so great meruailes that all that did beholde him wondered greatlie and they which did not sée them afterward did thinke it a thing impossible and in declaring of it verie hard to be beleeued The thrée Princes with the king Alamades all foure together did defend the entrie of the shippe killing and wounding many of the knights of Lusitania and likewise receiued many blowes on euerie side The number of their aduersaries were so many that they were driuen into a meruailous exsegent But when that Don Siluerio sawe that the foure knights were on his contrarie part he receiued great dolour and anguish at his heart and with the great desire that hée had to take reuengement of them all together he encouraged and enforced his knights all that euer he could for to enter the ship and vanquish them and by reason that there were so many and verie valiant knights and continuallie entered in a fresh although that Rosicleer and his friends did incredible wonders yet in the space of one houre after that the battaile was begun they were put in a great extremitie for that Don Siluerio was verie wise and his knight valiant and experimented in the warres and battailes and did assalt their ship on eueriâ— side with great strength so that there was not one so soone slaine but another entered into his roome straight waies in such sorte that the other valiant knightes had no time for to ease themselues which was the occasion that in the end of two houres after that the battaile was begun all the water round about the shippes was dyed red with the bloud of the dead knights â—f Lusitania and the strong armes of Rosicleer and his friends as of mortall men beganne to ware wearie and their force and strength did abate and they could endure no longer yet their valiaunt and couragious heartes were prompt and readie for to receiue the death and neuer moued counteance thereat but determined there to die all together like valiant knightes without yéelding or surrendering in anie point but amplisying their forces with their valiant hearts making their defence in such sort that their aduersaries did not perceiue that anie wearinesse were in them so that the battaile at that instant was verie cruell and wonderfull and the noise verie great which they made in such sort that the inhabitants of Cerdenia came forth and did beholde that cruell and well foughten battaile dreadâ—ullie beholding the sea how it was stained with bloud could not beléeue thâ—y should be humane knightes that did defend themselues in 〈◊〉 ship alone against so many At this time were the good friends of Rosicleer verie wearie with the oppressing of so great a multitude of their contraries in such sort that they could not lift vp their swords at which time many knights of the Prince Don Siluerio beganne to enter their ship of the which Bramides was the first with a great number of other
onely sonne and heire of his kingdome and then his daughter to be stolen and caried away requesting of them all fauour possible to helpe him to take reuengement for the same 〈◊〉 that to conclude some there were that for verie friendâ—â—ip and loue did ayde him And other some for the ill will they bare vnto the Gréekes of very enuie of their prosperiâ—iâ—es dyd ayde and help hâ—m and not onely with their people but with their owne proper persons 〈◊〉 vnto the King Oliuerio and there was so great hast and diligence made in the executing thereof that many daies was not past whan that in great Britaine there was ioyned together more then â—ne hundred and fiftie thousand knights where as the Historie doth leaâ—e them putting all things in good order as appertained vnto so valiant an enterprise for to tell you of other things that happened in the meane time How that the Princesse Lindabrides did craue of her father the Emperour Alicandro reuengement of the knight of the Sunne and how the Emperour at her request did call a Parliament and what happened in the same Chap. 9. IN great confusion and alteration remained the whole Court of the Emperour Alicandro for so sodaine departure of the knight of the Sunne but aboue all the rest was the fayre Princes Lindabrides whose lyfe was so full of sorow and griefe that manie times she was at the point of death And there was nothing that could comfort her in séeing that y â— knight of the Sunne was departed and returned to his owne countrie and was verie certaine that if once he came into the presence of the princes Claridiana it were past all remedie for him to haue her any more in his remembraunce so that she might vâ—rie well abandon her selfe of all hope euer to sée him any more the which was more bitter grieuous vnto her then death And coÌ„sidering with her selfe by reason of the great loue she bare vnto him that it should be great comfort vnto her and remedie for her griefe if that she did once againe returne inâ—â— Grecia by what maner of meanes so euer it was she cared not thinking by that meanes for to disturbe the knight of the Sunne that he shoulde not haue aâ—ie time nor space for to serue the Princesse Claridiana neither for to marrie with her for the which to put in effect the 〈◊〉 nothing so good as for to craue reuengement of the Emperour her â—ather for the iniurie done by the knight of the Sunne which might be the occasion that he with all his power should passe into Grecia and to tarrie her with him thether to be crowned Empres of Grecia séeming by those meanes the knight of the Sunne shall be constrained to doe perforce y â— before he wold not by his frée will the which she put in vre according vnto her thought And as many times the Emperour her father came into her closet to visit comfort her whereas she continuallie remained and neuer went abroâ—e vpon a daie when that hée was fullest of griefe comforting her whose sorrow pricked him to the verie heart for the greate loue hée bare vnto her The Princesse shedding many teares from her christaline eies said It is lost labour my Lord and Father for to comfort or giue anie consolation vnto this vnhappie and vnfortunate Damsell your Daughter for that thers is nothing that can remedie nor helpe mée but onelie the death the which if the high Gods were so pleased were so high â—ee that I could not make an end of this my speaking for that death were a great deale better vnto mee than to liue for to feele and suffer so great an iniurie as thaâ— which the â—nighâ— of the Sunne hath done against you and mee for if you my Lord would consider thereof as is right and reason you woulde leaue off comâ—orting of your Daughter and 〈◊〉 by all meanes that this our reproch may bée 〈◊〉 wherewith if pâ—esencâ—ie I should depart out of this world I should gâ—e with comfort but of the 〈…〉 that from their high Throâ—e they â—ill yeelâ—e 〈…〉 seeing that you doe so little esteâ—me it 〈◊〉 should other Damselles of base birth looke for 〈◊〉 that a Damsell of so high estate as I am 〈◊〉 oweth participate with the diuine 〈◊〉 of the hâ—gh Gods and being 〈◊〉 by one alone 〈…〉 griefe of her great wrong nor anie that will take vpon him to aunswere the quarrell With great reason therefore from this daie forwardes may your vassalles and subiectes take heart at grasse and bée bolde to rise vp against you seeing that you will put vp such an iniurie and euill proffer done against you by one alone Knight and an enimie vnto your lawe and will suffer mée that am your Daughter to liue without reuengement My Lord and Father I praie you beholde and consider your high estate which is such that all the kinges and Lordes of the Orient are obedient at your commandement and seruice and doeth honour and reuerence you as a parent and kinsman vnto the immortall Gods and if now you doe dissemble this great iniurie which vnto you and mée hath béene committed without making cruell reuengement you shall neither bée feared nor estéemed but had in lesse reputation than héeretofore you haue béene and your honour ouerthrowne from the throne which your predecessours vntill this present daie hath maintained and vpholden And that which séemeth to bée worst of all is that the diuine prouidence will féele and acknowledge part of this great iniurie the which I do most earnestlie praie and desire that they doe not execute against you their wrath in that you haue neglected to take reuengement For this cause onelie hath the diuine Gods giuen vnto you this high estate exalting and placing you aboue all other that are in the world because you should execute iustlie héere vpon the earth as they haue ordained in their diuine Consistorie This faire Damsell had not so soone concluded these her wordes when that the Emperour her Father vnderstanding the effect of her â—omplaint with great griefe and sorrowe vnto his heart béeing full of anger and wrath arose vp and laide his hand vpon his head as vpon a precious relike and said these wordes following Héere I doe sweare vnto thée by this sacred head and by the diuine Deitie that I doe participate of the immortall Gods for to goe with all my power into Grecia and in reuengement of this great iniurie to mée done I will destroie the Emperour Trebatio and giue a cruell and dishonoured death vnto his wife and children and crowne thée my daughter for Empresse of that Empire So with this conclusion without speaking anie moe words hee went forth of her Closet and calling together certaine of his counsaile he concluded that a Parliament shoulde bée proclaimed throughout all his kingdomes and dominions commaunding all Kinges Princes and Nobles of the same to come vnto the sayd Parliament in paine of death Lykewise hée
he was so farre gon that he semed to be dead and although they threw water in his face yet could they not bring him againe vnto himself for the which the emperour and all the rest were verie sore troubled and was the occasion that there arose in that place a great tumult saying that it could be no other thing but that he was dead And the Empresse his mother which was aâ— the window beholding all that passed as astonished and full of anguish and sorow withdrew her selfe into the pallace and fell downe in the armes and lappe of the Princesse Oliuia who was by her wher as she remained a good while as one from her selfe till such time as the Emperour came comforted her but yet in all this time the knight of the Sun was not come vnto him selfe Then the Emperour communded that he should be carried into the pallace so Rosicleer his brother and those worthie princes did carrie him in their armes into his chamber vnarming him pulling of his apparell they laide him in his bed whether came straight waies the best doctors in Phisicke and Surgerâ—e that were in all Constantinople and perusing him in all parts of his bodie they â—ound that in no part he had receued any such blow that might be the occasion of such dismay the which they made manifest vnto all that were ther present saying that it should procéede of some other thing in secret and not of the battaile passed for that he had be receiued no such-blow that should cause him so much griefe requesting to comfort themselues for that that traunce would soone passe away if that they would let him alone and suffer him to take his rest So when the doctors had said these words the Emperour and all the rest were very glad and hauing intelligence how that the Empresse was verie ill with that sodaine chaunce of her sonne they left the knight of the Sunne in his bed and went vnto her comforted her saying that the maladâ—e of her sonne was nothing that spedely he should be well againe By reason of all this trouble with the knight of the Sunne the Emperour hadde no time for to speake vnto y â— strange knight for to know him although he had a great desire thereto but remembring him he coÌ„mâ—unded certaine knights for to go seeke him but he could not be found in the pallace neither in all the citie for that straight waies at such time as they had caried the knight of the Sunne out of the place into the palâ—ace the royall Empresse Claridiana who was of certainâ— that strange knight went foorth of the citie in the companie of Medea and her damsels and although it was mght â—erie dark yet did they not let to trauaile thrée miles from Constantinople in a faire gréene forrest they passeâ— away the rest of the night that remained whereas she was required of loue by Medea for that she loued her meruailously wel thinking y â— she had bene a knight For as the 〈◊〉 faith that as the Empresse Claridiana remained in â—rapisonda verie dolorous and heauie for the newes that her damsell Areania had brought her she did somewhat quiet her selfe 〈◊〉 such time as she might heare of the coÌ„ming of the knight of the Sunne into Grecia for that then by reason of thâ— great anger she had receiued against him she would with her owne hands take reuengement of the faith which she thought he had â—alsified and the loue was not so great which before she bare vnto him but now the euill will and hate did farre surmount the same And when she vnderstood that he was come into Grecia she armed her selfe with blacke armour and alone with the companie of those two 〈◊〉 she departed out of the mightie Citie of Trapisonda and béeing at Sea her fortune carriâ—d her vnto the kingdome of the Sardos whereas was this Medea daughter vnto Raiartes who had a mightie strong Castle whereon the sea dyd beate hard vnto the port whereas her most abiding was and had continuallâ—â— in her companie one hundreth knights who al her commandement did arest all that came vnto that port and carried them prisâ—uers befoâ—e her whom she made to sweare to aide â— helpe her for to make reuengement vpon the knight of the Sunne for the death of her father with all their force and powers possible and if they did denie râ—â—using to 〈◊〉 that oath she caused them to bée put prâ—soners into a déepe dungeon till such time as they should by force doe that which she commanded So likewise she made a vowe neuer to marrie till such time as she were reuenged on the knight of the Sunne So as soone as the Empresse was entered unto the port straight wayes her ship was â—oorded on either side with two mightie great 〈◊〉 full of knightes and willed her to yeeld her selfe prisoâ—er with wheâ—â—e shée had a rigorous battaile in the defence thereof wherein she slew many of those knights the contention went forwards and she meruailously defended her selfe at which time Medea was at a window of the Castle dyd behold all that did passe the strange knight did content her verie much and she greatly meruailed at his mightie bountie and worthinesse and fearing the great slaughter y â— might happen she called vnto her knights with a loude voice commanding them to withdrawe themselues and to leaue their battaile with the knight Who when they heard her they straight 〈◊〉 râ—tâ—red and left him Then Medea spake vnto the 〈…〉 her to goe a land and 〈◊〉 come before her for that shee hâ—ped to conclude with her with requeâ—â—â— that whâ—ch her knightes could not by â—orce so as it 〈◊〉 vnto her in 〈◊〉 her râ—quest coulde not proâ—â—de nothing but good shee went a lande and entered into the castell where as Medea was who receiued her verie courteously and shewed her the occasion wherefore her knights laboured so much for to take her prisoner Then she who at that present desired no other thing but to be reueÌ„ged on the knight of the Sunne straight waies sayde that if she hadde knowen thereof before she would neuer haue maintained that contencion against her knightes for that she likewise came foorth of her countrie to séeke the knight of the Sunnâ— with the like demaund for a certaine anger and griefe conceiued against him But when that Medea heard that with so great ioye and pleasure as euer she receiued in all her life she embraced the Empresse and requested him to pull of his helme who at the great request and importaunce of her did pull it of And for that she had her rubicond haire knit vp in a call of golde Medea did beleue verely that she was a knight was with the sodaine sight of her so stroke with loue prisoner thereto that she could not refraine but must néedes discouer the same vnto her promised to marrie with him if he made reuengement on the knight of
fortune hath not giuen place in my life time to doe you anie seruice it may be that the acknowledgeing of my death might do you good for that I am fullie certefied you take great pleasure therein Oh that my fortune and cruell destiâ—ie had permitted that in the battaile the which you made with me in Constantinople I had bene slaine sure it had ben a crowne of martyrdome vnto me for to haue receiued the death by your soueraigne hands But alasse in this doe I know that my misfortune is great and in the end cannot be denied of this glorie to knowe that you take pleasure in my death for that taking so great paines for to giue it mee with your owne handes I cannot beléeue that in so short space you haue repented you And séeing good Ladie that it is so that you desire so much my death let not god permit that against your will I liue anie longer in this world Oh Princesse Lindabrides how ioyfull will it be vnto you to heare of my death knowing that she alonly was the occasion for whom I forgot the great loue that I bare vnto you and verifie the sentence to be iust and according vnto my desert to be abhorred of her for whose sake I forgot you and worthie to receiue the punishment of her that was the occasion to leaue so high and soueraigne a Ladie But what doe I saie I did neither leaue her nor forget her and is no other thing but my fortune to be so base that I did not deserue to marrie with the one nor to serue the other Oh Emperour Trebatio my Lord my Ladie and mother the Empresse Briana I desire you to pardon me for the Lord doth know that the greatest griefe that I haue in this world is to consider of the great sorrowe that you will receiue when that the newes of my death shall come vnto your eares let this bée account of comfort vnto you to make â—eckoning that you neuer heard of me since the time that I was carried awaie in the barke by the force of the riuer when that I was a child and héere I beseech the almightie God and loueraigne creator to comfort you and put this aforesayd in your mindes Oh my good brother Rosicleer oh how much is the sorrow that I doe now feele for that I so quicklie do apart my selfe out of your companie and a great griefe to consider howe sorrowfull the newes will be vnto you when that you shall heare that I am out of this world Ah my good brother you that are the flower of all knighthood comfort our father and mother that are so mentioned amongest all Nations for whereas you are in person my presence will not be thought vpon Oh my verie good and perfect friends Oristedes Brandizel and Claueryndo the Lord doth knowe how much it doth grieue me to sée my selfe separated from your companie for euer but alasse what shall I doe séeing that fortune will that I shall shew my selfe vnto you and all the world in this condition And now I doe desire you neuer more to séeke mée for that in briefe I shall out of this worlde Take for your friend my Brother Rosicleer in my place as well for that of your owne persons is meritorious as for the great good will which alwaies I did beare vnto you hée I am sure will bée vnto you a verie good and perfect friend These and many other things spake this good knight in shedding so many teares and vttering so many sighes that whosoeuer had heard them although his heart had bene so hard as anie Diamond yet could he not haue refrained but wept ther at And as he would haue put himselfe in the way to goe toward that diuellish Fauno he bethought himselfe how and in what sort he might make battaile with him and it it séemed that if fortune shuld shew her selfe in anie thing fauourable vnto him it should be to make the battaile better on foot than on horsebacke now according vnto his determination whether he did liue or die he had no more néede of his horse Cornerino therfore he determined to let him loose go at his frée liberty in recompence of his good seruice done vnto him and because he might more at his plasure take his repast of the field go whether he list he pulled off his bridle and saddle and set him at libertie the which was done with shedding many teares saying Oh my good horse what a great griefe it it vnto mée â—or to leaue thée not for that I haue néed of thée from henceforth but onelie for that I would it were knowen the great good seruice which thou hast done vnto me that thou shouldest be intreated dressed cured as thou doest deserue If that Alexander of Macedon did make so gorgious a tombe for his horse to burie him when he was dead commanded a citie to be called after his name I should haue greater reason to honor thée being thou aliue his dead much better than euer his was Augustus made a graue for his horse being dead for y â— he would not that the soules of the aire shuld eate his flesh Dido Iulio did consecrate in the Temple of Venus the image of his horse made in marble stone Anthonio Vero made the image of his horse being aliue in goldâ— and now I hauing done nothing for thée being farre better than euer anie of those were what can I doe but set thée at libertie whereas thou maist take the pleasure of the fieldes as other beasts do therfore go thy waies good horse for thou art the last companie that I doe leaue in this world In saying these words he draue him from him for to departe but it was great meruaile to sée the nature of this horse for although he was loose and at libertie without anie incomberance yat wold he not depart but drew nigher and nigher his maister and trembled meruailouslie with all his bodie the more he did procure to driue him awaie y â— more he did approch vnto him trembling as with feare then the knight of the Sunne knew not what to do for one waie the great perill of his horse if that diuellish Fauno should sée him another waie he could by no meanes driue him away for anie thing he could do but in the end he bethought himselfe y â— if he left him there loose possible when he did sée the diuellish Eauno he would runne awaie and therewith hée left him and began to trauaile a foote into the Iland and as he passed through a companie of great and ouergrowen Okes he remembred himselfe of the battaile which hée had with Brandimardo in the wildernesse of Grecia how that he made the same with a club made of a branch he tore off from a trée for that he would not strike him with y â— sworde wherewith he dyd make the battaile with the Empresse Claridâ—ana and calling this to
a little while that she had there staied she mounted vp the siluer staires y â— carryed her vnto the throne whereas shaking with all parts of her bodie for the sorowfull or heauie newes which she looked to receiue she plast her selfe before the wise man who being in obedience of her soueraigne maiestie did somewhat decline his head whereat the princes receiued great admiration then she humbling her selfe vnto him saide these words following MOst mightie and famous Artidon the high fame of thy great wonderfull meruailes hath brought mée into these strange countries so farre of from mine and if it doe so fall out that I carrie from hence no more then I haue brought yet shall I think my trauaile well bestowed and my selfe verie well rewarded in that I haue séene and vnderstood thy great wisedome for as Plato the Philosopher saith for to sée and know a wise man a man ought for to trauaile throughout all the whole world which was the occasion that many times he passed from Athens vnto Sicilia for to sée his friend the wise and prudent Focion Apolonio Thianeo departed from Rome and trauailed through all Asia sayled through the Riuer Nilus sustained the cold of the mount Caucasus suffered the great heat of the mountaine Rifeos and crossed ouer the whole countries of the Masagetas till such time as he entred into the great India and all this trauaile and pilgrimage was for to see and communicate with the famous wise 〈◊〉 How much more would those haue passed greater trauailes for to haue séene those his meruailous workes if that in their daies and times they science and great wisedome had bene manifest I cannot say that this is the onely cause of my comming for to see thée as it is manifest vnto thee yet I doe say that if there were no other occasion this should bee sufficient for to come and see thée The great care which hath ben the occasion of my comming hether although I doe beléeue that thou doest know it yet will I declare it vnto thée for that he that loued so faithfully and firmely in his time will not meruaile at any force whatsoeuer it be that loue doth vpon humaine hearts I loue the knight of the Sunne aboue all other things in this world so that if my fortune and euill destenie doe permit that he take an other to be his wife I desire to know the trueth thereof for that I may remember my selfe take order what is best to be done It hath bene told mée that he is made sure vnto the princesse Lindabrides and that he loued her with all his heart therefore for that there is nothing hid from thée I doe desire thée for to tell mée if it be true and put me out of all doubt for whatsoeuer that thou shalt tell mée I shall beléeue it to be true and conformable therevnto I wil take order with my selfe what is best to be done This being saide the royall princes held her peace abyding the answere which should be pronounced by the wise man who as then opened his eyes which before were shut and saide as followeth OF trueth soueraigne Lady and Empresse for that your highnesse doth verie well employ the great trauâ—ile the which you haue passed in this your long iourney onely for the sight of those my workes much more may I thinke these my trauailes better imployed the which I had in making of them I being now gratified with so high a reward in that you are come for to sée them And I doe not meruaile that loue hath had so great power for to ouercome your highnesse for that alwaies against the most highest most worthiest of courage there doth he vse the greatest force but in especiall with the knight of the Sunne for that his fortune and destinie doth promise him vnto you as vnto her that in all the whole world doth best deserue him and for you alone is he kept and defended And touching the trueth of this which you haue demaunded of mée I tell you that the knight of the Sunne was neuer made sure vnto the princesse Lindabrides neither hath he hadde any more to doe with her then he hath had with you although the great and mightie Emperour Alicandro her father dyd giue her to him for wife and left vnto him his high mightie Empire of Tartaria with an infinite number of other kingedomes with the which he should be made the mightiest prince and lord in all the whole world And for that he would not receiue her and all the rest cleane contrarie vnto his will secretly in the night he departed and left the gran Cataia almost distract of their wits with great desire for to enioye the sight of your soueraigntie the which time he thought long and after he came to Constantinople and had that rigorous battaile with you the which contencion was so cruell vnto him after that he knew you that desperate and wearie of his life he would goe seeke his death to cléere himselfe out of this worlde So he departed out of Constantinople and went into the wildernesse of Grecia whereas he had battaile with one of the most valiantest and stoutest Pagans that was in all the Paganisme and yet in all that rigorous battaile he would neuer strike him with his sworde for that he hadde smitten you with the same And from thence he departed and went to sea whereas by a rough great tempest he was driuen vnto the Iland of the diuelish Fauno where as one desirous to dye and receiue the death he went a shore and had a meruailous battaile with two legious of infernall diuels and afterward with the diuelish Fauno wherein happened verie strange things as is apparant if you please to goe thether to sée where you shall finde him all alone without anie other companie more then his horse neither is there in all the Iland any other beast or foule There doth he leade and passe the most sharpest and asperest life that euer was holden by man with desire there to ende his dayes and neuer more to retourne and weare armour All this he doth for your occasion and you are in a great fault before God if you doe not finde remedie in the recouering of him againe for that by your occasion there doth languish and dye the best and worthiest knight in all the whole world and one that doth loue you better then any thing therein therefore it doth accomplish your highnesse out of hand to goe and sée him for it is so that if your succour doe stay long it may so fall out that after he shall haue no néede thereof for that at this present his life is in great perill In concluding of these words the wise Artidon closed his eyes againe did put himselfe as he was before without aunswering or speaking any word leauing the royall princes one way with so great ioy and pleasure that she almost knew not her selfe her comfort was so great
she hath not her equall in the world The great sorrow and griefe of my heart said the knight of the Sunne vnto her alone I wold that it were manifest but for that I will not doe so great iniurie vnto so high a damsell aâ— you haue héere mentioned and again because you shall not saie that I lack reason in this which I haue said I giue you to vnderstand of a truth that she is the partie and now seeing y â— I haue tolde you I most heartelie desire you that so long as you do liue you keepe it secret for that séeing I must die for her sake yet I would not for all the worlde that she should be accounted culpable of my death Now wil I giue you to vnderstand said the Princesse that there is remedie put in all this your sorrow and griefe and that your fortune is much better than you did make reckoning of for that I doe know this damsell and am certaine that many daies since she hath trauailed in your demand with greate sorrow and care for to finde you and according vnto the wordes which I heard and the profound sighs which I haue séene her vtter I doe beléeue of certaintie that she doth beare you as much good loue as you doe beare vnto her if it bée so that you haue receiued anie disfauour or discurtesie at her hands it is not vnknowen that ouer much loue many times is the occasion of iealous thoughts conceiued against them whom they loue the which she might well haue in seeing you in companie with some other faire damsell afterward being certefied of your fidelitie repented her selfe and then the loue which before she bare vnto you to be a new redoubled in her for that there is nothing that doth inâ—ame and kindle the amorous hearts so much as dâ—th a false iealousie when that faithfullie they are certefied to the contrarie for then all wrath and anger is turned vnto loue and is the ocsion the more to augment and increase and so it may be now in Claridiana that if so be that you alonelie doe loue her then was it not possible the truth to be hid and now she being repented of that which is past it doth cause her as I haue tolde you to goe in your demand and with no other intent but to aske you pardon for that which is past the which you ought out of hand for to pardon and to go séeke her for that there is nothing more worthie to be pardoned than those errours which are committed by ouer much louing Then he said Ah sir knight tell me I praie you where you did see my Ladie and mistres the Empresse Claridiana and how you doe vnderstand y â— she trauaileth in my demand for that of truth if it be true I wil presentlie depart and go séeke her vnto the worlds end onelie for to sée her wherein there shall bée no man in all the worlde so happie as I. I will tell you how I doe know it said the Empresse for that it is not many daies since that I saw her and if thou wilt that I shal tell thée true not many hours and you shal vnderstand that yesterdaie shée ariued in this Iland in your demand and shée is a aland and not farre from you and I doe beléeue that that is shée that commeth yonder This she sayd pointing with her hand towards one part of the Forrest that waies which shée came Then the knight of the Sunne all amazed and ameruailed as of a thing in mockage and impossible did looke towards that part in the meane time the Princesse pulled her gantlets froÌ„ her white hands and tookeâ—off her helme wherewith all her rubicond haire which séemed to be skaines of golde spread abrode vpon her shoulders of so great length that it reached vnto the ground and shewed forth that faire face with so great strangenesse and maiestie that there was nothing in the worlde that might bée compared therevnto and the more her beautie shewed for that shée was hot in trauailing a foote by reason whereof her coulour was in her face and it séemed in the middest of her white chéeks to be two fragrant red Roses her faire and rowling eies glistered like vnto two verie fine and greate Emerodes glittering with a gréene cléerenesse in so profound wise that in them it might be naturallie sayd whosoeuer did beholde them to bée conuerted into stones for that all humane vnderstanding they did amaze and leaue as astonied But to conclude the soueraigne Princesse in all pointes séemed rather to bée a diuine thing than humane but the knight of the Sunne who with great attention was looking towardes that place whereas shée tolde him that shée was comming had not as yet seene the Princesse in that order till within a while after séeing that hée could sée no bodie comming hée tourned his head about for to aske the Knight where hée hadde séene and lefte her but when he sawe her healme off and knewe her by her fayre face it cannot bée sayde and tolde what that worthie knight at that instant felt within himselfe but remayned wonderfullie amazed and meruailing more than anie man in the worlde without anie power to speake one worde neither mooued hée anie eie lidde but stoode still beholding that seraphicall face out of the which he receiued so many dazeling sightes and glittering cléerenesse as though he had continuallie looked vpon the Sunne in the morning at such time as he spreadeth his golden beames abroade vpon the earth Then the royall Princesse séeing him in that greate perplexitie with the excéeding ioye and pleasure shée receiued clasping him about the necke and embracing him shée sayde Iust true and good knight séeing that I am shée alone that haue committed this errour and hath bene the onely occasion of all this your sorow and griefe I am héere come in presence to make a meanes for the same and to craâ—e pardon at your hands for all that is past for if I haue committed any offence beleue mee it was by the ouermâ—ch loue which I did beare you and your troubles and sorowes hath grieued mée as much and gone as nigh my heart as mine hath bene vnto you in such sort that if God of his infinit mercie and goodnesse had not permitted mée to finde you here of trueth I doe tell you that I would neuer haue departed from hence aliue for that I was determined to ende my dayes leading the most strictest sorowfull life that might be immagined in recompence of my great error In the meane time that the Princes spake these words the knight of the Sunne receiued so great ioye and pleasure in séeing him in the presence of his so desired mistresse that he embrased her excusing himselfe with such amorous swéet words that he thought himselfe transported into an other world and knew not whether he was in heauen or on the earth And comming vnto himselfe after that he had receiued
those Pagans were saued for that there was 〈◊〉 that came out of Persia but turned all Christans Likewise the valiant and worthie Prince of Fraunce in this time did reioyce himselfe with his loue the faire Princesse Lindaraza as two that loued together exeéedinglie The like did all the other Princes that had their Mistresses there in the Court as the Prince Don Siluerio with his loue the Quéene Arquirosa and Rodomarte and Rodofeo with their Ladies and as all these receiued great delight so to the contrarie Bargandel Liriamandro the king Sacridoro and Brandizel were verie sorrowfull for the absence of their Ladies although the great good wil which they had for to serue the Emperor Trebatio in those warres did witigate the great griefe which otherwise they should haue receiued for their louers After this sorte they were all in sundrie and different thoughts although for to giue battaile against their enimies they were conformable in which time vpon a sodaine there was brought newes vnto the Emperour how that the king Liseo and the faire Quéene Radamira were come into the port they for whome the knight of the Sun made baâ—taile with the stout and doubtfull knight Raiartes restored vnto him the kingdome of Lidia the Quéene brought with her foure thousand knights the king sixe thousand all valiant and well armed who comming towards Grecia by fortune did méete together at sea and comming both in one demand they kept companie together vntill they came into the port Then so soone as the newes was knowen in Constantinople the Emperour Trebatio did so much that his sonnes and all that worthie crew did go forth to receiue them being together in the field they went vnto the sea side whereas they found at their comming thether that the king and the Quéene were landed a shore comming vnto them to giue them entertainment the knight of the Sunne said My good Lords from this daie forwards we may haue little feare of our enimies hauing your highnesse on our side This feare may we all put a part being in your companie sayd the Quéene Radamira for he that deliuered me from that furious and fierce Raiartes will deliuer me from all the knights of the world Well then said the king Liseo I am no lesse bound vnto this happie Prince than all the rest for that by him I haue my life all my whole kingdome and there withall they embraced one another with great loue all that were there reioyced of their comming for that the king was a verie good knight furnished with all good manners and conditions the Quéene Radamira was verie faire and gratious and receiued wonderful ioy and contentment to sée the knight of the Sun for there was nothing in all the world that she desired so much to see but when she sawe him so much growen as well in bignesse as in height more than he was at such time as hée was in Babylon she meruailed verie much When the knight of the Sun and those that came with him had giuen them their welcome they tooke their waie towards Constantinople passed by the camp of the Pagans in sight of them all who did behold them offered them no harme nor discurtesie for that there was a truce betwixt them When they came vnto the Citie the Emperour and the Empres and all those Ladies and Gentlewomen that were with her receiued great ioy loued their new guests grasifieng very much their comming And héere you shall vnderstand that at this present that worthie and valiant Tartarian Zoylo when he sawe the Quéene Radamira was taken in loue with her with great good will for to take her to he his wise and spouse if that she were so content therewith and from that daie forwardes he did procure by all meanes to giue her knowledge thereof and she when she was aduertised knew him to be so valiant a knight and high a Prince she tooke great pleasure in his seruice So by reason that the time drew nigh of the generall battaile with great diligence the Emperour and all those worthie knights minded no other thing but to visite their people commanding that they should be prouided of good armour of all other things necessarie for the battaile as they that made account that they had all that remained in the world against theÌ„ Likewise on the other part in the campe of the Pagans they did as much for in all the daies and time of their truce they vnderstoode no other thing but to make all things in a redinesse against the daie appointed being determinded amongest themselues to goe forth all the whole Campe vnto the battaile for that they would at that time make an end and destroie all the Gréekes and straight wayes enter into the mightie Citie of Constantinople and so remaine Lords ouer all the whole Empire Thus after this sorte they passed awaie the daies of the truce and afterwardes there happened many other things as shall be tolde you in this Chapter following Of the rigorous and bloudie battaile that was betweene the people of the Emperour Trebatio and those of the Emperour Alycandro and of such meruailous things as happened therein Chapter 38. I Had néed of an vnderstanding iudgement much more higher thanâ—that of Plato who was amongst the Philosophers had in reputation of a diuine vnderstanding more prompter than that of Epaminondas or of Cirus amongst the Gréekes and Persians who were accounted without comparison and also a memorie more greater than that which maye be giuen me by the Memoratiue art of Simonides eloquence more eminent than Homer or Demosthenes to declare here the worthie and incredible déedes and memorable acts of those heroicall famous knights that in the last battaile betwéene the Emperours were ioyned together in the field of Grecia in the sight of newe Rome founded by Constantine the Prince for that if with good affection you read the Historie before written you shall sée this pleasant Hystorie so intangled and the worthinesse of renowmed knights so exalted that for to declare perticularlie euerie one of their mightie acts you shall well perceiue that it were néedfull of the diuine fauour againe if you do remember the most parte of the names of those worthy knights and the varietie of Nations there ioyned together you had neede of a good memorie and to tell of them and euerie thing in order it is for to manifest all the whole world and all worthinesse therein So I séeing this worke to mount and ascend so high my small vnderstanding not able for to comprehend the same was determined for to 〈…〉 last Chapter and not to procéede anie farther but leaue this trauaile vnto some other that hath a more sharper vnderstanding than I haue and remayned certaine daies in this determination and occupied my wits in other diuerse and variable things béeing fullie perswaded that my vnderstanding was not sufficient for to declare and make
of the Sunne was taken prisoner by the parents and friends of Florinaldus they were strangelie amazed to see the great and mightie edifices of the Castle that â—eemed weâ—e burned and destroyed and such relikes as remained as péeces of towers and wallâ—s with their foundations did put gâ—eat admiration in al them that passed thatâ— waie and béeing veâ—ie desirous to knoâ—e what was the occasion of so great destruction they stayed and procured â—o sée if they could fiâ—de anie 〈…〉 that could giue them relation thereof and by câ—aunce they found certaine men that did dwell in the sâ—me place wâ—o declarâ—d vnto them the whole circumstance of that which the knight of the Sunne had there done from the first contention that he had with Floâ—â—naldos till after he was clâ—â—re out of prison whereas he was and how the Castle with all the towers wer destroied and left in that order as they â—aw it the which when they vnderstoode without lacâ—ing anie part thereof they were wonderfullie amazed as well aâ— the strange buildings which séemed to haâ—e 〈…〉 at the valiant and worthie 〈◊〉 of the knight of the Sunne and they who had séene by experience many of his wonderfull deedes sayde that with great reason they ought to put in obliuion the acts done by the ancient and fâ—mâ—us knights of whose worthie deedes the world doth resound for that the knight of the Sunne was such a one that not one of them might bée compared vnto him In this sorte when they had heard the whole discourse of their desire béeing verie glad and ioyfull thereof they gaue great thankes vnto him who had made it manifest vnto them and departed from thence and hauing vnderstanding how that the king was in a â—itie called Viana which was vpon Danubia they tooke their iourney along the riuer vpwardes towards the said Citie and hauing trauaâ—led many daies thetherwards in the end they came within thrée miles of the mightie Citie about the houre of one of the clocke in the after noone at which time the great heate of the Sunne vnto such as doe trauaile is most troublesome and beeing troubled with the great heate these two knightes determined to put themselues out of the high waie and to enter into a verie faire and fresh Orchard that was there at hand and there to rest and recreate themselues till the force of the heate were past and looking towards the Citie they sawe comming towards them a damsell mounted vppon a Palâ—â—aie with so great speede as her palsraie coulde runne and as one that made hast to accomplish some great necessitie And séeing her to come with so great hast they were verie desirous to knowe the occasion thereof which made them for to staie vntill her comming thether and drawing more â—gher vnto them they â—awe that the wept and made great lamentation in such sorte that shée was all wet with teares But when shee sawe the two knightes shee began to weepe more pittifullie and to lift vp her lamentable voice saying after this sort Oh iusâ—ice of God how do you permit that so great treason be done vâ—to so high a damsell as shée is that there is not a knight in all the world that will defend her iustice and qâ—arrâ—ll Thâ—se two knights when they heard these words were more desirous than before to vnderstand the effect thereof and put themselues before the damsell and staying her haâ—â—ie iouâ—ney one of them said Damsell we praie you to let 〈◊〉 a while this your complaint and wéeping and declare vnto vs the occasion of this your great sorrow for that we are knightâ— that with a verie good will will offer our persons to put remedie therein if it bee a thing that with reason and with our honours wee maye performe Then the Damsell when shee heard those curteous wordes did verie much beholde them and sawe that they were knightes verie stronglie and richlie armed and of a gallant and stout proportion shee coniectured that they shoulde bée knâ—ghts of great bountie and straungers in that Countrie for that at anie time shee had not seene in the Court of the king 〈◊〉 of so gallant and warlike disposition and hauiâ—g more hope than shee brought with her shée answered them 〈◊〉 sayd Sir knights a heauie thing it is that you doe demaund of mée to cause mée now for to stay and declare vnto you the dolorous care that I haue within mée the which onely for to expresse will cause my griefe to renew and increase and I doe beléeue that there is no heart so hard but of my sorrow will take great compassion But for that you haue vsed vnto mée so great courtesie in your words and againe the good disposition of your persons doe giue mée to vnderstand that my labour shall not be in vaine for to giue you to vnderstande of the greatest treason that euer you haue heard of the which was done vnto a faire Damsell of high estate and is the occasion of all this my sorrow You shall vnderstand sir knights that in the court of the king Tâ—berio of Hungaria who is at this instant in the citie of Viana the Quéene Augusta wife vnto the king Tiberio â—ath in her companie manie Ladies and gentlewomen of great beautie and high estate of all the principallest of Germania amongst whom there was one who as well in beautie as in riches and estate did passe and surmounâ— all the rest and is the Dutches of Austria called the faire Polisena for that her great beautie and fairenessâ—e as they say is equall vnto that that was of the daughter of Pâ—â—aâ—o When this damsell came vnto the age of twelue yéeres her father dyed and for that she was so young and tender of age although heire vnto that high estate the Queene Augusta did take her into her companie and it is now full foure yéeres since her first comming into the court In which time as she increased as well in beautie as in yéeres manie worthie knights of high estate and renowme that saw her dyd procure by all meanes possible for to marrie with her amongest whome there was none that she could fancie or beare any good will or perfect loue vnto but the gallant Lusiano prince of Suâ—uia who was the gallantest proporcioned and stoutest knight that at this present is to be found in all the prouinces of Germania It is now more then thrée yéeres since this Prince did begin to loue and serue her in which time for her sake he did many valiant deedes worthy to be put in memorie Likewise the faire Polisena being no lesse ouercome vanquished with his loue did not loue him with any other entension but to marrie with him thinking that with no other knight she might better match her selfe then with him so that these two were verie conformable together in their wills and desires as I who was a third person betwixt them do know and am a witnesse to the same and also doe iustifie that betwixt
a knight and a ladie there was neuer so perfect loue as was betwixt these two or that more intirely dyd loue the one the other And yet not being satisfied nor well content with this but the more to be in securitie the one of the other I was as a meane betwixt them that this Lusiano should come on a night appointed vnto a window that had a grate of Iron out of the chamber of the saide dutches whereas he should finde her there the one vnto the other to assure the bands of Matrimonie by word and promise betwixt them in such sort that from that day forwards they might liue in more securitie It fell out that all was done as it was agréed that this gentle Lusiano in a darke night came vnto the windo whereas he found his faire Polisena and betwixt them was concluded the bandes of Matrimonie by word of mouth in my presence and in the presence of an other damsell of the Dutches who I doe beléeue is not cléere of this treason that I will tell you This being done the dutches for that she would not that they should be discouered or spyed dyd desire the gentle Lusiano that he would straight waies depart and she likewise did withdraw her selfe and caused the window to be shoot and being verie feareful that it should be discouered vnto the Quéene she neuer after durst speake vnto her knight neither be with him in companie in any suspicious place as one that was fully persuaded of the loue to be perfect that was betweene them in this sort all things dyd prosper verie well betweene these two louers but yet their loue was not so perfect as their fortune was contrarie to apart them from the ioye and glorie that they hoped to be betwixt them For that Sir knights you shall vnderstand that little more then halfe a yéere past there came vnto the court of the king Tiberio the Duke of Saxonia called Roberto the mightie for that he was so bigge of his bodie that he lacked but a little to be as bigge as a gyant and of so great force strength that there was not a knight to be found that man for man durst enter with him in battaile but alonely this gentle Lusiano who feared not the bignesse of his bodie neither his great fame At such time as this Duke Roberto came vnto the court the king gaue him good entertainment and dyd him great honour as well for y â— he was of high estate as for the great fame the which he had This Duke so soone as he had séene the faire Polisena was so farre in loue with her that straight waies he thought to haue her vnto wife which was the occasioÌ„ that straight waies he laboured all that euer he could to bring his determination to effect But she that nothing dyd more abhorre and hate as well for the loue which shée bare vnto Lusiano as for the boysterous and brauenesse of his person for that he had a fearce face and terrible countenance by no meanes she could not abyde him but dyd refuse his offer and many times she sayde vnto him in my presence that he should not come any more before her for that his presence should be greuous vnto her yet for all that would he not giue ouer his sute but still dyd contende to importune her in such sort that she was determined for to giue the King to vnderstande thereof if that I had not persuaded her to the contrarie Then the Duke Roberto seing that nothing whatsoeuer he dyd profited any whit for the obtaining his purpose and desire determined to séeke some other meanes how and which way he might make the Dutches for to doe by force that which now she would not of her good will I promise you I know not neither can I immagine how and which way the diuell did helpe him for to cause three knights of the court of the king for to suffer themselues and be 〈◊〉 such as were in bountie of armes as also of good crâ—dit 〈◊〉 their persons haue not their equalls to be found in all the land that I promise you the king would put them in trust with all his ritches he and all people had such conâ—idenâ—e in them The one is called Ricardo and Duke of Barbaria the other Anibardo Lord of the Albios and the third Carmelio Lord of Marehomandia all thrée subiects vnto the king Tiberio and norished and brought vp in his court from the time of their tender age Then Duke Roberto hauing these knights on his part watched his time and went before the king at such time as the Quéene was present and made a great complaint vnto them saying that of long time he loued with true and perfect loue the Dutches of Austria and how that by the good will and consent of them both they were made sure together so that he was her husband and she his wife But now since the conclusion of this matrimonie the Dutches doth denye it againe and hath sworne neuer to marrie with him not knowing wherefore she should be thus angrie with him to denie that which she before hath promised requesting him as his king and soueraigne Lord to doe him Iustice therein and to commaund the Dutches to perfourme the matrimonie the which she promised vnto him and to deliuer her into his power for that she was his naturall wife The king receiued no content but was very sorie at this embassage of the Duke for that the king hadde better good will to marrie her vnto the gentle Lusiaâ—o then vnto him but because he loued iustice and was a very good Christian he straight waies commauÌ„ded to come before him the faire Polisena and asked of her if it were true which the Duke had said Then she who vnderstood the diuelish intent of the Duke was so amazed that for a good space she could not speak a word wherat the king and the quéene had great suspicion but when that she came vnto her selfe with great anger she sayde vnto the Duke that he lyed in all that he hadde sayde and how that there neuer passed any such thing by woord nor in thought At which answere the Duke was very angrie furious whiâ—â— was the occasion y â— the king coÌ„manded the faire â—olisena for â—o depart 〈…〉 the Duke straight waies presented before the king the thrée knights before rehearsed who swore in the presence of the King that Duke Roberto and the faire Polisena were made sure together in so ample maner as man and wife ought to be and how that ouer and aboue all this they had bene together and that it was of a trueth for that they were present thereat in a garden that is next adioyning vnto the lodging of the Dutches. Ah lamentable case and a thing neuer the like before heard off that so great falsehood should be found in the mouthes of such thrée knights whose credit is so great with the king that he doth beléeue
did write Letters of greate loue vnto other Ilandes that were not subiect vnto him which were inhabited with Gyants and furious people requesting them to come vnto his Court of Parliament Among all hée wrote a Letter vnto Bradaman Campeon who was returned into his Countrie againe the effect thereof was as followeth GRan Campion Lorde of the Orientall Ilandes that are in the Octian Sea I doe beleeue that it is manifest vnto thée the iniurie done by the Gréeke Prince vnto our sacred estate and the great offence that hee did vnto thâ— immortall Gods therefore now thou shalt vnderstand that by the vertue of that part of the diuine deitie that is in vs it is concluded in our diuine Consistorie that order shoulde bée taken in such sorte that reuengement may be taken for the same in such ample wise that the whole Empire of Grecia may bée destroyed downe to the ground and not to leaue one stone vpon another as a iust punishment for the offendours and an example to all others howe they shall offende against the diuine maiestie For the 〈◊〉 end to the executing of the same wée doe desire 〈◊〉 in this enterprise thy fauour maye bée the first for that as the diuiâ—â— Gods haue created thee so strong and mightie ouer 〈…〉 all mortall creatures so lyâ—â—wise art thou 〈…〉 maintaine and defend their diuine honours 〈…〉 to make reuengement of this 〈…〉 Prince hath done vnto vs. Héerein I do inlarge no farther but abiding thy comming for to haue thy opinion what were best to be done héerein Written in our sacred Court c. When that Bradaman had receiued this Letter in all his life he was not so glad and ioyfull for that occasion dyd so â—erue that hée might execute that great anger and wrath that hée had conceiued against the knight of the Sunne because it was a great shame vnto him that hée was ouercome by him and hée could not forget that great iniarie receiued but had as much desire to bée reuenged for the same And you shall vnderstand that this Bradaman had at that time a sonne of twentie yéeres olde the most brauest and â—iercest creature that euer was séene by men of whome shall bee made more mencion in this Hystorie Bradaman had not this sonne by a faire Gentlewoman but of the cruellest and furious in condition amongest al women for that after y â— by the mightie power of his person he came to bée Lorde ouer the Orientall Ilands which was a kinde of people which for their fiercenesse neuer before could be brought in subiection he determined within himselfe for that he would not that that Segniorie should be lost after his death to procure to haue so valiant a sonne who for the worthinesse of his person should be sufficient to sustaine that estate as he did get it in his life time And with this determination and desire he made many sacrifices vnto the Gods desiring them to giue him such a sonne to bée his heire of no lesse force and strength than he was for the defence of those kingdomes At the same time there was in one of those Ilandes a woman of so stout and furious condition of so great strength that with her owne handes shée slew a great number of gyants and other terrible and dreadfull beasts Bradaman did know her in such sorte that nature working in her by the will of the high Gods shée was deliuered of that furious and fierce sonne and gaue him to name Bramarant At whose birth Bradaman his Father was verie ioyfull and caused him for to bée nourished with the milke of Lions and Tygers and other â—arious beasâ—es such as were to be found in those partes and would neuer consent that hée should proue of his mothers breasts for that he would his sonne should be the more fierce and strong In this sort hée was nourished so that afterward it appeareth that the double strength and fiercenesse of the Father and oâ— his mother was comprehended in him with the aide of the milke that he sucked which did worke such effect in him that when he came to twelue yéeres of age he would go alone into the deserts mountaines without anie armour more than certain sodden skins hardned in the Sun and would seeke out the strong Lions and fierce Tygers with other furious beasts and all that euer he could take he would teare them to peeces with his hands as though they had bene young and tender Kids He would eate no other meate in all the time of his hunting but the milke of those she wild beasts that he met withall and sometimes of the flesh of the most fuâ—ious beâ—st that he killed and that should be rawe But when that hée grew vnto more yeres he left of his hunting of wild beasts and fell to exercising himselfe in armour feates of armes in such sort that his great force and strength was verie déere vnto a great number for that he would neuer heare reason in the triall of his strength as did become good and curteous knightes but without anie occasion in the woâ—lde â—ee would haue contention with all them that he met withall béeing armed without anie feare if they were two twentie or thirtie with them all hée woulde contend and kill them tearing them in péeces with so great câ—ueltâ—e that hée was feared of all could finde none that was able to make râ—sistance against him although all the 〈◊〉 of those Ilands were verie stout and couragious and almost all Gyants And â—or that Nature dyd shew her selfe â—uch â—auourable vnto Bramarant the Hystorie sayth that hee was not in stature of his bodie so 〈…〉 but hee was as bigge as anie knight might 〈…〉 Gyant and of so mightie huge and great members that whatsoeuer hée lacked in his height hée 〈◊〉 it comprehended in his bignesse and was of so great force and strength that there was no equalitie in that of Milo of whom they saie that there was not his lyke in all the whole world for that he dyd things that séemed to bée incredible to all that dyd sée them and besides his great strength he was so swiâ—t and light that he would ouertake Lions and other wilde beasts in the plaine running after them This young Bramarant séeing himselfe to bée so puâ—sant and mightie aboue all others was so stout and proude that at such time as he came to twentie yéeres of age there was not one if hée were displeased with him that durst come into his presence so y â— in all those Oriental Ilands he was feared more estéemed thaÌ„ his Father and was not content that they had him for their Lord but also would bée worshipped of his as their principall God and said that al the Gods the which they did worshippe had no power ouer him neither were they equall in valour And Bradaman his Father séeing him so feared and reuerenced of all and how great and mightie his strength fiercenesse was was