Knight gyrt his Sword round about him and stood on Thornes till hee was set forward to seeke Martiall aduentures Hereupon these two Knights departed toward England and performed many noble deeds of Chiualrie by the way But amongst all others being in the Turkish Court this is worthy to bée noted for with one Boxe of the eare the Blacke Knight killed the Turkes Sonne starke dead for which cause by treason were their liues conspired and the following night had their Lodging entred by twelue of the Turkes Guard with an intent to murther them but by reason of the inchaunted Ring in the which they put both their little fingers the Guard of a sodaine fell all fast in a traunce hereupon the two Knights departed the Turkish Court But no sooner were they out of the Citie but a troupe of armed Knights pursued them and followed them so néerely that they were forced to enter a Castle that stood by the Sea side wherein no creature had abyding comming to the Gate the Fayerie Knight with his Sword strucke thereat an it presently opened wherein being no sooner entred but the armed Knights of the Turkish nation closed them fast in and caused the Gates to bée walled vp with Free Stone and so departed Now were these two Knights in more danger of death then euer they had beene in all their liues and sure they had starued had not good pollicie preserued their liues for the Castle walles were so high that none durst venture downe without great danger As in greatest extreamity mans wit is the quickest for inuention so the two Knights cut off all the Hayre from their heads which were very long and therewithall made along â—ooâ—sted Line or Cord with the which they slid from the top of the Wall to the Ground But this mischaunce hapned as the Fayerie Knight glyded downe the Coard broke and his body tooke such a violent blow against the stonie Ground that it strucke the breath quite out of his body no life by the Blacke Knight could bee perceiued but that his soule was for euer diuided This of all misfortunes was held the extreamest therefore in great griefe hee breathed foorth this lamentation Oh you partiall Fates quoth hee Oh you vniust Destinies Why haue you reft two liues by wounding one Now let the Sunne forbeare his wonted light Let Heate and Coulde let Drought and Moysture let Earth and Ayre let Fire and Water be all mingled and confounded together let that old confused Chaos returne againe and heere let the World end And now you Heauens this is my request that my Soule may presently forsake this flesh I haue no soule of mine owne for it is the soule of the Fayerie Knight for but one Soule is common to vs both then how can I liue hauing my Soule departed which spightfull death hath now separated Oh thou my Knightly brother though the Fates deny to giue thée life yet in spight of them I le follow thée You Heauens receiue this halfe soule of my true Friend and let not life and death part vs with Eagles wings will I flye after him and in Ioues celeâ—â—iall Throane ioyne with him in friendship We two in life were but one one will one heart one minde one Soule made vs one one life kept vs both aliue one being dead drawes the other vnto death therefore as wee liued in loue so will we dye in loue and with one Graue wee may interre both our bodyes How glorious and happy were my death to dye with my beloued friend Now doe I loath this life in liuing alone without my deare Brother whereupon drawing his Sword from his side hée sayd Oh thou wofull Weapon euen thou shalt be the meane to ridde my soule from this prison of body Oh faith vnfaigned Oh hand of sacred friendship I am resolued both with the force of Heart Hand and Armes to giue my Heart deaths deadly wound for now my noble Fayerie Knight this blood I offer vp vnto thy Soule But being ready with his Sword to pierce his owne heart hée saw a liuely blood spread in his friends face and those eyes that were so dolefully closed vp began now to looke abroad and the countenance that was so pale and wan receiued a fresh complexion whereupon the Blacke Knight stayed from his desperate resolution and from a bloody tragedian became the recouerer of his brothers life who after a while began to be perfect sencible so binding his bruzed bones together they went a Shipboard on a Shippe that lay at anchor at the next Port making for England so the next morning the wind serued well the Pilots hoysted sayle merily floting on the waters Ten wéekes had not passed toward the finishing of a yéere before they ariued on the Chaulkie cliftes of England vpon which they had no sooner set footing but with their warme lippes they gently kissed the cold earth This is the Land of promised glory said the Fayerie Knight to finde this Land I haue indured many miseries to find this Land I haue passed many Countries and in this Land must I seale vp the last quittance of my life here shal my bones rest for I am lawfully descended from the loynes of an English Knight peace bee in my ende for all my dayes haue béene spent in much trouble In such like discourses left they the shore side trauayling further into the Land they met with one of King Arthurs Knights named Sir Launcelat Dulake so old and lame that through his bruises in chiualry hée séemed rather an impotent creature then a Knight at Armes yet at the sight of these two aduenturous Knights his blood séemed to grow young and hée that before could not march a mile on foote for a Kingdome now went as tiuely as any of the two other Knights did First came they to London where for their fathers sake they were by the Gouernours most gallantly entertained the stréets were hung round with Arras hangings and Tape strie workes Pagiants were builded vp in euery stréet the Condâ—nts ran with Wine and a solemne Holy-day was then proclaimed to be kept yearely vpon that day To speake of Banquets prepared for them the Tilts and Turnaments and such honourable graces I thinke néedlesse In London in great content stayed they some twenty dayes in which time came noble messengers from the Court to conduct them to the King that then raigned for since the Blacke Knight and his mother departed the Land hapned thrée changes euery one maintaining the ancient honour of King Arthurs Knights of the Round Table whereof these two in presence of all the Nobilitie were in Knightly sort created After this the King ordained a solemne Iusting to be kept in his Court held in great honour for fortie dayes to which Knightly sports resorted the chiefest flowers of Chiualrie from all Countries as Kings Princes Dukes Marquesses â—arles Lords and Knights and for chiefe Challenger and Champion for the Countrey was the Fayerie Knight who for his matchlesse man-hood therein showne had this title giuen him by a generall consent to bee called The Worlds Wonder After this being desirous to sée the Citie of Lincolne where the Red-rose Knight was borne hee in company of his Brother true friend the Blacke Knight and old sit Lancelat Dulake rod thither at whose comming into the Citie the great Bell called Tom a Lincolne was rung an houre which as then was seldome showne to any excepting Kings and renowned warriours returning victoriously from bloody â—attles Here builded they a most sumptuous Minster which to this day remaines in great magnificence and glory Likewise here builded they a most stately Tombe in remembrance of their Parents the like as then no place of England afforded Thus hauing left the noble feats of Chiualry they liued a life zealous and most pleasing to God erecting many Alms-houses for poore people giuing thereto great Wealth and Treasure And when nature ended their dayes they were buried in the same Minster both in one Tombe which likewise was so richly set vp with Pillars of Gold that aboue all otâ—er Cities it grew the most famous whereupon since that time hath this old Prouerbe of thrée Cities grâ—wn common which is vsed in these words Lincolne was London is and Yorke shall be FINIS R. I.
their Loues practises Thus liued the most fayre Angelica many dayes in great griefe wishing his returne and desiring Heauen that the Destinies might be so fauourable that once againe before the fatall Sisters had finished her life she might behold her Infants face for whose presence her very soule thirsted for Here will we leaue the solitary Lady comfortlesse and without company except it were the King that sometimes visited herby stealth and report what happened to Tom a Lincolne in the Shepheards house CHAP. II. Of the manner of Tom a Lincolnes bringing vp and how he first came to be called the Red-rose Knight with other things that hapned to him GReat was the wealth that old Antonio gathered together by meanes of the Treasure hee found about the Infants attire whereby hee became the richest in all that Country and purchast such Lands and Liuings that his supposed Sonne for wealth was déemed a fit match for a Knights Daughter Yet for all this his bringing vp was but meane and in a homely sort for after he had passed ten yeares of his age hee was set to kéepe Antonioes Shéepe and to follow Husbandry whereby he grew strong and hardy and continually gaue himselfe to painefull endeauours imagining and deuising haughty and great enterprises yet notwithstanding was of honest and vertueus conditions well featured valiant actiue quick and nimble sharpe witted and of a ripe iudgement hée was of a valiant and inuincible courage so that from his Cradle and infancie it séemed he was vowed to Mars and martiall exploits And in his life and manners is decâ—phered the Image of true Nobilitie for though hee obâ—curely liued in a Countrey Cottage yet had he a superious mind aiming at state and maiestie bearing in his breast the princely thoughts of his Father For on a time keeping Cattell in the Field amongst other yong men of his age and condition he was chosen in sport by them for their Lord or Knight and they to attend on him like dutifull Seruants and although this their election was but in play yet he whose spirits were rauished with great and high matters first procuted them to sweare to him loyalty in all things and to obey him as a King where or when it should please him in any matter to command them to which they all most willingly condescended Thus after they had solemnly taken their oathes he perswaded them to leaue that base and seruile kinde of life séeking to serue in Warre and to follow him being the Generall the which through perswasion they did and so leauing their Cattell to their Fathers and Masters they assembled all together to the full number of a hundred at the least vnto whom he seuerally gaue certaine Red Roses to be worne for colours in their Hattes and commanded them that euer after hee should be called the Red-rose Knight So in this manner departed he with his followers vnto Barnsedale Heath where they pitched vp Tents and liued long time vpon the robberies and spoyles of passengers in so much that the whole Country were greatly molested by them This disordered life so highly displeased the Parents of these vnruly Outlawes that many of them died with griefe but especially of all other old Antonio tooke it in ill part considering how dearely hee louâ—d him and how tenderly hee had brought him vp from his infancy therefore he purposed to practise a meane to call him from that vnciuill kinde of life if it might possible be brought to passe so in his old dayes vndertaking this tasking hee trauelled towards Barnsedale Heath into which being no sooner entred but some of the ruder sort of these Outlawes ceased vpon the old man and without any further violence brought him before their Lord and Captain who at the first sight knew him to be his Father as he thought and therefore vsed him most kindly giuing him the best entertainement that hee could deuise where after they had some small time conferred together the good old man brake out into these spéeches Oh thou degenerate quoth he from natures kind Is this thy duty to thy fathers age thus disobediently to liue â—â—cunding thy naturall Countrey with vnlawfull spoyles Is this the comfort of mine age is this thy loue vnto thy Parents whoâ—e tender care hath béen euer to aduance thy estate Canst thou behold these milke-white Hayres of mine all to rent and torne which I haue violently martyred in thy absence Canst thou indure to see my dim Eyes almost sightlesse through age to droy downe Teares at thy disobedient féete Oh wherefore hast thou infringed the Lawes of Nature thus cruelly to kill thy fathers heart with griefe and to end his dayes by thy vitiâ—uâ— life Returne returne deare Child banish from thy breast these base actions that I may lay I haue a vertuous Sonne and be not like the viperous brood that workes the vntimely death of their Parents And speaking these words griefe so excéeded the bounds of Reason that hee stood silent and beginning againe to speake teares trickled from his eyes in such abundance that they stayed the passage of his spéech the which being perceiued by the Red-rose Knight he humbly sell vpon his knées and in this sort spake vnto good Antonio Most deare and reuerent Lather if my offence doe séeme odious in your eyes that I deserue no forgiuenesse then here behold now your poore inglorious Sonne laying his breast open ready prepared to receiue Deaths remorselesse stroke from your aged hands as a due punishment for this my disobedient crime but to be reclaimed from this honorable kind of life I count it honourable because it taketh of manhood first shall the Sun bring day from out the Westerne Heauens the siluer Moone lodge her brightnesse in the Easterne waues and all things else against both kind and nature turne their wonted â—â—urse Well then quoth Antonio if thy resolution bee such that neither my bitter teares nor my faire intâ—â—aties may preuaile to withdraw thy vaine folly then know then most vngratious impe that thou art no Sonne of mine but sprung from the bowels of some vntanted Tyger or wild Liâ—nesse elâ—e wouldst thou humbly submit thy selfe to my reuerent perswasions from whence thou camest I know not but sure thy breast harbours the tyranny of some monstrous Tyrant from whose â—oynes thou art naturally descended Thou art no fruite of my body for I found thee in thy infancy lying in the Fields cast out as a prey for rauening Fowles ready to bee deuowred by hunger-starued Dogges but such was my pitty towards thée that I tooke thee vp and euer since haue fostered thee as mine owne Child but now such is thy vnbridled folly that my kind curtesie is requited with extreame ingratitude which sinne aboue all others the immortall powers of Heauen doe condemne and the very Diuels themselues doe hate therefore like a Serpent henceforth will I spit at thee and neuer cease to make incessant prayers to the iustfull Heauens to reuenge
the relentlesse sound of angry Drummes which thunders threats from a Massaker yet could hee like an Dratour as well discourse a Louers History therefore requesting the Red-rose Knight and the other English Gentlemen to sit downe and listen to the Tale that followeth The pleasant History which Sir Lancelot du Lake told to the Red-rose Knight being a Ship-boord AT that time of the yeare when the Birds had nipt away the tawny leaues and Flora with her pleasant Flowers had enricht the earth and encloathed with Trees Hearbs and Flowers with Natures Tapistrie when the golden Sunne with his glistering Beames did glad mens hearts and euery Leafe as it were did beare the forme of Loue by Nature painted vpon it This blessed time did cause the Grecian Emperour to proclaime a solemne Turnament to bee holden in his Couet which as then was replenished with many worthy and valiant Knights but his desire chiefely was to beholde his Princely Sonne Valentine to try his Ualour in the Turnament Many were the Ladies that repayred thither to beholde the worthy Triumphes of this young Prince amongst which number came the beautifull Dulcippa a Mayden which as then wayted vpon the Empresse being Daughter to a Countrey Gentleman This Dulcippa like Apollos Flower being the fayrest Uirgin in that company had so firmely setled her loue vpon the Emperours sonne that it was impossible to expell it from her heart Likewise his affection was no lesse in feruencie then hers so that there was a iust equality in their Loues and liking though a difference in their Birthes and Callings This Princely Valentine for so was the Emperours Sonne called entred the Listes in costly Armour most richly wrought with Orient Pearles his Crest encompassed with Saphire Stones and in his hand a sturdie Launce Thus mounted vron a milke-white Stéede hee vaunted foorth himselfe to try his warlike force and in prauncing by and downe hée many times thorow his Beuer stole a view of his sayre Dulciopas face at which time there kindled in his Breast two sundry Lampes the one was to winne the honour of the day the other to obtaine the loue of his Mistresse On the other side Dulcippa did nothing but report the valiant arts of his prowesse and chiualrie in such sort that there was no other talke amongst the Ladies but of Valentines honourable attempts No sooner was the Turnaments ended and this loue begun but Dulcippa departed to her lodging where sighes did serue as bellowes to kindle Leues fire Valentine in like manner being wounded to death still rometh vp and downe to finde a salue for his stanchlesse thirst so séekes Dulcippa to restore her former liberty for she being both beloued and in loue knew not the meane to comfort her selfe Sometime she did exclaime against her wandring eyes wished they had bin blind when first they gazed vpon the beauty of Princely Valentine Some times in visious the beheld his face chéerefull smiling vpon her countenance and presently againe shée thought she saw his martiall hands bathed all in purple blood scorning her loue and former courtesies With that shee started from her dreaming passion wringing her tender hands till flouds of siluer dropping teares trickled downe her face Her golden haire that had wont to be bound vp in thréeds of gold hung dangling now about her Iuory necke the which in most outragious sort she rent and tore till that her haire which before lookt like burnisht Gold were died now in purple and Uermillion bloud In this strange passion remained this distressed Lady till the Golden Sunne had thrée times lodged him in the Westerne Seas and the siluer Moone her shining face in the Pallace of the Christall Cloudes At this time a heauy slumber possessed all her senses for she whose eyes before in three dayes and as many nights had not shut vp their Closets was now lockt vp in silent sléepe lest her heart euer burthened with griefe by some vntimely manner should destroy it selfe But now returne wee to the worthy Valentine who sought not to pine in passion but to court it with the best considering with himselfe that a faint heart neuer gain'd faire Lady therfore hée purposed boldly to discouer his loue to the faire Dulcippa building vpon a fortunate successe considering that she was but Daughter to a Gentleman and he a Prince borne so attiring himselfe in costly Silkes wearing in his Hatte an In dian Pearle cut cut of Ruby red On eyther side a golden Arrow thrust through a bleeding Heart to declare his earnest affection In this manner went he to his belooued Lady whom he found in company of other Ladies waighting upon the Empresse who taking her by the hand he led her aside into a Galery néere adioyning where he began in this manner to expresse the passion of his loue Sacred Dulcippa quoth hee in beauty brighter then glittering Cinthia when with her beames shee beautifies the vales of Heauen Thou art that Cinthia that with thy brightnesse dost sight my clowoy thoughtes which haue many dayes been ouer cast with stormy showers of Loue Shine with thy beames of mercie on my minde and let thy light conduct me from the darke and obscure Laberinthe of Loue. If feares could speake then should my tongue kéepe silence Therefore let my sighes bee messengers of true Icue And though in words I am not able to deliuer the true meaning of my desires yet let my cause beg pitty at your hands Other wise your deniall drownes my soule in a bottomlesse Sea of sorrow one of these two most beautious Lady doe I desire either to giue life with a chéerefull smile or death with a fatall frowne Valentine hauing no sooner ended his loues oration but she with a scarlet countenance returned him this ioyfull answere Most Noble Prince thy words within my heart hath knit a gordion knot which no earthly Wight may vntie for it is knitte with faithfull Loue and Teares distilling from a constant minde My heart which neuer yet was subiect to any one doe I fréely yeeld vp into thy bosome where it for cuermore shall rest till the Fatall sisters cut our liues asunder And in speaking these words they kissed each other as the first earnest of their loues With that the Empresse came thorow the Gallerie who espying their secret conference presently nursed in her secret hate which shée intended to practise against the guiltlesse Lady thinking it a scandall to her Sonnes birth to match in mariage with one of so base a parentage Therefore purposing to crosse their loues with dismall stratagems and dryerie Tragedies shee departed to her Chamber where she cloked her treacheries vp in silence pondred in her heart how she might end their loues and finish Dulcippas life In this tragicall imagination remained she all that night hammering in her head a thousand seueral practises But no sooner was the deawy earth comforted with the hote beames of Apollos fire but this thirsting Empresse arose from her carefull bed
The most pleasant History of TOM ALINCOLNE That renowned Souldier the RED-ROSE Knight who for his Valour and Chivalry was surnamed The Boast of England Shewing his Honourable Victories in Forraigne Countries with his strange Fortunes in the Fayrie Land and how he married the faire Anglitora Daughter to Prester Iohn that renowned Monarke of the World Together with the Lives and Deathes of his two famous Sonnes the Blacke Knight and the Fayrie Knight with divers other memorable accidents full of delight The sixth Impression LONDON Printed Aug Mathewes and are to bee sold by Robert Byrde and Francis Coules 1631. TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVLL SIMON WORTEDG of Okenberrie in the County of Huntington Esquire health happines and prosperitie THE generall report and consideration right Worshipfull of your exceeding courtesie and the great friendship which my parents haue heretofore found at the hands of your renowned Father doe imbolden me to present vnto your Worship these my vnpolisht Labours which if you shall vouchsafe to cast a fauourable glaunce vpon and therin find any part or parcell pleasing to your vertuous minde I shall esteeme my trauell most highly honoured The History I present you shall finde delightfull the matter not offensiue to any only my skil in penning it very simply and my presumption great in presenting so rude a peece of worke to so wise a Patron which I hope your Worship will the more beare with and accompt the rather to be pardonable in that the fault proceedeth from a good meaning Your worships deuoted and poore Country-man R. I. The Pleasant Historie of TOM A LINCOLNE the RED-ROSE Knight for his valour and Chiualrie surnamed the Boast of England CHAPTER 1. How King Arthur loued faire Angellica the Earle of Londons Daughter and likewise of the birth of Tom a Lincolne WHEN as King ARTHVR wore the Emperiall Diadem of England and by his chiualrie had purchased many famous Uictories to the great renowne of this mayden Land hee ordeined the order of the round Table and selected many worthy Knights to attend his Maiestie of whose glistering renowne many ancient Histories doe record and witnesse to all insuing ages This worthy Prince vpon a time intending to visit the city of London with some few number of his Knights came and feasted with Androgius being at that time Earle of London whose house as then was not only replenished with most delicate fare but gratâ—st with a number of beautifull Ladyes who gaue such a pleasing entertainement to King Arthur and his Knights that they were rauished with pleasure and quite forgot the sound of martiall Drummes that had wont to summon them foorth to the fields of Honour Amongst these glorious troupes of London Ladyes Angellica the Earles daughter had the chiefest prayse for beauty and courtly behauiour for euen as the siluer-shining Moone in a Winters frâ—sty night surpasseth the brightest of the twinckling Stars â—o farre Angellicaes sweete feature excéeded the rest of the Ladyes whereby King Arthur was so intangled in the snares of loue that by no meanes he could withdraw his affections from her diuine excellence He that before delighted to tread a weary mâ—rch after Bellonas Drummes was now constrayned to trace Cupids Measures in Ladyes Chambers and could as well straine the strings of a Louers Lute as sound a Souldiers alarme in the field her beauty like the Adamant drew his stéeled heart to lodge in the closure of her breast and no company delighted so much the loue-sicke King as the presence of faire Angellica So vpon a time as hee stood looking out of his Chamber window hee espied the Mistris of his soule sitting in a Garden vnder a Bower of Uines prettily picking the ripest Grapes with her delicate hands and tooke such pleasant pains in that maydenlike exercise that the well coloured blood in her face began to ware warme and her chéekes to obtaine such an excellent beauty that they séemed like two purple Roses intermixt with Hawthorne-buds whereby King Arthur grew inamored vpon her and stood for a time sencelesse through the extreame passion he tooke in beholding her beâ—uty But at last recouering his senses he spake to himselfe in this manner Oh most diuine Angellica Natures sole wonder thou excellent ornament of Beauty thy louely Face painted with a crimson die thy rosicall Chéekes surpassing Snow in whitenesse thy decent Necke like purest Iuory hath like a Fowlers net intangled my yéelding heart whereby it is for euermore imprisoned in thy breast Oh that the golden Dresses of thy dainty Haire which shine like the Rubyes glittering in the Sunne had neuer twinckled before my rauisht eyes then had my heart inioyed his wonted liberty and my Fancie béen frée from Louers vaine imaginations Thus and in like manner complayned the King vnto himselfe séeking by all meanes possible to exclude Loues fire from his breast But the more hee stroue to abandoâ— it the more it increased and féeling no pollicie might preuaile but that this burning torment must of force bee quenched with her celestiall loue hee descended from his Chamber and went bouldly into the Garden where taking Angellica by the hand as shée sate vpon a bed of Uiolets which as then grew vnder the Arbour in this manner began to court her Faire of all faires sayd the King deuine and beautious Paragon faire Flower of London know that since my aboad in thy Fathers house thy beauty hath so conquered my affections and so bereaued me of my liberty that vnlesse thou vouchsafe to coole my ardent desires with a willing graunt of thy loue I am like to dye a lanâ—uishing death and this Countrey England of force must lâ—ose him that hath filde her boundes with many triumphant Uictories therefore swéet Angellica if thy hard heart be so obdurate that the teares of my true loue may nothing molliffe yet take pitty on thy Countrey that through thy cruelty she loose not her wanton glory and be made vnhappy by the losse of her Soueraigne thou séest my diuine Angellica how I that haue made Princes stoope and Kings to humble when I haue frownde doe now submissiuely yéeld my high honour to thy feete either to be made happy by thy loue or vnhappy in thy hate that in time to come Children may either blesse or cuâ—se thee Of these two consider which thou wilt performe either with cruelty to kill mee or with clemencie to preâ—eiue mee This vnexpected request of the King so amazed Angellica that her Cheeks were â—tayned with blushing shame and like a bashfull Maiden for a time stood silent not knowing in what manner to answere him considering hee was King of England and she but Daughter to an Earle But at last when feare and shame had a while stroue together in her heart shee replyed in this sort Most mighty King said shee if your entertainement in my Fathers house hath beene honourable séeke not the foule dishonour of his Daughter nor proffer to blemish the bud of her virginitie with the least
this thy monstrous disobedience These words being ended hee gaue such an extreame sigh that his very heart brake with griefe and hee immediatly dyed in the presence of the Red-rose Knight For whose death hee made more sorrowfull lamentation then Niobe did for her seuen Sonnes But in recompence of old Antonioes kind loue that preserued his infancie from the fury of rauenous Fowles he intombed him most stately in the Citie of Lincolne whose body he sent thither by certaine Passengers whom hee had taken and withall a thousand pound in treasures to be bestowed vpon a great Bell to bee rung at his Funerall which Bell hee caused to bee called Tom a Lincolne after his owne name where to this day it remaineth in the same Citie These Passengers being as then rich Merchants of London hauing receiued the dead body of old Antonio and withall the treasure went with all speed vnto Lincolne and performed euery thing as the Red-rose Knight had appointed The death of this good old man not onely caused a generall sorrow through the whole Citie but stroke such an extreame griefe to old Antonioes wife that shee within few dayes yeelded her life to the remorcelesse stroke of the frowning destinies and was buried in the same graue where her Husband was intombed Whose deaths we will now leaue to be mourned by their dearest friends and likewise for breuities sake passe ouer many stratagems which were accomplished by the Red-rose Knight his followers vpon Barnsedale Heath and returne to King Arthur his Knights flourishing in the English Court. CHAP. III. Of the first Conquest of Portingale by the Red-rose Knight and how hee was the first that euer triumphed in the Citie of London THe report of Tom a Lincolnes practises grew so generall amongst the vulgar sort of people that at last it came to King Arthurs eares who imagined in his Princely minde that he was sprung of his bloud and that hee carried lofty thoughts of honour planted in his brest though shrowded vnder a Countrey life therefore through kinde nature hee purposed to haue him resident in Court with him that hee might daily sée his liuely sparkes of honour shew their resplendant brightnesse yet in such obscurity that hee should not know the smallest motion of his Parentage therefore hee called together thrée of his apprâ—ued Knights namely Lancelot du Lake Sir Tristram and Sir â—â—â—amore and gaue them in charge if it were possible to fetch the Red-rose Knight vnto his Court of whose aduenturous exployts hée hath heard so many times reported and withall he gaue them generall Pardon sealed with his priuie Seale for him and all his lawlesse followers This Commission beeing receiued by the three worthie Knights they with all spéede armed themselues in rich Corselets and strong habiliments of Warre and so rode towards Bransedale Hâ—aâ—h where being no sooner come and deliuered their message from the King but the Red-rose Knight gaue them an honourable welcome and for thrée dayes most royally feasted them vnder large Canuasse Tents wherein they slept as securely as they had béene in King Arthurs Court or in a strong Castle of warre After this Tom a Lincolne selected out a hundred of his resolute Followers such as he best liked of and came with Sir Lancelot and the rest to the English Court where King Arthur not onely gaue him a friendly entertainment but also installed him one of his Knights of the Round-table and withall preclaimed a solemne Turniament that should be hâ—lden in the honour of this new made Knight to which Turniament assemble from other Countries many Princes Barons Knights of high honour which behaued themselues most nobly and woon great commendations of euery beholder but especially the Red-rose Knight who for that day stood as chiefe Champion against all commers In that Turniament or first dayes deede of his Knighthood where onely by his valour and prowesse hee ouerthrew thrée Kings and thirty other Knights all famouzed for Chiualry whereby he obtained such grace in the English Court that he had by the King a paire of golden Spurres put vpon his féet and generally of the whole assembly he was accounted one of the brauest Knights that then liued in the world But now marke how frowning Fortune ended their Triumphes with vnlucky Newes for the same day before the Knights had vnbuckled their Armours there arriued a Messenger who certified King Arthur how his Ambassadour was vniustly done to death in the Portingale Court which was an Act contrary both to the Faith of Princes and the Law of Armes For whose death King Arthur grew so enraged that he sware by the Honour of his bright Renowne and by the golden Spurre of true Knighthood the Portingales should repent that inhumane violence with the death of many thousand guiltlesse soules and that Babes vnborne should haue iust cause to curse the first contriuer of that vniust murther therefore with all spéede hée mustered vp a mighty Armie of Souldiers and because hee was continually molested with home-bred Mutinies and treacherous rebellions the which himselfe in person of force must pacifie appointed the Red-rose Knight as chiefe Generall ouer the Armie mustered for Portingale In which Seruice hée accomplished so many famous Exployts that hee was for euer after surnamed The Boast of England For no sooner had hée the whole Campe in charge and aboard their Shippes but hee prooued the perfect Patterne of an exquisiâ—e Souldier such a one as all martiall Captaines may learne to imitate for hée so circumspectly ordered his Captaines that in his Campe was neuer knowne any brawle or muâ—â—nie â—e was very courteous and liberall doing honour to all men according to their deserts He so painfully and with such care instructed his Souldiers that at an instant alwayes if it were needfull euery man by the sound of a Drumme or a Trumpet was found in his Charge and Quarter And to be briefe his Campe resembled one of the greatest Cities in the world for all kind of officers were there found in order and also a great number of Merchants to furnish it with all manner of necessaryes Hee 〈◊〉 case permitted any robberies priuy fighting force or violence but with seuerity punished those that were therein found guiltie His desire was that his Souldiers should glory in nothing so much as in Martiall prowesse Uertue and Wisedome He euermore gaue them their pay without fraud or deceit He honoured he praysed he imbrac'd and kist them and withall kept them in awe and subiection by which meanes his fame and honour grew so renowned that his Army dayly encreased more and more For when he first arriued vpon the Confines of Portingale his Campe grew to bee as great as euer was Caesars when he conquered the Western World and in matchlesse proâ—â—esse nothing inferiour vnto his So fortunate were his proceedings that he made a great part of the Prouinces of Portingale desolate not being intercepted by any but poyling euery Towne and Citie as hee
returned from the Warre that they should the first night of their comming bee slaine sléeping in their Beds and that neuer after they should suffer man to enter into their Countrey After this conclusion they crowned Caelia the Kings Daughter for their Quéene And so afterward when the King and his Armie returned from his Warres this bloudy murther was practised and not a man left aliue but onely the King reserued whom Caelia would in no wise against nature murther but yet notwithstanding shee deliuered him into the hands of her chiefest Ladies which put him into a Boat alone and so sent him to the Sea to seeke his fortune Therefore most noble Knights this is the cause why you may not enter into our Countrey which if you doe and not presently withdraw your selues vnto the Sea the Ladies will suddenly giue you a meruailous Battell Now by the Euer-liuing 〈…〉 which English-men adore said the Noble Red-rose Knight such extremitie haue wee suffered at Sea that wée are like to perish and dye with hunger vnlesse wée finde some succeur at your hands and before we will end our liues with famine we will enter Battell with those Ladies and so dye with Honour in the Field yet this kindnesse doe we humbly desire at your hands to returne vnto your Quéene and certifie her of our poore estate and necessity and that we altogether instantly desire her that if there be any sparke of Uertue or Nobility harboured in her breast that shée will haue pitie vpon vs and suffer vs not to end our liues by such an unhappy kind of death With this request the two Damsels returned to the Quéen and recounted from word to word the humble suit of the Red-rose Knight and what extremitie they were in Which when the Quéene vnderstood and that they were Knights of England the fame of which countrey shée had so often heard reportes shée demaunded what manner of people they were and of what condition Surely Madam answered one of the two Damsels I neuer in all my life saw more goodly men nor better spoâ—en and it is to bée supposed they bée the choyce of all humane people and with their courteous demeanors are able to draive the mercilesse and sauage Nation to affect them The Quéene hearing the Damsels so highly to commend the English Knights thinking also vpon their request began in minde to haue pitie of their misaduentures and so instantly sent for them and gaue them frée libertie to make their abode in her Countrey which incontinently when the English Knights heard how they should receiue a kinde welcome and a friendly entertainement grew so exceeding ioyfull as though Heauen had sent them present comfort so comming before the Quéene and her Ladyes they saluted each other most courteously and with great reuerence But when the vertuous Quéene behelde this noble company before her in all humilitie shée deliuered to a hundred of her Ladies the hundred English Knights and reserued the Princely Red-rose Knight vnto her selfe and so were they brought to the Quéenes Pallace where euery Lady feasted her Knight in most gallant sort and to their hearts content But now when the Quéene had the Red-rose Knight in her Chamber and had beheld the exceeding beautie of the noble Prince shée tooke him by the hand and led him into one of her Chambers where the shewed him her Riches and Treasure and after sayd vnto him in this manner Most noble and valiant Englishman these Riches bée all onely at thy Commandement and also my body which here I offer vp as a gift and Present to thy diuine excellencie and furthermore there is nothing of value which I am Mistris of but shall be at thy disposing to the intent that my loue may be acceptable to thy gracious eyes But when the Red-rose Knight perceiued to what intent she spake these words in this manner answered her saying Most deare Princesse and faire Quéene of this Maiden countrey I giue you right humble thankes for these your courtesies and by no meanes possible may I deserue this high honour you haue grac'd me with Oh great Knight replyed then the Quéene the smallest thought of your honourable minde is sufficienâ—â—o recompence the vttermost of my deserts yet let me request this one thing at your noble hands that neuer asked the like fauour of any one before for she that neuer knew the least motion of loue is now pricked with a hundred torments and vnlesse you quench the ardent affection wherwith my heart is fired with the pleasant hopes of your comfortable smiles I am like to die desperat and then the world will accuse you of cruelty in murdering a consiant Lady but if it shall please you to grant me loue and so espouse me according to Himens holy Kites héere shall you rule sole King and be the Lord of all this Countrey My right deare Lady answered then the Red-rose Knight you haue done such pleasure to mée and to my distressed followers in preseruing vs from famine as I shal neuer requite it though I should spend all the rest of my life in your Seruice And know most excellent Princesse that there is no aduenture so dangerous yet at your commandement would I practise to accomplish yet for to tye my selfe in Wedlockes bonds there is no woman in the world shall procure mee for till I haue finished an Aduenture which in my heart I haue vowed I will not linke my affection to any Lady in the world But thinke not Madam that I refuse your loue through disdaine for I sweare by the dignity King Arthur gracâ—d mée with I should think my selfe most fortunate if I had so faire and noble a Lady as your diuine selfe Most worthy Knight then answered the Quéene I imagine that the Gods haue sent you into this Countrey for two causes principally The first is that you and your followers should be preserued from death by my meanes The second is that you should inhabit in this Countrey least it should in short time be left as a desert wildernesse for it is inhabited onely by Women without a King and haue no other Gouernour but me which am their chiefe Princesse And for so much as I haue succoured you so succour you this desolate Citie that it may be repeopled with your séed and in so doing you shall accomplish a vertuous déed and winne to your names an eternall memory to all ensuing ages I confesse quoth the Red-rose Knight that you and your Ladies haue succoured mée and my followers in our great necessitie and in recompense whereof wee will imploy all our indeauours to the repeopling againe of this Countrey But in regard of the secret vow my heart hath made I will not yéeld my selfe to your desires for if I should infringe my oath mine Honour were greatly impaired And before I would commit that dishonourable fact I would suffer the greatest torment that mans heart can imagine Incontinently when the loue-sicke Quéene heard this answere of
the English Knight and perceiued that he was firme in his purpose shée tooke leaue of him and departed for that time the Red-rose Knight likewise withdrew himselfe into his Chamber pondring in his minde a thousand imaginations But shée for her part was so troubled in mind and so wounded with the Darts of blinde Cupid that when the mistie darknes of night had couered the earth shee layd her downe vpon her bed where betwixt Shame and her Heart began a ferrible Battell Her Heart was incouraged that shée should goe and be with him but shame began to blush and withstood that perswasion by which meanes the battell was great and indured a long time but at last the Heart was conquerour and shame vanquished and put to flight in such sort that the faire Quéene arose from her bed and went and layd her downe by her beloued Knight where hée slept and being in the bed shée began fearefully to tremble for shame still followed her vnlawfull practises where after her quiuering heart began a little to be qualified with her trembling hand she awaked him and after spake in this manner My most deare and affectionat friend though like a carelesse wretch I come vnto thée apparelled with Shame yet let my true Loue colour this my infamous presumption for your Princely person and Kingly demeanours like Adamants haue drawne my stéeled Heart to commit this shamefull acte yet let not my feruent Affection be required with Disdaine and although you will not consent to be my wedded Lord and Husband yet let me bée thy Loue and secret Friend that a poore distressed Quéene may thinke her selfe happy in an Englishmans loue When the noble Knight heard the faire Caelias voyce and felt her by his side all naked hee was so sore abashed that hée wist not what to doe but yet at last hauing the nature and courage of a man hée turned to her vsing many amorous spéeches imbracing and kissing each other in such manner that faire Caelia was conceiued with Child and waxe great of a right faire Sonne of whom she was in processe of time safe ly deliuered as you shall heare discoursed of large in the following History But to be short during the space of foure Monethes the Fayery Ladyes lay with the English Knights and many of them were conceiued with their séede in such sort that the Countrey was afterward repeopled with male Children and what happened amongst them in the meane season I will passe ouer for this time for the dayes and nights that haue no rest passe on their wonted course in which time their Shippe was replenished with all necessaries and the Red-rose Knight summoned together Sir Launcelot and the rest and being assembled he sayd vnto them My good Friends and Countreymen you know that long time we haue soiorned in this Countrey spending our dayes in idle pastimes to the reproach of our former glories now my intent is within these thrée dayes to depart this Countrey therefore let euery man make himselfe in readines for there is no greater dishonour to aduenturous Knights then to spend their dayes in Ladyes bosomes When sir Lancelot and the other English Gentlemen heard the forward disposition of the Red-rose Knight they were all excéeding ioyfull and answered him that with great willingnesse they would all be ready at the time appointed But now when the Fayerie Ladies perceiued the preparations that the English Knights made for their departure they grew excéeding sorrowfull and complained one to another in most grieuous manner but amongst the rest the Quéene was most displeased who with a sorrowfull and sad heart came vnto the Red-rose Knight and in this manner complayned to him Alas alas my deare Lord haue yée that tyrannous heart to withdraw your selfe from me and to forsake me before you sée the fruit of your Noble person which is nourished with my bloud Deare Knight behold with pitie my wombe the chamber and mansion of your bloud Oh let that be a meanes to stay you that my Child as yet vnborne be not fatherlesse by your departure And in speaking these words shée began to wéepe and sigh bitterly and after to whisper secretly to her selfe in this order Oh you immortall heauens how may mine eyes behold the departure of my ioy for being gone all comfort in the world will forsake me and all consolation flie from me and centrariwise all sorrow will pursue mee and all misfortune come against me Oh what a sorrow will it be to my scule to sée thée floting on the dangerous Seas where euery minute perils doe arise ready to whelme thée in the bottomlesse Ocean and being once erempted from my sight my heart for euermore lie in the bed of tribulation vnder the coueriure of mortall distresse and betwéene the shéetes of eternall hewaylings Yet if there be no remedy but that theu wilt néedes depart sweare vnto me that if euer thou doest accomplish thy pretended boyage what it is I know not that thou wilt returne againe to this Country to tell mée of thy happy fortunes and thatmine eyes may once more be hold thy louely countenance which is as delectable to my soule as the Ioyes of Paradise When the Noble English Knight vnderstoode that the Quéene condescended to his departure vpon condition of his returne to which he solemnly protested if the Gods gaue him life and good fortune to performe her request whereby the Fayrie Quéene was somewhat recomforted And hauing great hope in the returne of her deare Loue thée ceased her lamentations And now to abridge the Story the time came that the valiant English-men should goe a Ship-boord vpon which day the Red-rose Knight and his followers tooke leaue of the noble Quéene and her Ladies thanking them for their kinde entertainements and so went to the Port of the Sea where they entred their Ships and so departed from the Fayrie Land After this when Caelia had borne her Babe in her wombe full forty wéekes she was deliuered of a faire Sonne who came afterward to be called the Fayrie Knight which for this time wée will not touch but referre it to the second part of this History CHAP. V. What happened to the English Knights after their departure from the Fayrie Land WIth a prosperous Winde sayled these English Knights many a League from the Fayerie Land to their great content and hearts desire where euery thing seemed to Prognosticate their happy Aduentures so vpon a day when the Sunne shone cleare and a gentle calme Winde caused the Seas to lye as smooth as Christall Ice whereby their Ship lay floating on the Waues not able to remooue For whilest the Dolphins daunc'd vpon the siluer Streames and the red gild Fishes leapt about the Shippe the Red-rose Knight requested Sir Lancelot to driue away the time with some Courtly Discourse whereby they might not thinke their Uoyage ouer long Unto which the good Sir Lancelot most willingly agréed And although hee was a Martiall Knight delighting to heare
penning her selfe closely within her Chamber like one that made no conscience for to kill shée in all hast sent for a Doctor of Phisicke not to giue Phisicke to restâ—â—e health but poyson for vntimely death who being no sooner some into her presence but presently she lockt her Chamber doore and with an angry countenance staring him in the face shee breathed this horror into his harmelesse eares Doctor thou knowest how oft in secret matters I haue vsed thy helpe wherein as yet I neuer saw thy faith falsified but now amongst the rest I am to require thy ayd in an earnest businesse so secret which if thou dost but tell it to the whispering windes it is sufficient to spread it through the whole world whereby my practises may be discouered and I be made a noted reproach to all hearers Madame quoth the Doctor whose heart harboured no thought of bloody deeds what needs all these circumstances where dutie doth command my true obedience desist not ther fore gentle Empresse to make me priuy to your thoughts for little did he thinke her minde could harbour so vile a thought but hauing coniured most strongly his secrefie she spake to him as followeth Doctor the loue nay rather raging lust which I haue spied of late betwixt my vnnaturall sonne and proud Dulcippa may in short time as thou knowest bring a sudden alteration of our state considering that he being borne a Prince and descended from a royall race should match in marriage with a base and ignoble Mayden daughter but to a meane Gentleman therefore if I should suffer this secret loue to goe forward and séeke not to preuent it the Emperour might condemne mée of falshood and iudge me an agent in this vnlawfull loue which to a voyd I haue a practise in my head and in thy hand it lyes to procure thy Princes happinesse and Countreys good Dulcippas father as thou knowest dwels about thrée miles from my Pallace vnto whose house will this day send Dulcippa about such businesse as I thinke best where thou shalt bée appoynted and none but thou to conduct her thither where in a thicke and bushy groue which standeth directly in the midway thou shalt giue her the cup of death and so rid my heart from suspitious thoughts This bloody practise being pronounced by the Empresse caused such a terrour to enter into the Doctors mind that he trembled foorth this sorrowfull complaint Oh you immortall powers of Heauen you guider of my haplesse fortunes why haue you thus ordained mee to bée the bloody murderer of a chaste and vertuous Lady and the true patterne of sobrietie whose vntimelesse ouerthrow if I should but once conspire Dianas Nymphs would turne their wonted Natures and staine their hands with my accursed blood Therefore most glorious Empresse cease your determination for my heart will not suffer my hand to commit so foule a villany And wilt not thou doe if then replâ—ed the Empresse with a mind fraught with rage and blood â— doe protest quoth shée by Heauens bright Maiestie except thou doest consent to accomplish my intent thy head shall warrant this my secresie Stand not on termes my resolute attempt is cleane impatient of obiections The Doctor hearing her resolution and that nothing but Dulcippas death might satisfie her wrath hée consented to her request and purposed cunningly to dissemble with the bloody Quéene who beléeued that hée would performe what shée so much desired so departing out of her chamber she went to the giltlesse Lady sending her on this fatall message who like to haplesse Bellerophon was ready to carry an embassage of her own death But in the meane time the Doctor harbored in his breast a world of bitter woes to thinke how vilely this vertuous Lady was betrayd and considering in his minde how that he was forced by constraint to performe this tragedy therefore hee purposed not to giue her a cup of Poyson but a sleeping Drinke to cast her into a traunce which shee should as a cup of death receiue as well to try her vertuous Constancie as to rid himselfe from so haynous a crime But now returne wee to Dulcippa who beeing sped of her Message went with the Doctor walking on the way where all the talke which they had was of the liberall praise of Prince Valentine who remayned in Court little mistrusting what had happened to his beloued Lady and she likewise ignorant of the hurt that was pretended against her life but being both alone together in the Wood where nothing was heard but chirping Birds which with their voyces séemed to mourne at the Ladyes misfortune But now the Doctor breaking off their former talke tooke occasion to speake as followeth Man of all other creatures most vertuous Lady is most miserable for Nature hath ordayned to euery Bird a pleasant tune to bemoane their misshapps the Nightingale doth complaine her Rape and lost Uirginitie within the desart Groues the Swanne doth likewise sing a dolefull heauie tune a while before shée dyes as though Heauen had inspired her with some foreknowledge of things to come Yâ—â— Madame now must sing your Swan-like Song for the pretty Birds I sée doe drope their hanging heads and mourne to thinke that you must die Maruell not Madame the angry Quéene will haue it so Accurst am I in being constrayned to bee the bloody instrument of so tyrannous a fact Accurst am I that haue ordained that cuppe which must by Poyson stanche the thirst of the bloody Empresse and most accursed am I that cannot withstand the angry Fates which haue appoynted mée to offer outrage vnto vertue And in speaking these words hée deliuered the Cup into the Ladyes hands who like a Lambe that was led to the slaughter vsed silence for her excuse Many times lift shee vp her eyes toward the sacred Throne of Heauen as though the Gods had sent downe vengeance vpon her giltlesse Soule and at last breathed foorth these sorrowfull lamentations Neuer quoth shee shall vertue stoope to Uice Neuer shall Death affright my soule nor neuer Poyson quench that lasting loue which my true heart doth beare to Princely Valentine whose Spirit I hope shall méete mée in the ioyfull Fields of Elizium to call those Ghosts that dyed for Faithfull loue to beare mee witnesse of my Faith and Loyalty and so taking the Cup shée said Come come thou most blessed Cup wherein is contained that happy Drinke which giues rest to troubled mindes And thou most blessed Wood beare witnesse that I mixe this banefull Drinke with Teares distilling from my bléeding heart These Lips of mine that had woont to kisse Prince Valentine shall now most willingly kisse this Ground that must receiue my Corse The author of my death I le blesse for shee honours mee in that I die for my swéet Valentines sake And now Doctor to thée being the instrument of this my Death I doe begueath all earthly happinesse and here withall I drinke to Valentines good fortune So drinking off
sometime in the Grecian Court whilst happy fortune smilde but being crost in loue here doe I vow to spend the remitant of my dayes And with that hee catching the word out of her mouth said Oh you immortall Gods and is my Dulcippa yet aliue I I aliue I sée she is I sée that sweet celestiall beautie in her face which hath banished déepe sorrow from my heart and with that kissing her hée said Soo see faire of all faires that Nature euer made I am thy Valentine thy vnhappy Loue the Prince of Greece the Emperours true Sonne who for thy louely sake am thus 〈◊〉 and for thy loue haue left the gallant Court for this 〈◊〉 and homely country life With that shée tooke him about his manly necke and breathed many a bitter sâ—â—h into his bosome and after with wéeping teares discoursed all her passed dangers as well the crueltie of the Empresse as of the vertuous déed of the good Doctor And hauing both recounted their passed fortunes they confented disguised as they were to trauell to the Grecian Court to sée if the Destenies had transformed the state of the Emperour or his regiment for now no longer outcries nor heauie stratagems or sorrowfull thoughts sought to pursue them but smiling fortune gratious delights and happy blessings Now Fortune neuer meant to turne her whéele againe to crosse them with calamities but intended with her hand to powre into their hearts oyle of lasting peace Thus whilst Apolloes beames did parch the tender twigs these two Louers sate still vnder the branches of a shadie Béech recounted still their ioyes and pleasures and sitting both thus vpon a grassy bancke there came trauelling by them an aged old man bearing in his withered hand a staffe to stay his benummed body whose face when Prince Vallentine beheld with a gentle voyce he spake vnto him in this sort Father God saue you How happeneth that you wéeried with age doe trauell through the desart Groues befitting such as can withstand the checkes of Fortunes sicklenes Come faire old man sit downe by vs whose mindes of late were mangled with griefe and crost with worldly cares This good old Hermite hearing the curteous request of the Prince safe downe by them and in sitting downe he fumbled forth this spéech I come young man from yonder Citie whereas the Emperour holds a heauy Court and makes excéeding sorrow for the want of his eldest Sonne and for a Lady which is likewise absent the Empresse being found guilty of their wants is kept close prisoner and is condemned to bee burnt vnlesse within a tweluemoneth and a day she can get a Champion that will enter Battaile in her cause and with her a Doctor also is adiudged to suffer death Great is the sorrow that is there made for this noble Prince and none but commends his vertue and withall the deserued praises of the absent Lady Father replyed then the Prince thou hast told vs tydings full of bitter truth able to enforce an iron heart to lament for cruell is the doome and most vnnaturall the Emperour to deale sâ—hardly with his Quéene Nay quoth the old man if she be guilty I cannot pitty her that will cause the ruine of so good a Prince for higher powers must giue example vnto their subjects By Lady Father quoth the Princely Shepheard you can well guesse of matters touching Kings and to be a svitnesse of this accident wee will presently goe vnto the Court and sée what shall betide vnto this distressed Quéene This being said they left the aged man and so trauailed towards the Grecian Court and by the way these Louers did consult that Prince Valentine attired like a Shepheard should offer himselfe to combat in his Mothers cause and so to expresse the kinde leue and nature which was lodged in his Princely breast But being no sooner arriued in the Court and séeing his Father to take the combat vpon himselfe presently he knéeled downe and like an obedient Senne discouered himselfe and withall Dulcippas strange fortunes whereupon the Empresse and the Doctor were presently deliuered and did both most willingly consent to ioyne these two Louers in the bands of Mariage where after they spent their dayes in peace and happinesse This pleasant Discourse being ended which Sir Lancelot had told to the excéeding pleasure of the greatest company but especially of the Red-rose Knight who gaue many kind thanks At this time the windes began to rise and blow chéerefully by which they sayled on their iourney succesfully from one coast to another till at the last they arriued vpon the coasts of Prester Iohns Land which was in an euening when the day began to loose her christall Mantle and to giue place to the Sable garments of gloomy night where they cast Anchor vnséene of any of that Country Inhabitants CHAP. VI. What happened to the Red-Rose Knight and his company in the Court of Prester Iohn and how the Red-rose Knight slew a Dragon with three tongues that kept a golden Tree in the same Country with other attempts that happned THE next Morning by the breake of day the Red-rose Knight rose from his Cabbin and went vpon the Hatches of the Shippe casting his eyes round about to see if hee could espie some Towne or Cittie where they might take harbour and in looking about hee espied a great spacious Cittie in the middle whereof stood a most sumptuous Pallace hauing many high Towers standing in the ayre like the Orecian Piramides the which he supposed to be the Pallace of some great Potentate therefore calling Sir Lancelot with two other Knights vnto him hee requested them to goe vp into the Citie and to enquire of the Countrey and who was the Gouernour thereof the which thing they promised to doe so arming themselues as it was conuenient being strangers in that Country they went vp into the Citie where they were presently presented vnto Prester Iohn who being alwayes liberall and courteous vnto Strangers gaue them a royall intertainment leading them vp into his Pallace and hauing intelligence that they were English-men and aduenturous trauaileurs he sent foure of his Knights for the rest of their company desiring them in the Knights behalfe to returne to the Court where they should haue a friendly welcome and a Knightly entertainment Thus when the Red-rose Knight had vnderstoode the will of Prester Iohn by his foure Knights the next euening with his whole company hee repaired to the Cittie which was right Noble and fayre and although it was night yet were the Stréetes as light as though it had béene mid-day by the cleare resplendant brightnesse of Torches Cressetts and other Lights which the Citizens ordained to the intertaining of the English Knights The Stréets through which they passed to goe to the Kings Pallace were filled with people as Burgomasters Knights and Gentlemen with Ladies beautifull Damosels which in comely order stood beholding their coÌ„ming But when the Red-rose Knight was entred the Pallace hée found the
renowned Prester Iohn sitting vpon his Princely Throne vnder propt with pillers of Iasper stone who after he had giuen them an honorable welcome he took the Red-rose Knight by the hand and led him vp into a large and sumptious Hall the richest that euer he had séene in all his life But in going vp certaine stayres hée looked in at a window and espied fayre Anglitora the Kings daughter sporting amongst other Ladyes which was the fayrest mayde that euer mortall eye behelde and I thinke that Nature her selfe could not frame her like but being entred the Hall they fouÌ„d the Tables couered with costly fare ready for supper when as the English Knights were set at the Kings Table in company of Prester Iohn and Anglitora with other Ladyes attending hauing good stomaches they fedd lustily but Anglitora which was placed right ouer against the Red-rose Knight fedde only vpon his beauty and princely behauiour not being able to withdraw her eyes from his diuine excellencie but the renowned Prester Iohn for his part spent away the supper time with many pleasant conferences touching the countrey of England and King Arthurs princely Court the report of which fame had so often sounded in his eares But amongst all other deuises he told the English Knights of a Trée of gold which now grew in his Realme and yéerely brought foorth goldeÌ„ fruit but he could not enioy the benefit thereof by reason of a cruell Dragon that continually kept it for the conquest of which golden tree hée had many times solemnly proclaimed through that part of the World that if any Knight durst attempt to conquer it and by good fortune bring the aduenture to an end he should haue in reward thereof his Daughter the faire Anglitora in marriage to which many Knights reserted as well of fortaine Countreys as his owne Nation but none proued so fortunate to accomplish the wished conquest but lost their liues in the same aduenture therefore I fully beléeue if all the Knights in the world were assembled together yet were they all vnsufficient to ouercome that terrible Dragon With that the Red-rose Knight with a bold courage stood vp and protested by the loue he bore vnto his countryes King he would performe the enterprise or lose his life in the attempt so in this resolution hée remained all supper time which being ended the English Knights were brought into diuers chambers but amongst the rest the Red-rose Knight and Sir Launcelot were lodged néere to the fayre Anglitora for there was nothing betwixt their Chambers but a little Gallery into which being come and no sooner layd in their beds but the Red-rose Knight began to conferre with Sir Launcelot in this manner What thinke you quoth he of the enterprize I haue taken in hand Is it not a deed of honour and renowne Surely replyed Sir Launcelat in my iudgement it is an enterprize of death for euery man in this countrey adiudgeeth you ouercome and destroyed if you but once approach the sight of the Dragon therefore bee aduised and goe not to this perrilous aduenture for you can obtaine nothing thereby but reproach and death and doubtlesse they are counted wise that can shun the misuentures and kéepe themselues from danger But then quoth the Red-rose Knight shall I falsifie my promise and the promise of a noble minde ought still to bée kept therefore ere I will infringe the Uow I haue made I will be deuoured by the terrible Dragon And in speaking these words they fell asleepe During which time of their conference fayre Anglitora stood at their chamber doore and heard all that had passed betwixt them and was so surprized with the loue of this gentle Red-rose Knight that by no meanes shée could restraine her affections and returning to her chamber casting her selfe vpon her Bedde thinking to haue slept but could not shée began to say secretly to her selfe this sorrowfull lamentation Alas mine Eyes what torment is this you haue put my heart vnto for I am not the woman that I was wont to be for my heart is fiered with a flame of amorous desires and is subiect to the Loue of this gallant English Knight the beautie of the world and the glory of Christendome But fond feele that I am wherefore doe I desire the thing which may not be gotten for I greatly feare that hee is already betrâ—thed to a Lady in his owne Countrey And furthermore his minde is garnished with Princely cogitations that I may not enioy his Loue and he thinketh no more of me then on her that he neuer saw But graunt that hee did set his affection vpon mée yet were it to small purpose for he is resolued to aduenture his life in the conquest of the Golden trée where hee will soone bee deuowred by the terrible Dragon Ah what a griefe sorrow will it be to my heart when I shall heare of his vntimely death for hee is the choise of all Nature the Prince of Nobilitie and the flowre of worship for I haue heard him say that hee had rather die honourably in accomplishing his Uow then to returne with reproach into England Which happy country if these eyes of mine might but once behold then were my soule possessed with terrestriall ioyes Anglitora with these words fell asléepe and so passed the night away till the day came who â—o sooner with his bright beames glistered against the Pallace walles but the Red-rose Knight arose from his bed and armed himselfe in great courage ready for the aduenture where after hée had taken leaue of the King and all the rest of his English friends hée departed foorth of the Citie towards the Golden trée which stood in a low vally some two miles from the Kings Pallace This morning was fayr and cleare and not a cloud was séene the elements and the Sun cast his respleâ—dant beames vpon the earth at which time the Ladyes and Damosels mouÌ„ted vpon the highest Towers in the Pallace and the common people came vp to the battlements and walles of Churches to behold the aduenture of this valiant Knight who as then wet most ioyfully on his iourney till he came to the vaile of the Golden trée wherein being no sooner entred but he behelde a most cruell and terrible Dragon come springing out of his hellow Caue This Dragon was farre more bigger then a horse in length full thirtie foote the which incontinently as soone as hee was out of his Caue began to raise his necke set by his eares and to stretch himselfe opened his throate and casting foorth thereat most monstrous burning flames of fire Then the Red-rose Knight drew cut his good Sword and went towards him whereat the Monster opened his terrible throat whereout sprang three tongues â—asting foorth flaming fire in such sort that it had almost burnt him The first blowe that the Knight strooke hit the Dragon betwixt the two eyes so furiously that hée staggered but being recouered and féeling himselfe most grieuously hurt
plainely expressing the bounty that beautified his princely breast The Musicians being departed hee arose from his rich Bed and went vnto the King whom he found as then walking in a pleasant Garden of whom he requsted his Daughter Anglitora in marriage in recompence of his aduenture The which request so displeased the King that all his former curtesies was exchanged into sodaine sorrow and would by no meanes consent that Anglitora should bee his betrothed Spouse and answered that first hee would loose his Kingdome before shée should bee the wife of a wandring Knight The noble Red-rose Knight when hée vnderstood the vnkind answere of Prester Iohn all abashed went vnto Sir Launcelat and his other friends and certified them of all things that had happened who counselled him that the next morning they should depart After this conclusion they went to the King and thanked him for the high Honour hée had grac'd them with and after that went and visited their Shippe where for that day they passed the time in pleasure and so when the scouling night approached the Red-rose Knight went to the faire Anglitora and certified her of the vnkind answere of her cruell Father whereat thée grew sorrowfull and grieued in minde but at last better considering with her selfe shée yéelded her fortune fully at his pleasure promising that for his loue shee would forsake both Countrey Parents and Friends and follow him to what place soeuer hée pleased to conduct her And it is to be supposed that this night the fayre Anglitora tooke all the richest Iewels which she had and trussed them in a faâ—dle and so when it was a little before day shée came vnto the Red Rose Knight and awaked him who presently made him ready and so departed secretly from his Chamber till they came to their Shippes where they found all the rest of the English Knights ready to depart So when they were all a Board they hoysted Sayle and departed from the Port. To whose happy iourney we will now leaue them for a time and speake of the discontents of Prester-Iohn who all that night was exceeding sorrowfull for the vnkind answere which he had giuen to the Red-Rose Knight and so Melancholly that he could neither sléepe nor rest but at the last hee concluded with himselfe that he would goe conuey the English Knights at their departing vnto their Ships to the end that being in other countreys they might applaud his courtesies vsed to Strangers So in the morning hee arose and went to the Chamber where the Red rose Knight was lodged whom hee found departed contrary to his expectation After that he went into his Daughters Chamber where he found nothing but relentlesse walles which in vaine hee might speake vnto whose absence droue him into such a desperate minde that hée suddenly ran to the Sea coastes where hee found many of his Citizens that shewed him the Shippes wherein the English Knights were which was at that time from the Port or Hauen more then halfe a mile Then the King wéeping tenderly demaunded of them if they had séene his Daughter Anglitora To whom they answered that they had séene her vpon the Shippe hatches in company of the Red-rose Knight At which the King bitterly lamented beating his Brest and tearing his milke-white Hayre from his Head vsing such violence against himselfe that it greatly grieued the beholdâ—â—â— At that time there was many of his Lords present who by gentle perswasions withdrew him from the Sea coasts to his Pallace where he many dayes after lamented the disobedient flight of his Daughter CHAP. 7. How Caelia the Queene of the Fayrie Land was found dead floting vpon the waues of the Sea with other things that happened to the English Knights MAny dayes the windes blew chearfully in such sort that the English Ships were within keâ—ning of the Fayery Land at which Sir Lancelat tooke an occasion to speak vnto the Red-rose Knight and put him in remembrance how hee had promised Caelia to returne into her Countrey vnto which hée answered and said That he would keepe promise if the Destenies did afford him life And thereupon commanded the Master Pilot to make thitherward but the windes net being willing raysed such a Tempest on the Sea that the Shippe was cast a contrary way and the Marriners by no means possible could approach the Fayery land At which time the noble Quéene Caelia stood by the sea side vpon an high Rocke beholding the English Ship as it passed by as her vsual manner was euery day standing expecting her deare Loues returne many times making this bitter lamentation to her selfe Ah gentle Neptune thou God of Seas and Windes where is my desired Loue bring him againe vnto mee that day and night wée peth for his company Thus she complained at the same instant when her Louers Shippe sayled by for surely she knew if by the Banners and Ensignes which were displayed in the winde but when the poore Lady perceiued the Ship to turne from her she was sore abashed and dismayed In stead of ioy she was forced to wéepe teares and instead of singing was constrained to make sorrowfull complaints In this manner she aboad there all that ensuing night and caused Fires and great Lights to be made on the shore thinking thereby to call the Red-rose Knighâ— vnto her This order kept shee every day and night for the space of sixe wéekes wayling the want of him whom she loued more deare then her owne heart but when the sixe weekes were past and that the Fayerie Quéene perceiued that she should haue no tydings of her Loue she went from the Rocke all in dispaire into her Chamber where being entred shee caused her Sonne to be brought vnto her whom shée kissed many times for the loue she bore vnto his Father and after beholding the little Infant crossing her Armes with a sigh comming from the bottome of her heart she sayd Alasse my deare Sonne alasse thou canst not speake to demaund tydings of thy Father which is the brauest Knight the most vertuous and the most valiant in Armes that God euer formed Oh where is Nature swéet Babe that should enioyne thée to wéepe and my selfe more then thée for the lesse of so braue a Prince whose face I neuer more shall sée Oh cruell and vnkind Fortune my heart hath concluded that I goe and cast my selfe headlong into the Sea to the intent that if the Noble Knight bee there buried that I may lye in the same Sepulchre or Tombe with him where contrariwise if hee be not dead that the same Sea that brought him hither aliue bring me to him being dead And to conclude before I commit this desperate murther vpon my selfe with my Blood I will write a Letter which shall bée sewed to my Uestments or Attyre to the intent that if euer my body bee presented to the Red-rose Knight that then this bloody Letter may witnesse the true loue that I bore him to the houre of my death Many
consideration I doubt not but shall bring vnto thee much pleasure and delight being for the quantitie thereof nothing inferiour to the best that hath beene written of the like Subiect I meane of Knights aduentures and Ladyes beloued I therefore dedicate this to thy reason knowing that this old Prouerbe may confirme my expectation which is That good Wine needs no Bush nor a pleasing Historie craues no shelter Farewell R. I. The second part of the famous History of Tom a Lincolne the Red-rose Knight c. CHAP. I. How Tom a Lincolne knew not his Mother till forty yeares of his age nor whose Sonne he was Of King Arthurs death and his dying speeches and of what hapned thereupon WHen Arthur that renowned King of England being one of the nine Worthies of the World had by twelue seuerall set Battailes conquered the third part of the Earth and being wearied with the exploytes of Marti all aduentures in his olde dayes betooke himselfe to a quiet course of life turning his Warlkie habiliaments to diuine Bookes of celestiall meditations that as the one had made him famous in this World so might the other make him blessed in the World to come Seauen yeares continued quiet thoughts in his breast seauen yeares neuer heard he the sound of delightfull Drums nor in seuen yeares beheld hee his thrice worthy Knights of the Round Table flourishing in his Court by which meanes his Pallace grew disfurnished of those Martiall troupes that drew commendations from all forraigne Kingdomes In this time most of those renowned Champions had yéelded their liues to the conquering Tiranny of pale Death and in the bowels of the Earth lay sléeping their eternall sléepes the royall King himselfe laden with the honour of many yeeres and hauing now according to nature the burthen of death lying heauie vpon his shoulders and the stroke lifted vp to diuide his body from his soule he called before him all the chiefen of his Court but especially his own Quéene the Red-rose Knight and his Lady Anglitora with the faire Angellica the Nunne of Lincolne whom hee had so many yéeres secretly loued and being at the poynt to bid a wafull farewell to the world with Countenance as Maiestical as King Priam of Troy he spake as followeth First to thée my loued Queene must I vtter the secrets of my very soule and what wanton escapes I haue made from any nuptiall Bedde otherwise cannot this my labouring life depart from my fading body in quiet Long haue I liued in the delightfull sinne of Adulterie and polluted our mariage Bed with that vile pleasure pardon I beseech thee and with that forgiuenesse which I hope will proceed from thy gentle heart wash away this long bred euill the Celestaill powers haue grauated me remâ—ssion Then turning to Angellica the Nunne of Lincolne hee said Oh thou my youths delight thou whose loue hath bereaued my Quéene of much mariage pleasure thou and but onely thou haue I offended withall therefore diuine Angellica forgiue me I like a rauisher spotted thy Uirginitie I â—râ—pt thy sweet budde of Chastitie I with flattery won thy heart and ledde thee from thy Fathers house that good Earle of London to feede my wanton desires by thee had I a Sonne of whom both then and I take glory of for in his worthynesse remaine the true Image of a Martialist and this renowned Knight of the Red-rose is he He liues the fruit of our wanton pleasures borne at Lincolne and there by a Shepherd brought vp few knowing till now his true Parente Maâ—â—aile not deere Sonne thinke not amisse sweete Queene for thou my louely Angellica Be not dismayde you honourable States heere attending my dying houre for as I hope presently to enter into Elizium Paradise and weare the Crowne of disertfull Glory I haue reuealed the long secrets of my heart and truely brought to light those things that the darknesse of obliuion hath couered Now the Mother knowes her Sonne the Sonne the Mother Now may this valiant Knight boast of his Pedegrée and a quiet content satisfie all your doubts Thus haue I spoke my minde thus quieted my soule bids the world farwell Adue faire Quéene adue déere son farwell louely Angellica Lords and Ladyes adue vnto you all you haue seene my life so now behold my death as Kings doe liue so Kings must die These were the last of Kings Arthurs words And being dead his death not halfe so amazed the standers by as the strange spéeches at his liues farwell The Quéene in a raging ielousie fretted at her Marriage wrongs protesting in heart to be reuenged vpon the Nunne of Lincolne The Nunne of Lincolne séeing her wantonnesse discouered tooke more griefe thereat then ioy in the finding of her long lost Son supposing now that the King being gone she should be made a scandall to the world The Red-rose Knight knowing himselfe to be begot in wantonnesse and borne a Bastard tooke small ioy in the knowledge of his Mother Anglitora Tom a Lincolnes Wife excéeded all the rest in sorrow bitterly sobbing to her selfe and in heart making great lamentation in that she had forsaken Father Mother Friends Acquaintance and Countrey all for the loue of a Bastard bred in the wombe of a shamelesse Strumpet therefore she purposed to giue him the slip and with her owne Sonne a young gallant Knight named the Blacke Knight in courage like his Father to trauaile towards the Kingdome of Prester Iohn where she first breathed life and her Father reigned In this melancholy humour spent they many dayes troubling their braines with diuers imaginations The Court which before rung with Delights and flourished in gallant sort now thundred with Complaints euery one disliking his owne estate Discontent as a proud Commaunder gouerned ouer them and their Attendants were idle Fancies and disquiet Thoughts and to speake troth such a confused Court was seldome séene in the Land for no sooner was Kings Arthurs Funerall solemnized but the whole troupes of Lords Knights and Gentlemen Ladyes and others were like to a splitted Shippe torne by the Tempest of the Sea seuered euery one departed whither his Fancie best pleased The Red-rose Knight conducted his Mother Angellica to a Cloyster in Lincolne which place she had so often polluted with her shame there to spend the remnant of her life in repentance and with her true Lamentations to wash away her blacke spottes of sinne that so grieuously stayneth her Soule and from a pure Uirgine made her selfe a desolute Strumpet Likewise King Arthurs widdowed Quéene like to irefull Hecuba or the tealous Iuno kept her Chamber for many dayes pondering in her minde what reuenge shee might take vpon Angellica her Husbands late fauorite On the other side Anglitora Lady and Wife to the Red-rose Knight with her Sonne the Blacke Knight made prouision for their departure towards the Land of Prester Iohn where shée was borne so vpon a night when neither Moone nor Star-light appeared they secretly departed the Court
the Whale fishes lay wallowing in the Waues behold such a tempest suddenly arose that by the force thereof the poore slaue was cast into the Sea but by reason of his Silken vaile tyde about his middle and his great skill in swimming as most Negars bée perfect therein kept himselfe from drowning and as good fortune would the same tempest droue the weather-beaten shippe to the same shore wherein the Red-rose Knight his master was which Shippe had béene seuen yeares vpon the Sea in great extreamitie and before this tyde could neuer sée land By that time the tempest ended the Shippe floted to land wherein was left but onely the Red-rose Knight in his Palmers wéede for all the rest werâ— starued vp for want of food who being weake and féeble â—limbed to the top of the Hatches where when hee had perceâ—ued the Negar labouring for life vpon the waters cast out a long coard and so saued him whome when the Red-rose Knight saw and perfectly knew hée fell all most into a traunce for ioy supposing his Lady and Sonne not to bee farre distant but recouering his former senses hée spake as followeth Oh blessed Neptune hast thou vouchsafed to deliuer mée from the depth of thy bowels and cast mée on land where once againe I may behold my Anglitora and my deare Sonne the Blacke Knight These seuen yeares famine indured on the Sea hath béene a swéete pleasure to mée in that the end brings mée to my desires Full threescore of my miserable Companions in this Shippe hath death seazed vpon and through Famine haue eaten one another making their hungry bowels graues for the others Carcases and though now this belly of mine like the Canibals haue béene glutted with humane flesh and this mouth of mine tasted the blood of man yet am I as pittifull as the tender hearted Mother forgetting her Sonnes offences and to my Anglitora will bee as kinde as if neuer shée had trespassed nor like the Grecian Helina left her marryed Lord So taking the Blackamoore by the hand Hée demaunded of her welfare and in what estate his Sonne remayned The true hearted Negar could hardly speake for griefe or vtter one word for teares yet at the last with a wofull sigh hée vttered foorth these heart-killing speeches Oh my noble Maister quoth hée by you from a Pagan I was made a Christian by you from a Heathen nation without ciuilitie I was brought to a Land of Princely gouernment and by you till my departure was I maintained in good manner there if I should proue periured slaue and a false Uarlet towards you my body were worthy to bée made foode for hungry Folvles of the Ayre and for the rauening Beasts of the Fields therefore now considering that dutie bindes mee to it I will reueale such wofull chaunces and such disloyall trickes shewed by your Lady as will make your heart tremble your Sinewes shake your haire to stand vpright Anglitora your Lady and Wife hath dishonoured your Bed and polluted that sacred Chamber of secretie which none ought to know but onely you two That mariage vow shee made in Gods holy Temple hath shée infringed and vntyed the knot of Nuptiall promise in a Countrey farre from hence hath shee wrought this hated crime in a CouÌ„trey vnpeopled liues shee in a Castle which is kept vp a Knight of a wanton demeanour there liue they two in adultery there liue they secreatly sléeping in wantonnesse and therefore these seauen yeares hath shée made her selfe the childe of shame All this with extreame griefe doe I vnfold and with a heart almost kilde with sorrow doe I breath out the dutie of a seruant if I haue offended let my death make amends for what I speake is truely deliuered from a heart vnfaigned All this time of this his sorrowfull Discourse stood the Red-rose Knight in a bitter agonie like one newlie dropt from the cloudes not knowing how to take these discourtesies one while purposing to bée reuenged and with his nailes to teare out the Strumpets eyes another while bewayling her weake nature that so easily was woon to leivdnesse but at last taking to him the vertue patience hee resolued to trauell to the Castle with his méek perswasions séeke to winne her former wickednesse to forget forgiue and cast out of remembrance all these her vnwoman-like demeanours obseruing the Prouerbe That faire meanes sooner winnes a woman then foule Thus in company of his true seruant the Negar hee tooke his iourney toward the Castle where after foure moneths trauell they ariued the Red-rose Knight by the directions of the Negar knocked and in his Pilgrimes habite desired meate and lodging for himselfe and his guide The first that opened the Gate was his owne Lady who immediately vpon the sight of them blushed as though some sodaine feare had affrighted her yet dessemblingly colouring her acknowledge of them shée in a charitable manner gaue them entertainement and conducted them to a by roame at the backe side of the Castle into which place shee sent them by her Dwarffe victuals from her owne Table with a commaund that the next morning they should auoyde and neuer more trouble that place This message sent by the Dwarffe much disquseted the Red-rose Knight and droue such amaze into his minde that hee grew ignorant what to doe And séeing his appointed time very short to remaine there hee now thought fit to strike whilst the Iron was hotte and to discouer what hee was so taking the Scarffe of Iewells and Kings tyed to his left side against his heart which shée knew perfectly well to bée the giftes of her Loue and by the Dwarffe sent them her The which no sooner shee beheld but shée openly sayd to thée Knight of the Castle that their secret affections were discouered and her Husband in the habite of a Palmer made abode in her House conducted thither by the Moore to bring their shame to light and to carry her thence to England there to be punished for her sinnes Heereupon the Knight and shee purposed the same night to rid themselues of that feare and by some violent death sende the Palmer to his last abyding Disquietnesse attended on all sides for that day and euery houre séemed ten till night approached which at last came though long lookt for Then Anglitora in company of the Knight of the Castle like vnto Murtherers rose from their Bedds euen at that houre of night when mischiefes are acted when no noyse was heard but the barking of Wolues the howling of Dogges and the croaking of Night-owles all assistance to blacke actions In this manner came they into the Lodging of the Palmer who for wearinesse of his Iourneyes most soundly slept little dreaming that such crueltie could be lodged in the boosome of his wedded Wife one whose loue he had first gained with great daunger and alwayes estéemed as deare as his owne heart blood All signes of duty had shée obscured not any remembrance had shee of
Womanhood Marriage Loue was forgotten their passed ioyes were as things neuer been not any thought of remorse remayned within her but shee more cruell then the new deliuered Bear or the Tyger starued for meate by the helpe of the Knight of the Castle tooke the Scarffe of Iewells sent her from him the same euening and by violence thrust them downe the Palmers throat by which meanes they bereaued him of life and without any solemnity due to so braue a man they buried him in a Dunghill without the Gate not shedding so much as one teare for his death so great was the 〈…〉 of this his 〈◊〉 full Lady The poore Negar they set vp to the middle in the ground so surely fastned that by any meanes he could not stirre from thence where wée will leaue him wishing for death The Red-rose Knight or rather the vnhappy Palmer in his vnchristian like Graue and the Knight of the Castle with the murtheresse Anglitora to their surfetting Banquets of sinne and returne to the Blacke Knight which had lost himselfe in the Woods CHAP. 6. How the Blacke Knight being lost in a wildernesse became a wild man how his Fathers Ghost appeared vnto him and in what manner hee slew his owne Mother BY this time the Blacke Knight grewe so naturall a Wilde-man as though hée had béene bredde in the Wildernesse for day by day hee sported with Lions Leopards Tygers Elephants Unicornes and such like kinde of Beasts playing as familiarly with them as in King Arthurs Court hée had done with gallant Gentlemen But marke how it hapned one day aboue an other Hee chaunched to walke downe into a Ually where hee set himselfe downe by the Riuers side and in humane complaints bewayled his owne estate how beeing borne and breed of a Princely Race discended royally should thus consume his dayes in sauage sort amongst Wilde beasts and by no meanes could recouer his libertie or frée himselfe from that solitary Wildernesse Being in this distresse of mind a suddaine feare assayld him his heart shiuered his haire stood vpright the Elements seemed to looke dimme a terrible Tempest tore vp huge trees the Wilde Beastes roared and gathered on a heape together Birdes fell liuelesse from the ayre the Ground as it were trembled and a sodaine alteration troubled each thing aboue him in this amaze sate hée a good time maruelling what would ensue at last there appeared as hée imagined the Ghost of his Faâ—heâ— newâ—y murthered with a countenance pale and wan with hollowe eyes or none at all gliding vp and downe before him casting such fearefull frownes as might make the stoutest heart in the world to tremble and at last setting himselfe before the Blacke Knight spake as followeth Fearenot my Sonne I am the Ghost of thy murthered Father returned from Plutoes hollow Region I came from that burning Kingdome where continually flames an euerlasting Furnace from the fearefull Pitte come I to thee for reuenge Oh thou my Sonne if euer gentle Nature were plyant in thy boosome if euer thou tookest pleasure to hearethy Fathers honours spoken of if euer thou desirest to haue thy life meritorious in this world take to thee thy neuer failing Courage and reuenge my death vpon thy adulterous Mother thy Mother now liuing in the filthinesse of shame making the Castle where shee now remaines in a lustfull stewes there was I murthered and there buried in a stincking Dunghill no man gaue mee Funeral teares nor any sorrowed for my death I that haue dared Death in the face and purchast Honour in many Kingdomes was slaine by my owne Wife by my néerest Friend by my second selfe by Anglitora by her whom the whole world admired for vertue Rise deare Sonne rise and hast thée to that Castle polluted with the shame of thy wicked Mother Rise I say and let the Pauements of that Castle be sprinkeled with their detested blood the blood of that Monster that hath not onely dispoyled my marriage bedde of honoured dignities but like a tyrant to her owne flesh hath murthered mee Sée how the angry Heauens as it were doe threaten my Reuenge hearke how Hell-Furies doe howle and roare for Reuenge my Wiues Adulterie at the hand of Heauen deserues Reuenge My bléeding soule Oh my Sonne wandreth in vnquiet paths till thou workest Reuenge my death and murther cries for Reuenge then feare not Sonne to act it for duty loue and nature bindes thée to it By Heauen and by that great immortall Throane of happinesse By that low Kingdome of eternall paines By the huge watrey Seas I past to follow her By Earth and by the Soules of all the mortall men that euer dyed I commaund â—haâ—ge and constraine thée to perseuere in this Reuenge Hence to that foule defamed Castle defamed by Adulterie defamed by Murther there to my Soule doe thy latest dutie there wound thy cursed Mothers breast there sacrifice her liues blood there appease thy Fathers Ghost insenst with furie so shall my Soule in ioy enter the Fields of faire Elizeum But if thou prouest coward-like and through feare deny to execute my glorious Reuenge from this day hence-forth shall my pale wan leane and withred Ghost with gastly lookes and fearefull steps pursue and follow thee These were the words of his Fathers Ghost and hauing spoken these words with a grieuous groane hee vanished At this his sodaine departure the Blacke Knight cryed with a loud and fearefull voyce saying My noble Father stay Oh stay thy hasty steppes once more let mee heare thee speake Whether flyest thou Oh let me heare thy voyce againe It will not be He is vanished and my Mother liues as a shame to all our generation Oh thou staine of woman-hood Oh thou bloody Lionnesse Oh brutish act Oh beastly desires Where shall I now finde a place to shed teares in for my heart is rent into tenne thousand pieces and the terrour of this déed is too intollerable Rest thou in peace sweete Father thou in thy life wert both wise and valiant thy vertue wisedome and manhood made the very enemies to loue thée Oh then what fortune hadst thou to die by the friendly trust of thy owne Wife my disloyall Mother thy neerest friend proud thy greatest enemie and by a Womans mallice that heart was killed that millions of Foes could neuer daunt Oh sweete Red-rose Knight most happy hadst thou been to haue dyed â—â— the Fields of bloody Warre and seal'd thy liues quittance â—moâ—est renowned Souldiers then had thy death béene more honorable my wicked Mother had not murthered thée nor I béen inforst to take such bloody vengeance as I intend deare Father for thy sake for let mée neuer breath one day longer nor view the next Mornings rising Sunne let mée neuer liue imprisoned in this Wildernesse let nothing prosper that 〈◊〉 I â—ake in hand and here let the worlde end if I cease to prosecute a mortall Reuenge as the soule of my Father hath commaunded Hereupon hée set forward toward the Castle