crauing 〈…〉 〈…〉 well be coniectured prostrated himselfe at Palmerins féete and with vnspeakable ioy thus said Most noble and fortunate Knight how much am I bound and indebted to thée right happie was the howre of thy byrth but much more happie my iourney to see thée let my word suffise I so far deliuer my selfe yours as my selfe my Subiects my possessions or whatsoeuer else is mine I fréely offer to your disposition Palmerin who euer bare the most noble minde of a Knight was displeased that so great a Prince shoulde honour him with such reuerence wherefore with great humilitie hée tooke him vppe in his armes causing him to sit downe where before hée did but the Soldane and all his Lords greatly amazed not so much at his courtesie as his 〈…〉 Chap. VIII How the â—ayre Princesse Ardemia enduring extreame passions and torments in loue made offer of her affections to Palmerin which he refused wherewith the Princesse through extreame conceit of greefe and despight suddainly died EAâ—â—â—ye may be coÌ„iectured the great pleasure of the two Ladies Alchidiana and Ardemia beholding the man 〈◊〉 they loued as their liues to haue the honour of the enchaunted 〈◊〉 for eacâ— of them seuerally perswaded her selfe that he had thus aduentured in hoâ—or of heâ— loue And as they returned from the Hall to their chambers Alchidiana came and tooke Palmerin by the hand and walking on with him thus spake Ah gentle knight how are you to bee regarded aboue all other I knowe not why the 〈◊〉 should depriue you of speeche except that in all things this onâ—lie excepted you should be perfectly resembled to theÌ„ Oh how happie is shee that might aduenture to make you her Seruant doubtlesse if in her appeare so singuler perfections as apparantly shew themselues in you well might it be reputed a rare coniunction when the celeâ—tiall 〈◊〉 gouerning 〈…〉 affections hath vnited you in â—o amiable alliaunce The Gentlemen that attended on the Princesse greatâ—â—â— murmured at this priuate familiaritie but shée 〈…〉 in her affections as virginall 〈…〉 now forgotten and earelesse of regarde openly shewed her desires Thus were these two Ladies now much more amorous of the dumbe Knight then before so that they were not well but eyther in his companyâ— or thinking on him Alchidiana remaining iealous of her Cozin seemed not to loue her as she was woont but deuised all the meanes shée could that she might be sent to her Fathers Court againe yet she that little made account thereof sought opportunitie to bewraye her loue to Palmerin and by hap séeing Alchidiana in the Gallerie conferring with two of her Ladies shée entred alone into her Cozins Chamber where sitting downe on the bedde shée compassed many imaginations howe she might discouer to the dumbe Knight the secrete fire that was kindled in her breâ—â— So long shée staied there till Palmerin came because about that time hée was woont to visite the Prinâ—esse Alchidiana Ardemia so glad héereof as could be possible suddainlie started vppe and saluting him with more then common reuerâ—nce taking him by the hand and causing him to fit downe by her vpon the bedde Then enflamed with wonderfull passions surpassing Pasiphaes desire to the brutish Bull when shée mette him in the wood made by Dedalus shée beheld him with such a piercing countunaunce as the least glimse whereof was able to confounde the reason of the most constant person as the aspect of the Sunne in the 〈◊〉 of Leo dooth the eyes of the beholders and of force to warme the coldest complexion although it were an 〈◊〉 himselfe in her presence Then deliuering thrée or foure bitter sighes fetcht from the verye bottome of her heart as cruell as y◠〈…〉 she tooke a rich Diamond from her finger and put it on Palmerins with these words Swéete Fréends and onely comforte of my soule let me intreate you to weare this as an argument of my loue thereby to knowe howe well you estéeme of mée assuring you that I am so deuoted yours as if you vouchsafe to 〈◊〉 me the fauour and honour by iournying to the Court of my Father with mee I neuer will haue any Husband but you and there shall such account be made of you as wel beséemes a Knight so noble and vertuous Ah diuine defence of my life and more woorthie to bee loued then Loue himselfe misdéeme not of these spéeches so aduenturouslye vttered by a yong Ladie and vnmaried for the loue I beare you is such as I am constrained forgetting the decent regard of a bashfull Uirgin who naturallie is shamefasâ—e to estéeme of you honestlye and as is conuenable to 〈◊〉 estate Then séeing the Gods the place the occasion and the time permits me to bewraye that which I dare not otherwise manifest haue then faire Knight some pittie on mee and let mée enioy assuraunce of grace for which I 〈◊〉 in ceaselesse torments With which wordes shée embraced him and sealed so many swéete kisses on his hand as apparantly deciphered her earnest affection Palmerin amazed at this strange accident because shée was a Pagan and contrary to him in faith that making 〈◊〉 aunswere but following the example of chaste Ioseph who refused Zephira Wife to Putiphar great prouâ—st to the King of Aegipt started from her suddainlie and mooued with displeasure departed the Chamber thinking in himselfe that such occasions more ouer-rule the hearts of men then all other matters that might bée deuised and 〈◊〉 the practises of â—ellish Pâ—uto Then calling to his Ladie for assistance said to himselfe Ah swéete Mistresse succour now your seruant for I rather desire a thousand deathes then to violate the chaste honor of my loue or to giue that fauour to this Lady which is onelye yours Alchidiana by chanceâ— séeing Palmerin when he entred her Chamber and 〈◊〉 him now to depart againe imagined presentlie the 〈◊〉 of the cause wherefore entring the guarderobe which was adioyning to her Chamber shée closely stood and 〈◊〉 all that had passed and at his comming foorth staied him in this maner Notwithout great cause good Knight 〈◊〉 thou take the fatall Crowne from the head of Maurice for in thée is more â—â—rmnesse and continencie then is in the disloyall Ardemia vnchaste desires and villainie but in vnfitte nine did shée rip open her vnmaidenlike affections for I will publish her shame to euery one and cause her to be lesse estéemed then a knowne offender Palmerin fearing that in her choller she would doo no lesse then she said fell on his knée before her intreating her by signes to forbeare otherwise it would be his death She seeing him so faire and gracious and thus to humble himselfe at her feete quallified her displeasure promising to kéepe it in secret So Palmerin withdrewe himselfe to his Chamber leauing the two Ladies nowe togither but Ardemia agréeued at the dumbe Knights refusall woulde not reueale her wrong to Alchidiana who so soone as Palmerin was out of hearing thus began Why shamelesse Ardemia thinkest thou
addition vnder your highnesse correction that were she mine as I am wholie hers the faithfull seruice of a thankfull Sonne shoulde aunswere the genâ—lenes of so good a Father and the irreuocable vowes of holie loue assure Griana of her Florendos Right déerelie did the Emperour loue the Prince Florendos as had he béene his owne Sonne Caniano his knightlie valour and manifold other vertues iustlie inducing hym thereto and gladlie he would haue coÌ„sented to his request if his promise made vnto Tarisius did not binde him to the contrarie whereupon he returned him this aunswere Beléeue me good Cozin I am not a little agréeued that I cannot satis-fie your gentle request for that Tarisius Nephewe to the Empresse hath alreadie preuented mee to him haue I past my promise for my Daughter and dailie I expect the Ambassadours comming from Hungaria to finishe the mariage so that I had rather loose the best of my Citties then it should be said I falsified my worde Notwithstanding of one thing I can assure you that you are far higher in my grace and fauour then he yet necessitie is without lawe and the regarde of mine honour must intreate you to hold me excused Greatlie abashed was the Prince Florendos séeing in one instant that hope strooken dead that had maintayned his life since his comming to Constantinople and so nypt in the heade was he with the Emperours answere as hee stoode a good while in a studie not speaking a worde at last he began thus God forbidde that so great a Prince shoulde breake his promise by my occasion neuerthelesse my truth and loyaltie to your highnesse shall not any way diminishe but I shall remaine the most forward in duetie of any that owe seruice and alleageaunce to your Maiestie Neyther will I sayd the Emperour imagine the worse of you but loue you rather better then I did before Then entered diuers Noble men and Gentlemen which made them breake off from further spéeches and Florendos taking his leaue went to his Chamber so full of gréefe and extreame heauines as easilie he could haue béene induced to commit some violence vpon himselfe but casting himselfe vpon his bed he thus beganne to breath foorth the furie of his passions to ease the heauie burthen of his oppressed spirite Unhappy wretch that I am beyonde all other what hope of life canst thou flatter thy self withal séeing the meane that should maintaine the continuaunce thereof forbiddes thée sonde man to hope any longer What angry Planet gouerned thy natiuitie that he to whom thou gauest life should this day be the cause to ende thine owne Beléeue 〈◊〉 Tarisius had I made tryal of this inconuenience before hardlie shoulde I haue put my personne in such daunger amongst the Moores to shéelde thy life but in defending the sworde out of thy throate I haue deseruedlie thrust it in mine owne so that by lengthning thy daies I haue expyred mine owne date and that with a death so miserable and cruell as no enemie whatsoeuer would wish to another But were it not that my duetie to the good Emperour countermaundeth me thou couldest not with such ease either out-braue me in my looue or thus vsurpe the gracious fauoure of my Mistresse Griana were affection ballanced with desert or loue measured by vertue as it is by opinion Notwithstanding to die for her loue I shall account my selfe happie in that she cannot but pittie my vnluckie death and my spirite should passe with greater quiet to his ende if she knewe with what content I take my destenie but fayre Griana would God I had either not séene thée at al or Fortune had béene fauourable to me in choise At which words the extremitie of his passions tooke away the libertie of his spéeche so that he could not finish what hee woulde gladlie haue spoken but falling from his bedde to the grounde in a swoune amazed one of his Esquires that was in the nexte Chamber who hearing the fall ran in immediatlie where séeing his Maister lying deade in his iudgement ran and called Frenato who was Cozin to Florendos and one that knewe most of his priuate affayres notwithstanding hee was ignorant in the cause of this accident who taking him vppe in his armes with colde water and vinagre caste in his face at length he got life into him againe when Florendos opening his eyes and séeing his Cozin so busie about him breathing foorth two or thrée bitter sighes saide My déere fréende and Cozin I beséeche you hinder not the ende and issue of my life for béeing out of all hope to recouer my Ladie Griana there is no meane left to maintaine my life When Frenato heard these wordes hee doubted that the Prince had receiued some contrarie aunswere from yâ— Emperour as concerning the marriage betwéene him and his Daughter for whose loue onelie hee left the kingdome of Macedon wherfore he perceiuing that she must bee the onelie meane to ease his torment hee began thus roundlie to aunswere the Prince And what of this must you therefore dispaire Alas said Florendos what would yee haue me doo the Emperour hath long since past his promise for her to Tarisius as his highnes assured me by his own wordes Uerie well Sir answered Frenato but doo you know if she haue giuen her consent I promise you I am perswaded that she loues him not but that her fauourable regarde is much more towardes you then him and for you saye so much to morrow will I sounde the bottome of this matter so that if I can I will frustrate the Emperours intent towardes Tarisius Doo you in the meane time but learne to dissemble your gréefe and shewe not your selfe mal content for anie thing that hath béene saide but bee of good chéere and referre your fortune in this case to the successe of myne endeuours These and such like perswasions Frenato vsed to the Prince whom he thus left in his Chamber and returned to the Pallace as was his manner All this while the Emperour bethought himselfe on the spéeches that had passed betwéene him and Florendos which made him the night following to discourse theron with the Empresse perswading her that hee coulde more willinglie accept of hym for his Sonne then Tarisius But she who highlie fauoured her Nephewe reprooued his opinion with manie answers so that by importunate intreaties teares and other subtill fetches which Women are wont to vse to accomplish theyr desires she so farre disswaded the Emperour as hee promised her againe not to giue her to anie other then to him to whom he first past his worde Of which wordes the Empresse was not a little glad and therefore all that night shée deuised by what meanes she might froÌ„ that time forward so much as in her laie hinder Florendos from speaking to her Daughter whereupon she dailie kept the Chamber of presence and helde a more strickt looke on Griana then before shee had doone which greatlie increased the passions of Florendos
me and I assure you that these tydings hath breathed such newe life into my verie soule as alreadie I finde my selfe wonderfullie chaunged yea and that in such sorte as before thrée daies bee past I shall attende her gracious will with seruiceable dilligence In the meane while I shal desire you faire Fréend to let my soueraigne Mistresse vnderstand that I kisse her highnesse hande in humble duetie and had ere this giuen farewell to this life hadde not her swéete regard called me againe from death Thus parted Cardina from the Prince taking her way spéedily towards Griana who longed not a little to heare from Florendos whom she had made Lord of her gentle affections CHAP. VI. Howe Cardina recited to the Princesse Griana what speeches had past betweene her and Florendos and of the counsell shee gaue her Mistresse to conferre with him in the Garden so soone as he was recouered CArdina thus dispatched from Florendos made no little haste towardes the Princesse who remained all this while silent in her Chamber and no sooner perceiued she Cardina to enter but she demaunded if Florendos receiued her token in good part or no. Beléeue me Madame answered Cardina I thinke you neuer did anie thing in all your life whereby you coulde obtaine more honour and applause then by that you vouchsafed to doo at this instant for in my iudgment you haue performed a miracle in giuing him life that was in the very iawes of death Then from point to point shee recounted the talke passed betwéene them first howe she founde him in yâ— midst of his regrets and lastlie what message hee had sent by her Thus while Cardina continued her discourse euery worde tooke hold on the gentle hart of the Princesse and wounded her with such pittifull regarde of the Prince his torments as what she desired inwardlie shee shaddowed with modestie as lothe to receiue shame in her loue hauing caryed her selfe with such honour all her life quoth shee to Cardina Howe might I good Seruaunt ease this waightie oppression Uerie well said Cardina wheÌ„ Fortune alloweth opportunitie But thou knowest quoth Griana a Princesse as I am to be séene secrete with so braue a Gallant dooth greatlie hazard my life and honour As for that Madame saide Cardina my Sister can better aduise you then I or any that I know by her meanes may you speake with your Knight the brauest Gentleman in the world and one whoÌ„ I knowe is so farre deuoted yours as hee will rather loose his life then impeache your honour anie waie and otherwise then in loyaltie to make you his Ladie and wyfe I am well assured he loueth not which loue Madame you may well entertaine Returne then Cardina quoth the Princesse to my Lorde Florendos and assure him that so soone as he is recouered I wyll come and speake with him in such place where we may well aduenture and desire hym as he loueth me that it may bee with all conuenient spéede Cardina without anie further delay weÌ„t with this message to the Prince Florendos who hartened himselfe so well vpon these spéeches as within sixe dayes he found himselfe thorowlie amended whereof the Emperour and Caniano hys Sonne was not a little glad but Tarisius was scant well pleased thereat for he had coÌ„ceiued a secrete iealousie because he was so earnest in affection towards Griana who by her Mayd Cardina had warned Florendos that yâ— night following he should come into the Garden whereâ—nto her Chamber had a secrete entraunce and there woulde he and she conferre of their loue without suspicion of any Florendos séeing these affayres sort to so good ende purposed what euer happened not to fayle the time place which made him thinke this day a yéere in length so long hee looked and desired for the night But nowe the wished howre is come when Florendos with his Cozin â—renato who was priuie to the Princes secrete loue departed from their lodginges and comming to the Garden they sawe the wall was verie high and harde to climbe notwithstanding greater thinges are possible to Louers chéefely when a cause of such waight is in hand so that in short time Florendos had gotte the top of the Wall and afterward went to the place where Griana â—tayed his comming who had no bodie with her but Lerina Sister to Cardina to whom likewise she thorowly bewrayed her secrets He hauing espied them came and fell on his knee before the Princesse but she tooke him vppe in her armes embracing him so swéetlie as Lerina withdrew her selfe amongst the Trées not with anie intent of feare to displease them but with a certaine kinde of gréefe which ouercame her that shee wanted a Fréende to participate with her in loue as her Mistresse hadde before whâ—m Florendos béeing on his knée sayd Madâ—me by vertue of your commaundement I am thus bolde to enter your presence yéelding my whole abilitie to you as to the diuine Goddesse that hath shéelded me from death which grace séeing your princelie nature hath affoorded me my life for euer héereafter remaines at your soueraigne pleasure the vnfeigned promise whereof I binde to you by irrâ—uocable vowes but especiallie by my faith yâ— onelie ornament of a true Knight that I desire no longer to breathe this ayre then to honour your name with my continual seruice for life without yâ—ur grace and fauour is more yrkesome to me then a thousande deathes But by your fauour my Lorde answered Griana howe or from whence hath this hote loue sprunge let mee knowe I desire you Madame ê™ he as I haue heretofore so at this time I assure you that in my nature Countrie of Macedon I hearde the renowne of your excelling beauty at which verie instant I dedicated my selfe onelie yours and euer since continuing in this religious seruice I haue so confidentlie set downe my rest in gracious regard of your swéete selfe as béeing yours in seruice I liue if otherwise I die In sooth said said the Princesse I sée theÌ„ you haue giuen your selfe wholie mine and so I am well centented to accept you Then Madame quoth he to seale yâ— assuraunce of this diuine fauour you haue doone me 〈…〉 intreate to kisse those swéete lippes that deliuered the 〈◊〉 I haue long looked for Which to grant though for modesties sake at first she séemed daintie yet at length looue had so supprâ—zed her as he néeded not striue when no resistaunce was offered Thus with feares and solemne kysses they breathed into eache others soule the mute arguments of their loue and faire Cynthia amiablie fauouring this delicate encounter added such courage to the minde of this louâ—lie Champion as breaking his Launce in the face of Venus hee bequeathed the successe of his dâ—uoire to the gracious aspect of that Planet And among a number of soft and sweete loue spéeches he discoursed to her his talke with the Emperour her Father howe he had requested her in marriage
in such sort as you may neuer depart from the Emperours seruice Palmerin with excéeding contentment receiued the Chaine and on his knée huÌ„bly thanked the Empresse and the Princesse to whom hee spake as followeth Madame I am well contented to abide in such a pryson and neuer will I desire any other libertie but still will bee his vassaile that hath power to commaunde mee This aunswere pleased the Emperour excéedinglie in that he desired to haue Palmerin still abide in his Court Wherfore he said to Polinarda you haue doone well Daughter thus to binde Palmerin for nowe he can not escape awaie when he list So the Tables béeing couered the Emperour and all the Knights of the Tourney satte downe to meate where much talke was speâ—t as concerning y◠〈◊〉 on al sides but Palmerin Polinarda had enough to doo to view eache other their eyes dooing their office and carrying betwéene them the mâ—ssage of their passions yet so discreetlie shaddowed as none could perceiue them Supper ended the Knights and Ladiâ—s went to dauncing and afterwarde to their Chambers because the Emperour had commaunded the next daie an other Tournament a breefe report wherof may very wel serue in that you can imagine there wanted no braue chiualrie What Palmerin did that daie it were in 〈◊〉 to tell because the former daâ—e makes knowne his woorthines and Ptolome behaued himselfe in so good sort that Brionella was as proude of him as the Princesse of her Knight and therfore presented him with a very rich Diamond as a token of his desert her loue Thus while the Ioustes endured the Duke of Lorrayne had great familiaritie with Palmerin because he had deliuered his Sister Cardonya from the false treason of the CouÌ„ty of Ormequâ— All pastimes thus finished the Emperour returned to Gaunt where Palmerin intreated his Mistresse to appoint him time place where they might more priuatlie discourse on their loue the which the promised and awaited oportunity CHAP. XXX Howe Polinarda disclosed her secrets to Brionella and of the talke she had with Palmerin POlinarda not forgetting the promise she made her Fréend to meete him in some place where they might argue on theyr loue determined to discouer her affections to Brionella the beloued of Ptolome well perceiuing that without her helpe she could not attaine the end of her desires wherefore without any longer stay shee thus began with her My chosen Freende I would make known one thing vnto thée which death can compell me discouer to no other wherefore thou must haue care to keepe secret my speeches in respect of my calling not doubting but in time to recompence any paine thou takest for me Fayre Princesse said Brionella in that you doo me such honor as to impart your thoughts to me rather will I die then fayle one iote of your commaundement and therefore assure your selfe that what you declare shall neuer be discouered Then Polinarda reuealed to her the loue she bare Palmerin what passions did torment her and in what extreamitie her desires had driuen her and therefore swéete Fréende quoth she with a déepe sigh find thou the meane that I may priuatlie talke with him Brionella admiring the earnest loue of the Princesse knewe not readilie what to aunswere but séeing that by these meanes she might more easily conferre with Ptolome whom shee likewise intirelie loued thus spake It is no wonder Madame you béeing so incomparable as I knowe no Prince liuing of whoÌ„ you are not woorthie if you haue resolued your loue on noble Palmerin in that there is no Knight in the worlde better deserues you his rare chiualrie beeing such as it cannot otherwise bee but that he is discended of royall linage béeing accomplished with so many speciall perfections Therefore Madam so like you I haue deuised well for your purpose as thus You knowe my Chamber window standes so commodious as you may with safetie confer with him at pleasure which you may let him vnderstande by his Dwarffe and appoint him time as you shall thinke conuenient This counsel did not a little content yâ— Princesse because she longed to chatte with her louer and therefore concluded at his departure to appoint Palmerin his time Nowe was the Chamber of Brionella ioyning to the Cittie wall and had a goodly prospect into the fieldes and Palmerins lodging was néere vnto it facing the wall as the other did so that one might easilie passe betwéene the lodgings nothing béeing betwixt them but a little Garden brauelie decked with flowres and goodlie fruite Trées The time appointed Polinarda called the Dwarffe to her saying Vrbanillo thou shalt goe to thy Maister from me and after thou hast saluted hym with my manifolde well wishinges wil him this night to come secretlie to Lady Brionellas Chamber where at the windowe we may safelie talke togeather and bid him not misdoubt my Lady Brionella for I haue made her acquainted with all my secrets And because thy selfe maist conduct him to the place come and I will presently she we it thee So went the Dwarffe with Polinarda to Brionellas chamber where hauing séene the windowe and gladde to carrie such tydings to his Maister beeing well assured howe they woulde content him he departed and tarried not long on his message because Palmerin thought each howre a yeere to heare from his Mistresse wherefore hee beholding the Dwarffe comming tooke him in his armes and demaunded what newes he had brought him The Dwarffe with a cheerefull countenaunce thus aunswered My Lord Fortune speede you as luckilie as the newes that I bring you doo well deserue By this beginning Palmerin perceiued that he brought such tydings as he long looked for which was howe he might speake with the Princesse wherfore embracing him againe he commaunded him to make report of that his sweete Mistresse had giuen him charge Then the Dwarffe deliuered howe the Princesse had great desire to see him and where shee did intende to speake with him Which wheÌ„ Palmerin heard â—illed with vnspeakable ioyes he recorded the words to himselfe with many itterations and the more often he spake the words the more his delights increased But tell me quoth he to the Dwarffe didst thou marke the place well where I must talke with my Goddesse Thereof doubt you not my Lorde sayde the Dwarffe for I shall not faile to bring you surely thither if it be your pleasure I shall goe with you because yâ— Princesse her selfe in company of Lady Brionella shewed it me How am I beholding to her said Palmerin for this high fauour which els were my death if I had beene denyed Uppon this he called Ptolome to whom he imparted euery circumstaunce which Ptolome reputed for his great auaile thys offering the meane for him to visite Brionella and therfore they concluded to goe togeather the night â—nsuing to the place appointed for this louing encounter The howre of rest beeing come and euery one in theyr Chambers as best beséemed Palmeâ—in Ptolome and the Dwarffe remayned
And though I vanquish one Knight it shall not be lawfull for me to rest a minute space but presentlie take him in hande that shall followe and bee it my fortune to bâ—â—oyled by him he shall kéepe the fielde in manner as you my Lord deuised And to the ende all may be the better executed pleaseth you yâ— in such places where your intelligencâ—rs shall come my enterprise may likewise bee declared in respect I hope to behaue my selfe so well as my Ladie will make speciall account of me The Lady for whoÌ„ the Duke of Sauoye thus attempted was Daughter to the King and Sister to Lewes named Lucemania whom he loued intirelie and aboue all thinges desired in marriage which to compasse and to honour his Ladie he thus offered the Combat against all Knights These Princes intending to goe thorow with their intent concluded betwéene them that the Duke of Sauoye shoulde breake it to the King to gaine his good-will whereuppon the Duke departing towards the Quéenes Chamber to finde the King espyed him aâ— very good leysure walking in his Garden to whome hee went in all haste and on his knee thus began So please it your highnes to graunt me oneâ—boone I shall be bounde to continue the â—oue I haue borne your Maiestie which is to prolong my life in your seruice as the most forwarde Knight in your royall Court The King who had long time fauoured the Duke 〈◊〉 him by the hande thus aunswered Demaâ—nde my good Cozin what you please and it shall bée graunted Then the Duke deliberatelie discoursed what the Prince Lewes and he had intended for the loue of theyr Ladies wherwith the King scant content and mâ—ruailing at this hastie enterprise said Why Cozin do you imagine your selues able to maintaine so hard a taske in resâ—â—â—ance of so manie hardie Knights wherewith the worlde is now plentifullie stored Beléeue me in maine Countries are Ladies of greater beautie I doubt then is at this 〈◊〉 in our Realme of Fraunce I promise you I hardly like what my Sonne and you attempt but seeing my worde is paste you shall not nowe be hindered doo â—herefore what your thinke expedient with this consideration alwaies that the ending of matters is greater then the beginning The Duke humbly thanking the King aunswered Wee doubt not my Lorde but by the hope of God and fauour of our Ladies to ende our affaires with fortunate successe but if nowe we should giue ouer and not goe forward with our promise we might woorthily be reprooued of shame cowardise the most villainous reproches that can be to any noble hart The King perceiuing the earnest affection of these two yong Princes and that to denie their request would be more hurtfull then to graunt commaunded him againe to procéede with their intent with such suretie against all strange Knights as what losse or victory happened to them they must be content with all that fell out The Duke not a little ioyfull kissing his highnes hande departed and immediatly acquainted Prince Lewes therewith but nowe the Queene vnderstanding her Sonnes enterprise sent for him and with sad countenance thus spake I would my Son that the intent of you and the Duke of Sauoye were eyther awhile deferred or vtterly forgotten because I greatlie doubt that the ende will bring a further consequence then you expect For thinke you that by all your forces and Chiualries the beauties of your Ladies shal be any iote increased no beléeue me but if they loue you as loyall Freendes ought to doo as greatlie wil they dislike your enterprise as feare the daunger whereinto you may fall a matter causing other desire then you thinke on more offensiue perhaps to them then anie honor you may winne can please them Lewes who by no meanes would be disswaded from his conceit aunswered Good Mother if for no other feare this matter shal not be reuoked in regard of the shame neuer dying dishonor I shall gaine thereby which makes mee desire a thousande deathes then not to bee so good as my worde therefore perswade your selfe good Mother that albeit her beautie for whom I enter the Combat cannot bee more perfect hereby in that it is without imperfection yet such is my resolution in a matter so certaine as her sweete lookes shall deliuer me strength enough to ende my taske without dreade of any inconuenience yâ— may happen The Duchesse enflamed with loue hearing these wordes on her behalfe must needes speake and thus began I knowe not my Lorde who is the Ladie you loue nor what are her vertues but heereof I can assure you that she is highlie beholding to you and except great reason to the contrarie ought to loue you considering what perill you thruste your selfe into for her beautie Madame quoth the Prince the trauaile I shall take and the bad fortunes may befall mee are little of no account in respect of her gracious deserts therefore for her honour I will beare my inwarde paines with secrete content and attempt these outwarde actions with the greatest courage I can possible desiring no other recompence then her fauourable conceit whereof once assured nothing can seeme difficult to me no were it to dye in her diuine seruice And as he would haue continued longer the King not yet thorowlie content with his promise past to the Duke of Sauoye entered the Chamber by whose countenaunce Lewes wel knewe he was mal content wyth him wherefore falling on his knée hee saide My Lorde no one is ignoraunt how all my welfare and reputation consisteth onelie in your Maiestie as a Prince and Father the most vertuous that I know which great good in some part to recompence I haue enterprised a matter vnwoorthie of dislike so please your highnes of your accustomed bountie to excuse accept it in good part in respect that such as are borne to the highest places of dignitie ought to bee more prompt and readie to all magnanimious actions then theyr inferiors chéefelie in prowesse chiualry and deedes of estimation What brought such renowne to Horatius Mutius Scaeuola Marcus Curtius Manlius Torquatus and a number more of Romaine Knights if not the couragious folowing of occasions offered What made for euer immortall the fame of Marius the Romaine Cittizen Hanniball the Carthaginian and Agesilaâ—â— the Greeke if not the vndaunted valour of their minds deliuered in their déedes of kinglie consequence Assuredly I beleeue that their Fathers Uncles and auncient progenitours neuer made them noble or ought renowmed what then onely vertue the very formatrix of all nobilitie For this cause my good Lorde and Father hauing now oportunitie as my Cozin yâ— Duke of Sauoye hath informed you may it please your grace to permit my endeuours with fauour to the ende I may deliuer perfect testimonie that I no whit degenerate froÌ„ your heroycall and kingly vertues The King somewhat moderating his former opinion answered Trust me Sonne full well you know howe to disguise and couer your follye
were in yâ— same predicament for he knowing her to be of the noble and auncient ligne beside sole heyre to the house of Saxon might count himselfe highly honored with such a Wife and therefore the like coniunction was made betwéene them so that nowe these Knights and Ladies were espoused before God there wanted nothing but the ceremonie of yâ— Church to confirme it But nowe comes Vrbanillo and hee breakes of this pleasure because yâ— time was so farre spent as they must néeds depart which with much a doo they did leauing their Ladies examining theyr content the Princesse soone after thus conferring with Brionella Alas faire Fréende it is doubtfull what danger maie arise because you haue contracted your selfe to Ptolome without the Emperors consent howe will you answer when you are charged with the fault Brionella who now feared nothing but the preuenting of her loue aunswered In sooth Madame you speake with great reason you nowe giue counsell when the déede is doone and cannot bee reuoked till it be dispatched woulde you haue all the good fortune your selfe and suffer your Freende to enioy no part with you trust mee that is vnconscionable dealing for he that made you to loue framed me of the selfe same mettall But I sée you make the occasion to me to learne howe to aunswere your owne déede let vs referre all to him Madame that appointed your choise by destinie and mine by mine owne lyking Manie other pleasaunt spéeches passed betwéene them and diuers times their Knights came to visite them till Fortune who will neuer suffer thinges long in one estate sent an occasion to hinder this delight of theyr loue for there was a Messenger come to the Courte from the King of Norvvay Nephew to the Emperour who beeing admitted audience thus deliuered his message Woorthie Lord the King of Norvvay my Maister requires your assistaunce in his great distresse against the King of England who with a mightie and puissaunt Armie is entered his dominions where he hath made great wast slaughter of his people in diuers skirmishes and conflicts passed betweene them so that he neuer had likeâ—néede as at this instant Trust me quoth the Emperour I will assiste him with right good will and his mis-fortune dooth not a little gréeue me but I will take order for it immediatlie and my power shall be with him so soone as possiblie maie be with which aunswere the Messenger departed Nowe as concerning the cause of these warres betwéene the Kings of Norway and England it was procured by displeasure of succor that the King of Norway gaue to the King of Scots his Brother who helde warre with England about the taking of certaine Shippes the Emperour likewise his heauie enemie and for that cause he promised helpe so soone to yâ— King his Nephew Which when Trineus vnderstoode that his Father declared himselfe displeased with the Father of his beloued Agriola whose loue no occasion coulde alter hee was greatlie discontented yet dissembling his conceit determined rather to aide the King of Englande then his Cozin and therefore intreated Palmerin to accompanie him to his Chamber where hee woulde acquaint him with some part of the sorrow he conceiued by the succour his Father would sende to the King of Norvvay against her Father whose Seruant he had vowed himselfe and therfore quoth he let me desire you to conceale a request I shall make to you You knowe my Lorde said Palmerin that I will no lesse obey you then the Emperour your Father commaund therefore what you please and be it in my power it shal be executed So it is quoth Trineus that I woulde haue you not accompanie the power my Father sendes by Sea but doo so much for me that you Ptolome my selfe vnknown to anie may assist the King of England in his warres by which meanes I doubt not to compasse the thing I most of all desire And this I dare tell you that my life is only dedicated to her seruice and so well doo I hope to imploye my paines that she shall haue cause to loue me and regard the paine I suffer for her sake and but I gaine the fortune to to purchase my loue right soone suddaine shall you heare of my death You that haue felt the like torments can censure of mine which I dare not impart to the Emperor my Father because of the hatred hee beares the King of England aduise mee therefore good Fréende what I shall doo These spéeches were nothing pleasing to Palmerin seeing he must nowe againe depart from his Ladie but because he earnestly affected Trineus and knew how wel he might helpe him in his loue answered Assure your selfe my Lord that I will labour dissigentlie for your good and shall assist you to my vttermost in that you beare such loue to yâ— Princesse And I am of the opinion that hauing receiued the order of knighthood which the Emperour your Father wyll not denie it woulde auaile you much to tell your Father howâ— you desire vnknowne to aide the King of Norway For my part if he demaunde my aduise I will like it so well as because the Annie cannot bee readie so soone your honor Ptolome and my selfe will ryde before towards the King and so may we accomplish what you so earnestlie desire This counsell pleased so well Trineus as he intended on the morrow to request his order of the Emperor as also how gladlie he wold assist yâ— King of Norway and howe necessary it was for him to goe before the Armie as Palmerin and he had deuised togeather CHAP. XLIIII Howe Triâ—eus was knighted and what happened to him afterward ON the morrow this yong Prince seeing that to accomplishe his intent it was ecessarie hee shoulde be knighted he gaue attendaâ—ce to finde the Emperour at leysure when he might sollicite his highnesse with his sute and vnderstanding that hee was walking in his Gallerie hee went to him and on his knée thus began Dreade Lâ—rd and Father so pleased your Maiâ—stie it is nowe time I shoulde receiue my order of Khighthoode and more necessâ—â—y now then at any of her time in respecte of my earnest desire to aide the King of Norway my Gozin in his warres The Emperour meruailing whence this humour shoulde procéede answered Why Trineus doo you thinke your selfe able to take so waightie a charge in handâ— truely such honor is soone receiued but to maintaine it as it ought to be and preuent the dangers incident therto is more hard then you weene and maketh proofe of the most couragious 〈◊〉 in that neither paine â—eare or danger must hinder what a matter of so great consequence dooth command And perswade your selfe that such as councelled you thereto knowe â—â—aut theÌ„selues their duetie in those affayres wherefore for a 〈◊〉 haue patience and referre it 〈…〉 abilitieâ— for I wil send good store of other Knights in this expedition who shall well excuse you to yâ— King my Nephew 〈◊〉 not contented with this
former promise not to râ—ueale the least matter that may be hurtfull to them Neuerthelesse in regard of the reuerent good will they beare you and that I would not haue you offended with such an abiect creature as I am I would gladly tell you some thing to your content so you will promise me on your princely worde that what I reueale shall neuer be disouered by you Perswade thy selfe thereof sayd the Princesse and looke what thou sayst by my honor shall neuer turne to thy after harme Then know fayre Madame quoth he that the gréene knight is of the most noble and illustrious house in Europe louing a Ladie as his proper life for whom he hath left his Countrey parents friends to come and do her seruice The blacke knight as I haue alreadie tolde you is my maister and further then this I may not tell you What am I the nearer my desire quoth shée by this aunswere eyther thou shouldest haue sayde nothing or else thorowly satisfyed mâ—e for now I can not bée quieted till thou tell me what Ladie it is that the gréene Knight loues so déerely let mée not make so many intreaties for I promise to thée againe by the faith of a Princesse that neuer shall any creature know it by my meanes You vrge me so farre quoth the Dwarffe and haue made mee such great promises as I am constrayned beyond yâ— charge giuen by my maister to acquaint you with the trueth in respect the fault wil be greater in you to make refusal then in yéelding Resolue your selfe therefore good Madame that the braue gréene Knight so rich in Armes but more in minde is the Prince Trineus Sonne to the Emperour of Allemaigne so passionate in loue and so depriued of liberty by deuout seruice to your excellent bountie as against both duetie and nature he hath deceiued his Father feigning to come ayde his Kinsman the King of Norway where contrariwise he hath shewed himselfe his mortall enemie And to no other ende hath he thus offended both Father and Cozin then to make known his long labourous desires to make you Lady and Mistresse of him and his and such is his fearâ— to be refused as he endures more torments then the martired bodye of poore Prometheus Bee not then the cause swéete Ladie that a Prince so famous and a Knight so gentle shall buy his great good seruice to your Father and CouÌ„trey yea the most loyal loue he beares to you with vntimelie vnfortunate and cruell death Thinke with your selfe is it not the highest among all honours to be Wife to such a Lord and Empresse in time of renowned Allemaigne Is it not perpetuall report to be Lady and commaundresse of the principall parte of Europe Let not him beare record that a bodie so adorned and countenaunce so milde and gracious can entertaine tirannie or crueltie yea Madam such crueltie as if you receiue him not into your fauourable conceit you shall procure the death of the truest Knight in loue that euer liued The blacke knight is the renowned Palmerin d'Oliua the wonder of the world for â—alour conquering in Fraunce the Duke of Sauoy in maintenaunce of his Ladies beautie fayre without compare conforming his Shéelde and Armour equall to his mourning thoughts for his absence from her that tryumphes in his loue The third knight so adorned with white Roses is called Ptolome loued by a Ladie well woorthy of him It now remaineth fayre Princesse that you make the Prince Trineus equall with them in felicitie for you haue the mayden heade of his loue which with honor you may entertaine into your chastâ— thoughtes Thus haue I acquainted you with such a secrete as no creature but your selfe could haue got of mée and the danger to fall into your misconceit hath made mée such a blab leauing all you haue heard to your gracious coÌ„struction Agriola méetelie farre enough in loue before but now vtterly denied of longer libertie hearing the wordes of Vrbanillo was surprised with such a strange alteration as a long time she was driuen to silence not able to vtter the secrete conceits of her minde yet al length to shadowe her suddaine change from the Dwarfe shée sayde Ah my Fréende thou acquaintest me with matter altogither incredible is it possible that Trineus Sonne to the Emperor of Allâ—â—â—aigne would venture into this Court considering the mortall enmitie betwéene our Fathers Trust mée my Fréende I cannot credit thée I renounce mine owne soule sâ—ide the Dwarfe if it be not as I haue told you then iudge Madame what acceptaunce shoulde be made of his seruice when loue to you excéedeth nature may it not bee termed loue surpassing all other eyther registred in antiquities or present memorie If it should be quoth she as then sayest it is beyonde my power to returne condigne recompence yet in respect of thy secrecie I dare assure thée mine owne opinion of him hath so ouer-maistered me as in honorable modestie he may commaund and I am not so well nurtured to disagrée But if eyther by my words thou hast gathered or by any chaunge of countenaunce perceiued the suddaine yéelding of a flexible nature interprete it in this good sort that Princes afflictions make each other melt as framed of one mettall which I charge thée conceale from him as thou regardest my word and his safetie Pardon mee Madame quoth the Dwarfe it standeth not with my allegeaunce to obey you héerein what a villaine might I bee accounted and vnworthy the name of a faithfull seruant if I shoulde â—ide these happy tydings from him to ease those torments that euerye houre threaten his death Yea Madame did my maister but thinke I would so abuse him well deserued I to be â—orne in péeces Well quoth she if thou findest time conuenient till him but no other I charge thée on thy life and withall certifie him that I woulde not for my Fathers Crowne he should be knowne Feare you not good Madame sayde the Dwarffe they are alreadie so well aduised as none but your selfe ran any way endaunger them It sufficeth that the Prince vnderstande your pleasure which I will impart to him when the King is returned so kissing her hande hée departed leauing her so highly contented in assurance of the loyall loue of Trineus as she neuer determined any other Husbande yet woulde shée not disclose her minde no not to Eufemia her secret companion thinking herselfe too much bewrayed because the Dwarffe knewe it Soone after the Quéene sent for her to walke in the coole shadowe of the Trées where not long they stayed before the King returned who reported what pastime they had all that morning The Knightes hauing saluted the Quéene and her Ladies Trineus saluting the Princesse Agriola was so transported as hée scant knewe where he was The Princesse likewise fixed with a stedfast eye on him as wounded both him and her selfe togither her complexion so aptly deciphering her sickenesse as the Prince perceyuing it sayd to
ignorant of the Ladyes passions deliuered Ptolomes letter to chéere her but wheÌ„ the Princesse saw Vrbanillo comming with the teares in her eyes she ranne apace to méete him and casting her armes about his neck embraced him verie often saying Tell me Vrbanillo tell mee how fares my brother thy Maister Palmerin Madame quoth the Dwarfe so well as your owne heart can wish and will ere long be héere with you Then deliuered he yâ— letter froÌ„ Trineus which certified her of his short returne that hee would bring with him yâ— thing she most estéemed But the wag knowing she expected other matters and that her brothers medicine was not sufficient for her cure he gaue her his masters letter when she hastily breaking open yâ— seale found the ring which her loyal friend had sent her and after she had welcomd it with many deuout kisses she put it on hir finger with these words I charge thée kéepe this token safely in witnesse of the knights gentlenesse that sent it whome my heart hath made speciall choyse of aboue all other Then reading the letter and discréeâ—ly considering not without great eâ—fuse of teares the swéet words humble supplications entire excuses extreame passions that her friend continually suffered for her loue deliuering many bitter sighs she said Ah my true and loyall friend I beléeue wel and take in good part your cause of absence béeing assured that if possibly you could returne sooner nothing should stay you from the place where yâ— only remedie of your dolorous gréefes abideth But séeing for my loue you may not forsake my brother I pray you for your continuall safetie and spéedie conduction to your longing desires that mine eies ouerwatched with tedious expectation my hart néere tired with bootlesse wishings may by your presence be thorowly coÌ„forted Afterward Vrbanillo bréefely reported to her the noble actions of his Lord and maister the loue of Ttineus to the Princesse Agriola discribing her beautie and rare perfections whereupon Polinarda thus answered Beléeue mee Vrbaniâ—lo if the Princesse be so faire as thou saist she is her great vertues and firme loyaltie likewise comparable enuie false report shal not impeach her to be reckoned among the most happie Ladies of the world and her desires wil be as honorably effected as with vertuous thoughts she first began them The like I doubt not will happen to thy maister for fortune hath euermore so specially fauored him as now it were against reason shée should alter her countenance So departed the Dwarfe from the Princesse returning to the Emperor who by no meanes could get any other tidings of his son then what you haue heard which made him doubt the dwarfe iuggled with him The next day the Emperour sent his chéefest Lords and Barons to conduct the French ambassadors to the court which was sumptuously hanged with Tapistrie especially the great hall which was adorned with costly cloth of gold and rich purple as it had béene the Pallace of Salomon The Ambassadours entertained with maruailous royaltie hauing deliuered the summe of their embassage the Emperour answered that hée would conferre thereon with his councel in me any while they might returne to their lodgings After they were departed the hall the Emperour demanded of the princes electours and the rest of his nobilitie if these marriages of his sonne and daughter with the heire and princesse of Fraunce might not be granted as well for the vtilitie and honor of the Empire as for the generall benefit of Christendome commanding them to speake their iudgements without feare The Lords altogether answered that the mâ—tion was so good the aliance so honorable as it was no way to be misliked I will then quoth he talke with the empresse that she may vnderstand hir daughters opinion then my lords of France shal be answered So leauing them hee went to the Empresse chamber to whom he reported his agréement with his councel which pleased her likewise maruailous wel but when shâ— had a little considered on the matter she answered that but little could be said before Trineus returned home againe You reason well quoth the Emperour but in meane time I pray you â—ouÌ„d your daughters iudgement yâ— we may returne our brother of Fraunce some certain answer Which she promised to do so departing froÌ„ her lord she went to her daughters chaÌ„ber where hauing coÌ„manded her ladies aside she thus began Faire daughter it is the emperors pleasure and mine that you marrie with the eldest sonne and heire of Fraunce and your brother Trineus with his sister for hee is one of the most renowned kings in Europe his son recounted among the best knights of the world for which good fortune you may thanke the heauens that so great a prince offers his Sonne to be your husband Aduise your selfe of your answer for by your opinion must the ambassadors be dispatched hence who came to the court for nothing else but to conclude these honorable marriages Polinarda hearing yâ— words of her mother was surprized with such sodain heauines as she could not tel what to answer but fearing the Empresse should perceiue that her loue was already determined with sad countenance thus replied Madame you know what promise I made my brother the day when he departed from the Court in the presenâ—â— of you and all the nobility that I would not marry before his returne and me thinks I were greatly to be blamed and well worthy gréeuous reprehension if I shoulde so falsifie my word which I cannot do without impeach of myne honor And héerein shall I follow the laudable bertue of the Emperor my father who euermore estéemed his promise aboue al earthly possessions Beside I can assure you that my brother wil neuer marry with the princesse Lucemania for he loues one many degrées beyond her and may I speake it without offence one of the most beautifull Ladyes that euer nature framed Thus Madame my Father and you haue excuses sufficient auayleable wherewith to aunswere the king of France It may be quoth the empresse that your brother loues els where but I can tell ye that neyther hée nor you shall do any thing contrary to the Emperors commandement Polinarda séeing her mother persist in her opinyon bit in her sorrowes with many secret sighs yet knew she so wel how to dissemble her passions as the Empresse could not discerne her priuat meaning So returned she to the Emperor aduertising him of hir daughters answere wherat he was so offended as in great anger hee came himselfe to his Daughter saying Why howe now Daughter are you so bolde to disobey my commandemeÌ„t or dare you repugne against my wil al is to no end that you haue babled with your mother for will ye or no it shall bée as I haue appoynted I knowe right well dread Lord and father quoth she that I ought no way to deny your pleasure but rather wil I die a thousand deaths then consent
to match with the Sonne of Fraunce considering what promise I haue made my brother and if I should so farre dishonour my selfe as not to regarde what I haue promised I were not worthy hereafter to be called your daughter Thus stoode she resolute in her answere and therewith shedde such aboundance of teares as the Emperour was constrayned to tell the Ambassadours that the marriages could not be concluded till the returne of Trineus notwithstanding he granted all the articles of their embassage The princesse qualliâ—â—ing her gréefe as well as shee could sent for the Dwarfe and taking him by the hand sayde Alas my freend I am now in yâ— greatest perplexity in the world neuerthelesse one thing comforts me that thou be holdest the true loue and loyaltie I beare thy maister which neuer shal be broken what euer become of me And would to God he were now heere then would I speake it openly without feare of any that I am â—is and he myne Madame quoth the Dwarfe if you continue faithfull to my maister perswade your selfe of his assurance for he building on your constancie takes such continual pleasure in remembring you that it is the onely meane that preserues his life and you may be bâ—lde to credit me that if your brothers loue did not with-hold him he would haue bin here long ere this but he wil come soone inough I hope to end this doubt As for me I am of the opinion that heauen wil not suffer so good a knight to die but first wil permit him to sée his mistris Die quoth the princesse sooner let all the knights in the world ende theyr dayes and the eldest Sonne of Francâ— likewise though hée loue mée so déerely so might I be rid of these importunate Ambassadours The Emperour séeing hée could get no other answer of his daughter concluded with the French ambassadors that so soone as his son was returned he should be aduertized and so for that time they might depart but the empresse and he first bestowed on them many rich presents and so in short time they arriued againe in Fraunce where great ioye was made in hope of these marriages albeit they little thought the Prince Trineus would tarrie so long Aboue all other the French prince was most ioyfull hearing the Countie of Armignac report the wonderfull beauty of Polinarda but â—he good Lady was of another mind for she had rather bâ— take her self to a Cloister then to breake her faith to Palmerin whom shée loued so constantly Thus leaue we her conferring with Vrbanillo returning to Palmerin and the Prince Trineus Chap. LXIIII. ¶ How Palmerin beeing thus on the Sea caused Trineus there to marrie the Princesse Agriola THis noble company being thus on the Sea hauing winde at will sayled with such expedition as in fourâ— dayes they had gotten farre enough from England and the prince séeing Agriola very pensiue and sad comforting her with many swéete kisses and taking her by the hande thus spake O soueraigne Creatour how shal I render sufficient thanks and praise to thée in graunting me the onely thing I desired Aâ— swéete madame and my onely mistresse Agriola howâ— much is your seruant indebâ—ed to you hath any knight more cause to honour extol his lady then I Beléeue me fayre Princesse such are the rare effects of your gracious nature and I so ioyfull of my happie fortune as neither friend or father shall fetch you againe from mée Iâ— my life might endure the length of tenne menâ— and euery day I shuld accomplish wonders in your seruice yet could I not remunerate the least part of your Princely deserts But if your loue be such to me as I am right wel assured â—t is let me intreat you forbeare this heauines and banish from your thoughts your melancholy humours for seeing you so sad pensiue I suffer a torment worser then death it selfe Fâ—r lâ—t me perceiue how little soeuer it be yâ— my presence may be to your lyking our present enterprise somwhat more pleasing I fly to the heauens with conceit of happines and value my fortune aboue the reach of humane capacity In stéede of teares let vs vse quaint tearmes and for these dumps pleasant imaginations perswade your selfe Madam you are now in his custody that honours you for your vertues reuerenceth you for your diuine perfections extols you for incomparable merits and liues for you with his very vttermost endeuors Thinke not though you haue left your parents the fault is not pardonable for the new alyance wherein you haue combyned your self shal one day glad you with such speciall content that what you do imagine nowe a dangerous offence will bee reputed on act of prouidâ—nt and princely discretion Then shall you finde true what Palmerin hath spoken and his promises of preferment and imperial dignity shall be both rightly sufficiently perfoâ—rmed Let these perswasions if not my intreatyes excell these passions and procure better comfort Madam quoth Palmerin though you haue left your country consider the occasion yâ— loue of a mighty prince and the heauenly appoyntment that your noble vertues should be coupled together hath brought you from England to sit on the imperyal seate in Allemaigne How carefull we haue béene of your honor your selfe can witnes no motion béeing offered to preiudice your lyking That you are contracted before the only immortall witnes you wil not deny therfore to preuent all ensuing dangers the actual ceremony shal be héere celebrated and the royaltie thereof solemnized when we come into Allemaigne So if Himen claimes his due you may graunt it without reproch and Iuno will as well smile at her sacred offering here as if it were in bower or hall The credite of Princes are charie and angry parentâ—â— may hinder what heauen dooth further but the déede doon it cannot be recalled nor can you be diuorced but onelye by death and pittie were it loue so well begun but shouldâ— continue therefore so please you let it bée perfourmed The Princes both agreed they were there maried requiting theyr chast loue with a simpathie of vertuous desires but this time of delight and pleasure hadde small continuaunce for Fortune enemie to prosperitie accompanied with her eldest sonne Mischaunce conuerted their ioyes into sorrowe teares and paynes vnspeakeable as you shall reade héereafter These Louers thus ryding merilye on the streame suddenlye the Sea began to swell the winde chaunged roughly the Skyes were troubled and such a daungerous tempest beate vppon theyr Ship as the Pilot Maister and Mariners knewe not what to say and fiue dayes togither they were in this perplexitie sometime forwarde then againâ— backward that no hope of life was expected but euerye onâ— prepared themselues for death the implacable messenger of God for they could discerne no other remedie Agriola not accustomed to these daungers was meruailously discomforted but Trineus perswaded her with many examples in that such stratagems were vsuall on the Sea albeit shâ—â— to ende the feare
thy beautie of such value that the Knight to whome my Father and I haue doone so great honours would leaue vs and depart with thée trust meâ— thou art farre from thine account for if thou vauntest to doo him such honor in thy Fathers Courte as his nobilitie deserueth it consisteth in my power to exalt him more in one howre then thou canst doo in a thousand yéeres mightest thou liue so long I did neuer thinke that such audacious and incontinent tempting a man could any way enter thy heart but if such bee thy disposition thou oughtest rather to abide in thy Fathers Courte where thou maist haue leysure to followe thy base affection with some of the 〈◊〉 or youthes attending on thy Father then to offer the 〈◊〉 héere in my Chamber Hence hence foorth of my presence for I will not kéepe company with such an intemperate Woman What regard hadst thou of thy great linage or the place from whence thou art discended Yea what comfort will it be to me when I shall heare that a Ladie issued of the blood royall should bée more shamelesse and impudent then a 〈◊〉 a villaine or an high way begger Many other such like hard spéeches vsed Alchidiana all which gréeued her not so much as to 〈…〉 of him whom she reputed as passionate for her loue as shée was for his These high words of the Princesse caused the Ladies attending on Ardemia to enter the Chamber which maâ—e her then breake off because she woulde not haue euerie one knowe the matter and they séeing their Mistresse so sad and discomforted brought her to her owne Chamber where on her bedde shee sorrowed so impatiently as each one 〈◊〉 she would 〈◊〉 her selfe and faine shée woulde but that their presence hindered her therefore shee deferred it till better opportunitie And because shee had spent the most part of her yonger yéeres in reading the workes of 〈◊〉 as wel Greekes as Arabians she remembred the mouâ—nfull Tragedie of Biblis which caused her to frame a Dittie that shée had translated from the Greeke 〈◊〉 of Sapho into her vulgar spéech and turning towardes her Ladies and Gentlewomen she began in this maner The lamentable Dittie of Ardemia dying for loue MVsenot fayre virgins at Ardemia Although her end be hard and dolorous For death is pleasant as mine elders say To any Ladie sometime amorous For as the Swan in cold Meander glide By mournfull notes foretelles her speedy death So my complaint doth bid me to prouide For sweetest loue makes hast to stop my breath The ill that endlesse and vncessantly Torments my heart is fayre and choysest beautie And this vnhappie awkwarde desteny Falles to my lot through spotlesse loyaltie For fond conceit that ouer-rulde my wit More wretched then fayre Biblis maketh me And he I loue more stony hard is knit Then Caunus who could ken no courtesie Yet Bibliâ— oftentimes could ease her heart By sweete deuising with her louely freend But he I honor recks not of my smart Nor will vouchsafe one gracious looke to lend And as her sorrowes cheefely did arise Because the secrets of her loue were knowne So I reueald each one will me despise VVhich death can stint ere it too farre be blowne Vnhappie wretch that could not this foresee And be more chary of so choyse a thing But all too late I wish the remedie Therefore my folly doth due guerdon bring if loue that is esteemde a power diuine Vnto his Seruaunts giue so sharpereward VVhat merit may vile hatred then resigne Vnto his vassayles that his Lawes regard Oft haue I heard mine auncient elders say That such as loue not are vnwoorthie life Yet doth my loue imagine my decay And throwes my hope into whole worlds of strife And yet the paynes I wish for my mischaunce May not be valued with my present woe For to compare them is meere dalliaunce And neither sence or reason should â— shoâ—e Life is to me lothsome and burdenous All pleasure seemes to mee tormenting hell Ah poore refused and abused thus Must thou needes die for louing all too well O sacred Venus patrâ—nesse of loue In this distresse wilt thou not pittie me And thy fayre Sonne that thus his shaft did proue VVill he forsake me in this ieopardie If you forsake me in this iust request And will not fauour what you did procure Giue leaue to him that bringeth all to rest And he will ease the torments I endure You fatall Sisters that haue spunne my thred And now thinke good it should be cut in twaine Fulfill the taske as you are destenied And let my heart abide no longer paine Come sweetest death expected too too long Ende all the euils vnhappie loue begun If thou delay I challenge thee of wrong Hast then good death that loue and life were done Her complaints thus finished shée commaunded her Ladies to depart the Chamber and being alone by her selfe shee againe began to consider the rigorous refusall of Palmerin the conceit whereof gréeued her so extreamely as also the reproachfull wordes of her Cozin that making a conscience of her sorrowes and raging with extreamitie of this despight brake the vaines of her heart in sunder and the artiries of her bodie as the bloud issued foorth at many places aboundantly and therewithall in short time she was strangled The nxet morning her chéefest Lady that attended on her and loued her excéedingly came to the bedde side to sée how shée fared but finding her dead and so 〈◊〉 with her owne bloud gaue such a loude shrieke as Alchidiana and her Dâ—moselles affrighted at the noyse ranne in all haste to the Chamber The Princesse knowing the cause of this mischaunce was maruellous sorrowfull assuring her selfe that the wordes shée spake in her anger occasioned this bloudie 〈◊〉 And the â—umor of this mishop was so soone spread through the Palace as all the Ladies Damoselles Knightes Squires and other câ—me to beholde the harde fortune of Ardemia What lamentation was made on all sides is not to be expressed especially the Ladies attendant on Ardemia and her Brothâ—r Guâ—â—haran who brought her with him thither but her Gouernesse not able to endure the burthen of her heauinesse without feare of dread of any thus openly complained Ah swéete Princesse Aâ—demia the flowre of beautie howe deare hast thou bought this precious gift for I knowe assuredly that for this cause onely thy death happened vnhappie was the houre when thou didst leaue thy Fathers Court to accompanie the Princesse Alchidiana After her mones and the funerall pompe accomplished the Soldane erected for her a most beautifull Tâ—mbe with a sumptuous Coronet on the toppe thereof being vpheld by two inestimable Pillâ—rs of engrauen and guilded Alablaster the like whereof were neuer séene since the first King of Greece Yet was hée ignorant in the cause of her death and Palmerin not imagining whence this inconuenience did arise was so sorrowfull for the death of the Princesse as day and night hee mourned for her and
Palmerin was the better more richly prouided of all things necessarie for the field Olorico was the more glad of his companie so the day béeing spent and the Tents pitched in a goodly plaine Palmerin inuited the Prince of Arabia to suppe with him for the Souldane had appointed him such honourable prouision as better hée could not for his owne sonne The Tables withdrawne and spending the time a while at Chesse play they went to bed where Olorico not able to sléepe beganne in this manner to his friendly companion Most fortunate Palmerin howe much more could I wish to resemble you then the greatest King or Lorde in the world to be likewise beloued of her who in beautie good grace and swéete spéech hath not her like And because my good Friend and Brother I haue noted the speciaâ—â— loue of the Princesse Alchidiana towardes you let me intreate you to tell me who shée is you aboue all other loue and intend to make your espoused Wife vowing to you on the word of a Prince whosoeuer it bee to conceale it with secrecie and to disswade my selfe from my loue newly begunne for your sake albeit I died therefore For your noble minde and braue gentilitie hath gained such soueraigntie ouer me as all other pleasures whatsoeuer I despise onely to haue your companye and fauour Thus quallifying the passions which day and night doo secretly torment mée I will sette downe such order as my Father shall not néede to send his Ambassadours nor imploy any of my Fréendes to demaunde her for mee albeit for this onelye cause I left my Countrey in such sort as you haue seene Palmerin hearing the wordes of the yoong Prince and perceiuing him wounded with her loue whom he desired to be furthest from smyling said My Lorde Oloriâ—o I sweare to you by the honour of my Knighthoode I neuer thought of the loue which you demaunde nor haue I any desire to followe that humour But true it is that I would doo so much for her as a Knight may for his Ladie for so shée well deserues her fauour and gentle behauiour woorthye farre better abilitie wherefore my déere Fréende if you will beléeue me giue not ouer your intent but practise to gaine her to your Wife and I promise you that I will so mooue the matter to the Soldane and her as happilie maye effect the end of your desires Yet let me intreate you to continue so iust a Fréende to her as her high calling well deserueth otherwise I had rather die the death then once to speake a word on your behalfe These newes so cheered the Prince as embracing him manie times and returning him manifold thanks he said Assuredlie my noble Freend I am greatly beholding to my father who gaue me my present being but much more owe I to you because my estate had now ended but that your gracious spéeches called me againe to 〈◊〉 My second selfe hauing thus lost my libertie I despaire of attaining what you haue promised and endure a death more then mortall but that you breath hope of successe into me assuring mée of immediate felicitie and ioyfull dayes héereafter which no father but so good a fréende was able to doo After other such like spéeches the Prince slept but Palmerin touched in another sort was solliced with the remembraunce of his lost fréendes and perceiuing his companion slept soundlie he began thus to deliuer his sorrowes Ah vnfortunate and wretched Palmerin how can thy mind so long beare this yoke of seruitude onely standing in feare of death Hast thou so forgot those two perfect louers Trineus and Agriola with thy true fréend Ptolome not knowing whether they bee aliue or deade what wilt thou not searche for them The Emperour of Allemaigne hath not hée good cause to complaine of thée yea and to blame thée if his sonne be not returned Darest thou present thy selfe before him Ah touch of loyaltie faire Agriola how iustlye mayst thou call mée thine enemie inuenter and fiâ—st motion of thy misfortunes O wretched and miserable that I am for leauing thée so discourteouslye I well deserue a million of torments farre worse then those exercised by the cruell Dyonise on the Scicilians Nor coulde they be sufficient to expiate my hainous guilt in that forgetting thée fayre Princesse I liue in daylie delights among these Moores and Tartars But were I such as I ought to bee mindfull of a fault so foullie committed I shoulde not liue one houre in rest or quiet till I had found my déerest Fréendes againe Ah disloyall Traytour how canst thou thus waste thy time héere slothfullie knowing the great and continuall trauails thy Ladye and Mistresse endureth for thée But I vowe to God this warre finished I will not abide in the Soldanes Courte tenne dayes but intende to sette forwarde to sée the Iewell of of my welfare And were it not to my perpetuall discredit as also that I should be iudged a faynting coward I would begin my iourney presently Thus all the night continued Palmerin such like coâ—plaints considering his Fréendes misfortune and his owne with such déepe impressions as thence forward hee liued in meruailous melancholie and would not delight himselfe 〈◊〉 before hee was accustomed Chap. XVIII Of the Combat betweene Palmerin and two of Aâ—aranoes Brethren whom he valiantly ouercame and killed FOllowing the true discourse of our historie the King of Balisarca Lieuetenant generall of the whole Armie caused the next morning to bée proclaimed by souÌ„d of Trompet that euery man should attend on his Ensigne and not go robbing and forraging the Uillages on paine of death to be inflicted on the offender So marching on in good array in short time after they encamped themselues before a citie where the enemies kept themselues in garison and planting themselues there for their aduantage the next morning they determined to giue the assault All yâ— night they were ordering the maner of their batterie the Pyoners making Trenches and such defences as are requisit in warlike occasions Euery thing in due and perfect order at Sun rysing they beganne to assaile the Cittie rounde about following their intent with such courage and alacritie as with scaling Ladders and other Engines in lesse then two hâ—wres they gotte vpon the walles and in despight of their enemies entred the Cittie murdering and expulsing the Phrygians and sharing the spoyle among themselues All other Citties Townes and Uillages that were taken by the enemie within sixe dayes after were recouered they not daring to withstand the Soldans power Gramiell Amaranoes eldest Brother amazed héereat hauing vndertaken to reuenge his Brothers death with his men betooke himselfe to open Fielde determining to giue the Assirians battaile and that way to make triall of their fortune in which resolution they came within halfe a dayes iourney of theyr enemies The King of Balisarca aduertised héereof dislodged immediatlie taking aduauntage of a little Mountaine which was in the open sight of the enemie And Palmerin who
you faire sir to tell me howe the Quéene of Tharsus intreated you and what is your opinion of her In good faith Madam aunswered Palmerin shée is one of the most honest and vertuous Ladies that euer I came in companie withall and to whom I greatly desire to do any seruice You haue good reason quoth the Princesse in that she came so farre to sée you and discouer her loue which other coulde as well accomplish as good or rather in honor beyonde her if they might hope of anie ease in their passionate desires Palmerin feigning to vnderstand her meaning entred into other kinde of talke vntill supper time which finished each one returned to their Chamber when the Prince séeing himselfe alone with his Fréend thus sayd Ah my déere Fréende Palmeâ—in howe worthily may you be sayde to bee without coâ—pare in all perfections that a Knight ought to haue loue onely excepted yet héerein if I be not deceyued you doe for mée agaynst all reason for a thousand times are you more beloued then your selfe can loue anie Notwithstanding for this default if so it may bée named and for 〈◊〉 wordes this day vsed in my presence to Achidinia I remaine vowed to your seruice for in trueth you know not the good you did me supporting my imperfection of speech when I was before my Mistresse Yet know I not whence such imbecilitie should procéede if not by béeing rauished with regarde of her celestiall countenaunce my ouer laboured spiriâ—e forsooke me and béeing too much tormented in this languishing bodie abandoned all the partes sensatiue placing it selfe onely in mine eyes which neuer could imagine themselues satisfied contemplating beautie of so rare and especiall estimation And were it not that my hope onely consisteth in you comparing my small desert and the excellencie of my Ladie long ere this had my soule forsooke her infortunate habitation which so indiscreetlie fell into these oppressing passions And this I earnestly intreate you to let her vnderstand in that I feare least shée impute my happie alteration to want of wisedome and ciuilitie Trust me quoth Palmerin I promise you my vttermost abilitie and so much will I do as one Friend may for another to discharge my selfe of the promise which héeretofore I made you And let me intreate you on mine owne behalfe to remooue that opinion of speciall loue which you report the Princesse beares me béeing not such as you doe imagine for noble Prince and my deare Fréende you néede not despayre of the benefit whereof I haue so solemnely assured you After many other speeches they slept till the next morning when clothing themselues in their richest garments they went and gaue the good morrow to the Soldane who verie honourablie thanked them and Palmerin espying conuenient occasion thus began My Lord you haue sufficient experience that by the bountie and great fauour of the Gods you haue obteyned victory against your enemies to the no little content of your Subiects all which béeing so happily finished base were the thought to feare the perfection of higher enterprises Therefore my Lord I thinke it expedient so it may stand with your good liking considering your prouision for the sea is in such readinesse your people likewise acquainted with your intent before we meddle with the Brethren of Amarano came daily in troupes to offer their seruice that now you send your Armie to Constantinople for your answere once heard right soone will we embarke our selues and set forward on our voyage For the rest I pray you deliuer these prisoners to be vsed as your slaues but as for the Princes I thinke hauing séene the fortune of theyr Brethren and their owne badde successe in Armes that they will serue you with continuall loyaltie My Sonne quoth the Soldane let all bée doone as you haue appointed for such is my confidence in you that your intent cannot but sort to good ende wherefore my Gallies and al things readie furnished depart when you please hauing first sent your Souldiers abroad The Prince Olorico beeing present offered againe to go in this voyage with like number of men as he brought against the Brethren of Amarano for which the Soldane greatly thanked him promising him such satisfaction at his returne as should agrée with his owne content Alchidiana taking in ill part the words of Palmerin on the Prince Oloricos behalfe sent for him to come speake with her which hée did and finding her very sad and melancholy hée demaunded if any one had doone her displeasure and what the cause might bee of her pensiuenesse Ah my déere friend quoth shée how can I but be agréeued séeing no one Lady in the world hath so many contrarie fortunes as my selfe Alas my heart hath chosen you for my onely Lords and Friend thinking to finde place woorthy my conceite and that your loue would answere me with the like but in ought I can perceiue I am too much beguiled for you either as ingratefull or carelesse vse affecting spéeches to me importing no other ende but that in leauing you I should take the Prince Olorico for my Husband Do you imagine me so mutable and inconstant that I will or can loue anie other but you or that my affection intirely setled so high can brooke such a downefall as to like the man so much inferiour to mée And which most of all offendeth me not contented to mocke me in disdaining my knowne loue so discourteously would perswade me to choose another Let all our Gods be iudge if I haue not iust cause to complaine of you albeit I haue greater cause to hate and despise my owne selfe for in that I haue more then deserued your loue yet as too much vnwise I cannot consider that in the heart of an ingratefull person loue hath no place of certaine abyding But seeing our gods haue in such sort subiected mee as against my will I am constrained to loue mine enemie in vaine were it for me to resist against them that they beholding the vnspotted loue of the one may in the ende punish the ingratitude of the other Thâ—s thinking to continue longer spéech so many violent sighs intercepted her as she was not able to proffer one word more whereby Palmerin enforced thus answered I beséech you Madame crosse me not with these néedelesse words for although the Prince is so worthie to be loued as any man that euer I saw yet were I very much vnprouided of witte and a méere stranger of good consideration if I would refuse that speciall felicitie then which I can desire no greater I knowe swéete Lady that you loue mee intirely perswade your selfe then that my loyaltie is no lesse nor can death make mee gainesay the promises I haue made you and were it not to the great disaduantage of mine honour to leaue the honourable warre your Father hath intended which might procure each one to misconceiue of mee assure your selfe that I would forsake dignities Armes and all to do you the seruice you
offended yée By our Gods if I knew him presently shoulde he die the death The Princesse trembling with feare séeing Hippolyta was not present spake thus in English What will my Lorde and Husband Trineus say if hee be in this companie séeing I haue so dissloyally forsaken him and thus though God knowes perforce in stéed of him haue taken the enemie to him and our faith Yet one comfort haue I that this Infidell hath not carnally knowne me for which perfection I thanke the heauenly maiestie At these spéeches Palmerin was so glad as the feare of death could not withholde him but in the same language he thus answered Feare not good Madame Trineus is not in our companie but so please you to say I am your Brother you may happily saue my life and practise your deliuerance The Turke misdoubting by Palmerins perswading that hée had caused this sodaine alteration imagining him to be her husband of whom he had heard her talke so often in a great rage said Knight how durst thou presume my Ladies presence knowing the sight of thée would any way displease her By the Prophet Mahomet thou shalt immediately die that all such audacious villaines may take an example by thée Agriola knowing the Turks censures were very peremptorie and commonly no sooner saide then excuted embracing him thus replied Ah my Lorde do not the thing in haste for which afterwarde you will be sorrie for I assure you on my honor the Knight that spake to mée is my Brother and hath left his Countrey onely to finde me and him I do loue so effectually as if you put him to death impossible is it for me to liue afterward When the Turke heard her speake with such affection qualifying his anger saide I promise ye Madame for your sake hée shall haue no harme but bee entertained with loue and honour conditionally that you forgette this melancholy and hencefoorth shewe your selfe more pleasant for in séeing you sad I am more gréeued then if I had lost the moitie of dominions In sooth my Lorde answered Agriola now shall I be merrie séeing you intende to loue my Brother for greater good cannot happen to me then this gentle entertainment and hencefoorth shall I tread vnder foote the sad remembraunce of my Countrey and Parents hauing him with me by whom I hope to gaine my greatest comfort So the Turke arising from his Chayre caused Palmerin and Laurana to accompanie Agriola and the other fiue Knights hauing kissed his hande hee went to his Chamber commaunding Olimaell for his greater honor to vsher Agrola who as she went thus spake Beléeue me Admirall if I was offended when thou broughtest me prisoners hither thou hast now made mée sufficient amendes in that by thée I enioy my Brother whom I was out of all hope to sée againe Alas Madame quoth he little did I thinke him to be such a one for had I his vsage should haue béene much better which fault I hope heereafter to recompence I commend him to thy countesie sayde Agriola let him and his friendes haue all things they want according as my Lorde hath appointed So taking her leaue of them she entred her chamber where she and Hyppolita conferred with Laurana of all her fortunes passed and the aduentures of her Brother Nowe was Palmerin and his companions by the Turks commaundement lodged néere the Pallace and to each of them he sent a goodly Horse with costly furniture thinking by these meanes to conquere Agriola and purchase that of her which he long had desired and talking with Palmerin sayde Right well may you be Brother to my Lady Agriola in that your beautie and complexion deliuers great likelihood séeing then our Gods haue permitted that for her comfort you shoulde be brought hither perswade her I pray yée that she be no longer repugnant to my will for could I haue a Child by her I would thinke my selfe the happiest Lord on the earth Beside I would haue you forsake the follie of your Christianotie and yéelâ— your selfe to our Law which is much better then yours and you shall sée how our Gods will fauour you likewise what great good you shall receiue therby My Lord quoth Palmerin I will labour with my Sister so much as lies in me to doâ— as for your Law as yet I am vnacquainted therwith but when I shall find it to be such as you assure mee easily may I bee drawen thereto and to serue you with such loyaltie as so great an estate doth worthily deserue I confesse my selfe likewise greatly bâ—unden to your maiestie in that you haue accepted my Sister as your Wife and to mee a poore slaue giuen life and libertie which I beséech you also graunt to the Marriners in whose Uessell it was my chaunce to bée taken in so dooing she may be greatly mooued by your magnificent libertie and mercie The great Turke presently gaue his consent causing their safe conduct to bee openly proclaimed so Palmerin and his Friendes humbly departing to their lâ—dging the Turke went to Agriolaes Chamber where sitting downe by her he thus began Now shall I perceiue Madame how much your Brother may preuaile with you for hée hath promised me so to order the matter as you shall graunt my long desired sute My Lord quoth shée my Brother shall command me nothing but I will doo it with all my heart as for your request it is not in my power but in the hande of God who defendeth me as best him pleaseth Nor can I change the opinion I haue held so long though by hauing my Brother with me I enioy farre greater content then I did before It sufficeth me saide the Turke to sée you so well pleased and as for your Brother that you may perceiue howe well I loue him before one moneth be expired I will make him the chéefest Lord in my Court next mine owne person so kissing the Princesse he departed to his Chamber The day following Palmerin saide to his companions You sée my friendes how friendly Fortune smileth on vs but least shee change as euermore she is wont wée must practise some meanes to escape from these Turkish infidels Beside séeing wée haue founde the Princesse Agriola I hope Trineus is not so secretly hidden but we shall heare some tydingâ— of him Of her will I therefore enquire if she know what became of him and Ptolome wheÌ„ we left them in meane while you may closely conclude with our Marriners that they be euer readie at an howres warning for I hope we shall set hence before eight dayes be past Palmerin went to Agriolaes Chamber and there by good hap hée â—ound her alone whome after he had humbly saluted the Princesse thus spake to him My noble friende you must be carefull howe you speake to me especially before the aged Lady you sawe héere yesterday for shee vnderstandeth all languages and if we be discouered there is no way but death therefore when you sée her with me conferre rather with Laurana
Palmerins féete so that hée demaunded of the Princesse if shée brought him from the Isle of Malfada for doubtlesse quoth he I thinke it is some Knight transformed by that cruell woman who héeretofore belike hath knowne me At which words the dog howled excéedingly when Paâ—merin tooke an oath that hée would searche all the worlde ouer to finde some meane to bring him to his former shâ—pe that hée might know from whence this loue procéededed The next day the king Tyreno assaulted the Cittie who was slaine in the battaile by Palmerin so afterward was Maulerino crowned king of Nabor and all the Countrey enioyed their former quiet whereupon the Princesse Zephira gaue Palmerin her dogge who requited her with many gracious thanks because he greatlie suspected that it was his fréend Trineus transformed into that shape but now let vs returne to the soldane of Babilon vnderstanding how his Armie was discomfited at Constantinople Chap. XLVI Howe one of the Nephewes to the King of Balisarca brought newes to the Soldane of his vncles death the foyle of his Armie the losse of Palmerin and Olorico And how the Princesse Alchidiana bought Ptolome whom she greatly honored for Palmerins sake THe King of Balisarca as you haue heard before being slaine his Armie discomfited and al his Galleys burnt before Constantinople one of his Nephewes that kept the straight of yâ— Bosphor with two foysts least any succour should come that way to the Christians by one Galley that escaped hearde all this misfortune wherefore making haste backe againe fearing to be taken at length arriued in the Soldans Kingdome where not staying long hée posted to the Courte and to the Soldane reuealed all that had happened When the Soldane heard how his Armie was thus ouerthrowne Palmerin whom he loued so well and the Prince Olorico lost in the storme on the sea vexed with greefe and rage hee called his Lorde Ambassadour Mauce to to him saying Haste thée good Maucâ—â—to to my Brother the Soldane of Persia and desire him to leuâ—y me a strong Armie against the Moneth of March next ensuing to encounter with the Emperour of Greece promising him the spoyle whatsoeuer it bee reseruing for my selfe nothing but the â—â—me of reuenge Maucetto departed presentlie on his iourney and by the way mette sixe Moores leading two Christians to the Soldans Court to sell which were Ptolome and Colmelio of whome hee demaunded why they were so bounde in chaines My Lord quoth one of the Moores they be Christian slaues who not long since were taken at the Sea by Olimaell Admirall to the great Turke And how came you by them said Maucetto The Admirall quoth the Moore gaue them to one of his Cozins who now is deade and his wife béeing loth to kéepe them anie longer sendes them to the Court to be solde for money Maucetto bought Colmelio of them refusing Ptolome because he was somewhat sâ—cklie and so passed on his Embassade The Moores comming to the Court with poore Ptolome and placing him among other slaues that stoode to bee solde there came a deformed Moore farre worsse mishapen then was Thersites yâ— Greek and he would néedes buy Ptolome of the Merchaunt but Ptolome disdaining to be subiect to so vile a creature gaue him such a stroke on the stomacke with his fiste as made him tumble ouer backward saying Thou monstrous Uillaine let me rather die then come into thy subiection At this instant passed by the Princesse Alchidiana smiling is sée the Moore lie along but when shée behelde the good personage of Ptolome shée remembred her louer Palmerin and was therewith mooued thus to speake Nowe durst thou take such hardinesse vpon thee béeing a bondslaue and a captiue thus to strike a Moore frée of this Countrey Ptolome perceiuing by the Ladies attending on her that shee was the Soldanes Daughter falling on his knée thus aunswered Assuredlie Madame rather desire I death then to liâ—â— at such an ill fauoured villaines controll my selfe beeing a Knight at Armes Are you then a knight said the Princesse I am good Madaine quoth he although my seruitude hath very much altered mée Alchidiana withâ—ut any further questions deliuered the Merchant two hundred Seraphes and by two of her Squires caused him to bee conducted to her Chamber where he was presentlie disroabed of his vnséemelie garments and cloathed in such as well became a knight to weare afterwarde she commaunded her attendants to depart the chamber and comming to Ptolome she thus began Nowe Syr Knight I intreate you by the holy faith you owe to your best beloued that you will truelie tell mee by what misfortune you happened first into thraldome Madame quoth he séeing of your owne grace and bountie you haue deliuered mee from these villaines that made sale of my life I will not fable with you in any one point but tell you a Historie repleat with wonderfull sorrowe Hauing reuealed the manner of his taking and all the mishaps hée endured euer since the teares trickling downe his chéekes he said And yet sweete Ladie all these passed miseries and still abiding your slaue gréeues me not so much as the losse of my déerest Fréende the best knight in the worlde who went to sée his Falcon flie when the Pirates came and vnhappilie tooke vs. Tell me good freende quoth the Princesse what may the knight bee called of whom you make such estimation Quoth Ptolome he nameth himselfe Palmerin d'Oliua O soueraigne Gods said Alchidiana haue you béenâ— companion to the noble Palmerin That haue I in truth Madame quoth he and knowe more of his affayres then anie other man doth Unhappie that I am said the Princesse nowe sée I well that I am deceiued in all my hope Saye good knight naie more I coniure thee by thy faith to the soueraigne Creator of all things to tell mee if he bee of our Lawe and hath béene dumbe of long or no By God Madame answered Ptolome your adiuration is such as rather will I make a sacrifice of my selfe then bee found vntrue to you in any thing Hée is a Christian borne in Greece and neuer had defect in his spéech if discréet consideration of following euents eyther to escape captiuitie or death did not inforce him to feigne such a deceite for hée is most expert among all other in dissembling anye matter may turne him aduauntage Then such hath béene my fortune quoth Alchidiana as his vertue bountie wise foresight vsed for the space of a yéere and more in my Fathers Court made me so religiously vowed to him in loue as neuer intend I to make other choise and I sweare by all our Gods that if I heare not the better tydings of him by thée my spirit will forsake this wretched bodye and except better fortune among the soules in Elisium Ah imperious loue how wonderfull is thy strooke My fréende is contrarie to me in lawe and profession a Knight errant vnknowne absent from mee and loues me not for these occasions were I the
séeing that to staye longer would not auaile him tooke his leaue of the Soldane saying Albeit my Lorde you cannot giue my Maister anie assistance yet let Palmerin returne to him at his departure from your Court What I can doo héerein aunswered the Soldane your Lord shall be assured to finde although I thinke his minde bee otherwise adicted but you were best to knowe his minde your selfe because I heard him saye he would write to Madame Alchidiana Maucetto departing to Palmerins lodging the Soldane went to see his Sisters of whome hée demaunded if they had as yet practised anie thing with the Knights My Lord aunswered Aurecinda who in all things was more prompt then her eldest Sister I haue fixed my loue on the knight Trineus with full resolution neuer to loue anie other yet dooth not he intend to staye héere in your Courte much lesse I feare to make me his wife As for my Sister shée cannot compasse the meane howe to impart her loue to Sir Palmerin Right strange is it quoth the Soldanen that the promises you haue made them and so apparant signes of ardent affection cannot disswade them to make choyse of you Doubtlesse they bée some great Princes who to sée the fashions of the worlde haue thus disguised themselues Continue your loue as you haue begunne and if by other meanes you cannot stay them aduenture your honors as a meane to entrappe them And now dooth occasion well serue you Sister Aurecinda for by courteous intreating Tryneus now he is wounded you maye more profit in one houre then you haue doone during this tedious pursuit Néedlesse was it for the Soldane thus to perswade her in that she laboured for no other matter kéeping Trineus companie both day and night but Palmerin offended thereat secretlye thus rebuked the Prince What meane you my Lord If you mend not this order I must be angry with you You sée this Princesse excéedes in her desire and you giue her occasion to continue it I know not what will happen héereon but my mind perswades mee that you will hardlie depart hence with honour Be aduised I desire you and take this of me that if the wisest man will lende his eares to loose persons and followe theyr affections hée shall become more vnreasonable then a bruite Beaste regarding nothing but what is obiect to his eyes and what the flesh the onelie mortall enemie to the spirit shall soonest perswade him Chap. LV. How Aurâ—cinda Sister to the Soldane of Persia pursued the Prince Tryneus so neere as in the end she had her desire and what followed thereon PAlmerin hauing thus schooled yâ— prince Trineus that he should giue no eare to the enticements of Aurecinda Lyzanda came to his chamber and feigning vrgent businesse with him tooke him aside deliuering her affections in this maner Right happie wold I think my selfe Sir Palmerin so you would deigne to continue in the Soldans Court who doubtlesse would aduance you to the highest step of honor and giue me to you in mariage that am his Sister and a Lady worthie some reckoning Palmerin offred to depart the Chamber but Lyzanda stayed him procéeding thus Alas my Lord will you neuer vouchsafe to speake to mee nowe see I well that you are the most disâ—oyall Knight in the worlde Madame aunswered Palmerin rather will I die then one iote of diâ—â—oyaltie shall be found in me nor can I graunt your importunate requests without committing notorious treason to my Ladie and offending my God whom foolish loue shall neuer make me to displease So without any further spéeches he went to the Prince Tomano leauing the poore Ladie well-néere dead with this vnkinde refusall who going to her owne cabbanet thus began to breath foorth her sorrowes Ah Loue the most cruell passion that euer entred the hart of anie Ladie how great and meruailous is thy power Some thou enforcest to desire and intreat without being heard or regarded others thou causest to be happily fauoured estéemed of their Fréends Seruaunts and louers Unhappie that I am but much more vnhappie Brother accursed be the houre when thou didest commaund mee to loue the most cruell and vnkinde among men Can there be anie Ladie in the worlde more disgraced then I am had I not reuealed my loue to him some comfort I might thereby enioy among my sorrowes but the frozen minde knowing my loue dooth holde mée in the greater contempt My Sister tolde me that by too long concealement of loue many haue lost them they most estéemed but I alas doo finde it cleane contrary Now was Aurecinda by chaunce in the Chamber next her Sisters Cabinette and hearing her thus sorrowfully complaine shée came to her and thus spake Good Sister discomfort not your selfe by your friendes refusall I would not thinke my selfe woorthie the name of a woman if I could not winne you the man that thus torments you As for me I haue founde the meane to compasse mine owne desire Yet could not all these spéeches appease her wherfore shée left her and vnderstanding by one of her Ladies that Tryneus should this night suppe in the Soldans Chamber whereuppon shée went to the Ladies hote house amd there prepared his bed and such swéete delicate bathes as might mooue the spirits of a verie staied Gentleman This doone she came to one of the Pages of honor Brother to the Ladie whome shee most of all trusted saying I praye thée good Page goe to the Prince Trineus his Chamber and there attende till he come foorth then feigning that some one hath doone thée iniurie thou shalt intreat him to helpe thée against him that abused thée If hée condiscende as doubtlesse he will bring him to the bathe where I will stay his comming with thy Sister and so soone as he is entred make fast the doore on him and gette thée gone but in anie case be secret héerein and I will recompence thée to thine owne content The wagge was so well instructed in his arte as he failed not in any one point oâ— his charge But as the Prince Tryneus came alone from his Chamber he fell on his knées before him saying My Lord if euer you pittie a Gentleman abused let mee intreate you to reuenge my cause on a villaine that hath too much wronged me Tryneus who had often séene the Page in his Chamber with Aurecinda answered Beléeue me Page it were pittie to denie thy request considering thou doost demaunde it so courteously shall I néede to bee better prouided then I am No my Lord quoth he your sword is sufficient So was he conducted by the Page along the Gallery and béeing come to the appointed place he opened the doore thus speaking to the Prince My Lord the partie you must deale withall is in this Chamber accompanied but with one Ladie wherefore you may enter secure from daunger Hee was no sooner in but the Page clapt to the doore and departed Now was Tryneus not a little amazed when he saw no bodie but the
their Captaine brauely encouraging them At length they buâ—keled togither and a daungerous fight began betwéene them so that seuen of the King Maulerinos Knights were slaine the King of Sparta sore wounded by Ptolome and Dyardo in great perill of his life When Palmerin saw the King of Sparta fall and that the Moores had daungerouslie hurt diuerse of his Fréends fearing the King was slaine hée came to Ptolome and after manie sharpe strokes on either side at last got him downe when pulling his Helmet furiouslie from him thinking to haue smitten off his head Ptolome cried Kill me not sir Knight for I yéelde my selfe to thée Palmerin knowing his fréend sayd to his companions and the rest Giue ouer my fréends and fight no longer for false fortune hath too much deluded vs. Ah worthiâ— Ptolome why haue I dealt so hardly with thée is it possible that any man may bee likened to mée in mishap no sooner am I out of one but presently I fall into another by heauen déere Fréende if I had slame thée right soone woulde I haue béene reuenged on my selfe Sée then swéet Ptolome how Palmerin gréeues for his offence more then if he had lost the best limme on his bodie When Ptolome behelde his Friend Palmerin and by him the noble Prince Tryneus embracing them he said O Sauiour of the world howe highly hast thou this day fauoured mée permitting mée to finde my déerest Fréendes then they brought him to the Princesse Agriola in her Cabin who was not a little glad to beholde the man that endured with her some part of miserie and Colmelio was ioyfull to behold Sir Ptolome in that their hap was to bée parted when they were ledde to be solde as â—laues but Agriola woulde néedes heare all his fortunes since the first time of their separation which hée and Colmelio trulie recounted Beléeue me Ptolome said Palmerin I sée wée all haue had our shares in aduersitie and hardlie can we iudge whose wrong hath béene greatest but howe came you thus to bée Captaine among the Turks My Lord quoth he the Princesse Alchidiana bought me and charged mée to séeke you both by Sea and Lande and for my defence gaue mee fortie Knights of whom there nowe remaines but ten aliue That Ladie am I highlie beholâ—ing to sayde Palmerin and for the wrong I haue done her by the death of her Knights I will excuse my selfe by an honourable Ambassade when I shall send the Prince Olorico to her againe And that thou Ptolome maist knowe some of my good happe vnderstande that I haue founde my Father and Mother who are Florendos the King of Macedon and Grâ—ana the Daughter and â—eyre to the Emperour of Greece I did euer perswade my selfe quoth Polome that your discent was of royall linage but I intreate you for my sake that these Knights which your men haue taken may be gentlie vsed and enioy their libertie Palmerin calling them to him said For Ptolome his sake that was your Captaine and her loue that commaunded you to trauaile with him I wish to you as to my selfe yet shall you all go with mée to Constantinople that you may helpe to conduct the Prince Olorico backe againe whom I meane to send with you to your Mistresse We abide my Lord quoth they at your direction and willingly obey your will in that wée haue knowne howe déerelie the Soldane loued you and better fortune coulde not befall vs then so luckilie to méete with you and the Prince Olorico as for our Companions that are sâ—aine there is no remedie for such mishaps are common where Fortune â—rowneth So sailed they on fréendlie togither and on the Sea we will leaue them to tell you of the return of the Ambassadour Maucetto to the Soldane of Babylon who hearing that the Persian had refused to assist him was somewhat offended thereat but when he saw that Palmerin had written he pacified himselfe saying Ah gentle Palmerin hadst thou béene in the battell at Constantinople I had not néeded to demaunde helpe of him whom I iudged my Fréend but séeing Fortune hath showne her selfe so contrarie I will not attempt anie thing from which thou disswadest me Maucetto declared that Palmerin had likewise sent a Letter to the Princesse Alchidiana which hee commaunâ—â—â— him presentlie to carrie her no sooner had she read the Letter and thereby vnderstoode his knightly déedes of 〈◊〉 but embracing the Ambassadour thus spake Maucetto neuer couldest thou haue brought mee better newes thou of the man whose name flourisheth in all 〈…〉 Letter written by the hand of the most perfect Knight liuing full charâ—e and choisly will I kéepe thée Ah Ptolome whom my noble Fréend loues so déerely thée haue I sent in daungerous hazarde of thy life but may I once sée thée againe thou shalt perceiue my loue for Palmerins sake Happie art thou Princesse Zephira hauing with thée the myrror of mankinde My Lord quoth shée as though Palmerin had béene present willt thou wrong thy selfe so much as to tarrie with her Dare the Soldans Sisters vaunt that they loue thée They be faire as I vnderstand but not so faire that thou shouldest refuse me for theÌ„ What haue I said doubtlesse matter to mine owne reproach for if thou wouldest the kingly offers of my Father and my importunate intreattes could no way mooue thée hardlie may the Persians preuaile with thée especiallie in such a weightie cause as loue is Maucetto what sayest thou is Lord Palmerin like to stay long in Persia with the Soldans Sisters No Madame quoth he I heard him 〈◊〉 verie often that he woulde depart thence before a Moneth was expired In these and such like spéeches they continued wherin wee purpose to leaue them for by this time is Palmerin and his Fréendes arriued in the Hauen of Constantinople and Colmelio is sent before to the Pallace to aduertise the Emperour of these ioyfull tydings As Colmelio entered the great Hall the 〈◊〉 man he mette was his Father Gerrard who was newly made Lord Chamberlaine to the King Florendos wherefore falling on his knée before him he said Father â—ittle did I thinke to finde you exalted to such honouâ— happie was the day when you 〈◊〉 Prince Palmerin and much more 〈…〉 you shall heare matter of maruaile 〈…〉 the Emperour with the King Florendos 〈…〉 Hall anâ— all the Ladies going to heare 〈…〉 Gerrard thus spake to his highnesse My Lord sée héere my Sonne Colmelio who long time hath trauailed in seare of Prince Palmerin hee hath some 〈…〉 to deliuer to your Maiestie Right welcome is 〈…〉 the Emperour say what thou 〈◊〉 my fréend 〈…〉 libertie Mightie Emperour sayd Colmelio your Son Prince Palmerin 〈◊〉 arriued in the Hauen and with 〈…〉 Prince Tryneus Sonne to the Emperour of 〈◊〉 the good Knight Sir Ptolome the fiue Princes which went with him from Macedon the two Princesses of England and Durace with diuerse other vnknowne to me and saluting your Maiestie with his humble dutie intreateth that
and brought him into so weake estate as the learned Phisitions coulde not deliuer the cause of his sicknes to the no small gréefe of the Emperour but especiallie of Caniano yet for all this woulde not the Empresse at anie time visite him because shee woulde hinder the occasion of her Daughters séeing him remembring what spéeches had past betwéene him and the Emperour And albeit Griana made no outward shewe thereof yet in her harte shee was greatlie displeased at her Mothers dealings so that one day when her Brother Caniano came to sée her to recount vnto her in what extreamitie he had left his fréendlie coÌ„panion and what gréefe it would be to him if he died as he greatlie doubted What my Lord quoth she it is not so I hope Yes certainlie quoth he and I feare he will very hardlie escape this day At which wordes the water stoode in her eyes yet so well as she coulde shee dissembled her passions neuerthelesse she could not holde it in but said I meruayle much that the Empresse my Mother makes so slender account of him as since his sicknes shee woulde not vouchsafe once to visite him I feare she hath forgotten what good hée 〈◊〉 for vs that day when he valiantly slew the Turke Gamezio Beléeue me my good Lord and Brother I am harâ—â—lie sorrâ—e for his sicknes for if he die as heauen forbidde quoth shee secretlie the Emperour my Father shall loose more then hée thinketh on the great seruice hee hath doone for him already may giue instaunce of my words and more he béeing the Sonne of so great a Prince as he is By this time had such extreame gréefe ouerburdened her hart as she was constrained feigning to goe to the Empresse ChaÌ„ber to leaue her Brother that she might alone by her selfe bemoane her fréends hard fortune CHAP. V. Howe Griana sent a Ring to the Prince Florendos by Cardina her Mayde desiring him as he loued her to comfort himselfe and of the aunswere he sent her SO soone as Griana hadde left her Brother she went into her chaÌ„ber where more and more shee lamented for the sicknes of Florendos and with her teares shee coupled these discourses May it be that anie liuing creature can deserue so gréeuous punishment as I doo that endaunger the life of the woorthiest Knight in the worlde Unhappy that I am that loue yea the loue he beares to mee should bring so braue a Gentleman to so hard an exigent but if he die such iust vengeaunce will I take vpon my selfe as I wyl not remaine one howre aliue after him and let our ghostes seeke their owne quiet in death that Fortune would not affoorde vs in life Yet will I thus farre first aduenture and that before any sléepe enter these eies of mine try if it consist in my power to ease his extreamitie that buyes my loue at too déere a price And in this anguish of minde she called one of her Damoselles the Daughter of her Nurse named Cardina whom aboue the rest she trusted most and to her she began in manner following Cardina thou knowest the loue I alwaies bare thy Mother and for her sake howe well I haue thought of thée I haue knowne thée long time a true and faithfull Seruaunt but nowe Cardina is a time beyonde all other to make tryall of thy truth and to witnesse thy loyaltie to me onelie as thou art sure so to bee secrete and so secrete as I must put my life and honour into thy secrecie Cardina who was wise and of good gouernement hearing Griana vse such earnest spéeches imagined that she would commit no commoÌ„ matter to her trust with such coniuration whereuppon she modestlie returned thys aunswere Madame rather had I be torne péecemeale in sunder then anie thing you commaunde for secrete shoulde by me be reuealed without your licence and so assure your selfe that while I liue you shall finde mee as faithfull in déede as I promise in worde I neuer hitherto quoth the Princesse had other opinion of thée listen nowe therefore what I shall commaunde thée I haue vnderstoode for certaine Cardina that the gréeuous sicknes of the Prince Florendos is caused by verie earnest loue which hee beares to me for I account it great pittie to loose so good a Knight doo so much as take the paines to goe to him from me and saie I desire him to bee of good chéere and if there bee any thing in my power may doo him good I will gladlie accomplish it as she that loues him as her own selfe and to assure him thereof saie I sende him this Ring which I wyll him to kéepe as a pledge of my loue Madame answered Cardina Fortune spéede me so well as my paines may giue ease to both your passions and might my sentence like you Madame I knowe no Knight so worthy your loue as Florendos Goe then sayd Griana and returne againe so soone as thou canst So went Cardina straite to the lodging of the Prince Florendos at the entraunce whereof shee met the Prince Caniano so heauie and pensiue as might be because he perceiued his Fréend to consume awaie euerie day more and more But Cardina who had well learned her lesson stept aside and would not be séene of Caniano who beeing gone shee went vp to the Chamber where when shee was readie to enter she hearde the Prince coÌ„plaine in this sort Ah poore wretch must thou néedes die without anie hope of remedie And as he would haue procéeded on Cardina stepped to him and after she had saluted him said to him secretelie that the Princesse Griana had sent her to him to vnderstand of his health and beléeue me good Prince quoth she I neuer sawe Ladie so sorrowfull for your sicknes as she is She commendeth her selfe to your honour most hartilie and hath sent you this Ring as an earnest of the looue she beares you desiring you to bee of good chéere and comfort your selfe because she desires to sée you to confer with you of matters that concerne you bothe néerelie These wordes so rauished the spirit of Florendos as a good while he doubted whether he dreamed or that hee might giue credite to what he hearde for albeit he knewe the messenger so well as anie in the Courte yet coulde he not perswade himselfe that hee was so fortunate At length betwéene hope and dispayre he tooke the Ring which he entertained with manie deuoute kysses and embracing Cardina so well as hee coulde thus answered Alas my swéete fréende may it bee possible that my Ladie hath such regard of him who neuer was able to doo her anie seruice Doubt not thereof my Lorde aunswered Cardina and if you will declare your loue answerable to hers in vertue you must giue testimonie thereof by comforting your person that she may sée you so soone as may be Ah fayre Uirgin quoth he let my whole life be imployed in what shall like her diuine nature to coÌ„maunde
goodlie Fountaine and called him vnto her saying Be not abashed Palmerin though I am come from the furthest parts to finde thee in this Countrey for I am well assured that ere many daies be past thy bountie prowesse shall make thee renowmed through the worlde for one of the hardiest Knights that euer liued Leaue therefore thys obscure and rusticall kinde of life and hencefoorth lift thy mind to high occasions which are offered thee and heereof beléeue me as she that loueth thee as her owne life beeing deuoted onelie thine at all times as nature may witnesse who hath marked me with thy like Charracter TheÌ„ shewing her arme she saide Beholde in this hande and on this side of my hart one like and selfe same marke as thou broughtest on thy face from thy Mothers wombe To which wordes Palmerin woulde haue aunswered but the Ladie vanished awaie so suddainly as he could not perceiue what was become of her Whereuppon raising himselfe and meruayling from whence this occasion should proceede he admired the beautie of the Ladie he sawe in his sleepe which was so liuelie in his remembrance as he iudged her present before his eyes But perswading himselfe that such apparitions happened by idle thoughts or by some vapour of no effect made no account thereof whereuppon the next night following the same Ladie that appeared to him in the Forrest presented herselfe to him againe holding in her hands a sumptuous Crowne of golde and thus spake See heere my Lord the honour which I holde beeing giuen me onelie for the loue of you In this sort continued this vision for foureteene or fifteene daies following till at length the Ladie shâ—wed herselfe verie angrie saying I am ashamed Palmerin that you deferre so long to séeke me out doo you thinke the promises I haue made you are friuolous No no the time and trauaile thou takest if thou giuest credite to my wordes shall make thée knowe that thou art the Son of a King and not of the Countrey swayne that hath fostered thée From henceforth therefore expect me no more in this Mountaine but if my beautie haue found place in thy harâ— seeke then to conquere me that thou maist be yâ— Lorde and possessour of mee Thus departed the Ladie leauing a desire more then accustomed in the hart of Palmerin who till that time made little reckoning of so high matters for the Pastorall life hee ledde with Gerrard and hys familie seemed the most happiest to him in all the worlde not hauing séene any person of greater calling then he But nowe newe affections so eleuated his minde as he intended to goe seeke her whom in sleepe he had beheld so often For quoth he if she assure mee to discende of a royall linage I may well presume she knowes me bettâ—r then my Father Gerrard els would she not so often induce me to folow my fortune and the good that is prouided for me well might I be accounted a foole if I wold not adueÌ„ture on so especial an occasion therfore happen what wil I meane to search thorow the whole worlde till I haue founde her and none but she shall euer be my Mistresse But how can it be that I am discended from so high a place séeing my Father is such a simple Countriman hath my Mother béene forgetfull of her reputation that some Prince or great Lord hath so become my Father Well I wyll knowe of her if I can before I depart and if she will not tell mee I will searche for her that shall assure me Thus was Palmerin confounded with remembraunce of his visions as from that time he became maruailous pensiue solitarie then bethought he howe he might knowe of his Mother Marcella the ende of his desire wherof Dyofena who loued him déerely partlie aduertised him You haue heard heertofore how when Gerrard founde Palmerin among the Oliue Trées he had a daughter three yeeres olde named Dyofena indifferent fayre who as shee increased in yéeres became so amorous of her supposed brother that hardly she could dissemble her affection notwithstanding shame and regard locked vppe her lippes that she durst not speake what she gladlie would but séeing Palmerin in like sadnes as she was she immagined that one sicknes had strooken them both wherfore casting manie doubts as she laie in her bed in the same Chamber her Parents did she heard them enter into this discourse Haue you not séene Palmerin quoth he howe heauie and sadde hee hath béene a long time Yea truelie haue I ê™ shee it may bee that some haue tolde him hee is not your Sonne so falling out of one matter into an other Dyofena hearde them report the manner how they found him which she desirous to let Palmerin vnderstande arose earlie the next morning and comming to Palmerin thus conferred with him Brother if you knew so much as I doo peraduenture you wold be not a little abashed Why good Sister quoth he I pray you let me vnderstand the matter In sooth quoth shée I euer thought till this time that you had béene mine owne naturall Brother but by chaunce hearing some talke betwéene my Father and Mother this last night I am no other then your fréende and shee yâ— loues you dearelie which I haue euermore hetherto feared to let you knowe doubting the nerenes of our consanguinitie which I nowe perceiue cannot hinder our marriage if you will request mee of my Father who I am sure will not denie you And so she rehearsed the manner of his finding which so well lyked Palmerin as he gaue the more credite to the visions he had séene neuerthelesse he thus dallied with Dyofena It may bee Sister you misunderstoode our Parents my selfe will deniaund the trueth of our Mother if she assure me as you haue doone then will I talke with them concerning our marriage So shall you doo well said Dyofena to bee thorowlie assured yet néede you not report mee to haue informed you least thereby you bring mee into my Parents displeasure Palmerin thus leauing Dyofena chanced to find his Mother Marcella alone to whom he said Mother I beséeche you graunt me one request that I shall demaunde of you That will I my Sonne quoth she if it be in my power to doo Understand then good Mother quoth he that I haue oftentimes dreamed how I am not your Son so that I knowe not what to saie vnlesse you please to assure mee better When Marcella heard these wordes she was strooken in a studie but Palmerin was still so importunate as at last she thus answered In good faith faire Freende I neuer knâ—w thine owne naturall Parents yet haue I looued thee as if thou wert mine owne Sonne and so what words Dyofena had before reported Marcella confirmed taking him with her into her Chamber where she shewed him the costlie swadling clothes that he was founde in and the Crucifire likewise that hung about his necke which he intreated her to bestow on him to the ende quoth he that
cannot as yet know him saide the Damosell I praie you faire Uirgin quoth Palmerin that you will aunswere on my behalfe howe in anie place I shall come héereafter I remaine readie to doo what likes him to cōmaunde me It suffiseth quoth she looke that héereafter you remēber your promise then comming to the Prince Florendos she said My Lorde the same Man from whom I haue saluted Palmerin gaue me in charge to saie to you that you should not feare or doubt to dubbe him Knight but to perswade your selfe that both by Father and Mother hee is so noble as he dooth well deserue it and him héereafter you will loue beyond all other for by him you shall enioy the thing you most estéeme and desire Thus hauing no longer licence to staie with you I humbly desire you to excuse my departure Swéete Maide saide Florendos may your wordes sort to so good end as you haue promised So departed the Damosell leauing Palmerin on his knée before the Prince who taking the Sworde that sometimes belonged to Gamezio Knighted him saying And maist thou prooue as famous and fortunate as my hope perswades mee thou will Then was he honourablie conueyed to the Pallace where the faire Arismena vnarmed him and couered him with a rich Mantle of white Satten imbroydered all ouer with sumptuous flowers of Gold beside no one in y◠troupe but highlie reuerenced him for the woorthie report y◠Damosell made of him And albeit the Princesse Arismena disswaded him so well as she could that he should not endāger himselfe against the Serpent because by him her Brother should ouercome his melancholly and fearing his losse without hope of recouerie yet néedes would he be gone the same daie but that her importunate intreatie perswaded him to staie eight daies longer Palmerin béeing soone after alone by himselfe he remembred the wordes of the Damosell who promised him to finde the secrets of his hart in his Shéelde whereupon he well aduised himselfe and sawe that the hand portraied in the Shéelde had the same marke which the Ladie had that appeared to him in his sléepe whereat not a little maruailing he said within himselfe It must néedes be without all doubt that he which sent mee this present knoweth full wel the scope of my fortune for I am well assured that the Ladie which spake to mee in my sléepe when I abode in the house of my Father Gerrarde shewed me her hand with the selfe same marke I sée heere pictured by which I may perswade my selfe that she will not cease to follow and finde me out vntill such time as I maie speake with her Whereuppon he founde himselfe so suddainlie inueigled with her loue as he thus complained Ah Palmerin well maist thou sée that long thou canst not resist this impression but whence should this humour proséede to loue her thou neuer sawest nor knowest where is her abiding If it fall out that tho diest in thy pursuite these passions shall so haue a small ende and I gaine y◠greatest felicitie that I can desire By this time had he spent the eyght daies which he promised Arismena for Florendos companie when as well to begin the searche of her hee loued so well as to ende the aduenture he intended of the Serpent he prepared to depart prouiding himselfe a great huge Mace of yron which did him good seruice as you shall reade héereafter CHAP. XVI Howe Palmerin fought with the horrible Serpent on the Mountaine Artaeferia and slewe him bringing the glasse filled with the water of the Fountaine whereby King Primaleon of Macedon recouered his health EIght daies had Palmerin stayed with Florendos and in companye of the fayre Princesse Arismena who fearing that hee woulde neuer returne from the Mountaine Artifaeria was very pensiue and sad and oftentimes she intreated him not to hazard himselfe against those cruell rauenous and supernaturall Monsters but rather to witnesse his valour against Knights of account like himselfe but all her spéeches profited not for he was resolute to depart I shall yet desire you sayde the Princesse that for my sake you will take with you thrée Esquires which I will giue you who may lend you succour if anie inconuenience should befall you Then she called the Esquires and presented them vnto him with the glasse that he should bring the water in from the Fountaine if Fortune stoode with him to finish the aduenture Palmerin moūting on horsebacke and Florendos accompanying him halfe a daies iourney on the way left him on his iourney towardes the Mountaine Artifaeria where he arriued on the last daie of April Thē he commanded the Esquires his Dwarffe Vrbanillo to expect his returne at the foote of the Mountain for he would suffer none of thē to goe vp with him so ascended he the Hyll by a little trackt footepath with hys yron Mace on his necke and the Glasse for the water fastened at his gyrdle Hauing thus trauailed vppe till about midday he founde the passage so thicke set with Trées and brakes as he was constrained to alight frō his Horse whō he vnbrideled and left there féeding and much further had he not gone but the night ouertooke him yet did the Moone shine bright and cléere which made him still trauaile onwarde till he beheld the Rocke where the water was and the Serpents Den who was come somewhat lower to recreate himselfe among the swéete Hearbes where he hadde closelie couched himselfe But when he heard Palmerin cōming he began to swell and writhe his taile togeather verie strangely all which could not dismay this aduenturous Knight but commending himselfe to God sette downe his 〈◊〉 and with his Mace marched stoutlie against his enemie saying Why Palmerin didst thou so often request of Florendos the Princesse his Sister to try thy strength against thys deuill and now thou art come in sight of hym wylt thou faint Dooth it not beséeme thée better to die with honour then to liue with shame let the one encourage thée to follow thy enterprise and the other kill thee when thou offerest to retire And with these wordes he aduaunced him to the Serpent and the Serpent fiercelye began to assaile him and with his taile had smote him down but that hee nimblie preuented the stroke deliuering the Serpent so sore a blowe on the head with his Mace as made him reele and stagger and cry so terribly as the whole Mountaine resounded with a meruailous Eccho and to reuengo himselfe with his tallants he got hold on Palmerins Armour which hee rent violentlie in two or thrée places wounding his bodie verie daungerouslie When Palmerin perceiued in what hard plight he was he tooke hart a fresh and watching his aduauntage strooke the Serpent wyth his Mace so stronglie on the necke as he fell to the grounde in a manner dead and Palmerin plied him with so manie strokes one after another as he left him not while any life was in him After this happy victory for
maie be good because his desire is to make staie with vs and for your owne part looke that you intreate him well with this request that you accept him for your seruaunt and he shall be your Knight And are you bothe agréed Ladies said Palmerin Heauen forsake me if I refuse honour of so high account And as they woulde haue procéeded on the Emperor came in and brake off their talke and comming to the Empresse saide Madame I beséeche you haue good regarde to the health of this Knight and let our Chirurgions not trifle the time with him for I perswade my selfe that the enchaunted Knight with his venomed arrowes hath wounded him with great daunger inwardlie and hath besides sore brused his bodie with the weight of his Mace But Palmerin hauing Polinarda so néere him neither minded his woundes or what the Emperour had spoken his obiect more delighted then his woundes gréeued him then the Emperour taking him by the hande saide I pray you my déere Freende to bee of good comfort dispayre not for anie thing I beseeche you and bee aduised by them y◠haue care of your health for you shall want nothing if my Crowne will purchase it So departed hee and the Empresse with their Daughter Polinarda whome loue had already so inueigled that she béeing yet but tender of yéeres found her selfe so restrained of her libertie as scant she knewe howe to dissemble this suddaine affection and from that time forward she became so sadde and pensiue as one of her Ladies the most fauoured and familiar with her named Brionella Daughter to the Duke of Saxon well perceiued it yet durst shee not presume to demaunde whence procéeded this strange alteration but so circumspectly did she regarde the Princesse as she well noted the grounde of her gréefes Whereuppon it happened that one time amongst other they two béeing alone togeather Brionella iudging that her Ladie delighted to heare spéeche of Palmerin nowe to hitte the nayl◠on the heade she thus began What say you Madame by your fauour of the newe come Knight did you euer sée a brauer and more accomplisht Gentleman Upon my faith Madame in mine opinion I thinke that nature hath wrought all her perfections in him and fauoured him aboue all other Knights in manhoode and Chiualrie Ah Brionella aunswered the Princesse thou art not alone of this opinion for I euer thought as much though I kept it in silence would God I had as great authoritie ouer him as he alreadie hath gotten ouer me Is the matter so with you saide Brionella it shoulde séeme you are in looue with him then To tell thée the trueth Brionella quoth shee I am and did I not doubt foure other hath preuented mee I would aduenture to make him mine In good sooth Madam said Brionella you two béeing vnited togeather in one reciprocall league of loue well might it bee reported the most honourable match and of the two noblest yong Princes through the whole worlde and séeing you haue made a choyse so worthie dismay not good Madame but proceede in your determination Thus deuised the two Ladies together on Palmerin who was no lesse in affliction for the looue of Polinarda whom hee had searched with so gréat payne and trauaile and had nowe founde with so high good fortune If loue was so earnest with him before in his sléeping visions hauing not séene her much more vehement was the impression nowe hauing her in presence Whereupon the day folowing he called for his garments and as he was making himselfe readie the Emperour by one of his Gentlemen sent him the good morrow desirous to vnderstande in what plight he felt himselfe Good Sir aunswered Palmerin to the Gentleman I beséeche you doo my humble dutie to the Emperour for this great courtesie and you may thus assure him that heauen be praised I féele my selfe in so good estate as euer I did Which the Emperour hearing was highlie contented and sent to desire his companie to the Chappell where Palmerin neuer before so throughlie touched with the forcible assaults of looue glaunced so manie swéete lookes on the Princesse Polinarda and breathed so many sighes the secrete Ambassadours of his harte as it was a heauen to him to be in these passions The Emperour and all the traine returned from the Chappell they went to meate and Palmerin beeing placed right against Polinarda was in such fits as hee knewe not what countenaunce to vse for his couller went and came in such manner as the Princesse might easilie iudge the cause of his dolour wherupon she presentlie presumed that she had more interrest in his thoughts then ere she looked for The like opinion conceiued he of her yet was no other testimony deliuered on either side then sad countenances the reuealers of a tormented spirite Thus continued these two louers till the Tables were withdrawne and then the Lords and Ladies fel to dauncing in which delight and diuers other the whole day was spent till the Empresse and her Ladies departing to their Chambers the good night on all sides was reuerently giuen when Palmerin went to his lodging in such an agonie as more likelie to die then liue hee threwe himselfe on his bedde where hauing sighed and sorrowed long time gréeuously at length hee brake foorth into these tearmes Ah Palmerin vnhappy wretched and moste miserable nowe art thou entred into such a Laborinth as impossible is it for thée to get out again with life but what shoulde mooue thee to so high an enterprise béeing no way able to equall her that is second to none Alas nowe doo I plainlie sée the small credite is to bee reposed in Dreames and that the visions I saw in my Father Gerrards house on the Mountaine Artifaeria and els where are friuolous illusions and of no account with them may I ioyne the promise made mee by olde Adrian who boasted to knowe so much of my fortunes for looue is not of such power on my behalfe that faire Polinarda either can or will make anie reckoning of me Then Palmerin resolue thy selfe suddainlie to die that this inuisible and consuming fire which by little and little melts thée away may bee extinguished and thy selfe eased With these wordes he breathed foorth such an extreame sighe as Vrbanillo the Dwarffe being néere hearde him who doubting least any newe mischaunce had happened by the priuie woundes she enchaunted Archer gaue him made hast to know the cause of this euill Ah Vrbanillo quoth Palmerin I finde my selfe farre worse then deade What my Lorde sayd the Dwarffe now you ought to be of best disposition will you deceiue vs with this alteration The Emperour neuer gaue you bad countenaunce since your comming whence then shoulde procéede thys straunge conceit No no Vrbanillo quoth hee it is not the Emperor but a Lorde of greater power then his Maiestie It is Looue my Lad the strickt commaunder of the stoutest mindes he hath conquered mee and well I knowe I shall die if thou
be the place for conuersing on their desires till Fortune affoorded theÌ„ better opportunitie and longer would they haue there coÌ„tinued but that the Dwarffe came to his Maister in this manner My Lorde I thinke you can neuer finde time to make an ende will you haue the day light preuent yee and so discredite you all in sooth it is time you were in your Chamber Palmerin who was lothe to depart from the pleasure of his thoughts made small account of the dwarffes words and continued on in amorous deuises but the Princesse a litle more fearefull then he seeing the Dwarffe said true and lothe to be séene suspitiously said My Lord it is time to breake off but I pray you faile not of your promise let vs visite one another now you knowe the way and place So Palmerin and Ptolome tooke leaue of their Ladies passed to their Chambers without suspition the successe of their loue you shall vnderstande héereafter as time place shall fitte for the purpose but nowe to satis-fie you with choyse of delights wee will returne a while to another discourse CHAP. XXXI Howe the King of Fraunce kept a royall and magnificent Courte and howe his Sonne Lewes became enamored of the Duchesse of Burgundie DUring the time that the Emperour of Allemaigne liued in this happines accompanied as you haue hearde with manie hardie Knightes there raigned in Fraunce a mightie Prince named Agariell valiant wise and vertuous hauing thrée Sonnes whereof the second was the hardiest Knight at Armes being named Lewes This King Agariell the more to honour hys Knights and noble Gentlemen abyding in his Realme determined to keepe open Court for all â—â—mmers as none of his predecessors euer did the like before him and therefore sent abroade his Heraldes Gentlemen of his escuyrie and others to summon his Lords and Barrons of Fraunce that on a day appointed they would all méete at the Court. And because none shoulde be ignoraunt what hee intended he requested that all Gentlemen professing Armes at the feaste of Easter following shoulde repaire to Parris beeing the heade and cheefest Cittie of his Realme The Queene likewise aduertised al Ladies and Gentlewomen at whose commaunde euery one obeyed so that in fewe dayes the Courte was furnished with Lordes and Lâ—dies nothing nowe intended but delights and courtlie pastimes which made the Duke of Burgunâ—â—â— likewise repaiâ—â— thither Now was the Duke aged a man of good prouidence and a tryed Knight hauing matched in marriage with the King of Denmarks Sister a yong beautiful Ladie and of vertuous education the Duke hoping to haue issue by her because by his first Wife he could not haue any The King aduertised of the Dukes comming commaunded his Son Lewes with an honourable traine to goe entertayne him which he did so that many solemne reuerences passed betweene the Duke and him as also to the Duchesse whom as he welcomed with manie salutations so did he earnestle coÌ„template her excellent beautie reputing her fairer then the fayrest and on a suddaine became amorous of her such a violent breach made loue into his hart at the very first sight of her In this great and vnlooked for vexation hee conducted her to the lodging was prepared for the Duke dissembling so well as hee coulde his newe desire but so vehement was his oppression as without returning againe to the King he went to his Chamber Prince Lewes béeing thus alone by himselfe Loue not a little tryumphing of his new pray tormented his thoughts with so manie conceits as all the night he spent in sighes and dolorous laments his mind stil trauailing by what meanes he might compasse his intent Sometimes he thought it vnpossible in respectet of yâ— Duke then againe as easie because of his age a contrarie too yâ—ksome in his eyes for the sweete florishing youth of the Dâ—chesse all which imaginations wrought so diuersly in him as his spirite forsaking counsell reason made him breake foorth into these exclaimes Ah heauens haue you beautie with such excellencie as to cause me endure a torment more then mortall Ah mine eyes too lauishe were you in beholding her who cannot chuse but vtterly disdaine thée thou hast no acquaintaunce with her and therefore let thy death chastise thy boldnes Yet mayst thou bee deceiued in thine opinion foolish man perhappes in offering her thy seruice she may accept it for the Duke is old and likelie to die howe happy were it for thee to be his executor for his Ladie Dispayre not then man for things thought impossible are easiest oftentimes in performance In these and such like tearmes hee spent the night and séeing the fayre morning salute him at his Chamber windowe he arose intending that day to bewray his passions to the Duchesse and knowing that the Duke would goe visite the Quéene accompanied with many Knights he came to bid him good-morrow which the Duke taking very kindly requited him with many thankes ignoraunt that for the faire Wyfe he was so courteous to the olde Husband The Duke hauing taken his way to the Queene Lewes kept company wyth the Duchesse very mannerlie wayting oportunitie to dyscouer his affections and reuiewing her beautie so perfecte and rare not able longer to hold beganne thus It is maruaile Madam if fayre beautie should be so bitter as a man cannot surfette but hee must néedes die The Duchesse not knowing of whom the Prince spake nor as yet regarding that he was in loue aunswered In sooth my Lord the Ladie hath small reason that shee shoulde vse you so hardlie yf you meane it by your selfe In bréefe Madame quoth hée it is you haue wounded me and none but you can ease my afflictions if then swéete Lady you retaine such pittie as all your other excellencies shewe you to haue you wyll not disdaine to giue me remedie which if you doo for euer I remaine your Knight and loyall Fréende And in mine opinion Madame you can not well refuse me séeing Fortune hath béene such an enemie to you in marriage the Duke beeing olde and full of mellanchollie you yong tender and daintie as may be hee more méete to kéepe companye wyth Atropos the mortall Goddesse then liue with a Saint of so rare perfections But had my luck beene such before you were espoused to haue knowne you I woulde with valoure haue hindered your briding so or Fortune should haue foullie denied me for such is my religion in looue as better death then discontent and had I béene Lord of Europe you had béene Ladie Notwithstanding Madame so like it you I may be your Freende and knightly seruaunt for Loue wants no wyles to compasse desire and my sute is modest if you count it not vnséemely The Duchesse whom swéete loue could easilie entice to folly hardly might resist a present conquest wherefore chaunging countenaunce and not daring to reueale what she gladly would sayd Trust mee my Lorde your speeches are not comely to violate chaste wedlocke is so monstrous
as you can haue no priuiledge to aske nor I to graunt and therefore content ye This aunswere albeit it was sharpe and scant pleasing to the Prince yet loue so perswaded him that the Duchesse had another meaning then she bewrayed for nothing her countenaunce so full of change he gessed that sâ—me sparks had fallen among her affections wherefore he began againe I beséeche you Madame accuse Loue if I haue spoken to your dislyking yet hope I to sée the time when I shall make knowne howe great my affection is to doo you seruice and continuing this talke he brought her to the Quéenes lodging Loue following them bothe so narrowlie at the héeles as the Duchesse was no lesse affectionate then Lewes was passionate Which when he got some light of in hope to purchase hys his desire he sollicited her in more secrete manner then hee was wont so that being one day in place where they might familiarlie talke Lewes perseuering in his enterprise declared what torments he suffered for her loue whereuppon the Duchesse not onely by the Princes reasons which were perswasiue but as well to mittigate her owne oppressions thus aunswered Great is the force of your perswasions my Lord but greater is yâ— of looue which hath made me yours so that what you request I cannot denie and though it stand not with mine honour yet such is my fortune Let me intreate you therefore to conceale this loue so discréetlie as none may knowe of it especially my Lord the Duke and expect the day that shall yéelde you content and make mee happy This aunswere so highly pleased the Prince as neueâ— man thought himselfe in greater felicitie and rendering her manifold thankes sayd I sweare to you Madame by the diuine force of loue that gouerns vs bothe to bee for euer your Knight and neuer shall any other desire abide in me then you shall like and well allowe of for otherwise I were not worthy this speciall fauour The Duchesse thanking him departed and thenceforth so secretly shaddowed their loue as none suspected that the Prince loued the Duchesse CHAP. XXXII Of the enterprise of Lewes the Prince of Fraunce for the loue of the Duchesse of Burgundie LOng continued the King of Fraunce this state in all magnificence there méeting many noble personages as well Straungers as of the Realme that it was meruailous to behold as also the Ladies and Damosels that accompanyed the Quéene who on a day in the presence Chamber among many Knights conferred of the bountie and prowesse of the florishing braue yong Courtiers among whom the Prince Lewes making one eache one spake in behalfe of his Ladies beautie yet concealing their names to themselues till better occasions might cause theÌ„ deseruedly to be known Al this talke the Prince well marking who for the Duchesse loue was depriued of libertie threw many swéete glaunces at the Mistresse of his affections perswading himselfe that nature neuer made a more perfect creature and not able to make her like againe burst her molde whereupon hee said Lordes and Ladies who with such aduauntage haue chatted on beautie vnderstand that such as you haue yet spoken of or seuerally in your owne thoughts shall thinke vppon may not be equall with one that I knowe euen she that is Ladie and commaunder of my hart whose beautie is so far beyond all other as bright Cynthia from the goodliest star in the firmament And because that none shal imagine how being carried awaie with priuate opinion I vse these spéeches I will make good my words by deedes of Armes against anie Knight whatsoeuer that dare saie the câ—ntrarie Nowe in regard that none shall pleade ignoraunce I will aduertise all Knights howe the first daie of Maie next ensuing and seauen daies more immediatlie following I will be in open fielde in my Tent where I will eâ—ecte a statelie monument on the toppe whereof shall bee her figure whose Knight I am and there will I defende it in this honorable quarrell against such Knights as will Combat for the beautie of their Ladies I affirming mine to excell all other in perfections This condition must be obserued by such as enter the fielde that they bring the Ladies figure with them whom they honor most and if Fortune frowne on them in such sort as they be vanquished they shall there leaue their Ladies Image to be placed vnder my Mistresse as her subiect Nowe if my vnhappy Starres so crosse me as I loose the credite I would bee lothe the conquerer shall enter in my Tent and in my Ladies place shall his Mistresse bee mounted if he meane to maintaine her with such conditions as I doo mine And hee that last shall accomplishe these eyght daies shall beare away the honour with the portraitures of the Ladies which by him or anie other all the saide time haue béene gained And this libertie shall be granted that he which receiues the foyle with the Launce shall CoÌ„bat with the Sworde if he please before he yéelde Nowe that this mine enterprise may be openlie knowne and put in execution as the vertue requireth I will sende Horsemen through all the prouinces of Christendome that all Knights willing thus to aduenture shall be heere receiued His spéeches ended the Gentlemen present could not maruaile sufficiently at this great and high enterprise of the Prince Lewes and the daunger whereinto he thrust himselfe yet not knowing who was the Ladie he woulde thus aduenture for but she béeing present perceiued that the Prince in honour of her loue tooke in hande this perilloâ—s hazarde wherein she conceiued such secrete content as the passioÌ„s of loue hauing penetrated her hart made her feare his mis-fortune which she would not for her life In this assemblie was present the Duke of Sauoye a yong Prince braue hardie and couragious as might be and estéeming so well of himselfe as he thought no Knight in the world coulde vanquish him who to aunswere the Prince Lewes arose and thus spake My Lorde I would not willingly haue entered the Combat against you but that I heard you so farre outreache your selfe as shee whose beautie you maintaine is more perfecte then all other Ladies but shee that is the commaunder of my hart is such a braue accomplished Ladie as in trueth her beautie may not be matched through the whole worlde And to affirme what I saie I sweare by the order of my knighthoode that the morrowe after you haue finished your eight daies enterprise I will enter the same fielde and auerre against all Knights that the Goddesse to whom I am dedicated excelles all other Ladies in her heauenly gifts and he that dare maintaine the câ—ntrarie vnder my Sworde I will make him confesse it All such therefore as will make proofe of their valour shall find me there in my Tent at my appointed day and nine daies after to sustaine the same quarrell in plaine Combat either at the Launce the Maâ—e the Sworde on horsebacke or on foote at his choise
occasion I would gladlie knowe would you graunt it me what Ladie she is for whom you thus aduenture you néede not Palmerin hide it from mée My Lord ê™ he the Dame for whome I enter the Combat is such as none may or ought compare wâ—th so singuler 〈◊〉 and aboue all vertuous and neuer would I think my selfe worthy to beare Armes if feare of danger mis-fortune or death it selfe should haue power to pluck me from my duetie As for my staie she Ioustes ended within one Moneth or sooner will I returne to your Maiestie and let mee intreate you not to feare anie thing in my iourney because I goe for your honour and my sword shal ring on the stoutest Creast the euer continuing honours of the Emperour of Allemaigne The Emperor vnwilling to forgoe him and loth to hinder knightlie chiualrie said Without question Palmerin the Ladie is indebted to you and you declare vnspeakable loue that for her beautie you deliuer your selfe to so great hazard but as for your intent to my honor I rather delight to haue it by your presence then thirste after such applause with your absence But séeing you will néedes to Fraunce happie fortune goe with you and make you victorious in all your attempts which I doubt not but by your valour vertues of your Mistresse the French wil not braue so much on the seauentéene of Maie as perhaps they wil on the first Prouided that before you depart you demaund and haue all thinges for your iourneie as well for such as goe in your companie as for your owne necessarie prouision and some wil I appoint to trauaile with you that may preuent anie trecherous inconuenience Palmerin not refusing thys bountifull offer with great obeisaunce thanked the Emperour and taking his leaue for that night returned to his Chamber determining to depart with expedition because the daie of the Ioustes were at hande Nowe was Trâ—â—eus the Emperours Sonne a yong Prince and had not yet receiued his order of knighthoode hee hearing of Palmerins departure was meruailous desirous to beare him coÌ„pany whereuppon he knéeled before his Father intreating him not to denie him one request Demaunde what thou wilt my Sonne quoth he I graunt it thée Then I beséech you good Father saide he to suffer mee sée Fraunce with noble Palmerin that I may bee acquainted with the courtesie and ciuilitie of that nation not doubting but soone to deserue my knighthoode And yet if before I receiue my order I see these high and woorthie déedes of Armes happilie they may entice me to follow their vertues beside if nowe I loose so good an occasion offered I knowe not when I shal compasse the like commoditie therefore good Father let me not be denied The Emperor offended for his rashe promise to his Sonne laboured to change his minde but all woulde not serue for the Prince promised to goe so couertlie as none should knowe him Wherefore he called Palmerin who as yet was not departed the Hall saying I sée Sir Palmerin you shall not goe alone in your voyage for my Sonne Trineus desires to be your companion for which cause I commit him to you and desire you to conceiue so well of him as at your returne we maie be all merrie togeather Which Palmerin promised whereuppon the Emperour called for the Maister of his Horse commanding him that all things might bee in readines against their departure all which was doone with such diligence as the thirde daie following all thinges prepared they tooke their leaue of the Emperour and the Ladies who at their departure shedde manie teares a common matter with them wishing the victorie and honor to Palmerin Thus with Trineus and twentie other Knights a great number of Squires and seruants in good equipage they iourned towards Parris without anie hinderaunce by the waie or matter of memorie Nowe before we passe anie further you shall vnderstand that after the Heraldes of the Prince of Fraunce and Duke of Sauoie were departed and that Palmerin had obtained leaue of the Emperor the Princesse Polinarda aduertised heereof was greatlie displeased with this suddaine departure wherfore calling Vâ—banillo the Dwarffe to her she saide Vâ—banillo thou must goe to thy Maister and will him this night to meete me at our appointed place that I maie confer with him of a secrete néerelie concerning mee Which when Palmerin hearde the earth béeing couered with her blacke Mantle and euerie one in their dead sléepe he called Ptolome and Vâ—banillo who were well acquainted with this loue walke and béeing there in presence of their Ladies the Princesse with a great sigh thus began Alas my Lord what mind is this in you thus to voyage towardes Fraunce and leaue mee alone sad and sollitarie Alas not content to hazard so long a iourney but a daungerous Combat beside for my beautie which is of so slender estimation as may not parragon with the Ladies of Fraunce béeing péereles as I haue hearde among those of highest perfection Ah my Lorde more comfort and content is it to me to haue your companie then to be crowned Quéene of anie Realme conquered by your vertue prowesse Therefore swéete Fréende I intreate you with all my hart and by the vnfained loue you beare me to leaue such dangerous enterprises where death is commonlie more frequent then life These wordes came with such amiable coniurations from the Princesse as Palmerin though loth to be disswaded answered Let me preuaile with you so farre good Madame as not to mislike my enterprise for your gracious loue for the honour you haue doone me in making mee your Knight I prize at no lesse valew then my déerest blood and shoulde I be helde from these French exploits vnwoorthy were I to bee your Seruaunt in that as you knowe no Knight but caries the honour of his Ladie in such account as he preferres that before his owne life If then Madame in religion of this office I absent my selfe for a while I shal accomplish nothing but my duetie wherto your selfe bound me and I hope to execute with such successe as you shall beare the prize for beautie not onelie from the Ladies of Fraunce and Allemaigne but from all Christendome yea the whole worlde may I liue to trauaile it Doo not then swéete Mistresse mislike if I absent my selfe for a cause so reasonable and continue me still in your fauourable conceit as he that was borne to doo you seruice And albeit I can not depart without excéeding gréefe and anguish yet perswaded of your rare arguments I arme my selfe with patience and yéelde to reason béeing present with you alwaies in that I carrie your diuine Image in my soule and leaue hart life and all with you till I come These wordes were sealed with manie deuoute kisses and Ptolome had like paine in perswading Brionella yet this coÌ„tented them in the ende that the honor of their trauaile was the renowne of their beautie and so with forced content they louinglie departed The
as Prince Lewes was throwne betwéene his horsses féete and he for England lost his stirrops but recouered himselfe well enough by the mayne of his Horse then he séeing his enemie not vppe againe cast himselfe out of his saddle to haue taken his aduauntage but Lewes preuented him and came marching against the Duke with his Sworde drawne who staied him thus Me thinks Prince of Fraunce before any worse befall thée thou wert best to yéelde thy selfe and remember that our Combatte beginnes for the excellencie of beautie By God man of England aunswered Lewes thou canst not perswade me to a thing so farre from my thought therfore goe too and he that hath the fairest Fréende shall soone be knowne In this great choller he reached the Duke such a stroke on the head as made him sette one knée to the ground but recouering himselfe quicklie and both thorowly angry they laid on eache other so cruellie as the very hardiest of the beholders feared the successe Thus fought they for matter of speciall value the defence of theyr owne reputations and honor of their Ladies whose loue was more precious in their harts then their owne lines So long these eager charges continued on bothe sides as Prince Lewes hauing receiued more then twentie woundes on his bodie feeling himselfe fainte fell downe before his enemie saying O noble hart of Fraunce the true succéeder of thy famous predecessours The victorious Englishman setting his foote vpon him saide Lorde Lewes if now thou declarest not my Lady to excel thine in beautie it câ—sts thée thy life a matter nothing pleasing to me in respect of the chiualry and singuler prowesse I haue founde in thée as also this magnaâ—â—â—ious enterprise of thine which in despight of thy foyle and death it self shall make thée liue for euer But Lewes made no aunswere eyther for his weakenes or sorowful conceite of his mis-fortune wherefore the Iudges came who granting the Duke victorie desired him to procéede no further which he honourably graunting was as ioyfull of the conquest as the Duchesse sad and pensiue thinking Prince Lewes had béene slaine outright wherfore the floong away to her lodging not tarrying for the King or any of the Ladies who likewise departed the fielde in maruailous sorow séeing theyr Sonne so pittifully wounded but aboue al the Duchesse made more lamentation then shee woulde haue doone for the death of her Husbande yet fearing what shee thought secretly shoulde by her gréefe bee openly suspected comforted herselfe so well as she coulde and béeing by herselfe with one of her trusty Gentlewomen shee thus breathed foorth her mones Ah trecherous Fortune enemye to all actions of regarde why hast thou suffered the man thou most fauoured thus to be vanquished and which is most to be pittied without hope of life Ah deceitfull tremperesse séeing thou hast offered him so much wrong doo mee the fauour to beare him company in death that liued and died so honourably for my loue Ah death let it suffise thée yâ— Loue hath wounded him and make not thou experience of thyâ—e ineuitable stroke vnlesse thou wilt doo as much for mee Ah false and flattering Sonne of Venus is this the guerdon thou rewardest them withall that serue thée faithfully So ceasing her complaint awhile in great impatience she thus began againe Alas neyther the one or other are cause héerof but my most vnhappy selfe when prouoked by my beautye he tooke in hand this enterprise but if it bee so déere Fréende that enuâ—ous fate deale so harde with thée soone mayst thou be reuenged on her that caused it And wyth these wordes she sell betwéene the armes of one of her Ladyes present whom she specially trusted who thus spake to her Why howe nowe Madame wâ—l you perswade your selfe no otherwise beléeue me there is no remedy but you must change this conceite What wyll you forgette your selfe it is no time if you remember your selfe well for if he whom you loue and endure these paynes for shoulde vnderstande héereof in stedde of séeking his health you wyll shorten hys dayes if as you say hee liue not without your welfare More requisite is it that you goe coÌ„fort him wyth your chéereful presence then thus to bee the argument of bothe your deathes Beside Madame if my Lord suruiue as no doubt he shall what may he presume trust me matter sufficient if you gouerne not your selfe better that you séeke to discouer what most of all beséemes you to conceale Alas my Fréende aunswered the Duchesse I knowe you speake the trueth but howe is it possible for me to content my selfe séeing what estate he is in onely for my loue But if he dye small reckoning will I make of my life for let my honour bee blamed or otherwise let all aduersities and mis-fortunes goâ— togeather Yet will I somewhat bee aduised by thee and I wyll goe sée if my presence wyl any thing comfort him To breake off this talke came an Esquire from the Queene to intreate her come to her Maiestie which she did and went with the Quéene to the Princes lodging who beholding the Duchesse so pale and full of greefe with this conceit his woundes opened and blâ—dde 〈◊〉 for which cause his Chirurgions who imagined the occasion to proceede by shame the Prince conceiued that any one should see what woundes he tooke by the Duke of Gaule wherfore they forbad any to enter his 〈◊〉 vntill the peril of death was better passed ouer which was within short time when the Duchesse by her ofteÌ„ visiting him coÌ„uerted his sorowes into many ioyful coÌ„ceits But because our History appertaines not onely to hys deedes or the loue of the Duchesse we will returne to the Duke of Gaule who after he had thus conquered Prince Lewes followed the conditions of the fielde taking the portraite of his Ladye Agriola and placed it where the Duchesse picture stoode setting it among the other conquered Ladyes That day dyuers other Knights came on behalfe of their Ladies whoÌ„ the valiant Englishman entertained with such valour as all his paines tourned to the honour of his Mistresse Agriola who nowe was seated as paragon of the fielde CHAP. XXXVI Of the Combatte betweene Palmerin and the Duke of Gaule with the successe thereof ON the same daie that the Prince of Fraunce was vanquished by the Duke of Gaule arriued at Paris Palmerin Trineus and theyr trayne but the Combat was first ended wherefore they commaunded their Squyres to prepare theyr Tent. Palmerin vnderstanding yâ— the Duke was conquerer greeued not a little in yâ— he came no sooner to winne the honour of the Prince yet knowing if nowe he coulde conquer the Duke more glory shoulde arise to him then by the Prince Lewes he contented himselfe passing that night in his Tent with the Prince Trineus in diuers arguments of the Combat between Lewes of Fraunce and the Duke yet was Lewes highly commended to Palmerin though he were ouercome because hee had so brauely doone the
of Knights and Squires who brought the portrait of his Ladie béeing a figure of rare beautie and hauing a Crowne on her heade where ouer was written in great Letters of Golde Thys is Polinarda exceedyng in beauty al Ladyes in the world which was read by manie who coulde not satis-fie their eyes in beholding so braue a spectacle and being sette on the Pillar appointed he came to the Duke of Sauoye saying Blasphemous Knight detractour of the beautie of Ladies héere may thine owne eyes witnes how thou hast belyed beautie in presuming to thinke any more fayre then this incomparable creature to whome thy Ladye may not worthilie be handmaide And if thou will not presently confesse what I commaunde thee shéelde thy head from my weapon which I meane to knocke well for thy great vndiscretion The Duke of Sauoy enraged with these words armed himselfe presently without any aunswere mounting on horsebacke with a strong Launce in his hande encountred his enemie so couragiouslye as breaking their staues brauely in thyuers to their verye Gauntlets passed on without any further harme The Duke of Sauoy angrie that he had not dismounted his enemie with hys Sworde drawne returned furiously vpon him laide on such strokes as the fire flew foorth of his Helmet yet the Duke of Lorrayne like a good and hardie Knight defended himselfe valiantly and reached the Duke of Sauoy many shrewd woundes so that bothe of them throughlie netled rent eache others Armour in such sort with their swords and mangled theyr flesh so vnmercifully as the Iudges coulde not imagine who had the better vauntage The Duke of Sauoye wondering to sée the Duke of Lorraine holde out so long began to storme more like a Fiend then a manne rayling on Fortune that in respect of his Ladies beautie shee asisted him no better and béeing at the very point of dispaire tooke hart a 〈◊〉 and redoubling his strokes vpon his aduersarie at length â—lewe his horse vnder him who falling downe and his Maister vnder him by reason he was so sore wearyed and beside had broken his thigh in the fall coulde not recouer himself before the Duke of Sauoie being alighted sette foote vpon him and in furye woulde haue parted hys heade from his shoulders but that the Iudges ran quicklie and stayed him Then was the Duke of Lorraine halfe deade carried into his Tent and the Duke of Sauoie caused Polinardas picture to be set at Lucemanias féete a thing verye strange in respect of their great difference Afterwarde hee was vnarmed to haue his woundes bounde vp which were so dangerous as gladlie he would haue béene excused from the Combat with any other Knight for that day didde not shame and the Lawe hée made himselfe prouoke him to the contrary But within an howre after he was defied by a Knight of Scicilie who woulde Combat on foote with the battel Axe in which conflicte the Duke was verye néere ouercome he had lost so much bloode before but in bréefe the Scicilian Knight lost the daie hys Ladyes picture was yeelded conquered and the Duke of Sauoie went to rest him in his Tent. CHAP. XXXVIII Howe the Duke of Sauoye entered the Combatte against Ptolome and howe he sped PAlmerin not as yet in perfecte health was aduertised how the Duke of Sauoie hadde conquered the Duke of Lorraine fighting for the beautie of the Princesse Polinarda the conceit whereof so gréeued him as nothing coulde more to sée her honour so badlie defended whom aboue all other he estéemed déerest which made him in great choller say before the Prince Trineus By God my Lorde Looue made a slender choyse of the Duke of Lorraine for his vassayle and Madame Polinarda scant wise to chuse him for her Champion in respect of the excellent beautie Nature hath bestowed on her And yet it could not be imagined howe the Duke of Lorraine shoulde gayne the victory without shame in séeking honor beyonde his desert because he is vnwoorthy such extraordinary fauoure which makes me repute it rather of a faynt hart then anie want of a iust quarrell Trineus hearing Palmerin so affectionate in his spéeches in a merry laughter sayd In good sooth Sir Palmerin the Duke of Lorraine was but ill councelled to enter the Combat for my Sisters beautie without her licence in that he once learned howe you coulde defend it much better then hee Palmerin fearing hee had spoken more then he ought because he discoursed his loue too openly excused the matter thus If it were not my Lorde that I doubt to offer wrong to a Lady on whome dependeth my lyfe and whom I loue more déere then my selfe I woulde cause the Frenchman well to vnderstand how Madame Polinarda your Sister surpasseth in all perfections eyther of grace or beauty all the Ladies of this Country yea I dare say of the whole world therefore one may easily coniecture that the Duke of Lorraine during the Combat had his mind fixed on baser occasions Then Trineus smyling to sée Palmerin so dilligent to shadowe his loue sayd It is no strange matter Fréende Palmerin to sée presuming mindes payde with selfe same coyne as the Duke is and yet I can not meruaile enough that my Sister Polinarda wold not commit this matter to your charge she hauing had so good knowledge of your valour and prowesse These speeches pleased not Palmerin a little and did in such sort encourage him as for the iniury doone his Ladie by the Duke of Sauoye in setting her figure at the féete of Lucemania as had not Trineus perswaded him wyth fayre spéeches all sicke and sore as he was he would haue gone to reuenge this dishonor Notwithstanding hee called Prolome secretly saying Thou knowest my déere Freende what shame is offered her to whom I was destenied before my byrth by the presumption of an ouer-bolde Knight and what greefe it is to mee that I cannot at this present reuenge this wrong my selfe I pray thee therefore supply my insufficiencie and enter the Combat with that vaine-glorious Duke of whom thou maist gaine honor and yéelde me content in giuing ease to my afflictions which els are insupportable I promise you my Lorde aunswered Ptolome before you made the moâ—â—on I intended it and I will accomplish it with such good will as I doubt not to ouercome the Duke of Sauoy And for my Miâ—â—â—esse Brionella will I enter the fielde whose beautie is sufficient to enriche me with the victory for in my conceit shee farre passeth Lucemania Therefore my Lorde let me request one courtesie which I am lothe you should denie me that if you shall be able to morrow but to accompanie me with your presence in the fielde If the ayre will suffer me quoth Palmerin I will in meane while I will pray that thy fortune may fall out to my harts desire Thus Trineus Palmerin and Ptolome were passing the time with other noble men of the valoure of the Duke of Sauoy against all strange Knights and how he
all his trayne taking theyr standing to behold the Combat Palmerin came armed foorth of his Tent sauing his Helmet which was carryed before him by two Squires with his Sheeld and Mace and next to them came two Princes who bare the portraiture of his Ladie Polinarda which béeing sette on the Piller hee clasped on his Helmet and taking his Mace in his hande martched to the Dukes Tent and thus summoned him Knight thou hast long enough defended the field and to my great gréefe that it hath béene so long my turne is nowe come and it is good reason I shoulde kéepe it the rest of the time for the Ladie whom I loue is not onely much more beautifull then thine but beside excelleth all other whatsoeuer and if thou wilt not confesse the same I wil not leaue thée with this Mace till I haue forced thée to doo it I know not saide the Duke what thou canst doo but I am of the minde that I shall soone quallifie thy ouer bolde brauing At these words the Duke taking his Mace deliuered Palmerin so sounde a stroke on the heade as made him to stagger but Palmerin requited him well againe for it and long had they fought togeather and brused eache other very pittifully till at length Palmerin gaue the Duke such a cruell stroke betwéene the heade and the shoulders as he fell to the grounde cleane bereft of sence when Palmerin taking off his Helmet would not offer him any further violence but setting his sworde against his brest said Now am I sufficiently reuenged on him that so ill intreated the figure of the most fayrest among Ladies The Iudges of the fielde thinking Palmerin would haue slaine the Duke came running to him with these words Content you Sir he is vanquished and hath no power to defende himselfe Whereupon Palmerin put vppe his Sword againe and leauing the Duke went presently to the Piller where his Ladies portrait stoode which embracing in his armes he placed highest and Lucemania at her féete saying I beséeche you Madame to pardon your Knight in that he did no sooner repell the famous iniurie offered you and impute it not to feare or want of courage but debility of bodie which once a little recouered I came to maintaine your honor and héere confirme you for the most beautifull Ladie liuing While Palâ—â—erin thus contemplated his Mistresse figure the Iudges commaunded the Duke to be carried into his Pauillion where with soueraigne drinks life was got into him again but when he knowe himselfe to be vanquished and that in one howre hee lost the greatest honour of all his life time very conceit of gréefe had well néere slaine him No lesse was the sorrowe of Madame Lucemania but she and her Knight were not so much discontented as Palmerin Trineus and Ptolome were ioyfull but aboue all other Prince Lewes of Fraunce more pleasant then if himselfe had tryumphed in victory thinking he could not sufficiently extoll the renowne of Palmerin calling him yâ— onely puller downe of the proude That day did Palmerin encounter with seauen other Knights in his conquests shewed himselfe not onely magnanimious but mercifull sauing their liues and honoring his Mistresse with the humilitie of theirs The next day likewise after many braue exployts béeing readie to leaue fielde because none came to resist him on a suddain there entred a Knight in blacke Armour stripte all ouer with Golde and bearing in hys sheelde of Azur the Golden Sunne whose braue order of entraunce declared him to be a hardie Knight at Armes who aduauncing him selfe to Palmerin said My intent of comming hether Sir Knight is to let thée vnderstand that I am the Seruaunt and beloued of a Ladie who may not bee equalled with any other and because I am enformed that yâ— maintainest thy Fâ—éend to excell all Ladies whatsoeuer I offer to prooue the contrary and will make thée confesse it I neuer spoke wordes more true aunswered Palmerin and heere abide to iustifie them but this place is ordeyned to no other ende then to make thée and thy like know what vnaduised enterprises you take in hande And one thing is required of â—hée that before thou begin the Combat thou sette vppon thys Pyller the counterfeite of her whom thou perswadest thy selfe to excell my Lady in beautie according to the conditions of this field published through all Europe That cannot I doo answered the Knight of the Sunne for I haue no other picture of her then is imprinted in my hart where loue hath so liuely figured her person as she is daily presented to mee by her incomparable beautie which cannot be taken from me but onely by death And if loue follow the soule as diuers holde opinion whole worldes cannot seperate mee froÌ„ her And therefore are all men vnworthy to receiue fruition by their regard of a thing so precious which makes me imagine none but my selfe woorthy to looke on her diuine figure Prepare thee therefore to thy Horse and defende thy selfe Palmerin desirous to know the name of this fayre Ladie sayd I sée Sir Knight that thou art meruailous proude and surlie which make mee desire rather to Combat wyth thee then any other to abate this hote humour albeit this is contrarie to his conditions who was the principall Author of this enterprise which is that thou shouldest set on this Piller her portrait whom thou so estéemest yet thys exception shall be graunted thee for the desire I haue to knowe what thou canst doo as also her name if thou darest reueale it To tell thée her name aunswered the Knight of the Sunne I will not sticke with thee and because in concealing it I shall offer her wrong nature hauing in her set downe the onely worke of beautie know therfore that her name is Polinarda Daughter to the mighty Emperor of Allemaigne These wordes were so yrkesome to Palmerin and troubled his thoughts in such sort that hee knewe not readily what to aunswere notwithstanding in midst of his choller thus spake By God Knight thou hast made a good choyse for against her beautie will not I contende hauing it in greater estimation and reuerence then thou canst haue but I am ready to prooue that thou deseruest not to be named her Knight no not so much as her meanest Seruaunt That shall we try said the Knight of the Sunne before we part and albeit her excellencie deserue farre greater seruice then mine yet so it is that for the looue I beare her and the affection I haue to obey her by some agreeable seruice I may by good reason name my selfe hers At these spéeches Palmerin conceiued such iealousie as without attending any further matter mounted in great anger on horsebacke and met the Knight of the Sunne so forcibly as bothe of them were sent to the ground whereuppon they drewe their Swordes and charged eache other with such furie as their Armour and Shéeldes were hacked in péeces and the ground coullered with their expence of blood
No permission of breathing was suffered betwéene them but blood and death earnestly desired on either part so that the King the Lordes and the Iudges reputed this for the strangest Combat that euer they sawe nor could they say who was likest to winne the fielde but if the one died the other could not escape so that the King mooued with compassion caused them to be seuered and commaunded them to enter theyr Tents Which motion liked well the Knight of the Sun for long he perswaded himselfe he could not hold out wherfore he mounted on horsebacke so well as he coulde withdrewe himselfe Palmerin béeing wonderfully displeased that he could not obtayne the victory of thys Knight Soone after the King and the Prince Lewes came into his Tent and séeing him very sore wounded woulde not let him staye there but sayd Beléeue me Sir Palmerin you haue great néede of rest and your wouÌ„ds I sée are very dangerous you shall therefore be conueyed to my Pallace where all helps that may be deuised shall be giuen assuring you that greater honour could neuer Knight purchase then you haue doone And though this last Combat were not ended you néede not be displeased the issue thereof importing yâ— death of the one or the other and perhaps of both which I would not haue séene for two of the best prouinces in my Realme And me thinks you should content your selfe hauing receiued before such honour ouer so many Lords and Knights of name come you therfore with me and Lord Trineus beare vs company Great thanks receiued the King of them for this honourable courtesie and Palmerin went with him to the Pallace where the Kinges Chirurgions tooke care of his woundes he béeing lodged in the most stately Chamber in the Courte Nowe the Prince Lewes beganne to loue Palmerin so déerely as he coulde not be an howre foorth of his coÌ„panie desiring his health as his owne welfare wherfore all thinges that he imagined Palmerin tooke pleasure in would he performe with his vttermost endeuours and would suffer none to hold him talk but only of matter that might yéeld pleasure and delight Notwithstanding diuers Knights conferring with him that euening as concerning the Knight of the Sunne Palmerin aunswered them that his mind should neuer be thorowly quieted vntil such time as he fought with him againe The Prince who still endeuoured to kéepe him from sadnes saide I beléeue my Lord that he will not easilie be induced to deale with you again for you brought him into such estate as hee will kéepe himselfe héereafter out of your handes and well I am assured that had you continued but a little longer the victorye had béene yours for the Knight was so weakened that he did nothing but defend your blowes It pleaseth you my Lord to say so quoth Palmerin but had he felt such valour in me or such courage as beséemes a vertuous Combatant hardlie coulde he escape as he hath doone neuerthelesse I hope with the fauour of Fortune to méete him once more and then we will trie who is the strongest Much other talke they had but Palmerin intreated the Prince that all the portraits of the conquered Ladies might bee brought him which were aboue an hundred of diuers beauties most strange fashions and among them all could be founde none seconde to Polinarda but as we haue said already that of Agriola the Princesse of England who by the report of a Gentleman present that had séene her was much more beautifull then her figure presented Such spéeches they continued so long of the Englih Uirgin as Trineus albeit he neuer sawe her became amorous of her and at yâ— instant he so solemnly vowed himselfe hers as thence forwarde he swore neuer to loue any but her so yâ— for her sake he thrust himselfe into manie perrillous fortunes as in the folowing discourse of the History you shall reade more at large From whom let vs returne to the Prince Lewes who seeing so many portraitures of Princesses and Ladies would dailie congratulate Palmerins good fortune and embracing him said So helpe me God my noble companion I woulde neuer desire greater riches in the world theÌ„ to resemble you especially in chiualry which in you is so surpassing al other as you haue ended to your honor what a number haue fayled in Oh howe happy may the Ladie account herselfe that hath such a Knight and were not the condition too cruell towards my selfe I could wish I were a Woman in her place to haue so high rule and commande ouer you At which words all present began to smile yet shewing good countenaunce to Palmerin for the affection they sawe the Prince beare him which is yet to this day a common vsage and practise among Courtiers but Palmerin somewhat ashamed of such superstitious prayses aunswered Trust me my Lorde I account my happines the greater that I haue doone seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are desiring to méete you in such place héerafter where you may perceiue the good wil I beare you not only for this high entertainement which is more then I can deserue as for the pleasure I haue to honour so good a Prince which if the occasion happen you shall perceiue the experience I haue spoken nothing quoth the Prince but what is more acquainted to others then my selfe and if I would conceale them then will they be most openly knowne because vertue doth so apparantlie shine in them Manie other spéeches passed betwéene them and longer had continued but that manie Lords which came to sée the Ioustes were now vpon departing and therefore woulde take their leaue of the King whereuppon they were constrained to breake off the Prince going to the Chamber of presence where hee gaue thanks to a number that honoured the Courte with theyr presence and so one after another all departed the Duke of Sauoye béeing one of the first ashamed God knowes to be so conquered by Palmerin and not bidding his Lady Lucemania farewell But Lewes did not serue the Duchesse so for her loue continued as resolute as before and shee loued him as wel conquered as had he béene the conquerour whereof she assured him by many amorous méetinges by which meanes the Prince stayed the Duke at the Courte longer then himselfe would haue doone Lewes thus loâ—ing Palmerin as you haue hearde intreated the Duchesse to come and visite him which she accomplished the day folowing when Palmerin spent manie discourses with her rather of loue then entring into religion for he perceiued by her countenaunce that she had no will to become a Nunne where we will leaue them togeather to tell you who the Knight of the Sunne was that fought the last Combat with Palmerin CHAP. XL. VVho the Knight of the Sunne was and of his strange aduentures THe King of Hungaria Father to the Prince Tarisius that maried the faire Griana Mother to Palmerin had in his latter yéeres a Sonne named Netrides
with him into England where he founde the Countrey very much desolated with warres to his no little greefe but leaue we them and returne to Palmeâ—in CHAP. XLII Of the great courtesie the King of Fraunce vsed to Trineus and Palmerin and of their returne into Allemaigne SO dilligently were Palmerins woundes attended which he had receiued by the hand of Frysol as not long after hee recouered his health whereof the King and Prince Lewes were highly glad and much more Trineus to whoÌ„e the King desired to giue his Daughter Lucemania in marriage which to compasse hée intended a sumptuous banquet whereto hee woulde inuite these twaine yet first he would acquaint the Quéene therewith and therefore began the matter with her thus I see Madame that our Daughter Lucemania is of yéeres sufficient for a Husband and because I euermore desired her highest preferment and that I would knâ—w if the Prince Trineus to whom I could wish she were espoused were anie thing in loue that waie affected for hardlie in my iudgment shall we finde a greater Lord béeing heyre to the famous Emperour of Allemaigne for this intent I say will I ordaine a banquet whereto hee and noble Palmerin shall bee inuited and our Daughter to beare them company in yâ— best sorte you can deuise The Quéene who more desired this marriage then the King her Husbande aunswered You doubt not my Lord that I request her chéefest aduantage wherefore let it be as you haue determined and shee shall be present as you haue appointed This matter thus procéeding two daies after were Trineus and Palmerin called to this banquet and to honour them the more the King caused his Sonne Lewes with a braue companie of Knightes and Gentlemen to conduct them into the Pallace where they were royallie receiued by the King and Quéene and so led vppe into the Chamber appointed for their banquet After they had washed the King caused Trineus to sitte by him and Palmerin against him aboue whom sat faire Lucemania his Daughter béeing placed iust opposite to yâ— Prince Trineus the Quéene to furnish the Table satte downe by the King And albeit nature had bestâ—wed on yâ— Princesse most exquisite beautie yet her sumptuous accoustrâ—ments made her appeare most amiable but all coulde not mooue the hart of Trineus to forget her to whose shrine hee was dedicated The banquet ended and yâ— Tables withdrawne Trineus daunced with the fayre yong Princesse courting her with manie honest decent spéeches which made Lucemania suppose he loued her but the Prince noted it well enough albeit his affections were bound to English Agriola In this time the other Ladies were conferring of Palmerins knightlie valour when the Countie of Armignac his Sonne intreating the Duke of Orleaunce Daughter to daunce was thus staied by her spéeches to yâ— other Ladies You sée faire Ladies quoth shee that Palmerin hath misprized our beauties to reuenge our iniurie let vs all fall vppon him and shut him in some place where hee may neuer come foorth for if he escape vs the Allemaigne Ladies shall beare the honor from the French which will bee to vs perpetuall discredite These wordes she spake with such a pleasant countenaunce as mooued all the other Ladies to smile whereupon the Duchesse of Burgundie answered In sooth it is necessarie we should doo so and let vs not suffer him to gette out of our handes so easilie as he did from the Knights that came to the Combat All the companie lyked this motion well but the King said Ladies I will not consent that Palmerin shall haue anie wronge because I haue taken him into my guarde And who shall make recompence quoth another Ladie for the wrong hee hath doone vs You ought to suffer for satis-faction saide yâ— King and bee glad that you had the meane to sée the best Knight in the world for mine owne part I promise you I rest so contented Palmerin hearing the King so commende him bashfullie thus aunswered Alas my Lorde there is no such matter in me as pleaseth your Maiesty to report but what my abilitie is it remaines to doo you seruice accounting my selfe more then happy by comming to your Courte to haue knowledge of a Prince so noble and vertuous and no man liuing next my Lord the Emperour that maie commauÌ„de me more then your highnes Among other speeches yâ— King broke the matter of his Daughters marriage to Palmerin desiring him to labour in the cause to Trineus which hee promised but al in vain for after they had taken their leaue to returne towards Allemaigne though Palmerin was earnest in the matter in respecte of the beautie and nobilitie of the Princesse as for the support he might haue by matching with the Daughter of Fraunce yet Trineus thus answered I thanke you my Lord for the good you wish mee as also the honour the King affoordes mee but another beyond her whose renowne hath conquered me is Lady and Mistresse of my affections And because you are hee frâ—m whom I will not hide my most secrete thoughts know that it is Agriola Daughter to the King of England to whom though my Father be an enemie yet by your aide mine owne good endeuours I doo not doubt to compasse my loue You knowe my Lord quoth Palmerin that I wish as wel to you as mine owne hart and when occasion serues tryall shall make manifest And séeing you haue fixed your loue on faire Agriola of England imparting likewise the same so confidently to me I am perswaded you coulde neuer make a better choise therefore let nothing chaunge your opinion Thus rode they on with manie sundrie spéeches not a little gladde they were returning to the Emperour but Palmerin much more then was Trineus for the desire hee had to sée his Ladie Polinarda wherefore with the consent of the Prince he sent a Squire before to aduertise the Emperour of their comming before whom he had no sooner doone reuerence but he was presentlie knowne and demaunded in what estate his Son Trineus and Palmerin were where he had left them what accideÌ„ts had happened in Fraunce Then the Squire rehearsed the Combats and victories of his Maister against the Princes of Fraunce and the Dukes of Gaule Sauoye with their royall entertainment by the King and his Sonne howe manie portraits of Ladies Palmerin had conquered with the whole discourse of euerie action Whereof the Emperour the Empresse and all the Lords Ladies were maruailous glad yet was not theyr ioy comparable to the Princesse Polinardas hearing the Squire reueale the honourable déedes of her loue so that her conceit might be discerned by her couÌ„tenance needes she must thus demaunde of the Squire I praie thée tell me my Fréende howe fares my Lord and Brother with his noble companion Sir Palmerin The Squire wel abuised because he knewe the loue betwéene her and his Maister sette his knee to the grounde againe with this aunswere I left the Prince your Brother accompanied with
my Lord Palmerin well and in good health but chéefely my Lorde who since you sawe him hath wunne the greatest honour that euer Knight did Afterward he reported the manner of the Combats to her and what gréefe his Maister sustained in his sicknes when he coulde not be reuenged on the Knight that lost her counterfeit which the Duke of Sauoye placed at the féete of Lucemania and last of all the perillous Combat betwéene his Maister the Knight of the Sun Which she tooke such delight to heare as she made him repeate one thing manie times and could not satis-fie herselfe sufficientlie with these worthy reports Which the Squire perceiuing delighted as much to itterate euerie thing and said Beléeue me Madame the loue my Maister beares to her for whose beautie he entered the Combat in my opinion is incredible for he is much more hers then his owne and I haue séene him in such sort thinking on her as one coulde hardlie iudge him aliue or deade fearing least anie other shold rob him of his loue such is the iealousie of his vnspotted affection albeit my Maister reputes his Ladie immouable Polinarda changing countenance oftentimes at yâ— Squires wordes aunswered The Ladie shoulde be very ill councelled béeing honoured with the looue of so good a Knight as Palmerin to make refusall of his worthie seruice and I promise thée by the faith of a Princesse that if I knew her for the vnwillingnes I haue to heare him coÌ„plaine I wold endeuour to cause her like none but him and therein to thinke herselfe the most happie among Ladies Wherfore if thou maist bee so bolde tell thy Maister at his returne that I will be a meane to aide him towardes her he loues and therewithall present him my fauourable salutations in that I euermore desired the fortunate ende of his enterprise not so much for the lyking of his Ladie béeing beloued of the best as for the renowned chiualrie that harbours in his hart These spéeches ended the Squire returned to méet the Prince Trineus and his Maister to whom he reported his talke with Polynarda which Palmerin reioycing at let fall all iealousie estéeming her nowe the truest Lady liuing The men of Gaunt for ioy of his returne that so worthilie deliuered them from the oppressions of the enchaunted Knight went foorth in seuerall companies according as honor yéeres and office directed them to méete him and so conueied him with signes of ioy to the Pallace where the Emperour so much abased himselfe as he came downe into the open Court to entertaine him and glad likewise to see the safe returne of his Sonne Tryneus saying My Sonne right happie is thy returne you Sir Palmerin perswade your selfe so welcome as hart can deuise assuring you that your successe hath not a little pleased me And needes must I account the Ladie especially bounden to you for whose loue you haue past so manie dangerous Combats good reason hath she to loue you in respect of your trauailes for her renowning her so much by your knightlie chiualrie so that if she recompence you not according to your merits woorthilie may she be condemned of ingratitude Alas my Lords quoth he her beautie commaundeth higher matters then all my labours Polynarda béeing in presence remembred well her Fathers words and therfore she intended to shun that condemnation saying to herselfe He that deserues honour ought to were it and he that commaundes the soule may easilie ouer-rule the passions of the minde let my Knight then be rewarded as he hath rightly deserued All this while the eyes of these two louers so well discharged their office as Palmerin wished that Iuno had graunted him so much as she did somtime to Argus her shéepehearde that he might haue more ease in his afflictioÌ„ for he thought it not enough onelie to behold the beautie of so rare and excellent perfection Againe he was not a little tormented because Polynarda to couer what she woulde gladlie none should discerne cast her lookes on the ground which sometimes shee likewise compelled him to doo but her presence whom he estéemed aboue all other things would not allow him that consideration The Emperour at length commanded that all the figures of the Ladies which he had wunne in CoÌ„bat should be brought before him but when hée sawe so manie and of so contrarie qualitie hee coulde not but coÌ„mâ—ndâ— Sir Palmerins victorie Then were diuers iudgments giuen of the beauty of the portraits eache one of the beholders after their seuerall opinions Ptolome made description of whom they were and who did enter Combatte on their behalfe omitting at no tune the honour of Palmerin whereat they all admired some commending their complexions others their swéete yong yéeres and altogeather the prowesse of him that brought the conquest with him whereupon the Emperour said In good faith Sir Palmerio I blesse the time that Fortune sent me so good a Knight and thinke not to carrie awaie all the glory of your victorie your selfe for I meane to haue part because you gaue your selfe mine And woulde the Ladie you loue were in thys Courte or in my Realme to the ende I might so assist you in your sute as you might both be mine My Lord quoth Palmerin the victorie is wholie yours béeing gotten by your Knight and if the Ladie I loue were not vnder your regiment then shoulde I complaine of a greater matter then abyding with you béeing obedient to your highnes as your humble subiect and Seruaunt With which aunswere the Emperour was highlie contented and Tryneus comming to his Sister Polynarda saide Trust mee faire Sister you are more indebted to Palmerin then to anie other Knight in the worlde beside and rather accept of him then of the Duke of Lorrayne who maintaining your beautie was ouercome by the Duke of Sauoy and your picture placed at the féete of Lucemania where yet it had remained but that Palmerin conquering the Duke remooued the figure of the French Princesse in obeysaunce to you Polynarda not content with the vndiscréete enterprise of the Duke of Lorrayne aunswered In sooth good Brother the Duke of Lorrayne is none of my Knight and I repute Palmerin to haue more bountie and valour then the Duke can haue of wit or courage therefore great meruaile that hee was not slaine The Emperour seeing Polynarda was offended with the Duke of Lorrayne aunswered You cannot Daughter forbid men to execute their owne pleasure and if the Duke liked to enter the Combat for your beautie it was for the honourable good will he bare you and albeit hée could not reache his desire yet haue you no cause to thinke the worsse of him Polynarda béeing a Princesse of rare wit and iudgment as anie of her time would multiply no more words but continued silent neuerthelesse Palmerin remembring her aunswere to Tryneus intreated her to kéepe all the portraits of the Ladies determining to sende them to whom they belonged according to their degrées in birth and honor
answere replyed In truth my Lord if I were not desirous to fulfill what is required in chiualrie I wold not so boldly haue made this demaund therefore for such exceptions as you admitted let mee not I beséeche you be denied at this time and let this induce you that such as are borne to gouerne Kingdoms if they giue themselues onelie to pleasure without passing through the pykes of some dangerous hazarde they are not woorthie to be lifted to such honor The Emperor hearing the braue minde of his Sonne and that his wordes fauoured of courage conceiuing well thereof answered Since your desire is so earnest to be made Knight I am well contented but I wold haue it doone honorablie and before a greater assemblie then now is in our Court Alas my Lord said Trineus there is no néede of tryumphe before victorie let such pomp remaine I pray you til I haue wâ—nne honor and accounte by my déedes The Emperor ioyfull of the Princes good opinion perswaded himselfe he wold 〈◊〉 fortunate wherfore he graunted his request so that Palmerin might accoÌ„panie him in his voyage Of which condition Trineus was not sorie because in him consisted all his hope of successe so his Father commaunded him to prepare himselfe for hys order whereupon Trineus made himselfe a costlie Armor and another for Palmerin the deuises béeing changed because they intended to passe vnknowne Nowe had the Emperor leuied an Armie of tenne thousande good Souldiers the conduct wherof was appointed to the Countie Tolano a Knight valiant and hardie hauing had like charge in sundrie occasions of war therefore so soone as all things were in readines they were embarqued and sayled with such benefite of winde and weather as soone after they tooke landing in England Where a while we will leaue returning to Polynarda greatlie discontent with her Brothers departure because of Palmerin and Brionella no lesse troubled for her fréend Ptoleme but the Princesse féeling newe afflictions for the absence of her loue came to her Brother saying I knowe not Brother who hath aduised you to venture so dangerously our Cozin hauing assistance sufficient without hazarding your personne let mee then intreate you good Brother to affect occasions that promise better securitie Better occasions Sister quoth hee it is impossible if it be a thing allowable vertuous to succour a stranger howe much more then is it to our Kinsman especially such a one as is our Cozin of Norvvay therefore I pray you be of good comfort till my returne And if it so happen that my Father in my absence intend your marriage looke that your consent not til I come home againe for my not being héere will serue you for a sufficient excuse Which Polinarda promised and her word so past stoode her in no small sted afterward as you shall finde in the discourse following So soone as Trineus was prouided of all thinges for his knighthoode he came to the Emperour in this maner I desire you my Lord to accomplish your promise hauing doone my duetie as you commaunded me With right good will my Sonne saide the Emperor goe Arme your selfe Then went hee Palmerin and Ptolome armed to the Chappell Trineus béeing in Gréene Armour figured all 〈◊〉 with harts of Golde and in his Shéelde was portraied a Knight vnarmed holding in his hand a Bowe bent with an arrow readie to shoote against a gréene Trée whereon hunge a scrole which had written in it in Letters of Gold this mot Madame quand mourray-ie Whereby he meant that the loue which made him enterprise this voyage should beare him companie till death Palmerins Armor was all blacke declaring his mourning for his absence from his Lady and in his Shéelde for his deuise was figured a goodlie Eagle shâ—ouding a little Birde vnder his winges declaring therby the fauour he had receiued of his Mistresse Soone after came the Emperor into the Chappell where hee Knighted his Sonne put his Spur on his héele and giâ—ded his sworde about him afterward they went to dinner and spent the whâ—le daie in manie pleasures for ioy of the newe Knight Pâ—â—merin Ptolome to comfort their Ladies before theyr departure according as they were wont when yâ— Princesse Polinarda thus began Alas my Lorde what gréefe wyll your departure be to me with what patience doo you think I am able to endure it perswade your selfe the very conceit of your absence will be my death or at least a cause of such danger as I shall neuer recouer Bee well aduised therefore how you deale with me for the intent of my Brother maie be broken if you would labour in it but if it may not be then saue my life by your spéedie returne These words were deliuered with such teares and reking sighes as Palmerin might well perceiue the vehemence of her gréefes and answering her heauines with as earnest oppression said Swéete Ladie bee perswaded tempeâ— your sorrow with patience considering the vnion of our spirites makes a simpathie of afflictions if then for my sake you will not pacifie your selfe yet to shéeld your owne perril let me intreate you to be resolued in that my returne shall bée with such expedition as you will commaunde But if you continue thus melanchollie you will bewray what as yet shoulde bee concealed and so may great harme ensue to vs both Wherfore I desire you to moderate your impatience and thinke well of my departure which is chéefelie to seeke out a Knight against whome I fought in Fraunce for your beautie as for anie other matter you may beléeue me Whereuppon he reported his Combat with the Knight of the Sunne which made the Princesse as well for Palmerins promise as the account he made of Frysol somewhat better quieted to answere If it be so my Lord that your returne will bee with such spéede I shall enforce my selfe to beare the burthen of my cares with as much patience as I can and sée you faile not your appointed time but tell mee I praie you what Armes beares the Knight of the Sunne you spake off which Palmerin discribing Polinarda remembred him saying My Lorde I know nowe very well what he is for eight daies after your departure towardes Fraunce the Emperour my Father knighted him commaÌ„ding mee to gird him with his Sworde which I coulde not but obey wherein the Knight glorying sollicited me with affections not liking me which I pray you reuenge béeing the man whom the matter néerest concerneth After manie other amiable conferences the Knights humbly tooke their leaue of their Ladies and in the morning betimes the Mariners called on Trineus and his companie to hast aboorde because the winde serued well for England which they performed with all speede hauing first taken their farwell of the Emperour and the Court. So hoysing sayle they sette on to Sea and in good tâ—me came within yâ— kenning of England where we will forsake them awhile and returne to the Emperors Armie which he sent to the King
Court that hée is one of the wisest and best gouerned Princes that euer I heard of Wherefore bee it spoken vnder correction your Maiestie should forget this light offence and consider if the like had béene towards you you would haue done no lâ—sse When the King heard him to support the Emperors cause he presently iudged him to be of his Course and therefore sayd Are you he Sir that woonne such honor and renowne in Fraunce at the combat maintained by the Prince Lewes for the loue of his Ladie If you be so I pray you do not denie it for I shall henceforth thinke my Court most happie to harbour the most excellent among all Knights and I promise you I am so iealous of mine owne conceyte as you can hardly pâ—â—swade mee otherwise such experience haue I made of your bountie and vertue Palmerin blushing at thâ—se worâ—es and doubting he should nowe be certainlye knowne answered Wee humbly intreate your Maiestie héeretofore and so we doo now againe that you would not enquire whence we are sufficeth your highnesse that wee are his humble Seruants in any thing that shall like him to commaunde vs. The King this hearing repented himselfe that hee had béene so importunate for hée feared least his spéeches would make them forsake his company wherfore by this time béeing come neere his Pallace hée sayde What I haue sayd Gentlemen I hope shall not offend you in my excuse admit my earnest desire to know you By and by ouertooke them the Duke of Tintriel who went to restore the Crowne as you haue heard what the Scots vsurped and he aduertised the King that the Quéene and her Ladies were ridden to a Castle foure miles from London to sollace themselues whereupon the king resolued to rydâ— thither Whereof the Prince Trineus was not sorie such was his desire to sée his faire Fréend whose loue still crossed him with so many passions as hée séemed a man of another world and did not his woundes sâ—rue somewhat to couer his disease hardly could he haue sounde any shift to conceale it so closely wherefore he beganne with Palmerin thus You knowe my chosen friend that the hope of my loue made me leaue my fathers court and to preuent my meaning consists onely in you now in respect of my forcible captiuitie béeing vnprouided of strength sence or any meane to discouer my loue to her who only can helpe mée I intreate you by the inuiolable league of our amitie that when you chaunce to speake with the Goddesse of my life my paines and anguishes may serue for my salutations and imparting to her the extreamitie of my sorrowes shee may perceiue in what estate I am and what néede I haue of her gracious pittie These wordes were deliuered with such sighs and teares as Paâ—merin was amazed thereat albeit hee knewe howe heauy the burthen was and howe it excéeded patience in suffering comparing his absence from his mistresse Polinarda to be as insupportable as the presence of Agriola not daring to speake to her was to Trineus whereupon he answered My Lord repose your trust in this matter on me which I doubt not to handle in such sort as you shall haue no cause to be mal content or the Princesse any reason to be ingratefull But what thinke you if my Dwarfe did carrie this message in my opinion through the whole world you could not finde a more fitte fellow such is his subtile and present inuention as hee wil prooue the onely string to your bowe Alas sayd the prince I care not who were imployed héerein so I were sure of comfort Then was the dwarfe called to whom Palmerin in this sort began It is wel knowne to thée Vâ—banilâ—o with what good will I would do any seruice I could to my Lord Trineus as well for the incomparable kindnes I haue receiued of my Ladie his Sister as for the affiâ—â—tie I hope shall one day be betwéene vs by his meanes So â—ften haue I made experience of my loyall seruice and fidelitie in my chiefest and very nâ—erâ—st affayres as well may I impart to thée the secrets of my noble companion pâ—rswading my self of thy suretie and secrecie It now remaines that thou pleasure the Prince Trineus in breaking his loue to the Princessâ— Agriola as thou diddest for me to my Mistresse Polynarda but aboue all things haue regard that thou bewray not of whence or what we are yet must thou assure her that the Prince is one of the greatest Lords in Europe My Lord quoth the Dwarffe I was neuer yet disobedient to you in all my time and very loath were I now to beginne but because I am such a little writhen fellowe you make me your Broker in these perillous loue matters Notwithstanding I will doo it though I died for it esteeming my life well bestowed to pleasure such Princes There can no inconuenience arise hereby to thee quoth Palmerin but profite euerie way be not enemie then to thine owne good That will I neuer sayd the Dwarffe and well might the Ladie be iudged vnprouided of reason and verie farre from vnderstanding if she make refusall of the Princes honourable offer the King himselfe if he knew it woulde imagine his dayâ—s blessed the issue then of this enterprise can not but sort to good The Dwarffes wordes pleased so well Trineus as he tooke him in his armes saying I commend my selfe and my happinesse to thée Let me alone quoth Vâ—banillo if I bring you not hearbes that shall coole this hote feuer then let me neuer bee counted for a tall man so went he about it as you shall vnderstand hereafter Chap L. How the King of England went to the Castle to the Queene and her Ladies and of the honourable entertainment made to the three strange Knights NEwes béeing brought to the Quéene â—hat the King was not farre off shée sent a verie honourable traine to méete him and with them his sonne the yong Prince Fredericke ten yéeres olde but beautifull and of such perfection as promised great hope in time to come Hée hauing made reuerence to his Father and the other Princes demaunâ—ed for the straunge Knightes and saluting them with such kindnesse as was rare in a Childe he rode betwéene Trineus and Palmerin giuing them harty thanks for theyr fréendly succour to his Father without which sayd hée as the Quéene my Mother tolde mee hée had dyed and wée all béene distressed By this tyme they were come to the Castell all the way so thicke pâ—stered with people as there was no roome to stirre among them euerie one crying Happie be the Knights that foyled our enemyes So entring the Castell in the vttermost Court they mette the Quéene and her Ladyes among whom fayre Agriola shyned as beautifull Venus among the other starres wherewith the Prince of Allemaigne was so nipt in the head as an offâ—nâ—our with his guilt before a Iudge so that not regarding what yong Fredericke or the other Lords courteouslie sayd to him he
himselfe Ah loue hast thou wrought so happily for mée as my Ladie knowes my secrete afflictions shall I be so fortunate as she will 〈◊〉 remorse on my passions swéete hope perswades mee so for the often change of her diuince countenaunce tels me there is some mercie in working The King and Quéene departing into their Pauilion Trineus and Palmerin did the like into theirs the Prince taking Vrbanillo aside demaunded if he had any good newes for him If you will graunt mée one thing said the Dwarffe I will tell you such tydings as cannot but content you Demaunde what thou wilt quoth Trineus and by the faith of a Prince thou shalt not bee denied Then beganne the whole discourse hee had with the Princesse and what deuotion shée had for the recouerie of his health Iudge you in what rare humour the Prince now felt himselfe without question he imagined himselfe in a more beautifull paradise then euer was inuented by Epicurus himselfe and embracing the Dwarfe he said Ah my good fréend what wilt thou yâ— I giue thée tell mée what thou demaundest thou hast my whole life so much at thy command as thou maist liberally share out thine owne recompence but séeing the beginning is so good no doubt much better remaineth behind Why my Lord ê™ the Dwarfe you know I was borne to doo you seruice commaund what you please and I will accomplish it Then shalt thou said the Prince returne to my Mistresse againe and kissing her hande present her from me this Emerald desiring her to weare it for my sake with remembrance to pittie his painfull miseries whose life and death is onely in her hand Vâ—banillo taking the ring Trineus and Palmerin went to passe the time with the King and the Princesse at their entraunce regarding Trineus perceiued by his countenance that he vnderstoode her message for his blood was now risen chéerely in his face which before was suncke downe with too much langushing so that she imagined her selfe more happie in béeing so be loued then to loue and knew not well how to dissemble her ioy Ah poore Trineus the paine thou endurest attending the wished houre to speake with her far surmouneth the torments of Leander awaighting when Phoebus would go bathe himself with Thetis and the Marine Goddesses that he might afterward swim to his affianced Heroe and had not shée giuen thée a better signe by her eye to aduenture I would haue reckoned thée more infortunate then the beâ—râ—thed spouse to the prisoner of Abydos Now had Trineus bashfully taken the Princesse by the hand when vnhappily one came to aduertise the king that the hart he had â—hased the day before was now againe gotten within yâ— toylâ—â— that if it pleased him to hunt in the morning hee should no doubt kill him with little labor These newes were so welcome to the King that because he would the next morning more earlie go to his pastâ—ne hée withdrewe himselfe for that night the Quéene and Agriola likewise departing to their Pauillion so that Trineus encounter was thus preuented and he with Palmerin returned to their Tâ—nt trusting still on the Dwarfes diligence that he should perfect all things to his hearts desire to perswade him the more Palmerin thus began I haue this hope my Lord séeing alreadie so manie good signes that you cannot any way â—ée deceiued in your loue and this I would aduise you Fortune béeing so fauourable assisting you to her very vttermost you should nâ—t hence-foorth shewe your selfe so feminine but in hardie manner reueale to the Princesse when you shall find her at conuenient leysure both howe you loue her and what fauourable grace you expect at her hands I must confesse that Letters and messages are able to doo much but the person béeing present and knowing how to request and how to be answered is more auailable a thousand times and in bréefe no Messenger can bée like himselfe I speake not this as though my Dwarfe were not faithfull but to this ende that shée should receiue no occasion of displeasure In how manie dangers haue Gentlemen béene only by the bad construction of their seruants message the readiest wit that it cannot number them therefore if you find oportunitie attend no other suter but your selfe This councell wel liked the Prince Trineus wherfore he determined to speak to her himselfe so soone as time and leysure woulde permit him and in this resolution they went to take theyr rest but the remembrance of Polinarda would not suffer Palmerin to sléepe comparing his ioy in her presence with his tormeÌ„ting passions nowe in her absence breathed foorth maâ—iâ— sighes â—hed manie teares till at length hee began to slumber wherin he thought he discerned this sight Béeing in coÌ„panie with the King he sawe come foorth of a darke caue a dreadful Lyon who with open throat set vpon him and assayled him in such maner as with his nailes téeth he rent his Armor and put him in verie great daunger of his life so that he stroue in such sort in his sleepe as Trineus béeing in bed with him awaked him deemaunding why he strugled so earnestly Palmerin thus awaked desired God to withstand all his euils and afterward recounted to Trineus the whole effect of his dreame and said It will not bée amisse my Lord that to morrow we ride armed in the Kings companie for such illusions albeit they commonly fall out vntrue yet can presage no good to follow I like your counsell well aunswered Trineus and that Ptolome go armed as well as we In the morning they arose and armed themselues all saue their Helmets and Launces which their Squires caried and in this sort came to bid the King good-morrow who meruailed much to sée them so prepared and doubting they had receiued some occasion of offence demanded what mooued them so to be armed You know my Lord quoth Palmerin that a Knight ought euermore to be ready for all aduentures and not knowing what inconuenience or danger may happen before such time we shall returne againe we haue armed our selues to preuent the worst The King not discontented with this answer mounted on horsebacke comming to the chase had excellent game at Déere Hart Bore and wilde Buffell wherein hée tooke such excéeding pleasure as he determined to stay there fiue or sixe daies longer But in the place where he supposed himselfe safe and frée from all hazard suddainly hée was solicited with the chaunges of fortune for the Quéen and her daughter Agriola were in meruailous danger as you shall reade in the discourse following Chap. LI. How the Queen of England and Agriola her daughter were in danger to be rauished by the giant Franarco and of the succour they had by Trineus Palmerin and Ptolome THe king returning from the chase with his companie little minding any infortunate euent and conferring with Palmerin til they drew néere vnto their Tents at length they heard a great tumult and beheld a Squire making
friendly commers in all which time there wanted no sports delights as such times rnd occasions do necessarily require Nowe came all the Princes Lords and renowned Knights in England to the Court except the Duke of Gaule who excused himselfe by the warre in his owne prouince which yet was not the chéefest cause of his absence but the shame hée reputed to himselfe for his foyle in Fraunce when hée entred the Combatte for the beautie of the fayre princesse Agriola These knights thus worthily intreated they were at no time denied entrance into the King and Quéenes Chambers by which meanes Trineus might when himselfe pleased conferre with the Princesse till this instant among all other the prince thus began to his Ladie and Mistresse You may easily presume swéete madam what secret Conbattes I continually endure for your loue and no helpe is expected but the onely hope of your fauour which as you haue promised to my especiall friend Sir Palmerin I doubt not but you will perseuer in that gracious opinion and what promise hee hath made of my seruice to you thinke not but I obserue with religious care deuotion though not sufficient to equal your deserts yet because ingratitude shal not insult against me So many thanks quoth the Princesse I returne you my Lord as good opinions can bee imagined betwéene vs both and accounting you for my friende which is a higher degrée I héere discharge you of my seruice and mine honour guarded from blame I shall iudge my selfe happie to yéelde you any content which I will fulfill notwithstanding any daunger towardes mee But I praye you tell mée my Lord what is the intent of your loue in this action Madame quoth the Prince Syr Palmerin who is nowe come to beare vs companie shall crediblie enforme you so please you to rest contented therewith Palmerin thus entred and imagined theyr talke was not about affayres of Merchandise wherefore hée sayde to the Princesse God spéede you Madame pardon mée I should call you Ladie and Wife to the Prince of Allemaigne for I doubt not but you haue chosen him your Husband in heart Agriola blushing and smyling â—eereat made no aunswere Wherefore Palmerin went forward in this manner In faith Madame if you haue doone so I would counsell you to accomplish it presenâ—lie and prouide to go with vs to Allemaigne where the Emperour will entertaine you with such gracious fauour as you will not loose if you beare the minde of a Princesse beside you shall be the meane of euerlasting peace betwéene the King your Father and his Maiestie To which wordes Agriola thus discréetly answered I promise you my Lord there is no Prince thys daye lyâ—ing whome I would more gladlie accept for my Husband then the Prince Trineus notwithstanding for mée to departe without the knowledge of the King or Quéene my Parents is an acte in mine opinion farre dissenting from duetie and honest reporte Therefore my Lord louing myne honour as you say you doo I pray you let our behauiour be with better wisdome least we both fall into dangers not râ—couerable Palmerin perceyuing Agriola contrary to the most necessary occasion vsed such arguments and played so well the Oratour that the poore Princesse had no power to resist considering the great loue shee bare the Princâ— Trineus which made her yeelde more easily to his perswasions so that shée agréed to accomplish their determination and depart with them towards the Realme of Allemaigne Tâ—ineus ioyes nowe excéeded measure and Palmerin for his sake was no lesse contented in respect hee should the sooner sée his mistresse Polinarda whose very rememberaunce gaue him life as the ayre doth the Camelion But fortune beholding each thing prosper as liked their fancies woulde nowe néedes beginne to play her Pagant crossing them with the vnhappiest stratageme that euer could happen to so noble Princes as in the sequell shall bée laxgely discoursed They little expecting such a chaunce are earnestly following their serious enterprise which was secretly to carrie Agriola with them into Allemaigne for which purpose they prouided shippes and skilfull Pilots to conduct them conueying all their necessaries abroade at what time this aduenture following happened in the Court of England Chap. LIII Howe in the time of this pleasant and great assembly there came a Damosell to London who desired the king to do her iustice against a knight of his owne Court DUring the time that this royall company continued at London minding nothing but pleasures pastimes and courtly recreations there came a â—amosell so faire as might be accompanied with two auncient knights and a lustie Champion brauely armed with sixe Squires attending on him The Damosell entring the Pallace came before the King and on her knee beganâ—e in this manner Dreade Lorde hauing long time hearde your good iustice towardes your Subiects without any fauour or exception of persons I am the more bolde albeit he that hath iniuried mee is reputed for a Man of good quallity and holdeth place of authority in your Court humbly to craue of your highnesse one request against the most false and disloyall Knight that euer was whom when I but remember more weightie and gréeuous oppressions fall vpon my soule then this wretched body of mine is able to endure Damosell saide the King I shall right gladly reléeue your heauines if it ly in my power to doo it therefore tell mée the cause of your offence and what hée is that hath so wronged you Knowe my good Lorde quoth shée that I loued a Knight so déerelye as contrary to the lyking of my Parents and Fréendes and two much forgetfull of mine owne selfe I tooke him to my Husband thinking he loued mée so faithfully as his shewes and behauiour gaue demonstration But the Traytour had no other meaning then to beguile and falsely deceyue mee for after I hadde made him Lorde of mee mine and brought him to a Castle of mine so strong and fayre as anye in your highnesse dominions the Traytour expulsed mée thence violently pretending that wée were so néere allyed as he might no longer account mee for his Wife Since which time notwithstanding all the humble intreaties I haue made hée will neither restore mée my goods and possessions againe nor yet accepte mee as his espoused Wife Therefore I beséeche you my Lord as becomes a good vertuous Prince for the honour of nobilitie and regarde of womanhoode you will take pittie on a poore distressed Ladye and that in such a rightfull demaunde you woulde doo mée iustice which I had sooner demaunded but coulde not by the occasions of your troublesome warres Ladye sayde the King as yet you haue not named the man that hath offered you this surpassing iniury My Lord quoth shée this is the man in your presence name Miseres a vile Traytour and publique adulterer And if he dare affirme that I haue spoken vntruth I haue héere brought a Knight with mée who by Combatte shall make him confesse his
quarrell My Lord quoth she in concealing his name I should offer him great wrong concealing the bountie and prowesse of the man which hath not béene sparingly shewed heretofore in presence of the Duke of Gaule agaynst the King of Norway whose armie was â—icomfited by the worthy valour and pollicy of this knight who calleth himselfe by the name of Frysol the Duke of Gaule bringing him foorth of Frauncâ— at his last voyage and euer since hath so dearly loued him as he were his owne naturall brother I promise you Ladie sayde the King you made no ill choyse of your Knight for I haue heeretofore heard of his actions and am not a little glad that I know him wishing he were of my Court because a King accompanyed with such persons must néedes imagine his Countrie happie And in respect he is so braue a Champion it is impossible but hée shoulde bée a wyse and vertuous Knight wherefore I pray you cause him to come to mee which shée presently did And hauing saluted his Maiestie with honourable reuerence the King embraced him with these wordes Woorthie Sir you are most heartily welcome I coulde wish you were one of my Knights in respect that my Court should bee the more honoured and I might requite your paines better then I can on a sudden Mightie Prince quoth Frisol in assisting this distressed Ladie I haue done but my dutie but if I could any way do your highnesse seruice I knowe no Prince liuing for whom I wold more gladly employ my selfe And at this time vrgent affayres excuse me from staying héere any longer neuerthelesse I intreate you my good Lord if it may stande with your fauourable liking to repute mee among the number of your Souldiours and Seruaunts If it must néedes be so sayde the King you shall doo what please you yet will I reckon you amongst those to whom I owe continuall loue and affection And although the death of Myseres doth somwhat gréeâ—e me because I made some estimation of him yet for your sake shall I deliuer the Ladie her Castell which you haue conquered with so knightly chiâ—alrie Frysol humblie thanked his Maiestie and departed with the Ladie which way they came but Palmerin very much offended at his departure and earnestly desiring to be reuenged on him commaunded his Dwarffe to marke well which way they went The Dwarffe diligently fulfilling his Maisters charge returned and told him which way they tooke wherevpon he beeing desirous to follow without giuing any knowledge thereof to his companions left Trineus to conferre with his fayre Mystresse Agriola and departed the Câ—urt so secretly as neither the Prince or Ptolomie suspecâ—ed any thing And so accompanied with the Dwarffe Vibanillo 〈◊〉 câ—me to the place where his Squire stayed with his Armour where when hée 〈◊〉 armed hee mounted on horsebacke thus speaking to his man Returne you to the Cittie and there expect my comming as for thée Vrbanillo thou shalt say to Tryneus that hée must pardon mee though I did not acquaint him with the cause of my departure which I was more enforced to doe then he thinkes on neâ—erthelesse pray him take no paine to enquire after mee because I doubt not to returne verie shortly although not so soone as hee woulde yet pray him to vse so little speech thereof as may be The like mayst thou say to Ptolome and to them both commende me most heartily With this charge to you both that vppon payne of your lyues neither of you doo followe mée nor cause anie other to séeke after mee So taking his Launce hee galloped that way which his Dwarffe shewed him they were gone and he with the Squire returned to the Cittie making verie sorrowfull lamentation because they thought their maister woulde returne no more in that hée would not bee knowne whither hee went yet would they bewray nothing theyr maister had forbidâ—e them Trineus and Ptolome were maruellous sorowfull especially the Prince who without the Dwarffes assurance of his Maisters short returne had followed to seeke him yet not thorowlie contented with Vrbanilloâ— perswasions the King came to comfort him saying You must thinke good Sir that your noble Fréend is gone about some straunge aduenture for you knowe he neuer enterprised any thing but it returned him to honour If héeretofore for the loue of his Ladie hée shewed himselfe without his Péere in chiualrie thinke you be will not regarde his reputation and premeditate his actions before hee runne to farre in daunger Content your selfe I pray you for if his returne be not the sooner I will cause such prouision to bée made as hée shall be found againe The Princesse Agriola likewise intreated him not to bee displeased at the absence of Palmerin for with the helpe of God and his Fréendes quoth shée his returne will cause as much ioy as his departure dooth grâ—efe All this coulde hardly content Trineus for hée dreamed in his sléepe that the Knight which slewe Myseres was hée against whom Palmerin entred the Combat in Fraunce at what time they could not ouercome each other And remembring what ill will Palmerin bare him vehemently suspected that for this cause hee followed him which imagination somewhat comforted him and he reputed the Knight vnwise if hée medled any more with Palmerin Chap. LIIII How after the death of Myseres Palmerin followed Frysol whom he had slaine but that a Damoselâ— intreated his life AL that day Palmerin trauailed and most part of the next yet coulde hee heare no tidings of the Lady and Frisol which made him ryde in great melancholly till at length méeting with a Damosel mounted on a goodlie Palfray very richly harnessed of whome he demaunded if shee mette not a Knight armed who bare in a Shéelde of Azure a Golden Sunne and with him a Ladye attended on by manye Squires Truelie Sir quoth the Damosell if you will graunt mée two requests that I shall demaunde I will bring you to him you séeke for before to morrowe the third houre of the day Palmerin who was woonderfull desirous to finde his enemie granted to anye thing shee woulde desire on condition quoth he that you shewe mee the Knight Followe mée then sayde the Damosell for I will accomplishe what I haue promised So rode they togither and among other speeches Palmerin asked her if shee knewe the Knight and what his name was The Damosell aunswered that shée knewe not the Knight but shée was very well acquainted with the Ladye in his company and this night quoth shee they mind to lodge at a Castle of mine Auntes in the euening they arriued within the sight of the Castle where they alighted from their Horsses and entred a little thicket for feare of béeing séene and the Damosell hauing a flagon of Wine and a pastie of redde Déere in a maunde at her saddle bowe Palmerin and shée refreshed themselues therewithall but all that night coulde not Palmerin settle himselfe to sleepe watching the castle Gate least in the time of his
he would haue turned anotherway but one of the Knightes called to him Returne cowarde returne thou shalt not escape without tryall of thy manhoode for we must make proofe if there bee anye in thée Palmerin not knowing where to set his Hauke and very loth to loose it was not desirous to Iouste but séeing that with honour he could not refuse it aunswered It is small courtesie Sir Knight to challenge the man that hath no wil to your sporte but if there be no remedye your will be fulfilled albeit I hope you will first repent it I sée thou canst prate well quâ—th the Knight and beléeue mee thou wert wise if thou couldest so escape but séeing thou art so long before thou art readye I le bring thee to such a place where haukes shal not hinder thee and in one yéere thou shalt spare the wearing of Bâ—â—tes and spurres in such a comfortable place as the Sunne nor day light shall â—ffend thine eyes I hope I haue learned sayd Palmerin to kéepe my selfe from such places but I would faine knowe the gentle Chamber Page that is so skilfull in waiting with his Pantofies as he can teach Knights errant how to weare them The knight being angry called foorth the rest of his companiâ—â—s among whome he espied Hermes prisoner his Helmet lying by him and his armes pinniâ—nd therefore to reuenge his wrâ—nge he called his Squire saying I pray thée my Fréend looke to my Hauke a while for I am come to defendâ— thy Maisters honour and calling to the dukes Knight saying Come Sir let vs dispatch quickly for I haue earnest busines in another place the Knight laughing at him answered Why how now Captaine thinke you to passe hence so easilye Héere are sufficient to stay your hasty iourney eleuen more must talke with you the wâ—orst of them able to abate your pride for your horsse lackes a stable and wee will prouide him one So couching theyr Launces they mette togither with such force as the Dukes knight was throwne from his Horâ—â—e his shoulder béeing broken with the weight of his fall Palmerin arresting the Knightes horâ—â—e for his â—wnâ— gaue him to Hermes squire in kéeping saying Because the Knight is not willing to get on horse-backe againe hâ—ld this for mee and he maye lie at ease to sée the fortune of his fellowes Then came another Knight from the tent whom Palmerin welcommed in so fréendlye manner as he lay not able to stirre hand or foote with this one Launce hée vnhorssed foure more and brake it so valiantlye on the seauenth Knight as while he liued he meant to ioust no more With a fresh Launce hée dismounted all the rest none of them being willing to deale with him any further wherefore Palmerin came to Hermes saying What doo you 〈◊〉 Knight Why take you not the best Horse among all the 〈◊〉 That â—â—all I Sir séeing you commaund me albeit not loâ—◠〈◊〉 you serue me as thâ—se Knights are yet God be thanked that by your meanes I am deliuered from imprisonment wherein these knights intended to kéepe me because I vnhorsed foure of them and at the fift encounter my horse was killed which was the cause of my foyle and taking The knights quoth Palmerin haue nowe leysure to resâ— them for they were troubled before with watching for passengers I doubt not now but we may quietly passe the bridge for I sée none of them offer to hinder vs. Hermes mounting on horse backe commauded his squire to take a fresh one for him likewise and so they rode on together reioycing at this good fortune They had not ridden the space of a mile but Hermes demauded Palmerins name which when hee knewe in great reioysing he saide Ah worthy knight now is my trauel ended in search of you trust me I would refuse the best citie in England in respect of the great friendship I haue found at your hands as also for the comfort your presence will bring to our dread Lord and your noble companions who long time haue expected your desired returne As they rode on in these spéeches they came to a fayre fountaine where Palmerin would alight to refresh himselfe and to bind vp such smal wounds as he had taken in iousting against the knights of Gaule Chap. LIX ¶ How Frisol was deliuered out of Palmerins handes by the meanes of Colmelio his Squire THe same day that Palmerin â—ousted with the knights of Gaule the duke himselfe was gone on hunting by meanes whereof he lost the sight of the pastime which afterward hée repented because he had with him the most part of his knights so that no one was left in his Castle but Frisol that might bee counted of any value who beholding so many knights â—oyled by one maruailed not a little what be might bee and after long consideration of his haughtie exploits hée saide to himselfe I cannot thinke this knight to be the man against whom I combatted sometime in Fraunce yet know I no man liuing but 〈◊〉 that could performe such rare chiualrie Now because Palmerin had changed his armor he verily imagined that it was not he yet was he desirous to know but doubtfull to follow him by reason of his former experience againe if he should suffer him to passe without some triall he iudged it would returne to his great dishonour wherefore he resolued to aduenture his fortune And in this determination he came to the dukes sister who loued him intirely as you heard before she beginning with him in this manner I cannot sufficiently maruell 〈◊〉 Frisol how you haue suffered in your own view my brothers knights to be so shamefully conâ—â—unded by one passenger I deâ—â—re you swéet friend if euer you brake launce for a Ladies loue that for my sake you will deale with that proude knight and make him know that you can abate his courage were his head framed of yâ— hardest hammered brasse If you fulfill my request you shal do an acceptable déed to my brother to me such seruice as I shal hereafter requite to your own content Madame quoth Frisol I did intende to fight with him but séeing it pleaseth you so graciously to coÌ„mand me no danger can withhold me because the world can witnes what great auaile so honorable a Ladyes fauor is to the knight that liues to renowne her name So departing from his lady he presently armed himselfe mounting on a lustie Courser followed the way that Palmerin was gone the 12. knights not a little glad therof wel hoping yâ— he wold reuenge theyr dishonour Frisol continued his trauaile so long til at length he came to the fountaine where Palmerin refreshed himselfe who had no sooner espied him but surprisâ—â— with great ioy sayd to Hermes I am sure this knight comes hither is to seek me wherfore I intreat you by the reuerend loue you beare to your best beloued not any way to hinder yâ— fight betwéene vs til the end deliuer victorie to one 〈◊〉 or other for
he thinking to reueÌ„ge the reproch of his felow hath followed me to performe what they were not able Then Palmerin sodainly clasping on his helmet mounted on horsback and taking aduantage of the plaine field because it was most conuenient for the combat which Frisol perceiuing scornefully sayd I think Sir knight you are some kinde of prophet because you deuine so wel the cause of my comming vnhappie was it for you to preuaile in such sort against the duke of Gaules knights which you must now pay for with too late repentance If I did them any harme sayd Palmerin it was their owne séeking and by your arrogant spéeches it may be presumed you are one of the same company but yâ— loue of the Dukes sister cannot shéelde you from your deserued recompence At these words Frisol well perceiued that this was the knight he so much doubted Neuerthelesse his courage was so good as remembring the promise he made to his Lady gaue spurres to his Hose and they encountred with such braue chiualry as yâ— shiuers of their Launces flew vp into the aire and then they assaulted each other so roughly with their Swordes as well they might bée estéemed right valiant Champions No mercy was intended on either side for Frysol was determined to die or conquere and Palmerin held the same resolution so that the ground was coloured with their bloud their armour and shéeldes battered in péeces and no hope left on either side of life But as alwaies some mischance or other followes a noble mind so fel it out with Frisol for in their close buckling togither Palmerin had got sure hold on his shéeld which Frisol striuing forcibly to recouer the bucklâ— brake in sunder and with the sodaine breach therof he fel down backward when Palmerin leaping from his horse said And let me neuer hereafter bee called Palmerin if now I do not reuenge my selfe sufficiently Which words when Frisols squire heard he came hastily and fell at his féete saying Noble knight I beséech you for the honour you beare to arms to pause a while tel me if you be Palmerin D'Oliua for if you be I am your brother who haue suffered great paine and trauaile to finds you out Palmerin presently knew Colmelio the sonne of Gerrard his foster father whose sight was so ioyfull to his as casting away his sword he ran and embraced him about the neck saying My déere friend Colmelio the most welcome man in the world to me How happie may I account my selfe quoth Colmelio to finde you when all hope was past hauing trauailed so many countryes and al 〈◊〉 â—aiâ—e if then you loue me as you make protestation let me intreate one fauour at your hand that you forget your anger towards my maister Frysol and giue ouer your fight for long time haue I serued him as my Lord and well hath hee deserued much better seruice then mine Colmelio sayde Palmerin the thing thou demandest is meruailous great neuerthelesse such is my comfort hauing met with thée as I graunt thy request and happily hath he now escaped with life coÌ„sidering what occasions haue past vs héertofore So taking Colmelio by the hand he said to Frisol Sir knight at your squires intreatie I suffer you quietly to departe and méete with me againe at any time you thinke good but you shall go looke another Squire for Colmelio at this time goes with me Frisol who was wouâ—ded in many places very faint with losse of his bloud might eaâ—â—ly be induced to this agréement of peace but coÌ„ming to Colmelio he said Wilt thou forsake thy master and go with his enemy Trust me sir quoth Colmelio you must néeds pardon me if in this matter I chance to offend you for to séeke him I forsooke my fathers house haue continued a verie laboursome search If thou wilt néeds go said Frisol and that my intreaties may not dissawde thée I will pray for the successe of thy desires and thy aduancement to honour and while I liue will I account of thée as my fréend and brother So returning as he came he began in this manner to exclaime against Fortune Ah cruell inconstant Lady sufficed not thée to dishonour mee before mine enemie but thou must rob me of my squire I loued â—o deerely but so hast thou dealt with them of highest calâ—â—â—g for infinit kings and potentates hast thou deceiued â—nd before their very chéefest enemies dishonoured such hath beene thy trecherye to me at this instant that I may iustly coÌ„plaine of thée while I liue As he continued these complaints he met diuers armed Knightes that came to assist him and the duke himself in company among them who demanded of Frisol whither his enemie were slaine or sent away vanquished Uanquished sayd Frysol thinke you so good a knight may be so easily vanquished Then he dâ—â—â—â—â—rsed his whole successe which the duke hearing exclaimed on his huÌ„ting that he was not present when Palmerin passed wherefore he would néeds followe him but that Frisol intreated him to the coÌ„trary because the night approched so néere as it was impossible for him to ouertake Palmerin The duke in a maruellous rage for yâ— his enterprise fell out no better returned with Frisol and an houre within night they came to his Castell where hee called for his chirurgiâ—â—s charging them to giue diligent attendance â—n Frisol When the Dukes sister heard the misfortune of her friend she came hastily to him in his chamber after many swéet kisses said I beséech you my lord fâ—rget my folly for I was yâ— cause of your mischance Madame said Frisol where no offence is coÌ„mitted what néeds any remission If my fortune haue béene ill it is not for mée to complaine on you for your request tended to mine owne honour but I must be content with my hap though it hath sorted to so bad effect and this doth yet comfort me that I receiued my foile by the onely Knight in the worlde And if the heauens please to lengthen my dayes I shall be desirous to do him seruice for there is no man liuing to whom I could better affoord it Now néede I not mislike hauing tried him so often if he be worthy the loue of diuine Polinarda for he beyond all other doth best deserue it Why how now quoth the Lady are you so vnwise to honour him so much that hath so iniuried you and which is most childish to desire his seruice Goâ— then and séeke him whom thou so louest for by mine hâ—nour I more despise thée now then any man in the world thou making such reputation of him whom thou oughtest to pursue with mortall hatred Frisol smiling hereat said Madame I must néeds say so séeing no ill wordes can amend my mischaunce so without any aunswer she â—â—oong foorth of his Chamber The next day the Duke called all his Knights commanding them to restraine the passage â—o longer at the bridge intending to go to the Court sâ— soone as
Frisol had recouered his health Chap. LX. Howe Palmerin Hermes and Colmelio returned to London and the good entertainment the king of England made them AFter that Frisol was returned from the Combate Palmerin after many embracings of Colmelio went with him to the fountaine where hee left Hermes all thrée togither making no little ioy Colmelio for his happie finding of Palmerin and he for the loue of his supposed brother and Hermes for the comfort hée shoulde bring the King his Maister béeing able nowe to acquaint his highnesse with Palmerins name which hée was loath any in the English Court shoulde knowe wherefore he sayde Nowe can you not my Lord hereafter bide your name though you haue béene daintie of it all this while It is true Syr quoth Palmerin albeit I little thought to be discouered so soone but séeing it is so come to passe my hope is in yâ— highest who wil defend me in all mine attempts now tell me Colmelio what newes in Greece Truly my Lord quoth he the discourse will be long and tedious therefore if you pleasâ— to mâ—unt on horsebacke it will serue well to shorten the thought of our iourny So as they rode towards London Colmelio began to discourse in how many places he had â—â—â—ght him in Greece and how at length he heard of him at Macedon by report of his coÌ„quest of the serpent at the mountaine Artiâ—aeria which was the meane that broâ—gâ—â— the King of Macedon to his former health Afterward how he left Greece trauailing into Allemaigne and froÌ„ thence into England at what time the Emperors power was discomfited and hearing great fame of Frisol his late Maister he spent some time in his seruice not doubting but by his meanes to find the man he looked for Palmerin was somewhat mooued hearing Colmelio so commend Frisol wherefore he demaunded of him if he knewe any thing of that Knights linage No my Lord quoth he but I can assure ye that he is one of the most gentle Knights in the world and he concealeth his parentage very secretly which makes me iudge he is disceÌ„ded of royal birth After Colmelio had ended his discourse he repeated to him some parte of his fortunes in the end perswading him that hée would remunerate his paines in séeking him and in time manifest the loue he bare him By this time they were come to the Citie of London Hermes riding before to the pallace where he aduertised the king how Palmerin was returned to yâ— Citie which newes so highly contented the king as oftentimes he imbraced Hermes for bringing the man he long desired to sée but Trineus and Ptolome excéeded him in ioy and mounted presently on horsebacke to go méete theyr fréend when so many embracings courteâ—â—es and kinde gratulations had passed betwéene them as is vsuall at the méeting of long absent louers Ah my Lord and fréend quoth Trineus how long hath Fortune kept you from me why did you depart not vouchsafing a farewel What earnest occasion might cause such an vnking departure trust me I perswaded my selfe in respecte of the long continuaunce of our amitie that death could not procure such a seuere enterprise My Lord quoth Palmerin it séemeth you haue some cause to complain of mée but wheÌ„ you vnderstand how matters haue happened you will not condemne me altogither For at the time of my departure I thought verely to return the next day following but such importunate affaires continually fell out as I could not return till this very instant Ptolome said as much as Trineus did notwithstanding this fortunate meeting forbad all further accusations and they became as good friendes as euer they were So rode they to the Pallace where the king attending theyr comming perceiued at length they were entred the Hall when Palmerin falling on his knée kissed his highnesse hand who very honourably embracing him saide Where hath my noble friend béene so long What crooked fortune hath caused your so long absence you departed from vs in blacke Armour I pray you tell vs where did you conquere these sumptuous Armes by the loue you beare to chiualrie and to mee satisfie me in my demaund Palmerin séeing the king coniured him so straightly reported the truth of all his aduentures howe he had that armour of the Ladie whose daughter hee deliuered and left his owne there broken in péeces The king embracing him againe saide I cannot be perswaded but all especiall aduentures high good fortunes and chéefest honours in the world are onely reserued for you and among all the rest most maruailous is this of the Castle in the enchaunted Lake which many knights haue heretofore attempted but returned with the losse of their horses Armour and with great dishonour Thrise welcome are you for these happy tydings as also for your gentle courtesâ—e to Erisol who is a knight of most honourable reputation But in regarde of your wearisome trauailes it is verie requisite that you nowe go rest your selfe therefore lette some body helpe to disarme you and betake your selfe on Gods name to your Chamber Palmerin reputed the kings councell most expedient and therefore did as hee commaunded him so hauing reposed himselfe a while hee came to sée howe the Quéene and her daughter fared who would not suffer him to departe before hee hadde likewise acquainted her with all his fortunes especially the whole circumstaunce of his traâ—â—ile at the Caâ—â—le of the Lake But night being come and euerie one betaking themselues to rest Palmerin demaunded of the Prince how hee â—â—llâ—wed his desires and what hee had concluded as concerning his loue Ah dâ—â—re fréende sayd Trineus why aske you mée that question doo you not thinke that hauing so lost you I likewise was disappointed of any meane to helpe mee know then that at this instant I am in the middest of all my misfortunes for so badly hath it happened that I am now further from Agriola then euer I was and I shall tell you how Not many dayes since as I was familiarlye deâ—ising with my Ladye the Duke of Gaules daughter chaunced to hearâ— such amorous spéeches as passed betwéene the Princesse and mée wherby she gathered that Agriola made some estimation of me whereupon shée laboured to cause my Mistresse in shorte time mislike what I hadde so long trauailed to perswade her with as thus That it ill beséemed a Princesse of her account of so gracious discent and Daughter to such a mightie King to conferre with straungers or vouchsafe a listening to any thing they sayde for they were none such as she reputed them but after they hadde brought a Ladyes honour in daunger they then were satisfied as they vsed it for a custome among theyr companions And so well could shée féede the Princesse humour with these suborning and spightfull detractions which séemed to her as swéete and freendlye perswasions that in stéede of the little loue I latelye conquered I finde nothing but frownes and disdaine that she will scant affoord mée a
looke Which discourtesie hath well nere driuen me to dispayre in regarde of her slender opinion of mee as being so hindered onely through your absence Often I determined with Ptolome to leaue the Courte and followe you in trauaile but the King by no meanes woulde permit mée sending many of his owne Knightes because I shoulde not go yet was I resolued that had you not come no displeasure whatsoeuer shoulde haue helde mée héere but to finde you I intended or loose my life This falles out very harde quoth Palmerin for by these meanes we shall stay héere God knowes how long beside Hermes knowes my name which makes me doubt least we shal be reuealed the Emperour likewise may be offended at our long tarriaunce In regarde of all this good Prince I thinke it best that we sende your squire and Vrbanillo my Dwarffe to aduertise his Maiestie of our affaires and how by reason of the tempest we were cast quite out of course so far as we could not by any meanes assist his Armie not doubting but to sée his highnesse in very short time In the meane while we may practise meanes to win the Princesse fauour againe and so in good time departe hence with the honourable prize that we came for Trineus was newlye reuiued with these spéeches wherefore he desired that betimes in the morning hée would dispatche theyr Seruauntes towardes Allemaigne Which Palmerin fayled not to doo in respect of a dreame he had the night before for he imagined that he sawe his Lady Polynarda in meruailous heauinesse and that she sayde to him Alas my Lord what shall become of me for I am narrowly sought to be seperated from you This fearefull vision so discouraged him as he sent thence his Dwarfe to shewe her what trouble he hadde with his dreame and how constant he remained in his loue to her Chap. LXI How Palmerin promised the princesse Agriola to conâ—ay her out of England with his friendes which he performed to the speciall content of the prince Trineus EArly on the next morning Palmerin arose and wrote a letter to his Lady Polinarda wherin he secretly put a ring which shee gaue him when he departed from her straightly commaunding Vrbanillo that hee shoulde diligently attende on the Princesse till hee came which should bée with all the spéede hee could possible Ptolome likewise wrote to his Ladiâ— Brionella and these Letters dispatched the Messengers immediatly sette forwarde on theyr iourney From this time Colmelio was Palmerins Squire which pleased him very well because hee knewe that Palmerin was nobly borne so that by his meanes in time hee should rise to preferment This day the king would ride abroade a Hunting which gaue Palmerin occasion to sée the Faulcon fliâ— béeing reputed by the king and all his traine to be the best that euer flew In this time of recreation Hermes reported to the King that the knight so long absent was named Palmerin and the same knight that woonne so much honour in Fraunce which so well contented the king as he more and more desired his companie summoning all his Barons and Lordes to his Courte where hee made such feastes triumphs and other sportes for the honour of the noble Palmarin and his companions as the like had not béen of long time before At night when the Maskers Mumeries and Moriscoes were in presence that Palmerin espied conuenient time to talk with the princesse he tooke her aside to a window and thus began Madam before I begin what I haue to acquaint you withal I must giue you this ring as I was commanded by the lady of the castel in the lake the singular vertues thereof are such as I intreate you to kéepe it coÌ„tinually on your finger which Agriola receiuing with a curteous reuerence faithfully promised to accomplish his request then Palmerin with earnest affection on his friends behalfe thus continued his discourse I cannot but maruell fayre Princesse you being a Ladie of so speciall qualitie renowmed among the most vertuous creatures in the world for your rare integrity profound iudgemeÌ„t that you will be gouerned by the vnaduised perswasioÌ„s of other which I would not beléeue had not the Prince Trineus certenly assured me how since my departure in stéed of fauorable countenance and the intreatance beséeming so great a Lord he can haue nothing but frownes disdaine coy regard which is as easy for him to indure as a thousand deaths one after another Assure your self so farre beguiled as your councellers disswade you froÌ„ your chéefest good desirous to withhold you from the height of honour wherof you cannot faile being matched in mariage with the most vertuoâ—s Prince Trineus Make you no small account that he being one of the most noble states on the earth hath left his parents his friends and countrey hath past so many strange vncouth regions hath aduentured the iniurie of the seas bâ—aten with so many bitter blastes and raging billowes euerie minute in daunger of Shipwracke all for your loue Thinke you that he being son to the Emperour of Allemaigne attending euery day the rule of the Empire that he came hither to you in hope of your rich dowrie No trust me Madame and I thinke your own conscience doth so resolue you that néerer home he could haue found other endued with larger possessions then this Realme affords you But hearing the fame of your manifold vertues rare life choise beautie and all other good gifts he was willing wtout regard of his owne estate to thrust himselfe in daunger yea to forget himselfe for your loue which hitherto he hath with religious seruice intreated and except you intertaine him with more gracious fauour he is in danger of life Which if it should happen by your occasion for euer you shal be noted of monstrous ingratitude and Christendome should sustain a losse vnrecouerable How far such a thought ought to be froÌ„ you I leaue to your own coÌ„struction If hitherto you haue knowne me a knight readie to support the causes of Ladies far beneath your height thinke you I haue not greater reason to honour you yea not a moue you with any request but what may euery way aduance your credite And though my lord Trineus were not of the blood imperiall yet might his gentle heart vnfeigned loue and â—urpassing humanitie cause you to make choyse of him aboue all other whatsoeuer they be But séeing it so falles out that you will not regard good counsell following rather the perswasion of mean capacities whose iudgemeÌ„ts may not reach to so high occasions continue in your obstinacie and marke the end of such indiscréet consures I sée that our company is yrksome to you therfore sooner then you imagin we will remoue that occaâ—â—on I knowe well enough that you intend to match with the duke of Gaule who is but your fathers subiect so refusing yâ— degrée of an Empresse you shall tarry in England and be a Dutchesse Thinke you that if my
the ship and mariners ready and getting all aboord the wind seruing for their auaile they set saile and before day they got farre enough from London Chap. LXII How the king of England and the Queene were aduertised how their daughter Agriola was conuayed away and of their sorrow for her departure THe Duke of Gaules daughter who continually was bedfellow to the Princesse absenting her selfe very long from bed fearing to disquiet her Ladie being sicke as she supposed but comming at length to sée hâ—w shee fared finding the bedde emptie and Agriola gone shee presently made a great out-crie whereat the other Ladies came and altogither amazed at this sudden aduenture went to the Quéenes Chamber where they reported how the Princesse was gone but howe or when they knew not The Quéene at these tydings suddenly arose and comming to her daughters Chamber found it too true which made her fal into such pitiful acclamations farre surpassing those of Maguelona when she lost her friend Peter of Prouince in the wood In these lamentings shee returned to the king whose heauines excéeded iudgment for the losse of his daughter and then came diuerse lords gentlemen who declared that the strange Knights were likewise departed Which raised such a â—umour through all the Citie that they had stolen away the Princesse The King vnderstanding the general sorow for his daughters absence said In sooth my friends if these Knights haue done such seruice for mée they haue sufficiently recompenced themselues in doing me the greatest dishonour they could deuise yet wil I not condemne them so much as my daughter for that I am perswaded shée procured this mischaunce But nowe I well perceiue what credit a maÌ„ may repose in his enemy for Palmerin euermore serued the Emperour of Allemaigne then hâ—rdly could he be true to mee Yet is it in vain for me to blame him or his companions if they tookâ— the aduauntage of their owne intents But now there 〈◊〉 no remedy my daughter is in the company of most chosen knights if she haue done well or ill hereafter her deserts will answer her misdemeanour Thus the king would not suffer any pursute after them though the Quéen and her Ladies earnestly intreated him he answering that no such mone should be made for a child so vngrateful 〈◊〉 disobedient but hauing committed an action so â—ile â—â—â—rme she should no more account of her as 〈◊〉 childe And well may wee quoth hee so refuse her in that she wouâ—â— leaue her parents and depart with straungers 〈◊〉 might we haue accounted our selues if we had lost her in her infancie The Quéene séeing her â—ord so impatient appeased his displeasure so well as she could because shee would not mooue him too much Within few dayes after the Duke of Gaule arriued at the Court who most of all gréeued at thâ—se vnhappy tidings wherefore he perswaded the king to proclaime open warre against the Emperour of Allemaigne assuring him that the knight which most commonly accompanied Palmerin was Trineus the Emperors sonne When the king heard the Dukes spéeches forgetting his anger he reioyced estéeming himselfe happy and his daughter wise in matching her selfe with such a husband and if she had made her choyse among al the Princes of the world shee could not haue sorted out one comparable in honor In bréefe aunswered the duke that for a daughter so lost he would not séeke the death of his louers and subiects but being one of Fortunes changes he could not withstand it and thus the king wisely and patiently entâ—red hiâ— gréeâ—e Chap. LXIII How Vrbanillo and the Prince Trineus Esquire arriued at the Emperours Court and what great ioy their comming procured IN this place â—ur history taketh this occasion howe the King of Fraunce daily expecting newes from Palmerin as concerning his intent of marriage betwéene his daughter and the Prince Trineus but séeing he heard no tidings at all he determined to send his ambassadâ—rs to the Emperor electing for chéefâ— in this embassage the Count of Aâ—mignac to whom hee gaue ful power authority to conclude the marriage betweene Trineus his daughter Lucemania as also of the princesse Polinarda with his son and heyre The king dispatching al things for his ambassage sent many â—arons and knightâ— of name to accompany the Count to countenance the matter with more royaltie magnificence and in this maner they came to Gaunt where the Emperour being aduertised of theyr arriuall 〈◊〉 no grâ—at account thereof such was his gréefe for his sonneâ— absence Palmerins of whom he could not heare any tidings as also for the foyle his Armie sustained in England But while the messenger from the ambassadours of Fraunce stayed with the Emperour Vrbanillo and the princes Squire entred the hall whose presence highly contented the Emperour as embracing them very louingly he demaunded for Palmerin and his sonne Trineus when they deliuering their letters and the Emperour perswaded therby of their spéedie return was greatly contented saying to the Ambassadours messenger My fréend séeing I haue heard such long looked for tidings of my sonne you may returne to the 〈◊〉 your maister desiring him to come when hee thinks conuenient he shall be heartily welcome to me with this answer the messenger departed TheÌ„ the emperor taking Vrbanillo by yâ— hand said Tel me now I pray thée how fares thy maister where is he is my sonne with him My gracious lord quoth the dwarâ—e where your noble son abideth there is my maister both of â—â—â—ght good disposition and highly honored And hereof I can assure your maiesty yâ— you haue a son who by good reason 〈◊〉 to be numbred among the best knights liuing for such honourable experience hath hee made of his worthines that perpetuall memorie will recorde his déeds of chiualry what els remaineth you shal know at their comming which will be so soone as they can possibly I euer perswaded my selfe said the Emperour that in the company oâ— so good a knight as Palmerin my son could not but purchase credit and honour the refore séeing they haue such prosperity of health I care the lesse for their stay but welcome are they whensoeuer they come By this time Polinarda heard of the Dwarfes arriual which greatly pleasing her she sayd to Brionella I pray thée swéete fréend go spéedily and séeke the Dwarfe that we may knowe what is become of our Lords and my brother Trineus Brionella who longed to heare of hir loue Sir Ptolome whom wel she knew to be one of the companie with all spéed accomplished the Princesse commandement and found the ioyfull messenger with the Emperour who tooke great delight in the Dwarfes reports but his maiestie perceiuing with what chéerefull countenance she came to bring Vrbanillo to her Lady the princesse bad him go with her hoping by his meanes his Daughters extreame sadnesse would be comforted Brionella béeing forth of the Emperours presence embraced him many times to know his tydings when the Dwarfe not
not be woon by such a mightie Emperor considâ—â—ing her youth and beautie and the wonderfull riches incessantly offered her Yet the highest Lord so protected her that the more liberall the Turke was in honors and perswasions the more loyall continued her loue to Trineus whose perfect image was engrauen in her heart And not fearing torments or death she boldly answered the Emperor that he trauailed in vain for she might not loue him in that she was married to an husband more noble euery way then he and none but him shée would loue while she liued yet made he no great account of her words considering what frailtie commoâ—ly is in women The day being come of this great preparatioÌ„ and al the Princes present to vnderstand their soueraigneâ— will he béeing placed in his imperiall seate said That hée intended to take to wife one of the most beautifull Ladyes in the world for that cause he sent for them to vnderstand 〈◊〉 they liked thereof Their aunswere was that they liked well thereof and would gladly honour her as wel beseemed them Then sent he for Agriola and before them all saide vnto her that it was his pleasure to accept her for 〈◊〉 wife and therefore shee should prepare her selfe on the 〈◊〉 to be married The Princesse abashed at these spéeches fell downe before him in a dead traunce where vpon by the Quéenes and Ladies present shée was conuayed into her Chamber where béeing againe reuiued she began most pitifull and dolorous lamentations so when all the companie had left her that shée was alone with Hippolita falling downe on her knées at her beds â—â—ete shée thus began O my God and benigne Father pittie thy poore distressed creature and forget the offences I haue heretofore committed for what is a sinner vnlesse thou in mercie suffer her to come before thée Wilt thou then vouchsafe O wonderfull wordeman of the whole worlde one eye of pittie vpon thy humble forsaken seruantâ— and suffer her not to fall into subiection to the vewed enemie of thy holy worde arming me so strongly in this temptation that I no way iniurie my Lord and husbande Trineus but rather graunt this desolate spirit may leaue this bodie and the worlde togither Ah my honourable Lord Trineus where art thou nowe that thou art not héere so defenâ—e the shamâ— and wrong this Tyrant offers thée What art thou dead or hast thou forgâ—tten me No no so well am I assured of thy fidelitie as no forment can diuert thée from mée Yet if I knewe directly that thou art not liuing the lesse woulde â—ée my feare to follow thée for then the greatest pleasure this Pagan could doe 〈◊〉 were to make mée happie onely by death But for the matter is vncertaine and that I liue in hope once more to see thée I will patiently endure all afflictions whatsoeuer for so swéete a reward as is thy louâ— These sorrowes of the Princesse so gréeued Hippolita as one coulde hardly iudge who was most passionate yet at length shée thus spake to Agriola I beséech you good Lady to leaue these gréeuous lamentations and regarde the high estate honour and dignitie that you shall haue in marrying with my Lord. Neuer perswade me quoth the Princesse to manifest disloyaltie for such preâ—erments if they bée not gotten iustly and by vertue they ought not to bée coueted but to be shunned as diuelish Serpents Thus spent they the whole night and in the morning came the Quéenes and Ladies newlie come to the Court to bid the sorrowfull Bride good morrow in her Chamber attyring her in wonderfull gorgious vestures after their Country maner farre beyonde the royaltie of Helena after her arriuall at Troy Betwéene foure Kings shée was brought into the greate Hall and from thence conducted to the Temple where they were espoused by the Mosti To recount here thy royall solemnitie in the temple the Maiestie and vnspeakable dignitie at the pallace the excellent Comedies rare triumphs Maskes Momeries Moriscoes and such like courtly pleasures would bée a matter too prolixious for they are not to our purpose Let it then suffice yee that after they were magnificently entreated at Dinner and Supper the daunâ—ing began and God knowes how the Turks Moores Arabes and Medes set foorth themselues in thâ—ir dâ—uises and sports before their Ladies much lyke the Satyres and â—orned Faunes giuing new inuasions on the Nimphes of Diana But all these maruayles ioyes and follies coulde not chaunge the Princesse countenaunce for shée continuing in her penâ—â—uenesse these sports were worsse to her then the tormentâ— of death aboue all fearing the losse of her chastitie which was a Iewell neuer to be recouered The Pastimes ended by the Quéenes and Ladies shée was conducted to the nuptiall 〈◊〉 so braue and â—â—ately as the Prince Aeneas when he came to Quéene Dido of Carthage and there was the vnfortunate Bride committed to her rest Soone after came the hastie Bridegroome calling for Torches that hée might be holde the Goddesse hée honoured and as hée was preparing himselfe to bed he was troubled with such feares passions and apâ—plexie as nowe he séemed more lyke a ghost then a man Perforce hée was constrained to forsake the Chamber when the extremitie of the fit somewhat asswaging and his former louepassions freshly assayling him comming to the Princesse againe heauily hée thus spake Ah Agriola Ladie and sole Mistresse of my heart I thinke thou art some Goddesse or at least excéeding all humanitie so strange is this aduenture as neuer any man I thinke heard of the like Alas cannot thy anger be appeased nor thou induced to loue him who for thy sake endures most horrible torments I pray thée bée not the cause of my death or if thou néedes wilt suffer mée first to eniâ—y the fruites so my desires Know my Lord answered Agriola that with my will yoâ— neuer shall enioy it and if perforce you séeke to dishonour me assure your selfe I am resolued rather to suffer endlesse miseries then to violate my faith to my loyall Husbande for such is my trust in God that hée will not forget such as call on him But in respect thou hast not béene cruell to mée nor hast exercised mée with any tyrannie I shall suffer thée to lye vpon the bed by mée as my Brother might doo and sometime though it be more then modestie embrace thée in mine armes but if fartheâ— thou presumest thou mayst not bée permitted but shall loose that fauour thy selfe and mee togither Madame quoth hée in graunting mée that courtesie you saue my life for I haue many Concubines to qualifie those passions and neuer will I attempt your dishonour while I liue if I but offâ—r the motion refuse mée foreuer I shall therefore account of you as my Sister and death shall not make me doo contrarie to your appoyntment The yong Princesse glad of this solemne promise gaue him a kisse or twaine and suffered him to embrace her but other kindnesse could be neuer obtaine
at length remembring her wordes to him and doubting his vnkindnesse to be the cause of her death sayd within himselfe Alas faire Princesse must I at the first motion driue thée to dispaire had I dissembled a little or temporized the matter thou hadst not fallen into this extremitie but my onely wilfull indiscretion is cause of thy losse O Female sexe howe are you subiect to casuall passions Yet néede I not wonder at this present mishappe for from the beginning of the worlde the Woman hath béene so suddein and voluntarie to the effect of her desires were they good or euill but especially in the action of loue as neyther feare honor shame torments no nor death could diuert her from her vndiscreâ—te fantasies Hereof beare record Hypâ—â—mnestra Myrrha Deianira Scylla 〈…〉 Phyllis Salmacis Hero and Dydo whose deatheâ— were procured onely by lauish loue O diuine wisedome that hast suffered me to fall into this lucklesse accident protect mée from any further disaduauntage séeing thou hast taken her hence who gaue some ease to mine 〈…〉 that so liuely shée resembled my swéete Mistresse 〈…〉 desire to serue with continuall loyaltie I nâ—we 〈◊〉 my selfe that this loue was not accompanied with vertue and that for my good it hath so chaunced forgette 〈◊〉 not then but so enable me as in such badde occasions 〈…〉 not from my duetie And such is my confidence in thy promises as no teâ—ptation shall preuaile against mée but this â—aptiuitie once discharged I hope to direct my course pleasing in thy sight and to 〈◊〉 such gracious seruice as thy name 〈…〉 and glorified for euer So long continued he in this silent contemplation as Alchidiana perceiued him which greatlie displeased her but fearing any way to 〈◊〉 Palmerin shée durst not saye what shée thought liuing in hope that her Cozin being dead she should now compasse the effecte of her desires Ardemia enterred in her honourable Tombe Guilharan her Brother with his traine and the Ladies that attended on his Sister returned into Armenia where great sorrowe was made for the death of the Princesse and the renowne of her beautie blazed the report of her death through euery region Chap. IX How Amarano of Nigrea eldest son to the king of Phrygia vnderstanding the death of the faire Princesse Ardemia who was newly promised him in mariage made many greeuous lameÌ„tations for her losse And how Alchidiana discouered her amorous affections to Palmeâ—in SO farre was spread the reporte of the strange death of the Princesse Ardemia as 〈◊〉 came to the hearing of 〈◊〉 eldest sonne to the king of Phâ—ygia the most valiant redoubtâ—d knight of y◠〈…〉 as wel for his great 〈◊〉 and déedes of Armes which he before that time accompliâ—â—â—d in Asia as for his affable nature vertue and courtesie This yong Prince being in the King his fathers Court and hearing commended beyond al other Ladies of the East the faire Ardemia Daughter to the King of Armenia at the verye sounde of the Trompe of this blazing Goddesse and setting the newes downe for true from her affecting spéech he became so amorous of her as he had no content but in thinking on her Héereupon he sent his Ambassadours to her Father to request her in mariage wherto right willingly he condiscended and nowe at the instant when he intended to go visite her newes came to the Court of her admirable death which for a while was 〈◊〉 from him because each one doubted the conceit 〈◊〉 would cause his death For they knowing the loue he 〈◊〉 her to be so vehement as hée vnderstanding her strange kinde of death they thought it impossible but it would 〈◊〉 to very scandalous inconuenience yet in the ende he 〈◊〉 thereof but to sette downe héere the gréefe teares and complaints of this yong Prince is more then I am able 〈◊〉 it therefore suffise you that his sorrowes were such as euery houre his death was likewise expected It was likewise told him howe through the enuie of Alchidiana shée dyed and that for certaintie shee was one of the chéefest causes thereof which mooued him then into such an alteration as hée swore by the great Prophet Mahomet to reuenge her iniurie so that the Soldaâ—e shoulde for euer remember the daunger in suffering so great a treason In conclusion hée intended to take with him two hundred chosen Knights all clad in mourning for the gréefe of their Maister and â—oure of his Brethren Knights of great hardinesse and so well they iourneied as they â—ame within twentie miles of the 〈◊〉 Courte But that wée may not too farre 〈◊〉 from our intent Alchidiana ioyfull as you haue hearde for the departure of Guilharan and his 〈…〉 Palmerin 〈…〉 to all louers such account she made of her beautie and riches as she imagined that Palmerin would not disdaine her but rather would repute himselfe happy to haue that at his pleasure whereof so many Kings and great Lordes had béene denyed And in this opinion the next time that Palmerin came to her Chamber she beganne with him in this manner Now Syr Knight what thinke you of the death of Ardemâ—a who so falselye would haue seduced you to goe with her hence did shée not commit great treason against mee if shée had preuailed but right well is shée rewarded and as I desired Thinke then no more of her presumptuous follie or the ridiculous conceit of her vaine loue which shée made her pretence to cause you forsake my Fathers Court where you haue receiued so many speciall honours chéefelie of his Daughter who loues you déerelie and inâ—â—nds to make you Lord ouer all her possessions Beléeue mee Sir Knight if hitherto I deferred to acquaint you héerewith it was in respect I doubted her but now shée being gone estéeme henceforth of me as your owne and to begin this alliaunce I honour you with all that is mine and my selfe to be disposed at your pleasure For my heart which is onely subiect to you applyes it selfe to your lyking and can wish nothing but what you will 〈◊〉 How long haue I desired this happie day howe often haue I contemned and despised my selfe in not daring to breake the seale of my affections which nowe I 〈◊〉 aduentured to your knowledge As for that which now troubleth mee is the want of your spéech which the Gods haue depriued you off being enuious of your manifolde perfections Alas my Lord why did they not endue â—hée with that benifit that in declaring my desires thy answeres might returne reciprocall pleasure Some in their loue delight themselues with embracing kissing and such ceremoniall behauiour as for mée amoâ—rous priuate and 〈…〉 I repute a 〈◊〉 content Yet hath Loue one shaft in his 〈…〉 then all these béeing the onely argument of each others resolution in respect whereof I commit my honour into your protection prizing estéeming and chusing you aboue all men in the world beside Palmerin exceedingly abashed at these vnséemelye spéeches knewe what signes to make for his aunswere
you are For I sweare to you by the honour of a Princesse that the guerdon you shall receyue in so dooing is my heart hauing once conquered those desires that long haue tormented me intending to make you Lorde of my selfe and all the possessions of the Soldane my Father without anie sinister meaning you may beléeue mée Consider therefore good Knight that without feare or dissimulation I haue tolde you what néerest concerneth mee if then you desire not my present death make aunswere as honourable dutie requireth ballancing in your owne thoughts howe vehemently the impressions 〈◊〉 loue haue touched me in respect that now I haue twise for your sake excéeded the limits of mine owne regar◠〈…〉 of my passions But séeing our Gods haue béene so fauourable as to restore the thing was earst taken from you and likewise hath brought you into her companie who loues you dearer then her owne life shew not your selfe so hard of nature to flie the howre that Loue and Fortune presents you withall Therefore â—y onely beloued Lorde in recompence of your sharpe Combat with proud Amarano receyue me as your wife whom you haue woorthily deserued Palmerin séeing himselfe assayled by so faire an enemie who coulde sooner bring in subiection an other Hercules then euer did Iole and as easily giue life to a statue of Marble as Venus sometime did at thâ— request of Pigmalion the Caruer was in maruellous affliction hauing before him on the one side feare to offende God on the other the loyaltie he ought his Mistresse and then the 〈◊〉 death of Alchidiana if he denied her In the ende remembring what the Soldan had spoken concerning his voyage to Constantinople hée deuised by this meane to 〈◊〉 her such aunswere as she should rest contented and neither God nor his Mistresse be offended he thus began 〈◊〉 and most excellent Princesse 〈◊〉 I am assuredly peâ—waded that there is not any Monâ—rce or Prinâ—h so noble in all Asia but might reckon himselfe among the happiest in respect of your perfections and vnualuable riches to espouse you as his wife By farre greater reason I that am poore a Knight errant vnknowne and whose life you haue saued may say and name my selfe aboue all other in fortune But knowing my selfe to simple and of so slender deseruing towardes you I estéeme it impossible for the Gods and nature likewise to lift mée to so wonderfull 〈◊〉 of happinesse Wherefore séeing the cause such and greater then I can desire or imagine likewise that it is 〈◊〉 to your commaundement 〈◊〉 I were 〈◊〉 any fauour of Fortune and to bée 〈◊〉 among the most vngratefull Knights in the worlde iâ— may any thing I should disobey your pleasure My reason is that you béeing reckoned as chéefe among the most perfect and accomplished Ladies deigne so much to abase your selfe as to make mée Lord of your loue which hath béene desired by so many worthie personages For these causes most gracious Mistresse I am bound to loue you aboue all other Ladies liuing which henceforth I hope to doo and loyally to serue you with my vttermost endeuours And as I ought swéete Madame to loue none but you so is my dutie to hold your regard in chéefest commendation therefore will I with such secrecie as so honourable a conquest will permit conceale this extraordinarie graâ—e And had I not this morning made promise to your Father to accompanie his power Constantinople there to reuenge the death of your deceassed vncle Gamezio soone should our loue sort to wished effect and I gather that swéet flower which aboue all other would beautifie my Garland Notwithstanding my hope is such that in this voyage I shall do such seruice to the Soldane your Father as at my returne hée will recompence mee to your content and good lyking of his Princes and Subiects which may no way nowe bee mooued least his minde otherwayes busied should conceyue displeasure against me and so all our fortune for euer squandered In this respect swéete Madame if euer hereafter I shall doo you seruice let me intreate you to patience till my returne resoluing your selfe in the meane while that I am more yours then mine owne and dedicate my life to your gracious seruice As concerning the rest of 〈◊〉 demaund my name is Palmerin d'Oliua and what my Parents are the Quéene of Tharsus within these thrée daies will tell me more then hitherto I could vnderstand by any when you shall vnderstand more of my estate and Country also but so farre as I yet gather by mine owne knowledge my â—iscent is from Persia. This excuse hée made because Alchidiana should not suspect him to bée a Christian and with this aunswere shée was so ioyfull and contented as nothing was able to inspyre more chéerefull life into her languishing soule which Palmerin perceyuing and the better to continue her in this opinion verie often he kissed her hande in signe of his affectionate obeysaunce and in this sort hee departed to his owne Chamber leauing the Princesse triumphing of her conquest He was no sooner come into his Chamber but solicited with the remembraunce of his Ladie Polinarda hee imagined how she blamed him with mournfull complaintâ— for his late promises which thought so diuersly afflicted him as he spent all the rest of the day in teares and as shée had béene present humblie requesting her to pardon what had past him in respect hée did it not willingly nor gaue anie consent with his heart thereto but dissembled the matter least the Princes by his deniall shoulde fall into despayre and rather then he would violate his solemne vow to his gracious Goddesse hée woulde aduenture on infinitâ— dangers Yet did this feigned answere to Alchidiana greatlie auaile him and caused him to bée more honoured then euen hée was before as also to bée continually accompanied with her presence whose onely delight was in dayly beholding him Chap. XV. Howe the Soldane hauing determined to send his armie to Constantinople would elect Palmerin his Lieutenant generall which he refused intreating him to giue the charge to the olde King of Balisarca NOw was the Soldan continually mindfull of the promise hée made to his deceassed Father Misos to reuenge the death of his Brother Gamezio wherefore séeing all his dominions in peace and that hée had with him the valiaunt Palmerin hee concluded to leuie a mightie Armie to 〈◊〉 that which dutie daylie called for And hauing prouided a huge number of Galions 〈◊〉 Gallyes and other vâ—ssels hée sent abroade to aduertise all the Kinges Princes Califfes and Toborlanes his Subiects of his will and pleasure who likewise gathering their forces togither were numbred to bée aboue an hundred and fiftie thousand fighting men All this while the Soldane so fauoured Palmerin as he had bestowed on him 〈…〉 which he made but slender account of 〈…〉 continually expected time to sée his Polynarda Alchidinia likewise building on his passed promises daylie presented him with many rich gifts and practised all
them home with excéeding ioy but they answered that they ought rather to thanke the Knight in gréene Armour for hee deliuered vs from the Moores and Infidels without request of any ransome Olorico amazed at these signes of ioy as also when hee sawe Palmerin pray knew not well what to thinke which Palmerin presently perceiuing and to resolue him of all doubts whatsoeuer sayd No longer neede I know my good Lord and Friende to hide the affaires and secrets of my heart from you know therefore that I am a Christian and a Gentleman of the Emperours Court of Allemaigne But that which most of all gréeueth me is that I am constrayned to forsake your companie and returne againe to my Lorde for too much should I offend my God to go with you to the Soldanes seruice Wherefore my louing friend let me intreate you to holde me excused swearing to you by the faith of a Knight that whether else it shall like you to go I will accomplish your minde in any thing I intreate you likewise to entertaine al my Squires and Gentlemen into your seruice and among them to share all my treasure in the Shippe because I will haue nothing with me but my Horse and armour And notwithstanding all this feare nor to present your selfe before the Soldane and Alchidiana for to them will I write such matter of you as they shall accept you in my place and with as great honour as euer they did mee If heauen so fauour mee as I may come to the knowledge of my father I will certifie you with the truth of all As for my counterfeiting to be dumbe was onely but to awaite opportunitie when with safety I might escape thence If Olorico at the first was amazed what may be iudged of him nowe notwithstanding hee loued Palmerin so perfectly as hee returned him this answere Although Syr Palmerin wee are of contrary faith and opinion yet hath your noblenesse and humanitie gained such priuiledge ouer me that as you haue long time liued a Christian among the Turks so for your sake will I liue a Turke among the Christians dissembling in like sort as you did and neuer shall any occasion force mée to forsake you till you haue found your Father and know if he be discended of the Soldanes bloud No honour will it be for me nowe to returne again to the Assirian Princes and as for my people I force not though they go backe againe with my treasure for on my Knighthood I will bee no richer then you nor will reserue any thing with mée then what belongs to a Knight errant which is Horse and Armour For the rest let Fortune do the worst she can I hope for all this one day to be King of Arabia Then noble friend be not offended for I will beare you companie if death and strong imprisonment doo not withhold mee Palemrin embraicng him saide Ah worthie Prince so noble is your minde and repleate with fidelitie as perswade your selfe to find me your loyall Brother and fellow in Armee neuer to forsake you while I can lift my Sword so please you to abide with mee So calling the chéefest of them in the ship they sayde as much to them as you haue heard commaunding them not to stir from Arabia before they heard some other tydings As for their strange conceit at these newes I bequeath to your iudgements yet durst they not gainsay their Maisters but launching into the deepe sayled backe again into their own Countrey Palmerin and Olorico for this night lodged in the Cittie to refresh themselues and the next morning after they had taken leaue of the Merchants they deliuered they set forward on their iourney Continuing their trauaile thrée daies together at length they mette a Knight who séeing them armed after the Turkish manner sayde Gentlemen God saue ye if I should not seeme troublesome to you because I iudge you to be strangers I would gladly knowe if you could tell me any tidings of two Knights which long since left this Countrey Howe were they named quoth Palmerin Syr saide the Knight one of them is Trineus Some to our dread Lord the Emperour and the other the most valiant Palmerin d' Oliua Two yéeres and more since they left the Court without any newes what became of them sauing that wee heard they were a while with the King of England and thence they conuayed his Daughter the Emperous continuing so sorrowfull for theyr losse as euery houre his death is expected May it be quoth Palmerin that all this while Trineus is not returned What daunger will noble Allemaigne receiue by loosing their young Prince Ouercome with exceeding griefe and sorrow by report of these vnhappie tidings to himselfe he beganne in this maner What shall I doo dare I be so presumptuous as to present my selfe before my Mistresse what sufficient excuse can I make for the loue of her brother Doubtlesse if it were such a hell to me to finde the meane for my departure from that long captiuitie in the Soldanes Court much more will it be to me now in the search of the Prince for without him I dare not approach the Emperours presence While he thus secretly discoursed with himselfe he became so excéeding passionate as Olorico thought he had lost his sences which was the cause that without any further enquirie the Allemaigne Knight departed from them when Olorico amazed at this suddain alteration said How now Sir Palmerin what hath moued you to this heauinesse I beséech you conceale not the cause from me for if it be by any offence that the Knight offered which spake to you soone shall I deliuer him his penance Therefore tell me I pray you for vndoubtedly I will not suffer you to rest vntill you haue acquainted me with the truth Palmerin knowing how déerly y◠Prince loued him and that for his sake he had left Country parents and friends reposing on his loyaltie imparted his loue to him as also the lesse of Trineus and the Princesse Agriola Olorico then laboured to perswade him aduising him to compasse some secret spéech with his Ladie of whome hée might learne how to recouer her lost brother and the faire Agriola of England againe Palmerin following this counsell pacified himselfe and kept himselfe so closely as he could from being knowne to any Chap. XX. How Palmerin by the meanes of Vrbanillo his Dwarfe spake with his Lady Polynarda with whom he stayed fiue daies to recompence some part of his long absence and to the great contentment of them both SUch expedition in their iourney made these noble companions that at length they arriued néere a castle which was foure leagues from Gaunt where the Emperour as then was disposed to hunting for the delight of the Ladies but chéefely to expell his owne melancholy for the losse of his sonne as also to recreate the Princesse Polynarda who shadowing the cause by her Brothers absence lamented continually for her noble Friend Palmerin of whome
in your fathers Pallace and which no death can make me falsifie or change vnlesse you please to suffer me take another wise wherein I shall satisfie the importunate requests which daylie thâ— Lords of Macedon make to me for marriage that I might leaue them an heyre of my linage Which is a matter so gréeâ—ous to me in that I failed of you to whom I first gaue my fayth as I resolued neuer to take any other which I knowe not how I shall performe without losse of my life As he thought to haue procéeded further in spéeches and the Quéene hauing not answered one worde vnhappily the King entred which the Quéene beholding swouned with feare But she was immediately recouered by her Ladyes When the King séeing her in such estate and in what secrecie the two Pilgrimâ— talked with her hée gathered some suspition and ouercome likewise with the force of iealousie saide Madame what make you here at this time and in so slender companie of Ladies how dare you stande talking with these Straungers I woulde gladly know the matter and what hath made them so bold to enter your Chamber Florendos séeing his affaires to growe from badde to woorsse and that his Ladie was so threatned entring into choler he drew his Dagger from vnder his Frocke and taking the King by the bosome said Tarisius I will not hyde from thée who I am it is more then twentie yéeres since I promised thy death and nowe I am come in person to performe it With these wordes he stabde the Dagger to his heart and downe fell Tarisius dead at his féete which when the Quéene saw she on the other side fell in swoune again Frenato greatly amazed hereat sayde to Florendos For Gods sake my Lord let vs shift for our selues before this misfortune bée blazed abroade Content thy selfe sayd Florendos neuer shall it bee reported that I left my Ladie to suffer for mine offence or that for the feare of death which is the ende of all mishaps I will endure such intollerable anguishes and torments Now by ill fortune one of the Pages of honour attended on the King and hauing séene this homicide hastiliâ— ranne downe the stayres crying aloude Arme ye Knights arme ye and reuenge the Kings death who by a trayterous Pilgrime is slaine in the Quéenes Chamber Cardino one of the Quéenes Squires her brother that caried yong Palmerin to the mountaine had no leysure to take anie other armes then a Sword and Shéelde wherefore he was the first that came to the Quéenes Chamber where hee found Florendos guarding the entraunce who presentlie knew him saying Depart my good Friend Cardyno vnlesse for the Quéenes loue I shal take thy life from thée And what art thou sayde Cardyno that knowest mee so well I am thy Fréend quoth the Prince the most vnfortunate Florendos Straunge it is my Lord quoth Cardyno that you durst venture into this Court but take héere my Swoorde and Sheelde and defend your selfe for I thinke you will stande in great néede thereof In the means while I wil go aduertise the Duke of Pera of this mishap he is your good fréend and by his meanes you may haue some succour for oftentimes haue I heard him say at Constantinople that he wished you as well as my Lord the Emperour Dispatch then said Florendos that thou be not found héere with me assuring thée if I may escape this daunger I will acknowledge this seruice to thine owne content Florendos armed himselfe with the Sword and Shéeld whereof hée was so glad as if hée had béene backed with manie trustie fréends vowing before he died to make such a spoyle among his enemies as should remaine for an after memorie Cardyno went with all diligence to the Duke and secretly acquainted him with all this misfortune whereat the Duke greatly amazed answered I will do my vttermost for his safetie because full well he hath deserued it And so accompanied with many Grecian Knights he went to yâ— Quéenes Chamber and thrusting through the throng in despight of them that guarded the stayres bée got to the Chamber At the entrance whereof he found Florendos defending himselfe with such manly courage as nine or ten lay slaine at his féete The Duke and his men caused the Hungarians to withdraw themselues saying that himselfe would not suffer the matter so to escape for the offence ought to bee punished by iustice after the truth were knowne and thorowlie vnderstoode Hereupon the kings two Nephewes came in great rage saying to the Duke of Pera that the Quéene and the Pilgrime ought presently to die What quoth the Duke depart you likewise your willes shall not héere stande for Lawe nor is the Quéene to bée intreated with such rigour So drawing his swoorde and his Knights likewise resisted the Hungarians so that manie of them were slaine vntill certaine Gentlemen came who louing and estéeming the Quéene appeased this tumult Then was it agréed vpon that the Duke should take him into his charge who had murthered the King on whom such punishment should bee inflicted as the cause required and héereupon the Duke tooke his oath before all the companie In this sort the Kinges Nephewes were quieted who presentlie departed the Chamber causing the dead and wounded to bee conuayed thence that the people might receiue no further occasion of offence and the Duke comming to the Prince Florendos said Yéeld your selfe to me my Lord and I will promise you on the faith of a Prince that I will maintaine both your right and the Quéenes whatsoeuer daunger I hazard therby If you will not assure your selfe that your bodies cannot suffice the villainous surie of these people for they haue confidently sworne your deathes I know my Lord quoth Florendos that you speake the trueth and I repose my trust on your nobilitie which is such as you will not suffer anie iniury to the man béeing in your guÌ„â—rde I yéelde my selfe to you and earnestly intreate you not to imprison the Quéene for on mine honour she is guiltlesse And if any offence hath béene committed it was by me yet not without iust cause and in defence of mine own life My comming hither-was because I am newly returned from Ierusalem and remembring the manifold honours which sometime I receyued of my Ladie in the Emperour her Fathers Court in my passing by I was destrous to do my dutie to her At the instant time I was saluting her the King came into the Chamber who moued with an auncient hatred which you verie well know would haue slaine me but I preuenting his intent with the ayde of my weapon bestowed that on him which he wished to mee I beléeue well what you haue sayd quoth the Duke yet must you néedes abide triall in this case Frenato perceyuing his Cozin in such daunger sought about the Chamber for some weapon to defende him and finding the Kings Sworde by the Quéenes bed side shewed it to the Duke that he might
sorrow hée conceiued for his Ladie knowing him to bée the same man indéede was so excéeding ioyfull as infinit embracings and kissings woulde not serue to bewraye his comfort for such gracious welcomes reuerence and courtesie he vsed as Palmerin bashfull to bee vsed with such honour said Unseemelie is it my Lord that you should thus much abase your selfe to mee for vnder correction it ill agrees that the Maister should honour the Seruaunt The poore Prince could not but still holde him in his armes and with teares and meruailous affection thus aunswered Ah Palmerin mine onelie hope and comfort in trouble where hast thou beene what fortune hath kept thee so long from mee My déere Fréende howe manie yrkesome thoughts haue I endured expecting thy comming so that when I saw thou didst not returne and I could no way heare what was become of thée the verye conceite of thy absence had néerâ—â—laine me Then carelesse what became of my selfe being depriued of my loue and honour of my life I am fallen into these miseries farre excéeding death which Fortune I sée hath permitted because I am perswaded that thou must deliuer me from all mishappes and by thée shall I attaine my chéefest desires Ah happie and fortunate hower well worthie for euer to be celebrated with tryumphâ—s finding thée the onely cause of my good whome long since I feared was consorted with the dead but séeing thou art now so happilie come acquaint me with the fortunes that â—raied thée thus long for very desirous am I to knowe them Palmerin was so gréeued to sée him in such weake sicklie estate as hée could hardlie make any aunswere yet striuing with himselfe said My noble Lord the time requireth now other occasions héereafter shall I tell you the whole discourse Graunt mée I beséeche you without further intreating that I may enter the Combat in your name against one of those Traitours who haue accused you for such is my hope in God that I shall spéede luckilie and bring him to the end such a villaine deserues With all my heart quoth the Prince I am contented assuring my successe so well in your vertues as if fiue hundred of my Knights did enter the fielde for mée And to the ende that without feare or doubt you maye take my cause in hand I sweare to you by the liuing God that since Tarsius espoused Griana I neuer sawe her till when the King came and found me with her which was so short a time as she had not the leysure to make mée any answer True it is that I kild the King but howe I did it in respect hée was mine enemie and abused my Lady and lawful wife What though they were espoused togither the mariage was not to be allowed in that it was doone against her will she béeing as I haue said my Wife by solemne spéeches before God married to me It suffiseth said Palmerin I haue enough You shall likewise vnderstande my Lord that I haue brought with me another Knight who will gladlie aduenture the Combate on the Quéenes behalfe and such a one he is as the other accuser will scant dare to stande against him wherefore let mée intreate you to comfort your selfe expecting our happy and fortunate successe Florendos falling on his knée gaue thanks to Heauen for this luckie euent and hauing an indifferent while conferred togither after Palmerin had aduertised Frenato of his Sonne Ptolomes health and that in short time hee had good hope to finde him he returned to the Emperour to whome making great reuerence he saide Now my gracious Lorde I come to vnderstand your answer I pray you sir Knight quoth the Emperour holde me excused if I haue not welcommed you as your nobilitie bountie and highe Chiualrie deserueth but after the Combat is ended which for my part I graunt ye what hath wanted now shall bée supplyed so that your selfe shall rest contented I thanke your Maiestie for this extraordinarie fauour said Palmerin and séeing the Prince hath committed his cause to my fortune I beséech you send for the Kings Nephewes that the appointed daye may not bee preuented by any further delayes And if the Quéene your Daughter be not prouided of a Champion this Knight poynting to Frysoll my vowed Fréende and companion shall vndertake her cause in that he came hither for no other businesse and such good experience haue I made of his valour and hardinesse as if by knightlie Chiualrie her right may be defended assure your selfe my Lord this is the man I thinke said the Emperor she is not as yet determined of anie one albeit full manie haue made offer of themselues and for wee will expect no further this Knight shall be preferred before all that come I humbly thanke your Maiestie for this fauour aunswered Frysoll yet would I bee loth to presume too farre before I vnderstand the Quéenes pleasure The Emperour caused him to be conducted to the Quéenes Chamber and his two companions with him who desired to sée the Ladies where béeing entred Frysoll humbly vpon his knée began in this manner Right noble and excellent Quéene so far through Christendome is spread the report of your rare vertuous and integritie of life especially your innocencie in the crime wherewith you are accused as from farre Countreyes I am come to be your Knight if you will vouchsafe me such honour as to accept me Assuring you that vnder your commaundement and in the companie of my noble Fréend who vndertakes the Combat for my Lord Florendos right willing am I to aduenture life and credit Alas Gentle Knight quoth the Quéene this offer procéedeth from your courtesie and bountie not by any vertue on my parte deseruing for too contrarie hath Fortune euermore sette her selfe against me But verie ingratefull might I bee accounted and neuer be reckoned among Ladies of regard if hauing taken such paines for me I shoulde not accept you for my Knight especiallie in so vrgent occasion Therefore I entertaine you into this seruice and I desire of God that you may be as easilie deliuered from the charge you take in hand for me as my conscience is cléere from the faulte wherwith I am accused I hope Madame quoth Frysoll that my Lord your Father shall ere long perceiue your loyall perfect and pure nobilite which neuer can kéepe companie with seruile anâ— detestable treason All this while Palmerin beholding the Quéene séeing her swéete face so stained and blubbered with teares mooued with naturall remorse was constrained to turne his head aside to hide the teares that trickled down his chéekes The Quéene likewise regarded him so earnestlye as when â—he behelde him wéepe she imagined that one gaue a violent pull at her heart which shee dissembled so well as she could determining not to demand the cause thereof vntill such time as the Combatte were finished So taking their leaue of the Quéene and the Princesse Armida they returned to their lodging till the next morning when the Emperour
no Ladie may comparâ— her felicitie with mine Ah my sonne by thée are my sorrowes chaunged into ioy my dispaire into content and from death it selfe am I brought againe to life for if my husbands hard hap made me dâ—spise life now may you be assured how much I desire it Then declared shée how to saue the Prince Florendos life whose faithfull loue brought him to such extremitie by sicknesse she aduentured her honor for his safetie and entering the paradise of loue bestowed that iewel on him which she most of all estéemed And so maist thou quoth shée report to the Emperour yet in this manner that not by carâ—all impudicitie I so consented for God is my witnesse that notwithstanding the perill wherein I sawe him no perswasion could cause me yéeld him that especiall remedie before he had first solemnly vowed marriage to mée which against all right was broken by the Emperours commaundement Madame quoth Palmerin Florendos is of such valour and his honorable actions so well receiued among men that albeit he had made you no such promise yet reason may excuse you in this matter But if by promised faith and to saue the life of so gentle a Knight who happilie by your refusall might haue miscaried you honoured the Temple of Loue with so swéete an offering among people of good minde it ought rather to bée tearmed a vertue then anie bad affection or vnlawfull lust And therfore Madame comfort your selfe for shortly I hope to assure your peace with the Emperour and séeing I haue you for my mother and the Prince Florendos for my Father I féele my selfe frée from any gréefe or vexation assuring you that I will driue it to no further delay but this morning will I confer with his Maiestie The Quéene béeing fearefull that her long stay should cause anie bad opinion hauing kissed her sonne gaue him the good morrowe and so went to her Chamber where shée found Cardyna her Gentlewoman to wâ—om she shewed the Crucifixe her sonne had giuen her saying Tell me I pray thée Cardina doost thou remember that heeretofore thou hast séene this Crucifixe and in what place Beléeue me Madame quoth shée I thinke I haue seene it before nowe but in what place I am not certaine Why forgetfull creature knowest thou not that this is the Crucifixe which was tied about my sonnes necke when thy selfe did carrie him to the mountaine In gooâ— faith the Knight is hée who fought the Combate for my Lorde Florendos Nowe sée the great mercie and bountie of our God who preserued his life then and from infinite daungers hath defended him hitherto Notwithstanding bee thou secret and on perill of thy life reueale it to none vntill the Emperour my Father be acquainted therewith Cardyna was so ioyfull héereof as shée must néedes goe presently to sée Palmerin and finding the Chirugions with him visiting his woundes shée fetched a gorgious Mantle of purple Ueluet broydered round about with Pearles Diamonds and Rubies as wel might beséeme the greatest Monarch to weare As Cardina holpe him to put on this Mantle she noted the marke on his face which she remembred since thâ— time of his birth and in this maner goes Palmerin chéerefully to the Emperour whom he founde conferring with his Lords and Barons but his presence caused them breake off talke imagining him the comeliest person that euer they sawe The good olde Emperour Remicius reioycing to sée him in so good and able plight demaunded of him howe he fared Right well quoth he I thank God and your highnesse readie to aduenture on any occasion shal like you to commaund me and now am I come to aduertise your Maiestie of such matters as will not a little glad ye in the hearing so please your grace to vouchsafe me priuate audience Hereupon the Emperour commaunded euery one to depart the Hall and they béeing nowe alone Palmerin thus began Dreaâ— Lord and mighty Emperour till this time haue I frequented the Courts of manie Kings and Potentates without desire of requesting anie thing vntill this present when faine would I request one boone of your Maiestie the grant whereof shall returne you both profit and honor My noble Fréend Palmerin aunswered the Emperour what euer thou pleasest demaund and on my worde it shall bée graunted Palmerin with humble obeysaunce kissing the Emperours hand sayd In sooth my Lorde all that I haue to request is onely to desire your highnesse that all offences committed by the Prince Florendos and Madame Griana your Daughter may not onely be forgotten but also forgiuen For thy sake Palmerin quoth the Emperour I forgiue all their offences whatsoeuer May it then please your Maiestie quoth he to remember howe when Florendos came to doo you seruice during your warres agaynst Gamezio because you denied to giuâ— him your Daughter hée was so sicke as euerie howre his death was expected It then so fortuned my Lord the Princesse your Daughter acquainted with the cause of his sicknesse to giue him some comfort as also to defend so good a Prince from death by gracious spéeches shée gaue him such hope of her loue and such for trueth as before they parted a solemne promise of marriage was concluded betwéene them I know not the conditions of their agréements but it séemed the Articles consisted on no difficult accorde for each receyued of other the swéete desires of loue in so much as that night was I begotten And for a trueth my Lord I am the Sonne to the Prince Florendos and Madame Griana your Daughter who as I vnderstand by the Empresse perswasion against all right you compelled to marrie with the Prince Tarisius Florendos notwithstanding my Mothers wrong was verye great hath continued so loyall as hée would neuer accept anie other for his Wife nor as yet will but onely her Nowe my Lord that this matter may not séeme a fantasticall inuention I can resolue you of the place of my byâ—â—h which was in the Tower where my Mother remained prisoner by your commaundement vnder the charge of a Ladie named Tolomestra who to defende your daughters honor caused me to be carried to a place not far hence which is called the Mâ—unt of Oliues from whence my surname is likewise deriued in that place was I â—ound by a Countrey pesant vnder a Palme Trée who in signe thereof named me Palmerin d'Oliua My sorrowfull Mother hoping one day to sée me againe diligently noted diuerse markeâ— I haue and hung about my necke a golden Crucifixe which this day I gaue her againe and by this marke 〈…〉 like a Crosse shée well remembers me to be her Sonne In this respect my Lord that your Daughters offence was occasioned by true and faithfull loue and hauing likewise promised to forgiue all causes of displeasure graunt my father nowe at length to enioy his lawfull Wife that I béeing their Sonne may not bée estéemed as illegitimate the dâ—â—ing whereof will renowme your name for euer and loue
Palmerin hearing either fearing to offend them or induced by modest bashfulnes he went to his Sister the Princesse Armida whose thoughts hée sounded by such subtilties and dissimulations as he found the effect of her desires which was to enioy Sir Frysoll to her Husband He not a little contented héerewith confirmed her choyse to be commendable sealing the assurance thereof with an honourable report of his knightly déedes of Armes Then the Emperour called for the Duke of Mecaena and the Counte of Reâ—foâ—t as also his principall Secretarie whom hee commaunded to write to the Emperour of Allemaigne touching the marriage of the Princesse Polinarda and his sonne Paâ—merin shadowing the secret agréement betwâ—ene themselues and committed tâ—e rest to the discreâ—ion of the Ambassadours The Letters sealed with his great Signet was deliuered to them that had the charge of this message who could not so spéedily departe from Constantinople because the winde and weather was not nauigable Now had Palmerin promised Frysoll that he would speake to the Princesse his sister and solemnely resolue vpon their marriage wherefore méeting with this earnest Lâ—uer hee thus laboured to please him Trust me Cozin I haue so surely imprinted your especiall generositie in my Sisters minde as the carracters can neuer be defaced but remaine more perfect by your spéedie marriage Frysoll reuiued with these newes as all pretenders of loue may well imagine offered to kisse his hande which Palmerin would not suffer whereupon hée thus procéeded Ah my Lorde howe am I more and more indebted to you right wise was hee which saide that affabilitie and liberalitie are continuall companions with noblenesse and magnanimitie And though by al my seruices I cannot deserue the honour you do mee in accepting me for your Brother yet am I so faithfully vowed yours as the honours of my Father nor loue of the Princesse your Sister can seperate mee from your companie vntill you haue founde your long desired Friende Trineus And for this cause my Lord I earnestly intreate you to hasten Apolonio towards my Father for I will sende him to 〈◊〉 place where he shall be assured to finde him Palmerin accorded thereto immediatly and so labored with the Emperour that the Letters were deliuered and the oathes taken of all the Hungarians they were sent home into theyr Countrey with a Lieutenant appointed to gouerne them vntill the comming of Netrides to whom Frysoll wrote the truth of all his fortunes with earnest request of his spéedie presence And to enduce him to the greater haste hée feigned that many Princes laboured for the Crowne of Hungaria and were in likelihood to obtaine it all which was but to enioy the faire princesse Armida The same day Florendos sent to the King his Father at Macedon that hée should send the cheefest states of his Realme against the day that Palmerin should be sworne the Prince of Greece Chap. XXXIIII How Câ—tdyna the Gentlewoman attending on the Queene accompanied with her Brother and diuers other Squires brought Gerrard his wiâ—e and daughter to the Court and what entertainment Palmerin made them CArdyna with those that were commaâ—ded to kéepe her company in short time came to Gerrards house whom shee found sitting at dinner with his familie The good man was at first amazed séeing such courtly personages enter his house a matter estéemed rare among yâ— persons dwelling on the mountaine but séeing they came in decent and modest sort not proffering any discourtesie he entertained them very friendly when Cardyna taking him by the hande said Good Father are you the man that is called Gerrard I am the same quoth he gentle mistresse You are then the man aunswered Cardyna that I séeke and therefore I pray thée tell me what thou didst with a Childe that twentie yéeres and more since thou foundest in swadling clothes vnder a Palm Trée on this Mountaine for certaine I am that thou didst take him home with thée to thy house Ah mistresse quoth the good old man you haue killed my heart in remembring me of him whom I loued déerer then any of mine owne The infant of whom you speake I founde not farre hence vnder a Palme Trée for which cause at his Baptisme I named him Palmerin From that time forwarde I nourished him as hée had béene mine owne Sonne till hée rame to tall stature and as he grew in yéeres so did hee in vertuous and noble qualities which made him not a little beloued in these parts for when hee attended my Cattell he tooke pleasure to course the Wolfe Hart Beare Bore and Lion and oftentimes would kill them when him listed which none of mine owne Children durst at any time aduenture Ah swéete Mistresse when I remember his many seruices the dutifull reuerence and loue hee bare mée I am readie to die with conceite of gréefe that it was my ill hap so soone to loose him Yet came not this misfortune alone for mine eldest Sonne who loued him as he had béene his owne Brother immediately went after him and yet could I neuer heare any tidings of them Notwithstanding Mistresse if you know of whence hée was I can shewe you all the clothes wherein I founde him I shall be contented to sée them quoth Cardyna but what will ye giue the partie that can tell ye whee he is Cerrard at these wordes fell on his knée before her and with the teares trickling downe his graie beard saide By my troth mistresse if it shall like you to doo me so great pleasure of all my substance I will giue yée the one halfe or all my heard of Beastes which ye saw féeding on the Mountain as ye came beside my continuall seruice while I liue Gramercies Father sayd Cardyna but call for your Wife and Daughter and then shall I tell ye newes that well content you As for him whose friendly Parentes you were so long time hée is nowe at Constantinople and is the Sonne of Madam Griana daughter to the Emperour who commaundeth you thrée to come to the Court that she may content ye for nourishing so well the noble young Prince The olde man excéeding ioyfull without ordering his affaires or appointing his Seruaunts their course of labour saide to his Wife and Dyofena his Daughter Make ye readie presently in your best garments and let vs goe sée that noble Gentleman for all the Golde in the world cannot make me staie nowe I haue heard so happie tidings The good woman and her daughter trickt vp themselues in their countrey fines and taking the rich swadling clothes sette forward to Constantinople so merely as sometime did the foster Father of Paris Alexander his Wife and their Daughter Pegasis when they brought the Cradle and acoustrements of the infant royall to the Cittie of Troy after he was knowne by his Father King Priam and Quéene Hecuba his Mother Palmerin being aduertised by one of the Ladies of Honour attending on the Empresse that Cardyna had brought Gerrard to prouoke greater contentation he would
â—hee saluted his Maiestie with great reuerence yet not kissing his hande because he came from as great a state as hee was afterwrd he beganne in this manner Mightie and redoubted Monarch of Allemaigne the most high and excellent Emperour of Constantinople my Maister vnderstanding the losse of your Sonne Trineus gréeteth you with health and continuall happinesse Giuing you to vnderstande that within these fewe daies such good fortune hath befallen him as in all his life time hée neuer had the like And albeit in his last warre with the Turkes and Moores he lost both Sonnes Nephewes and many great Lords of his kindred and since that time hath béene troubled with the hard â—ap of his daughter Griana Quéene of Hungaria and the sodaine death of her Husband the King yet hath his Maiestie changed all these gréefes into ioy by knowledge of the good Knight Sir Palmerin whose renowne liues as wel in Heathenesse as in Christendome béeing now found Sonne to my Lord the Emperour and therefore created sole heyre to the Empire And the noble Prince Palmerin on his behalfe humbly saluteth your imperiall maiestie béeing the Lord to whom he is most affected in seruice so that to finde out your Sonne Trineus and the faire Agriola Daughter of England whom two yéeres since and more hee lost in the East Seas he abandoneth all honorable preferments vntill his trauaile shall be finished and he hath brought him hither before your highnesse And hauing alreadie searched in many Kingdomes at length hée vnderstood that they were liuing and in health also that himselfe should in the ende recouer them hée thought it necessarie to acquaint you herewith because he doubted of your extreame sorrow and heauinesse The Emperor astonied to heare the good fortune of Palmerin as also the losse of his Sonne Trineus could not subdue his passions which mooued the teares to trickle downe his chéekes with conceit of ioy and gréefe together yet shadowing his alteration so well as he could thus replyed In truth my Lorde Ambassadour I alwaies imagined by Palmerins woorthie actions that he was discended of noble or royall linage and greatly it contenteth me that he so happily hath founde the house of his discent expelling altogether considering his promise and prowesse what hath béene long imprinted in my heart considering the losse of my Sonne Trineus For so fauourable are the heauens to Palmerin in all his enterprises and admirable aduentures as one may imagine that déeds of honor and account are reserued onely for him chéefely the recouerie of my Sonne which I hope hee will effectually bring to passe And trust me not without great and sufficient reason doth the Emperour your Maister repute himselfe happie this onely good fortune béeing of force enough to discharge his mind of all sorrowes and cares that former occasions mooued him with all Now know I howe to recompence his princely kindnesse honoring me with so good and happy tidings but that it may please him to accept of mee héereafter as his louing Brother and faithfull Friend No other thing my Lord quoth the Duke dooth his Maiestie desire and to beginne this amitie and alliance betwéene you hee requesteth that if his Sonne Palmerin hath héeretofore founde such fauour in your eyes you would now confirme it by giuing him to wife the Princesse Polynarda your Daughter whom he will not marrie vntill he haue brought home your Sonne Trineus As for the other conuentions of the marriage this Letters shall certifie you so kissing them hée deliuered them with very great reuerence And her shall he haue with right good will sayde the Emperour for a fitter husband can shée not haue I thinke likewise her selfe will consent thereto for the good opinion she had of him while he remained in our Court But because I will not displease the King of Fraunce who in like manner requesteth her for his Sonne and heyre I will conferre with the estates of the Empire and then deliuer you certaine answere So the Ambassadours withdrew themselues to their lodgings and the Emperor caused the Letters to bee read before all his Princes and Lordes who could no way mislike of this marriage and therefore great ioy was made through the Empire in hope the Prince Trineus should soone be recouered These ioyfull newes soone spreading through the Court at length were brought to the Princesse Polinarda in her Chamber who not able to conceale her sodaine ioy ranne to Bryonella saying Swéete friende nowe maist thou reioyce with me in that our loues are nowe assured vs whereof before wée vtterly despayred Ah my Brionella Heauen hath now confirmed our fortunate successe in that my Palmerin is founde to bee the Emperours Sonne of Constantinople whereof he hath certified my Lord and Father by his Embassage and howe Palmerin hath heard tydings of my Brother Trineus whom shortly he will bring home againe yet not without thy Ptolome I hope Therefore my onâ—ly copartner in loue and feare let vs abandon all gréefe and sorrow which greatly may preiudice our health and welfare and nowe dispose our selues to a contented resolution of life attending our long desired fortune God graunt it may be so quoth Bryonella yet my minde perswades mee that wée shall not sée them so soone as you wéene The Emperour hauing conferred with the Lorde of Allemaigne who very well allowed the marriage of his daughter with Palmerin determined to send to the Emperor of Constantinople ambassadours for perfect confirmation of the marriage And by generall consent the Duke of Lorrayne and the Marquesse of Licena were chosen for this present Embassage Which being doone the Emperour went to the Empresse Chamber and sent for his Daughter Polynarda who was so ioyfull of these happie newes as she could scant imagine how to dissemble her content when shee should come in her Fathers presence yet shadowing it from any open suspect after shee had saluted her Father with great reuerence the Emperour thus spake Daughter you haue hitherto refused so many noble offers as hardly can I permitte to mooue you with any other yet once more will I trie you againe in hope you will stand vpon no more refusals but ioyne with me in opinion as beyonde all other best beséemes you The man of whom I speake is noble Palmerin of whose honourable behauiour you haue some knowledge and for no other cause hath the Emperour sent his Ambassadours aduise your selfe then what you answere for all our nobilitie allow the match and thereto haue generally subscribed their consent The Princesse couering her inwarde ioy with modest bashfulnesse thus answered If héeretofore my good Lorde I excused my obeysance to your commandement especially for taking a husband it was onely for the promise I made to my Brother Trineus but nowe seeing it is your pleasure and the good lyking of al the estates as also that the marriage shall not be solemnized till my Brothers presence I will not disobey your commaund assuring your Maiestie that more content am
was slaine and Agriola deliuered PAlmerin being vpon a day in his Chamber with his Companions practising some meane for the deliuerance of Agriola the Princesse Laurana of Durace came to them framing her spéeches in this maner Gentlemen if any of you be desirous to deliuer vs from this cruell enemie who holdes vs in this thrall and bondage I haue deuised the best meanes that may be and thus it is The Turke the most luxurious and vnchast man in the worlde not contented with infinite number of Concubines hath many times made loue to me so that to compasse mine intent I haue made him promise within thrée dayes to graunt his request In this time I haue intreated the Princesse Agriola to shewe him the most disdamefull countenaunce that may bée which shée hath faythfully promised and for this cause hath sent mee to you to conuay hence all the riches he hath giuen yée and which shée herselfe will likewise send ye so that when the houre is come for me to fulfill his pleasure one of you béeing priuilie armed shall in my place murther him in reuenge of the ill Christendome hath sustained by the last vnhappie voyage of Olimaell who determineth verie shortly as I vnderstand to goe spoyle to Isle of Rhodes Palmerin very glad of the Princesse notable inuention thus answered Because Madame I lately promised the Turke not to depart his Court but to kéepe him companie when he denied his Admirall that I and my companions shoulde go with him to the Rhodes I cannot be the man to ende this woorthie reuenge therefore one of you my Fréendes must resolue to performe it In meane while you Madame Laurana may returne to the Turke pleasing him with faire and fréendly spéeches for if neeuer so little suspition bée gathered not one of vs can escape with life Feare not sayde the Princesse I will vse the matter so carefully as you can desire right well knowe howe to enflame his heart with â—ueint lookes coy disdaines faint dealings aud other such like ceremonies vsed in loue as feare not you to prosecute the stratageme in that a beginning so good must néedes sort to a successiue ende The yong Duke of Pontus who began to growe affectionate towards the Princesse Laurana sayd In sooth my Lord so please you to commit the charge héereof to me so well hope I to execute the same for her sake that did so woorthily inuent it as I dare warrant to deserue no reproch thereby For my first earnest to gentle Loue shall be so gracious as in qualifying the vnlawfull heate of our enemie I will binde my selfe neuer to loue anie other and her faith receyued if I bring not his head to Madame Laurana let mée bée accounted as one of the most slothfull Knights that euer bare Armes Aduertise mée therefore of the place and houre and doubt not of my faithfull performance At this pleasant answer they all be ganne to smile whereupon Palmerin thus spake Beléeue mee noble Duke considering your youth and braue disposition I knowe no one in this â—â—mpanie more méete for the Princesse Laurana then you are but I thinke when the appoynted houre shall come you will bée a little more angrie with the Turke then her if she haue you in that subiâ—ction as it séemes she hath Yet let vs not nowe trifle the time in vaine when such waightie occasions commaundeth our diligence So returned Laurana to the Princesse Agriola acquainting her with the Knights determination when not long after the great Turke entred the Chamber accompanied with Palmerin and the King of Sparta that he might the better speake to her hée so earnestly desired hée caused Palmorin to sit betwéene him and Agriola then turning to Laurana he began to deuise familiarlie with her Which wheâ— Palmerin and Agriola perceiued the better to beguile him hée made a signe to the King of Sparta that hée should enter into some talke of hunting wherat the Turke presently arose and taking Laurana by the hand led her to the window with these spéeches Mistresse of my heart and the very fairest creature that euer mine eyes behelde will ye graunt the request I made to you yesterday Sée you not what great honour I haue done to Madame Agriola Notwithstanding if you will loue me I will make you my Wife that I may haue issue by you to succéede in my kingdome and your honours shall be nothing inferiour to hers And though she still denie me the fauour which with long and continuall pursuite I haue desired yet doe you consider my gréefe and if in short time you vouchsafe me no pitti the extreame afflictions I endure for your loue are rated at the price of my life God forbid quoth Laurana that so great a losse shoulde come to the Orientall Empyre by me rather will I forget the accustomed regard of mine honour to bée accepted in your grace and fauour And the cause that made me deferre so long from this answere was the feare I haue of Madame Agriola and her Brother to whome I was giuen by your Admirall after my Fathers decease But to the ende my Lorde that none of them may suspect our loue I thinke it conuenient that Hyppolita who alway lyeth in your Chamber remoue her selfe to the Ladies attending on Agriola and her shall you commaunde to giue me the Key of my Ladies Chamber which hitherto shée hath vsed to carrie By this meane may I the more safely and without suspition of any one come in the night to fulfill your desire The Turke imagining he had gayned the Princesse loue indéede was not a little ioyfull wherefore he said Swéete Ladie you shall haue the Key as you request nor shall she longer lodge in my Chamber whom you feare so much Moreouer this night will I perswade Agriola that I féele my selfe not halfe currant and therefore to kéepe her selfe in her owne Chamber and so may you come boldlie to me this night If any man chaunce to méete yée say that I sent for you and if they dare bee so bolde as to hinder your comming in the morning shall my Ianizaries put them to death whatsoeuer they be So taking a King from his finger wherein was a stone of inestimable value hée gaue it to the Princesse saying Holde Madame take this as a pledge of my promise for which Laurana humblie thanking him thus replied My Lord I sée Agriola hath foure or fiue times earnestlie noted you I thinke it good therefore that we breake off talke assuring you that I will not faile at midnight when euerie one is fast a sléepe to kéepe my worde and in the Mantle which you sent mée yesterday I will couertly enter your Chamber conditionallie that you kéepe your promise to mée afterwarde Doubt not thereof said the Turke and so taking his leaue of heâ— went presently to his Chamber where finding Hyppolâ—ta he commaunded her to take thence her bed and â—arrie it to the Ladies Chamber likewise taking the Key from
her hée sent it by one of his Pages to Laurana who hauing it in her hand came laughing therewith to Palmerin saying Howe say you my Lord haue I not handled the matter 〈◊〉 it should be the Turke mooued with pittie of our straite imprisonment hath giuen me the charge of Madame Agriâ—la for by his Page hath he sent me the Key of her Chamber and Hyppolita shall lodge nowe among other Ladies And because this night the action must bee fulfilled doo you aduertise the Duke of Pontus that at midnight he faile not to come to vse drunken Holofernes as hée hath deserued Palmerin and the King of Sparta praysing God that their affaires went forwarde so luckily returned to their lodging intreating Agriola to be ready at the houre that their intent might not be hindered by her Afterwarde they rehearsed to their companions what was concluded by the Princesse Laurana wherefore quoth hée to the Duke prepare to bring your Armour secretlye to Agriolaes Chamber where you shall finde the King of Sparta and my selfe Meane while Frysoll Olorico and Eustace sée that all out baggage be conueyed into our shiâ—pe which may safely be done without suspect considering what great multitude of Souldiours are embarquing and therefore prouide all things readie agaynst our comming The houre being at hand Palmerin the King of Sparta and the Duke of Pontus went to the Princesse Chamber where the Duke was immediately Armed except his Helmet which he left on the Table couered with the Mantle whereof Laurana spake putting on the attyre the Princes wore vppon her heade and so finely was he disguised in those habits as in the dark he might be reputed rather a woman then a man and béeing readie to depart about the practise he saide to Palmerin I thinke it best my Lord that you and the King of Sparta conâ—uct the Ladyes before to the Porte for if in mine attempt I should happen to â—aile yet shoulâ— you loose but the worst in your companie So importunate was hee with them to follow his aduise as he caused them to depart presently to the Hauen where they were ioyfully welcommed by Frysoll and the rest without méeting anie by the way to hinder them When the Duke saw himselfe left alone and now he was to dispose himselfe to his intent falling on his knée he thus spake O my God that suffered the mightie Holofernes to bée be headed by thy Seruaunt Iudith affoorde me at this time the like grace and giue mée strength to worke his death who is the greatest liuing enemy to Christians This said hée went to the Turks Chamber where he found the doore readie open and approching the bed the Turke who verilie thought it was Laurana raysed vp himselfe and taking him by the arme said Welcome swéete Ladie for verie long haue I expected thy comming Ah Traitour quoth the Duke I am not she thou lookest forâ— regarde of honour will not suffer her to sinne in such sort With which wordes hée stabbed him to the heart and smiting off his head wrapped it in the Mantle that Laurana gaue him so going to Agriolaes Chamber and clasping on his Helmet went presentlie to his Fréendes whom hée founde in prayer for his good successe and throwing the head into Lauranaes lappe said Madame hée that was so importunate for your dishonour as a witnesse of his loue to you hath sent you his head here by me wherwith I present you so deuoutlie as henceforth I dedicate my life and seruice to your disposing A thousand thanks my Lorde quoth the Princesse this vertuous act hath made mée so constanlie to bée yours as in anie thing that toucheth not the impeach of mine honour I remaine with my vttermost endeuours to pleasure you As the Duke woulde haue replied the other Knights came to looke on the head which when they haâ— cast into the Sea they presently hoysed â—aile and before day had gotteâ— farre enough from thence In the morning as the marriners came from theyr Gallies towardes the Cittie they espied the head floting on the water and taking it vp shewed it to their companions to know if they could tell whose it was When they be helde it so dreadfull the muâ—â—achoes â—â—routing out like 〈◊〉 bristles and the locks of hayre hang shagging downe they knew not what to thinke and one of them hauing well marked it said By all our Gods if I be not deceiued this is the head of my Lord the great Turke at which words all the other began to scorne and â—ocke Hyppolita séeing faire Phoebus let foorth the morning light came to the Princesse Agriolaes chamber where not finding her nor Laurana the chamber likewise dispoyled of many things she doubted immediatly that they were fled whereof to be resolued she went to the great Turks Chamber and séeing the Pages standing at the doore saide Why enter ye not the howre is past and my Lorde is not yet risen Lady quoth they as yet hee hath not called vs and you knowe as yesternight be forbâ—d our entrance till we were called it may bée hée 〈◊〉 but badly this night and therefore now is contented to take his rest I feare quoth she some other matter then sléepe dooth hinder his calling you so thrusting open the doore and entring the Chamber sawe the bloud dispersed on the ground and the headlesse truncke hanging beside the bed with which sight they made a verie pittifull outcrie whereat many noble men and Gentlemen came who likewise beholding what had happened ioyned with them in sorrowfull complaints Soone was the report of this murder blazed through the Cittie so that Olimaell bearing thereof ranne thither with all haste where he was no sooner preseÌ„t but Hyppolita thus began Ah Olimaell thou broughtest the Traytours hither that haue slaine my Lorde and by thy meanes hath this treason béene committed By all our Gods sayde one of the Turks Nephewes present it is true but because thou hast suffered Agriola her Brother and the other Knights to escape thou villaine shalt abide it déerely So drawing foorth his Semitarie killed Olimaell therewith saying Such be their reward that trayterously betray theyr Soueraigne mine Unckle of a poore Ianizarie made thée his chéefe Admirall and thou for his kindnesse hast requited him with death but now thy villainy is worthily recompenced Olimaell thus slaine his men ranne furiously on the Turks Nephew and â—â—ew him with fiftie Knights beside that defended his quarrell and had it not béene for an auncient Basso who with an hundred Souldiours came to part them they were in danger of a greater sedition because they sawe none pursue Palmerin and his companions The Basso that had thus pacified this tumult by promises perswaded the Ianizaries and preuailed so well with them as the same day he was proclaimed yonger Brother to the Soldane deceased and great Emperour of Turkie Many iniuries did he to Christendome afterwarde in reuenge of his Brothers death which yet we will forbeare to rehearse what
defence Zephira with humble thanks requiting the Kâ—â—g Palmerin and all the rest graciously welcommed they rode all to the Pallace where being intertained in choysest sorâ— Muzabelino still accompanied Palmerin who forgot not his woonted kindnes to his louing Dogge Chap. XLIX The talke that the princesse Zephira and Palmerin had with the wise Muzabelino and how Palmerin departed from Romato to the Castell of the ten Rocks THe Princesse Zephira who had not yet talked with Muzabelino in the morning sent for him and Palmerin shée causing them to sit downe by her began in this manner My Lord if your great iudgement haue acquainted you with the cause of my comming and that you will doe anie thing for the loue of Sir Palmerin let pittie perswade you for in you onely consisteth my remedie Madame quoth Muzabelino vse not such speaches for what my studie and practise hath taught me you must make no account of but referre your selfe to the supreame Creator who by the meanes of noble Palmerin will restore your health and him will I acquaint with the manner how it must be compassed Your disease happened by smelling to a flower and by the smell of another it must be recouered The flower appoynted to giue you health groweth in an Arbour in the Castell of the tenne Rocks and kept by the enchauntment of a Ladie more skilfull in all artes then euer was the skilfull Medea This Ladie deceasing an hundred yeares since and more Shée séeing before her death the vertue of this flower and of a Bird which is kept there by the selfe same meanes hauing inchaunted them in a Garden the must sumptuous in the world raysed ten Rocks of Marble without the Castell each one ascending higher then an other and by these Rocks was the Castle named Such enchauntment did the Ladie exorcise on them as when anie one thinketh to passe them presently starteth out of each Rocke an armed Knight who returneth the aduenturer so forciblie as to to this day they haue not béene passed by any Couragious therefore must he be that passeth these Rocks which if Palmerin by his bountie and prowesse doo not accomplish no man liuing can ende the aduenture for by force not cunning must the enchauntment be ended When the Princesse heard that by the daungerous trauaile of noble Palmerin her health must be restored she thus sorâ—owfully complained Ah Gods suffiseth it not that héeretofore this good Knight aduentured his life in the daungerous battell when my Brother was slaine but nowe he must abide the diuellish coniurations where death is dayly and hourelie expeâ—â—â—ed shall I consent to offer him such wrong and bée guiltie of his blood who surpasseth all other in chiualrie rather let my death be a warrant for his safetie then noble Palmerin shoulde endure such perrill for me Lament not Madame quoth Muzabelino before you haue cause hée that slewe Malfada and her Seruaunts is so specially fauoured of the heauenlie powers as no enchauntment whatsoeuer hath power to hurt him Why Madame said Palmerin thinke you my good will is lesse to doo you seruice then when I was first brought to your Court Forbeare these teares I pray you and offend not your selfe for such is my hope in God that what is done by man shall bée destroyed by man besides it will bée great reproach to mée if comming into straunge Countries to séeke aduentures I shall depart without triall of my fortune Muzabelino hearing him speake so couragiouslie tooke him aside saying Noble and hardie Knight whom feare of death cannot dismay happie shall I account my selfe to doo thée anie seruice And to the ende thou mayst with better affection followe this enterprise assure thyselfe to passe the Rockes and enter the Castell with happie victorie where ending all the aduentures therein contained thou shalt finde a part of remedie for recouering thy companions but not all for the rest is in the Tower of Malfada where as yet thou canst not enter but at thy returne shalt easily open and in the ende ioyfully finde all thy Companions and Fréendes For the rest feare not my discouerie of thy secrete loue and parentage which is the most noble in all Christendome for rather will I bée torne in a thousand péeces then so good a Knight shall bée iniuried by mée Séeing you know so much quoth Palmerin I commit all to God and you let me therefore right soone craue leaue of the King for my departure because I long that the Princesse were eased Right sorie was the King to part with him so soone yet the hope of his short returne somewhat pacified him And when the newes were spreade abroade that Palmerin should trauaile to the Castell of the tenne Rockes Tomano Drumino and the Princesse Zephira woulde néedes beare him companie which hée being not able to gaine-say because they were importunate on him gaue his consent So departing from Romata they made such haste in their iourney as within fewe dayes after they arriued at the Castell and comming to the first Rocke they behelde a goodly Sworde encloseâ— therein hp to the crosse The two yong Psinces maruailing thereat allighted from their Horsses and assailed by strength to pull it out Which they were not able to doe wherefore Tomano entreated Palmerin to trie his fortune who after many courteous refusals offered to pull it foorth but a fearefâ—ll flame of fire suddenly issued foorth of the Rocke which compelled them to retyre back wherfore Palmerin said to the Princes This Sword I sée must be none of ours therefore it is in vaine to striue any further Chap. L. Howe Palmerin passed the tenne Rockes vanquished the tenne enchaunted Knightes and entered the Castell where hee finished all the enchauntments Triâ—eus returning to his former shape and what happened to them afterward PAlmerin when hee had failed in drawing the Sworde out of the Rocke hée prepared himselfe to the Combat with the enchaunted Knights whome as yet hée coulde not anie way discerne but first he began his orisons in this manner O soueraigne Creator who euermore hath succâ—ure◠〈…〉 aduersities and fortunes this day giue mée strength to confound these diuelries and enchauntments and let thy name haue the honour of a glorious victorie Then giuing his horse the spurres gallopped onward saying Sweete Mistresse Polynarda if euer your remembraunce gaue mée ayde and fauour now let your diuine regard comfort your seruaunt Béeing then betwéene the two foremost Rocks a mightie Knight mounted on a lustie Courser with a huge Launce in his hande called to him saying Turne Sir Knight you may passe no further then furiouslie encoâ—ntering one another they met so roughlie togither with their bodyes as they were both cast foorth of their saddles The Dog that still followed Palmerin séeing his Fréendâ— horse offered to stray caught the bridle by the raignes with his téeth and would not let him passe anie further In the meane while Palmerin hauing fought with the Knight and after a long and cruell combat smote
Princesse with her Ladie shée being come thither to bathe her selfe and layd in her bed but in such surpassing brauerye as Iupiter with his lightning Neptune with his thrée forked Mace and Pluto with his Cerberus would stand and wonder thereat So â—inâ—lie had she tressed the golden wyres of her hayre and her heade attyre embellished with such goodlie Orientall Pearles as made her séeme a beautifull Angell béeing couered with a gorgious Canapie resemblingng the Sunne vnder a faire cloud Betwéene her daintie Breastes hung a precious Carbunckle which supplied the office of Venus her firebrand when she sawe Tryneus stand so agast she said Why my Lord are you more afraide of a naked Ladie then of the most puissaunt Knight in Persia armed cap ape I can iudge no lesse séeing you dare approch no néerer In sooth my Lord quoth the Pages Sister you may thinke your selfe happy to be desired of such a ladie whome mightie kings and princes haue earnestly sought and woulde gladly haue had the least fauour shée bestowes on you So taking him by the hand shee caused him to sit down in a Chayre by the beds side and giuing her Mistresse her Harpe she departed leauig them together Ah page quoth Trinens howe hast thou deceiued mee What saide the princesse you forgette where you are you must at this time somewhat pittie my sorrowes and heare a dittie which I haue made for your sake Then taking her Harpe shee thus beganne to sing as followeth The Dittie sung by Aurecinda to the Prince Trineus THe God of warre fierce stearne and rigorous when he beheld faire Venus heauenly beautie Made small account of her disloyalay But suddainlie became full amorous Beautie had thâ—n hâ—r power vigorous Chaunging rough lookes to sweetest secrecie But he I loue incenst with crueltie Doth not regard my torments langourous VVhy should I then pursue that stubborne minde That with excuses kils my hope out-right Yet if he helpe not death must me acquite Ah mightie loue in nature most vnkinde Thou doost constraine me to affect the man That neither fauour loue nor kindnes can VVhat haue I sayd the Knight of my desire Is meere diuine and furthest from compare VVhose Eagles eyes can well discerne my care Vnd with sweete pitties droppes â—lay this fire The little Cod hath made him gracious His Mother mild to rue the Ladies smart That shrines his liuely Image in her hart Then to despaire beseemes no vertuous Regard sweet freend the passions of thy Freend VVhom God and nature hath appointed thine Giue loue his due and then thou must be mine So shall long sorrow haue a happie ende The Persian mayd say boldly thou hast wonne That Monarches Kings and Princes neere could donne With excellent cunning did shée handle her instrument but with farre better grace and affection deliuered her dittie gracing it with such sadde countenaunce mournfull lookes and renting sighes as forced the Prince Tryneus to become excéeding amorous And burning in this newe fierie impression beheld the singuler beautie of Auredinda which rauished his sences in such sort as trembling like the Aspen leafe hee satte downe by her on the beddes side The Princesse laying her Harpe from her embraced him very louinglie with these spéeches Alas my Lord will you still continue in this rigour and cruell inhumanitie your heart is more harde then Adamant that will not bee mollified with so manie intreaties I sweare to you by the Sunne that lightneth the worlde vnlesse you graunt me one request before your face will I presentlye sâ—eye my selfe Full well doo I perceiue quoth Tryneus that hardlie can I escape mis-fortune the Seruaunt hath deceiued mee and now the Mistresse séekes my death Ah Madam quoth he how can I graunt your request considering mine offence to God and he that loueth me loyallie Eyther bée as good as thy worde quoth she else stand to the danger that may befall thée Why Syr Knight is my beautie of so slender account as I am not woorthie to bee helde betwéene thine armes wilt thou 〈◊〉 me to consume in this violent flame which thou maist with such ease and honor extinguish hadst thou rather sée a Ladie split her heart before thée then thou wilt vouchsafe to preserue her life Come come swéet Fréende sée how loue and his Mother hath made waye for thée refuse not opportunitie so fauourablie offered What blemish is on this bodie that shoulde deserue disdaine If the King of Gods would thinke himselfe honored with this conquest much more estimation shouldest thou make héereof In bréefe she was so perfect in her subtiltie and knâ—we so well how to inueigle the Prince with queint spéeches and swéete embracings that she made him forget God his Ladie loyaltie and himselfe so that of a Maiden he made her the fayrest woman in Persia. When the time came that hee should depart the Princesse saide to him Yet haue I a further request my Lord you must promise to mâ—ete mee in this place at timesâ— conuenient and endeuour with your companion that he may likewise loue my Sister Trineus made promise hee would but rather hee desired to stab himselfe with his weapon then that Palmerin shoulde knowe this great abuse so heinous did his offence séeme to himselfe Aurecinda perswaded her Sister still to pursue Palmerin with her loue and what had passed betwéene her and the Prince Trineus she declared whereupon her desire grewe the greater yet all was in vaine for Palmerin would giue no eare to her complaints which was the cause of this mishap following Lyzanda aduertised by her Sister that Tryneus still thus vsed her companie in the Bath euious of her Sisters benefit and despightfull at Palmerins obstinate refusall she went to the Soldane and with manie teares thus deliuered her gréefe Ah my Lorde how much better had it béene that wee had neuer knowne these cruell Christian Knightes whose ingratitude will bee the cause of my death for the yonger of them is meruailouslie beloued of my Sister who forgetting her faith honor and her obedience to your Maiestie hath dishonored both her selfe and you onelie to make proofe of the other knights Crueltie to me The Soldane admiring his Sisters report answered I did not will my Sister to abuse her selfe without promise of marriage but séeing it hath so fallen out by my Fathers soule they shall both repent it Durst the Traytour abuse me so much in mine owne Courte Why my Lord quoth Lyzanda you are the onelie cause thereof and therefore you must bee angrie with no bodie but your selfe Let me not liue an houre sayde the Soldane if I be not sufficiently reuenged on him Sister be you but secrete and referre the rest to my direction Then calling for the Captaine of his Guard willing him to take fiftie Knights and when his Maiestie was at Supper they shoulde goe take his Sister and the Knight with her in the Bathe and afterwarde carrie them to strong pryson But sée it doone secretlye quoth he for if
not that the celestiall spirits haue reuenged our wrong with the death of thy people and for my escape I râ—nder thanks to the highest not to thée that gaue my life to the fire yet much better would my death haue contenteâ— mée then to liue without him whose absence is my torment and did not the hope of his life giue mee some comfort thou shouldest perceiue how little I estéeme of my life Then entred the Quéene Zephira and she falling at the Soldanes féete thus began Ah my Lord the dishonour you haue this day done mée is vnspeakeable Haue my deserts béene so simple in your eyes that I might not intreate the libertie of one Knight who this day I feare hath perished by your ingratitude Neuer shall I sée those noble Knights againe whose liues haue béene endaungered for my welfare Ah my Lorde if you looke into the weight of your offence you shall perceyue my teares are not shedde without great reason Madame quoth the Soldane and you faire Sister at this time excuse my fault committed and patientlie beare what hath happened for I vowe to you by the fayth of a Prince that I will make sufficient amendes for my trespasse When hée now thought to bée no further troubled his Sister Lyzanda entred mad and raging and snatching his Fauchion from his side said Sée villaine sée what happeneth by thy commaundement one of thy Sisters is for euer defamed and the other will presently and her life before thée Héerewith shée stâ—â—d the weapon to her heart and felt downe dead at the Soldans féets to the no little sorrow of his Maiestie and all that were present but Zephira causing the bodie to bée taken away the Soldane commanded she should be honourablie buried and erecting a goodlie Tombe of Marble ouer her graue caused the maner of her death to be thereon described Afterward by the counsell of the Lords of Persia hee sent the Prince Tomano and the straunge Knights all the riches and treasure they had left behinde them the Princesse Aurecinda remaining in continuall heauinesse and within short time shée felt her selfe to be conceiued with 〈◊〉 Héere in shée somewhat comforted her selfe though Fortune would not suffer her to enioy the companie of her Fréend yet one day shée hoped to sée his liuely image which at the time appoynted by Nature shée did béeing deliuered of the goodlyest male Childe that euer was séene in Persia naming him Ryfarano whâ— carried the beautifull complexion of his Mother as hee did the hardinesse and magnanimitie of his Father Chap. LVII Howe Palmerin and Trineus hauing soiourned a while at Grisca with the king Abimar departed to the Isle of Malfada where by the meanes of Dulacco and Palmerin all the enchauntments were finished BY the way as the Princes rode towards Grisca Palmerin vsed these spéeches to Trineus Howe happie is the Prince that giues credit to good counsell and will not be led by flatteries or subiect himselfe to his own passions and how vnfortunate are they that fall into the the contrarie Can ye haue a better example héere of then the trayterous Soldane who first causelesse disquieted the good King Abâ—mar and afterwarde at his sisters motion I imprisoned his Friend for your good successe héerein my Lord you must thanke Muzabelino and the Prince Tomano whose power was so readie to defende you Tryneus remembring his follies past was still so ashamed thereof as hee could make no aunswere wherefore Palmerin thus spake againe Why my Lorde hath the imprisonment for fayre Aurecinda strooke you dumbe leaue this bashfulnesse to Women and remember your former courage Stoute Hercules whose honors are yet so rise in memorie did not hée for the loue of Iole weare feminine garments and spin among women Did not Achilles the like when hée was with his faire friend in the Courte of King Lycomedes Marke Anthonie the Romaine Emperor did not he follow Cleopatra before Octauius although his armie on the Sea was two folde the number of his enemies And you for a little familiar loue to a yong Princesse who conquered you onely by 〈…〉 sute remaine thus confounded Doo you imagine your selfe to excell in strength prowesse and knowledge Hercules Achilles and the Emperour Anthonie Alas déere Brother aunswered Tryneus well may you 〈◊〉 of your especiall graces béeing able to tryumph ouer coâ—cupisâ—ence but so yrkesome is my offence in mine owne conceit as I thinke myselfe vnworthie to be séene among men of vertue What shall I say to my Agriola when she shall vnderstand my hainous offence howe shall I dare to present my selfe before her For that saide Palmerin we shall doo well enough but I would it were so welcome to passe that we were with her to abide her censure Continuing these spéeches they arriued at Grisca where the king béeing aduertised of their comming came to méete themâ— vsing these words at their gracious enterâ—â—â—â—ment Righâ— welcome are ye my noble Friendes no maruaile though the Soldane sought to wrong you remembring howe for my sake you vsed him in the battaile In sooth my Lord aunswered Palmerin well doth your nobilitie deserue our seruice and his iniurious dealing sharpe reuenge which happily héereafter hée may féele to his cost vsing strangers so vnhonorably but héere we present your Daughter Belsina to your Maiestie after whose marriage al these troubles began Welcome faire Daughter saide the King much better then my soâ—ne hath béene to your Fathers Court. When my Father quoth the Princesse hath considered his furie doubtlesse he will be heartly sorrie therefore and make satisfaction for any thing misâ—oone till then I beséech your highnesse to conceiue the best And according as the Princesse had spoken it came to passe for within thrée dayes after the Soldane sent Ambassadours to the King Abimar to excuse the imprisonment of Trineus and the sentence of death hée gaue against him sending to him and Palmerin all their treasure and sumptuous presents in signe of satisfaction and to his Daughter Belsina and the Prince Tomano he sent sixe Camelles laden with gold as the dowry of their marriage Nowe are Palmerin and Trineus wearie of theyr so long stay from their friendes wherefore they desired leaue of the king to depart who séeing hée coulde not well intreate their longer aboade right thankfully yéelted to their request giuing them all things néedefull for theyr iourney as Horses Armour men money and diuers other gifts of inestimable value For which kindnesse they humbly thanked his maiestie refusing to trouble themselues with such riches in their trauaile nor would they take that the Soldane sent them or what they brought from the ten Roâ—ks except the Birde and the two Crownes giuing all the rest to Muzabelino desiring him to continue them in remembrance My Lordes quoth he no seruice can bee lost that is doone to such liberall Princes as nowe you giue mée good occasion to confesse and though both I and mine should spend all our following daies in your seruice
guarde giue you the hundred Knights I had of the King Maulerino and fiftie Knights naturally borne in Greece as able in Armes as any other whatsoeuer intreating you to holde me excused if I giue you not such estate as 〈◊〉 your nobilitie Woorthie Palmerin answered the Prince the greatest Lord that is might well content himselfe with the honourable companie you haue giuen mee And did not extreame passions ouer-rule me and call mée hence to her seruice whom I haue onely chosen I woulde renounce Arabia and the Lawe of Mahomet onely to liue in your companie But in what place my fortune guides me héereafter neither Parents or Friendes shall hinder mee to saie that I am your vowed and affectionate seruaunt The like doo you conceiue of me sayde Palmerin So with teares they left each other Olorico and all his companiâ— béeing aboord such fauourable winde and weather they had as without any danger they safely arriued where the Soldane lay and first the tenne knights went â—n shore they that were left of the companie which the Princesse Alchidiana gaue to Ptolome and comming before the Princesse saide Madame your Knight sir Ptolome humbly saluteth you by vs sending your excellencie this Letter Beside there is nowe arriued at the porte the Prince Oâ—orico and certaine Ambassadours from the valiant Palmerin Prince of Greece and Macedon who come on his behalfe to kissâ— your hand The Princesse hauing heard these newes and read the Letter which Ptolome sent containing the great 〈◊〉 fortunes of Palmerin was inwardly so rauished with delight as a long space she remained silent but at 〈◊〉 brake foorth into these spéeches Ah Fortune how well thou knowest to change matters which way thou pleaâ—est not according to the wil and desire of passionate minds but on the behalfe of the highest in perfections Ah Palmerin the man whom my heart shall euer loue howe may faire Polinarda iustly tearme her selfe happie hauing thee for her Lord and loue considering that the beautie and graces of so manie Ladies conquered with thy deserts nor the sumptuous riches continually offered thée could once diuerâ— thee from thy first affection Ah Alchidiana that which hath made so many Ladyes and knights fortunate in compassing the onely issue of their desires dooth now remaine for â—hy torment alone making thée the most vnhappie creature vnder the Sunne Agriola Griana Arismena Armida and Zeplura are they swéete Knight by thy meanes in assuraunce of theyr loues Trineus Frysoll the King of Sparta Maulerino Abimar Tomano and â—iuers other are their Realmes quieted and their Ladyes triumphing in their ioyes onely by the price of thy bloud and daunger 〈◊〉 thy life And must I alone remaine disgraced for euer 〈◊〉 hauing lost the knight I loued aâ— my soule While the princesse continued these complaints the prince Olorico and the Ambassadoures were come before the soldane and beâ—ng entertained by him with verie gracious 〈◊〉 they presented the Letters from Palmerin which béeing read in presence of all his Lords the Soladne thus answered My Friends I will impart these 〈◊〉 to my Counsell and my Daughter and afterwarde make you answere as I may Héereuppon the Duke of Mensa the Counteâ— of Redona and the Prince Olorico 〈…〉 and soone after the Soldane sent for his daughter thus speaking to her Daughter our Princes thinke good and haue counselled mee to make peace with Palmerin who at 〈…〉 of Greece and requireth in 〈◊〉 of our truce that I should giue you in marriage to the renowned Prince Olorico Aduise your selfe hereon for Palmerin hath earnestly intreated it by writing and héere I haue a letter for you I think to the same effect The Princesse hauing read the Letter returned this answere It is verie true my Lord his request to mee is for the selfe same cause séeing therefore it liketh you and the Princes of our Realme think it conuenient in respect of the common profit and good may ensue thereby it is not for me to make deniall Right glad was the Soldane of this aunswere wherefore he saide go then faire Daughter and 〈◊〉 your selfe accordingly for after Diâ—ner in the presence of the Ambassadours you shall be affiaunced to the Prince Olorico since his arriuall had talked but little with his Ladie wherefore hée nowe determined to go sée her and meeting her as she returned from the Soldane he saluted her with great reuerence but the Princesse â—eigâ—ing that she knew nothing yet of their marriage thus spake to him I vnderstand my Lorde that your companion Palmerin hath altogether forsaken vs. Madame quoth the Prince if hee haue abandoned your companie it is onely by the fauour of Fortune who hath béene a greater Friend to him then any man beside yet cannot the great honours and possessions he now enioyeth make him forgette you in that at my departure he said for eâ—er he would liue and die your knight God kéepe him said the Princesse where euer he is for still is my heart vowed to his remembrance and gladly can I doo as 〈◊〉 for him as for my Brother though his present 〈…〉 from my seruice Such is his trust 〈…〉 present you my heart that neuer since the day of our departure from Constantinople hath enioyed any rest béeing absent from the onely meane of my comfort If then I haue liued all this while in some hope by remembraunce of your excéeding graces and courtesies beyonde all other should I account my selfe in happinesse if now at length you receiue me as your Seruant I receiue you saide the Princesse for Palmerins sake and for your owne deserts which haue béene so worthie requiting you with equall affection so that you denie mée not one request Nothing shall you bée denied swéete Princesse quoth hée if by my life it may be compassed Nor will I demaunde any thing of so great value said she this is the fauour you shall graunt me héereafter when time shal serue that you wil conduct me to Constantinople there to behold the faire princesse Polynarda and the magnificent Court of noble Palmerin in recompence whereof I giue my selfe to be your wife and accept you as my Lord and Husband If Olorico was now well pleased I referre to your iudgements wherefore confirming their promises by kisses and embracings with solemne protestations and irreuocable vowes they departed thence to their Chambers After Dinner the Princesse attired in most sumptuous garments came into the Hall with her waiting Ladies when the Soldane sent for the Ambassadours and thus spake to them My Friendes I now perceiue the man to bee ouer foolish that trusteth in himselfe I thought by my power to destroy Greece where on the contrarie my people are destroyed I thought to continue vnquenchablâ— hatred toward your Maister and now I am constrained to graunt him peace yet not constrained but by the worke of the greatest God I am mooued so to doo which in the presence of all my Lordes I protest and with as good will as hée â—ooth dâ—maunde
it Sée then the power of that Maiestie which can 〈◊〉 and conquerâ— where he lift and I swearâ— to you by my Crowne that the good fortune of Palmeriâ— contenteth me as well as if he were mine owne sonne Mightie Soldane answered the Duke of Mensa if you resolue to loue the worthie Prince Palmerin both hée and his will performe the like to you and on his behalfe we promise faithfully that against all your enemies Christendome excepted you shall be assured of his succour and assistance I request no better assurance quoth the Soldane then this that he hath sent and that you may witnesse I am his faithfull Friendes at this instant shall the peace be ratified by all the Lordes and Princes here present and to seale the same as he requested I giue my daughter to the Prince Olorico Great ioy was generally made for this good agréement and the two louers were espoused together within few dayes after and the time being come for the Ambassadours returne to Constantinople Alchidiana sent diuerâ— rich gifts to Palmerin and Polinarda the like did the Soldane and the Prince Olorico Chap. LX. How Palmerin Trineus and Agriola accompanied with many great Lords and princes went to the Emperor of Allemaigne at Vienna where great triumphs were made at the celebrating of the marriage between Trineus and the princesse Agriola SOone after the Prince Olorico and the Ambassadours of Greece were gone towardes Assiria Palmerin although the aged Emperour very much disswaded him made prouision for his spéedy voyage to Allemaigne and hauing conducted the King of Sparta and his Aunt Arismena some parte of their way homeward at their returne to the Cittie of Constantinople hée came to the Duke of Pontus saying I remember the time when you did cutte off the great Turks head an acte deseruing good and especiall recompence and that you thereby deliuered vs and performed it at the motion of the Princesse Laurana her haue you loued euer since both on lande and Sea and her Countrey is not farre hence will ye now make her your Ladie and Wife I promise ye my assistance so farre as I can My Lord aunswered the Duke fearing to offend you I still deferred to mooue you in this cause but seeing wee are nowe so happily fallen into these tearmes I will not conceale the truth from you In sooth my Lorde when first I sawe her I loued her and haue euer since continued in this hope that time at length would fauour my intent It sufficeth saide Palmerin and presently hée acquainted the Emperour therewith who thinking the match very méete and conuenient they were the next day married by the Achbishop of Constantinople and in short time after went to take possession of their Duchie of Durace where they were receiued very honourably and the whole state yéelded vp into the Dukes hande When Palmerin sawe that the most parte of his companions were departed at the earnest intreataunce of the Prince Trineus and Agriola he set forward to Allemaigne accompanied with Frysoll and Armida whome hée conducted into the Realme of Hungaria where Frysoll was crowned King by reason of his Fathers decease there went with him like wise Diardo of Bohemia the Prince Eustace Ptolome and other Lords of great account 〈◊〉 good speed they made in theyr iourney as in short time they arriued at Vienna where the Emperour béeing aduertised of their comming by the Dwarfe came with his courtly trayne to méete them and taking his Sonne Tryneus in his armes said I sée it is the will of God my Sonne that héere after I shall haue as great ioy by thée as in thy long absence I haue had gréefe and sorrow all which I patiently put vp for the loue of thy brother the noble Prince Palmerin and faire Agriola of England that well deserues it But in good â—â—â—th my Children had you not come in so happie time I should haue bene driuen to meruailous fears For the King of Fraunce perceiuing that I would not giue my daughter in marriage to his eldest sonne demaunded the King Recinde of Spaine his daughter who graunted his request so that they twaine with the aide of the King of England haue leueyed such an Armie on the Sea as neuer was the like séene to passe the Rheine But séeing you returned in so good disposition the lesse account I make of their angrie menaces yet are they the thrée principall Kings of Christendome My Lord answered Palmerin be not you dismaide at their enterprise for ere manie dayes bee expired I hope to sée all matters quietly pacified and that without anie effusion of blood The lesse is my doubt quoth the Emperour in that with such good fortune you haue finished your intentions for nothing you begin but comes to luckie ende Witnesse héerof appeareth in the search of my Sonne Tryneus whom the best Knights in Christendome haue laboured to finde but all their trauaile I sée hath béene spent in vaine By this time they were come to the Pallace where they were graciously receiued by the Ladies Alas my Fréendes said the Empresse which of you shall I first embrace Ah my Sonne Tryneus howe sorrowfull hast thou made mée since thy departure from England iust cause hast thou to thanke the Heauens who protected thée still in so manie daungers and forget not thy Brother Palmerin who hath endured such trouble for thy sake Faire Daughter quoth she to the Princesse Agriola welcome are you indeed God send you better fortune héereafter then you haue had alreadie which yet hath bene a Touch-stone of your loyaltie But while these spéeches continued howe the other two Louers with piercing regard beheld eache other and how many gracious signes passed as secrete Ambassadours betweene them Polynarda was clad in such costly 〈◊〉 for the pleasure she conceiued since the Dwarffes 〈◊〉 at the Court as shee seemed anothâ—r Iuno when shée stood to abide the arbitrâ—ment of 〈◊〉 or like Voluptas fâ—llowing her Mother Venus But fearing least this amiable encounter should decipher some part of her former courtesies to her friend which as yet was vnknowne to any but Bryonella she locked vp all secrets with so swéet a kisse as would haue contented the rudest of the Gods had it bâ—ne Vulcan or Neptune themselues And comming to salute the Princesse Agriaâ—a sayd No meruaile faire sister if your loue wrought wonders in my brothers minde for vnfainedly I speake it your exquisite graces deserue the greatest seruice in the world Alas Madame aunswered Agriola if nature or they that had the charge of me in my youth could haue painted me with such beautie as I see in you or enriched me with wisedome able to deuise with my Lord when he came to sée mee then could I haue said somewhat of the paines he hath taken for mée but I know my selfe so full of imperfections as the loue hée beares me procéedeth of his owne good nature not by any merit he can behold me Then Palmerin kneeling before the
Emperour said I beseech you my Lord graunt me one request which shall be no way preiudiciall to your Maiestie Arise sir Palmerin quoth the Emperour aske what thou wilt and thou shalt haue it My Lord Tryneus and the Princesse Agriola saide Palmerin are religiously married betweene themselues let me intreate your highnesse to confirme it witâ— open solâ—mnization before the Duke of Mecaena héere present whom I meane to send into England that he may resolue the King howe himselfe was an eye witnesse of their marriage The Emperour liked so well of Palmerins motion as soone after the wedding was solemnized and he comming to Bryonella courteously taking her by the hand said My good friend Brionella I am now to be discharged of the promise I made at my last being here in witnesse whereof I haue brought your knight sir Ptolome and him I commend to your further fauour So highly am I beholding vnto you my Lord quoth shée as neuer shall I bee able to returne sufficient recompence but were we equall in ioy with the Prince Tryneus and faire Agriola then would I think no storme could wrong vs. Palmerin at these words presently left her and perswaded the Emperour so well as Ptolome and Brionella were likewise espoused togither when Palmerin conferring with the Princesse Agriola thus spake to her Now may you iudge Madame whether I deceiued ye or no and if the estate of my Lord Tryneus be any lesse then I told ye Had I not giuen faithfull credit to your spéeches answered Agriola I would not haue forsaken my Parents and friendes so rashly but I hope they will pardon me in that I haue done nothing but to their honour On the morrow with excéeding ioy and rare tryumphs were Palmerin and Polinarda married togither and thus was long and faithfull loue worthily requited Ptolome was now created Duke of Saxon and Dyardo tooke his leaue to goe sée his wife Cordonya whom he had not heard of since the time he was taken by the Pirates Chap. LXI Howe Palmerin sent Ptolome Duke of Saxon as his Ambassador to the King of France and the Duke Eustace of Mecaena to the King of England to treate of the peace betweene them CErtaine dayes before the departure of Dyardo toward Bohemia Palmerin in the presence of the Emperour and all the Princes gaue the charge of his Embassade to the Duke Ptolome which he should deliuer not onely to the most Christian King of France himself but also to his yongest sonne who now had espoused the Duchesse of Buroundie So departed Ptolome from Vienna accompanied with many Lordes and knights and at length arriued at Digeon where the Prince Lâ—wes being acquainted with the cause of his comming thus answered the Ambassadour My Lorde sometime I had acquaintance in Fraunce with the most renowned Palmerin and because hée is the onely man of the worlde to whom I owe all friendly affection I will perswade my Father to ioyne in peace with him Nowe was Ptolome in good hope that his trauaile woulde sorte to successiue ende wherefore they presently iourneyed to the King who as then was with his estates at Paris and hauing hearde Palmerins request who nowe was wedded to the Princesse Polynarda and therefore his intended warre with the Emperour would extende to the hurt of the man he loued thus answered Duke of Saxon I am sufficiently acquainted with the bountie of thy Maister and verie well I doo remember that at his béeing in Fraunce he combatted for his Ladie Polinarda yet was I ignoraunt till nowe of that hath happened But leaste hée should conceiue that I séeke to make a commotion in Christeâ—dome let him enioy his Ladie and Wife in peace although shée was sometime promised to mine eldest Sonne reseruing the conditions of our amitie that our first Nephewes and Néeces may match togither in marriage therby to continue the honour of their predecessours As for the Kings of Spaine and England who moued me to giue them assistaunce on there behalfe I can make you no certaine answere vntill my Messengers be returned home againe Gracious Lord quoth Ptolome I dare assure you in the name of my Maister that hée hath euermore estéemed your fauour among the best Christian Princes and will not refuse the marriage betwéene your Children héereafter And this coniunction of your amitie will cause that neither the Kings of Spaine or England will séeke to molest him but with your highnesse ioyne in loue and friendship With this answer Ptolome returned to Vienna where the Emperour and Palmerin welcommed him with excéeding honour and by this time had the Duke Eustace taken landing in England where deliuering the summe of his charge to the King his highnesse returned him this answere Although my Lord Ambassadour both your Maister and the Prince Tryneus did me manifest dishonor yet not to withstand peace which still ought to bâ—â— preferred before warre I graunt his request and will presently call home my Garrisons shaking hands with him in honourable concord As for the wrong doone to my Daughter I am content to excuse it beléeuing that shée was not conueyed hence but with her will thanking the Prince for the honour he hath done her séeing she would leaue her Parents and friendes so lightly I thinke my gracious Lord answered the Duke that when you consider what your Daughter hath done you will not touch her with want of witte or iudgement for in respect of the long enmitie betwéene the Emperour and you shée desired that her marriage might sort this happie ende Nor would she haue departed hence with the Prince Tryneus without a faithfull and resolued promise of marriage which is performed with as great honour as euer was done to the daughter of a King Thinke you quoth the King that had not the great friendship of Tryneus when against his Fathers will he came with Palmerin to assist me quallified the weight of mine anger against him but I woulde haue pursued the iniurie he did to me yet did I referre his seruice to the iudgements of my Lords of England who perswaded me to reuenge which you well perceiue as yet I haue not done Prince Palmerin quoth the Duke is so vertuous as rather woulde hée haue runne on a thousande deathes then your daughters honour shoulde anie way haue béene impeached but béeing assured of this fortunate issue both hée and Tryneus aduentured as they did And sorrie am not I said the King that all things are come so well to passe but séeing we are entred thus farre in spéeche tell mée I pray you how Palmerin came to the knowledge of his Parents and howe hée finished the aduentures at the Castle of the tenne Rockes and the daungerous Isle of Malfada which neuer any Knight could compasse before Then the Duke rehearsed euerie accident how amourous the great Turke was on the Princesse Agriola and each seuerall occasion as they fell out at which report the Quéene with her Ladies were present who hearing the discourse
haue heard how Olorico promised the Princesse Alchidiana that he would bring her to the Emperor Palmerins Court which she imprinted to déepe in her fancie as but for the common malladie incident to yong Ladies which is to become great soone after they are espoused she would haue betaken her selfe to trauaile within thrée Moneths after her mariage Notwithstanding within short time after that trouble was past she came to begge a bone of the Soldane which he would not denie her thinking shée would demaund no matter of weight Father quoth shée you must néeds giue leaue to the Prince Olorico that hée may accompanie me to Constantinople for I desire to sée the Emperour Palmerin Daughter saide the Soldane the trauaile on the Sea is verie perillous and oftentimes great estates pâ—riâ—â— by shipwracke but séeing you are so desirous and I â—naduisedly haue past my promise you shall not in ought be 〈◊〉 by mée Hâ—ereuppon was presently prepared terme Shippes and Galleyes the greater part whereof was laden with Horses riche Tapistry and other things of great vâ—â—â—lue which should be giuen to Palmerin and his Polinarda In the rest were embarqued chosen Knightes for her defence with Ladies and Gentlewomen to attende on her and all néedefull necessaries thinking to shewe her sumptuous magnificence in the Emperous Courte which in conclusion fell out otherwise For Fortune who is euer variable and neuer permanent at the instant when Olorico and Alchidiana builded most on her fauour and were come within tenne dayes sayling of Constantinople she altered their opinions in most doubtfull manner as they expected nothing but the ende of their liues The winde now ariseth contrary to them a suddaine and terrible tempest ouertaketh them and with such rough billowes their Shippes were beaten as in their sight fire of their Galleyes were drowned the residue were verie farre scattered from them and the great Carricke wherein themselues were against a Rocke was spilt in the middest Nowe are they left to the mercie of the waters and Alchidiana wasting on a plancke for safegarde of her life and had not one of the Pylots by swimming recouered a little Squiffe wherewith he presently made to her and got her in otherwise there had the Princesse vnhappily perished This Pylot was so expert cunning as cutting through the vnmercifull waues hée gained landing at a Porte distant from Constantinople about thirtie miles The Inhabitants where they came on shoare wondred to sée her so gorgiously attired and had not the Pylot friendly perswaded them that shée was a Princesse trauailing to the Emperours Court and by mishap had lost all her companie on the Sea they would haue dealt with her verie hardly But when they vnderstoode the cause of her comming they entertained her with fauour and ciuilitie causing her to be lodged at a very welthy Merchaunts house where she wanted nothing shée could desire Alchidiana séeing shée had escaped the daunger of the Sea and was nowe in better assuraunce then before comforted her selfe with this good fortune but when shée remembred her losse into what want pouertie shee was now brought and that through her foolish desire her Husband was drowned as shée thought shée was so ouercome with griefe that neither her owne noble minde nor the daily presence of the Greekes that came to sée her could disswade her from ceaselesse lamentations Ah wrâ—tch that I am quoth she how well haue I deserued this wreakefull aduenture Ah ill aduised Alchidiana what moued thée to crosse the Seas if not an inordinate desire to see him of whome thou maist expect no remedie for thy sorrow or else to sée her that is Mistresse of his heart and so make thine owne conceites more languishing My Lord and Husband Olorico I am the vnhappie cause of thy death thy loue hath euer béene to mée sounde and perfect Why could it not then make thée forgette the man who alwayes disdained my passions and neuer loued mée but with dissimulation If thou escape death as I haue done iust cause hast thou to hast mée continually Coulde not I remember howe thy people spent their blood for me onely to witnesse thy neuer daâ—nted affection and I haue requited thy loue with monstrous ingratitude Why then did not our Gods make me alone to suffer the desert of my folly but take reuenge on them that neuer offended Ah noble Ladies howe heard is your recompence in my seruice that your tender and delicate bodies should be foode for the Fishes And you worthie Knights and Gentlemen in â—léed of purchasing honour and renowne with your Maister you are lost for euer to my no little gréefe and vexation The Merchaunt in whose house shée was lodged hearing her heauie and lamentable complaintes thus comforted her Be of good cheare Madame your Husband by the grace of God will well enough escape this daunger As for your treasure it is a matter soone gotten and soone lost and to mourne for your Ladies and Gentlemen it is to purpose because it can no way benefit them When wee poorâ— men loose our goods wiues and Children wée must with patience please our selues you then hauing knowledge of vertue and that we are all subiect to the transitorie chaunges of the worlde to despaire is farre vnseemelye your estate My Lord the Emperour is bountifull and liberall and the most vertuous Prince that euer raigned in Greece hee will so well recompence your losse as you shall not complaine of your comming With these perswasioâ—s shee was somewhat pacified and hauing stayed there nine or tenne daies to see if anie other of the Galleyes would arriue there séeing none came shée sold diuers of her precious Iewells that was about her for halfe the value they were worthe and prouided her selfe of fixe Horses for her selfe her Hostesse and her two Daughters the Pilot that had saued her from drowning and one of the Merchants Seruants with which companie shée rode toward Constantinople hauing chaunged her rich attire into mourning wéedes As they were in a great Forrest 〈◊〉 miles from the Cittie the Princesse calling to remembrounce howe poore and simple she should come before the Emperour hauing beene one of the welthiest Ladies in the world was so ouercome with this conceit as hardly could her hostesse kéepe her 〈…〉 wherefore séeing they were néere a goodlie Fountaine there they alighted to rest her a little And after shee hadde walked in the coole shaddowe of the Trées shee founde her selâ—e in better disposition preparing to mount on horsebacke againe but it came so to passe that the Emperour Palmerin hauing béene hunting in that Forrest and by earnest pursuit of the game lost all his companie so that at length he came to the Fountaine where Alchidiana walked His arriuall greatly amazed the women and before hee would demaund what they were hee alighted and dranke of the Fountaine water Alchidiana earnestly beholding him and â—â—eling inwardlie a strange alteration presenâ—â—ye 〈◊〉 againe in her Hostesse Armes Alas said the Emperouâ—
good chéere as if you were now in Assyria And although we cannot compare with the Court of Babylon yet théere shall you be vsed as be séemes so great a Princesse I doubt not thereof good Madame said Alchidiana the more am I indebted to the Emperour and you yet can I not forget the absence of my Lord beeing separated from him in a place so vncouth He that â—s the defender of the iust quoth the Empresse will send ye to méete againe in place more comfortable in that hope I pray ye to perswade your selfe laying aside these moutning garments the very sight therof cannot but affend yée These gracious spéeches somewhat contented her and expelled all priuate conceit of sorrow yet would she not chaunge her habite till she heard either good or bad newes of the Prince Olorico Chap. LXIIII. Howe the Prince Olorico was reskewed from the Moores by the yong Knights that the Emperour Palmerin sent in his search and what ioy was made at Constantinople at his arriuall VPon the Emperours resolution for the search of Olorico the Dukes of Mecaena and Saxon with each of them fiâ—tie Knights were prepared to see with two Gallâ—â—s and Colmelio Bellechino Sergillo Sonne to Gardino and the Marchant Estebons two Sonnes whom the Emperor had newly knighâ—edâ— with thirtie hardie Souldiours departed in an other Eight other vessels were sent on the Coast of Propontida and the Bosphor to séeke the Prince It so cause to passe that the same day Alchidiana was preserued from drowning Alibarbanco a Pirat was sayling towardes Natolia and passed verie néere where the Princes Carricke was split and him did hée espie floting on a Chest which was filled within with Martin skinnes being then mooued to behold him in such daunger hée caused his men to take him into the Shippe who readie to yéelde vp his ghost hée was so â—â—â—â—mmed with colde When Aliâ—arbanco sawe him so richly apparâ—lied and the Chest stuffed with thinges of such value hée imagined him presently to hée some great Lorde for whom he shoulde haue some large raunsome wherefore he vsed him verie courteouslie Olorico seâ—ing he was so happily escaped lifting his eyes to Heauen sayd Great is thy mercie O God that hast so fauourablie vouchsafed to regard thy poore creature nor were losse woorthie reckoning so my Ladie Alchidiana were safe in Assyria What angrie planet raigned when we be tooke our selues to Sea what answere shall I make to the Soldane your Father that gaue me such charge of your person at my departure hardly may I dare to come before him any more Alibarbanco hearing these complaints reioiced thereat By Mahomet quoth hée to himselfe nor shalt thou sée him anie more if I can hinder it for I will present thée to the great Turke his mortall enemie and for thy raunsome I shall receiue a bountifull recompence So thinking to strike toward Natolia he happened among the Emperours yong Knights ere hée was beware wherefore hée thought to takeÌ„ their ships likewise yet therein hée â—ound him selfe greatly deceyued For Bellechino knowing them to bée Turkes by their Banners said to his companions We are now I feare in the daunger of Turkish Piratâ— let vs therfore with courage winne our deliueraunce Héereuppon they fiercely assayled Alibarbanco and buckled so closelie that in the ende they hoorded him making such a slaughter among his men and throwing him likewise slaine into the Sea as none were left to resist their further entraunce where they found the Prince Olorico and béeing not a little glad of their good successe they each one embraced him with gracious courtesie Alas my Fréends quoth the Prince how knew you my béeing héere who gaue you in charge to séeke mée forth who hath béene the Messenger of my misfortune My Lord the Emperour Palmerin aunswered Colmelio vnderstoode thereof by your Ladie Alchidiana whom hée founde by good happe as hée râ—de on hunting But may I giue credite to your woordes said the Prince is my Ladie with his Maiestie at the Court Shée is in trueth my Lorde sayde Bellechino and the Mariner likewise that saued her life whome the Emperour hath highlie recompenced for his faithfull seruice I beséech you quoth Olorico let vs hoâ—â—e â—aile presentlie towarde Constantinople for my heart cannot bee perswaded till I haue séene her â—so great is my doubt considering our vnfortunate separation Neuer may I beare Armes in Knight-hoode sail Bellechino or lift my Sworde in honourable Chiualrie if Alchidiana be not at Constantinople where I both sawe her and spake to her before our departure So taking the vessell that belonged to the Pirate Alibarbanco with them in short time after they arryued at Constantinople where their chéerefull sounding of Drums Trumpets and Clarions at their landing deliuered testimonie of their good successe If the Emperour was glad for the recouerie of his Fréend the Princesse Alchidiana of her Husband and euerie one generallie for the man lost by such mishappe I leaue to your iudgements that can censure the rare ioyes of loue and fréendship What Triumphes Tournamentes Bonfires Maskes Momeries and other delightfull exercises were performed for ioy of the Prince Oloricos safetie whome the Emperour made account of as you haue heard before it would demaunde a larger volume to set downe you must therefore héere imagine that you behold his Maiestie highly contented Alchidiana thorowlie satisfied and the whole Court well pleased by this happie event giuing themselues to expresse the same in open manifest signes beséeming so great estates to prosecute and therefore of as great honour as may be deuised The yong Knights are especially welcommed for their woorthie seruice the Dukes of Saxon and Mecaena likewise though they failed of bringing the Prince yet they brought two Foystes belonging to the Pirate Alibaâ—banco richlie laden with manie wealthie spoyles which were giuen among the yong Knights in recompence of their paines During the time of these surpassing pleasures and delights there entred the hauen of Constantinople thrée shippes laden with meruaâ—lous sumptuous gifts and presents from the Quéene Zephira and her Brother the King Maulenno beeing sent to the Emperour Palmerin and his Empresse Polynarda by two great Lords Ambassadours from Persia to request familiar loue and alliaunce with the Emperour the Soldane confessing his iniurie to Trineus while he was in his Court When the Persians came before the Emperour who was honourably accompanied with Kings Dukes Princes Counties and many braue Ladies they were grâ—atly abashed yet thinking on the argument of their Ambasâ—ade one of them began in this manner It is no maruell redoubted Emperour and Monarch of Greece if thy subiects both loue thé◠and â—site thee when thy behaâ—â—our hath conquered the mindes of forraine Poteâ—tates who to enter aâ—ititie and peace with thée some haue left their Countreys to sende their Ambassadours hither other dare not stirre or assemble their men in warlike manner so is the name of Palmerin feared thorowe all Asia Hereof beare witnesse the
onelie Daughter to the great Emperor of Turkie I neither can or will change my former opinion Happe then what shall and let my Father make an oblation of my blood to his secret Idoll I will not desist from louing him And thou my Fréend quoth she to Ptolome because thou hast not hid the truth from mée bee thou at this instant frée and vse thy libertie as thou pleasest for rather let me abide the death then the companion to my noble Lorde suffer shame by mee Ptolome falling on his knee humblie kissed her hande and began to reueale the knightly chiualrie that Palmerin and Treneus sometime did in England likewise howe they brought the Kings Daughter from thence who remained captiue among the Turks and her Husband giuen as slaue to the Admiralles Cozin It is enough said the Princesse talke to me no more héereof for by the great God the verie remembraunce of him is greater gréefe to me then the mercilesse seruitude a poore slaue endureth The loue he bare to you to the other knight and the yong English Princesse whose misfortune I cannot sufficiently bewayle calleth mée hence to trauaile in search of him and may I find him with them right gladsome will the iourney bee to mee because hee is thâ— onelie darling and fauorite of Fortune And now shall I tell you howe I meane to couller mine intent My Father not knowing your captiuitie to him shall I saye how you are the onelie companion to Palmerin and hither are you come to séeke him as hauing hearde before that hee remained in your seruice of this I dare assure you his Maiestie so déerelie loueth Palmerin that hee will deliuer you all things necessarie for his search be it by land or sea And if your God shall fauour you so much as in your trauaile you happen to finde him or else to send mée certaine tidings of him you shall doo me the greatest honor that euer Knight did to distressed Ladie So forwarde was the Princesse in her amorous desire and loth to waste time with tedious delaye as that daie shee acquainted her Father therewith and so cunningly shée plaid the Dratrix as the soldane gaue Ptolome Armour Horsses Seruants and fortie Knights to attend on him Beside he furnished him with two great Ships that he might enquire at all the Ports on the Sea for Palmerin The daye béeing come of his departure hée tooke his leaue of the Soldane the Princesse Alchidiana accompanying him to the Porte where for her adieu shee gaue him a swéet kisse saying Sir Knight if your fortune bee such as to bring mee the man who onelie hath power to mittigate my torments beside the continuall fauours of a Princesse I will make you one of the greatest Lordes in the Orient Madame quoth hée I will doo my diligence and till I returne let good hope perswade yee So hoâ—sing saile they set to Sea where we will leaue him till hee méets with Palmerin Chap. XLVII How Palmerin and the princesse Zephira departed from Elain towards Romata to seeke Muzabelino and what happened by the way in their iourney AFter that Maulerino was crowned King of Nabor the rebellious Subiects brought to obedience and the bodie of 〈◊〉 â—laine king Tireno enterred yâ— yong Princesse Zephira Palmerin thought long to set forwarde on their iourney wherefore the king allowing them a very honourable trayne bequeathing them to their desired fortune Hauing passed many regions and sundrie dangers incident in trauaile chiefely of a Basilisque whome Palmerin with the helpe of the dog Tryneus valiantly ouercame At length they entred yâ— realme of Romata where by commandement of the king Abimar their entertainment was according to their estates the occasion thereof being thus This king Abimar holding the greatest possessions in that region would neuer yéeld himself as subiect to the signorie of Persia wherat the soldan now growing offended sent an Ambassadour to commaund him presently to determine on his obedience or else he would ouer-run his Countrey with a mighty Armie and put both olde and yong to the Sworde Abimar â—bashed at this threatning Embassade demaunded counsell of the wise Muzabelino what answer hee should make the Ambassadour whereto the Magitian thus anuswered Feare not my Lord the threatning menaces of the Soldane for in that you haue two noble Sonnes so witte the Princes Tomano and Drumino knights of high and speciall account yet come there two others one whereof maye not be knowne with the Princesse Zephira Daughter to the King of Nabor who shall deliuer you from his tirannie and make him your Fréende therefore dismaie not to sende him a hardie answer as well beseemeth a Prince frée and not to be commaunded And though one of his knights that commeth with the Princesse shall a while bee vnknowne to you by the bountie of his companion with whom no other may well compare yet ere long you shall knowe him to your no little ioye and contentation Abimar giuing credit to Muzabelinos spéeches gaue charge in all the Citties where through the Princesse should passe that shée shoulde be entertained with honorable tryumphes as if himselfe had béene in companie And though the Prince Tâ—mano gréeued héereat who loued the yongest Daughter to the Soldane of Persia yet the King answered the Ambassadoâ— that hee woulde maintaine his right by the Sworde and if the Soldane came to assayle him he would defend his Coâ—ntrey so well as he could The Ambassadour dispatched with this answer Tomano came to Muzabelino saying Ah my déere Fréende Muzâ—belino what wrong haue you doone mee in perswading my Father to holde warre with the Soldane whose Daughter you know I loue in such sort as if I obtaine her not in mariage hardly can my life long endure Conteâ—t your slefe my Lord answered Muzabelino for if the two knights that come bring â—ortune for your father you must expect the like for your selfe But said the Prince maye I not knowe their names Let it suffise quoth Muzabelino what I haue saide yet héereof I daer asâ—ure you that they are Christians and extract of the greatest linage on the earth in bountie and valour incomparable whereof if you list to make experience and thereby to credit what I haue said beside I shall shewe you a meane auaylable for the purpose You shall cause two Tents to be erected by the Câ—dar Fountaine which is halfe a mile distant from this Cittie in the one of them let be your Brother Drumino and your selfe with tenne of the best Knightes in your Fathers Court and in the other let be your Sister accompanied with tenne of her chéefest Ladies and about a bowe shot from thence towards the high way side you shall sette vp a Marble Pillar whereâ—pon let these lines be engrauen Sir Knight in these pauillions doth remaine A Lady fayre kept by a Princes sonne Foyle him by Ioust and winne her hence againe Thou maist not passe before the deede be doone If it happen that they passe