offended those yonder Ladies in denying what they required that they will lend mee none and yet I knowe no reason for it seeing that heretofore I haue bene so subiect to their obedience All the Ladies which before he had seene had seated themselues all aboue in the Galleryes to see the battell Yet the Tinacrian was of opinion that what was past would giue no occasion that in such a case they should refuse to fauour him and so he beganne with a very great good grace to put off his Armour remayning all in blew so gallant a personage as there was none like him In that maner he went towards the Ladyes and making vnto them a verie comely reuerence hee sayd vnto them I remember Soueraigne Ladies the small reason I haue considering what is past to come to intreat you but in that that I did not performe your commaund it is to be attributed to the naturall feare wherein I was not conceyuing that your presence was sufficient to accomplish with honour any action whatsoeuer though neuer so daungerous yet notwithstanding being challenged to the battell by this gentle Knight with mantles and I hauing none and to be giuen by Ladies reposing my case in your generositie and not in my want of courtesie which I acknowledge I beseech you that it may come from some hand which may giue me the palme of this and all other warres which I shall vndertake to doe you seruice I know not Knight with what countenance you can come to request any thing at Ladies hands whom you haue so much offended and in a matter which so much concerned you answered she which first had spoken vnto him particularly there is nothing wherein Gallants attaine vnto greater honour then by obeying Ladies So as that now if wee should at your bare request giue you our mantle it would seeme that wee did it of great necessitie Therein consisteth your noblesse most excellent Ladies answered the fearefull young man and I will assure you to returne it againe to you whole and sound although it cost mee my life which I will esteeme nothing so deare nor no aduenture so hard that I will not vndertake and there is no greater generositie then to pardon an enemie principally acknowledging his error and that he hath deserued punishment As they stood denying this Mantle there came into that same roome a most faire Ladie O loue how great is thy power for shee was not fully come and had set her selfe at the side of the Gallerie when to her was subiected the most frée young man who hauing forgotten what he requested and himselfe also for he stood gazing fixing his eyes so vpon her that hee was besides himselfe and knew not where hee was And in exchange for beholding her he gaue her the keyes of his heart and was yet sorrowful holding it yet too little in exchange onely to behold her Shée came all clad in cloth of Gold with sundrie colours with her haires curled after her Countrie fashion with a Dutch robe of the colour of the rest of her apparell the young man neuer saw any thing so well worth the séeing in his life All the rest of the Dames séeing him in this maner with a fained laughter asked of him How now Sir Knight what haue you felt that you haue so soone forgotten not onely the Mantle which you desired but euen your selfe also If it bee a wound of loue it is ill falling in loue in this place for here is nothing to bee hoped for but cruell death In her crueltie answered the now firme louer consisteth all my life séeing I haue séene the most swéete death that can be imagined he spake it with such passion that I know not who would not but haue yéelded considering his goodly personage The faire Ladie was no lesse busied in her imagination perswading her selfe that there was not so comely a Knight in the world giuing loue so frée passage into her brest which lasted till her death being no way able to leaue to loue In her did loue shew an example of power and valour and being vnable to doe any otherwise hauing vnderstoode the request of this young man and what the Ladies denied she said Because gentle Knight you shal not think that in this Castle is included all the crueltie of the world I will giue you this Mantle wherewith you may end the battell but vpon condition that you shall not depart from hence before you shall first haue come to aske pardon of the Ladies whom you haue so offended That should bee a great want of discretion Soueraigne Ladie for a man to fall into the reckoning what it is to offend you séeing how much it concerneth mee not to depart hence without it it shall not need to aduertise mee that therein I should purchase your disfauour Why then valorous Knight quoth shée there resteth nothing but to giue you the Mantle and therewith to wish you the victorie as one which deserueth the same In vttering these wordes with such a grace as would haue made loue himselfe in loue shée tooke off her rich robe cast it downe to the Tinacrian who being much enamoured with his necke in her yoake winding it about his arme he turned toward the knight who at his approach said vnto him You haue Sir Knight made so long stay that but for that that I did so much desire the battell I would haue returned to my lodging without giuing you any place to go any further forwards In that I haue made no longer tariance I doe maruaile said the valorous Gréeke for I know not how I could possibly depart from my life leauing it in the hands of those faire Ladies Is it possible said he of the Castle that comming in frée you are become alreadie so subiect Therein appeareth the force of loue answered the gentle Tinacrian for he giueth and bereaueth of libertie at his pleasure In this maner said he of the Castle you are desirous to giue end to this battel It rather grieueth me much answered the valiant youth that we stay so long I expect no longer the contrarie neither did the Tinacrian giue him aunswere but rather the one making to the other a due reuerence with angrie paces they came to ioyne O Thalia that a man might put this battell into thy hands to the end that thou mightest giue it that Soueraigne grace which it deserueth for with my dull wit and want of fauours it is not much though I erre therein All the faire Ladies beheld the warriours The Tinacrian did purpose rather to suffer himselfe to be hurt then that the Mantle should bee toucht it did encourage him and that verie much that his Ladie had giuen it him hee entred with his right foote bearing the point of his sword firme forward He of the Castle was nimble and so with his left arme he baâ—e by his thrust giuing him another verie strong one it did not a little auaile the young man
Souldan came mightie Giants Against this squadron the braue Emperour Trebatius addressed himselfe compassed about with the best men of all his armie they two met but the Greekes force was such that excepting his sonnes it was matchlesse hee ouerbare both man and horse to the ground Many alighted after him some to defend him others to kill him or take him prisoner Twelue Giants which were of his gard alighted from their Elephants to rescue him which did much hurt With all this as in a chase there alighted the noble Emperour and Rosacler with the Princes of Fraunce and Zoilo the braue Tartarian with Brandafidel and Bramidoro and the gentle Tifereo There was renued one of the most perrilous fights that had bene seene of all that day for the Emperour making no reckoning of the Giants rushed in amongst them and at his entrie with a stabbe hee thrust their Captaine quite thorow the body from side to side who for his heyght was like to a well growne Pine trée The fierce Giant fell not seeking before bee dyed to be reuenged for hee swinged his heauie club about his head and therewith gaue the Emperour Trebatius such a blow athwart his shield as made him goe staggering to one side readie to fall and hee had falne the blow was so terrible had not his valorous Nephew Clarindo bene by him who held him vp with his hand The yong maÌ„ made no stay there for séeing what had happened to his grandfather casting his shield at his backe he made at the Giant Others were come to the aide so as he was well reuenged for Bramidoro with his heauie club the Prince with his sword smote him both at once one of them made his eies leap out of his scull and the other with his sword cleft his head Rosacler turned to another which had smitten his Uncle whom he made to lose his féeling This day did the young man winne his credit and eternall praise for with a mighty blowe he cut him almost in two péeces Much did the father reioyce to sée the force of his sonne who mayntained a cruell fight against another Giant This was no time to straine courtesie for Brandafidel came who with his hideous club knockt him on the pate his Helmet could not protect him for he stretcht him all along at the Princes feete The Gréekes and Macedonians seeing their Emperor tooke herein so good order that they wanne part of the Giants campe There remained two to beare newes of the Greekes valour and had there not come so much people that the trampling of their horses was daungerous they had without doubt taken the Souldan but they mounted him againe vpon a swift courser whereon he rode encouraging his people The Califa of Siconâ—a kept him better company then he thought for who seeing so much people there gathered together brought â—wenty thousand men to the rescue At their first comming they did some harme because they were flesh men but it lasted but a while for the Greekes which by this time were already fleshed made a cruell slaughter of them supplying that heere which was lost in the rest of the battels for the Fenician Prince Don Argante although vnknowne came afresh with all the Medians and for that cause where he entred he made a deadly but cherie This was no day for the Greekes for euen the Sunne was against them for falling downe in the West he bereaued them of their sight so as the enemies might easilie charge and retire at libertie The Prince of Britany could not sally on that side where he was but that he chaunced to see the furious young man with the stars who desirous to end the war with him seeing that his people had the better in the fight he weÌ„t along the side of a hill which he could not do but BeÌ„bo would sée it who with the other 2. famous Knights went to séeke him leauing the charge of his gouernement with the warlike Celindo who séeing himselfe in such authoritie began also to encourage his people and with as good order as Bembo himselfe could haue done What happened to those which so went out of the Campe is fit to bee told in another Chapter CHAP. XIX How the Prince Poliphebus of Tinacria came to the Campe and what hee did for the libertie of the Flemmish knight with the comming of the Princes of Silepsia Leobulo and Claribel and what with them happened to the Princes of Grecia VAlorous dames if to bee engulfed in the actions of bloudy Mars bee an occasion to leaue to treate of louing matters at the least I cannot leaue to acknowledge the much which your Soueraigne worthinesse deserueth I speake it for that hauing one day detained mine eyes from beholding this intricate historie kéeping continually my Chamber I chaunced to looke forth and saw my death and life both together Death because that there is no remedie for the euill which I then receiued Life also which is to sée my selfe wholy wel employed without enuie of a more happie louer although he liue daintily for although they loue me not neither doth my state deserue it yet for mee to loue it is a swéete life that I conceyue therein Being confident in my new wound although it bee in my old soule I presume to begin to make relation of the most famous warre that euer was séene of so many against so many for Rosabel had scarcely parted from among his friends and enemies when descending downe the side of a hil which led towards the Strand he saw come that way a 〈◊〉 to his seeming of a goodly proportion in companie of foure Ladies This was the valiant Poliphebus who hauing landed and hearing the noyse of the battel in great haste drue néere vnto it but durst not disclose his meaning because he would not grieue the Ladies The two nimphes of the Castle vnderstanding the matter one of them said vnto him O you mâ—y well valorous Prince without caring for vs goe to succour your Father for it is not a little needfull for if it were not so neere night the whole house of Grecia would be neere ouerthrowne considering the aboundance of enemies that are against it for know that this Ladies Aunt who is held for the wisest woman in al the vniuersal world for shée was taught out of Medeas bookes and in the same signe commaunded vs that in this battel and the challenge which you are to make we should haue especial care of your person for considering with what Knight you are to fight you would lightly bee brought into danger if shée vse no meâ—ne to the contrarie but shee being of your side you may boldly and merrily attempt any enterprise bee it neuer so doubtfull and shall preuaile The Prince was verie glad of the newes which the Nimphes had told him so willing him to goe before for they would come to behold he imbraced them tooke his leaue of the Ladies not without griefe for the one he
sawe that which hee neuer had seene for the swordes point entring at a cracke in his brest-plate as it found a little entrance it cut the rest till it set out the bloud it was a great chance and God preserued him to the end he should bee his fâ—iend and the greatest in the world to this Prince for falling in loue in Egypt hee was a meane to put the Ladie into his hand as shall bee declared in the fourth part of this Historie and so winding himselfe to one side the sword slipt out leauing him wounded although not much The braue Pagans bloud did fréeze in his belly to sée it vpon the Grecians sword and giuing a fierce crie he assailed him and but that his nimblenes did much helpe him I beléeue that hee had incurred great danger for notwithstanding all this he hit him a blow vpon the rich shield and made him runne stumbling forwards readie to fall The Pagan to his owne hurt closed with him for the Prince was as strong as hee who letting goe his shield set hand to his rich dagger But the Moore had such confidence in his armour that hee made no accompt thereof and the young man remembring the vertue of that weapon gaue him vpon the top of his shoulder two sore wounds one after another which made much bloud to run out The Moore was so highly angred that with a push hee put him far from him and séeing that it was meere madnesse to striue any longer hauing no assistance hee assailed the Knight Flamineo who was mounted vpon a good horse hee pluckt him out of his Saddle pulling him ouer those which were on horsebacke and with a leape hee gat the Saddle and rushing through the thickest aboue foure lost their liues in the Pagans going forth At the top of a hill all the whole armie staied expecting him hearing the noyse but they were not able to come to helpe him for from the turrets and Parrapets of the wals they threw so many stones Darts that without manifest danger they could not come néere him and the Pagan escaped not without it so as when he came to the Campe he was as wearie as furious he would speake to no man but rather méeting with Brufaldoro not remembring their agreement he set vpon him roaring like a baited bull The braue Mauritanian encountered for hee neuer feared him where they began one of the most fierce battels that euer was in the world for they were two of the best Knights therein but Bembo came to part them Herein did the Pagans blindnesse appeare who not respecting him turned against him saying that they should all fight against him for his deare Uncles death could not be reuenged with lesse then with the destruction of all the world The great Captaine would not lay hands on him although hee had much angred him All the whole Campe could not haue made him giue ouer the battell had not Floralisa come whom the Pagan euer since he met her in Mauritania had chosen for his God for hee was of opinion that there was nothing in the world worthy to be regarded but her beautie Well did the Lady know how dearely the Moore did loue her although it were single loue for she was otherwise prouided although she liued the most sorrowfull life of the world séeing her hope to marry with the Tinacrian frustrate yet to appease the battell she tooke off her Helmet and putting herselfe betweene them she sayd Giue roome Knights for this battell cannot now be ended and you wrong the Souldan of Niquea his whole campe if in time of necessitie any of your Armes should be missing The Pagan lifted his sword no more vp after he heard his mistris voyce Strange power of affection for what so many Princes could not doe was ended with her sight onely I would haue bene very glad valorous Lady said the Mauritanian if you would haue suffred mee to haue ended it but seeing it is your pleasure I leaue it in your hands Let it rest sayd the Ladie vntill the field battell be ended Let it be as you will appoint it sayd he now very gentle which before seemed to be a Lion for from henceforth in any part I will not breake it and so they returned to their campe and although against his will yet she made him to sup in the Ladies Tent where although fained she shewed him a thousand fauours they were meanes to withhold him from his fury for he had determined to pursue them al to be reuenged of the death of his Uncle There was great sorrowe for the losse of that day and meaning to make amends in the field battell they concluded that it should be eight daies after What happened in the meane season you shall knowe by the next Chapter CHAP. XXVIII How the Greekes with victorie returned to the Citie where they made preparation for the field and how the two youthes were made knowne to their mother WIth such contentment as winners vse to enioy most excellent Prince the Greekes remained in the Citie of Hircambela wondring at the furie of that Pagan holding it for a matter incredible if with their eyes they had not séene it and so much to the cost of such personages as they were There was none of the Princes but desired alone to fight with him especially Poliphebus of whome the old King of Macedonia returning to Constantinople reported wonders all were glad thereof especially his Father who loued him in the same degree as he did the Emperour Alphebus By the Ladies which boldly might doe it those knights were disarmed some helping one with their hands and with their eyes and soule another What passed in the Campe was discouered and how that from thence eight dayes they had appointed the field battell because that by that time Leobello would be cured of his hurts Lupertius cured him verie carefully that all might sée how much hee loued them One night the discréete Selia came by chance who had folded them in their swadling cloathes at the time of their birth being much affected to their valour without any knowledge of them by reason of Eufronisa who was in the same Tent shee went to see how hee did of his hurts Shee came as Lupertius was dressing of him and as women are verie bold and being by night for that shée would seeme to doe him some fauour therein shee tooke the candle to giue him light to dresse him but hee had scarcely lifted vâ— his shirt to see the wounds in his brest for those were the most cruell shee was so much troubled that shée was readie to let the candle fall out of her hand and seeing the picture of a Ladies face in the young mans brest and remembring that that marke was vpon one of the children borne by the Princesse Eufronisa and shee imagining that without doubt this was one of them with verie ioy shée was ouercome Shee desired to stay with him to the end to know more
their small valour although it followed a most cruell nauall warre as that which passed betwéene them and the Soldan of Egypt which would giue them notice that they were daily to expect them Herewith was there made a most proud defyance signed by xii kings which were ioyned in that confederacie with the mightie Romane who of himselfe and of his adherents had leuied aboue foure hundred thousand most ready and expert Souldiers for amongst them went the fierce Almaines a people through all the world held for valiant Commandement was giueÌ„ for the making of many engines for the waâ—res and prouiding of munitions because they would not euery day lend for prouisions In such sort was the Romane furnished that not of Grecia but of all the world he made smal reckoning promising his daughter to crown her Eâ—presse of Constantinople in despite of all the Grecians And with this preparation they spéedily sent foâ—re Gyants in company with a cousin germane of Brundusio called Coriando a most valiant Knight held in the second degrée after his strong cousin with a Damsell called Sabina which knew Don Heleno for that she had invited him to the Iusts who caried the defyance signed and sealed knowing what she had to say as shee which was one of the most discrat women of the world The messengers were about to depart when in the great Palace entred those which were sent by the Soldan of Niquea aduertised by Lupercio of that which the infernall Furies had gayned vpon the Romane Prince There came the brother of the Prince of the Garamants subiect to the Soldan and two other Princes which were of Media and of Armenia who although they had beene in disgrace with the Soldan about the stealing of Lâ—riana as is said in the first booke the trueth being knowne that they had not beâ—n the cause nor acquainted therewith he receyued them into his friendship binding them by new fauours which was to send them for his Ambassadours to the Court of Rome They went with such company as was fit for so great Princes as they were The King knowing of their comming with the most principal that were with him went forth to receyue them taking the King of the Garamants by the hand to do him the greater honour they al let them down to heare the Ambassade of so mightie a Monarch as the Soldan of Niquea As they all expected the Ambassade of the Soldan the valiant King of the Garamants making a little reuerence drew out a sealed Letter of credence and giuing it to the great Emperour of Rome Constantius looke it and with a loude voyce a king of Armes read it which said thus was therein The valorous Coriandro who went in company with the foure Gyants the Damsell answered him that therein went certaine Knights of Rome into Grecia to defie the Gréekes Much were they pleased with the answere of those Princes and séeing they held that course hauing so good occasion they said they would accompany them for no lesser displeasures had they also receiued of the Gréeks It appeared what they were by their Armes and so those of Rome also reioyced in their soules to haue so valiant Knights as they séemed to be in their company not seeing the houre to méet theÌ„ in Grecia where we wil leaue them vntill their time for they will bring in matter inough to talke of CHAP. II. Of that which happened vnto the Prince Poliphebus of Tinacria with the Damsell which caried him into the kingdome of Samogacia ALl those which haue weighed the great trauell of Imagination with such sound consideration and so aduisedly as is requisite most noble Prince haue iudged it very great and not without much reason for he who will please many must seeke out matter different for that which to one is loathsome another holdeth for pleasant and swéet and to hit right to please many is impossible for euen betwéene thrée that are inuited there is great difference in tasts as he said who had wel experimented the same Horace I say so because it is not possible in so large an historie as this which I now haue in hand but to bee tedious with the diuersitie of Chapters although that if men impassionate should be Iudges therein this is the most certaine meane to entertaine that can be But of force séeing I take this way I must haue recourse to pardon and to treat somewhat leauing so many defiances of the noble Tinacrian who with some amorous griefe tooke his leaue of Rosabel both woondring at what they saw the one in the other but it made it the lighter to sée the valorous kinsemen which he had and what it behooued him to doe to be called brother to so great Princes and Unkle to such a Knight for yet to Claridiano he was vnknowne With this conceit he retyred to embarke him where his Damsel attended his comming feareful that his long staying might be the occasion that he should not come in time with his succours for the most accomplished Lady in all Samogacia had grounded her hopes vpon him At his coÌ„ming she told him what paine she endured and the cause thereof Great griefe would it be to me faire Damsel said the resolute yong man if my staying should giue occasion of any defect and I should be very glad if you would shew me your necessitie for since our comming out of Gréece we haue had no place for it and séeing that now the Seas and fortune haue giuen it I should bee very glad thereof All shall be perfourmed valorous Prince of Tinacria séeing the life of her which sent me to séeke resteth in your hands and because you shall be the more willing to procure her remedie harken and you shall heare the greatest and most vnreasonable that euer was vsed to Lady for if you be sworne to the lawes of loue you shall vnderstand how vniustly my Lady is condemned to an infamous death and vnderstand that in the great and populous kingdome of Samogacia there is a King who for his valour and person is worthie to be King of the vniuersall world it pleased the Heauens to giue him sonnes and daughters which is the greatest pleasure in the world and fortune willing to try his valour with taking them all away from him leauing him one onely daughter of whom it is said that the summe and ful perfection of beautie and accomplishment of qualities is included in her shape and goodly proportion for in her beautie is no hinderance to her discretion with both which graces she is adorned in the highest degrée that may be and so haue they giuen her a name conformable to her constitution calling her Celibella for her beautie séemeth rather heauenly then of the earth where if ought be excellent yet it bringeth with it some ill-fauoured abatement With this Lady the Princes of Podolia fell in loue Knights to whom nature had shewed her selfe very bountifull endowing them with what is most desired she
reason for his valour good gouernment for that was it which most aduanced him aboue all others All this was nothing neither the assurance which shée saw of her paine to cause Felina to giue ouer her determination but rather increase it attempting one of the boldest most presumptuous enterprises of the world from whence could ensue no other thing but that which followed for vnable to endure to sée her self so little respected she adueÌ„tured to say vnto the prince Daristeo that the princesse would expect him that night in the garden to confer with him of matter of importaÌ„ce There could nothing happeÌ„ more pleasing to the infortunate prince then such a message for as it was a thing vnlooked for now holding him selfe assured thereof he held himself the most happy maÌ„ in the world he held the day for as loÌ„g as a mans life he thought the night fled froÌ„ him euery minute he held for a yere such was his desire to meet the lady princesse The subtil Felina séeing her plot to take effect took a sute of Celibellas which did best set out her beauty clad her self therwith as yâ— heauens would not frustrate what she had exployted so could not the gallant sée whether it were the Princesse or shée But hee comming into the garden lesse armed theÌ„ was néedfull went to the window so passionate that he knew her not The cruell damsell couÌ„terfeyted her speach and sayd I haue hitherto Oh prince of Podolia dissembled how much I haue loued you for some respects which haue forced me thereto but seeing your great deserts I could not forbeare holding it vniust but to impart my faith vnto you and to say that you are more beloued then all the men in the world As he should haue made an answere in an alley among â—ose trées priuily armed came Rosaner for as hee was wise so would hee not come into so suspicious a place carelesly and in danger of his person he had beforetime there spokeÌ„ with the Princesse and séeing a Knight there and that shée stood talking with him well may a man iudge what he felt who held him selfe beloued and with so great affection hee was come somewhat néere when the vnlucky Daristeo said My deare Lady I could neuer imagine that the loue which I haue euer borne you could haue bene so highly rewarded neither can it yet sinke into my head that I could euer deserue so great a good as thus to sée you to bestow such and so particular fauours which wholy is to be attributed to your generositie more then to my loue or desert although the I might hope much for I beléeue that no man euer loued with greater affection then I. The cause hereof is the little confideÌ„ce which I repose in my owne deserts and worthinesse to attayne to so great a good as to bee beloued by your beauty neyther can I leaue to coÌ„sider the high estate you hold without vnderstanding who he was or imagining any thing of his brother for now Fortune would néeds shewe her mutability against these two Louers with the greatest suddennesse of the world the beloued Rosaner ranne vpon his deare brother not knowing who hee was Neuer Eagle turned with greater liuelynesse then did Daristeo against his brother and as they were very valiant so began there betwéene them a most cruell battaile but the elder had the worser not through want of force but of armes fortune Although the other had receiued some hurts yet they were but small The furious louer would néeds close with Daristeo but therein he sought his owne death for the desperate yong man being deadly woundeâ— before hee gaue vp the ghost reuenged himselfe by bereauing life from his mâ—â—t deare brother Rosaner for stumbling forwardes by reason of his wounds he thrust out his sword arme and by chance hit him right in the face The elder brother had not yet so much lost his memorie but that he followed the blow vntil the point of the sword pierced through his brothers braines These faithfull louers came to fall iust together losing with one onely blow their liues ielousies and loue and the greatest good of the world which was the fayre Lady The vnhappy Felina stood beholding this battaile vntill that she sawe them fall then sorrowing their death with her outcryes shée disqueted all the Palace and falling downe in the euill which shee had done without dissembling it neither had she strength to auoid the punishment she her selfe being her owne executioner for euen in the same attyre as shee stood she cast her selfe headlong out at the window falling vpon her head betwéene theâ— and in their death kept them company The greatest part of the people in the Palace ran into the garden and the king with the furious Furâ—ander who when he saw the cruell happe of his two brothers was likely to haue lost his wits which was the cause of altering his condition imagining with himselfe that they were dead through Celibellas occasion Some others did suspect it to sée the brotherly death betweene two louers It caused extréeme sorrow in all the court for the king shewed himselfe very sorrowfull as was reason to sée so pitifull a chance What the Princesse did in her chaÌ„ber I would rather that some other body would report it then I which saw it A thousand times would she haue ended with one death yâ— many deaths which she should endure through â—he absence of her Rosaner which shée beganne presently to shew for the company of her damsels was displeasing vnto her wherein she was woont chiefly to delight the fight of knights and gallants was loathsome and their discourses yrksome so as her whole delight was to be solitarie receiuing some pleasure in me discoursing of the cruelty which fortune had shewed her There was nothing but did put her in minde of her knight and to remember him it was death to her and hauing no more comfort but what shee reaped from her teares which were so many which shee shed for that lamentable mischance that it bereaued her of a great part of her beauty All the Court was in an vproare the king in making search for the murderers could take no rest so as in the citie there was nothing but suspition and mourning The most valiant Furiander disturbed all forgetting what he had promised when he took the order of knighthood that hee should neuer take part against any Lady for as ech of his brothers had discouered vnto him part of his loue and séeing how much they were tormented and how carelesse she was thereof which was not for want of affection but rather of discretion he fully perswaded himselfe that to be rid of their importunities she had procured their deaths he conceiued it with such apprehension that nothing could disswade him neither to see the sorrowfull signes which the princesse gaue for the death of the two brothers for this furious yong man had determined what he would do
you shal heare in the next Chapter CHAP. III. Of that which hapned to the Prince of Tinacria with a Knight much affected to Celibella and how he ended the battell for her IT should bee past midnight most Noble Lord when a Knight with his lamentations did awakeÌ„ the valiant Poliphebus who a little from him had laid him down to sléep The sonne of the cruel Garriofilea saâ—e vpon the gréene grasse and being frée from loue he harkned and gessing which way the complaint came fully armed not knowing what might follow for he would not goe vnprouided he saw by the Moone light which shined very cléere at the foote of a great Oake a great Knight stretched all along vpon the ground richly armed in blew armour wrought all ouer with many knots of gold bee séemed to the Tinacrian to be some Knight of good account In his shield which he had fastened to his necke was painted loue with a merry countenance and fortune in the skirt with the most piercing aspect that euer was séene with these letters vnderwritten Fortune being so contrary With angrie valour taking part Though constant loue be on my side Yet nothing can assure my heart The Knight séemed to be in a trance séeing he moued not as indéed he was for the griefe to lose the faire Celibella had put him out of his wits But when he came againe to himselfe with a sigh being out of breath he began to say O Fortune with how many trials doest thou shew thy mutabilitie tyring my heart with so many troubles If I did imagine blind Goddesse that I had euer béene rebellious against thée that I had not respected thée that I had not put my trust in thée that I had doubted of thy power and of what thou art I should haue taken this rigorous touch for a reward for my patience But séeing that without any occasion thou wilt shew thy selfe my greatest enemy I hauing giuen thée no iust cause thereof I cannot forbeare to complaine and onely of thy mutabilitie séeing that with what or for what thou hast brought me to the point that nothing but death onely can yéeld mee ease O â—â—wardly heart séeing that for being so thou suffrest her to die which might giue thée life in distresse succour thée Pardon mee worthy Princesse for now I sée the iniurie which with my cowardise I haue done thée in not daring to oppose my life in thy behalfe and séeing that so many wayes I sée it lost and that now fayling with thée the remainder wil be worse then death it selfe the Gods defend that I sée thy vniust death but rather that I with iustice bereaue my soule thereof for in so long staying I wrong the loue I beare thée and herewith in a diuellish furie hee snatcht vp his sword and lifting vp his bresâ—plate hee would haue thrust it into his owne bodie saying Herewith soueraigne Ladie I make amende for not vndertaking the battell although that I had seene my death before mine eyes by how much more then beeing for thée it might haue béene accounted life The Tinacrian tooke hold of him and before that hee could effect his diuellish intent he seized vpon his sword which he pluckt out of his hands saying Oh desperate Knight and with committing so vilde an act wilt thou soader vp that which thou hast done against the Ladie whom thâ—usâ— much louest The Moore came to himselfe who was Prince of Prussia a countrey very néere adioyning to that of the most faire Celibella and beholding that Knight so tall and so wel armed being perswaded that he saw his remedy he said vnto him Do me not Sir Knight so great displeasure but suffer me to satisfie with my life that which I haue committed against the most faire Lady that the world containeth séeing that vndertaking the battell for her although with the losse of my life I might haue done her particular seruice but being against so furious a knight with very cowardise I lost that which I might haue gotteÌ„ although I had remained without life and séeing that now to hold it it will be to my further hurt giue me leaue to procéede according to my determination if you will not that I make a larger payment for the error which I haue committed which was the greatest that euâ—r Knight committed against her whom he so loued Leaue off your so much sorrow said the warlike Tinacrian for men are not bound to vndertake matters aboue their force for in such case you of your part are excused That cannot bee said the Pagan who owing his life and would not venture it for her in any daunger how doubtfull so euer the successe thereof were cannot be excused therefore you cannot denie me the wrong that I haue done my Ladie Notwithstanding all this I will not yéeld that any such crueltie bee committed in my presence neither is it weldone but ill you see the end of this aduenture to torment your selfe in such sort as may put you in such despaire as this which dooth so much disgrace the valour which appeareth in your person And because I came from farre about this businesse and to fight for this Ladie I pray you be satisfied and hold me companie to the Citie where I will trie my lot with Furiander Who can presume Sir Knight said the Moore to come into that Citie where hee hath committed so great a fault such as the like hath not beene séene I haue not the power neither can any thing make me thereto able It hath not beene so great said the Tinacrian but it may be amended if fortune fauour vs. The Prince told him so many things that in the end hee offred to hold him companie to the end that he might see the forces wherewith hee should fight for Celibella By this time it was day and so they tooke their horses and with the damsell and the Tinacrian his squire they tooke the way towards the Citie and by the way hee knew that this Knight was the Lord and King of Prussia where he fel in loue with the Princesse Celibella although he neuer knew the necessitie wherein shee was vntill hee came with his armes onely disguised to the Court to see her which for her beautie was extolled through his whole Dominion and comming thither he vnderstood of Furiander his challenge But the fame of his valour was such that hee durst not vndertake the battell for the Princesse notwithstanding that hee loued her much more then his owne soule and falling into consideration of what hee had done going forth of the Citie he meant to haue slayne himselfe The Tinacrian recomforted him the best that hee could and he did not a little preuaile being the most fearefull yong man in the world They ariued when the King was newly risen from the table and had that day inuited the famous Furiander purposing with some good reasons to haue disswaded him from that attempt being very sorrowfull for that he perseuered
after another which set him on the arson of his Saddle griping him so that it seemed he had striken him quite out of breath The Pagan aduanced himselfe closing with the Tinacrian he thought to preuaile by grasping with him but he found the sonne of Garofilia as fast in his saddle as if he had béene a rock they tugged so hard together that they both were out of breath their horses stood more fixt in the grouÌ„d with â—â—uing in their wrestling then the most moored roots With one turne they fell both to the earth The Pagan had a mishap because one of his feet hung in the stirrâ—p which if the TinacriaÌ„ had perceiued in time he had slaine him yet notwithstaÌ„ding before he could get it out with his dagger he gaue him 2. cruel stabs left the marks in the flesh which the Pagan held for mortal and so turning to his enemy who as he was higher then he he lifted him from ground carying him in such sort that the Batchelour had lieffer haue bene deadly wounded hee did his best to encounter his aduersary and so recouer footing whence twise whéeling about they hurled together with greater force then a Coluerine shot they gaâ— to their weapons with such speed that al those which were present wondred thereat I beléeue quoth the king turning himselfe towards the principall of those which were with him that in these two warriours is disciphered the flower of cheualrie No pleasure can be compared to that which Celibella receiued séeing how well her knight had acquitted himself for on foot none of her brothers could do better and yet oftentimes fighting with them hee made them to doubt of the battaile Some aduantage was perceiued in him for striking with great rage the Tinacrian happily crossing inwards and standing very firme on his right foote he ioyned hitting right on the side of the vaunt-brace the trenchant sword rebounded to the hollow entring a third part in at the brest The Pagan féeling the wound thinking it had bene to the death gaue a signe thereof for with the very paine of the wound he went crosse-leg'd and was readie to fall the furious yong man holpe him doubling another blow vpon his helme with so great might that hee made him set his knées to the ground There is no serpent so wrathfull which can turne so as Furiander returned against the sonne of Garofilea and with the raging smart which he felt of his wouÌ„d throwing his shield to the grouÌ„d he went with such fury with his sword in both hands that he made more then foure lose all their colour in their faces the blowe was with lesse héed then wisedome required to beare for it had beene the last that euer the Tinacrian had receiued he hit him so right vpon the gilded crest that hee made him to sée a thousand starres in his helme and he charged his furious sword with such force that he made him to 〈◊〉 both his handes and knées to ground The impatient Moore drew néere with another no lesse then the first hée had stretched him out for a pray according as he was stroÌ„g so he suddenly pinck't from him his vâ—â—nâ—-brace and Lirgando saith that he also tooke his shield from him Gualtenor sayeâ—h no but that hee did cut the greatest part of his Polarons If hee had béene able to haue giuen the third I knowe not how this Batchelour had escaped from the battaile but as the wound fell vpon that side where his heart was it made him breathlesse so as hee could not thencefoorth procéed in his furie giuing the Baâ—chelour place to rise there was no helpe for the armour against the blowe which he gaue for hee cleane carryed away the crowne of the helme and a piece of the head withall Well might the sonne of the great Trebacio haue ouercome him but hée was a Knight who in déed did more affect the woorth which the Pagan had shewen saying thus vnto him I doe much desire Sir Knight that this battaile may rest in that estate wherein it is for I see you are dangerously and sore wounded very néere vnto death and in going further any your euill fortune whatsoeuer would much grieue mee for I doe neither desire your death nor ouerthrowe but perpetuall amitie and friendship which from hencefoorth I offer vnto you swearing and protesting vnto you that you most inâ—uriously vphold and maintaine the wrong against a Ladie who in apparant shewe hath much sorowed and lamented the death of your brothers When the generositie most noble Prince is so discouered procéedeth from a gallant brest there is no Aspicque so fierce and cruell but will bee therewith appeased hée had not beene Prince of Tinacria neither could that haue bene the country of your most noble Lordship if therein had not bene bred so rare a good as was this And so this valiant â—â—oore sound himselfe bound with the reasons which the Prince vttered â—aying Fâ—â—thuâ—g could happen to me so well as this my life and reputation being in such danger I would valorous man at Armes gladly in exchange to purchase the friendshippe of such a knight as you are and seeing it behoueth 〈◊〉 and that of my obâ—â—inate contending there can nothing grow vnto 〈◊〉 but perpetuall infamy and discredite I doe from hencefoorth vtterly giue ouer the battaile and freely seâ— at â—â—ertie the Princesse condemning my euersight and blinâ—â—â—â—e séeing iâ— was not possible in so perfecâ— a subiect to 〈◊〉 any thing which should so much disgrace it When the prince of Prussia lawe the 〈◊〉 league and bond of friendship concluded beiâ—â—ue the 〈…〉 he put spâ—â—res to his horse and tooke his way towardes his countrey with all the spéede that might be where hee passed his time in great heauinesse and sorrow hauing atchiued no aduenture The Iudges were néere at hand hearing what the Pagan said which yéelded such contentment to the whole Court that no man is able to expresse it but â—â— may be better imagined then any way described The hidden fire in the scattered powder my Soueraigne Lady hath not so much power neither is it of such effectuall force as is settled loue to shewe what it is and what it is able to doe What man in the world could haue confirmed a peace betwéene Princes so much at variance and with so great reason Who could haue brought it to passe that Celibella the beauty of the world should haue béene any whit sorowfull or grieued for the spitefull Paganâ— hurâ—s though neuer so deadly bee receiuing them in fighting so disgrace and confound her It cannot be imagined that so great an alteratioÌ„ as this can be attributed vnto any other thing but to loue Fortune was more fauourable vnto him then he was well aware of for they were not yet gone forth of the field when twenty Knights clad in mourning attyre came into the Campe which seeing him come foorth of the lists afoote came to him to kisse his hands and
to acknowledge him for their Prince and soueraigne Lord for the king had so heauily taken the death of his two sonnes that the sorrow thereof bereaued him of his life and he left no heire but this mightie Furiander Al the principal of the Realme were of opinion to giue the crowne vnto him and to accept him for their king seing his valour deserued no lesse but was much more worthy The valorous Pagan did not a little sorrow the death of his father and the sonne of the most cruell Garofilea kept him company mourning with him for the one and reioyâ—ing with him for the other A newe life and a long answered the Pagan I would the heauens would grant me noble man at Armes to the ende to acknowledge howe great a good it is to bee your friend but such as it shall please the gods to bestow vpon me assure your selfe it shall be to doe you seruice as he who is no lesse endebted vnto you then for his life and honour It yéeldeth me not that ioy and solace said the Tinacrian Soueragine prince to sée how gentle fortune hath shewed her selfe vnto me to gette such a friend as I hope in the gods you will bée as to sée with what affection and in how good earnest you haue estéemed my offer so as if I shall be able to equall my déedes with my desire none shall shew himselfe a more faithfull friend then I. By this time the king with the whole court was descended to receiue and entertaine the Tinacrian who had already determined in himselfe to entreat the king to receiue Furiander for his sonne In approching with his Armes displayed he came to the faire yong man saying Althoughâ—â—t were for nothing else most valiant knight but to say that in my armes I imbrace the flowre of cheualry I hold the troubles well imployed whereunto this Prince hath brought vs. The faire Poliphebus wel discharged the part of the Moore saying It was a worthy matter mighty king to to considered in how manifest a daÌ„ger your daughter was but herein appeareth the noblenesse of your generous brest that you not onely pardon what is done with the passion to sée such princes to fayle but you are now to receiue him for a friend séeing his valour deserueth that all the princes of the world should hold him for such greater errours then these which may be pardoned so venturous a knight vndertaking the same By this time was come the Kings daughter so fayre that I know not any man of reasonable vnderstanding but would haue giuen rather then to haue lost the sight of her two thousand soules if he had them She drew néere giuing the prince great thanks for that which hée had done for her saying I was well assured valorous knight of the Bough that committing my affayres into your victorious hands it should haue such issue as is this While as the fayre Tinacrian made answere vnto Celibella loue began to sturre in the brest of the Pagan who regarded the beautie wherewith the Infanta was adorned whom in his conceit he had much offended but loue playing his part had obtained his pardon for sometimes she cast her eye aside to behold the wounds which this new-come prince had receiued and indéed the Pagan did not so much feele it as the Lady did for it did ease his paine to behold her beautie But to her who had already yéelded her selfe tributarie to loue euery drop of his blood was worse then a cruell death so farre doeth his power extend who is called the blind god of loue Within the Palace were these Princes cured of their wounds and fifteene dayes the Tinacrian there remayned in which time he behaued himselfe so well that hee obtained of the king all that he desired setting before his eyes the valour of Furiander and the state which hee held loue had so well disposed of the fayre princesse that it was no hard matter to winne her The valorous Furiander knew not how to value this good for all the Court feasted him holding it well content to receiue such a knight for prince and Lord thereof Much did the princesse desire that the Tinacrian should haue remained a longer time but being vnable to end other matters he tooke his leaue of the Lady and committed himselfe to the déepe sea with Ruuâ—o his squire alone The fift day of his nauigation with a prosperous wind he ariued in the kingdome of Hilepsia where hapned vnto him that which in the next Chapter shall be declared CHAP. IIII. How the Prince of Tinacria neere the Fountaine of three spoutes met with the braue Eufronisa and of the battaile which hee fought with two Giants which would haue robbed him SO much did absence most noble prince afflict the fayre Eufronila for the loue of Rosabel that shee tooke no pleasure but in comming to the fountaine where shée first saw him It fared with her as with one which hath lost a precious iewel who not finding it a thousand times returneth with great care to the place where he thinketh he lost it EueÌ„ so did this fayre princesse beeing not so much afflicted for the losse of the sonnes as for the absence of the Father In company of her discreet gentlewoman she passed a heauy solitarie life although it were som case vnto her to think that her father had promised to carry her with him into Grecia for there came certaine messengers to him from the Souldan of Niquea to entreat his â—auour which hee throughly purposed to grant as he which was very mightie and of great power And imagining with her selfe that there she should see her 〈…〉 made her to prolong some what the rest of her dayes it was a world to sée and to heare what she did and said beholding her selfe in the cléere fountaine Loue is not such most noble prince as that hee who is possessed ther with can haue any regard of reason neither is reason of force to detaine him who is enamored from going to any place whither his cruell destinyes shall lead him In the Schole of my mishappes I learned to discourse of the successe of Loue and how it dealeth with those which are subiect thereto this enamored princesse yéeldeth vs sufficient experience thereof whom loue so many wayes after she was subiect thereto tired with a thousand desastres and being set in the place where she first became enamored she made a thousand complaints of loue Oh fierce and cruell resolution said the fayre Lady and the pleasing content wherein I liueâ— before I saw that venturous prince the robber of my libertie I know not of whoÌ„ to complaine me not of loue for it shewed it selfe fauourable in my behalfe I complaine me of his crueltie séeing that he séeing the sincere faith wherewith I loued him neuer vouchsafed to giue me one sparkle of hope but reioyced to sée me for him in so sweet annoy Oh my sonnes if the heauens grant you life and by them
Barbarian accepteth no such fained excuses as these which you make vnto me And séeing the heauens beare record how much I desire your content there is no prolonging of time séeing my fortune hath ordained it Hee had scarcely ended his spéeches when one of the Giantâ— drawing néere stretched out his arme to seize on her which being dismaied giuing a great 〈◊〉 cast her selfe to the ground which 〈◊〉 the cause that the Giant could take no hold of her But he had no néâ—d to doe it for the fierce young gallant sonne of Garrofilea brandishing his reuengeful Launce raiâ—â—ng himselfe vpon his Stiâ—râ—ps hurled it with such forâ—e that Mars himselfe did malice to sée how great a 〈◊〉 he gaue for hitting him right 〈◊〉 vnawares in the middeâ—â— of his spacious brest the well stéeled Trenchant made so great a â—â—ud-gate that the hâ—rd plates of Stéele were not sufficient to sâ—ay it from appearing out at his backe coloured with his fresh bloud There néedeth not any great question to bee made whether the Ladie were glad thereat or no séeing it gaue her courage to raise vp her selfe to sée with what force the frée Tinacrianâ—urned â—urned heat against his two enemies the which little remembred what to Knightâ— did appertaine both at once charged their â—aunces in the midest of his â—rée brest they made him vilely to bend in his Saddle striking his head against his horse buttocke and it was no maruaile for these two valiant men charged him in great furie to sée their friend slaine The valorous Tinacrian recouering againe his seate and ward returned vpon them the Giant he found alone who with a waightie Maâ—e of stéele came towards him giuing place and time to the Prince to seize on the Ladie who lifting her voice to heauen cried to the Tinacrian for helpe The Giant gaue him so much to doe that the Prince had time to depart in safetie with his praie which so much despited the sonne of Trebacius that he was readie to burst with anger calling himself coward that one Knight should bee able to withhold him from helping that faire Ladie so vniustly taken hee doubled herewith â—o thicke and furious blowes as would haue rent the most hard rock But he had before him one who held himselfe to haue no equall in the world the faire Poliphebus desired to hazard the fortune of the battell at one blow and so approching to the Pagan made shew to stay for him he lifted vp his fearefull Mace and had not fully done it when the Youth flew within him and with a blow strake it out of his hands and helde the victorie for his and séeing that delayes might bréed danger redoubling his force hee strake him on the head the blow was so terrible that it made him sencelesse The Tinacrian was not a yong man which would let slippe oportunitie particularly in a matter of such importance which concerned no lesse then the Ladies libertie and so the Moore beeing in this trance hee with the greatest care of the worlde with his sword in both his hands with all his power strake him vpon the crowne of the head the helmet could yéeld no defence for he claue it so as it fell at his horse féete and dispatched him suddenly He turned about as swift as thought following the trace of the bold aduenturous Prince and fortune was fauourable vnto him for without any let within one mile where the battell began hee saw the Prince with his pray flying swifter then the winde the Falcon neuer slew so swift after the fearefull Hearon as this valorous Tinacrian who giuing the spurres to his horse made him to run swifter then the stéeds of golden Apollo And thus riding he called to the Prince to stay whose voyce caused this gallant louer whose haste to himselfe séemed slow still to spur his horse for it sufficed him not to sée and hold his Ladie in his armes but with her to escape the armes of that yong man who as a furious Lyon his sword died in bloud approached and in his flight strooke him vpon the rich Helmet and if it had hit right it had ended the warre with that blow But it was not to any small purpose séeing it made him for his owne defence to set her to the ground being wholly sencelesse The sonne of Trebacius returned saying Ill it beséemeth him who reckoneth himselfe a worthie Knight to doe â—o vile a thing as that which you haue committed and against such a Lady as is this he came not so little offended as to stay for an answere but that with the well stéeled point hee smote him in the brest with such force that hee made him to féele his sword within his flesh The Moore was most nymble and skilfull and if hee had gone away with this blow he might haue prolonged his life but to his greater harme he would néeds close with the valorous Tinacrian where al happened acrosse vnto him and the Moore well perceiuing his strength gathered new forces from his most mortal wounds considering with himselfe how much he lost in losing that battell and so he suffered him to enter and with his sword in both his handes hee smote him vpon the rich helmet and had reuenged the death of his two companions and recouered the Ladie had not the well tempered fine mettall béene betweene the which although it gaue the yong man his life yet it could not defend him but that it brought his head as low as the pommell of the saddle casting out blood both at his nose and mouth he reached him yet another which made him almost forget himselfe Neuer was Eagle more furious in defending her nest then the Tinacrian shewed himselfe turning towards the furious Pagan and hitting him vpon the helme it sounded like a bell and made him tremble like an Aspen leafe being shaken with the fresh winde in Autumne he smote off his crest leauing him mortally wounded and séeing him stagger he claspt him in his well brawned armes whose betters the world contained not and pulling him from his saddle hée bare him in his armes to the place where the Ladie was being perfectly come to her selfe who ioyed to sée how well he had reuenged her quarrell Hee leapt with him from his horse and with his ponyard ended his life and loue in the sight of the Ladie whom hee best loued in the world the which ioyfull and secure rose from the place where she sate and with a countenance which would haue made loue it selfe in loue shee went to the frée young man casting her armes about his necke which I know not who would haue refused and with a cloth wiping his armour sparkled with blood said Well hath my friendly fortune ordayned valorous man at armes that although that your first offer serued not for a medicine to cure the wounds of my soule yet with the second restoring my life and honour you haue wholy bound me vnto you and so I entreat you in the
for my libertie which onely may be estéemed a thing whereof there resteth for mée no hope to make any requitall which the heauens reward you in your greatest necessitie The great displeasure which I conceyued against this Knight for departing out of my prison without my leaue was the occasion of my ouersight For many errors worthy Lady this onely were a sufficient excuse if there had beene any such how much more then where there was none committed Much time they spent in entertaining with these swéete discourses To entertaine in such maner worthy Ladyes is no error which I leaue to your discréete considerations omitting therewith the tediousnesse wherewith I should procéed The long absence of the Prince of Apulia had giuen no occasion to lose any part of the affection which shée bare vnto him when hee was present her stedfast beholding him did manifest as much All this did but encrease the Gréeke louers paine to see himselfe so infortunate and absent from his Lady and with such disgrace banished and not to returne into Grecia without licence bearing the name of Claridiano It did somewhat grieue the Prince of Apulia to sée the discontentment of the knight of Crueltie he was generally so called of al men for that was his deuice in his shield The gentle conuersation of the Princesse did much comfort him whom these princes entreated to declare the cause of her imprisonment I can tel you none valorous Knights but that being one day in a gardeÌ„ vpon the Stronds side to recreate my selfe in company of these foure Damsels this accursed Gyant by chance with the furie of the winde came to ariue at the gardens bancke side he with those Knights entred and comming through the thickest they ariued at certaine fountaines where we were solacing our selues To small purpose serued the callings and outcries which wee made calling for helpe that they should not carrie vs away to their Galley It was yesterday twelue dayes he told me by the way that he was of the squadron of Ocho vassal to the Prince of Almayne in whose seruice hee went to the warres against the Gréekes in company of the Emperour of the Romanes and to the same effect my Father is vpon parting with the king of Carthage which are to ioyne with the Souldan of Niquea whom as they say this warre doth principally concerne for the theft which a Prince of the Gréekes committed in stealing one of his Daughters they purpose to ruinate the whole Empire according to the great numbers of men which they leuie This is all that I can say concerning my imprisonment And séeing I shal not finde the King my Father at Argel for by this time hee is gone I should be very glad if you would take me with you for being in company with such Knights for the present nothing in the world could yeeld mee the like content You shall doe vs answered Florisiano great fauour to take vs with you for Knights of your gard Whereto the Gréek agréed dissembling the griefe hee conceiued to heare how great troopes of men were leuied to warre against his parents hee determined with himselfe to take his way towards Grecia disguised with new armes secretly without acquainting any man therewith except the Knight of the Lions who was the gentle Claramant The Princes often times discoursed concerning the successe of the Prince of Apâ—lia and sware that it should be kept secret without discouering to any man who he was With faire weather they sayled sixe dayes and on the seuenth they discouered the land of Lucania with such alteration of the Prince of Apâ—lia that standing aloft to beholde it the Ladie said vnto him You shall do ill to goe ashore in this land which wee haue discouered valorous Prince séeing that you wil land therein with so sad and heauie countenance Some things haue happened vnto me to my liking answered the Prince but the most ordinary and that which maketh me to absent my selfe from my Countrey and friends is that which carieth me after the currant of my hard happes Loue most noble Prince is not so swéet to bee endured nor so easie to be concealed but that howsoeuer a man will goe about to dissemble the matter hiding the griefe of his soule yet hée will giue signes and certaine notice thereof The Prince of Gréece was of opinion plainely to discouer it for in his soule hee was grieued for it was a matter to touch a man for her beautie did deserue that the Prince of Apulia should loue her but he dissembled offering himselfe to any danger that might yéeld content to Florisiano They attributed it to the great generositie of his minde desiring much that occasion might be offered to requite the same They leapt to shore and he of Apâ—lia tooke the Armes of one of the Gyants Knights which best fitted him and a mightie horse which was the dead Gyants other foure they tooke for the Ladies which were with the Princesse They gaue commandement to the Mariners of the Galley to attend them there and licensing the Gyants galley to depart they tooke the most direct and beaten way that they saw all the Ladies ware skarfes which they cast ouer their faces to goe the more vnknowne There was neuer séene a fairer company for the Ladies were all yong maides and the others enamoured so as there was no discourse of any thing betwéene theÌ„ but of loue From the one side to the other rode thâ—se valiant warriours managing their horses with so great a grace as Mars himselfe the Ladie taking great pleasure therein accounting it a pleasure to trauell all the world ouer in company of such Knights their valour assuring her from al danger By the same way that they went they saw eight Knights comming towards them very richly armed to whom at their méeting the Gréeke in their owne language said for he could speake any in the world We shall take it for fauour Sir Knights to know of you what Countrey this is and how farre it is to any Towne Well pleased with his good spéeches and behauiour The Countrey Sir Knights wherein you are answered one who séemed to be Captaine of all the rest is the populous Lucania very néere vnto the famous Citie of Troba it would yéelde you great delight to sée the maruellous stately buildings thereof but now all the Countrey is so troubled with these warres which are a beginning that there is no pleasure or contentment especially now by reason of the importunacie of Asternio Prince of Calabria who hath declared himselfe for a great louer suiter vnto the Princesse Polinarda although it is imagined that she admitteth none of his seruices But the King hath so effectually dealt in the matter that she is promised vnto him for his wife in stead of his brother whom they put to death through her occasion Greatly was the Prince of Apulia moued with the words of these knights although he past it ouer holding the matter as concerning
culuerine striking the one halfe thereof into the hard ground leauing the rest shaking in the fresh winde which did so much amaze all those that were present as the ouercomming of the prince of Campania with a soft pace hée came to the Knight There was no body there but did note the honour which the Gréeke did vnto him he was very neere vnto the prince wheÌ„ he put his hand vnto his sword more to defend himself theÌ„ to offend the other as he made it to be plainely séene for the Prince of Lucania assailing him with his whole force smote him so great a blow vpon the top of the helmet that it made him beÌ„d downe his head so low as his brest he came againe with another which the Gréeke tooke so ill that had not Florisiano bene present he had forgotteÌ„ his generous determination With all this not with the valour that he could but to put him froÌ„ him he smote him euery where where he could This is gallant noble Ladyes no ill will said the sayre Troyla that my Knight hath shewed to his enemy seeing how carelesly he procéedeth in a matter that so much coÌ„cerneth him but I beléeue that the iustice of his cause detaineth him which he seeth in the behalfe of his aduersary They could not answere her for the great noise which was in the place which was for that that the Greeke imagining that the time was now expired had closed with the prince clasping his body within his brawny armes he did not plucke him so soone froÌ„ his horse as he would for that that the valiancy of the louer séeing what he had lost did animaie him so as he did somewhat detaine him but it was but for a small time for with a strong pluck he dismounted him desiring him that he would not be ouercome but that he might hold him for his friend I desire no more answered the prince then mine eyes haue séene that by so many wayes you haue won the palme of the battaile but séeing the heauens wil haue it so all is yours so wil I be as long as I liue Many thanks did the Gréeke giue him for his offer so he mounted on horsebacke the valour of the knight of Crueltie being admired There was none in that place notwithstaÌ„ding that it was against their prince but did extell with high praises the knight in the yellow The coÌ„ming of the most valiant Asternio stayed their procéedings whom shew more mightie theÌ„ Mars himself came mouÌ„ted vpoÌ„ a most â—urious flea-bitteÌ„ coloured horse al his furnitures being of rich greene cloth of gold soweÌ„ ouer with hearts which made a very faire shew for the defence of his horse vnder this furniture there was excellent fine mayle in his crest hee waâ—e a most faire plume all spangled with gold his armor was of the colour of his furniture sauing that in the midst of his shield in a field azure he bare a Lady so fayre and well made as it gaue delight to al the beholders before her was a Knight knéeling shewing her a burning heart enflamed with a strange fire in the border this Mot. Well may this Sacrifice Giue hope assurance Of great confidence Much did the fayre Laydes extoll the deuice of this gallant louer But to the fayre Polinarda who remembred her Florisiano all this was a death for shée had yéelded her self to loue who loueth faithfully is not forgetull but absence rather reuiueth the memorie of those which loue perfectly preseruing the touch of their faith The gentle disposition of this Moore did well please the Greeke but séeing that without his death hee could not accomplish his promise made to the prince of Apulia without further pausing on the matter he turned about and went to the place where the lances were where with his owne hands he made choise of one of the greatest and most stiffe and tough among them I am of opinion sayd the fayre Troila séeing what hee did that the affection is not alike which my Knight shewed to the prince of Lucania to that which hee beareth to him which is now before him The occasion should not be smal sayd the fayre Solersia who in her soule was grieued that Asternio should by so many meanes procure Polinarda to be his wife Let vs see quoth shée what will become of this enmitie I am perswaded this battaile will bee worth the seeing Now were these 2. famous warrious confronting the one the other when the Gréeke with a soft pace came towards him saying You already know Sir Knight the conditions of my demaund which are that you tel me your name and the name of the Lady whom you serue for to be assured that her beautie doth excell hers which is Lady of my life without any battayle I will yéeld the prize I would not that wee should haue made so long delay sayd the furious yong man to make so long a discourse for I am perswaded to resolue you sooner with the battaile then to shew you in fight the Lady whom I serue Yet vnderstand that I am called Asternio prince of Calabria and the Lady whom the heauens haue ordeined for my Soueraigne is the kings daughter of this land To haue a good foundation said the valorous Gréeke for you to haue presumed to lift your affection to so high degrée it were without question no great matter to giue you the palme of this battaile and so I will haue it not in regard of the beauty which the heauens haue adorned the Lady withall but to let you know how presumptuous you haue beene to make shew to loue her These discourteous spéeches said the warlike Moore deserue the fury of the braue Asternio being as red in the face as a burning coale without regard of what to a knight did appertaine séeing him so neere vnto him stung with that which he had sayd with more force then discretion hee hurled his well pointed lance onely the excellence of Claridiano his shield saued his life for beeing vnable to pierce it the lance flew backe againe whole but not in such sort but that it was likely to haue made the Gréeke to haue lost his Saddle for it made him strike his head vpon his horse buttocks which stood him in no lesse stead then the earth did Anteus for redoubling his courage hee setled himselfe with such wrath that nothing could be more cruell there was neuer séene so angry countenance in any Knights it made aboue foure of the most valiant to lose all the colour in their faces to sée their furious encounters a good palme he raised himselfe vpon his stirrops whorling his lance about his head with greater agilitie then Mars himselfe hée hurled it at the Pagan who was about to draw his sword The thunder maketh not so great noyse in renting the clouds as the Gréeke made hitting in the middest of the Pagans shield It preuailed not that it had more folds of well tempered stéele in
whéeling about he threw him downe néere vnto a great bowle wherevpon he set his hand thinking to kneele vpoÌ„ the Sauage but before he could doeâ—t there was heard the greatest noyse that euer was heard in the world a thousand visions comming out of the Towre appeared to those which were in the court the skyes were daâ—kened and there was such lightning that made the most couragious hartily afrayd and much more the Ladies which being from their gallants gaue a thousand seriches for feare after this earthquake which séemed as though heauen and earth should haue come together In the towre was heard the most swéet and best tuned musicke in the world it séemed to theÌ„ a thing come from heauen none were discomforted but such as were wounded with loue for to those onely comfort may be giuen by those which bereaue it And but that the great Lirgandeo did recomfort the Quéene of Lira assuring her of the Princes health and safetie telling her that it was not conuenient that they should so soone meet without doubt this heauenly musicke had bene lothsome and but for that aduertisement shée had gone to seeke him for shée could not forbeare to lament his absence This swéete harmony did no lesse recomfort the warlike yong man for therewith he thought as in déed it was true that he was whole and cured of his hurts and beholding with whom he had wrestled wondring to sée himselfe armed and sound he perceyued that he was in the armes of a very fayre Lady with a Quéenes crowne vpon her head euery body knew that it was Quéene Iulia who taking the yong man by the hand sayd vnto him Come with me valorous Prince and thou shalt sée a reward worthy thy great valour as well kept as you haue séene He could giue her no answere imagining that it was some enchantmeÌ„t but followed her and entring into a rich square roome two statues which stood at the doore casting flowers vpoÌ„ the Gréekes head at his entring bowed downe saying The long wished for Claramante of Gréece is welcome for with his coÌ„ming are ended the troubles and anguishes of her whoÌ„ he most dearely loued who although she were ill requited yet seing her liberty gotten by so great valour the iniury which she hath endured may be accouÌ„ted happines As the Gréeke came into the hall he was rauished of his wits to sée the strange pictures curious workmaÌ„ship he staied a while to coÌ„sider of the loue which that Princesse had borne the Gréeke prince and the faith which shée had sacrificed vnto him and seeing how desolate he had left her it extreemely grâ—ued him he being a man as Gualteâ—â—r sayth who tooke excéeding compassion of â—adyes would fayne know that Knight which was so ingratefull and challenge him for it But the Quéene put him from it because that the gallant Lindabrides was come whom arâ—â—yled to see that Knight in her walke where â—uer any bodie had bene The Queene sâ—ept forwardes and saâ—e Soueraigne princesse of the Scythians receiue here the Knight whom the heauens haue prouided for you in place of the ingratefull Alphebo It was long since that Lindabrideâ— had seene him yet she presently knew him to be the youth Claramante whom she dearely loued for the great resemblance betwéene him and Alphebo and her loue being now well cooled she presently affected him being of opinion that hee onely was the man who next after his brother did worthily deserue her beautie The free young man escaped no better for neither his valiant heart neither Theâ—â—us armes which had preserued him from so many dangers could defend him from the wounds and fyre wherewith loue tormenteth his vassals for beholding the rare beautie of the Scythyan princesse and her gracious countenance with the grauitie of her most fayre face he thought that there was nothing els to be desired in the world nor other contentment but to loue her for he was ready to giue vp his Ghost when hée left to looke vpon her The gracious Princesse answered Quéene Iulia saying I will not receiue this Knight deeâ—e Iulia so much because that the heauens haue sent him for my comfort as for the generositie wherewith with the hazard of his life putting it into infinite dangers he hath procured my libertie making me so much beholding vnto him so as except I shal employ the same in that which may yéeld him content all other requitall is vnworthy of the name for what I receiue admitteth no comparison This most worthie Princesse sufficeth answered the amorous yong man althoughâ— had aduentured farre greater dangers for I was bounden to doe it for your beauties sake withâ—ut â—eipe â—ing the deeds but the desire erthe soule wherefore I pray you kneeling downe before her giue me your faire hands to pay the 〈◊〉 which all the world oweth them and withall receiue mee for a knight so doe you seruice which shall aduance â—â—e to the higheir degree that fortune is able to giue me He could â—â—y no more for beholding her neither could she make any answere for loue had so wounded them that they were speechlesse leauing to the eies the imaginations of the heart But hauing recouered her speech beholding the Princes goodly proportion considering his valour and what hee had 〈◊〉 for her shee tooke him vp by the armes saying â—here is no reason valorous Prince to giue my hand to him who hath so good of his owne which haue set at libertie the most sorrowfull Damsell of the world as for the rest I would not shew any token of ingratitude but to my soule I haue had so costly experience for you so much resembling the Knight which was went to bee called Alphebo that I am afraid and not without reason you will resemble him in all and being so I should but doe you wrong to giue you occasion to shew your selfe inconstant I would Soueraigne Princesse answered the tender-hearted Prince that I were not so neere of kinne as I thinke I am to that Knight to make him know his vnthankefulnesse for it is a sufficient defect in mee not to know what I sée and nothing in the world can assure mee to hope for any good but from this hand Herewith answered Quéene Iulia I will be shee noble Prince which shal inbute this â—orthy Princesse to accept you for hers and I will be â—â—â—â—tie to you for her and to her that you shall bee thankefull The gallant 〈◊〉 â—abrides graunted what the Gréeke required and 〈◊〉 shâ—e could not doe for anything to beâ— wished for Loue had made her wholy tributary to the Greekes beautie hee kist her hands with so great contentment to them both that if hee thought that he spedde well she accounted her selfe happy to be beloued by him There was neuer heard sweeter musicke vpon the earth neither better consorted then they heard when shee made an ende of entertaining him Although that those which stood thereby in the Tower did sée what past yet they heard not
bridle they went downe the hill In comming into the plaine the right way towards the Hauen Poliphebus began after this maner I doe Soueraigne Princesse vnderstand of the great warres wherein my father now is and of the many enemies which beseege his Citie I neuer yet durst to make my selfe knowne vnto him without doing something whereby I might boldly vaunt my selfe to bee the sonne of the mightie Trebatius and for this purpose I take occasioÌ„ to goe in your company and hauing the equitie of your beautie on my side betwéene the two Campes I purpose to maintayne the same not against the Greeke Dames for the loue of my sisters and the rest of my kindred which liue enamoured which seeing my challenge of force must come to contradict it Fame hath reported that in the Moores Campe there are Ladies which for beautie are the Phenixes of their Countries and if I prosper well in this attempt I may make my selfe knowne for the sonne of the great Trebatius I would not valorous Prince sayd the Ladie the through my occasion you should lose that which your vertue doeth assure of for there want not Ladies whose brauery and beauty is to be preferred farre before mine I am not able to goe into Greece answered the gallant Louer without making it appeare what power your vertue hath within my brest So then answered the Ladie there is nothing to bee sayd against your resolution With swéete conuersation they came to the sea side where they past all that night with such contentment of either partie as can not bee expressed The next day at what time as the faire Phebus began to beautifie the earth with his presence the two beloued Louers embarked themselues in the ship which Poliphebus brought The Masters and Mariners entertaining them with great ioy and wondring at the beauty of the gallant Luzâ—la hoyseâ— their sailes directing their course towards Grecia sayling with so great pleasure content that they wished it had bene Vlisses voyage After supper lying vpon the hatches of the ship casting their eyes to behold the vast seas and the forme of the skies this Gallant sayd vnto the Ladie If it may be told without griefe vnto you I would gladly know the cause of your enchauntmeÌ„t Some it will be to me warlike Prince in renning the remembrance of what I there endured but to giue you satisfaction whatsoeuer you shall commaund shall be put in execution Then know valorous Knight that my father had an Aunt the wisest woman in all Egypt where it is an ordinarie matter to be giuen to the arte Magick My father comming to receyue the Crowne as Emperour of Egypt was defirous to learne that science and so brought that his Aunt to the Court of whom he learned the greatest part of all her cunning He married and the destinies would that there should be borne so infortunate a Damsell as am I to haue so many desastres Comming to the age that I now am of without any pardon as a father to his owne daughter he came to be so farre in loue with me that hee tooke no pleasure of the world seeing I would not yeeld to his desire I imagining that I should wrong my selfe to yéeld in such a case to my father This my iust disobedience made such an impression in his heart that from thenceforth his hatred was farre greater towards me then euer his loue had bene It did nothing grieue me to endure the troubles which he put me to for denying him a thing so vniust Wrath and blind affection so much preuayled ouer him that being in my garden little thinking of his paine although it did somewhat grieue me to see what hee endured considering that he was my father I saw him comming in a walke among Canes with a more vnstaied pace then his grauitie required In seeing him I arose with a fayned smile weÌ„t to méet him But he which came drowned in a deuillish determinatioÌ„ without regard of any thing more theÌ„ his passioÌ„ led him vnto with a strange furie tooke mee by the arme saying My Luzela if it may giue you no occasion to ease my paine in that I am thy father and to sée what I indure with the griefe and torment which thy beauty hath brought me vnto yet let the death which thou séest before thine eies moue thee to doe it And therewith he drew out his dagger which he set at my brest You may imagine gentle Knight what my soule felt betweene these two extremes and each of them so great In the end I chose rather to die then so to defile my body and answered him My Lord and dearely beloued Father the heauens beare record with me that if the losse of my life might doe you pleasure I would preseÌ„tly giue it and should take pleasure to lose it and therein should offend no body but rather ennoble the obedience which I owe you but to be obedient in this a thing so much against reason I am of opinion that therein I should doe iniurie both to you and my selfe Hee suffred mee not to proceede forwards for with a strange fury hee sheathed his cruell dagger in the tender brest of his louing daughter Few blowes suffised to stretch mee all along My father had not the power repenting himselfe of that he had done to take out his dagger I thinke the heauens would not that he should kill me to the end that I in him should sée sudden change O cruell destinies began he to say lifting his voyce to heauen in how many sorts haue you shewne your selues coniured against me O infortunate Emperour Alpatraphio to how small purpose serued the science wherewith I was indued O blind and vaine affection séeing that from thence is growne to sée before mine eyes a fact so inhumane O heauens if you heare me be attentiue that séeing that you are witnesses of my great crueltie so shall you likewise be of the reuenge which I will take of my rebellious heart He was a thousand times about to pluck out the dagger which hee had stuck in my brest I thinke hee let it alone because hee would not sée my bloud and I saw it was euen sâ—â— for comming vnto me he vttered these speaches Ah my Luzela sometimes beloued not as a daughter which is that which now 〈…〉 me if there from the heauens where without change treading them with 〈◊〉 immortall féete thou doest â—â—aunce to 〈◊〉 the alteration 〈…〉 I haue no eyes to â—caue pardon but thou wanting life which to me 〈◊〉 I giue mine it is not to bee sought for vpon earth seeing I haue sent it to the heauens neither will I enioy any because it will bee loathsome seeing I cannot forget to haue bene thy murtherer I doe proâ—ise thee my beloued daughter to accompanie thee in thy death seâ—ing I loued 〈◊〉 so dearely in thy life If for â—â—ented his soule to sée how still I lay imagining that I was dead and in pâ—lling out his
dagger hee had â—â—ne a greater harme which he had done had not his old Aunâ— Cleonta preuented it the which in her kind being angry vsing her accustomed inchaunâ—ments put him farre from mee Shée came to mee and pluckt out the dagger and putting certaine herbes into the wound cured me of the hurt and said vnto me Notwithstanding that the resisting of your fathers passion be very worthy of commendation yet in that that thou wast not sory for his payne as was reason being his daughter it is iust that thou make satisfaction therefore in straight and close inchauntment where thou shalt remaine vntill that the braue Lion shall enter into my strong Castle breaking by force of Armes the strength thereof and ouercomming the gards which I shall there set and then thou shalt begin to feele some comfort although thy father haue none for it is requisite that he pay more for the iniurie which he hath committed not onely against thy renowne but against his owne honour But the â—â—siliske shall be giuen him when he shall least think thereof She sayd no more vnto me but at that very instant me thought I began to want my wits and without knowing what I did I went to that lodging from whence you set me free where I did nothing else but be waile the absence of my father holding him for dead She would neuer tell me any thing of him although that sometimes she came to visit me giuing me hope hereof and she told it me so playne that I now perceyue how much is therein contaynes and I am giuen to vnderstand that the time shall come that I againe shall sée my father Yea it will come answered the gallant Louer for the heauens giue not one contentment without another In this and other pleasing things they past the greatest part of the night wherewith the young man began to ware somewhat bold it was not wholly to offend her but to shew with the mouth what the heart felt He was of opinion that this Ladie was sent to him from the heauens wherefore with the greater ioy they past the rest of the time It suffiseth that to take their rest they went to their Cabin with a determination on eyther side that nothing should hinder their loue Before that Aurora had done the Sunnes Ambassage to the world shewing his câ—mming the master aduertised the Prince that in the top he had descried somewhat neere another Galley Hee leapt out of his bed not willing to shew any carelesnesse for the defence of his Ladie With the masters helpe he put on his rich Armour and being at all peeces armed he went to put the Princesse of Egypt and his soule also out of feare and with reuerence being wholly ouercome with loue he told her that there was an enemies Galley discouered willing her that shee should not therefore bee afeard for the sight of her good grace did assure all With greater valour valorous Prince sayd the Ladie I would very gladly accompany you for the succour which hereof can come vnto you except the good will is so little that it will rather be a hinderance Ill should I gallant Ladie quoth the Tinacrian goe to fight if not going wholly yours and in fighting it shall bee onelie for you By this time the two Gallies were come neere together wherin in seeing the Princes Gally was heard a great cry bidding them amaine if not they should all dye The young man did it but to another intent for hee commaunded that all those which could beare Armes should take them and should stand at the ships side As the Marriners with all diligence had ended the casting of grapples aboord the other to the ende that shee should not fall off and that they might with their swords fight aboord it was no euill counsell for it gaue them the victorie vpon a sudden there came some twelue Knights which bade them to yeeld The valiant young Prince stayed vntill that they had fastened the Galley and getting a club in his hand hee set himselfe vpon the poope where hee gaue so good account of himselfe that two of them lost their liues with one blow which he gaue amongst them They were many and for feare of their Commaunders they set vpon the Prince but it was to come with their liues and there to meete their death for hee neuer stricke blowe which killed not a Knight and sometimes two of them together payd for their folly before that they could returne he had made an end of them By that time there came forth three most fierce Giants out of a withdrawing place in the ship where the Tinacrian heard cryings as of forced Ladies Those thrée most cruell Pagans were much amazed to sée how soone that Knight had made an ende of all their Knights All of them forgetting the order of Knighthood drawing out their monstrous faulchions came to the shippes side and one of them assuring himselfe of his agilitie setting his one foote vpon his shippe side leapt into the Tinacrians Galley and had done it if the young mans cruell club had not by the way taken him a blow on the pate and bereauing him of his life in the ayre throw him in back againe into the ship dead at his friends feet which were in a cold sweat He which lost least occasion was the Tinacrian for with a light leap he set himselfe against the Giants Whether that she which loued him better then herselfe tooke pleasure therein there is no doubt thinking that no man could be loued with more reason then the Tinacrian seeing his great valour conioyned with so much beautie as hath bene aforesayd He was one of the most gallant personages in the world so as many times he would not put off his Helmet especially among Ladies to whom he was as a Cockatrice Uery ioyfull she set her to behold what he did in the Galley He somewhat reposing himselfe with a troubled voyce sayd How now you traytours and so easily did you thinke to beare away the prize First you shall leaue your liues in pawne for your foolish presumption The valiant Louer stayd for no answere but whorling his club about his head he smote one of them vpon the shield which hee brake in péeces and there withall his arme which it hung vpon He escaped not without his paiment for in the warres for loue neuer giueth the palme without it for they both smote him vpon the inchaunted Helmet and made him set his knees to the ground they there strake the Prince and his Ladie in the shield which her soule hath that faithfully loueth this they which know what it is to loue call the heart hee saw that these fierce Giants againe smote downe right at him Hee on one side crossed the blow with his club and the other he shunned by skipping to one side The club was no defence against the force of the blow which brake it in the middest It was good fortune that the Tinacrian
and Rosabel the Prince of the great Britanie agreeing thereto as suretie that thou shalt bee worthie the fauour which thou requirest hauing in him reposed our hope of the victorie wee giue thee leaue to the end that in the field thou shew the degrees of thy faith whither thy loue hath aduanced thee subduing by them thy presuming to a matter so difficill We would that in thy warres companie might bee admitted which we would hold thee for vpon thy sureties speeches wee would aduenture any hazard The gods haue thee in their keeping Great was the contentment which the Princes receiued with the gentle answere of the Gréeke Ladies giuing his nephew many thankes for that which hee had done for him he presently dispatched another message to the Moores Campe bearing a Cartel with his challenge All the Princes and Ladies were in the Emperour of the Romanes his pauilion The damsel went in and doing her dutie séeing so many of whome shée was to aske leaue shée asked it in general saying The high gods soueraigne Princes haue you in his kéeping I am sent hither by the knight with the Eagle to deliuer a message which I wil deliuer in few words The president which was the King of Armenia bade her to deliuer what shée had to say Quoth the damsell My Lord the knight with the Eagle considering the Truce granted to the end that idlenesse mortifie not the desire of Armes hath thought good to entertaine this time and to shew you that he desireth to serue all and to maintaine in the middest of the field the beautie of two Ladies which he hath brought in his companie at all hazards from to morrow forwards and commanded me to giue this letter to him who holdeth himselfe most enamoured The great and famous Captaine Bembo rose vp who in Loue causes desired euer to bee the first and as such shewing some discontentment he gaue the letter to the frée Thorisiano to read which he did thus Poliphebus his Letter to the Ladies of the Moores THe Knight of the Eagle to the death seruant to Cupid to the Princesses and Ladies which are in the famous Bembo his Campe greeting Because gallant Ladies you may see the effects of Loue in him which hath subiected his life seeing it employed in so sweete a seate assured that no man hath seene the like quiet as I haue done And relying on the beautie of the Ladies in whose companie I come more then in the valour of my person I doe challenge any one that shall come from your partie that she which is mistresse of my soule is fairer more discreet then al the Ladies in your Campe. It is a great boldnesse but I am to bee excused hauing iustice on my side wherewith and with my weapons and horse from to morrow forwards I will defend my demaund swearing the battell against all the enamoured gallants of your Campe at outraunce The gods keepe you There was not one whome Cupids aye me had touched but shewed himselfe more fierce then the Basiliske in the Libian sands séeing the proud challenge of this knight the night séemed to them long yeeres many that the next day they might make him know in how great an error hee came They allowed the challenge the Ladyes remaining highly displeased which they could not forbeare to shew in their bitter answere which they sent to the Knight by the Dāsel who laughing at the smal account which they made of the Prince of Tinacria gaue this answere The fayre Luzela took it with great contentment saying This which belongeth to your soueraigne beautie gallant Rosoluia I purpose to reade to sée how the Moore Ladyes receiued your brothers challenge For as those Princes are famous it should be expedient to send a fauourable aunswere This belongeth to you faire Princesse answered Rosoluia séeing that grounding himselfe vpon your good grace and discretion he hath aduentured to do this Wel let it be how it will but I beléeue wee shall sée him in danger Your fauour valorous Luzela shall draw me out of a greater said the beloued Tinacrian If that may serue the turne answered the Lady there shall be no want thereof and therewith she read the letter An answere to Poliphebus FOr not to returne without answere seeing the much wherunto thou knight with the Eagle hast opposed thy selfe thy pride did not deserue to enioy such a fauour as is this But because thou shalt know with whom thou shalt encounter in battaile hauing displeased vs we from henceforth nominate for our part our Captain generall which is the mightie Bembo King of Achaia and as for the rest he will make thee know in how great errours thou comest The Gods keepe thee and open thine eyes that thou maist see thy fault With great pleasure the Princes made end of reading this letter séeing how angrie these Ladyes were attending the morrow in the which what succeeded is fit to be told in another Chapter CHAP. XXIII How Poliphebus beganne to maintaine his challenge and of the perilous battaile which followed HOld valorous Ladyes for now it is requisite that you condole my paine to the end that I may depaint what happened after this defiance for the golden Apollo had not throughly shewen his glittering beames when in the middle betweene the two campes appeared one of the most sumptuous tents of the world for it was little lesse then the Greeke Palace it was all of coloured cloth of gold with greene knots and many siluer Eagles embrodered vpon it a man could desire no more It was work enough for either armie to behold the fayre tent imagining as it was truth that humane hands had wrought but little vpon it All the Ladyes of the campe would sée the battell vpon assurance of the truce So came they in a Chariot triumphant drawen by 20. Unicornes as white as the driuen snow couered all ouer with rich cloth of siluer The Ladies came as it behooued for their valour and beautie for there was no lesse to be seene then in the Citie from whence they might sée the Greeke Ladies and Princesses begin to come which as they were many so of force they must haue two famous Chariots there was neuer seene a fayrer shew There were made by the Emperours commaund certaine most sumptuous roomes for the Ladyes couered al ouer with most rich Canopies where the Ladyes went vp inuiting with their standing so those of the Campe. Some did it to sée about them those which they most loued which were Rosilia Arbolinda and the fayre Eufronis◠estéeming their courtesie as was reason they remaining in their Chariots Presently at one side of the campe entred sixteene Knights either of which would haue waged battaile against Mars That day did Bembo lay aside his sad deuice which hee euer vsed to beare For Lupertius had sent him most rich greene armour all wrought ouer with Sunnes there was no goodlier sight in all the field except the challenge In his shield
as none could bee better vpon earth In sight of the campe he was armed but by whom it was vnknowne There was a stately Theatre made for the Ladies to behold the battell Upon a great piller they hanged the Princes shield bringing an infinite many of Launces that those which would but onely iust should want no Launces for that purpose The Tinacrian paced ouer the field vpon his Rubican a betâ—er horse there was not in the world with such a grace as Mars could haue done no better There wanted not some in a readines to come into the lists for Lindauro who yet had not lost Venus loue would there shew it Ah he that had so excellent a wit as might be able to depaint with contentment to all those battels which were the best worth the séeing of any that euer were in the world for the Pagan which first presented himselfe in the lists was valiant and who without question was most enamoured although he neuer attained to any thing whereby he might perceyue that he was beloued He smote his furious horse with the spars but with the Tinacrian he got little for he made him with the encounter to take hold of the saddle pummell for feare of falling The young Gallant past forth with a braue countenance and turned his horse vpon the hand so lightly as could not bee thought The Prince came ashamed of his ill successe and desiring to amend what was past drawing his sword with both his handes hee smote the Tinacrian vpon the Helme it sounded like a bell and the enamoured youth well felt the blowe but seeing how many and how valiant Knights there yet remayned to come it behoued him to giue a good account of himselfe or not to bee called the sonne of the great Trebatius repaying him another were but small hope of victorie They encountred with Mars his might for it séemed that some great house was fallen when their lances brake they made such a noyse The Almaine lost his reynes and stirrops and was so besides himselfe that the Tinacrian perceyuing it trusting to his Rubican ranne vpon him with his horses brest and ouerbare them both to the ground wherein fortune was contrarie vnto him for as hee was taken so at vnawares he had no leisure to pull his foote out of the stirrop and so one leg was vnder his horse who with the force of the encounter died presently Trebatius his sonne alighted leauing the whole campe amazed at his valiancie and went to the Almaine holpe him to frée himselfe from his horse saying vnto him I will not sir Knight that you should lose that for want of a horse which your valor doth assure you and so you may end the battell on foote But he was in so ill taking with his fall yâ— he was enforced to giue ouer the battaile and to leaue his shield behind which much despited Bembo who loued him very much admiring at that which he with the Eagle had vsed towards him I beléeue quoth the fayre girle Rosabella that my Lord my brother Rosabel did better know this Knight then me that hee was so readie to bee his suretie séeing wee were scrupulous in giuing him this leaue it is reason that we should recompense him with something the better to encourage him against the Captaine of the Moores who they say is very valiant Her faire mother stood hard by laughed at the girles speaches who wel knew what Knight that was for her son Rosabel had told her vpoÌ„ which assurance she said Séeing you are so careful for the good of this Knight being challenged I am content that you shal send him a pledge from your hand that he may see how much his valour is estéemed Al the rest of the yong girles hâ—lpe to further what Oliuia had required In the end Rosabellaes faire sister was to take from her necke one of the most rich Iewels in the world It had beene her mothers which Rosabel had brought out of Astrutio his Countrey there was not a better piece in that field Shee gaue it to a Damsell of hers who with many Knights which held her companie came downe to the place where the Tinacrian with a nâ—w Launce in his hand was on horseback The Prince séeing her comming leapt from his horse receiuing her with much courtesie which he shewed to women more then any other Prince of the world The Damsel sayd vnto him Ualorous Knight with the Eagle my Lady the Princesse Rosabella daughter to the Prince Rosacler commendeth her to you séeing the valor which you haue shewne which shee imagineth to come from the Gréeke Ladies haÌ„ds which with such generosity gaue you leaue she sendeth froÌ„ them her selfe this Iewell to the end you should know of what credit your suite is how highly your valor is estéemed The Tinacrian smiling receiued it said Tel these soueraine Princesses faire Damsell that with such fauors such as the Gods are vnworthy of it shall bee easie to accomplish this enterprise againe a new to bind me to be theirs which this rich gift cannot do séeing I am so already shal be til I die And acknowledging how much I am bounden I find it to be so much that to lost my life it is too little to requiâ—e al of what I haue receiued He deliuered the message with so loud a voyce that the Ladies which stood about the â—ent heard him Luzela did assure her selfe of her Knight séeing the gift came from so neere a kinswoman He put it about his neck in sight of all the campe which was a wound to the Moores Ladies hearts to sée him so fauoured which was enemie to their beautie The Greeke Ladyes did celebrate the courteous answere of the Knight who séeing the place cleare tooke horse as light as a bird and taking his place expected the comming of some aduersarie desirous to make them know their errours There wanted not those who were so conceited of their Mistresses beautie that they opposed themselues against him although that there were some question about it for euerie one would be the first At length the lot fell to the mightie Brundusio who being armed with strong plankes of stéele made head against the Tinacrian whose battell and the rest deserueth a newe Chapter CHAP. XXIIII Of the cruell battell betweene Brundusio and Poliphebus with the comming of the couragious Lindoriano Prince of Niquea WIth Soueraigne praises most excellent Prince did all Grecia extoll the noble Tinacrian whose fame reached to the heauens for in lesse then thrée houres hee had ouercome thrée of the most famous Princes in the Moores Campe. And Brundusio Prince of Gibia desirous to reuenge their losses with a most gallant shew confronted Luzelaes louer there was neuer séene a more angrie onset for before the beholders could imagine it they were together making little splinters of their great Launces whose trunchions flew out of sight vp into the clouds The Pagan lost a
set vp tables others scaffolds there was nothing in the place but was put to vse Then came forth the Gréeke Ladies so fayre that if the Sunne had not taken care of those warriours hee could haue taken no benefit of the counsell which he gaue to his sonne it would so much haue troubled him to see so much rare beauty together séeing that hee onely for one left his aboade in the heauens liuing in a rude office and held it for greater glorie then in his rich Charriot to compasse the heauens who séemed to stay which was for that that at one side of the place the two famous warriours presented themselues with the one came all the Affricanes he would not haue his armes brought to him for hee came in with his Beauer downe and with his Launce in his hand with so angrie a pace that there was great hope of him hee was couered all ouer with cleane and well tempered steele enamelled greene with many knots of gold In the middest of the shield which was of the same colour hee had his Ladies picture when hee tooke her from foure Giants which he slue in requitall for their presumption with this â—ot in the borders A strong conceite in a louing mind Maketh easie what euer it doth find Hee rode round about the place with a greater grace then Mars causing at one side thereof a great Launce to bee set vp and thereon to set vp the Armes which had belonged to Brauorante to the end that hee who gat the victorie should beare them away for a Trophe and token of his valour Hee presently tooke his place attending the great Scythian who had chalenged the famous Affrican if euer there were any in that land On the other side came in in valour the rare Brauorante with all the Assyrians that were left in his company It was a thing worthy to bee séene by the Greekes to see how prowdly hee came in all in cleane tempered steele from the head vnto the foote his colours were Lyon-colour with many streames of greene and the skirtes gilt There was neuer seene in the world except it had beene a Giant a greater or a goodlier Warriour and in remembrance of the Ladie which hee had chosen for his god hee bare her paynted so at life in his Shield as when hee met her in the kingdome of Mauritania where hee fought for her as in the beginning of the third part is declared The borders were so set with precious stones of such inestimable price that there was no fayrer shewe to bee seene Therein was also a Warriour farre in loue and betwéene the two these words Well may hee presume to winne Who first found you And by his seruice bound you Hee came in with a furious aspect confronting his aduersarie The Iudges of the field were the two famous Quéenes of beautie for the Affrican chose for his part the fayre Archisilora and the great Brauorante chose his goddesse Floralisa which doing that which to that office did appertaine appointing them an equall space for their carriere armes and sunne they withdrew them to one side to giue the more roome Although this be the last faire Dames there is no reasoÌ„ that he which in the beginning craued leaue to begin this Historie and to giue it in the middle should now leaue to repaire to your beauties to giue it a pleasing ending and to extoll the blowes of the most famous warriours vpon the earth for with angrie paces they set themselues face to face and the Sunne betweene them both staying his course because they should hasten theirs which they did more swift then the fresh wind in Autumne None of those which beheld them durst cast their eye aside for feare to lose the sight of the effect of their swift carriere They performed it gallant Ladies with greater noyse then the raging Sea maketh when it threatneth the highest heauens and being vnable to reach vnto them contenteth it selfe with beating the rockes vpon the shores side And although that their Launces had beene Shippes masts they would haue broken them in small peeces for they came more strongly seated in their Saddles then any rocke in the Mountaines and their Launces being broken into splinters with the force of their encounter flew into the ayre cleane out of sight I beleeue they flew so high as to the Throne where the angrie god maketh his abode who did malice their péerelesse encounter they past one by another with a better grace then he could haue done They returned in the ayre with their swordes in their hands with so fierce a countenance and so proud an aspect that the most valiant of the Greekes cast their cloakes ouer their faces because they would not see it all their bloud of their bodies being retired to their hearts And seeing that Claramante was afraid and Claridiano shrunke aside what shall my wearied pen and my dul short wit but make an end of this booke entreating pardon for the faults which are in them all not looking into them as into a worke of so tender yeeres but onely into my desire so giue content But being now entred into more ryper yeeres I doe promise the fourth part in the which an end shall bee giuen of this terrible battell and also of the loue of the vnknowne Greeke with the noble acts of the sonnes of Eufronisa and also of the Knight with the starres with the mighty Daristeo for the things which they did in seeking the Ladies were wonderfull to the world which doth anewe encourage mee to treat of their loues which were not comparable with the Quéenes of Lira Wherefore worthy Ladies excuse my errors and my so abrupt giuing ouer this Historie whereof if â— may be assured I shall begin it with courage onely to giue you contentment FINIS
rich sword hee rapt away his Plumes with part of his gilded Crest and stepping backe drawing his sword after him he gaue him a thwart blow which was the luckiest that hee gaue in all this battell for hitting him below the skirt of his brest-plate it strake away aboue a hundred péeces of his shirt of Mayle cutting his Taces and therewith part of his thigh he could not so safely doe it but that the Mauritanian fastned a â—low vpon his most strong shield and bare it to his head with such force that it made him cast bloud out at his mouth and eares he thought it had béene night hee saw his Helmet so full of starres The Pagan in these cases was not so carelesse but that hee would giue him another before hee should recouer himselfe and made him set his hands to the ground hee would haue shouldred him but hee found him as fixt as a rocke and came so neere vnto him that the Tinacrian could not strike him but casting his Shield at his backe hee tooke hold of him which he did so suddainely that hee had almost throwne him to the ground The King of Mauritania recouered himselfe and taking good footing they began so to wrestle that Mars did enuie them the one assailed to trippe vp the others heeles they trample they sweate somtimes they gripe and sometimes they locke legges that it was wonderfull all the companie did wonder to sée the furious obstinacie of those two warriours Somtimes wheeling about they seemed as though they would haue falne to the ground sometimes they graspled so as they were cleane out of breath it séemed vnto theÌ„ that in this maner they spent much time and so with a strong whéeling about the one hurled the other away from him with greater force theÌ„ if they had bin shot out of a Cannon They both fel on their haÌ„ds but it séemed that in touching the ground they recouered new strength by their furious running to their weapons beginning the battaile anew much more cruell then at the first Vulcan his workman made no greater noyse when they forged Achilles Armour then did these two warriours tormenting their flesh Thrée houres did this second battaile endure without any shew of wearinesse or any aduantage The Tinacrian was in such a rage to sée how that Knight did defend himselfe and offend him that hee hastened his blowes in such sort as hee was dyed all ouer with bloud The Moore was hurt in foure places and the Tinacrian in two both in the ioynts of his armour They both agreed to rest them for there was neuer any such battaile seene that lasted so long nor that was maintained with such generositie the couragious Tinacrian walking vp and downe saying Truely I know not how thou shouldst be called the sonne to such a father séeing that in his presence and of thy mistresse with so many brothers and kinsfolkes one Moore hath brought thee into this estate The braue Moore was no lesse greeued at the long stay who a thousand times renounced his gods This did so much greeue them that in all haste as fierce as two Lyons they ranne to their weapons But in this battaile the aduantage appeared in the Greek whereof all men were glad I meane those which were of his faction but Branorante was hee which most greeued at it for séeing that Brufaldâ—ro was once ouercome it should be no disgrace for him to ouercome him also and for the other lesse honour He roared like a Bull that he had not first challenged the battaile and had it not béene for the Emperour of the Romanes and the Soldan of Niquea which pacified him he had without doubt lept into the Lifts challenged them both the battaile But they perswaded him to defer it vntill the battaile in the field for that none of them but would be there Floralisa preuailed much with him whome the fierce Pagan adored who made him to doe whatsoeuer shee would concerning Brufaldoro who now maintained not the battaile as at the beginning for the yong man now ranged him at his commaund and without doubt had ouercome him if the sunne had not ended their dayes worke which was the cause that the Iudges came betweene them alleadging that according to the lawes of the Greekes they might no longer proceede in that battaile which much greeued the Tinacrian who would rather haue ended that then all the rest which remained for that he had so much desired it But for that hee would not giue any signe of ill behauiour hee withdrew and the Barbarian went out of the Lists on foote vnable to get to his horse he was so sorely wounded Hee went vp into the Chariot amongst the Ladyes returning with them to the campe and the Greeke Ladyes to the Citie carrying with them matter enough to talke of the valiancie of those two warriours affirming that they had not their Péeres in the world For this occasion stayed the messenger of Arbolinda Princesse of Scotland who burned in Loueâ— fire for Florisarte of Argentaria who comming vnto him for hee had learned which was hee and giuing him the letter hee sayd that hee came from Artinâ—o his old Squire who was newly come to the campe desiring him that the next day hee might haue an answere The constant Louer tooke the Letter and withdrawing himselfe from the Squire hee went to his lodging and reading it saw that it sayd thus The Letter THe forgotten Artimio to the valorous Prince of Argentaria and Tharsis greeting I doe not write soueraigne Knight for that I am perswaded that absence hath beene of power to make thee to change thy faith as to call to thy memory and to put thee in mind of the promise which thou diddest make to mee to loue whome I would Now is the time come to accomplish it for the contentment was so great which I receiued in thy companie that I haue procured by all possible meanes to requite thy fayth Be reuiued if thou wilt bee adored and because thou mayst see to whom thou gauest thy fayth if thou doest remember her picture thou shalt see the substance which shall bee the Lady clad in greene cut vpon cloth of gold hard by the Princesse of Rome and thou shalt see that her beautie deserueth constant affection I desire no answere vntill thou shalt see her whom thou hast loued whom thou oughtest to loue and by whome thou art beloued The Gods keepe thee and grant thee that rest which thou desirest It is not possible to describe the ioy which this enamoured young man conceiued of this ioyfull newes that his Lady was in the Campe hée was a thousand times in the mind to goe the next day disguised to fight with the Knight with the Eagle but hee had gotten little thereby for the Tinacrian was too hard for him who departed to his Lady sufficiently ashamed for that he could not ouercome the Pagan but they with the loue which they bare did comfort him to whome after
the day was shut in the Nimphes spake in this maner Ualorous Prince of Tinacria you may well aâ—count your selfe for one of the most fortunate Knights of the world hauing obtained such a father and brothers which are held for the light thereof and also for that the heauens haue preserued this Princesse to bée your wife with the victories which you haue obtained in her seruice which haue béene so many as could not bee imagined in any other Knight but of you The rest which remaineth cannot bee ended because there is this day a most mightie Pagan come who is King of Comagena with a great armie and hath besieged a citie of importance called Hircambela destroying all the marches thereof and so the tâ—uce being broken there will bee no time to end your businesse content you with that which is past which hath béene so much as will make them remember it so long as they liue There is no more to be done but to morrow to make your selfe known to your warlike father who will be very glad of you as for vs we were commaunded by this soueraigne Ladyes aunt that wee should accompanie her thus farre and so shée hauing no more néede of our companie wee will to morrow returne to her attending the time wherein we shall meet again with great contentment Present this tent vnto your Father for no Prince in the world hath receiued a better gift The Armes which shée gaue vs for the last battaile with the Captaine of the Moores wee will leaue to you for séeing you shall often meete with him in sundrie battailes we can with nothing pleasure you more then with them Some sorrow the thrée Princes shewed when they vnderstood that the Nimphs would be gone but séeing that there was no remedie they must haue patience Then came his beloued nephew Rosabel who euerie night came disguised to sée his Uncle for there were no kinsmen in the world that more dearely loued or that better shewed it then they They receiued him verie gladly and hee verie breefely told them the newes of the siege of Hyrcambela and how that succour was sent thither vnder the conduct command of the Prince Mâ—ridian and how angrie his Grandfather was therewith determining to giue them the field battaile presently The Moores were no lesse sorie thereat especially the mightie Bembo and because they should not thinke that it was done through his procurement hée presently sent to excuse himselfe to the Gréekes and to Poliphebus which was noted in him for great generositie and so Rosabel tooke his leaue attending newes from Meridian which is left for another Chapter CHAP. XXVII How the Prince Poliphebus made himselfe knowne to the Emperour his Father and of the good reliefe which Meridian brought to the besieged and of the rest which followed THe golden Apollo had scarcely discouered his golden lockes which he had bathed in the Spanish Seas when in foure parts of the great Citie of Constantinople they sounded the alarum in signe that the warres were renewed The Pagans answered them with their accustomed instruments All put themselues in a readines The carefull Generall Oristoldo angry and ashamed that the Moores had gotten the first onset vpon him went plotting some stratage me whereby hee might be reuenged of them and found â—ut so good a one as shal be declared which was like to haue bene the totall destruction of the Moores All men prepared themselues for the field battell which should be about eyght dayes thence for the Emperour was weary of this long warre The most mighty sonne Poliphebus made no longer stay but tooke his leaue of the Nimphes with teares charging them to recommend him vnto the wise Ladie Hee went foorth armed with the best Armour that was in the world sending his Lent to the Gréeke Emperour his father to whom he went betwéene the two Ladies whose beauty dazeled the Sun and made the most faire enuious They were clad in lion colour cut vpon blew and the cuts set with precious stones of sundrie colours they agréed with the Prince whose armour was of the same colour set with so many stones that they could not be beheld they gaue such a reflection like the sunne The Emperour vnderstood of their comming Rosabel and his father with many Princes came to receiue the Tinacrian amazed at his beauty and constitution Ioyned with these Ladies they came before his father all thrée vpon their knees desiring to kisse his imperiall hands who for that hee knew them not would not suffer it alleaging that it was a wrong to those which should doe it Your Maiestie may suffer it said his Nephew Rosabel receiuing them for your Maiesties children For the valiant Knight with the Eagle is the famous Prince of Tinacria this Lady poynting to the fayre Rosaluira is his sister together with this royall Princesse of Egypt Luzela whom the heauens haue giuen to your déere sonne for his wife The graue old Emperour wept for ioy and embracing them he sayd Now children of my loynes my mind will bee at rest hauing such a Prince in my companie as you are The Ladyes presently tooke him away chiefely the foure yong girles who had so much fauoured him with which and the rest of the Princesses as well hee as the two Ladyes passed many things in making acquaintance They kist the hands of the Empresse Briana who entertayned them as her owne children There was no time to stay long for the Prince Meridian had sent word by other messengers of the great harme that the Moores had done in all the frontiers thereaâ—out This was anew to set all the Gréeke campe in an vprore To the Tartarian Prince Zoylo was committed the leading of the Apulians and Thessalians with some part of the Frenchmen for 〈◊〉 arrerâ— gard to the end that if they met with the enemie thâ—â— should fight with them if they should sée themselues in stâ—â— to do it there was neuer a famous Prince but went with Zoylo euen to the Prince Poliphebus al with close caskâ—â— Claridiano Archisilora went by themselues ouerthrowing the enemies as the wind doth leaues in Autumn The furious Spaniard Thorisiano and his sonne did no lesse on the other side in companie with Don Heleno his deare friend the faire Rosamundi then the famous Tinacrian with his brother Rosacler and his déere nephew they were few in their hands for they went thorow the armie from side to side leauing some without heads others thrust clean thorow and those which now were at libertie lately so giddie amazed that they were ready to giue vp hte Ghost came forth of the citie with a desire to be reuenged Great was the slaughter which they made although that through the great multitude of enemies they payed deare for their victory For the coÌ„ming of such Princes was the totall destruction of yâ— Moores who had neuer a famous Prince amongst theÌ„ but the braue Moore A maÌ„ cannot imagine what a slaughter