â—â—y penance it shall please your highnesse to enioyne me yéelding many millions of thankes for that fauour you haue vouchsafed in giuing me that credit to reueale your selfe to the vnworthiest of many in high estéeme which desireth your highnesse knowledge vowing by the honour of my Noble auncestry to be gouerned and directed by the Prince Dionicus and shall so please it your highnesse follow your grace where soeuer it shall stand with your good pleasure to conduct me The Prince interrupting his spéech louingly imbraced the Lord Cariolus giuing him many thanks for his kinde offers which he was assured was faithfully spoken In recompence of which my Lord quoth he and to make you some satisfaction for my former wrong offered you I will enâ—uour to aduance your estate so it stand with your good liking in this maner You sée my Lord though with some trouble and effusion of blood on either part the King in peace and quiet enioyeth his owne Countrey and with the Crowne of his enemie is like wise inuested Alluring baytes are kingdomes and haue caused many Nobles who not content with their owne estates to hazard honour life and whatsoeuer else they enioyed to attaine vnto them But my Cariolus if thou canst frame thy lyking to my wish and bend thy minde to the loue of Phedera the Princesse my endeuour shall be to obtaine her for thy Ladie and the Kingdome of Egypt for her dowry besides shée is heire to her brother who dying without issue shall to higher honours preferre thée This is all my Noble Cariolus that I haue to say and so much I say for that I wish thy aduancement if thou lyke the Ladie and haue not bestowed thy lyking elsewhere Say thy minde as to him which not onely in this but in all other matters wherein I may doo thée good commaunde mée as thy selfe Cariolus who was wise and well demeaned endued with valour and curtesie as much as might be required humbâ—â— returned many thankes for this vnexspected good moued with a desire of kingly dignitie well content to enioy so braue a princes for his loue without farther stay said My honored Lord I cannot frame my tongue to yéelde such thankes as my heart would vtter onely this good I craue that your highnesse continue your gracious fauour towards me whose will shall be euer a lawe to Cariolus who will euer be directed by your maiesties aduise And séeing most honourable Prince you haue motion of willingnesse to do me this good I humbly beséech you continue it and binde Cariolus in euerlasting bands of true friendship to your seruice Here were they interrupted by the comming of the King who hearing that the Prince was gone that way delighting in his company more then in any others came sodainly on them yet not in such maner but he was espied of them The King which saw them so earnest in their spéech comming vp with them saide Sir Knight were my Lord Cariolus a Lady as he is a honorable Gentleman I should be very suâ—pitious of you both that you would find time to stretch a point farther then became you In faith Gentlemen quoth he as there is brotherly loue betwéene you which the world well noteth let be a trinitie and accept me for the third person so shall you honor me more then I will say and endue me with such happines as I wil not for auoiding of flattry vtter Your Maiesty quoth the prince may iest but would it were knowne vnto your grace our loues to your highnesse you might then say you haue such poore friends of vs as wil euer be ready to aduenture our liues in your honorable seruice Experience good Knight answered the King long sithence hath taught me that whose eies are witnesses of your loyaltie which I wil endeuour to requite as when you please to make triall you shall finde especially you my Lord whose bloud lost in aduenturing for me I can no way requite Séeing quoth the prince your highnesse is thus disposed to iest pardon I beséech you what I haue to say and fauour me so much as to heare my humble sute and hearing let me obtaine it at your gracious hands in granting which your grace shall more honor me then I dare report Honorable Knight answered the King among friends what should néed distrust my heart gréeueth that the noble Knight Pheander should doubt to obtaine what euer resteth in my power to grant Wherfore swéet friend say on for by the honor of the Thessalian kingdom whose crown I enioy through thy good industry what euer thou requirest shall not be denied Thankes gracious Lord not for my self I intreat but for this gentleman whose heart hauing sworne fayaltie to loue which is the soueraigne guide of all men hath framed his lyking vnto the Princesse Phedera whose seruant he hath vowed himself if then noble Prince it shall stand with your highnesse good leisure to accept of him whose honourable birth and haughtie déeds of Chiualry may merit some estéeme with persons of worth I haue my desire by graunting of which and obteining the Princesse good lyking I shall be more honored then if your grace had inuested me with both the kingdomes of Thessaly and Egipt Pheander quoth the King if thou hadst required as much for thy selfe as thy friend thou couldst not haue honored me more whose amitie I desire to participate with aboue all men of what account so euer but séeing thy request is for him whose aduancement I desire and for thou shalt know in what regard I hold thy loue I will do my best to procure her loue women haue fancies and are headstrong in their affects whether she haue granted her loue I know not neither can I force her lyking if I could it were not conuenient for a forced beast is froward and women wedded to their will If in their loue they should be contraried were better lost then found their reuenging mindes are such as they will not be quiet vntill for their husbandes safetie they haue armed his head with such proofe that hée may walfe in safetie amongst the best headed stags in my Forrest But leauing this iest Pheander that thou maist assure thee of my loue my industry shall be to gaine her for thy friend whom I both honour and loue and for you my Lord I giue heartie thanks that will accept of her whom I may say I loue as a brother who if I can perswade to your wish her large dowry shall testifie Our pleasant parley hath procured me a good appetite my stomacke telleth me it is dinner time wherefore Gentlemen leauing this talke which is as much conquest as the greatest of Hercules which did neuer conquere woman vnto me let vs walke and doubt not but I will play the Orator in such wise as shall procure your content Lord Cariolus and satisfie your request Thanks gracious Prince quoth Cariolus which is all I haue to requite so great a benefit onely your true
liegeman shall I euer continue and be readie at your pleasure to do you seruice Here Gentlemen the story telleth vs that the Thracian King as flesh is mortall vexed with an extreme sicknes was so oppressed therewith that nature failing through weake age all phisicke helpes were friuolous so that perforce he must pay his due to death which commandeth all whose breath failing at the sommon of this tyrant which may not be intreated his soule departed this earthly trunk to sée the ioyes of the euerlasting kingdome whose death his subiects so with pittious plaintes bewailed as might haue changed the most hardest heart into a Caos of lamenting sorrowes beholding their teares whose bodie was most royally intombed amongst his Ancestry But among those which sorrow ouerwhelmed and had like to haue drowned in deaths gulph the Princesse whom nature forced in some sort to lameÌ„t as a child hauing lost her father was so weakened with her plaints and hearts sorrow that long time it was not to be thought she could recouer it so much was her tender heart touched eftsoones bewailing her fathers death and then againe gréeuing for the want of her Loue and Lord the Mayden Knight of whose safetie whom she more desired then to be Lady of the whole earth could not be perswaded Long did she languish in these extreames and could not be comforted in so much that she rather desired death then to liue But he that in extreames is our best comfort preseruing her for the Commons benifit sent her health who being recouered the Coronation finished and the Crown by common consent of the Parliament confirmed vnto her many offers of marriages were made vnto her for which humble sutes of her Councâ—ll were not omitted who desired nothing more then to haue the issue of her noble bodie succeed her But no perswasions might moue her from the Knight who had the chiefe interest of her hart to whom she had vowed her selfe protesting likewise neuer to grant her loue or liking to any one but onely to him This resolution so much gréeued her nobles that nothing could breed more discontent yet as dutie commanded framed themselues to her gouernment who with such wisedom directed all things for the benefit of her common weale that it was admirable to behold that wisdome in one of her sexe But to return to our matter The Thessalian King who minding his honourable word with the noble Pheander finding opportunitie ganne question his sister in this maner Phedera since the decease of our deare parence thou hast bene left vnto my gouernment for whom without boast or desire of benefit of thée or any I haue had that care as of mine owne good and euer will so thou be ruled by me And for I sée thy yeares requireth to be linked in marriage that thou maist participate in loue with thy husband and spend the prime of thy yeares as is fitting thy estate I haue found a Gentleman of honor and valour such a one as on my word loueth thée and I haue cause for his paines in my seruice imployd to honor Therefore good sister if thou loue me as a brother and hast not bestowed thy loue elsewhere in this matter be ruled by mée and in dooing whereof thou shalt finde mée thy brother and most assured friend who will euer be as carefull of thy well doing and honor as of mine good Say therefore thy minde plainly and let me knowe whether thou doest loue or canst loue The Lady whose wisedome was such as balanced her honor not knowing whether her brother were in in iest or earnest thus modestly said Gracious Lord and my dread soueraigne pardon I humbly beséech you your subiect and suffer mée not through my fond answering so friuolous a question which you vrge but for my triall to procure your displeasure or mine owne shame Why Phedera quoth the King you mistake me if you thinke I ieast for on my honor I meane what I say therfore dally not with mée if you hope of my good But tell me if thou doest loue or wilt loue my friend The Ladie hearing the King in earnest although shée could be well content to haue enioyed the swéet pleasures of loue in marriage thus sayd Dread Lord and my most gracious soueraigne sithence it is your pleasure I should answere your demaunde Know that as modestie is the ornament of Maydes and chastitie the garland that bewtifieth all our sexe so haue I carefully weyed mine honor in such manner that I neither loue nor as yet euer made choyce of any in loue but haue eschewed all such friuolous motions of the flesh to my greatest power as beséemeth a Lady of such honor That I may loue I doubt not because it is the commandement of our maker and incident to all creatures who in their kindes make choyce of some one to participate with yet shall my loue neuer be such as may disparage your highnesse loue towards me but such as shall be to your content And for your graces pleasure is to bestow me on a man so honorable so standeth it with your will to let mée knowe him I will answere more directly God a mercy for that wench quoth the King then I doubt not but wée shall haue a match or else thy wisedome is not such as I wish it were But tell mée vnfeinedly my Phedera canst thou loue the Lord Cariolus a man for birth honorable for valour to compare with most aduenturing Knightes in the worlde in person comely and so dibonire in his behauiour as for curtesie hée is to bee matched with the best Hée is the man Madame whom if you can fancie thou honourest mée in thy loue and thou shalt finde mée a brother nay a father if fathers loue may excéed the brothers Say therefore thy minde and let me know thy answere The Ladie whose hope was her brothers sute had bene for the Mayden Knight with whose loue she was a little touched yet modestie mastering such fond motions would not let affection take such roote but that shée could at her pleasure expell it After the Lady had heard her brother whom she perceiued by his earnestnesse in vttering his sute would not willingly be denied she said Pardon me my good Lord if I passe modestie considering your great praise of the Gentleman beléeue me he is much beholding vnto your Grace who could haue thought you would haue prooued so good a soliciter had your studie bene the Lawes of this Realme no doubt but you should haue had many Clyants were the Gentleman here himselfe he could not haue sayd thus much and therefore he may thinke himselfe beloued and honored of your highnesse But for answere as I would not haue you in your first wooing disgraced least it discourage you in your owne enterprises being a batcheler so can I say little of my selfe who is to be gouerned by you to whom in all humblenesse I referre me and shall so you be pleased be content if it were
yeares honourably reputed amōgst them euer in tranquilitie and by thy cruel slaughtering thy friend shall their peace be broken Was it not for his comfort and thy good these strangers came into this country and for their kindnesse canst thou reward them with such despight Thou enuiest the happinesse of a toward gentleman for thou knowest not what say he loued the Princesse what is that to thée intrest hast thou none to debarre him from it Nutania thou knowest not but by hearesay hée a Noble man of her country a toward Gentleman and woorthily may obtaine her Nature hath made him of the mould of the earth whereof thou art framed the begger is as subiect to amorous passions as the prince Nutania is beautifull wise faire and in the principall time of her flourishing estate louely as the dewe on the swéete Roses Cariolus valiant well featured wise and toward in all honorable actions all which are load-starres to draw ladies to loue and Nutania is but a woman though a princesse If then thou hast neither feare of God or lawe of humanity to perswade thée from so great a mischiefe yet let his kindnesse offered thée which hath bene as much as euer thou requiredst be of some regarde The fiercest beast seldome harmeth those whose societie they vse and wilt thou be found more cruel then vnnreasonable creatures No no Dionicus let die thy malice to Cariolus who is innocent and far from any thought of pretended euill against thée for so much the more shall his blood with extremitie be reuenged by how much the more thou vniustlie iniuriest him yea rather choose to die a thousand deaths if euerie life were a legion of liues then holde so base a minde Thou hast long though to thy great griefe and much sorrow concealed thy loue to Nutania now wilt thou murther him that wisheth thée wel for her loue No no Dionicus let honor be the marke whereat thou aimest account death more precious then life with ignominie honour by murther blemished is such a staine as can neuer be raced out but the continuall ignomine thereof will remaine while there is any being Yea and what is more to bee regarded the welfare of thy subiectes on whom the bloud of so noble a man wil be with great effusion reuenged thy country like those ruinous monuments of Troy laid waste and desolate which was spoyled for a fact nothing so odious Sithence thou hast all these reasons to reduce thée from this vile thought dally no longer with thy shadowe as in the tale of Esope thou maist read of y ◠dog who mooued with enuie of anothers welfare not only hazarded his life but what els he had in possession Though the comparison bée ridiculous yet the example may mooue thee to feare thine owne fall For if the goddes be so iust in punishing such offences in vnreasonable creatures howe much more shalt thou bée plagued whom God hath not onley endued with reason but inuested with titles of maiestie and honour whose life should shine on the earth as the glorious Sun and by thy vertues drawe such as liue vnder thy gouernmēt from their desire to commit euil for such as is the Pastor such will be the flocke if the Prince bee vertuous the Subiect will feare to offende if hée bee vicious who will care to liue in obedience of him or his lawes Thou séest Dionicus the peril surcease therfore thy base thoughts and as Cariolus is Noble where thou hast without desert bene iealous become zealous from enuying him that no way wished thée euill admit him to thy friendship to him thy kindnesse may be acceptable and in vsing such fauours maist thou in time learne the trueth of what thou now supposest If Cariolus loue Nutania he cannot be so secrete but in some sort or other thou shalt attaine to the knowledge thereof and as thou shalt in conuersing with him finde his Honourable dealinges so maist thou either trust him or refuse him If Nutania haue vowed her loue vnto him séeke to master thy affection and wish them ioy if not his friendshippe may the sooner bring thée to thy desires by acquainting the Princesse with thy loue in explaining the passions for her thou hast indured Nutania saith the wrolds report is beautifull wise and honorablie demeaned and therfore cannot be cruell her father a king beloued of all y ◠haue heard of him whose kindnes hath bin such to thy father thée as thou canst not deserue if such loue remain in the parents the children shuld not hate then fondling if thou hast wronged thy selfe in concealing thy grief accuse thy owne follies and condemne not thy friends of euil nor let thy iealosie blame Cariolus who neuer had thought of pretēded euil against thée if thou faile in thy loue blame none but thy selfe spare to speake spare to spéed Cowards neuer were Loues champions nor faint-hearted swad obtained Ladies loue women though neuer so base wil be sued sought and courted with manie deuises allured to win them and their loues obtained as sundry means sought to continue it A Nouice art thou Dionicus and neuer came to knowe what many a hardy man at armes hath endured histories are diuers which shewe the extreames of Princes and famous Conquerors that they endured through loue yet hast thou neuer read of any that euer wooed by silence courted their mistresses with imaginations or obtained their loue being mute Longer maist thou smother thy griefe which may cureles consume thée fire suppressed burneth w t more vehemencie and loue concealed consumeth the intrals and slayeth remedilesse How long may thy shoo wring thy foot before any that looke thée in the face can tell where it pincheth thée Many of meane birth haue obtained the loue of Princes and ladies of great woorth by daring to attempt wedded and bedded them If the ignoble haue had such successe in loue Rouse thée dastard from this loathsome cabinet arme thée with hopes of thy Mistresse fauour and with courage séek to obtaine it let griefe no longer oppresse thée but like the sonne of thy renowned father shew thy self let not daring loue which by many good motions may bée vanquished ouerthrow thée by subiecting thy selfe ouermuch vnto it but in the face of the enemie shewe thy selfe and there by prowesse purchase such renowne as the report of thy valour may gaine thée the loue of her thou most desirest Womens loues for the most are setled on the valiant and such as aduenture holding in rgarde such as by their valour can and will maintaine their honours bearing in triumph their fauours in the field and gaining honour in their titles I thus Dionicus should be thy thoughts holde thée there and no doubt of good successe Nutania is but a woman though a Princesse thou sonne to a King and no way her inferiour Then continue this resolution and Nutania may in time aswell séeke thy fauour as the noble Amozonia Alexanders loue Scantly
where she had but begun to like him before Cupid that commandeth the mightiest began most furiously to assaile her that her tender heart vanquished therewith was enforced to yéeld her selfe a slaue to his deitie and giuing ouer other courtlike delightes bend her whole studie in séeking which way to win her best beloued to her liking for the accomplishing of which many waies were deuised but none thought sufficient so that resting in a laborinth of confused thoughts commanding her attendants from her she said Nutania what wretch that liueth enioyeth not more swéet content then thy selfe who yéelding to follow the follies of thy youthful mind hast planted thy loue thou knowest not on whome a straunger and of no more reputation then a Merchant a base Trade and most frawdulent as I haue heard many Nobles discusse whereby they obtaine to great wealth and by their extraordinary meanes wring such yoong Gentlemen as are forced to haue to doo with them from their auncient Patrimonies making of Noble men Gentiles of great worship beggers and their owne base-born brats to become yoong maisters which in time and small time consumeth that in ryot which their miserable fathers by extortion false reckonings vnsatiable vsery and other loose dealings sold their soules the precious Image of our Sauiour to the diuel But wretched wretch whither wandrest thou these be no points for thée to stand vpon thou hast now vied the game and art bound by such a band as there is no remedie but sée it thou must therefore leaue to discourse what he was or hath bene Thou hearest by generall report of all men he is honorable in wars valiant bountifull and endued with all maner of Gentilmanlike conditions which argueth him descended of better parentage then he will acknowledge And therefore cease not to loue him who by all coniectures if outward shewes procéede of the motion of the heart regardeth thy honour then requite his seruice Nutania and séek in time to quench that flame which beginneth but yet to warme lest encreasing by litle and litle it consume thée In extremes the Noble mind is best knowne happie are they accounted which forewarned can eschue a mischiefe If thou canst win thy Loue what creature may be compared with thée for happie content Be resolute Nutania feare no colours thy loue is planted on such a one who for his vertues may be mated with the greatest Princesse on the earth then stand not on termes of his being but determine to loue him faint hearted souldier neuer gained conquest if he be base thou maist aduance him Thou art heire to the Crown of Thrace and thy fathers sole delight who then should gainsay thy will herein fathers sole delight said I yea there Nutania lieth a block which thou canst hardly remoue Thy father what will he aged King say when he shall heare of thy loue so basely planted which hast refused to be wife to two famous Kings requiring thée with great sute in marriage Refraine fondling from this rash determination let thy fathers loue be a raine to hold thy vnbrideled will feare his displeasure which gaue thée life and séeke not by thy folly to bring his head with sorrow to his graue which if thou persist will be such a corasiue to his heart and such a staine to thine honour as the memorie of Nutanias disobedience will neuer be raced out With these and such like motions of good she sought to withdraw her loue from him that for birth and other noble actions deserued her better albeit vnknowne to her but what euer hée be the more shée sought to suppresse the flame of her loue the more it encreased that without regard of fathers good or her own honour she determined to loue him yea the Mayden Knight with his Prize was arriued at the Court whom the King and Nobles welcomed with all curtesie they could shewe as ioyfull of his safe returne who had so honourably borne himselfe in that action as if he had conquered Europe which kindnesse to the knight was recompence sufficient for all his charge and hard aduenture The Princesse who was awaked from her studies by report of the knightes comming sumptuously attired as she could as beséemed her estate accompanied with all her troupe of Ladies and maides of honour came vnto the Presence who no sooner approached the place where the knight was but beholding the exquisite perfection of her bewtie which he so much delighted in was sodeinly bereaued of his sences so that he stood as a mā which had lost himselfe yet reuyuing loath to make manifest what with great griefe hée had consealed so long humbly on his knées presented the glorie of his enterprise vnto her saying Most gracious Princesse as by your moste excellent hands I receiued my first steppe to honour and fighting for your Graces and Kingly fathers sakes it hath pleased God to prosper me with a happy victorie for which good hauing nothing worthie to present your Grace as I desire yet in knowledge of my dutie to your Exellence to whom my life and seruice is deuoted I humbly beséech you accept this Gentleman my prisoner and your Noble fathers mortall enemie The Princesse to whom nothing could be more pleasing thē the sight of the beloued knight graciously accepted the prisoner rendering great thankes for the same as also for his valour shewed in their defence And then turning to the captiued Prince she said My Lord you sée the chaunce of Fortune and how mutable she is in all actions sometimes fawning sometimes frowning but whether by your fortune or cowardise or both you are now at their mercy whose ouerthrow you assured your selfe of and which you more desired then all territories of the earth but our God which neuer suffereth his seruants to perish hath mightily defended vs it is not your mightie powers can daunt the hearts of Christians whose God is their guide neither regard we them at all as a matter of any trust your eyes can witnesse who hauing an Army able as you thought to haue vanquished all Christendome is by a handfull to your multitudes surprized Yet dismay not my Lord a Maiden is your Iaylor who wil vse you more honourably then you can imagin or your hard threats deserueth The Prince which saw the bewtie of the Princesse whom he so earnestly vpon reports had desired was astonied greatly holding the fame that was bruted to be nothing to her worthinesse therfore accusing himselfe of great impietie that had borne Armes against the onely Paragon of the earth and not by curtesie haue continued his loue begun ashamed of himselfe he saith Renowmed Lady Fortunes darling Bewties chiefe pride though mishap hath made me of a Prince and heire to the mightiest Potentate of the earth a captiue and that by thy champion I am dishonored and my power vanquished crosses which may cause the stoutest that euer liued to cry out on Fortune to curse the Destinies yet am I comforted in y
excellence to take so great a matter vpon me yet shal I so please it you to heare me deliuer my simple opinion as I would do my selfe in the like action The olde wiues say they that féede with the deuill must haue a long spoone and they that goe about to master Loue had néed of manie good precepts disswade your Grace I will not to forget it for I sée it is vain neither would I wish you to answere by writing for a paper is soone lost and lost to whose finding it shall come tis vncertaine as soone to some enuious enemie as a wel-willer in which some word simplie meant of you or me may be construed by them at their pleasure whereby your name may be brought in question and a slaunder raised is not so easily suppressed writing is a specialtie whereof the subtill Lawyer takes no small aduantage to auoyd all which casualties this may you doe pretend some matter of conference with him and appoint the time when hée shall attende your pleasure at your lodging comming secretely vnto you and at such time as the King your father shall bée employed in serious affaires so may you vse your spéech at your pleasure this would Guenela doe your Grace may vse your discretion I like thy deuise wel good wench and giue thée manie thankes quoth the Princesse therefore faile not to méete him for thy promise what els I refer to thy best indgemeÌ„t Nowe in faith Madame quoth Guenela you haue made a good choyce for a solliciter but take me as I am this is the first suit that euer I was retained for nor I doubt not if I spéed well now of manie elpantes As they were thus pleasant betwéene themselues they heard a trumpet sound to horse which caused the Princesse to sende her Page to enquire the cause who returned her answer that the king with his traine were setting forward to hunt a wilde bore which his Forrester had roused this newes gaue them cause of ioy hoping that Fortune fauoured them with a happy time which they were both loth to omit doubting the like opportunitie the Princesse especially who coulde not be quieted in minde vntill shée heard her Knight aunswere for himselfe wherefore a Page was presently commanded to search for y e Knight willing him with such conuenient spéed as hee could to meet Guenela in the garden the Page vsed such diligence y e soone he was brought vnto the Knightes presence whome he found solitary as a holie father at his Orizons whome the Page awaked with his ioyful message which was welcom vnto him albeit doubtfull whether of weale or woe either to augment his sorrowes or vtterly to extinguish them The sudden hearing of which caused him to pause a while when hauing determined curteously returned answere to the Gentlewoman that he would attend her he rewarded the Page so bountifully as he had cause to boast him of his wel employed seruice Guenela hauing receiued his answere by the Page aduertized the Princesse thereof who commaunded her to haste least she gaue the Knight cause of discontent by her long stay but for al her spéed Pheander was long there before atteÌ„ding her comming who was no sooner of him perceiued to enter the place but his heart prâ—â—aging some good was more delighted thereat theÌ„ all the motions that could be imagined after his curteous salutations done thus said Swéet Guenela I know not what to imagine of thy sudden message yet willing to be resolued as one that by thy answer exspecteth his doome either of life or death I attend thy pleasure say therfore swéet Lady what faith the Princesse to my letters with whom Guenela purposed to be somthing pleasant not to cloy his stomacke with such plesant confections that he should surfet therewith and framing a countenance to her spéech she said Sir Knight of all the Gentlemen in the Courte of Thrace my good opinion was such of you that on your word I durst haue hazarded my greatest credit which expectation thou hast farre deceiued and therefore not worthie to be accounted among such honorable men at Armes which take their principall honor holding their word with Gentlewomen At the deliuery of which spéech he that had tooke regarde to the Knightes countenaunce might haue thought him past phisickes recure And withall standing so mute it verely perswaded Guenela that he was readie to deliuer his interest of life whiche made her alter her rough words and with a smoother methode new file them doubting that her Comedie begun in mirth should prooue a Tragidie to the great grief of the whole Country which generally honored him Wherfore taking him by the hand she sayd Sir Knight I am sorie I haue charged you so far what cause soeuer I had but tis womanlike to be slaine with words and no fit passion for a man of your profession That you may comfort your selfe I first pardon the offence against me committed and enioyne you as you tender your credit with the Princesse Nutania that you faile not to repaire at such conuenient time as you best can to her lodging where if you hold your word you will excuse your messenger Oh Guenela how haue thy spéeches tormented me filling my entrailes with suche a confusion of comfortlesse thoughts as haue ouercome my senees Yet Guenela if thou be curteous or haue any sparke of gentilitie abide in thée Say my good Lady what countenance gaue the Princesse to my bashfull paper Vouchsafed she the reading of them Or how to discomfort you good Knight quoth Guenela it were pittie being alreadie at so low a datum which pitieth me to behold Comfort can I giue none to thy desires but this thy sute is loue as your Letters import in which dispaire not for thy mistresse is a woman though a Princesse and how pitifull our sexe is I will not boast but wish thée not dispaire If thy birth were as great as thy vertues thou mightst boord and bedde as good as the Princesse Nutania vnto whom I wil be a faithfull soliciter Mistake me not Pheander I speake as a friend and so leaue thée vntill thy comming to my Lady which detract not for time lost is such a precious thing as can neuer be recalled Before whom when thou shalt come pleade thine owne cause and discouer thine owne grie And so farewell Pheander which had some greater hope by Guenela her last spéeches was so ouer ioyed that he could not bid her farewell yet after his memento past he saith farewell the faithfullest friend in my distresse that euer I founde Oh Guenela happy maist thou be in thy loues and highly honored amongst men by whom my cares are thus comforted faithfull Guenela the worker of my hearts happie content by whom past all hope I am by thy faithfulnesse and trueth in deliuering my message freed of so heauie a burthen as was likely to haue torne my poore oppressed heart in a million of péeces Thus vplawding Guenela he had almost
I the Physitian that could cure his maladie and had so good iudgement of his affects as of mine owne charity would I shoulde minister vnto his disease what effect soeuer the potion would worke prouided this that he disclosed his griefe in time mistake me not Pheander and pardon mée if I conceale what I would vtter my thoughtes are mine owne Trueth Ladie quoth the Knight neither was y e same demaunded to vrge any thing more theÌ„ standeth with your good liking yet for the prince this I say it were pittie he shoulde die for loue So say I quoth the Princesse for few men ther be of that condition and as seldome is such a one séene as multitudes of blacke Swans Your errour is great Madam quoth the knight for many haue bene with loue so ouercome that Kinges haue bene enforced to stoop to their subiectes and the greatest conquerours whose valour many volumes recorde by loue compelled to forsake themselues taking sundrie shapes and many toyles to gaine the loue of their Ladies I speake now Madam for the Prince whom I loue well and challenge your charity may bee to him continued for your loue is the only physick that must cure him or els all other helps are friuolous in hope wherof he breaths a lingring life til your gracious consent finish his griefs yéelding to his desires in whom it resteth to restore him banished to his regal dignities who is y â— cause of his exile dastardnesse hath caused him to conceale it bearing the extremitie of his passions with intollerable pain whose flames encreaseth by viewing your exellent perfections The want of whose grace haleth him on to desperation not able any longer to resist loues assaults which with such hot allarmes assaileth him that longer he cannot endure them The Princesse hearing her Knight pleade for the Prince with such earnestnesse leauing his owne sute to draw her to loue him of whom her thoughts were least on thought it some pollicy of the Knight which imagined loue had vanquished her swelling with anger at these new imaginations heâ— colour changed into so many formes that the least child which had séene the same might easily haue gest what small content those last vttered spéeches wrought But doubting least with silence it should be perceiued with a heart full fraught with fury she sayd Deceitfull wretch vnworthy the fauour of the simplest drug that by thy subtil practises hast sought to insinuate thy selfe into my secrets was it not false varlet sufficient that I forbeare the punishing of thy own bold writings but to my face in colorable maner deludest me with tales of I know not what Haue I euer graced thée since I first sawe thée and requitest thou my fauour thus dallying with me as with thy inferiour or some of thy base Trulles No no vse thy ieast with such that can better disgest them and from henceforth be warned and warned take héed how thou dare either by word or writing vse any like motions least I acquaint y â— world with thy impotent dealings and by death thou receiue the guerdon of thy ill and so fare as thou maist for neuer expect farther fauour at my hands The Prince hearing this finitiue sentence from her whose tongue was to pronounce his life or death thought it high time to speake for himselfe before she departed and staying her as she would haue gone he humbly besought her not in displeasure to leaue him but with patience endure what he could say which albeit she might hardly be wonne to grant yet her former affection banished chollor in such wise that he had libertie to speake saying Gracious Lady that I offended your Exellence whom of all earthly creatures I most honor I hartily sory for it iudge me not so impudeÌ„t or senslesse to moue matter without some reason especially enduced therunto by your exellent fauour and charitable pittie of the wretched estate of that vnhappie Prince who hath vowed to loue your grace to the death and by granting him your loue you shall draw him from death thereby not onely restore him but fill the hearts of many thousands with ioy which with teares continually lamenteth his losse which is lost to them for euer and shortly will be losse to himselfe the whole world Vnhappy Prince why name I him Prince whose miseries is more theÌ„ the most wretched slaue that liueth who not able to endure the force of loue hath forsaken himselfe to follow his own affectioÌ„s without knowledge of father kin or subiects Muse not Madam at the straungenesse of the Tale I haue to deliuer nor let it séeme incredible that I am that vnhappy Dionicus lawfull heire of the Numedian Crown that Prince through whom so many miseries is befallen his country his fathers care cause of his careful mothers vntimely death who fettred in loues bands by report of thy péerlesse bewtie vertues hath drawne me to take the habit of a merchant vsurping the name of Pheander the more vnsuspected to attain the sight of thée whom my heart so desired whom if thou pitie liueth by thy loue to do thée honor and without thée may no longer inioy this life in pursuit of whose loue if I die my ghoast among the rest of louers shal sing hymnes in laude of thy péerlesse bewtie The Princesse as one in a trance could not tel whether she heard him speak or dreamed yet noting his countenaÌ„ce which shewed a troubled spirit tickled with a sodain ioy as women be proud in their Loues that her loue to Pheander was methamorphosed to Dionicus the Numedian Prince of whome her fathers Courtiers reported such honours she sayd Pheander or how I shall call thée I know not thou hast filled my sences with a world of coÌ„fused thoghts in recounting the straungenesse of thy fortunes which I can hardly be drawne to beléeue nor is it possible that the Prince Dionicus could liue in the Court of Thrace so long concealed without knowledge of some one if I might by reason be induced to beléeue the same I would say more Madam quoth the Prince howsoeuer I haue disguised my selfe heretofore as loth to be dishonored yet beléeue me in this that I said no more then is truth Therefore if thou couldst not loue Pheander being a merchant for ignobling thy noble house yet as I am Prince of Numedia vouchsafe me thy liking by whome thy honor can no way be disparaged but by exchanging loue for loue with him aduance thy honor far higher Say nâ—w Madame all nicenesse set apart can you loue The Princesse whose loue was equall though willingly she would haue coloured the same yet moued with a pitifull desire to ease his griefe which farre surpassed as also to ease her owne heart which was not a litle infected with the self disease their welfares depending both on her grant or deniall After she had deliberated a while fixing her hand in his which she easily grasped and leaning her head on his shoulder to
other imaginations assailed them let those suppose and thinke which haue felt the swéet cōtent in loue To which I leaue them to recount vnto you y ◠sorrow of the Thracian Quéen who ruling with honor beloued both of Pheres and Commons in as much royaltie as might be desired endured so many sundry torments of minde wanting her most desire that the day was irkesome vnto her and the night ordeined for rest restlesse she consumed that with her continual watchings and others passions he◠bodie became weake and a gréeuous sicknesse assailed her the cause none could imagine neither might phisicke minister any cure to her disease so that giuen ouer to the death she lanquished in great extremities not daring for modestie to reueale the cause onely this was her chéefest comfort when she could be freed from the company of such Ladies and counsellers which visited her with Guenela to recount her loue sometime extolling his valour and person and eftsoones accusing him of disloyaltie exclaiming on her hard fortune which had engaged her libertie to a Knight carelesse of her honour and good cursing and accusing Guenela being soliciter for such a wretched Knight whose spéeches oftentimes was so answered by the Mayden Guenela as in iesting wise would she turne her words of despight into laughter such was the sharpnesse of her wit which left no meanes vnsought that might procure in the least maner her content Oppressed with great griefe we leaue the Princes for a while to returne vnto Cariolus whose wedding day being come great was the ioy on his side but more the preparation of al courtiers who were ready with many costly shewes at y ◠Tilt Turney and Barriers to try their valour and fortunes in Armes But as the fairest day is ouercast with cloudes so was their mirth chaunged to great and gréeuous lamentions and their ioy to sorrowfull complaints which thus befell The King now in prime of yeares desirous to try his force at the Tilt with his presence to honour his Nobles and do the Princesse fauoure at her marriage in these pastimes made choyce of the Mayden Knight to encounter him as the worthiest in Armes who being of all others most vnwilling to deale against him humbly besought his grace of pardon and accept of some his Nobles who was more worthier of that honor But the King with whom no intreaties might preuaile wold not be denied which made the Knight with great heauinesse of heart to wish hée had not Armed him that day such was his discontented minde which doubtlesse presaged some ensuing euill as to y ◠great griefe of all the whole company hapned them Thus when no denials might preuail the trumpets sounding a charge they set forward with such swiftnesse as the earth trembled vnder their horses both breaking their staues in such manner as all the company with ioyful shoutes applauded their excellent skill in that exercise But alasse in midst of this pleasing practise how suddainly their ioyes were eclipsed woe is me to recount The King and his elected companion at the trumpets sound setting with courage forward to encounter one the other in braue maner brake again their staues but in an vnhappie time a splinter of the knights staffe by most vnfortunate chaunce entered the sight of the Kings Beauer which pearced the head to the brain in such wise that with the heate of his trauaile and griefe of the wound he was enforced to forsake his horse This suddaine mishap to the company brought such discontent that all their mirth layd apart sorrow was made Lady of the feast But amongst those that most lamented this vnfortunate chaunce the Maiden Knight had his part whose griefe was such that had not the Lord Cariolus bin by fortune present in the extreame of his melancholy passion he had slain himselfe such was the wisedome of the Noble Cariolus as his reasonable perswasions preuailed so with him as he caused him forsake his dolefull Lodge to accompany him to the presence of y ◠king whose masters of Chirurgery had newly ended their trauaile of dressing his woundes them the Knight questioned of the danger therof and besought them in curtesie to acquaint him therewith whether hée held it mortall or no which how vnwilling so euer they were as loath to discomfort the King or those which loued him such was the curteous entreatie of the Knight as he could not conceale the daunger thereof but reuealed vnto him the little hopes they had of his life and the reasons that induced them thereunto which newes was little pleasing vnto the Knight who with many teares lamented that mishap but griefe ministreth no phisicke to the diseased nor sorrow auaileth not to mittigate extreames Wherefore by Cariolus comforted hée ceaseth in so excéeding maner to lament determining to abide the Kings doome vnto whom he purposeth to reconcile himselfe and to that intent awaiteth the waking of his Maiestie who was after his dressing fallen a sléepe whose griefe was such as hée could take small rest But rowsing himselfe awaked from his slumber called for the Lord Cariolus who was wayting for the same purpose vnto whome being come hée saith Cariolus let no man boast himselfe of happinesse which is mortall for that they are subiect to crosses and casual mishaps as thy selfe maist witnesse with me and many others that haue séene this mischaunce befallen mée when I least expected it the originall of my griefe procéeding from my selfe which woulde perforce my good friend to the action whereunto he was so vnwillingly drawne but what heauens haue ordeined what man can gainsay The omnipotent power of the Almightie hath laid his crosse on me for my greater good to call me from these worldes vanities to séeke his euerlasting kingdome Yet ere I leaue this fraile life swéete Cariolus let me sée that honourable Knight by whose hands death sent his sommance deare he was vnto mée and his loue worthie to be imbraced of the mightiest Monarke Oh Pheander couldest thou but imagine with what faithfull loue I loued thée thou maist sorrow for my losse whome thou and all the worlde cannot reclaime from this great hazard wherein I remain With this the knight which was not farre off presented himselfe vnto him who knéeling at his beds side said Most gracious soueraign might my gréeued hart which ouerwhelmed in sorrow is 〈…〉 in a sea of many miseries consume it selfe with griefe for my euill committed against you how happie a creature were I which haue bin the occasion of your highnesse so great vnrest yet how vnwilling heauens record with me And therefore my dread soueraigne pardon my fault so vnwillingly committed against your Maiestie as deare to me as mine owne soule whose life if ten thousands liues depended thereon I wish might be sacrificed for thy health and the louing subiects of of my gracious soueraigne whom by my ouer-hardinesse I haue robbed of so louing a Prince Let me I say chiefe causer of your sorrow reape the guerdon
play tell of me Ile tell of thée Well watcht my Lord Octauius quoth the whole company but my Lords let the further hearing of this matter rest till better opportunitie least your tediousnesse bréed trouble to my Lord the Prince whose quiet I would not willingly offend My honorable Lords answered the Prince if these discourses of those noble men be pleasing to your honours assure you they are no way offensiue vnto me I haue troubled you from your better cheare to accept of a sicke mans pittance whereunto you are all so heartily welcome as to your owne Pallaces and welcome saith our Countrey housholders is the best dish at their feasts if therefore my Lords you accept my welcome I am the more honoured by you which haue so graciously vouchsafed me your companies Then turning to the Lord Cariolus he said for you my good Lord how much I acknowledge my selfe indebted to you I omit and yéeld you as many thousands thankes for your pleasing spéech as there were sillibles in your words you haue like your selfe defended the weaker sexe for the which were I the Princes Nutania your challendge made in my cause should be bountifully rewarded I am sory my good Lord my bad hap was such that I knew you no sooner But if it shall stand with your Lordships pleasure that during the time of your abode here to vouchsafe me your company so it may be no disparagement to your serious affairs perswade your selfe your welcome shall be no better in anyplace then vnto me for which kindnesse you should hinde me vnto your friendship Gratious Prince answered the Noble Cariolus thanks for your Princely fauour and gracing me thus which am not any way to do your maiestie seruice but wherein your highnesse shall commaund I shall be readie with all dutifulnesse to accomplish Leaue these spéeches good my Lord quoth the Prince and offering dutie where friendship is requested and granting my sute let me enioy thy companie so shalt thou command Dionicus for euer as a friend The grauer sort of those Noble strangers whom matters of more importance called away after humble thanks giuen for their royall entertainment wishing health and all happinesse vnto his excellence they commit him to his rest Barnardine which had endured the end of all these prattles and perceiuing that this talke was altogither friuelous and not worthie the hearing moued him to delight he began diligently to enter into each perticular discourse of Cariolus and Octauius and considerately to note each seueral passion of the Prince so farre searched this skilfull phisition into euerie particular that caâ—â—asing it throughly he noted his speciall iesture and how his colour came and vanished yea how much his heart was possessed with ioy when he heard the Princesse Nutania named the working of his pâ—â—ces made Barnardine imagine the cause of his disease yet had no assurance thereof and to enquire it of the Prince was in vaine for that he had so often denied the same wherefore he consealing his thoughts in hope to worke meanes for his recouerie And finding those cynders which were like to com 〈…〉 e him and the rather if he could procure Cariolus to accompany him Thus leauing the Prince to his quiit and Barnardine to his care for recouering his health returne we so the aged weake King The King whose long sicknesse and care of his wife and sonnes health whome he loued most zealously being extreemly vexed and greatly weakened of his 〈…〉 when Phisicke had done what was possible and small hope to recouer him in the midst of his passions when all hopes was past but onely the comfort of him who by his word rayseth the dead from the graue so this Manpelius receiued comfort by his kingly neighbours friends whose letters when he had by his Councell perused and with regard and aduise noted each kinde offer with their persuading reasons albeit he could hardly â—â—gâ—st the â—ame yet considering how fraile men are and that our cares of Terraine ioyes are to be fa 〈…〉 d to that Celestiall commander which reléeueth all those that seeke him he reuiued himselfe and like a faithfull souldier taking holde of the promise in holie writ so often repeated he cast care of wâ—â—â—â— childe and kingdome vppon him that first gaue it him and by whole prouidence he so long enioyed theâ— â—aking his chiefest care to gra 〈…〉 thoâ—e his friends by whoâ—â—â—â—â—â—sell he was vrged to the heauenly comfort And those honourable Nobles for their paines who wishing to be with their friends in their owne Countries attend his highnesse pleasure for answere which hée tooke order should with such spéede be dispatched as possibly might 〈…〉 way be vsed Dionicus whose heart was on his halfpennie vowing his loue whollie to the Princesse Nutania was so delighted in recounting hee praise as nothing could be so pleasing but as all sorts of men infected with that agâ—â—â—e iâ— their loue be faithfull are enclined to some iealousie so this monstrous Basalicke whose poyson infecteth the vaiâ—es and consumeth the heart without wisedome gouerne the minde as by this Prince notably appeared who in his idle thoughtes calling to minde the praises of Cariolus and the challenge made in defence of the Princesse Nutania as loue endureth no arriual so Dionicus striken wtih the sting of ielousie began to conceiue manie vnhonourable thoughtes of Cariolus supposing Nutania was was his Loue and that by Cariolus his ioyes in her loue and hope of fauour should bee frustrate and of no account with much matter more then euer was by Cariolus imagined how largely so euer his spéech was vsed in the Princes behalfe to procure their delights and mooue Octauius to chollor notwithstanding no reason might perswade where iealousie had giuen iudgemeÌ„t for the Prince in this ielousie fought no meane but reuenge of him that neuer committed the least thought of euill against him When reuenge in this Princes heart was thus imprinted and rage and ielousie set downe his death an honourable motion more befitting his grace then rigor moued by the inspiration of the eternal God withdrew him from this base attempt he called to mind the honour of his house the loue of those Princes their bordering neighbors by whose command Cariolus came into his Country the Scandall so bloodie a fact deserued what continuall ignomy would redownd vnto him and his progeny for euer accusing himselfe of great impietie he exclaimed on his follies in this maner Blush Dionicus at thy base thoughts and so much sorrow for thy pretended mischiefe against this noble straunger as if thou hadst shed the bloud of a thousand innocents hast thou from thy Cradle disdained to offer wrong to the most inferiour and wilt now begin with murther of a noble man Knowest thou not that to adde to his head one haire is more then the greatest Prince can doo And wilt thou séeke his life that neuer had thought of il against thée Hath thy father liued so many
had hée ended this his tedious premeditation when worde was brought vnto him by one of his Pages that the Lorde Cariolus was come to visite him which did put him from all further imaginations at that time Cariolus no sooner come to his presence but Dionicus with a blushing countenance bad him welcome ashamed of his rash suspition yet concealing the same as he might framed such kinde spéech as he best coulde the better to assure his welcome not sparing oftentimes to render great and hartie thankes for his kindnesse in comming to visite him and more to shewe how glad hée was of his companie hée called to rise which he had not done long before but for necessitie making his bed Thus when long time was spent betweene them discoursing of manie matters to both their contentes Dionicus called for meat where to accompanie Cariolus he receiued more sustenance than he had in manie dayes before to the great ioy of his attendant Barnardine who by messengers certified the King and Quéene thereof who ioyed and were not a little comforted at this report Dinner ended Cariolus with the Prince deuising to beguild y e time loth suddenly to leaue him called for a Chésse boord wherwith they sported a while Dionicus whō griefe of minde procured soone to melancholy loosing two or thrée faire games became verie impacient to agrauate whose chollor and make his furie the more Cariolus playing for cunning to make game tooke his quéene and gaue checke to his king whereat the Prince forgetting both himselfe and other those motions so lately by him minded first violently striking him with the board ranne fiercely on him and taking him by the throate cried mainly out thus Villaine quoth he shamest thou not to robbe me of my Ladie my Loue my life and soules comfort but to my téeth must check me therewith in my owne Country base fugitiue thou shalt beard me no more therewith for by thy miserable death will I recouer to mine owne possession my loue my Ladie my Quéene yea in despight of thy head Nutania shall be my mistresse swéete Princesse the onely soueraign of my thoughts Barnardine and his Noble attendants séeing this friendship lately profest so suddeinly forgotten taking him with much adoo from Cariolus were not a little perplexed but as men past themselues hauing neuer séene the like could imagine no cause greatly doubting that suddeinly he was growne lunaticke Cariolus vexed at this hard vsage of the Prince was no sooner freed from him but in great chollor would haue departed Protesting to be reuenged for this discurtesie offered him Affrming that his entising spéeches in cullour of kindnesse was to no end but to draw him from his honorable friends to murther him Barnardine carefull what might ensue hereof weighing each occasion which might hereat be taken besought Cariolus of that loue he beare the King his maister which had vsed them honourablie of his loue to his owne King and all that might be imagined to conceiue of this wrong offered as of no such pretended matter as he supposed but rather with patience to consider the long extreame sicknes of the Prince and how subiect by reason of his infirmitie he was vnto melancholy vndertaking on his faith and honest reputation how euer the occasion grew it was not in mallice assuring him the Prince when he should call to mind this vnkind action would with griefe lament it and sorrowing for the same submit himselfe crauing hearty forgiuenesse for his rashnesse Barnardine vexed at the heart for this vnkind dealings of the Prince entreating his associates to perswade Cariolus went himselfe to the prince and after dutiful speach to his grace recounted vnto him in what euill part Cariolus tooke this abuse by him offered humbly beséeching him as he estéemed the loue of his Princely father and the honour reputation of his country to acknowledge in some curteous maner the wrong committed and so reconcile himself Dionicus whose passion had not it left him albeit in his health none might more perswade him then Barnardine yet hearing him preach repentance being in this humour forgate their passed friendship and moued with his talke albeit it was vsed for his good with a looke as gastly as a ghoast risen from the graue drew neare Barnardine and laying hands on him had like to haue mischieued him had he not made the more spéed away Cariolus vnderstanding what had bene offred the aged man and hearing in what regard the Prince held his loue passing by his chollor began with great heauinesse to lament the Prince his agonie and sorrowing for him besought the heauens creature so to comfort the Prince as himselfe would wish in the like extreame And so leauing Barnardine and the Nobles to their charge departed The Nobles whose griefe was not little with hearts ouer charged with sorrow thinking it not conuenient to leaue him alone doubting som worse matter shuld happen vnto him went to visit the Prince chéerfully enquiring of his welfare which with so good countenances as he could vse was kindly answered of the Prince who hauing past the extremitie of his fury calling to minde those notable abuses offred his friends greatly lamenting his folly therin he said Where where my honourable friends may I hide my head to shelter me from the worlds reproach who voyd of all reason more brutish then the sauage beast haue sought to murder my dearest friends Oh how might I blush with shame and ashamed of my euill committed neuer behold the faces of those whom I haue so euill entreated what fury bewitched me to this mischiefe Or what diuellish sorcery enchanted my spirits and captiuated my sences so to offend thée Lord Cariolus who of thy zealous affection and curtesie came to visit me delighting so greatly in thy company as I did And thou the father of grauitie my greatest hope in the world Barnardine thou whose honest care and loue to me hath bene euer showne from my Cradle Oh Barnardine how vngratefull haue I bene rewarding thy good with the hazard of thy blood Woe is me vnhappie and thrise vnhappie that I haue liued to behold the light of this day wherein past my self I haue so highly offended Pardon pardon my Lord Cariolus as thou art honorable and thou Barnardine whose aged yeares I haue so highly offended Forgiue my misse and remit that euill I haue committed against thée or let me neuer behold the dayes light againe Why should I liue whom mine owne conscience so highly accuseth of such impietie Will not the fowles of the aire soaring ouer thy head as thou walkest cry out vngrateful Dionicus that wouldest haue murdred thy frends each creature that God hath made wil exclaime against thée for this euill following thée with cries of horror to thy euerlasting reproach Therefore vnhappie Dionius since by thy owne doings this reproach is happened vpon thée whereby for euer thou art dishonoured and no man hereafter will dare to vse any familiaritie with thée no
fathers sonnes vnto whom my minority denyed such reuenewes and liuinges as might sufficiently maintaine my estate which caused me to employ my stock in trade of merchandize by which in time of peace I gained in your countrie wealth sufficient which with my body I offer in your highnesse seruice and doubt not but to frée thy princely daughter from this vsurper whose vertue the worlde so much renowneth for by that faith which I receiued at the Font-stone so long as I may breath life neuer shal vnhalowed Cur triumph in your Graces ouerthrow nor in her dishonor The king ouer ioyed at these frank affaires of his champion expressing by his outward signes the inward delight of his heart and the desire he had to accept this yonglings offer taking great pleasure in his countenance which was louelie and no way inferiour to the best in his court for person wisedome and other good graces which with aduise considered he saith Pheander wel doest thou showe thy selfe a Gentleman for vnder the habit of a Merchant Gentilitie cannot be hid no poore estate can blemish the Noble nor aduerse fortune whatsoeuer but as golde is soone brought from the baser mettels to his forme by the skilfull finer so are the Noble knowne by their vertues Pheander I haue cause to honor thée for thy loue and forwardnesse as also for thy countrey which without slattering thée or any ther abiding I loue for your Kings sake But to our matter thou séest my déer Pheander the millions of cares heaped vppon my gray head through the oppression of this heathen Prince whereby I am made more miserable than the meanest subiect in my dominions and the more is my miserie by recounting the wretched estate of my louing subiects whom I hold as deare as my life and with that by resigning my life and crowne I might frée them from bondage were it nothing els the tyrant required But toward Gentleman whose loue wretch that I am I cannot requite my daughter oh sorrow worse thaÌ„ death to recount Nutania the only solace of my life and lines sole good in whose weal consisteth my good by violence offered her what good can be tide me she she my deare Pheander it is that drencheth my soul into so déep a hel that almost forgetting my self liuing I dayly dy only recounting the miseries â—he should endure if y â— tyrant triumpht in our ouerthrow but he that in extreams sendeth comfort hath reuiued me relieued my ouercharged hart by thy kind offer whose courage and hope of victorie being such as thou wilt hazard thy déerest blood for my daughters fréedom Thanks my good Pheander is all that I can yet yéeld thée yet tâ—ad more courage to thy noble mind fighting for vs our honor my daughter for whose good thou aduenturest shall inuest thée with the order of Knighthoode the first honour that euer she gaue to man of Armes and shal pray for thy good successe so calling for the Princesse who was so discontent that nothing could be pleasing vnto her who being come before him after her humble dutie done desirous to knowe her kingly Fathers will hée recounted the zeale of the merchant vnto her who had not onely offered his goods but also his proper life to trie in battel his fortunes against their enemie wherefore Nutania quoth the king for that he hath so voluntarily offered the same for thy sake and I relying on my God and in his prowes haue accepted him for my Champion by thy hand he shall receiue the honour of knighthood his title The maiden Knight and so prosper he in his honorable action and in all others as we wish and himselfe desireth The Princesse which diuers times had noted the courtlie behauiour of Dionicus was not a little pleased at her fathers motion as one that in hartie good wil wished him better then modestie would suffer her to vtter yet harkening to her fathers speaches shee behelde him with more gracious countenaunce and vewing the lineamentes of his person each grace well regarded she inwardly bewailed his hard hap that the goddes had framed him of no better reputation than a marchant who might well deserue the title of a king put from her memento by recounting her fathers wordes pausing thereon sometime with modest blushing countenance she said Kind sir whose honorable seruice offered for my fathers good and all our weales his subiectes if I yéelde you not such recompence as your desertes doe merit blame me not of discourtesie which haue no better knowledge of you but accept the hartie thanks of a Virgin vnto whome I holde my selfe so farre indebted as I can no other way recompence then wishing your good yet in earnest of better good refuse not at my hand to receiue the honour of Knighthood séeing my Lords pleasure is such and drawing his rapier the Prince knéeling shee inuested him with the order by name of the Maiden Knight pulling a iewell of rich price froÌ„ her gowne she tied the same in a most beautiful scarffe beséeching him to weare it for her sake wishing all happie fortune in his attempts The new adopted Knight whose heart ouer ioyed for so great a fauour receiued from the saint his heart wholy honoured with manie thankes dutifully rendered kissed the Princesse hand vowing himselfe her humble seruant and in all places to maintaine her modest bewtie Princely honour with his dearest bloud The time thus passed word was brought the King that dinner was readie whereby they were interrupted whome for a time we leaue to their repast discoursing diuersly at table of the valour of the Mayden Knight whose towardnesse the King admired which made his hopes the greater not doubting but his Champion would proue no lesse valiant in Armes then they exspected At which the Princesse gloried not a litle and the Nobles pleased at both their comforts passed the time with more content then many dayes before whome we leaue to their mirth and the Mayden Knight to the ordering of his affaires The Numedian King exiling himselfe from his Court in habite of a Pilgrime trauelled many vncouth places in search for his sonne of whom he could hear no tidings neither could Barnardine for all the industrie he could vse attaine to any knowledge of him his heart so much desired through which the heauines both of the Péeres Comons were daily increased And no maruel when their soueraign the mirror of all princely curtesie had thus vnknowne in the declining of his age when his yeares required rest banished himselfe his countrey louing subiects and what else he enioyed the griefe of which so oppressed the heart of the Quéene that nothing might yéeld her any comfort But pining in continuall sorrow vtterly abandoning the worlds comfort to séeke her comforter whose dwellings are in the highest heauens she yéelded her due to death whose funerals with the effusion of many brinish teares of the Nobles and sorrowfull lamentations of her subiects was performed with
the day with a most pleasant and friendly countenance she challenged him of negligence whom she had not séene in two or thrée daies and leading him politikely pretending matter of importance to impart vnto him from the companie she brought him neare the side of a faire Copes which so ouershadowed them that the Sunne beames could not offend them where they might both boldly say whatsoeuer it pleased them without being heard or séene of any which might interrupt them which caused her take opportunitie to discusse with him thus Seruant quoth she I pray thée say of y e duty thou hast vowed thy mistresse and by those swéete thoughts which are best pleasing vnto thée what is the Lady to whoÌ„ thy loue is dedicated for loue doubtlesse thou doest thy countenance bewraieth it which I haue noted with more regard then becommeth a maiden yet of care to thée whose health I tender for thy curtesie good seruice done which I wold requite in the best maner I might and for thy lookes sheweth thy heart craueth to be pitied of thy Ladie let mée know her who may chance stand thée in some stéed for women may preuaile much one with an other The Knight wrapt into a heauen of ioyes hearing the goddesse of his deuotion with such fauour and kindnes to vse him with a blushing countenance standing at the bar before her whose sentence pronounced was either life or death he saith Honorable and gracious mistresse giue me leaue so to call your highnesse since you haue dained a captiue the title of your seruant and pardon my presumption answering your demand that I loue I cannot deny which argueth your skil in phisick great whom my tongue is restrained to reueale but if your highnesse could iudge whose loue I most adore and long haue and iudging ease me I should haue cause to say no phisicke proferer on the earth whatsoeuer might compare with my gracious mistresse for skill I dare say no more fearing to offend The Princesse all this time gazed on the perfection of her seruant as déeply enamoured on his perfection as the Knight inueagled with hers for her eye made a suruey of his excellent feature which shée founde more perfit by how much the more she had bent her liking to loue him Thus loue which had assailed both their harts endued them with such a siâ—pathy of ioy beholding themselues all alone that with ouer much ioy they were striken mute so that how much soeuer their hearts desired to let each other knowe their loues they could not reueale the same In this heauen of happie content they had not long bene Guenelia a Ladie that attended the Princes brought her word the King her father with the King of Thessaly was comming into the Parke which place they had chosen to recreate themselues Where passing on by faire Paris they diligently listen to the swéete recordes of the pritie birds who skipping from trée to trée gaue as well the content beholding it as the eare pleasure in their notes great was the delight they receiued viewing the bewtie of the place which for pleasant walkes swéete groues and fruitfull trées of all sortes was matchlesse into which manie pleasant brookes had recourse on the bankes of which finding the place bewtified with Natures gifts they sat them downe earnestly beholding the pleasure of the fishes how pretely they chased one the other with many a plesant conceiued toy which they noted censuring of each seuerall action as they thought best to encrease their mirth When some time was spent on this pleasant manner Philarcus King of Thrace finding himselfe all alone with the King of Thessaly hauing neuer questioned of him his vnhappie fortune began with him thus Let it not be displeasing vnto thée famous King that I intrude my selfe so far into thy familiaritie to require the cause of your graces trauaile through which your life was so dangered if you vouchâ—aâ—â— me this fauour you shal commaund a matter of more import so please it you at my hands The Thessalian King attending this vn 〈…〉 question was driuen into such 〈…〉 thoughts that his colour showed better his discontent to recount it then his tongue ablenesse to answere the kings demand how willing so euer he was to satisfie him yet after some pause taken he saith Right curteous and mirrour of the world for Nobility though nothing can be more displeasing to my grieued heart then recounting my aduerse fortune yet that your Grace shall not find any ingratitude in me at whose hands I haue receiued such honourable entertainment attende me It is not many yeares since Mantonna my father deceised who left me vnhappie I his successour to inherite the crowne which I did not long enioy before Donatia King of Egypt required of me my sister in mariage who being beautifull and in the flourishing time of her yeares hauing not yet attained to the full of fiftéene yong ynough to be bestowed yet of that wisdome that I referred y e choise of her loue to her owne liking induced thereunto by the many euils happening by such made marriages wher the children are forced by the couetous desires of their parents to ioyne wealth to wealth others for great patrimonies all for lucre fewe or none for loue But whether the beauty of my sister Phedera for so was she called or the desire of her dowrie which was great or either of them or both I cannot say â—ut my sister being made acquainted with his sute I craued her answere for which his Ambassadors attended in my Court with the best entertainment I could giue whome my sister Phedera with her owne mouth answered woe is me vnhappy the tongue that pleaded deniall to his suite but most of all vnhappy the houre when first of all hee determined to craue her at my handes in whose power it was not to graunt no sooner arriued his Nobles at the Court and he scarslie had receiued the sum of her answere but as one bereft of all honour reason and gouernment he vowed reuenge on me and my countrey And leuying a mighty power both of horse and foot assailed me in mine owne territories whome by the mighty power of the Almightie I expelled my lande to their great dishonour and no small losse to my subiectes yet how great soeuer his ouerthrowe was an honourable minde I must say were the cause iust he ordeined a mightie power by seas whereof being by my espyalles aduertised of the time as neare as they could gesse they would be readie with a power well shipped and furnished I met him neare his owne Confines where a mortall fight was begunne and moste valiantly continued neyther side giuing any shewe of fainting But alasse too soone commeth that grief which meiteth my hart into thousands of teares to recount the Admirall of mine owne Squadron being suncke and two others forced by the cunning hand of their Gunners to lye by the Lée the rest fainted which béeing perceiued of the enemie
bountie and admired for curtesie he he Guenela is the ioy of my heart and my hearts sole delight without whom I cannot liue no I wil not liue I neither may I liue such is the seruice my heart hath vowed in loue vnto him therefore if thou loue me as thou hast profest by thy industrie séeke to â—aue my life which cannot but perish not obteining my desires Guenela listning to her discourse willing to become second in this Comedie had her braines beating alreadie in search of the charge committed vnto her yet would shée not answere any thing sodeinly considering how displeasing spéeches spoken out of time be vnto louers corasiues yet chearing the Princesse shée requested vntill the next morning respite for answer which the Princesse granted affying greatly in her which was wise and wel demeaned many wayes sometime doubtfull sometime pleasing sifted her sences to the proofe whom to her study we leaue The Mayden Knight whose extremes were far more if more might be after his abrupt parting with his mistresse that he grew so melancholy as nothing were it vyandes to relieue his weake corpse neither the daintinesse of pleasing sweete Musicke wherewith his friends presented him might any way delight him so that in outragious maner he exclaimed on his misfortune cursing the tidings bringer of the Kings repaire to the Parke and his tongue for not reuealing his griefe his Phisition so readie to hear that dispairing of his hope to enioy her he was likely to mischiefe himselfe yet reason affirming that the learnedest Phisition could not discouer the disease of his Patient without he shew it how neare soeuer he gesse Entering further in consideration of her fauourable spéeches shaking off feare like a hardie souldier he determined in writing to let her know his loue since he had no hope to méete her againe at the like aduantage Therefore like the condemned hoping of pardon liueth the Knight yet desirous to be resolued either of comfort or dispaire he calleth for Penne and Inke and write thus To willingly vouchsafe him as partner of her best fortunes yet making a kinde deniall she said Sir though I could willingly do you more seruice then modestie will I acquaint you with it is not the part of our Countrey Gentlemen to make peasts of Gentlewomen hauing Pages fit for the purpose if I refuse your request attribute it to no discurtesie in me which am very loath to offende her highnesse not knowing whether the sentence of your paper may discontent her or no. That many messengers haue incurred displeasure yea and losse of life as the cause hath deserued I hope it is not vnknowne vnto you yet hath the harmelesse messenger knowne as litle what he carried as I desirous to know of you Swéete Guenela quoth the Knight that it is wisedom to beware by others harmes I deny not yet is it discurtesie to deny the request of a Gentleman which haue euer shewed my selfe a dutifull seruant to his highnesse and honoring him can I frame my heart to preiudise that Ladie of incomparable vertue No no heauens neuer permit me life to offend her in the least sort Therefore doubt no such matter for on the word of a Gentleman my life shall be offered and fréely giuen to excuse thy friendship wherein I am so greatly pleasured by you Guenela noting by the often changing colour in telling his tale his heart was not his owne but had some more businesse in hand then hée would impart loath to offend his patience by her deniall sayd Sir perswading my selfe of your loyaltie I will for this time become your Embassador although it should impaire my credite with her Exellence whose fauour I hold as deare as my life and that you shall assure your selfe of my trustinesse herein so please it you to méete me in this place to morrow by that time the Suns power shall haue drawne the deawe from off the earth I shall returne you answere as you desire Thankes good Guenela for thy curtesie assure you I will not dye in thy debt if euer Pheander may requite it by any industry In the meane time quoth he fauour me so highly as weare this for my sake and pulling off a Dyamond of great prise gaue it her which she was loth to accept yet giuing thanks for his curtesie she sayd Sir would you did vnderstand I prise not my paines that you shuld reward me with hyre or do you good in hope of benefit or as it is vnfitting a gentle woman to take gifts bestowed in such maner so is it discurtesie and no part of a woman like condition to refuse the gift of a friend therfore accept my thankes till I may better deserue it Thus time passing away Guenela taking her leaue departed towards the Princesse and the Knight to his lodging where how many sundry thoughts assailed him I leaue to them that haue endured the like Guenela come to the Princesse presence by her pleasant iesture was of the Princesse perceiued who was iealous of her being acquainted with her maladie who calling her to her bed side she enquired where she had spent the time so long from her knowing that all her Attendants were combersom vnto her but onely Guenela with whom she might passe the time in discoursing her loue Madame dutie commands me answere your demand yet hauing bene to search some daintie that might yéeld delight to your weak stomake and cause better dâ—gesture by chance prying in y e garde in for such things I was encountred by the best skild in the dominions of Thrace who gaue me a receit which I iudge by my simple skil wil giue your Maiestie great ease yet doth the Phisition doubt whether your stomacke wil disgest it This gracious Ladie quoth Guenela hath bene the cause of my absence and no other Alas good wench how am I beholding to thée that caring to recouer my strength searchest the depth of thy skill but Guenela in vaine sâ—ekest thou her health whom no phisitiaÌ„ with all his hearbs drugs simples balmes emplaisters or what Art may prouide can remedy onely God the great commander must by his grace bring my desires to ende or by death ende my dayes of life What Madam euer in this tune once alter these discords which maketh your musick iar sing y â— beliefe with a chéerful voice so may your mind be a litle eased and the receit I haue to minister worke with the more effect I speak this Madam of experience for euery skilfull Phisitian wil prepare the bodie of his Patient before he minister Therfore Madam if you wil shake off this melancholy you shal haue a taste of what I promise if not your grace must pardoÌ„ me it were great pitie so precious a thing should be cast away Well Guenela quoth the Princesse thou art disposed to crosse me with thy words which doth but increase my disease yéelding small comfort therefore leauing those Iests say me my good wench if thou haue
ought will do me good if not vse me no more thus vnkindly least ouercome with the extreme of my griefe I chance to say with my tongue what my heart will repent or vse my hands with such rygor as becommeth not a mayden The Gentlewoman séeing the wind blow so warme fearing as much as was promised séeing the Princesse impatience such thoght not good to tempt her aboue her strength for women being by nature warme with a litle fâ—wel will be made hotte past reason wherefore making a preamble to her discourse like an eloquent Orator began thus Pheander with that word making a long pause to note the Princesse countenance on the sodain naming her beloued was interrupted thus Pheander Guenela what franticke humor causeth thée to name him in this manner with whome thou hadst neuer anything to say Madame quoth Guenela attend the rest before you either condemne me or commend me Then procéed quoth the Princesse This Pheander of whom my tale is before your Exellence to be told is that Knight who of your maiestie is called the Mayden Knight this Knight as it is told me loueth a Lady but whoÌ„ I cannot declare before I know but as it is told me by his dear friend which knoweth the secrets of his heart so tormented is he in his passions that the night naturally made for rest restlesse he consumeth in great discontent the day wherein all creatures delight is vnto him loathsome so that through watching and refusing his dyet with other cares which cloyeth his stomake his louely face is altered from the sanguine vnto the yealow coloured Saffrone yea Madame these mine eyes are witnesses of it who this day sawe him passe into the Court so féeble that his weake legges might hardly endure the waight of his bodie No more of this my swéete Guenela least thy tongue busied too long on this Tragedie ouercome with the extremitie of my griefe I â—e enforced to seeke an ende of my torments by dispatching my owne life Oh Guenela is this thy comfortable confection Is this the reliefe thou preachest off which would yéeld me such quiet of minde Vnhappie Lady why should I liue to sée another enioy my Loue Is not Pheander my seruaunt haue not I made choyse of him and shall another no way worthie to enioy him haue that interest which might delight the Goddesses Peace Nutania whither romest thou let reason subdue rage let not euery one knowe thy loue to Pheander but conceale it as thou maist and séeke some secret deuise to giue thy hart ease by death which is thy best remedy yet would I liue to become a succour for the well deseruing Knight and gaine his hearts desire for him if I might Cruel were that â—ame not worthy to inioy the simplest groom which causâ—es for loue consumeth such a man in all perfections and liniaments of body as Pheander without yéelding him loue But hearken Guenela that thou maist in time when my bodie shall be intombed among the dead report vnto my Loue and louing Knight how deare I held his loue as my countenance often shewed though he carelesse of loues toyes neuer regarded it for he shall well know at my last ende how I wish his welfare doo but this for me by his friend to learn the Ladies name whoÌ„ the Knight is so inthralled This is all the seruice that I will euer command thée that knowing hir I may become an intercessor for him whom my hart more desireth than all the worlds possessions with this teares which trickled downe from her eyes restrayned her tongue In which sorrowful passion her maiden became a partner and grieued for her follie committing so haynous a faulte in procuring the same she excused in this maner Most gacious Princesse how much I grieue to sée your discomfort I can not say but hope your Grace will pardon me which haue bene more bold presuming on your fauour then beséemeth mée neyther what I haue done gracious Lady was of any intent to offend you but to acquite my selfe of blame in a matter which I haue of curtesie vndertaken as the sequele shall manifest if it shall please your Ladiship to peruse this letter which will no doubt resolue you without further paines to me or trouble to your Grace what she is that is best beloued of the Maiden Knight on the earth This letter I receiued at his handes who hearing of your disquiet desirous as it should séeme to acknowledge his dutie to you coniured mée by many faire words and proffrrs of good to deliuer it vnto your hands which albeit for modesty I did long refuse thrusting that from me with my finger which I woulde willingly haue drawne to me with all my force in the end I consented the rather for your Ladiships quiet which as I suppose will bid it welcome for the maisters sake who if my iudgment in the Planet Venus deceiue me not wil prooue shortly a coniunction or Ile neuer trust my skill again for Venus being in the signe Leo hath domination ouer both houses viz. he and she or hée and you The Princesse at her last shift when she heard Guenelas tale voyd of all hope to enioy her beloued Pheander after shée had a while paused as one at length awaked from her memento as from a sléepe she saith Now trust me wench thou hast cunningly gone about the bush and hast daintily sought to enter into my déepest secretes yet how cunningly so euer you haue dealt there may be a quilitie to deceiue both thée and him but I pray thée Guenela tell mée what spéeches vsed the Maiden Knight at the deliuery therof tell me swéet gyrle in friendship The despairing Knight good Madam for so I must call him howe euer his vallour showes it selfe in fielde as no doubt woorthily so saith report yet in loue I sée his dastardnesse who loueth yet dare not reueale the sum of his desires but must commit it to a tell-tale paper languishing to the death wanting his delight and prolonging his sorrowes by silence his lookes bewraying more than he can vtter for be it said he that had séen not long since his beautie and gallant grace the abilitie of his bodie and noted euery particular lineament at this time with the debility thereof should sée a metamorphosis which might mooue the most hardest hart to pittie the cause to me vnknowne but suspected The assurance I doubt not but your Grace wil soon vndestand if you vouchsafe to teare the seale and peruse the contents The Princesse which thought euery minute a yeare till she had knowledge of the Knights minde put her maiden from her prattle with a fained message when being all alone with a number of sorrowfull sighes for the Knights perplexitie she read and manie times reade those lines which gaue her first comfort of enioying her heartes coutent how welcome they were vnto her it may better bée imagined than explaned whose head was wholly busied in answering the same
forgotten his word Leauing further to descant on this plaine song returne we to the Princesse who was aduertised by her woman what had passed betwéene the Knight and her not omitting his heauy lookes and pitifull spéeches And then againe as glad to please the Princesse whom she was assured loued the Knight letted not at large to set out his honors gained his comelinesse of person bountie and whatsoeuer the world admired in him she highly aduanced to the great content of y e Princesse who thought euery minute a yeare vntill she saw him whome she with hartie desire expected long looked for comes at last And Nutania who at a casement wayted diligently his coÌ„ming espied her beloued Knight what ioy it caused let them iudge which better experience haue made perfit in louers delights The Princesse hauing the sight of her so long desired Knight sent Guenelia to entertaine him and to bring him to her presence The Princesse studying to frame her countenance for his welcome bethought her selfe of sundry meanes eftsoones doubting by her too pleasant and kinde vsage to be thought too forward in loue then what discomfort her heauy lookes might moue to him whom she most desired to please In this quandary fitting on a Pallet leaning her head on her pillowe Guenela hath brought the Knight to her presence who doing his dutie was by the Princesse againe saluted Attending like the guiltie condemned his sentence from her mouth which was to giue him either life or death the Knight thus at an nonplus ouercome with the beholding of the Princesse exellent perfection was by her the mirror of all honor and curtesie remoued out of his dumpes in this maner Sir Pheander whether I should chastice thy presumption in writing so boldly vnto me or no I am not yet resolued but before I acquainted my father therewith I thought good to heare thée speake for that I would not sodeinly disgrace thée whom I haue so often graced as well to heare thy intent committing so great a follie as what thou canst say in excuse thereof Princes are not to be ieasted with nor to be attempted in such maner by their inferiours and therefore thou hast highly erred in that thou hast done and encurred the daunger of our strictest lawes by which thou art already coÌ„demned were thy fact known The Knight standing at the bar where Bewlie sat chiefe Iudge was surprized with so many griefes that he might hardly vtter any word yet reuiued by hope of those comfortable and swéete wordes pronounced by Guenela hée saith Gracious Lady that I haue presumed farre I cannot but acknowledge yet that I haue encurred such punishment as your highnesse inferreth I deny vnlesse death be the guerdon assigned the faithfull for dutifull seruice and entire affection vrged me to séeke thy fauour in loue without which I may not liue so déepely is thy vertuous perfections imprinted in my heart which if I enioy not I desire no longer to breathe Therefore Madame if thou disdaine his loue that liuing dieth continually for thée doo but say the word and this blade so often imbrued in the blood of mine enemies shall sacrifice his maisters owne true heart before thy face that thy cruell selfe maist witnesse to thy selfe how faithfully thy seruant hath loued thée The Princesse gréeued to heare these spéeches moued with great ruth could hardly forbeare sheading of teares yet modestie the ornament of womankinde caused her to feine a counterfeit show of displeasure to him whose teares wroong droppes of blood from her tender heart yet that she might not too sodeinly confesse her hearts desire nor giue him cause of vtter dispaire she saith Pheander that thou maist sée and séeing report in all places where euer thou shalt become of womens pitie I grant thée pardon for thy fault and with my pardon thy life which was wholly in me to dispose For louing me as thy Prince I heartily thanke thée but in séeking to obtaine my loue as thy wife that haue bene denied to diuerse and sundrie Princes in that thou errest let each estate frame themselues in loue to their equall so shall they sooner obtaine their desires and their loues in more tranquilitie be mainteined Thou knowest thy birth how base it is and though for thy vertues it pleased my Princely father to aduance thée who cannot of his Princely nature but rewarde the dâ—serts of the well deseruing If for his good to thée thou séeke to robbe him of his childe therein thou shewest a verie vngratefull minde and laiest open to the world thy base condition Therefore persist to prosecute thy sute let reason vanquish that brain-sicke humor which so afflicts thée in doing which thou shalt shewe thy selfe to be thy selfe For no greater conquest can be atchieued then conquering a mans owne effects Doo this and thou shalt finde Nutania thy faithfull and assured friend who will be as carefull to aduaunce thée as I haue found thée readie to pleasure me Alas good Madame answered the Knight I haue often heard the whole néeds no phisition it is easier far to giue counsell then to take it The full gorged Churle litle regardeth the staruing creature at his gate but madame could you conceiue the least part of many thousand griefes that afflict me you would pitie me at least though you yéelded me no farther fauour If thy heart be not harder then the Adamant pittie me swéete Lady and yéeld thy grace to augment my life or vtterly deny me your fauour for euer I exspect but your answere for my resolution is no other then I haue profest dastards feare to die but the Noble minde preferreth death which endeth all sorrowes before a life to be continued with discontent The Princesse which was at her wits end as full of griefe as he of sorow turned her spéeches from her matter to question him of his Country the maner of the Court and state therof thinking so to be guilde the time and put him off for that season But so long dalied she that she was forced in the end to confesse her loue to be no way inferior to his Thus as I haue said demaunding of the Knight many questions she earnestly entreated him to resolue her whether the Prince Dionicus were such as the world reported him who had name to be a Paragon excelling in all actions required in a Noble man The Prince hearing his name called in question by the Princesse on such a sodaine beléeued verily that she had some secret knowledge of him which made him with blushing chéekes to say what reportes soeuer your Grace hath heard of that Prince Dionicus I know not a subiect I was to his father and ought to speake reuerently of him yet what is truth and not for affection or despighte to say other then I will with my blood auow Wherefore Noble Lady I will truly answere your demaunds The Prince whose father was matchlesse gaining the loue of all men with care and honor mainteined the reputation
of his Countrey which by his carelesse sonne is blemished who neglecting the dutie of a child without regard of father crowne or kingdome exiled himselfe no man knowes where or whether he rest aliue or no since which time the king his father who loued him too dear if fathers loue may be too deare hath likewise absented himselfe and liueth in exile The mother Quéen hath resigned her due to death leauing by losse of those honorable persons their country without a head and their state by subiectes to bée gouerned wherby a ruine of the kingdom is like to ensue all procéeding from the Prince A miserable country is that quoth the Princasse to be lamented but more the losse of so noble a race the father hauing bene such and the sonne as report saith so toward But say good Knight quoth she was there neuer cause supposed of their departures nor did not the father through his harsh demeanor for youth in these times take vnkindly their fathers vnkindnes age is froward which frowardnes might minister great cause of discontent Madam quoth the Knight to my knowledge this I wil say my father being a Courtier in some regard whereby I became familiar with the Prince and as youth will make choise of some one to participate with so it pleased the Prince louing my father wel to vse my company in all his exercises through which I saw his demeanor with such reuerent duetie to the king acknowledged and as kindly requited of the king as on the earth might not bee found loue more perfect til his speach fayling in his mouth he could vtter no more The Princesse giuing héed to each word by him pronounced albeit she sawe the repeating of the Princes life was somewhat cumbersome vnto him yet ceased he not to vrge him to shew such sorrowe in deliuering the storye so of her desired Ah Madame quoth the knight at his departure began our Countries grief and my sorrow from whome in life I could neuer bée seperated such was my loue to him which refused himselfe his Crowne and dignities Adolefull tale hast thou deliuered quoth the Princesse which I perceiue mooueth you to impacience wherefore one demaund and an ende The Prince Dionicus made choyse of you for his companion Then vnder benedicitie let me craue all law of friendship exempted did he not acquaint you with his determinations for me thinkes it is scant credible that such an vnity should be amongst men their loues being so perfect but he should disclose each secret intent whatsoeuer many reasons draweth me to suppose it which I will omit for I perceiue I am too tedious Your Ladiship vrgeth me far yet will I accomplish your request who haue power to commaund me The Gentleman who neuer offended but in committing of this great offence long before his departure hauing belike some motion of desire in his thoughtes became of a pleasant Gentleman the most melancholiest that could be found that quite abolishing all company hée best contented himselfe with his secrete cogitations continuing this homour so long that he fell sicke of an extream Feuer which so encreased vpon him as all Physickes reliefe was quite giuen ouer so that small was the hope of his recouerie whose distresse the kind King with the mother Quéene grieued in such wise to beholde as in shorte time it was hard to be iudged which of the thrée endured most extreames But God that in aduersity sends comfort restored the Prince to some streÌ„gth belike receiuing some comfort in his imaginations by his recouery the King Quéene were both so comforted as in short time they were raised from their sicke cabinets to frolike it amongst their noble subiects who ioyed in nothing so much as in their healthes But how soone the Sunshine of their happinesse was ouershadowed with cloudes of comfortlesse care grieueth me to recount yet dare I not gainsay your Ladiships request The Prince recouered of his maladie made semblance of such content that none but himselfe could witnesse vy the least suspition his hearts discontent yet oftentimes should I being seldome from his company sighing with a number of far fetched sobs heare him say Péerlesse Ladie would my loue were as wel known to thée as to mine own heart then doubtles wouldst thou pitie me which lanquish for thée that art the only Princesse on the earth excelling in al vertues which beautifie the honourable the report of which hath fettered my fancies to thée that I protest to bée thine or neuer mine owne then looking with a gastly loook about him to sée if any ouerheard him hee woulde fall into some other discourse euer applauding y e rare perfections of his mistresse who was vnknowne to all but only to himself I who froÌ„ the first he acquainted with y e same briefly Lady for I weary you with my discourse the loue of his Lady hath drawn him from his country whose absence caused the kings exile the Kings exile the Quéens death The Princesse hearing all these extreams to grow from affection knowing well her owne hearts discontent with a sigh from the déepest which wroong tears from her heart she said Alasse noble Gentleman whose ioy so soone ouerwhelmed hath heaped so many cares vpon me what folly was there in thée that wouldest not disclose thy loue which burned so vehementlie was the dame so base that thou fearest thereby to ignoble thy issue or of such high estate thou doubtest to obtaine her if either by perswasions all griefs might haue bene mittigated if a Monarch why thou by report deseruest her if a begger thou mightest make her noble what ere she were hearing thy distresse could she forbeare to pitie thée No no were her heart more harder then the Diamond it could not choose at y e hearing therof but relent else wel woorthy were she to bée scorned of al Ladies and neuer to bee named amongst the number of women The Prince séeing the Princesse in this pitiful humour thought it good striking wheÌ„ the iron was hot taking the opportunity answered her thus Is your Ladiships censure such of hard-hearted Ladies wil not be entreated of him whose loue to you is no whit inferior to the Pr. Dionicus as himself wold confesse wer he present hard me recount y e many griefs wherwith loue hath afflicted me might he â—e Iudge wold allow me recoÌ„pence for my seruice in loue But Madame if without offence I might demaund this say Nutania the Princesse of Thrace were the Saint vnto whome this vnhappie Prince had vowed his deuotions and that all the passions he hath endured are for your loue would you vouchsafe him loue in recompence thereof The Princesse driuen to her shiftes at this demaund could not tell what to answere yet sharpening her wittes as women can doe she said Pheander Loue is not to bée dallied with as I haue heard them say which speake by experience therefore I cannot directly answere thy question but were
couer y e blushing of her face as ashamed of what she had to say vnto him in reuealing her owne griefe she said Famous Prince whome the world applaudeth and our Courtiers of Thrace with wonder do admire that I loued thée being Pheander I cannot deny and how many iarres I endured for thée I omit each particuler wringing tears from my heart which how willing so euer it was to haue made the same knowne modestie restrained laying before me many wrongs offred in Ladies loue by such periured knights as haue profest with their toongs what their harts neuer ment wherby diuers Ladies of honor haue bene dishonored sundry lost their liues which considered blame me not if I rather chuse to die then passe the bandes of modestie so farre as seeke thy loue or knowing thy grief to blame mine yéeld before I heard thée auow on thine honor what thy letters imported But gentle Prince that thou maist better beléeue what I report how much soeuer my heart hath denied to reueale perswade thée if I loued thée being Pheander and a counterfeyt merchant assure you I cannot hate thée for that thou art Dionicus the one a Prince the other an inferiour of whose loue were I assured and that his tongue and heart agreed in one Dionicus should be in loue so requited as neuer any should haue interest in Nutanias heart but the péerlesse Prince of Numedia At vttering of which teares restrained her spéech which y e Prince noted and perceiuing that she spake what her heart thought he â—omforted her thus Faint not Madame neither sorrow for those comfortable confections bestowed on a dying creature whose fauors hath haled him from the graue whereunto he was like to haue bene swallowed had not thy comfort reclaimed mée who liuing died for thy loue which grace shall neuer be forgotten And that you shall assure you my faith and loue is firme and honorable I protest by that honor that euer the Numedian Prince hath regarded that my loue to the Princesse Nutania is no other but honourable nor neuer none hath had any interest in Dionicus or euer shall but the onely bewtifull and verteous Princesse Nutania and on that take here my hand and with my hand the heart loue and honor of a Prince Guenela lending an eare to this prattle hearing them so earnest to put them from their melancholy tooke the word at aduantage and comming sodeinly to them said Madame at finishing of bargains they shake hands if there be any exchange betwéene your knight and you you were best to take witnesse least disliking the match he recant his word Guenela quoth the Prince your Lady is beholding to thée for thy care and I your debter challenge it when you please Sir quoth Guenela I thank you but wilt please you remember your promise excuse Guenela quoth the Princesse without my Lord y â— Prince his further intreaty I pardon al faults committed against me for confirmation of which get your Lawyer to draw an acquittance generall from the beginning of the world and I will signe it Nay Madame answered Guenela it were an euil seruant that will not take her mistresse worde for a dozen or two of stripes which I am sure had bene the most and if they should light on my ribbes might well grieue me slay me they could not my heart is of more valour then so But Madame shal Sir Pheander marie the Princesse Nutania that you call him your Lord the Prince if that be the bargaine I feare there is some fire in the strawe And howe then quoth the Princesse Nay Madame quoth Guenela nothing but I pray God giue you much ioy and make you happy in your loue While they were thus pleasant a page brought word that diuers Ladies were come to visite the Princesse which caused them how loth so euer after manie swéet imbracings and louing kisses betwéene them enterchanged to giue each other the farewel parting better content then they came together hauing vnburthened their heartes of much griefes giuing content to both by yéelding to loue which vanquished both whome to their pleasing imaginations I leaue to recount the Kinges of Thrace and Thessalie their pastimes in hunting These Kinges following the chace with great pleasure as pastime they greatly delighted were so wearied with the same and toiled with the extremity of heate which made them choose some place vnder the shadowe of the spreading trées to refresh themselues where they had not long rested but they were espied of an ancient woman the widdow of good yeâ—man and her sonne who hauing workmen not farre from thence were carrying them victuals The poore aged woman hauing séene as she thought vnséene the kings doubting they were some of those robbers that haunted those mountains woulde haue shifted from them another way but were interrupted of the King who suddeinly calling them draue them both into such a shaking feare as they which are ouerburthened with a feauer The King who graciously regarded their timmorousnesse comforted them with all the fauourable spéeches he could vse protesting vnto them that in their company they should receiue no discurtesie by none if the King himselfe were present and therefore willed them to set feare apart and to tell them what they were the cause of their feare and their businesse they had that way These honorable spéeches of the King mildly vttered comforted them wherefore in such blunt manner as her bringing vp required shée sayd Gentlemen for so you séeme if your inward conditions answere your outward habit as many in this age doeth whose garments might become men of great worth if apparell may make a man more worthie yet diuerse times couer those carkases voyd either of worship honestie or other good condition Pardon my harsh behauiour gentle sir and blame me not for auoiding the way experience haâ—â— taught me to eschue harmes who to my cost haue dearly paid for my learning hauing my goods spoiled at home and my self family dangered abroad and without offence may I speak it by such whose countenance and attire might wel haue deceiued them of more iudgement then my selfe The King delighted with her plaine spéeches demanded where she dwelled and whether she had a husband or liued a widow Oh sir if any gentilnesse abide in you quoth she vrge me not to deliuer a tale of such ruth as your questions import The remembrance of my passed pleasant life when I call to minde with the cares I now am combred with many sundry wayes are so displeasing vnto my gréeued heart as I may not without many teares shed recount the same These words spoken in heauinesse noted of the King made him more importunate to heare the rest and therfore willed her all feare set apart to reueale vnto him what estate she liued in and if any wrongs were offred hir he protested by oathes which might haue bene well beléeued to remedie it yea if it were the King himselfe The carefull widow encouraged by
with grief WheÌ„ they had passed some time in parley about their affaires and that some offers were made by these Nobles of their ayde and assistance a generall Councell was called where by consent of such as had gouernment vnderstanding the power of Donatio the vsurper was no more but such as guarded his holdes it was determined after the army had refreshed themselues two or thrée daies to martch forewarde to the Cittie there to beleager the King and cut off from them all supply of prouision for victualles whereof they had small store In the meane time the Lordes of Thessaly to giue notise to all their friends with all spéede as they tendered their owne liberties to repaire with such power as they could make vnto the Campe. This deuise was no sooner determined on but the Noble Mama Bacha without returning to the King spared not his paines and all others which hée could command or entreate proclaiming in euery place as they passed Theophilus their lawful king straightly charging all naturall subiects of Thessaly to make repaire vnto the Campe. These tydings at first were hardly beléeued yet such was the rumour of a forreine power landed that all which could beare Armes repaired to the King whome they founde at the assault of the Cittie where the vsurper kept such was the multitudes of people which from all countries in his Regions came vnto him that in short time he had power sufficient to ouerrunne a kingdome The vsurper Donatio who had least thought euer to heare or sée the Thessalian King when the report of his being in the Campe was brought vnto him his courage quailed and his hope of enioying the Crowne was quite extinguished so that dispairing he became lyke a man lunatike that nothing whatsoeuer might moue him to any mirth or content so that giuing ouer all he cared not what became of himselfe or his yâ—t was he carefully counselled by his Nobles who regarded both his honour and their owne safetie but whatsoeuer they might counsell or determine was ill imployd at his hands was nothing to be had wherefore after they saw his small care and that he was not to be aduised they determined either in field with vnappoynted battell to try their fortunes or by some such composition as might be for their Courtries safetie and their reputation to giue ouer their tytle pretended to the Crowne of Thessaly Before that any thing was of them resolued the Mayden Knight which had his minde on his Lady as well as of other affaires could not rest in content vntill he had finished and either gained what they came for or séene the euent of fortune Wherefore to auoyd further delaies hée summoned the Citie to parley wherein he required their answere whether they would receiue their lawfull King or no if yea they should suffer him in peace to enter or otherwise vpon their answere to abide the hazard incident to Armes which he protested should be voyd of all fauour if he preuailed and they refused this offer of his These summons caused the Nobilitie to looke with better aduise into their estates and with consideration to wey each particuler perill which they found to be very many and daungerous especially séeing the multitude who were naturall subiects and did rather affect their owne King how so euer they professed in outward appearance then the vsurper which made them the more earnest with their King vnto whom they declared the offers made by the Maiden Knight with y â— doubts they had of his successe who were nothing in number to the Kings power which daily increased and contrary his decreased wherfore they aduised him to yéeld vnto such Articles of honour as they would require which should be both for his honour and safetie of him and his The vsurper hearing these perswasions from them wheron his chéefest hope consisted forgetting all former friendship and loue to any of them with most odious words reuiled them calling them traytors dastards and vpbraiding them with cowardise which were neuer founde but euer forward in all his actions onely this excepted wherin was no hope These spéeches moued his Nobles to such furie that departing from him in discontent they resolued for their owne safetie to séek what means they could and not by delaies to incurre his displeasure whose friendship they were by all meanes they could vse to intreat Wherfore in name of all the rest the Lord Philiago principall Treasuror vnto the King by whose direction the rest would be gouerned sent for the Princesse Phedera from prison whom he vsed with honorable spéeches comforting her with hope of her kingly brother who liued and was in person come with a strong power to deliuer her from that captiuitie which so long she endured humbly beséeching her grace to become a fauourable soliciter to his Highnesse for them who were to be commaunded by their soueraigne whose subiects they were protesting that neither for enuy to him or his they vndertooke the action but at commaundment and to auoyde the ignomious tytle of cowardize which all of honorable birth or mind ought to detest The good Princesse which could not tell whether she might giue credit to his words or no answered him thus My Lord Philiago vnder the gréenest grasse lurketh the most perillous poyson and experience hath taught me in my durance the knowledge of friends these sodeine offers of loue to my brother whom you all know is long sithence dead causeth me the more to dread I am going to him and that your proffered friendship is but to that end to bereaue mée of that which long since I wished to leaue if it bée so good my Lorde hyde not the truth thereof from mée for therein shall you shewe your charitable minde to a distressed Captiue Farre be it from my thought Noble Ladie quoth Philiago that I should any way delude you or moue you to credit any thing other then truth whom I haue my greatest hope of good to assure you of which so pleaseth your Exellence I will my selfe bring you to his Maiesties presence When the Princesse heard him make these proffers of fauours and perceiued by his iesture he did not counterfeyt ouercome with ioy she was in a traunce from which reuiued by the carefull industry of the Lady Vrania wife to the Lord Philiago shée gaue the Noble man great thanks for his tydings assuring him on her word that she would so recompence that good as hée nor his should haue any cause to complaine of her vngratefulnesse Vrging him with her curteous spéech to detract no time but to bring her to the Campe where the King was which he willingly yéelded vnto and causing a stately Charyot to be ordeined and richly apparrelling the Princesse as befitteth her accompanied with his Ladie and two daughters of rare bewtie himselfe wayting on her disrobed issued out of the gates and in short time came neare the Campe and were by the Sentronelles discouered and brought to the
due to a murtherer and reuēge your kings death by taking my life which had I a million of thousands liues could not make satisfactiō for my euil committed against you Here teares interrupting him denyed his tongue libertie of spéech whose lamentation filled all the nobles with such heauinesse as for teares they could not vtter a word especially the King whose grief being great was encreased by his dolefull lament yet casting of this womanish humor drying his eyes doubting the nobles and those present shuld accuse him of fear dreading to die wherunto we are all born with a soft voice tenderly wringing the Mayden Knight by the hand hée saith Noble Gentleman cease thy heauinesse thy griefe so augments mine that the thought thereof wrings teares from my heart thy vnwilling offence with my heart I forgiue and to shew how deare in life thou wast vnto me my good Pheander accept at my dying hand my kingdom of Thessaly the lawfull inheritance of thy faithfull friend loue those people my kind subiects so gouern them with fauour and lenity as they haue no cause to complain of my dead course for my life which by thy hand through y ◠apointmēt of him that gaue it me I must leaue I heartily forgiue thée and accursed be he or them which shal euer impute i◠vnto thée in dishonour any fault against me committed That thou louedst mée thy tender care of my good hath shewed suche proofes as tyed me in true friendship to be thine for euer Death is not so irkesome vnto me but that I must leaue thée and the swéete content I receiued in thy company grief of my deaths grief my own Pheander compelleth me omit what I would say wherefore briefly thus Forget not thy dying friend and shew that loue to my Lord Cariolus whom for thy sake I haue to this Crowne of Egipt aduanced as I euer found and in extremes comfort him with thy aide as thou hast done me my sister Phedera forget not whom to thy charge I commit leauing her to thée and thée to be in my place a brother who liuing loued her as my hope is thou wilt And so deare friends heauens blessednes befall you all and so prosper you as I loued you And you Pheres of Egipt and Thessaly whose loue I haue found as subiects in all dutifull maner let be continued vnto these your elected Kings who will with honour gouerne you so shall the giuer of all happinesse blesse your lands with the blessing of peace and plenty for they that honor their king doth reuerence the Lord who created him and he wil giue them plenteous rewards Noble Gentlemen griefe cutteth me off flesh must yéeld to earth how loath soeuer the mightiest death hath vanquished Therefore as my Vltenam vale remember my words and pray God to send vs the abundance of his grace that we may through his mercy haue a ioyfull méeting in his kingdome that neuer shall haue end I féele the heauy messenger approaching therefore farwell to thée my deare sister whom I charge as thou louedst mée liuing be louing and kinde to thy husband doing him that honor is due vnto him thy children bring vp in fear of their maker and so God blesse thée with happinesse And thou Pheander vnto me no creature in life more deare remember my parting spéeches loue the Lord Cariolus as I haue loued thée and thou my adopted brother Cariolus honour him during thy life that I am sure faithfully tendered and loued thée so shall God be pleased for no sin in sight of his diuine deitie is more intollerable then that monstrous vice of Ingratitude which for auoyding the heauy wrath of of God I wish thée eschue Nobles and you all my very good friends to exhort you to remember your duties whose wisdomes is more then I will recount were a matter friuolous and perhaps may moue some offence yet take my simple meaning which speake to you that haue ouer-loued me which loue let be continued honor your Kings with reuerence and loue for what you do to them is done to God which are his Vize-Regents on earth and his annoynted Moue no rebelliō nor be mainteiner of euil for such faults how secret so euer God will to your ouerthrowes reueale Remember his word which hath commanded you to be obedient without murmuring and feare him which gouerneth all I can say no more my spéech faileth me therefore generally my Lords farewell and so turning his weak bodie to the wall surrendered his soule to the heauens from whence it had his being to the intollerable griefe of all his subiects who with many brinish tears lamented his death but especially the Knight Pheander and Cariolus whose marriage the louing King honoured with his funerall which in the most honourablest maner Art or honor could deuise was solemnized lamented generally of all his subiects but especially the Egyptians who more dearly loued him for his clemency then their owne naturall King The funerall finished a Parliament was sommoned in which time the Mayden Knight so preuailed with the Nobles of Thessaly and Egipt that by common consent of the whole assembly in both houses temporall and spirituall the regiment of both kingdomes was deliuered vnto the Lord Cariolus and the Mayden Knight resigned his interest for euer vnto him and the Lady who was lawfull inheritrix vnto the same The Parliament proroged according to the custome of the Country great preparation was made for the Coronation which in most solemne and honourable manner was accomplished with so many sundry showes and delightfull pleasures as might weary you to reade Let it suffice to the great ioy of both Realmes all things to so honorable an action was so exquisitely performed as no man but tooke great delight in beholding therof praying with an vniuersall voice for their long liues to be in happinesse amongst them continued Thus all things to the ioy of the noble Pheander accomplish and to the high content of the King Cariolus and his Quéen by the aduise of the Mayden Knight an election was made of a Vizeroy to goe for Thessaly the King making choyce of two euils the least conceiuing this opinion of the naturall subiects of Thessalie that they would liue in their dutifull obeisance when a conquered nation gathering hed vppon many light occasions was easily drawne to reuolt These considerations with great wisdom weyed the Lord Fardinand one of the priuy Councell of Thessaly was elected for that gouernment vnto whome the King after his Commission signed and honorable gifts giuen so wisely exhorted to obedience and care of his loue and dutie that as many of the nobles as were present and noted the same admired him reioysing that God had prouided so for them to leaue them in the gouernment of so toward a Prince of whom so much ensuing happinesse was exspected Order taken for his affaires of waight the Vizeroy imbarqued for Thessaly and his Nobles departed each one to their seuerall mantions
The aged father ouer worne with griefe and long trauell was so much altered in his face as he that had wel known him might very well haue mistaken his feature which made the King who oftentimes had noted his comely person his Pilgrimes attire and other ornaments to religious belonging greatly to affect him litle suspecting it was the aged Barnardine But as time reuealeth greatest secrets and bringeth friends to knowledge so the King taking pleasure beholding this Pilgrime noted him so often that his phisiognemy to his memory presented the feature of his beloued Barnardine which imagined thought began to take such roote in the King as he greatly desired to haue some conference with the Pilgrime euermore perswading himselfe that it was his noble Tutor and carefull Phisition To assure him of that doubt he determined to haue knowledge of the aged man if he might and for that intent caused his Pages to giue diligent héed if they sawe him in the Court to bring him tydings thereof which they did according to his Maiesties commandement attending with such care at that vsuall time he was accustomed to come that he passed not of them vnperceiued whereof they gaue the King intelligence by whose commaund hée was sommoned to his Presence The aged Pilgrime at this first somance of the messenger was in such dread of wrong to be offered him as hée greatly feared some ill to betide him knowing that Princes haue many eyes and strangers are markes how poore so euer their estates are specially frequenting the Court as he did yet he whose conscience could not accuse him of any euill intent against the King had this hope that God whom he serued doth protect the innocent and would deliuer him Thus casting his care on him that commandeth Kings not without many imaginations what should be the cause he came vnto the Kings Presence vnto whom as one that knew his good he prostrated himselfe praying hartily for the Kings prosperitie The King which saw the old man bowing before him kindly tooke him from the ground tendring his age which he honored whom the more he noted the more the louely face of his beloued Barnardine presents it vnto his memory the thought of whom caused his heart to much sorrow yet shaking off griefe of father kingdome and friend he sayd Aged father in whose face appeareth grauitie tel me of that dutifull loue thou owest thy most beloued friend of what Countrey thou art and what fortunes hath brought thée to this region that honoring thée whose age requireth the same I may further thy sutes if thou haue any or wanting wealth I may leléeue thée The wofull Pilgrime reuiued by those honorable spéeches of the King sayd Renowmed Prince the mirror of honor of whose fame the world is filled to satisfie your Exellence know that occasions of importance thereunto mouing me I forsooke my natiue Countrey in search of those whom my fortune was neuer yet to méete yet haue I trauelled many kingdomes and in my trauell haue séene many Princes Courts and noted their seuerall demeanors yet moste gracious soueraigne neuer tooke I pleasure in any as in this Countrey of Thrace the nobles especially giuing me cause to admire them whose minds shew their true Gentilitie as the frute maketh the tree knowne in which taking delight I haue though more then beseemeth a stranger so often frequented thy Court wherewith if your grace take any offence I humbly beséech your pardon which am now readie to depart The King which had heard that tongue so often reade him many Lectures and giuen him instructions of honor was not deceiued him though albeit he forbear to acknowknowledge him whom he desired so hartily to sée vnto whom he was more welcom then any man liuing yet concealing himselfe he said Father thanks for thy loue and honorable report of our realme and people for which I rest thy debter But say me aged man of what Countrey art thou and what account were those friends with thée whom thou with such trauell hast sought whether thyallies or thy friends by adoption At this motion of the King the old man ouercome with the thoughts of those of whom his pittifull tale was to be told could not forbeare teares which with such aboundance of sobbes and heauy sighes were vttered that it moued the King to great ruth séeing those siluer haires which he honored bedeawed with sault droppes the witnesse of his his discontent Wherefore like the carefull Phisitian hauing ministred bitter Pilles to his Pacient seasoneth the same with some swéeter tast he comforteth y e aged Barnardine with words so pleasing that it cheared the old man yet would not pardon his report which caused him say Famous King if pittie of my age may any way mooue you vrge not my faltering tongue to vtter a tale of suche ruth as it importeth the remembrance whereof ouercloyeth me with sorrow and will bring your Exellence small delight Therefore soueraigne Prince pardon me which cannot reueale the truth of so pittifull a tale as yet without the hazard of my life my heart so ouercharged with griefe that to thinke thereon halleth me neare to death then pardon me But how loath so euer the King might not be entreated whom with such pleasing spéech he halled on that comforted by his maiesties kind words whom he would not gainsay he sayd sithence nothing may perswade your Exellence to pittie mée accept in woorth my rudenesse and pardon it Which sayd humbly doing his dutie as one that could his good he thus procéeded Dread Lord know Numedia is my natiue soyle where through the grace of my thrise noble Prince I consumed my youth in that happinesse fauoured by his fauour with the best of account in that Region so graced by the King that he committed y ◠gouernment of his deare sonne more deare to him then his life to be trained vp by me of whom as dutie willed me I had that care as is required of a subiect to his Lord ioying in nothing the world possesseth so much as in the towardnesse of the Prince whose verteous youth might be a loadstarre to all that euer I saw for curtesie matchlesse bountifull as Tymon more valiant then Hector or the best deseruing y ◠liued cunning was he in the liberall Artes what should I say of him whose honourable praise no tongue can with such commendations vtter as his honors and vertues requireth so generally beloued of all men that death is more swéeter to many thousandes of his subiects then the remembrance of that Noble Prince Here teares restrained his spéech that he could not vtter a word standing so astonied that he rather represented the Image of death then a liuing creature whom the King put from his heauy passion thus Father thou hast filled my heart with a worlde of wonders at thy strange talke which I coniure thée of that loue thou owest the Prince whom thou sorrowest so to remember not to leaue in such abrupt maner but