Physicke You are wise and discréete therefore you shall vnderstand that all this which I haue said vnto you is onely to put you in remembraunce that the passioned minde can neither sée nor discerne things farre nor nigh hand And as concerning Don Siluerio I haue committed nothing against him wherin I am bound to make satisfaction neither hée to pardon me for if you haue promised vnto him the Princesse Oliuia for wife first before that she chose me for her husband God and my good fortune hath giuen her vnto mee so that hee hath not to complaine himselfe but of fortune that woulde not be fauourable vnto him for to recouer her so that I doe not take from him her that should haue bene his wife but I haue taken out of your and his power the same whome God did promise and ordaine to giue me for wife Notwithstanding for all this I euer hadde Don Siluerio for my friend and before that these things fell out in this order I beléeued that he had mée in the same profession I do greatlie desire that this friendshippe may procéede and goe forwards and if so be that anie lacke or fault hath béene of anie part let satisfaction be made for the which I for my part will make satisfaction vnto Don Siluerio in giuing vnto him for wife the most faire and precious Quéene Arquirosa Quéene of Thessalia and is this that is héere present with me who with all the power that shée could make came into Grecia to the aide and succour of the Emperor my Father it is in my power for I haue promised her to giue her a husband such a one as her estate beautie doth deserue therefore Don Siluerio consider sée if you can like of this 〈◊〉 for that there be few damsels or not one at this time â—o bée found in the world with whom you may be better married withall than her Now haue you vnderstood the effect of our comming and héere I doe desire you both straight waies to giue me your answere The king Oliuerio was verie attentiue vnto all y â— was spoken by Rosicleer and one waie he liked verie wel of their intent and it séemed vnto him that all things were placed in verie good order and another waie the gallant presence of Rosicleer with the faire Princesse Oliuia seemed to force constraine his heart to like verie well of the one to loue the other as his owne naturall children and seeing them with so great humilitie before him Rosicleer being so high a Prince hauing confidence y â— in his great bountie he came to aske him pardon forgiuenesse not mistrusting his highnesse the teares gushing out at his eies with the great loue he bare vnto either of them calling to remembrance that by him he was deliuered from death the daie before so that if it had not bene for him he had béen slaâ—â—e and all his people destroied and seeing the great clemencie that both Father and sonne vsed with him he comming to destroie them in his Countrie he found it great reason to vse the same with them and to forget the death of Prince Edward for that God had giuen vnto him in his place that valyaunt Prince and knight Thus hauing his minde occupied in these and other things hee remained a good while without 〈◊〉 wering them looking alwaies when Don Siluerio wold speake because the greatest part of y â— matter did touch him and till such time as he did knew his will he thought it not good to vtter his iudgement which was the occasion that he did importune him verie much to make the first answere as he thought best who after such time as the Quéene entered into the tent was continuallie with great attention beholding her whose beautie gaue him greater contentment than anie Ladies or Gentlewoman in the world next vnto the Princesse Oliuia And when he vnderstood the demand of Rosicleer in his life he neuer receiued greater ioy contentment in séeing that without anie demand or asking he offered vnto him so high a Ladie and damsell for wife had cleane forgotten all the anger and wrath that he had before conceiued and taken against Rosicleer with the friendship receiued of him the daie before in deliuering of them from death So perceiuing that the king would not answere in anie respect till such time as he had vittered his minde hée spake these wordes following HIgh and worthie Prince of Grecia of all that you haue héere so highlie declared as also of all other things that haue so prosperouslie fallen out on your part I do vnderstand no other thing but y â— God hath created you amongst all Princes the most highest amongst al knights the most noblest and in strength the most stoutest amongest men of vnderstanding the most wisest and aboue all fortune hath shewed her selfe fauourable and prosperous for whosoeuer doth consider the highnesse of your estate shall plainlie sée perceiue that there is none that commeth nigh vnto you for worthinesse none equall and to consider of your high knighthood they shall see that it is without comparison and almost aboue nature likewise considering how prosperous all things hath fallen out on your part they will not onelie saie that fortune is fauourable vnto you but also that you haue her at commandement to do al things at your pleasure and séeing that you haue so many and high things on your side what enimie is there that will resist you or friend that will loose your friendship The wise man saith that there are thrée things which ought to be feared the waues of the sea the thuÌ„derbolts of the heauens the furious wild beasts on the earth but yet aboue all things he saith ought to bée feared the enimie prosperous fortunable for that he which doth not nauigate at the Sea is out of all daunger of the waues and he that kéepeth his house is out of the danger of wilde beasts and the thunderbolts verie seldome strikath but from the prosperous enimie there is none that can apparte himselfe neither can he finde anie place whetherâ— to runne for whereas he thinketh himselfe most surest many times it falleth out that there is most perill and héere I say that fortune hath shewed her selfe more prosperous vnto you than vnto anie and vnto me more contrarie than vnto anie other for that she did not content her selfe in giuing you the victorie ouer me but the more to cralt you shée brought me into that extremitie that of necessitie I must be defended froÌ„ death and receiue life at your hands the which you gaue mée as a friend whereby you got of mee the greatest victorie that euer man had of his enimie Therefore God forbid that now I should haue anie enmitie with him who with the great force and strength of your arme dyd ouercome me and I doe yéeld my selfe vnto the strength of your worthinesse and this offer which you doe
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
while in these their gréetings receiuings they entered into a meruailous faire and great quadran where al these knights were vnarmed had giuen vnto them rich precious robes to couer them the which being done with great ioy they sate downe to dinner wheras they were serued with so great maiestie as did wel agrée vnto their high estates Thus with great delight vnto them all they remained certaine daies making great triumphs exercising meruailous feates of armes whereas the stout Troyan the king Sacridoro and the Tartarian Zoylo with the other worthie Princes gaue such testimonie of their bountie that from that time forwardes they were estéemed as their worthinisse did deserue In this time was Rosicleer in so great ioy and pleasure as before hée sawe himselfe in sorrow and sadnesse for he had his welbeloued Oliuia in his power and that there was concluded finished all his cares and mortall griefs that he had receiued for her cause so that there â—as no pleasure in all the world that might be compared vnto his wherewith he went as one from himselfe thinking himselfe not worthie to inioy so great glorie The Princesse Oliuia likewise receiued no lesse contentment for calling to remembrance the great trauaile afflictions that she had sustained and passed for her welbeloued friend and now séeing her selfe frée and cléere from them all and put in so high estate she thought verilie that there was not a Ladie nor Gentle woman in all the world so fortunate as shée so that the ioy of them both was without comparison which was cleane contrarie vnto the knight of the Sunne for that he found not there the Princesse Claridiana her absence caused vnto him great anguish and griefe And béeing in such sort that hée could not suffer nor abide it he determined straight waies to depart toward Trapisonda at such time as he saw that the Emperour his Father was most in quiet and when that his departure should lesse grieue him otherwise he would not for all the world doe that whereby he should receiue anie displeasure For you shall vnderstand that this knight and Rosicleer his brother amongst all other vertues with the which they were indued this did surmount all the rest for that there was not a knight in all the world that better dyd loue their Father than these two for that they did not alonelie serue and honour him but the more to exalt his maiestie not one of them in his presence woulde make anie estimation of themselues but would that all honour and reuerence should be giuen vnto him onlie who for the worthinesse of his person dyd deserue the same So that the knight of the Sunne for not displeasing him in his departure did passe awaie his anguish and griefes as well as he could thinking euerie houre a whole yéere till such time as he might sée his Claridiana This might be a spectacle vnto all such as hath Fathers for to procure and doe as this knight did for to make equall his pastimes and pleasures vnto the troubles and necessities of his Father alwaies desiring and procuring his honour more than his owne hauing before his eyes neuer to haue quietnesse nor rest at such time as his father is in anie trouble for that the gift of the father although it be not profitable to his possessions yet is hée most excellent to giue counsaile and profitable vnto the sonne and is neuer wel knowen till such time as hée is lost when that with many sighs and teares it ought to bée bewailed Who is he that would not séeme to be a good child vnto his parents if he do well consider how troublesome his bringing vp hath bene vnto them and how that his life is but a burthen of anger and sorrowes sonnes of great griefe a continuall labour timerous care How many times are we the occasion to make frustrate their desires a breaking of their sound sléepes taking awaie their stomackes y â— they cannot eate and with our fained teares disturbe their pâ—â—sures How many sodain feares griefs caused by y â— vaâ—â—ance of our actions and many times the disgrace and death of the sonnes is cause of the death of their mothers And y â— which is more many with the ouermuch pleasure and ioy receiued to heare how that their children be aliue dieth sodainlie as it chanced vnto those two the same daie that they returned vnto Rome that dyd remaine and escaped from the losse of Trasimeno when as they sawe their sonnes aliue whereas before it was certified them that they were slaine and hauing no measure to eschue so great and sodaine ioy dyd die presentlie therewith Therefore séeing that the loue of the parents is so great vnto their children he is worthy of great punishment that doth not honour them and shall haue lesse reason to leaue vndone that which is a common Prouerbe that the whole fault consisteth in the Father for that many times the hardnesse of the Father is profitable vnto the sonne and alwaie the cockering of them is hurtfull because we that be sonnes and youthfull be alwaies stubburne and cannot be mollified but by stubburnnesse as many times it falleth out that the pittiful Chyrurgion leaueth the wound euill cured wherof did grow the olde custome that was vsed amongst the Romanes that not alonelie Princes and Consulles vnto whome was giuen the whole power ouer the common wealth against such as did offend but also all perticular fathers had iurisdiction ouer their children to punish them and to put them in prison tormenting them yea and to put them to death The crueltie of Cassio and Fuluio was much estéemed in putting to death of their sonnes not for that they did hate them but because they coulde not correct their customes So that the sonne must vnderstand that the good Father must not séeke who should cocker make much of him but one that may doe him good And many thinges doth séeme vnto the sonne to be verie hard terrible which seemeth vnto the Father to be verie profitable Neither is he deceiued therein for that his affection is not with passion and youth hath no more considerationâ— than that which is before his eies and waring riper in yéeres he séeth many things a farâ—e of and alwaies the seueritie of the father is more profitable vnto the sonne than méeknesse It is a strange thing to consider that a man can better suffer the hardnesse of a tyrannous maister than of his owne Father the which although they be not alowable yet should not they reproue their fathers but rather suffer them We reade that Alexander did neuer incurrâ— so great reproch as in that hee dyd not onelie rebuke his Father but that hée was also enuious and receiued griefe at his ertollings Wise men saie that there is no superioritie on the earth more iuster than that of the Father nor more honester subiection than that of the sonne therefore let children honour their
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
of them and other some for 〈…〉 thereof In the ende they did conclude that the 〈◊〉 should go forwards Then after certaine daies that they remaiâ—â—d in that Court all those kings and mightie Lords 〈…〉 owne Countries for to ordaine and 〈…〉 all such people as they would carrie with 〈…〉 warres But first before their departure it was concluded amongst them that at a certaine day 〈…〉 all meete with their people at the port of 〈◊〉 whereas the Emperour hadde commaunded for 〈…〉 to be made in a readinesse a mightie great and 〈…〉 of Shippes for to carrie their 〈…〉 and beâ—ng all occupâ—ed in these 〈◊〉 the Historie doâ—th leaue them till tyme 〈…〉 to tell you of other things that passed in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio How that there came to the court of the Emperour Trebatio a strange knight did defie the knight of the Sunne and of the stout and well foughten battaile that was betwixt them Chap. 11. VVIth great content ioye did this Historie leaue the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Buana for that they had with them their exelent worthie sonnes accompanied with those high worthie Princes who were no lesse glad and ioyful for that they were in that Court as well for the great friendship which they had with the Gréekes as for the affable conuersation that they had with the good Emperour Trebatio who séemed vnto them to be the most exelentest noblest Lord that euer they had sene or knowen But yet aboue all the rest the ioye and pleasure that those â—oyall louers Rosicleer and Oliuia receiued did far surmount who being at quiet resting themselues of those great troubles mortall anguishes the which the one for the other receiued that verelie they did séeme to recreate theÌ„selues with all soueraine glorie and vnspeakeable ioye The princesse Oliuia receiued so great contentment for that she had with her Rosicleer her loue and also to sée the great maiestie highnesse of the Emperour with the great loue and good will which he bare vnto her that in a short time she had cleane forgotten great Britaine and the court of the king Oliuerio her father and was neuer satisfied in giuing thankes vnto almightie God for that he had brought her vnto so high estate The knight of the Sunne was he alone that liued not to his contentment neither receiued any ioye nor pleasure in seeing himselfe absent from his Ladie the Empresse Claridiana all pastimes pleasures that were there ordeined were vnto him great anguish and griefe thinking himselfe to be alwaies in darknesse pensiue and imagining when the daye should be that he might reioyce and comfort himselfe with her precious sight but yet calling to remembrance his disloialtie past it seemed vnto him that hee was voide of all desert and coulde not imagine howe â—ee might excuse himselfe to come into her presence So all 〈…〉 Court béeing in their contrarietie of thoughtes and dispositions vpon a daie béeing all together in a faire hall of the mightie pallace after that dinner was done they sawe entering in at the gate a knight all armed with blacke Steele which was of so greate finenesse that it seemed to bée christaline glasse he was of a gallant stature and well made and of so gentle disposition that it caused great admiration in all them that beheld him his helme was on his head and the beauer down so y â— none could sée his face he brought leading by the hand a verie faire Ladie with a rich crowne vpon her head and after them came other two Damâ—ells the one of them bare the traine of the Ladie and the other brought the shéeld of the Knight which was â—â—wise of blacke steele all apparailed in blacke séeming to bée mourners So when they entered into the hall there was great silence then the Ladie which had the Crowne vpon her head without doing anie reuerence saide Who is hée amongest you that is called the Knight of the Sunne Hée béeing there present arose vp and said Faire Ladie what is your demaund Heere I am he that you do aske for In good time sayd the Ladie and I am verie gladde that I haue found you héere although our comming can turne no goodnesse vnto thée Thou shalt vnderstand that I am Media daughter vnto that Raiartes whom thou traiterouslie and falselie didst kill in Babilonia whose strength as thou doest well know was no lesse than diuine nor could not be slaine by humane hands exâ—â—pt it were by great trason and falsehood I remained a damsell and of tender yéeres at the time of his death and by reason that my beautie was such as thou doest sée there dyd not lacke many Princes and Knightes that dyd request mee in marryage from whence I did defend and excuse my selfe 〈◊〉 that straight waies vppon the death of my Father I made a solempne oath and vowe neuer to marrie with anie knight but with him that first of all shal make me reuengement â—or the death of my father And for that the fame of thy greate bountie is so blowne throughout the world I haue found none y â— is desirous to marrie with me with so great a charge but this alone knight who by fortune ariued at the Iland of Zardo whereas I am gouernesse who falling in loue with my great beautie did binde himselfe to come and make battaile with thée and giue mée reuengement for the death of my Father the which I do so much desire and I seeing with my owne eies the great bountie and valour of this knight in a certaine contention which hée had with certaine knights of mine receiued great contentment for to come with him and according vnto the great wonders that I haue séene him doe I suppose that there is not a knight in all the world that is equall vnto him so that the reuengement of the death of my Father I haue it so certaine as though it were alreadie done This is our demaund Knight of the Sunne and the occasion of our comming hether and to knowe why this my Knight doth not speake vnto you is for that hée is a straunger verie farre from this Countrie and cannot speake nor vnderstand anie Gréeke And in concludâ—ng these wordes the Ladie helde her peace and the straunge knight who was verie attentiue vnto that which was sayde beholding the knight of the Sunne dyd decline his head downewardes in signe that hee dyd graunt vnto all that which the Ladie had saide So this demaund béeing vnderstoode by the knight of the Sunne without anie chaunge of countenaunce but with a seuere semblaunce aunswered and sayde Ladie Medea I woulde that your demaund were some other than this which you doe bring not for that I woulde excuse the battaile that this knight will make with me for as I am cléere and without fault of the death of Raiartes your father as is wel knowen so do I litle estéeme the great bountâ—e of this knight hauing right and iustice on my
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
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
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
Sunne considering that if the battaile shold goe forwards it wold not be well with Roboan and againe for that he had him and his sonnes in respect of strong and valiant knights for such would estéeme them if that he might cause them to leaue this great errour the which they had maintained a long time he there with all withdrew himselfe aback and lifting vp the beauer of his healme he said Heare mée a little what I will say vnto thée Roboan first before that this our battaile be finished thou shalt vnderstand that I doe estéeme thee and thy sonnes verie much as wel for the great valiantnesse that is in you as also you doe séeme vnto mee to be good and courteous knights my will and desire is that this our battaile betwixt vs may cease and that remedie be put in the curing these thy wounds and the wounds of thy sonnes in case that thou wilt leaue this law Gentilica wherewith thou hast bene so much deceiued and from this day forwardes not to obserue nor maintaine the euell and most cruell custome as hetherto thou hast For that if thou wilt sée and behold with the eyes of thy vnderstanding and consider of the law in the which thou doest liue thou shalt cléerely sée and perceiue the great errour and deceit wherein thou art wrapped Tell mee I pray thee Roboan who ought to be honored and worshipped for God but he alonely that created and made all things both ceâ—estiall and terrestriall and hath power ouer all things for to punish the wicked and to gratifie and reward the good and iust Well then if he alone that hath all this power ought to be estéemed honoured and worshipped for God what reason is there for to beleue that the Moone is the Goddesse Thou shalt vnderstand for her to shine and giue light hath neede of the cléerenesse and brighnesse of the Sunne without the which of her selfe she is verie darke and obscure and cannot be séene God created the high couloured Rubies the gréene Emeralds the blew Saphires the white Pearles the shining beams of the Sunne that giueth light vnto the Moone the Starres the gréene trées on the earth and her Plants the quietnesse of the heauens the roundnesse of the world and the meruailous course of the celestial mouings not for that we should occupie our wits and vnderstandings in these things but by the great beautie and sight of them our spirits may be moued vnto the beautie and loue of the creator and maker of all them from whom like as from a fountaine procedeth all that is faire and delectable vnto the sight of man In the meane time that the knight of the Sunne was saying these words Roboan was very attentiue taking as great pleasure at that he sayde as at his great force and strength and looking vpon himselfe he sawe that he was berayed with bloud and his armour broken in many places and his aduersarie not to haue receiued any wound but rather was more stronger and lighter then at the beginning which was vnto him apparant either to be slaine or to loose the victorie Likewise he well vnderstood to what ende the knight of the Sunne had spoken those words which did procéede more of vertue good will towards them then for any feare or dread he had in the conclusion of the battaile but by reason that he saw his sonnes lying a long on the ground in the field the eyes of his vnderstanding were so blinded that he could not sée the great profit which might come vnto him in leauing of his law and custome And said vnto the knight of the Sun that he should not speake any thing more therof vnto him for that he was determined to follow and take his fortune whether it were good or bad against him or with him And therewith they both retourned againe vnto the battaile for that they had somewhat breathed rested themselues it was then a thing worthie to be seene the strong and terrible blowes which the one stroke at the other For as I haue said Roboan was a stout and strong giant and sufficient of himselfe to destroye and kill one hundreth knights that should contend against him altogether in battaile The knight of the Sunne had great desire quickly to conclude and make an ende of that contension to sée what the Emperour Alicandro and the Princesse Lindabrides dyd in the castell who being greatly amazed at his great force and strength could not immagine who it should be except it were the sonne of Trebatio he who had done great marnailes in his presence And he that should at this instant haue certified the faire princesse how that it was the knight of the Sunne you may well beleeue that he should haue caused her to receiue greater ioye and contentment then if they had giuen her all the whole world for a present as she who should not receiue so great griefe if her soule should depart from her bodie as she should receiue in departing from the countrie whereas doth remaine her knight of the Sunne who dyd so much against Roboan that in the ende of one houre that the battaele was begun he fell downe a long at his féete so séeble and weake by reason of the great quantitie of bloud that he had lost that till such time as the knight of the Sunne did pull of his healme and gaue him ayre he could not come againe vnto himselfe But when that he was in his remembraunce the knight of the Sunne florishing with his sworde aboue his head sayde with this sword will I seperate thy head and bodie a sunder if that thou wilt not amend thy lyfe and apart thy selfe from the law wherein thou hast liued hetherto The feare of death sayd Roboan shall not make mée to doe any thing that is against my honour but thy great vertue and force doth make mée to beléeue that thy law and faith is better then this the which I haue hetherto maintained in the which I doe confesse greatly to haue erred and bene deceiued And here I doe promise thée in the faith of whome I am and by the high bloud from whence I doe descend neuer to maintaine any longer this euill custome but will esteeme and worshippe for my God all the dayes of my life him whome thou hast tolde mée off who vniuersally did create all things Then the knight of the Sunne who was very glad and ioyfull for to heare him so say dyd healp him to arise from the ground and embrasing him with great loue they went both together vnto Andricardo and Langereon whom they found both a liue and without perill but that they were verie weake and féeble with the great quantitie of bloud the which they had lost but when the sonnes had vnderstood all that which had passed with their Father God had inspired his holy spirit within them in such sort that they were very well content therewith and premised him that from that day forwards
thâ—â— more and better then if all the knights in his court had spoken and sworne it And as a thing verified to be most true the King commaunded the Quéene that straight wayes she should deliuer vnto the Duke the faire Polisena for that she had chosen him to be her husband Now sir knights I pray you iudge what the gentle Lusiano might féele in his heart who found himself present at all that passed and had more conâ—â—dence in the loue and loyaltie of the Dutches then of the credit of those knights with great payne did suffer that reproch for that he would not discouer the secret betwéene them But when that he vnderstoode that which the king had commaunded he as then could not suffer it any longer but put himselfe before the king and said Lord and soueraine here I doe saie that all which the Duke Roberto and these knights hath saide against the Dutches of Austria is the greatest treason and falsehood that euer was sayde or inuented For that that shée is my legittimate spouse and she neuer gaue her faith neither her loue vnto any other knight in all her life but vnto mée and this will I proue vpon the Duke or vpon any of these thrée knights This Prince had â—â—arce concluded these words when that the Duke and these thrée knights layde hand vpon their swords against him and he dyd the like against them so that there had bene done great harme if that the king had not put himselfe betwixt them and parted themâ— commaunded that either of them should kéepe his house and not to come abrode Then the king being verie desirous to knowe whether it were true or not which the Prince Lusiano had said commaunded that the Dutches should be brought before him and asked her if that the Prince Lusiano were her husband or not Then she séeing that it was not at that time to kéepe it in silence sayde that it was true that he was her spouse and none other When the king vnderstoode that he commaunded that the Dutchesse should bée put prisoner in a strong tower beléeuing verilie that shée had made her selfe sure and giuen her word vnto both of them and the great good will which shée bare vnto Lusiano was the occasion that shee did falsifie and denie that which shée had promised vnto the Duke Roberâ—o and for that hee would cléere this doubt by iustice he gaue straight waies sentence that the Duke and the thrée knightes that were his witnesses should maintaine and defend that which they had spoken and sworne and that Lusiano and the Dutchesse should in the space of one moneth bring knightes such that vpon their iust quarrell shoulde take and make combat with them in this sorte that if those which are of the Dukes partie doe get the victorie that then the Dutchesse should bée his and straight waies to bee deliuered vnto him and to the contrarie if the Prince and â—is knightes doe get the victorie that then the beautifull and faire Polisena should be his the which sentence being declared vnto them they were all consent therewith for that the Duke thought that in all the whole world there were not to be found foure knights that against him and his companions were able to wage battaile And Lusiano hoping in his iustice as much as in his strength presupposed the victorie to be on his part but alasse Fortune hath fallen out cleane contrarie vnto his expectation for that this is the last daie of the moneth and in all this time he could neuer finde anie knight that durst take his part in the battaile one waie for that the other foure knightes were commended to bée so strong and valiant and féared of all others and other waies for that they thought of a truth that the Duke Roberto had reason for that it was verified and affirmed by thrée knights of so great credit so that now the Prince séeing himselfe al alone is determined all alone to goe forth vnto thâ— battaile this daie against those foure knights for that first he wil suffer himselfe to be slaine rather than to sée the faire Polisena deliuered into the power of the Duke so that this euening the battaile shall be tried the which cannot otherwise bée but that the gentle Lusiano must be slaine whose death vnto all people will be verie grieuous and he shall not bée so soone slaine when that the Dutchesse will kill her selfe with her owne hands for so she is determined to doe if that in the meane time God doth not ordaine some remedie for the same This is the occasion gentle knights of all this my great sorow which causeth me to come forth into these fields and high waies making my cries vnto the heauens and because I doo know the truth héereof better than anie other I cannot suffer to abide in the Citie to sée before my eies slain such two persons by a treason so manifest euill but come to sée if that in this short space I could méete with anie knight that wold haue compassion on them and now séeing God hath permitted that I haue met with two such knights as you doe séeme to bée héere I doe desire you by the great obligation in the which you bound your selues at such time as you receiued the order of knighthood that you would take compassion of that gentle knight Lusiano and of that sorrowfull and afflicted Ladie the Dutches if it so fall out that you shew them anie curtesie they be persons that will verie well gratifie the same and because you shall be fullie certefied of their iustice héere I doe sweare vnto you by that God that created and made both heauen and earth and afterwards by his death and passion dyd redéeme vs that all this which I haue told you is the verie truth of all that hath passed and againe the more to certefie you héerein you haue néed of no other thing but to beholde the ill fauoured face and barbarous countenance of the Duke and the gâ—eat beutie of Polisena whereby you may iudge the great vnlikelihood y â— the dutches should treate of loue with him in secret When the damsell had concluded the whole discourse of this treason the two knightes who were replenished with all vertue were moued vnto great compassion and gaue thankes vnto almightie God that he had brought them thether at that instant and thought it long till they saw themselues in battaile with the Duke and said vnto the damsel that they would goe with her and take 〈◊〉 with Lusiano for to defend his right towards the Dutches. And shée who verie well noted their gentle dispositions and the great riches of their armor by the which she was fullie perswaded with her selfe that they were knights of great estimation that her trauaile and comming thether was well emploied for that there was some hope by their aide on the parte of Lusiano much better than to battaile alone for the which she asked
fortunes of locasta whose misfortunes were such as was not in the whole worlde to be compared yet may it not be compared vnto mine Oh fortunate Eucuba and soueraigne Quéene who alonely remained for to sée the sorowfull sight of the destruction of Troy and the death of thy husband and valiant sonnes and faiâ—e daughters and after for the same cause thou wert of thy enimies stoned to death Comfort thy selfe with my misfortune for that it is not lesse dolorous then thine Oh Sophonis be Queene of Numidia who being with thy husbande prisoners in the power of thy enimie and being comforted to marrie with him first before that thy marriage was selebrated thou wert slaine by poision I consider with great griefe thine not to be equall vnto mine for that thou diddest lack time to acknowledge thy hurt in me it remaines for to suffer so great griefe Oh Cornelia wise vnto Crasso of that mightie Pompey of Rome banished with thy husband lette our sorowes be ioyned together when that with great hope for to sée thy Pompey thou wert lost and wert comforted by Cato Vticense Happie werte thou Cleopatâ—a Quéene of Aegipt séeing that thou werte forgotten by Caesar in so short space thou diddest quench so great a fire thy faire breasts béeing drawen or sucked by Snakes till such time as they sucked thy bloud which made an ende of thée Oh how pleasant should thy death be vnto mée if that in the seruice of God so great crueltie might be permitted I should thinke my selfe happie if that the bloud of my brestes with those cruell Snakes were drawen out so that ioyntly therewith the furious anguish of my heart should be expelled Oh pittifull tears of Licurgus for thy Arquimoro and those of Atalante for her Partenopio how farre doe mine excéede yours and with much more iust cause I doe shedde them Oh falce and disloyall knight what reason coulde constraine thée to falsifie and break thy worde promise giuen to be whollie mine It appeareth that thou dost follow the law Gentilica of the god Mercurio that doth not obserue kéepe their woord they say that it is more polesie then disceit Oh how I doe know now to be true that there is nothing so difficil to be vnderstoode as the humaine heart Who would euer haue thought that so great crueltie and disloyaltie might be compreheÌ„ded in a knight that doth surpas all other knights in the worlde What man hath bene in the world so cruell and peruerst as thou traitour hast bene vnto mée of truth none no not Iupiter god of y â— Gentiles whome thou dost worship that banished out of his kingdome his Father the king Saturno Neither that Ptolomeo king of Egipt that slewe his owne father brother and in the ende his wife Euridice onely for the loue of his friendes Orestes was not so cruel that slew his mother Clitemnestra nor Nero for Agripina nor Antipater for Thesalonica nor Theseus for Hipolito nor Phelipo for Demetrius nor Constantine Emperour of y â— Romances for his son Chrisippo nor Marco Caâ—taginense that did crucifie his sonne Cartalon neither that Phaces king of Parcia the most peruerst of all kings who slew Herodes his olde and afflicted father with thirtie of his bretheren and his onely sonne nor any whatsoeuer that hath bene cruell in the world so cruel as y â— knight of the Sunne hath bene vnto Claridiana for vnto them was giuen the death and afterward they felt nothing so that their crueltie was but in slaying of them but this is more crueltie vnto mée then the death for that from hence forth I shall wish to die because I deserue not to liue for to féele so cruell griefe and paine How can I liuing suffer one moment so great dolour to sée the knight of the Sunne in the power of an other Ladie Oh that he were now in this countrie surely I would be slaine in battaile with him or else his great disloyaltie should be reuenged by mée In saying these words the Empresse Claridiana her sorow was so great that she receued that many times she fell in a sound in the armes of Arcaâ—sia and all the comfortable wordes which she spoke vnto her were not sufficient in anie point to appease her great griefe and certaintie guish dolour was so great that it cannot be imagined that the griefe of anie woman whom she haue named might be compared vnto hers for as in wisedome reason and discretion with soueraigne bountie and highnesse she doth exceede all other in the world euen so is her griefe the more and the greater reason she hath to complaine for that she knowing to be without comparison in beautie estate with all other excellent gifts that should be in a noble Ladie and hauing set her minde vpon the knight of the Sun as one that alonlie did deserue her and now to sée her selfe forgotten changed for another not leauing in all the worlde anie conformable vnto her highnesse with whom she might marrie so that she desired no other thing but to die the death for to euitate the suffering of so great euill and from that daie forwards her life was cleane changed ouer that it was before neither did she exercise her selfe in armour nor 〈◊〉 hunâ—ing as at other times but as one that was past all hope euer to be marrried and as a widowe she spent her time in her closet all alone occupying her selfe alwaies in praier leading the lyfe more of a religious woman than of so high a Ladie as shée was alwaies waiting the comming of the knight of the Sun for to be reuenged on him Whereas the Historie doth leaue her for to tell you of Rosicleer that was sailing by sea with the Princesse Oliuia How Rosicleer carried the Princesse Oliuia by sea whereas they met with a great storme wherewith they were in 〈◊〉 how meruailouslie they were succoured Chap. 6. THe Historie hath declared vnto you how in what sort Rosicleâ—r in companie with his good friend Sacridoro did carrie the Princes Oliuia but of England how that they sailed on the sea with prosperous winde in the 〈…〉 in béeing so much before the other Fléete All the diligence of the Marriners nor the greate desire of the Prince was sufficient for to ouertake them for that they were a great waie before which was the occasion that with great anger be cursed the windes because they did blow stiffer lifting vp his eies vnto heaven shedding many teares he sayd Oh diuine maiestie how doe you permit that so greate force and iniurie shuld be done vnto me and that my louing spouse should bée carried awaie from me in this sort How is it that thou dost not execute thy iustice and let thy wrath to fall vpon this robberâ— Oh that thy diuine maiestie were so pleased that the same ship might strike vpon some rocke or else that that little 〈◊〉 called Remora in climbing vnto the ship might stay the furie of
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
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
thereof excéedinglie 〈◊〉 ioyfull beléeuing of a certaine that it was not possible for him to loose his kingdomes hauing so valiant and strong a sonne So at such time as the Letter of the Emperour Alicandro came vnto his hands there was present with him his sonne Bramarant who when that hee heard the Letter read he tooke a great desire for to goe with them into Grecia and thought the time long to sée himselfe on the iourney and requested his Father that hée might goe with him for that hée would that his mightie power were manifest vnto all the worlde Then Bradaman who desired no other thing did graunt him lisence and out of hand they entered their iourney towards the Court of the Emperour Alycandro Bramarant caused to bee made for himselfe armour all of little bones of small fishes that they finde in those seas of so great hardnesse that neither sword nor anie other weapon could cut or breake it it was of the same making that the Princes Meridian his armour was which afterward the knight of the Sunne â—ad yet this of Mâ—â—idian was more â—iâ—er and of greater â—orce Bramarant caused his armour to bée garnished with golde and precious stones wherwith after they were made hée was so proude and furious that hee had neitheâ— seare nor dreade of all the worlde Then Bradaman called before him twelue kings Captaines of his Ilandes who were as the Hystorie declareth great and mightie Gyants and in the companie of them and his sonne Bramarant tooke his iourney towards the Court of the Emperour Alycandio So when they came thether they were of the Emperour meruallouslie well receiued and entertained as of him that séemed to haue great néede of their helpe In the meane time y â— they there tarried till all the whole hoast were ioyned together Bramarant did many mightie feates of armes wherein he gaueâ—ful testimonie who he was putting so great wonder in all them that did behold him that with great admiration they sayd that the Gods did put vpon that knight all their powers and strengths for the punishment and destruction of the Christians Wherewith the Emperour was verie ioyfull and did them all great honour and it seemed vnto him that if they alone with their people should passe into Grecia they were sufficient to destroye the whole Empire and power of the Christians How the Emperour Alicandro did consult with the Nobles of his Court about their iourney into Grecia and what Bramarant did concerning the same Chap. 10. AFter that the Parliament was proclaimed by the commandement of 〈◊〉 Emperour Alicandro there were few 〈…〉 Lordes amongst the Pagans in Asia but came thether and bâ—eing all together in the greate Citie of Neptaya the Emperour entered into the Parliament house with all his whole assemblie of Kings Princes and other noble men wheâ—eas there was placed his Emperiall seate in his roome appointed hangâ—â— round about with cloth of golde and somewhat more below was the places for the rest made of verie fine and shining siluer whereas this mightie Emperour when he was set in his Emperiall seate which was all of fine gold and precious stones and all the other kings and Lords euerie one in his degrée which was to the number of more than one hundreth silence being commanded with great maiestie of his roiall person hée dyd pronounce vnto them these wordes following LOiall subiets true vassalls and my verie friendes immortal thanks I render vnto the high Goâ—s not onlie for that it hath pleased them to place me in this high and sacred estate in making mee Lorde ouer so many Countries and innumerable riches but also for that it hath pleased their ditâ—ne maiesties to consent which is a thing more to bee estéemed than all the rest that amongst so many mightie kings and noble Lordes that are héere present and subiect vnto this sacred Empire there is not one amongst you but hath béene and I suppose will bée loiall and faithfull which is the thing that Princes ought to haue in greatest price for that it is no lesse perillous and daungerous vnto a King that hath a peruerse and an vnreasonable subiect than for a man of meaner or baser sorte to haue a strong and mightie enimie So that now for that I am fullie perswaded and certefied of the great fidelitie truth that you haue alwaies vsed vnto me I haue requested you al to come vnto this assembly Court of Parliament for to communicate with you couching a matter whereof you are not ignorant not for that therein you should do ought to accomplish my will but that you should aide and helpe me with your good counsailes for that in great and profound matters one must propone and many must determine I thinke it is not néedfull to make much relating thereof because it is well knowen vnto you all how the knight of the Sunne and sonne vnto the Emperour of Grecia came into this land and was receiued entertained by vs with so great loue and good will as though it had bene the Prince Meridian our sonne Likewise how that it was our pleasure to marrie him vnto the Princesse Lindabrides our daughter the which was almost concluded and celebrated whether it was his euil hap or vnhappie fortune vpon a night he departed and left our daughter flouted vs astonied ashamed in recompence of the great honour that we did and shewed vnto him All the which doth not grieue vs so much for our parte for the euill sact done vnto vs as it doth for the great offence done therein vnto the immortall Gods beleeuing that a greater could not haue bene inuented vpon the earth nor a thing more contrarie against their diuine maiestie What Emperor King Prince or Knight amongst mortall men that durst be so bold as to refuse or take vnto his wife the Princes Lindabrides being successour descending from the diuine stocke but this onelie knight of the Sunne Of truth and with great reason may the diuine Gods execute their wrath vppon vs if so be that we doe not reuenge this great iniurie done vnto vs and offence vnto their diuine maiesties and with no lesse reason their diuine iustice may fall vpon you if that not onely with your subiects and goods but also your selues in person doe not procure to make this reuengemeÌ„t A man ought to haue a respect vnto the griefes offences done vnto themselues but much more the wrongs which are done against the high Gods We doe well vnderstand that for to take reuengement of the knight of the Sun it cannot be so easilie done but it will cost vs many people and much treasure yea and our owne persons in the performance thereof but yet considering your mightie power strength and valiant hearts we doe beleeue that it doth not astonish you neither do you feare to take vppon you this iourney for that greate delayes doth proceede of little prudence and feare of great cowardnesse but heroicall knightes such
the which as one that hath atchiued by his wisedome the acknowledging of things for to come doth giue thée aduisement oâ— some that is requisite and doth accomplish verie much thy honour as shall appeare by the same And in saying these wordes the gentlewoman knéeled downe before the Emperour and kissing his hands she deliuered vnto him the letters Then the Emperour with great loue did cause her to arise and tooke the letters and gaue them vnto his sonne Rosicleer for to reade them who did open them and reade them that all that were present might heare it the contents were as followeth HIgh and mightie Emperour of Grecia although these my letters be strange and new vnto thée yet is it no new thing in the good wil which I haue to serue thée for that aboue all Princes in the world thou doest deserue the same as also for the great dutie and seruice in which we are bound vnto thy sonne doeth constraine vs to acknowledge thée to be our Lord and to giue the counsell as vnto our vâ—rie good friend The hearts of valiant and stout barons there is nothing suffiâ—ient to disturbe them and thereâ—ore in few words I will shew thée the cause wherefore I doe write vnto thée Thou shalt vnderstande good Emperour that all the Pagans of the 〈…〉 against thée and in a short time there will 〈◊〉 together so great an armie that those of Darins Xerxes altogether were not so manie and the chiefe Captaine and generall of them all is the Emperour Alicandro father vnto the Princesse Lindabrides Emperour of the 〈◊〉 king of the Scitas and Lord ouer the orientall region who as thy 〈…〉 will passe into Grecia with determination and good will for â—o destroy thâ—e He hath in his companie so manie 〈◊〉 and valiant knightes other of mightie stature that it shall be requisite thy great power and valiant courage with the ayde and helpe of all thy friends On the other side doth arise the 〈◊〉 regions who with great and mightie armies shall 〈◊〉 all the Grocian fieldes against thée but haue a good heart iâ— all things and make thy selfe readieâ— for that these mightie things are not ordained for hase stomacks but for the mightie and generous as thou art Neither doth the valiantnesse of the heart shew it selfe so much as it doth in receiuing the 〈◊〉 blowes of Fortune who alwaies showeth it selfe most contrarie at such time as he is exalted vnto the highest of her whole And for that all that euer I can declare vnto thée in this matter is spoken of in a Prophesie which the wise Artemidoro writ vpoÌ„ y â— fore front of this palace I wil inlarge no 〈◊〉 but saye that all shall come to passe as it is ther written Also my nephew king 〈◊〉 and I wil be shortly in Grecia with so much people as possible we 〈◊〉 and take you no sorow and griefâ— for the 〈◊〉 of the knight of the 〈◊〉 for although manie daieâ— shaâ—â— passe before you sée him yet the time will come that his sight shal be more acceptable vnto thy royall person then at this present wherewith I conclude in kissing thy Emperiall hands This Letter being read by Rosicleer it caused in them some alteration saue onelie in the Emperour Trebatio and in him that did reade it for the which they 〈◊〉 moued semblance neither did appeare in their faces that they receiued anie trouble thereat although the Letter did import much matter of great importance because in equal sort they could suffer both aduersitie and prosperitie This béeing done the Gentlewoman did straight waies open the coffer that the sauage brought in tooke out thereof a sute of armour all red of so fine a coulour and glittering stéele that all the péeces thereof séemed as though they had béene made of fine Rubies and vpon the â—réast of the 〈◊〉 there a crowne of verie 〈◊〉 and rich sâ—ones that 〈◊〉 them verie wel to vnderstand for whom it was And when she had taken it all out shée turned her selfe vnto the Emperour and saide This armour the wise Lyrgandeo doth send vnto thée for that considering the great daungers and perilles that are ordained against thée hée hath nothing at this present to send thée that shall bée more profitable and hée doth desire thée that thou wilt put on no other armour but this for that hée hath made it with his owne handes and vsed therein all his knowledge onelie for the safegard of thy person The Emperour Trebatio was verie gladde and ioyfull of that armour the which the Gentlewoman brought him but much more of the good aduise and warning the which the wise Lyrgandeo dyd write him as from his good and perfect friend and knew not how to gratifie so great friendship good wil as the wise man did shew vnto him Then those mightie Princes worthie knights which were there present sayde vnto the Emperour that it was good he should vnderstand in putting remedie to preuent that which the wise man did giue him warning of to put all the people of his Empire in a readâ—nesse that he bée not taken tardie and also to write vnto his friendes for their aiâ—e and helpe all that was possible So amongest them all â—he first that arose vppe was the Prince Clauerindo and offered himselfe to departe out of hande into the kingdome of Fraunce and to bring from thence all the people that euer he could make Then straightwaies arose vp the good king Sacridoro and said as much and after him Bargandel of Bohemia and the two princes Rodomarte and Rodofeo and many other mo that were there present and subiect vnto the Emperour whome altogether did offer vnto him ayde with their owne persons and with all the people that they might well bring out of their countries Here the valiant Tartarian Zoylo could not offer anie ayde or helpe vnto the Emperour for that he was certaine and sure that the king his father and all his people would not be against the Emperour Alicandro neither could not that worthy Oristedes for that the people of that destroyed Troy were verie fewe neither could not the king Alamades for that hiâ— kingdome of Cornewall was in great Britaine Likewise the Prince Liriamandro for that he was fullie certified that his Father the King of Hungaria came in the fauour of the king Oliuerio against the Emperour Trebatio but yet all foure of them did offer to ayde him with their persons promising neuer to faile him so long as life did last At which friendly offer the Emperour Trebatio receiued so great ioye pleasure to sée with what good will they did offer themselues that his ioye did much more surmount the anger that he receued when he heard the newes sent him by the wise Lirgandeo and gaue vnto his sonne Rosicleer the charge in aunswering of the wise man gratifying him very much for his good aduice as also for the ayde of his person and people as
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
comming the Emperour Trebatio receiued as great ioy and pleasure as the Emperour Alycandro sorrow and griefe for that those knights came in the time of their truce and his will was to the contrarie for that he would haue giuen them a recompentibus before their entering into Constantinople but straight waies his griefe began to double for that within one houre after ariued there the good king Sacridoro with eight thousand of his owne knights and in his companie came the Prince Don Lucindo with great desire for to shew the good will that he bore vnto Rosicleer all the which came a shore in the face of all the Pagans passed through the great field and so entered into Constantinople whereas they were receiued of the Emperour Trebatio Rosicleer with that loue and friendship as was alwaies betwixt them Likewise the last daie of the truce lacked not the comming of the good and valyant king Florion and in his companie the wise Lyrgandeo and his sonne the stout Brandizel who met with him at the Sea by the industrie and wisedome of the wise man and in his companie twentie thousand knights who came to paie the greate debt in the which hée was bound vnto the knight of the Sunne and at their entrie into Constantinople they were receiued of the Emperour and of the Empresse as such persons as they were deserued who knew not how to gratifie the great paines and trauaile which they had taken in comming from so farre Countries to fauour succour and helpe them Héere the king Floâ—ion and the wise Lyrgandeo began a new for to declare vnto them how in what sort the young Gentleman of the Sunne was found and how he was nourished and brought vp into his companie till such time as he departed from them Whereat the Emperour and the Empresse receiued great contentment to heare it told Then the wise man turned vnto Rosicleer did embrace him with great loue and sayd Séeing that it is so worthie Prince that the euill fortune of your brother is fallen out so contrarie that hée is now absent out of this Countrie and you alone doe remaine the shield and defence of your father and Countrie shew your selfe now as euer héeretofore you haue béene let no troubles nor trauailes ouercome you nor wearinesse enter into your benes for seeing that God hath created and made you so valiant worthie let the honour of your mightie valiant attempts appeare in your high knighthood and you may wel make this account that if you goe through with this enterprise you haue conquered all the world from the Orient vnto the Occident beside the small companie that is on your part they be all against you this much I can tell you of the knight of the Sun your brother that since his departure froÌ„ hence he hath not bene greatlie at his ease for that he hath passed greater perils dangers thaÌ„ you can passe in these wars it doth not behoâ—e vs to speak any more of him for y â— of force he must passe the troubles the which his destinie hath ordained for him Héere did Rosicleer gratifie very much the wise man for that which he had sayd vnto him and after thanks giuing he said that hauing him on his side there was nothing y â— he did feare At this instant came thether fiue thousand knights from the kingdome of Thessalia and in their companie came the faire Quéene Arquirosa who after y â— she vnderstood that Rosicleer by whome shée recouered her kingdome was sonne vnto the Emperor Trebatio she was not content to send to him of her knightes but she her selfe would come in person vnto Constantinople as wel for to sée Rosicleer as also because she hoped to receiue take a husband at his appointment The Emperor Rosicleer thought great friendship of the comming of this aide by whom as also by the Empresse the Quéene was receiued with great honour All these were ioyned together in the mightie Citie of Constantinople whereas the Emperor found of the one of the other 100. â— foure score thousand knights so y â— if there were not ioyned together so many of their aduersaries they had ben sufficient to haue conquered al the whole world yet was there of the Pagans foure for one amongst theÌ„ there were the most brâ—uest stoutest giants y â— were to be found in all the world for y â— the Emperour Alicandro sent for theÌ„ from the Ilands of the farthest part of the Ocean seas and Bradaman Campeon brought with him two thousand that he tooke out of the Oriental Ilands so that all these were of so furious and stout a Nation that the Emperour Trebatio had héere great néede of the aide and help of almightie God All this aide and succour aforesaid entered into Constantinople in the face of the Emperour Alycandro and all his wherat he was wonderfull wrathfull as well for their comming to aide their enimies as also for that they entered in the time of their truce so that hée and all that were with him had great good will for to distrube them of their entrie into the Citie and swore that after their truce was ended if there came anie more aide succour that first they would put them all vnto the sword rather than consent that they should enter into Constantinople for that he might better deale with them abroade in the field than in the Citie and from that daie forwardes the Emperour Alycandro commanded that there should be put spies and scoutes in all places for to aduertise them if there came anie more succour vnto the Gréekes the which was no small harme vnto them as shall be tolde you héereafter in this Hystorie but God who is the author of al goodnesse did so ordaine that by their owne spies and scoutes they came to pâ—rdition were lost for that hée would not that his Christian people should receiue so much harme as was ordained for them by theyr enimies Of the second battaile which the Greekes had with the Pagans and of the notable acts that were done in the same Chap. 22. AFter that the eight daies were past of the truce that was taken betwéene the Gréekes and the Pagans the next daie following which was the ninth daie the Emperour Trebatio determined to issue out of the Citie with his knightes into the field and giue battaile vnto his enimies who were likewise in a redinesse and verie desirous they dyd abide their comming thinking it long to sée them in their clouches but in especiall those two furious Pagans the gran Campion and Bramarant vnto whome y â— eight daies of truce séemed to be eight yéeres according vnto the great desire which they had to be reuenged on those knights which had so shamed them in the first battaile who so soone as they sawe anie people begin to come forth out of the citie to enter the field put themselues before all the whole armie for
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
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
thing so much as to heare newes of the knight of the Sunne Then the Emperour sayde Faire and worthie Princesse I was alwaies fullie perswaded with my selfe that your soueraigne highnesse could not let but come and succour vs and put vs all in great securitie Then the knight of the Sunne came for to kisse the handes of the Emperour who receiued him with that great loue that he alwaies bare vnto him Then straight waies came forth the king Florion and with him the wise Lyrgando and sayd vnto the Emperor Lord let your highnesse giue vs part of the sight of this knight whom we haue all desired so much to know and therwith they embraced him many times as they that entirelie and with all their harts did loue him Then those good and perfect friends of his Claueryndo and Brandizel and that good Troyan as all the rest of the othâ—r worthie knights It cannot be rehearsed the great mirth that all of them receiued as also the worthie things that passed at that méeting especiallie with the roiall Princesse Claridiana for that all did receiue her with that dutie and curtesie as was due vnto so high a Princesse Then was there complaints made for that they till that time woulde not make themselues to be knowen as also for that they were absent so long out of the Countrie Whereto the wise Lyrgandeo replied requesting them to let that demaund passe for that time because to giue them to vnderstand thereof it will aske a great time and how that he had it all written and when time did serue he woulde shew it vnto them forsomuch as they were thinges worthie to be knowen published After they had passed these and many other things betwixt them they all together went and returned into the Citie and the king Sacridoro went before to carrie newes vnto the Empresse Briana of the comming of the knight of the Sunne and vnto all the rest of the Ladies and Gentlewomen that were there with her who were meruailous gladde and ioyfull at those newes but most especiallie the Empresse who alwayes was verie sad and sorrowfull after that the knight of the Sunne was departed from the Court Then at the sodaine noise of these newes great preparation was made and an innumerable companie of Torches was light that it séemed in the Citie to be noone daie and all the stréetes were full of people for to sée their good Prince then at their entrie into the emperiall Pallace the Empresse accompanied with all those Ladies and Gentlewomen came forth for to receiue them whereas betwéene the Empresse and the roiall Princesse Claridiana passed many wordes of great loue Then the knight of the Sunne went for to kisse the hands of his mother who did embrace him and kissed him on the chéeke saying Oh my welbeloâ—ed sonne for this your comming I doe giue thankes vnto this roiall Princesse and if it had not bene for her your pardon at my handes had failed in that you haue forgotten vs so long time These and many other wordes of great loue said the Empresse vnto her sonne and vnto the Princesse the which this Hystorie doth let passe vntolde for to auoide tediousnesse and telleth of no more but how that all the rest of the night that remained they passed awaie with mirth and pastimes whereas the king Florion and the wise Lyrgandeo could not satisfie themselues in beholding the knight of the Sunne meruailing greatlie to sée him so much growen as well in bodie as in the rest since he departed from them out of Persia and héere began he to tell of many things that passed as well with the one as with the other but when he came to tell of the solitarie Ilande and of all that passed there they were wonderfullie amazed and eueuerie one did double their good willes and loue which before they bâ—re vnto the knight of the Sunne At this time came the king Oliuerio with those of great Britaine those worthie knights of Spaine for to speake with the knight of the Sunne who would haue kissed the kinges handes but hée would not consent thervnto but said Worthie Prince for well emploied I doe account my comming into this Countrie for y â— I haue séene the magnanimitie of all bountie and fairenesse of a knight comprehended in your person To whom the knight of the Sun answered My good Lord how in what sort so euer I am I am readie at your commandement to serue you in as ample manner as my brother Rosicleer for that it is our dutie vnto your highnesse great valour In like sort he gaue intertainment vnto all the rest of those worthie knights who meruailed to heare tolde the great wonders of the knight of the Sunne as also to sée his mightie and soueraigne proportion and grace with y â— great maiestie of his seuere countenance wherin only was sufficieÌ„t for to publish deâ—lare who he was so that after 〈…〉 departed into their owne Countries they had inough to do all the daies of their life for to tell of the meruailous and strange things that they saw in Grecia as well of the Grecian knights as of she without comparison in beautie fairenesse gentle 〈◊〉 and grace the Princesse Claridiana who of the 〈◊〉 and of the Empresse and of all people was most estéemed and had in reputation aboue all the rest But when they vnderstoode that they hoped shée should be spouse vnto the knight of the Sunne with greater loue and good will they did serue and honour her of all parties and she likewise did the like vnto them and was not a little amazed at the great beautie of the Princesse Oliuia who séemed vnto them to be one of the fairest Gentlewomen that euer they had séene next vnto the worthie and faire Princesse Lyndabrides who séemed to them to bée a pearle in excellencie So from that time forwards the two Princesses Oliuia and Claridiana did beare good will and loue one to another wonderfullie so y â— with great reason all those that did beholde and sée them together might saie that they did deserue to be spouses vnto those two brethren the knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer as vnto the best knights in all the world Héere was giuen to vnderstand vnto the knight of the Sunne all that had passed in the battailes and many other things more In this sort they passed awaie the night till the next daie in the which happened as shall be declared vnto you in this Chapter following How the faire Princesse Lyndabrides had vnderstanâ—â—ing of the comming of the knight of the Sunne 〈◊〉 â—home she wrote a Letter and of other things that to 〈◊〉 in the meane time Chapter 35. WHen the next daie was come all the Gréekes receiued great ioy and pleasure for that it was publikelie knowen vnto them the câ—mming of the knight of the Sunne and the Princesse Claridiana so that the newes thereof was carried into the Campe of the Pagans which was
esteemed amongst all in the world But when that these two vnderstood with whome they had made their battaile it was no small ioy and pleasure that they receiued for that they desired verie much their friendship after such time as in the wildernesse of Grecia they sawe the one to kill the Gran Campion and the other dyd combat for them twaine with Bramarant but more was their ioy when that they vnderstoode what they had done in the deliuerie of the Emperour out of prison with the Ladies and all their damselles from the power of Roboan and his sonnes they knew not how to gratifie that great goodnesse but offered themselues to be their friends and craued pardon of all that was past And when they vnderstoode that the Emperour of his owne good will went vnto Grecia for to conclude a league of friendship with the mightie Emperour â—rebatio these two valiant knightes were excéeding gladde and ioyfull for that they had a most earnest desire to hee in that Court Thus after there had passed betwixt them many things their ioy and pleasure was such that it séemed to make void the remembrance of all troubles and aduersities past and so dyd prosecute their voiage â—owardes Constantinople The Prince Meridian was more ioyfull than the rest and receiued greater contentment for that he had with him his welbeloued spouse the Princesse Floralindia and againe for that hee went towardes Grecia whereas was the king of Macedonia forth vnto the Princesse with whom he hoped to make friendship in such sorte that he might haue her to wife which was the thing that the Princesse most desired After this sort they did nauigate by sea foure dayes with prosperous windes in the end whereof they ariued at Grecia in the mightie Porte of Constantinople whereas straight wayes they gaue to vnderstand vnto the Emperour Trebatio of their ariuall With which newes hée and all those of his Court were excéeding ioyfull for that they lacked no other thing entirelie for to celebrate the triumph of that victorie which they had got Then straight waies the Emperour Trebatio béeing accompanied with those mightie kinges and Princes and worthie knightes that were with him went forth of Constantinople for to receiue them at the port and the quantitie of people was so great that went forth with them that all those wide and broade fields and mountaines séemed to bée peopled with them and although the dead bodies by the commandement of the Emperour were burnt yet for all that all those fâ—eldes and plaines were stained with the bloud that was there shed When the Emperour Trebatio with all that royall and worthie companie came vnto the Port straight wayes the Emperour Alycandro and all those that came with him went a land whereas their receiuing was as vnto such personages did appertaine but in especial with those two Emperours for in a great space they were embraced together and did not loose the one from the other in which time there passed betwixt them many wordes of singular great loue as though they had béene alwaies before great friends and the Emperor Trebatio did giue him great thanks gratifying him for his comming into Grecia offering him great offers by word of mouth in such sort that the Emperour Alycandro thought himselfe fullie satisfied receiued more pleasure at that returne than he did at his first coÌ„ming into that Countrie Then straight waies the Emperor â—rebatio receiued with great curtesse the two Princes Meridian Brandimardo did embrace them with as much loue as he did his owne sonnes that came with them For you shal vnderstand that he was a Prince that in all the world could not be found his equall in maintaining honouring of good and valiant knights which was the occasion that whatsoeuer knight he was that once came into his companie could neuer finde himselfe in anie other place but onelie in his Court. Then he receiued the faire Princesse Lyndabrides in doing vnto her great curtesie and honour as vnto the highest damsell in al the whole world and vnto one that did deserue it But when the king of Maeâ—donia dyd see the faire Princesse 〈◊〉 his daughter and the Prince Mâ—rridian to demand his hands for to kisse them there was no â—oy and pleasure that might happen vnto a Father to be compared vnto â—is and hée went and embraced them keeping them betwiâ—t his armes a great while before that hée would let them loose Thus afâ—er one whole houre that there had 〈◊〉 betwixt them many 〈◊〉 at their meeting they all together with 〈◊〉 triumph tooke their waie towards the Citie of 〈◊〉 And it was a wonderfull thing to beholde and woâ—thie to bée noted to see so noble and worthie â—nightes to accompanie them that it might well bee sayde that there was neuer seene so highe and worthie a companie ioyned together Likewise at this present it was needfull of a better Painter than euer was Appelles or that worthie Pirgotiles for to paint and set forth the faire and rubicend face of the Princesse Lyndâ—brides by reason of the differences of varietie of coulours which went and came at such time as shée remembred how that the Princesse Claridiana shoulde receiue her in the Pallace of the Emperour Trebatio and also of that which the knight of the Sunne would conceiue in his heart when he sawe the same the which thoughts did make her to go in so great confusion as to your iudgement I doe referre it her loue was so great the which she bare vnto him that shée could not bée without great iuspition of alteration when that she considered of the great worthinesse and desert of the Princesse Claridiana So that the whole world was nothing in comparison that she would giue on condition that the knight of the Sunne might neuer sée the Princesse If she were sure thereof then were she fullie certefied that the knight of the Sunne would not chaunge her for anie other Ladie or damsel in all the whole world When they were entered into the Citie and came vnto the pallace those worthie Princes and knightes did descend from their horses those faire Ladies and damsels and being mounted into the great hall the Empresse Briana with the Princesse Claridiana and the Princesse Oliuia and Lindaraza with al the rest of those high and worthie Ladies Gentlewomen that were with them came forth and did receiue them with that honor that was requisite vnto so high and mightie personages And the Emperour Alycandro with Meridian and Brandimardo meruailed greatlie to sée the soueraigne beautie that was there assembled together which seemed vnto them as it was true that in all the whole worlde could not the like be séene but when the faire Princesse Lyndabrides went to embrace the roiall Princesse Claridiana Good Lord how her hart was troubled to see in her rubicond face al the beautie in the world to be comprehended and alâ—o how that her knight of the Sunne had his eies fixed on her
and Ambardo and offered great curtesie vnto the two Princes who did them great honour and made them friends with Lusiano as persons that were without blame in the treason 〈◊〉 But when these newes were published in the court there came so great number of people to sâ—e Rosicleer Liriamandro y â— the pallace wold not holde theÌ„ al people meruailed at their strange dispositions but in in especiall of Rosicleer for that they sayd that in all things he did resemble the knight of the Sunne his brother he that was so famous and feared in that Court for that they partlie vnderstood and heard of his wonderfull acts and déeds vnto the king it was notorious all the whole Hystorie of Rosicleer from the time of his first creation bringing vp with his daughter the Princesse Briana till such time as hee was knowen vnto the Emperour his father and Empresse his mother Of all the which the king was verie ioyfull pleasant and loued the Emperour Trebatio and his sons as he did his owne sonne Liriamandro and for that he had not vntill that time heard of the successe of the wars that he had against the Emperour Alycandro he was verie sorrowfull and full of care and thought long till y â— hée had heard some newes thereof and if he gaue anie aide succour of knights vnto the king Oliuerio it was not for anie hatred or ill will that he bare vnto the Emperour Trebatio but for to accomplish that wherin he was bound vnto the king Oliuerio because his sonne Prince Edward was slaine in his seruice was fullie perswaded that all the whole armie of the king Oliuerio was not of sufficient power for to doe anie harme vnto the Emperour Trebatio yet afterwards when he vnderstood of the mightie power of Pagans that were come vpon Grecia it grieued and repented him of that he had done so that if it had not bene verie much against his honor many times he was moued in conscience for to go and succour him in person with all the power that euer he could make being verie desirous to know the whole successe thereof in all points he requested the Princesse for to tell him who as those that knew the truth thereof in the presence of the Quéene and all those worthie Princes and knightes of the Court did giue him to vnderstand as well of the successe w t the king Oliuerio as with the Emperor Alycandro y â— which being published amongst them they al receiued great ioy in as ample maner as though it had touched either of them in perticular but in especial y â— king the quéene in y â— they saw how much to their honar they had accoÌ„plished their promise vnto the king Oliuerio as also of the high estate wherevnto their daughter the Empresse Briana was exalted so that they could neuer satisfie themselues in giuing thankes vnto almightie God for those great benefites shewed vnto them When these things were passed straight waies came thether Leonardo and his wife the fained parents of Rosicleer with whom Rosicleer receiued great pleasure as he that had great desire for to sée him for that which he was indebted vnto them the which he did meruailouslie well gratefie in all points their great seruice done vnto them for he carried them with him vnto Grecia whereas the Empresse Briana did make them owners of great possessions so that they were verie well content and thought their trauaile verie well emploied the which they had in the bringing vp of Rosicleer Likewise Rosicleer reioyced verie much with those Gentlewomen with whom he was brought vp in the Monasterie of the Riuer and the most part of them he carried into Grecia whereas he did verie much for them all Then for that the king dyd beare great good will vnto the Prince Lusiano and had him in high estimation he straight waies commanded that his spouse the Dutchesse of Austria should bée deliuered vnto him After this sort within few daies that their nuptialls were celebrated with great honour and triumphs which those knights his friendes dyd ordaine in the which the gentle Lusiano dyd so much that he got vnto himselfe honour for euer after And in the meane time of all these sportes and feasts Rosicleer and Lyriamandro did declare their message vnto the king desiring him in the part and behalfe of the Emperour Trebatio and of the Empresse Briana that he woulde thinke well for to goe with them vnto Constantinople for to reioyie themselues of the victorie and ioy the which the Emperour and the Empresse doe receiue Likewise they gaue great and lawfull excuses wherfore the Emperour Trebatio did abstaine from comming into y â— Countrie for that he had in his court such mightie Princes and Lords that there had ben no reason for him to leaue theÌ„ Then the king and the Quéene as they which desired no other thing coÌ„manded Straignt waies that all things should be put in a readinesse néedfull for their iourney and for that we haue other matters to declare for the conclusion of the first part of this Hystorie there is héere no more to be said but that Rosicleer and Liriamndro did passe awaie the time in Hungaria till such time as they were readie to depart as shall be tolde you in the next Chapter following How the king Tiberio with the Queene Augusta Rosicleer and Liriamandro departed out of Hungaria and tooke their iourney towards Constantinople Chap. 46. WHen the daie appointed was come of their departure the king and the Quéene with all the other worthie Princes and knightes of his Court departed out of Viana tooke their iourney towards the mightie Empire of Grecia in the which they trauailed many daies without happening anie thing worthie the telling in the end whereof they ariued within two miles of the mightie Citie of Constantinople and when the Emperour Trebatio had knowledge of their comming with great ioy and pleasure he and all those mightie Princes and valyant knights together went out of Constantinople with so great maiestie that it séemed all the whole worlde were ioyned together the number was so excéeding great so that the king of Hungaria and the Queene Augusta his wife with all those that came with them were wonderfullie amazed to sée so royall and worthie knighthoode to come forth of Constantinople for of truth they neuer woulde haue thought that so many as there were might haue béene receiued in the court of anie Prince whatsoeuer he were in al the whole world But when the king and the Emperour sawe one an other they both went met together did embrace the one the other with such great loue as ought to be betwéene Father and sonne and as though they had knowen one another long time before And if before the king Tiberio and the Queene Augusta did account themselues happie fortunate to haue so high a Prince for their sonne in law yet now they did much more
when they sawe his person presence to be so strange wonderfull for alonelie by his semblance and proportion they knew him for father of the two brethren the knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer aboue all other Princes that came in that worthie crew The king and the Emperour had not yet fullie concluded the louing words of their first méeting when that the Quéene Augusta came vnto them and with the selfe same loue wherewith she did embrace her sonne Liriamandro did embrace the good Emperor Then came the knight of the Sunne who aboue all the rest might be séene he was of so gallant and tall statuâ—e offered to kisse the kings hands but the king would not consent vnto it but embraced him and the king clasped him verie hard betwéene his armes saying Oh happie and fortunate kinsman I doe now finde my selfe in great securitie for that I am in the armes of him that alone did defend himselfe from all my power made my kingdome to tremble and quake tell me I praie you if that you haue forgotten that anger or not if you haue not then am I fullie perswaded that I haue no securitie in my owne Countrie of Hungaria much lesse in Grecia My good Lord and grandfather said the knight of the Sunne your highnesse in whatsoeuer place you are is in great securitie from my handes for although I would procure anie outrage yet am not I sufficient to doe you anie harme and if I were fortunate against your knights it was nothing else but the wil of God to saue and deliuer me for that afterwards when you should know me you should not haue so great reason to bée sorrowfull as now you shoulde bée if I had at that time béene slaine Then the king said Ah my sonne if that had happened my life could not haue endured so long but God who doth know the secret of all things that shuld happen vnto vs did guide and gouerne all things in such sort that it is come to this point and instant wherein I doe account my selfe the most fortunatest Prince in all the whole world not onelie in knowing thée to bée my sonne but in recouering you to bée my friend The king had scarce concluded these wordes when that the Quéene came to embrace the knight of the Sunne but he did offer to kisse her hands and there passed betwixt them many swéete and amorous wordes such as might passe betwéene the mother and the sonne at such time as of long time they had not séene the one the other The Quéene Augusta receiued so great ioy and contentment to haue him in her presence that she knew not almost where she was Then approched vnto them the king Oliuerio with the Emperour Alycandro and all those mightie Princes and Lords wheras passed betwixt them great curtesie with such dutie as appertained vnto so high and worthie estates In this noble méeting they spent a good while the which being finished the Emperour Trebatio accompanied himselfe with the king euerie one â—hose his companion as best liked him and began to returne towardes the mightie Citie of Constantinople The knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer did carrie betweene them the Quéene Augusta who went with so great ioy and pleasure that she knew not were she was to sée her selfe in the middest betwixt so worthie nephewes When the Emperour Trebatio had opportunitie he sayd vnto the king Now is my desire fullie accomplished in that I do sée your Hignesse in this Countrie for although all other thinges succâ—eded vnto me prosperous as I haue desired yet had I no conclusion of all this my victorie neither could I receiue anie glorie therein till now I haue your Highnesse in my presence and doe honour and obey you as dutifullie as your owne naturall sonne And if the great obligation in the which you were bound vnto the king of great Britaine had not béene betwixt vs I and the Empresse Briana many a time long ere this had come vnto you to haue craued pardon for that which is past with lisence and consentment for that which was to come For although the Empresse Briana séemed to receiue contentment to be with mée in Grecia yet receiued I great griefe for that I could not accomplish of my part the dutie which I owe vnto your highnesse When that the Emperor had concluded these words then the king who receiued great pleasure thereat sayd Soueraigne Emperour if that you haue receiued great ioy contentmeÌ„t and pleasure at my comming into Grecia how much more reason haue I to reioyce and receue pleasure to haue so glorious a sight of your person and presence being accompanied and honoured with the most highest mightiest Emperours and kings of all the world and mounted vnto the highest estate of honour that fortune may extend the which is apparaunt before my eyes also endued with such sonnes that there is not the lyke knightes in all the whole world And here I doe acknowledge that I am not worthie of so high a kinseman and in that you haue saide of my consentment it might haue bene excused for that I doe sée it cléerely before myne eies to be the will and permission of God by whome all thinges hath bene gouerned for the which neither I nor any of your aduersaries could withstand or resist And séeing my daughter hath brought vnto mée the highest and worthiest Prince of all the world to be my sonne in law and that this marriage was made by the diuine will and permission from whence hath procéeded so excelent 〈◊〉 what haue I to saye vnto it but giue vnto the soueraigne creator infinit thankes for his great goodnesse shewed vnto mée And doe most heartelie desire him to let you enioy for manie yéeres this high estate into the which you are exalted and also the high and worthie progenie that he hath giuen you With many swéete and courteous wordes the Emperour Trebatio did gratifie with thanks all that which the king had sayd So passing betwixt them these and many other things in communication which were to long here to rehearse they came vnto the 〈◊〉 of Constantinople whereas the king of Hungaria and the Quéene Augusta were wonderfullie amazed for to sée the great knighthood of that Court for that with great difficultie they might passe the wide stréetes the multitude was so great so that it was a good while before they could come vnto the mightie pallas but when they came thether they all alighted and entred into the mightie broad court whereas the Empresse Briana dyd receiue them with that ioy and pleasure as you may immagine and there passed betwixt them many louing and sweete words as betwixt Fathers and children the which I doe let passe to eschue tediousnesse And the royall Empresse Briana was so gallant faire that her Father did not know her she was so chaunged Yet they well perceiued in her the ioye and pleasure she receiued and the more to
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