and beare you companie and will not departe from hence till that death doth conclude and make an ende of one of vs or both together The Knight of the Sunne was greatlie amazed as well at the gentle disposition of the Princesse as also at the great bountie and curtesie which shée offered vnto him and beléeued verilie as well in the riches of his armour as in all other thinges that hée shoulde bée some knight of highe estate and beeing verie desirous to gratifie his wordes hée sayde Sir Knight I doe giue you great thankes for this your curtesie and great good will which you doe offer vnto mée and I woulde if it were Gods will that my fortune might bée such that I were able to doe you anie seruice or pleasure but my fortune hath béene so contrarie and my euyll destinie hath brought me vnto this estate that I cannot affoorde my selfe to leade anie other lyfe than this which I doe now leade neither haue I remaining in mée so much power and libertie for to accomplish anie thing of this which you haue spoken vnto mée off for that according vnto the greate fire wherewith I am tormented I haue not anie more hope of my life neither haue I anie more certaine continuance than the flame that in hast consumeth a candle and he that hath his end so nigh at hande to what purpose I praie you should he goe and séeke his owne naturall Countrie for to die there for that it is death to leaue both both the one other and as wise men haue sayde That vnto man there is no Countrie proper but all the whole world is a common Inne touching this misâ—rable life and for that Grecia is my naturall Countrie in no part in all the world can the death be more grieuous vnto mée than there the lamentations of my parents the teares and wéepings of my brethren the complaints of my friends the cryings of my subiects all the which will be an occasion to me of greater torment and the griefe much more greater vnto them so that for to excuse all this I am determined to die there whereas nothing else but my sorrowful death shall be grieuous vnto me and there whereas I shall alwaies haue it in memorie and now séeing that my fortune will not suffer nor consent to anie other remedie I do most heartely desire you gentle knight to returne againe vnto the sea vnto your owne companie from whence you came and let mée remaine héere alone in this Iland and although it be solitarie yet am I accompanied with so many sorrowes griefes and tormentes that I haue no néede of anie other companie Héere the Princesse could not choose but féele at her hart verie grieuous the wordes of her knight but of his greate fidelitie she was verie glad and ioyfull and had great pittie of his sorrow and griefe and willing to proceede in farther talke with him she said Of truth worthie Prince I doe not knowe what euill this of yours should be so great and so stranâ—e that in this sort hath taken awaie your stâ—â—ngth that all the power you haue is not able to resist it if it bée not that the which could tame the mightie Samson the most strongest of all men and that Hercules that had so greate power and force against the Centauros which is Loue that did bring these in subiection and many others moe in the world if it be this which hath brought your life into this estate I knowe not what she shoulde bee that against you should shew her selfe so cruâ—ll except it be such as wâ—ll peruert the courses and naturall mouings for being as you are amonst Princes the most highest and amongst the most excellentest and inducd with all goodnesse of nature I doe beléeue that there is no damsell in the worlde of what estate and beautie so euer he be but would receiue great contentment and thinke her selfe happie to bée of you beloued knowing the loue that you beare vnto her to bée perfect and â—oiall and if it fall out not to be such beléeue mée for that I knowe thus much of women that first they will consent themselues to die burning in amorous fires than to make anie shew of loue vnto them that they thinke to haue their thoughtes occupied in other partes and so farre foorth as I can see they haue great reason for that the heart of a man being set vpon more than one there is none that hath anie parte in him neither can his loue with anie bée perfect the which you maye verie well iudge by your selfe in thinking of that which you would do if so bee that you did sée this to bée in her whome you at this present doe so earnestlie loue Ah good knight sayde the knight of the Sunne this is the hidden fire wherewith I am scorched and that wherewith the bones of this my mortall bodie doth consume This is that which hath me prisoner and hath inchaunted me and that to whom all my force and strength is yéelded without hauing anie other thing in mée to make anie resistance but to doe that which hée desired and suffer with a good will all such paines and tormentes as hée giueth mée estéeming much of the wound making poison to bée sauourie bitter swéete paine delectable torment ioy and pleasure and finallie death to bée verie swéete and easie And if that loue hath shewed her selfe so cruell against mée good knight doe not meruaile thereat for that that high and soueraine Damsell the which my fortune and destinie dyd permit mée to loue is of so greate valour and high desert that héere I doe confesse that I am not worthie of her for that fortune amongest humane creatures did exalt her most highest and nature did painte her in such sorte that putting a parte the power of God I am perswaded that there was to bée done no more on her This waie hath shée bene cruell vnto mée and not that waie Sir Knight which you haue giuen mée to vnderstand for that shée it is alone whom I loue and my heart is fixed vppon no other but onelie vpon her It is not néedfull that I saie anie more heerein for that my lyfe doth beare witnesse of my greate fidelitie for iâ— so be that I had my thought fixed in anie other place then should not my disfauour haue so much force and power ouer mée as to cause mée to receiue suche mortall griefe Then shée sayde of my faith Sir Knight according vnto your wordes and as you haue giuen mée to vnderstande by them it can bée no other for whome you doe suffer this sorrow and griefe but Claridiana the Empresse of Tâ—apisonda for that shée is a Damsell as well in highnesse as in beautie and gifts of nature that doth surpasse all other that be in the world and if this bée not true I tell you that you doe iniurie mée in this which you haue sayd for that I haue séene her and I doe beléeue that
she hath not her equall in the world The great sorrow and griefe of my heart said the knight of the Sunne vnto her alone I wold that it were manifest but for that I will not doe so great iniurie vnto so high a damsell aâ— you haue héere mentioned and again because you shall not saie that I lack reason in this which I haue said I giue you to vnderstand of a truth that she is the partie and now seeing y â— I haue tolde you I most heartelie desire you that so long as you do liue you keepe it secret for that séeing I must die for her sake yet I would not for all the worlde that she should be accounted culpable of my death Now wil I giue you to vnderstand said the Princesse that there is remedie put in all this your sorrow and griefe and that your fortune is much better than you did make reckoning of for that I doe know this damsell and am certaine that many daies since she hath trauailed in your demand with greate sorrow and care for to finde you and according vnto the wordes which I heard and the profound sighs which I haue séene her vtter I doe beléeue of certaintie that she doth beare you as much good loue as you doe beare vnto her if it bée so that you haue receiued anie disfauour or discurtesie at her hands it is not vnknowen that ouer much loue many times is the occasion of iealous thoughts conceiued against them whom they loue the which she might well haue in seeing you in companie with some other faire damsell afterward being certefied of your fidelitie repented her selfe and then the loue which before she bare vnto you to be a new redoubled in her for that there is nothing that doth inâ—ame and kindle the amorous hearts so much as dâ—th a false iealousie when that faithfullie they are certefied to the contrarie for then all wrath and anger is turned vnto loue and is the ocsion the more to augment and increase and so it may be now in Claridiana that if so be that you alonelie doe loue her then was it not possible the truth to be hid and now she being repented of that which is past it doth cause her as I haue tolde you to goe in your demand and with no other intent but to aske you pardon for that which is past the which you ought out of hand for to pardon and to go séeke her for that there is nothing more worthie to be pardoned than those errours which are committed by ouer much louing Then he said Ah sir knight tell me I praie you where you did see my Ladie and mistres the Empresse Claridiana and how you doe vnderstand y â— she trauaileth in my demand for that of truth if it be true I wil presentlie depart and go séeke her vnto the worlds end onelie for to sée her wherein there shall bée no man in all the worlde so happie as I. I will tell you how I doe know it said the Empresse for that it is not many daies since that I saw her and if thou wilt that I shal tell thée true not many hours and you shal vnderstand that yesterdaie shée ariued in this Iland in your demand and shée is a aland and not farre from you and I doe beléeue that that is shée that commeth yonder This she sayd pointing with her hand towards one part of the Forrest that waies which shée came Then the knight of the Sunne all amazed and ameruailed as of a thing in mockage and impossible did looke towards that part in the meane time the Princesse pulled her gantlets froÌ„ her white hands and tookeâ—off her helme wherewith all her rubicond haire which séemed to be skaines of golde spread abrode vpon her shoulders of so great length that it reached vnto the ground and shewed forth that faire face with so great strangenesse and maiestie that there was nothing in the worlde that might bée compared therevnto and the more her beautie shewed for that shée was hot in trauailing a foote by reason whereof her coulour was in her face and it séemed in the middest of her white chéeks to be two fragrant red Roses her faire and rowling eies glistered like vnto two verie fine and greate Emerodes glittering with a gréene cléerenesse in so profound wise that in them it might be naturallie sayd whosoeuer did beholde them to bée conuerted into stones for that all humane vnderstanding they did amaze and leaue as astonied But to conclude the soueraigne Princesse in all pointes séemed rather to bée a diuine thing than humane but the knight of the Sunne who with great attention was looking towardes that place whereas shée tolde him that shée was comming had not as yet seene the Princesse in that order till within a while after séeing that hée could sée no bodie comming hée tourned his head about for to aske the Knight where hée hadde séene and lefte her but when he sawe her healme off and knewe her by her fayre face it cannot bée sayde and tolde what that worthie knight at that instant felt within himselfe but remayned wonderfullie amazed and meruailing more than anie man in the worlde without anie power to speake one worde neither mooued hée anie eie lidde but stoode still beholding that seraphicall face out of the which he receiued so many dazeling sightes and glittering cléerenesse as though he had continuallie looked vpon the Sunne in the morning at such time as he spreadeth his golden beames abroade vpon the earth Then the royall Princesse séeing him in that greate perplexitie with the excéeding ioye and pleasure shée receiued clasping him about the necke and embracing him shée sayde Iust true and good knight séeing that I am shée alone that haue committed this errour and hath bene the onely occasion of all this your sorow and griefe I am héere come in presence to make a meanes for the same and to craâ—e pardon at your hands for all that is past for if I haue committed any offence beleue mee it was by the ouermâ—ch loue which I did beare you and your troubles and sorowes hath grieued mée as much and gone as nigh my heart as mine hath bene vnto you in such sort that if God of his infinit mercie and goodnesse had not permitted mée to finde you here of trueth I doe tell you that I would neuer haue departed from hence aliue for that I was determined to ende my dayes leading the most strictest sorowfull life that might be immagined in recompence of my great error In the meane time that the Princes spake these words the knight of the Sunne receiued so great ioye and pleasure in séeing him in the presence of his so desired mistresse that he embrased her excusing himselfe with such amorous swéet words that he thought himselfe transported into an other world and knew not whether he was in heauen or on the earth And comming vnto himselfe after that he had receiued
the Sunne the which séemed vnto the Empresse to be a good occasion and coulour for her to enter into Grecia and to defie the knight of the Sunne she would not discouer her selfe vnto Medea but did dissemble with her saying that â—he did her great pleasure therein and would straight waies depart for Grecia But Medea who was meruailously in loue with her and loth to leaue her sayd that she would beare her companie for that she would be present to sée her make the battaile with the knight of the Sunne The Empresse was verie glad thereof and betwixt them was appointed the time of their departure So after that she had remained ther two daies they went to sea and ariued in Grecia and came vnto the citie of Constantinople in the order as you heard before In the meane time that they were in the forrest after the battaile made with the knight of the Sunne Medea was still deceiued beleeuing that the Empresse had bene a knight and for that they should remaine there all that night after they had supped with certaine vittailes brought thether by her damsels Medea did neuer â—eace requiring the Empresse of loue offering her selfe to be her wife and said that she would take her to be her husband without any other consideration and that it was not her will that she should returne any morâ— to combat with the knight of y e Sunne at the which words the Empresse would haue laughed very much if the great griefe which she had receued in her heart would haue consented to the same but by reason that one waye her minde was occupied in considering what she was of her selfe and to be forgotten for an other damsell And againe calling to remembrance in what estate the knight of the Sunne remained at their departure out of Constantinople she was so full of anguish sorow and griefe that she little minded the amorous words y â— Medea spake vnto her neither could the wrath and anger that she conceiued against the knight of the Sunne doe so much but that y â— loue which was printed within her heart could doe much more and caused her to repent her selfe for that which she had done and to receiue great griefe for y â— estate in the which she had left the knight of the Sunne Likewise in that she had proued his mightie force and courage her loue did so double and increase that she thought verely that there was not in the whole world but he alone that dyd deserue her to be his wife which was the occasion that her griefe was y â— more by reason that she was without all hope And it is to be belâ—â—ued as the wise Liâ—gandeo saith that there was neuer sorow of a damsel for loue equall vnto this of the royall Empresse Claridiana for that she séeing her selfe to be without compariâ—on as well in beautie fairâ—nesse as in all other graces which should be in a gentlewoman likewise in bloud and highnes none did passe her and séeing that a knight whome she did loue with all her heart and with whome she alonely might marrie confirmable vnto her highnesse and he receiuing her for his owne and now to haue forgotten her and changed her for an other of meaner estate And againe seeing that there remained not in all the world a Prince nor knight that is worthiâ— of her louâ— so that the had iâ—st cause to receue grief and sorow more then any other and as her cause is great so much more should her griefe be in especiall hauing as she had so excelent and cleare vnderstaÌ„ding for to conceiue the same So with this mortall anguish doth the Historie 〈◊〉 her Medea for to tell you of the knight of the Sun which was in his bedde How the knight of the Sunne came againe vnto himselfe and as one desperate for the battaile that he had with the Empresse Claridiana he departed the court of the Emperour Trebaâ—o Chap. 〈◊〉 GReat part of y â— night was the knight of the Sunne so farre out of all remembraunce that it séemed to be mortall till such time as was passed the dolour of his senses the which y â— sodaine griefe did cause vnto him and transported vnto a verie â—ound swete sléepe in such sorte â—hat all men did sée that he slept verie qâ—â—ietlie which was the occasion that the Emperour and those high Princes and knights went to take their restes and leâ—â— him all alone with his two squires Biniano and Aurelio In this order he â—lâ—pt a while and being past midnight he dremed that he was in battaile as the day before with the which he awaked and started vs as one that was scared but when he saw him selfe in his bed and by him certaine torches burning he straight way called to remembrance the battaile that he had had with the strange knight and how that it was his iâ—â—stresse the Empresse Claridâ—ana The remembraunce whereof did cause so great sorow and griefe that as a furious man and one from himselfe he threw all the clothes from him and arose vp from his bed and â—inding his apparell he put them on and began to arme himselfe without y â— hâ—lp of anie till such time as his squires wâ—â—â—ere a sléepe with the noyse thereof did awake and séeing what their Lord did with great meruaile they asked him why he did arme himselfe but the knight of the Sun made them no aunswere but made hast to be armed Theâ— they séeing that he made no accompt of their 〈…〉 and did helpe him till that he was wholly 〈…〉 being done he commaâ—nded 〈…〉 horse in a readinesse and â—o bring him 〈…〉 the pallace who séeing his Lord with so 〈…〉 durst not aske him any other question but 〈…〉 and went and made his horse in a redinesse and 〈…〉 were sadled and brydled and brought to the pallace gate the knight of the Sunne descended out of his 〈…〉 when he saw the horse of his squires 〈…〉 asked Biniano wherefore he had 〈…〉 owne who aunswered him and 〈…〉 with him I will none of 〈…〉 there shall none of you goe with 〈…〉 you remaine here with the 〈…〉 may gâ—atifie you for the gread good 〈…〉 vnto 〈◊〉 for that I dâ—e goâ— thether 〈…〉 haue no power to doe you anie good neither 〈…〉 whether euer I shall returne againe into this 〈…〉 no anie more When his squires heard him saye these wordes sor the great good will that they did heare him they began to lament and wéepe for verie griefe and their teares were so great that almost they could not speake yet Aâ—â—cho sake at such time as our father did giue vs vnto you to be our Lorde he did not giue vs for that you should make vs either Kings or Lords neither to giue vs anie recompence for our seruice for that he did not know you as then to be sâ— noble a prince but a trauailing knighâ— but his gift of vs vnto you was onely to serue you and
29. AFter that the knight of the Sunne had slaine that diuellish Fauno till such time as the Princesse Claridiana came vnto thé solitarie Ilande there was two moneths betwéene as saith the wise Lyâ—gandeo in which time he passed his life with sorrowes and complaints sighs and sobs all the daie long in the night time to sléepe vpon the hard ground although for to withdrawe himselfe in the time of water and raine and from the heate of the Sunne he made a cottage couered with boughs compassed round about with a fountaine scituated vnder a companie of thick trées this place was a great waie separated from that wheras the â—auno was slaine so that by reason that the Princesse was a foot as yet she was not come vnto that place but in all the time that this good knight was there he neuer eate anie other thing but such wilde 〈◊〉 and rootes as he found in the Iland so that with great hâ—â—â—nesse he did sustaine his liâ—e by which meanes as also for the greâ—t heauinesse and griefe which hee had taken in his heart he was brought verie loâ—â—e wared leaue and 〈◊〉 such sort that whosoeuer had seene him shuld not haue knowen him all the which he 〈◊〉 with great patience and determined in that sorte to ende his daies hâ—e was brought verie weake and feeble and could not long haue â—ndyred if remedie had not come in time neither could 〈…〉 to straight and wearie a 〈…〉 condition and strong of nature There was not in all the Iland anie person for to comfort him neither 〈…〉 thing to recreate his understanding but 〈…〉 which many times came that 〈…〉 him who one waie gaue him some comâ—ort when hee sawe him and another waie he did double his 〈◊〉 in calling to râ—membrance the great and worthie 〈…〉 that he did with him Likewise the 〈◊〉 of his friends turned him to great sorrow as â—he Emperour â—â—cbatio his father and the roiall Empresse 〈◊〉 his mother his good brother Rosicleer and of all the rest of his friends and he found himselfe verie solitarie without their companie but by reason that the griefe was much more which he printed in his heart in considering the misliking and euil loue of the Princesse Claridiana there was nothing sufficient neither that raging and solitarie life which hée suffered for to cause him once to change his minde for to departs from that place for that many times he said vnto himselfe séeing that the Princesse Claridiana desired his death and that she procured to giue it him with her owne handes hée desired to liue no longer in this world at least waies not in place where he might be séene of people Thus in the end of all this time that hée was there it chaunced the finall daie of all his troubles to bée verie hot and soultering and being passed a great parte of the same hée went forth of the cottage whereas hée was and went and put himselfe vnder the shadow of a companie of thicke trées whereas the water of the fountaine passed by with a swift course the place was verie pleasant and delectable and béeing sitten downe vpon the gréene grasse and the pittering leaues vpon those gréene trées béeing moued with a most swéete and peaceable winde ioyntlie with the cleere water of that fountaine running out betwéene the stones made so pleasant and delightfull a noise that the knight of the Sunne being ouerwatched with his continuall care fell asléepe and béeing in this order asléepe lying a longe vpon the gréene hearbes it chaunced to be the verie same daie that the Princesse Claridiana went to séeke him with great sorrowe and griefe because shée could not finde him neither aliue nor dead and by reason that shée went a foote and the daie verie hot shée waxed somewhat wearie for in all the other daie past and in that daie shée neuer ceased séeking of him round about in all partes yet notwithstanding her great wearinesse the greate care that shée had at her heart was the occasion that shée rested not till such time as fortune brought her whereas the knight of the Sunne laie vnder the trées in the shadow all along a sléepe but when shee found him whereas hée laie in that order vppon the ground and knew him there was no humane pleasure that might bée compared vnto that which shée receiued at that instant for shée remained a good space as if it had bene one transported into a new world without anie remembrance and it séemed verilie that it had not bene possible so greate ioy and pleasure should haue entred into her brest although to the contrarie when as she sawe that good knight the flower of all the knighthoode in the worlde to be so leaâ—e and wanne and put into so asper and straight life shee shedde great abundaunce of teares which ranne downe her faire face wherwith she was so bathed that when she came nigh vnto him she remained a pretie while as in contemplation and could not satisfie her selfe in beholding him for although hee was vnarmed and laie along vpon the harde ground yet dyd hée shew forth that soueraigne maiestie and graue semblance wherewith hée was adorned hee was apparelled in a doublet of cloth of golde somewhat worne out and his faire yeolow haire which séemed to bée â—kaines of golde was spread vppon the gréene grasse and his seuere countenance although it were leane and wanne did shew forth the gallant perfection wrought therein by nature For as the wise Lyrgandeo sayth and as it hath beene declared in many places of this Hystorie the proportion of his bodie hée saith that he had a long visage almost a spanae and a halfe long besides his beard which at this time was somewhat growen a broade forehead and bigge eies his eye browes compassing like an arke and almost a hande breadth from point to point his nose was somewhat sharpe a lyttle mouth and his lippes verie redde hee was of a gallant stature which was about eight foâ—te long and is sufficient for a Gyant and all his members so well proportioned that it séemed Nature dyd straine her selfe and indued him with all graces Therefore because hee was so bigge and well made in euerie part with that greate maiestie in his countenaunce as hée laie along vppon the grasse that sure it was a straunge thing to beholde and the Princesse dyd neuer vntil that daie sée him in apparaile that it better please her and giue her greater contentment which was the occasion that shée remained there a good while beholding of him as one greatlie astonished and it séemed vnto her that his shape dyd verie farre surpasse all humane vnderstanding and she sayd within her selfe that God had not created that knight of so good a disposition for to liue in the deserts and how that she deserued all euill for that she was the occasion of his sorrowe and troubles In the meane time that shée thus debated with himselfe the good knight began
laced on their helmes and came forth to the ship side and asked what they were that would take them prisoners Then straight waies more than ten knights of a gallant proportion and wel armed came forth vnto them and sayd That vnto two alone knights as they were there was no néede for to make that account but yet for that you shall vnderstand vnto whome you shall yéeld your selues prisoners know that we are all belonging vnto the gran Cleonidas and we doe pardon vnto none their liues except they doe yéeld vnto vs at the first to be our prisoners Of truth sayde the Princesse this cannot be that you should be belonging vnto that rouer Cleonidas for that he is not in this world neuerthelesse if that you be in your workes and deedes as hée was you shall quicklie be wheras he is and that is with the diuell How is this sayd they is our Lord Cleonidas dead It is not possible for that there is no humane power neither yet diuine that is of so much power for to kill him Then you shall vnderstand of a truth sayde the Princesse that I dyd sée him slaine onelie with one blow But these knights would not beléeue it but thought verilie that they sayd it because they woulde deliuer and cleere themselues from their hands and one of them would haue laide holde vpon her and sayd False Knight they mocking shal little profite thée for in spite of thy heart you shall goe with vs prisoners Then the knight of the Sunne who heard and sawe all that passed without drawing anie sword stroke him with his armed fist such a blowe vppon the head that he buckled his helme into his braines and ouerthrew him dead at his féet Then all the rest greatlie amazed at that blow drew their swords and leapt altogether into their ship and beganne to charge them with their blowes in the best wise they could but these two who in the like conflicts were verie well experimented drew out their fine and slashing swords and so besturred themselues that with a few blows they slew sixe of them the other which remained making a great noise leapt againe into their ships out of the which came straight waies forth more than thirtie other knights who séemed to be verie good and well armed and altogether began to leap into the other ship and charged the knight of the Sun and the Princesse with their blowes all that euer they coulde but it wel appeared that they did not know their great worthinesse in that they approched vnto them without order but in a short space they lost all their brauerie for that in the space of lesse than halfe a quarter of an houre that the battaile was begun they ouerthrew more than twentie of them to the ground with such mortall blowes that the rest which remained aliue being terrified and amazed retyred backe vnto their ships and the knight of the Sunne and the Princesse followed them whereas they found a new resistance with certain fresh knights and other people that were in the ships who began to charge them verie greatlie and laide vpon them many heauie blowes but the knight of the Sunne taking the foreward of his mistres setled himselfe in such sort that if there had ben a thousand knights before him he wold haue estéemed them little and being verie desirous to bée reuenged on the long time that he was idle in the solitarie Iland he put himselfe amongest his enimies and charged them with such mortall blowes and without all pittie that if the battaile had indured but a little longer he had not left one aliue of all that were in the ships Then those which remained seeing there was no resistance to bée made against the furie of those two knights 〈◊〉 downe before them and craued pardon for their liues Then they who were redie to accomplish their requests did grant them their desires and vnderstanding the truth how they were rouers how that they had many prisoners in their ships they commaunded them to bring them forth before them Then they obeying their commandement carried them into certaine bigge cabbines in their ships whereas they found many men and women with chaines and boltes of yron and amongst them the knight of the Sunne knew his good Pages Binnano and Aurelio and the twentie knightes of Candia that were in his companie Likewise the auncient Pilot that tolde vnto him the storie of the diuellish Fauno of the which he was not a little glad for that they were deliuered by his handes But when they knew him as well by his armour as by his face for that at that time his beauer was lifte vp it is not to be spoken how greatlie they meruailed and what ioy and pleasure they receiued and as amazed they looked the one vpon the other and could not beleeue that he should be aliue and his two Squires as from themselues came vnto him and knéeled downe before him and began to kisse his armed hands and the skirt of shirt of maile saying O Lord God how can we gratifie this great curtesie which thou hast done vnto vs in letting vs sée before our deaths this excellent and worthy prince our Lord. The knight of th◠Sunne receiued them with great loue and raised them from the ground saying My good friends those who haue had you in their powers did not loue you so much as I haue done and I giue thankes vnto almightie God that I doe now see you and I doe desire him to giue 〈◊〉 so much libertie that I may gratifie you these greafe troubles the which for my sake you haue sustained for surelie it was a great griefe vnto my heart for to leaue you alone in that case without all comfort when I thought to goe and leaue my life Goe and kisse the handes of my Ladie and mistres the Princesse Claridiana who next vnto God hath deliuered me from death They hearing the same meruailed verie much thereat and went and knéeled downe before her and would haue kissed her hands but the Princesse caused them to arise and receiued them verie curteouslie for that she knew the knight of the Sunne did beare them great loue and for that she would not be knowen of the other she did not raise vp her beauer but commaunded that it shoulde not be knowen who she was Then the knights of Candia and the auncient Pilot came and kissed the hands of the knight of the Sunne giuing him greate thankes for their libertie which at his handes they obtained who receiued them with great loue and commaunded their chaines and shakles to be pulled off Then they asked the knight of the Sun what had happened vnto him in the Iland of the diuellish Fauno My good friends sayd the knight of the Sunne God of his infinit goodnesse and mercie gaue me power for to cléere and deliuer my selfe from him and to kill him for that in that Iland he may be serued being peopled as he hath
the Sunne sent to the Princesse Lyndabrides SOueraigne Princesse of Tarâ—â—ria by one of your damsels I receiued a Letter of yours with the which is that I could make manifest by wordes all that I felt at my hart I doe thinke verilie that you woulde holde your selfe for satisfied and not to desire to haue of me more reueÌ„ge for y â— you see my whole hart burne in bright flames and hath not so much libertie as to quench one sparke of that fire Faire princesse do you not beléeue that the loue which you saie I was wont to beare vnto you with the great solempnitie of teares and profound sighes published is forgotten For héere I giue you to vnderstand that it hath hetherto indured and shall indure so-long as life doth last for that it was in such sorte rooted within my heart that first it shall consume into dust and ashes before the rootes thereof bée pulled cleane out I am hee that I was wont to be and in no point altered nor changed vnto that I haue béene before nowe and if you saie that before I was yours so I will now bée yours and yours all the daies of my life and you haue no reason to saie that there is in the world two knights of my name if it were so yet I am he alone that doth loue you and first I wil consent to death rather than anie héerein should beare me companie You doe saie that how is it possible that I should be he that was so dismaid-the first time that I saw you in the triumphant Chariot If it were a thing that you might sée and beholde what I felte and the greate alteration of my heart at such time as I sawe your Damsell onelie for to know the occasion of her comming with greater reason you might saie that you shoulde sée me in a greater confusiâ—n if you sawe mée now in your presence And whereas you doe saie that I had battaile with the Prince Meridian in the defence of your iustice I am now more readier in that quarell to combat with all that are in the world and first I wil consent to bee hewed all to péeces than in one-point to consent vnto your iniurie so that in conclusion high mightie Princesse in all things that shall accomplish your seruice my good will at this time is more prompt than heeretofore it hath béene and the knight of the Sunne you may estéeme him as wholie your owne sauing one thing which I doe reserue from your subiection which is my soule for that is immortall and the soueraigne creator did create it vnto his owne similitude and likenesse the which shall loose his whole price and estate if I doe yéeld it to be yours for to obey your commandement and therin I shall offend the diuine maiesâ—ie what greaâ—er offence may I commit thaÌ„ for to ioyne with you in matrimonie you being a Gentile and I a Christian. And againe you that doe presume to descend from the high originall of the high Gâ—ds vnto whome you shall doe great iniurie if that you doe ioyne issue and bloud with a knght that is contrarie vnto your lawe and profession I doe beléeue that you cannot long time suffer mée to bée your husband neither your vassalls and subiects obey mée for their Lorde for either I shall bée constrained for to turne mée vnto your lawe or else you and all yours vnto my posession All this I had forgotten when that as you doe saie we trauailed together towards the gran Cataia and nothing was the occasion of this forgetfulnesse but that it was so little past that I became a Christian that as then my soule was not well awaked out of that obscure and darke lawe in the which I was deceiued but afterwardes I called my selfe to remembraunce and I giue infinite thankes vnto almightie God that he hath giuen mée such inspiration that if it had not come from him according vnto the great loue which he bore vnto mee I had not ben able for to haue cléered my selfe from you but that néedes I must haue fallen into that perillous snare And by that I doe knowe that the vniuersall creatour of all things of his owne handes created with so greaâ—e exâ—ellencie the royall Princesse Claridâ—ana who for that shee is a myrrour without offending of the diuine maiestie I may receiue her for my spouse and with the sheelde of her beautie I will labour for to defend the encounters of your greate beautie the which is of so great sorce and strength that if I had not so excellent a sheeld there were not in me sufficient force for to make resistance but that néedes I must bée ouercome Therefore soueraigne and worthie Princesse haue patience and thinke because fortune hath bene so aduerse and contrarie vnto our desires and that our destinies woulde not permit the same that the diuine prouidence was not serued therein and as a thing that was neither conuenient for you nor mée hée woulde not consent nor giue that in this our purpose our willes shoulde bée accomplished You saie that you write to me briefe for that you will not write to me with anger wherein I receiue great curtesie for that being as I am so much yours it should grieue mée verie much that you should speake against me wordes of greate cholar And in that which you doe saie that whereas loue doth lack your brief reasons wil séeme vnto me prolixious and that you knowe to all thinges I will make my eares deafe if it were a thing possible without preiudiee for to open these my entrailes for to shew vnto you my heart wherein you might plainlie sée how you are deceiued for that there is nothing in all the world that doth delight mée more than in the receit of your Letter and in reading of the same so that if it were a thing possible I would it should neuer conclude You doe conclude in your Letter that you neuer will depart out of Crecia till such time as you haue of mée reuengement I would verie faine know in what order you would haue it because I would excute it my selfe and if it bée your pleasure and commandement that I put my self in your power giue me straight waies to vnderstand thereof and I will be as readie to obey as you for to command mée and I do not much estéeme that loue if you thinke that with my death you should remaine satisfied with the which I conclude kissing your emperiall hands The knight of the Sunne In the meane time that this faire Princesse was reading the Letter she shed so many teares from her faire eies that she was all to be sprinkled therwith and when the had concluded the reading thereof all her members failed her and her heart was ouercome her amorous passions were more kindled with the louing wordes that he wrote vnto her But when she saw cléerelie that the knight of the Sun did discouer the loue that he bare vnto
thâ—â— more and better then if all the knights in his court had spoken and sworne it And as a thing verified to be most true the King commaunded the Quéene that straight wayes she should deliuer vnto the Duke the faire Polisena for that she had chosen him to be her husband Now sir knights I pray you iudge what the gentle Lusiano might féele in his heart who found himself present at all that passed and had more conâ—â—dence in the loue and loyaltie of the Dutches then of the credit of those knights with great payne did suffer that reproch for that he would not discouer the secret betwéene them But when that he vnderstoode that which the king had commaunded he as then could not suffer it any longer but put himselfe before the king and said Lord and soueraine here I doe saie that all which the Duke Roberto and these knights hath saide against the Dutches of Austria is the greatest treason and falsehood that euer was sayde or inuented For that that shée is my legittimate spouse and she neuer gaue her faith neither her loue vnto any other knight in all her life but vnto mée and this will I proue vpon the Duke or vpon any of these thrée knights This Prince had â—â—arce concluded these words when that the Duke and these thrée knights layde hand vpon their swords against him and he dyd the like against them so that there had bene done great harme if that the king had not put himselfe betwixt them and parted themâ— commaunded that either of them should kéepe his house and not to come abrode Then the king being verie desirous to knowe whether it were true or not which the Prince Lusiano had said commaunded that the Dutches should be brought before him and asked her if that the Prince Lusiano were her husband or not Then she séeing that it was not at that time to kéepe it in silence sayde that it was true that he was her spouse and none other When the king vnderstoode that he commaunded that the Dutchesse should bée put prisoner in a strong tower beléeuing verilie that shée had made her selfe sure and giuen her word vnto both of them and the great good will which shée bare vnto Lusiano was the occasion that shee did falsifie and denie that which shée had promised vnto the Duke Roberâ—o and for that hee would cléere this doubt by iustice he gaue straight waies sentence that the Duke and the thrée knightes that were his witnesses should maintaine and defend that which they had spoken and sworne and that Lusiano and the Dutchesse should in the space of one moneth bring knightes such that vpon their iust quarrell shoulde take and make combat with them in this sorte that if those which are of the Dukes partie doe get the victorie that then the Dutchesse should bée his and straight waies to bee deliuered vnto him and to the contrarie if the Prince and â—is knightes doe get the victorie that then the beautifull and faire Polisena should be his the which sentence being declared vnto them they were all consent therewith for that the Duke thought that in all the whole world there were not to be found foure knights that against him and his companions were able to wage battaile And Lusiano hoping in his iustice as much as in his strength presupposed the victorie to be on his part but alasse Fortune hath fallen out cleane contrarie vnto his expectation for that this is the last daie of the moneth and in all this time he could neuer finde anie knight that durst take his part in the battaile one waie for that the other foure knightes were commended to bée so strong and valiant and féared of all others and other waies for that they thought of a truth that the Duke Roberto had reason for that it was verified and affirmed by thrée knights of so great credit so that now the Prince séeing himselfe al alone is determined all alone to goe forth vnto thâ— battaile this daie against those foure knights for that first he wil suffer himselfe to be slaine rather than to sée the faire Polisena deliuered into the power of the Duke so that this euening the battaile shall be tried the which cannot otherwise bée but that the gentle Lusiano must be slaine whose death vnto all people will be verie grieuous and he shall not bée so soone slaine when that the Dutchesse will kill her selfe with her owne hands for so she is determined to doe if that in the meane time God doth not ordaine some remedie for the same This is the occasion gentle knights of all this my great sorow which causeth me to come forth into these fields and high waies making my cries vnto the heauens and because I doo know the truth héereof better than anie other I cannot suffer to abide in the Citie to sée before my eies slain such two persons by a treason so manifest euill but come to sée if that in this short space I could méete with anie knight that wold haue compassion on them and now séeing God hath permitted that I haue met with two such knights as you doe séeme to bée héere I doe desire you by the great obligation in the which you bound your selues at such time as you receiued the order of knighthood that you would take compassion of that gentle knight Lusiano and of that sorrowfull and afflicted Ladie the Dutches if it so fall out that you shew them anie curtesie they be persons that will verie well gratifie the same and because you shall be fullie certefied of their iustice héere I doe sweare vnto you by that God that created and made both heauen and earth and afterwards by his death and passion dyd redéeme vs that all this which I haue told you is the verie truth of all that hath passed and againe the more to certefie you héerein you haue néed of no other thing but to beholde the ill fauoured face and barbarous countenance of the Duke and the gâ—eat beutie of Polisena whereby you may iudge the great vnlikelihood y â— the dutches should treate of loue with him in secret When the damsell had concluded the whole discourse of this treason the two knightes who were replenished with all vertue were moued vnto great compassion and gaue thankes vnto almightie God that he had brought them thether at that instant and thought it long till they saw themselues in battaile with the Duke and said vnto the damsel that they would goe with her and take 〈◊〉 with Lusiano for to defend his right towards the Dutches. And shée who verie well noted their gentle dispositions and the great riches of their armor by the which she was fullie perswaded with her selfe that they were knights of great estimation that her trauaile and comming thether was well emploied for that there was some hope by their aide on the parte of Lusiano much better than to battaile alone for the which she asked
fortune did so serue them that they followed the right waie whereas the knight of the Sun had gone and in many places they discouered the steps of his horse which séemed to be new troden followed the same so long till in the end they came vnto the place whereas they found him lying all along the gréene grasse with his face and eies swollen with wéeping and séemed to bée so wearie that he had no power to arise but when they sawe him and were fullie satisfied of knowing him they were verie glad because it was their fortune to finde him and yet not a little amazed to see him in that trance Then Oristedes came vnto him and did awake him saying Sir knight of the Sunne my good Lord verie friend what vrgent cause hath moued you at such time to depart from the Court of the Emperour The Knight of the Sunne knowing them was verie sorrowfull for that they had found him and being ignorant what answere to make them he kept silence but in a great confusion imagining how he might separate himselfe out of their companie Then they all thrée together with great loue requested him to shew them the cause of his departure the occasion of this perplexitie into the which he was brought who determining to giue them to vnderstand the whole effct thereof began to declare to them as followeth My good friends if héeretofore you haue had anie experience in loue then are you not ignorant that his power is such that it doth depriue men of all reason vnderstanding in such sort that they cannot féele nor know anie thing and especiallie them that be conformable vnto their amorous desires and disordinate appetities which is the occasion that we haue apparant before our eies so many thousands of disastres in this world and loue the onelie cause thereof and for to declare them time doth not now serue Euen so I béeing taken prisoner with the loue of the Princesse Lindabrides and blinde without anie discretion had not so much reason for to consider nor to allow more than that which was conformable vnto my wil and amorous desire being bound vnto all inconueniences and perills resistant vnto my will by the which I was brought vnto the point as you my Lords haue séene vndersfood how that this night past was dilated the marriage betwéene the Prinâ—â—sse me foâ— the which I receiued great griefe but that mightie God redéemer of all the riâ—â—es maker of heauen and earth who hath power ouer all things against whose infinit power there is no resistance by his great mercie did permit y â— al my corporal senses which were inchaunted and prisoners vnto the loue of the Princesse was this night set frée from all subiection by the which I was awaked out of that blinde dreame wherein I laie so that I did sée and consider the great errour that I did commit in taking the Princesse Lindabrides vnto my wife for she being a Pagan and I a Christian it is the most reprochfull thing that can be vsed in all Christian religion so that either she must returne to be a Christian or else I must forsake my profession and become a Pagan The other for that I being a Christian shuld euil preserue so great a multitude of Pagans as is in the whole state of the Emperour Alicandro for that they will not haue a Christian knight for their Lord and gouernour neither should I be in securitie amongst so many Pagans Besides all this the great griefe which the Emperour my father and all his subiects shall receiue when they shall vnderstand how that I am married in a strange Country so far distant from his with great reason they may all desire wish my death So my verie good friends I considering of this and many other things which I omit to declare determined this night past to depart because I would not heape one errour vpon another for y â— there is amendement in that which is past so that I am fullie determined not to retourne anie more vnto the Court of the Emperour Alicaâ—â—â—o and therefore I desire you in my behalfe to declare 〈◊〉 him that I craue pardon at his hands and to consider the iust occasions that moueth me not to accept the high proffer offered me and how that in whatsoeuer place I shall become he shall alwaies finde me his true and faithfull seruaunt These thrée knightes were verie much amazed at these wordes of the knight of the Sunne and were verie sorrowfull for that which he had giuen them to vnderstand who replied vpon him with louing requests for to returne againe vnto the Court of the Emperour and to put all such thoughtes out of his minde Who hearing those new replies he arose vp vpon a sodainâ— and finding his horse at hand without anie more tarrying preseâ—tly hée brâ—deled him and with great lightnesse he tooke his backe saying My good Lordes and friends I doe most heartelie desire you that in this matter you will not importune me anie more for that I will first consent to die rather than to accomplish or fulfill your request and rest you in the power of good fortune for I will depart And in saying these words he set spurres vnto his horse and like vnto the winde he ranne vp a high and mightie hill Oristedes when he sawe the knight of the Sunne depart in that sort he set spurres to his horse and sayd vnto his companions My Lordes may it please you to carrie these newes vnto the Emperour Alyâ—andro for that I wil not leaue the companie of the Knight of the Sunne and therewith he forced his pace after him so fast that in the end of an houre he ouertooke him at the top of the mount Tauro whereas they found verie faire plaines and pleasant Forrests but when the knight of the Sunne sawe him follow all alone he was verie glad and tarried for him who certified him how that his companions remained behinde and how that he would not leaue his companie if it were his pleasure to accept it The knight of the Sunne gaue him great thankes gratifying his good will at which instant there was confirmed betweene theÌ„ so great perfect loue that it endured vntil their deaths These two knights trauailed together many daies vppon the mightie mountaine whereas they did not lacke of all sortes of meates for their diets in Castles and houses which they found vppon the mountaine whereas this Historie doth leaue them for to retourne vnto those two Princes that came with Oristedes who remained in great confusion with that which the knight of the Sunne and their companion had done in such sorte that they knew not what to saie But in conclusion they Agrâ—â—â— together for to depart at such time as the night approched they came vnto the mightie Citie of Naptaria whereas they found the Emperour meruailouslie troâ—bled and all the whole Court in great alteration But wheir they had declared
daie it hapried that there came vnto her twelue ancient knights and of great honour from the Empire of Trapisonda all apparelled in blacke which did signifie great heauinesse who with sorrowful countenance did humble themselues on their knées before her and did kisse her hands as their Ladie and mistres and they gaue her to vnderstand how that the Emperour her Father and Empresse her Mother were both departed the world vpon a sicknesse that tooke them both together and so ended their daies how that all the nobilitie of her Empire did request her y â— out of hand the should depart to put in quietnesse and set in good order her high estate for her absence being without Lord might be the occasion of some great peril When that this dolefull newes was heard by the Princesse she receiued great sorrow at her heart for the death of her parents whom she loued verie much considering of her departure froÌ„ Grecia which was of compulsion her sorow did double increase yet was she somwhat coÌ„forted by the parents of the knight of the Sun who did honour her in all respects then she séeing y â— of necessitie she must depart out of hand she went vnto the Emperor Empresse Briana gaue them to vnderstand therof crauing lisence for her departure promising theÌ„ to returne againe as soone as she had put in order her estate set it in quiet The Emperor the empresse receiued great griefe at those dolefull newes also that the departure of the Princesse was of pure necessitie for that the loue which shée had recouered amongst them in the smal time y â— she was there was very much but séeing the iust reason that she had to 〈◊〉 in lamenting the death of her parents they saide that it was in her choice to vse her pleasure as she should thinke best and how that they were all at her commandement in anie thing she would imploie them This good Emperour did not alonelie offer vnto her knights of great renewin for to beare her companie into her Countrie but also did contend that himselfe in person would do the like This roiall Princesse surrendering great thanks for the same would not consent that the Emperor neither anie of his knights should go with her but alonelie her owne Ladies Gentlewomen in companie with those knights y e came froÌ„ Trapisonda So taking hir leaue of them all where amongst theÌ„ was shed many teares the roiall Princesse departed out of the great mightie citie of Constantinople accoÌ„panied with the Emperor the most principal knights of his court they did conduct her vnto y â— sea side whereas they did embrace her commend her vnto God She straight waies did embarke her selfe with all her companie began to saile towards the Empire of Trapisonda and the Emperor with all his knights returned againe vnto the Citie whereas he feit great griefe for the lack of his sons of the good knights that were absent for their respects from the court Now doth the Historie returne vnto the Princesse Claridiana saith that they found the wind so prosperous that in a short time they ariued at the mightie Empire of Trapisond whereas she was receiued of her nobles vassolls with great ioy and pleasure vnto theÌ„ all who receiued great content for y â— they had so noble faire a gouernesse y â— in all the world they beléeued was not her equall as truth is she was as well in beautie as in customes comlie grace that she had not her péere in her time So after y â— the funerall was concluded for the Emperor Empresse as did appertaine vnto their high estates the roiall Princesse was crowned for Empresse in the time y â— she remained her gouernment was such y â— in y â— as wel as in all other things appeared y â— God did vse great bountie in her behalfe aboue all other who with great care did pâ—sse the time many daies alwaies awaiting when she should heare newes of the knight of y â— Sun whose long absence was cocasioÌ„ of her great sorrow griefe in such sort y â— whatsoeuer pastimes pleasures her subiectes did ordaine to giue her conteÌ„t yet could she not receiue anie comfort or ioy neither could she put him out of her remembraunce a moment for that she was not in quiet neither could she not refraine from the great oppressions of her thoughts suspecting the great perill wherein the knight of the Sunne was with the continuall presence and conuersation that he hadde with the faire Princesse Lindabrides which séemed vnto her such that according vnto the great valour and desert of the knight of the Sunne with the soueraigne beautie and grace of the Princesse it were a thing impossible but that the one must néedes lone the other So with thiâ— great care and troubles of minde the storie doth leaue her for to tell you of the knight of the Sunne who in companie with the valiant Oristedes was trauailing through the gran Tartaria What happened vnto the knight of the Sunne and Oristedes trauailing through the gran Tartaria Chap. 4. WIth great trauaile and hast did these two great friends the knight of the Sunne the troian Oristedes make their iourneies ouer the mightie féedes of the mounre Tauro which was verie fresh and delightfull and polished with manie Castells and faire houses in which trauaile for the space of manie daies they did sundry feates of armes by reason that the inhabitants ther were verie barbarous so that euerie daie they were driuen to armore and to make their defence And in al places wheresoeuer they became they hadde contention with the dwellers there aboutes and although all that mountaine was replenished with Castiles and houses somwhat apart the one from the other yet did they passe the greatest part thereof with little daunger till vppon a night it happened being verie darke and they in the field where as they could not discouer neither castle nor house whether they might go to lodge themselues being in such a constillation as was very colde so that the first part of the night they passed with great trouble till such time as from far of they discouered a light of fier which séemed to be in a great and déeps valley they thinking that it was made by some shepherds that kept their shéepe there being very glad went thether wards And when they came nigh vnto the place they saw that it was a companie of more then thirtie barbarous people of y â— countrie being of a high and large stature and either of them had but one eye and that was in their foreheads as big as a smal looking glasse They were al apparailed with the skins of beares and of other beastes sitting round about a great fier which they had made and some of them were rosting of certaine Uenison and of other beastes which they had taken vpon spits of wood Their
gran Cataio y â— knight of y â— Sun neuer left y â— princes Lindabrides insomuch y â— her great beautie coÌ„tinual coÌ„uersatioÌ„ wrought such effect within his heart that you were cleane blotted out of his remembraunce and the promise that he made vnto you cleane forgotten so y â— in the way of our trauaile he did offer himselfe whollie vnto her intreating of loue and made her prontise that so soone as they should come vnto the Gran Cataia he would marrie her the which promise she did accept by reason whereof she did make her defence till such time as they came vnto the court of the Emperour Alicandro where as they were with great pompe and maiestie receued So the daie of the marriage being appointed all the nobles of the land were called and assembled together and for the space of twentie daies that I was there they gaue themselues to no other thing but to bankets and feasting for the marriage of the Princesse whereas the knight of the Sunne did so high and wonderfull feates of armes that his fame will neuer be forgotten in that countrie To conclude I séeing that the time was short and at hande for the celebrating of the marriage with great sorow and griefe I departed from thence and made so great haste as possible I could for to come hether to giue you to vnderstand thereof So wheÌ„ that y â— Empresse Claridiana had heard these newes of so great dolour and griefe and vnderstoode the whole effect thereof there was no paine torment griefe that might be compared vnto hers at that present neither was there any sufficiencie in her heroicall and baliant courage wherewith she did quaile ouercome those terrible guards of the Princesse Elisea for to suffer and to dissemble so cruel contrarie and peruerst fortune but that losing the vse of her remembraunce as one past all hope she fell in a sownd in the armes of her Damsell Arcanie whereas she remained more then one whole houre before she came againe vnto her selfe in such sorte that Arcania who did helpe her thought verelie that she was dead altogether and did repent her selfe that euer she did declare vnto her those heauie newes In the ende the Princes came againe somewhat vnto her selfe who in mortall anguish did yeald out from her troubled breast such cruell sighes as though her life would follow after then she began to saie as followeth Oh high and soueraigne maiestie how is it that your diuine maiestie doth permit and suffer that your Empresse Claridiana should receiue so great treason and especiallie of him whom in al the world she best loued Oh false and traiterous knight now am I fullie certified or y â— occasion of thy long tarrying and thy dispitefull wordes and promises are manifest vnto me as also who doth detaine thée Oh knight of the Sunne what mist of darknesse hath daseled thy eyes that the sight of the princesse Lindabrides could so bleare and blot out of thy memorie the figure of Claridiana Be these the effect of thy amorous words which thou vtteredst vnto me comming by sea from Lidia and the fained teares that thou diddest impart with me How oftentimes diddest thou desire me for to receue thée to be mine after y â— I offered my selfe to be thine consider of thy promise made vnto mée the which now thou hast vtterlie falsified and broken If thou haddest well considered O thou traitor who I was how that my desert is without comparison thou wouldest neuer haue changed me for anie other and that which séemeth vnto me to be without reason is that thou hast matched with one that is not of thy lawe and faith What was become of thy wits and where was thy vnderstanding that thou diddest not see and consider how much thou hast offended the soueraigne creator with that marriage and how worthie thou art of punishment in committing of such wretched sin I doe not now much meruaile that thou hast not kept thy word and faith with me when thou hast not kept thy faith with the liuing God neither doe I meruaile at the committing of so great sinne for that not long since thou fainedlie diddest take the name to be a Christian the which I doe suspect thou hast reiected and denied And the better to bring thy pupose to effect thou doest publish thy selfe to be a Pagan Oh that the wrath of the diuine iustice might now descend vpon thée and the burning lightnings and thunder engendered in the high clowves might make reuengement on thée for thy great tniurie shewed Oh that thy misfortune had beâ—e such that thou haddest fallen into some of those perills and dangers that I suspected to chaunce to thée or else that thou hadst died with some sodaine vnlooked for death What cruell death punishment or euill fortune might bée conformable vnto thy desert in committing so great an error There is nothing that grieueth me so much as y â— thou wert the floure of all knights and being gone there is not in all the world that is worthie of my excellencie although I am not married yet doe I remaine a widow the greater my griefe to sée him y e which I thought should haue ben my husband in the power of another Oh fortune how contrarie haue you bene vnto me in that you haue giuen me so great beautie and soueraigne dignitie If thou haddest created me foule euill fauoured and of base birth then had not the one bene occasion of my pardition neither the other had reason for to destroie me If that my singuler beautie highnesse were not I might put remedie in my great griefe as Ariadne that was left of Theseus and Medea forgotten of Iason But who is there now in all the world with whom I may make change of so faithfull loue What woman is there in all the world that euer felt so great griefe for loue Trulie there is no comparison to be made vnto mine no not that of Deyamirâ— whom Hercules changed for Yo le nor that of Penelope for Vlysses nor of Phillis for Demophoon Let not that be spoken of Io that was conuerted by Iupiter to a cowe and presented vnto Iuno and that of Biblis that followed that cruell Cadmo Neither may be compared that of Tisbe and Prâ—amus nor of the Queene Dido that built Carthage for Aeneas Great reason had Gero for to bewaile her welbeloued Leander when she sawe him drowned and laie vpon the sandes of the huge riuer but yet comfort thy selfe with mée for that thy great dolour and griefe should I receiue for glorie if that I did sée the knight of the Sunne to die for my loue and with a great deale more spéede than Gero would I beare him companie in death Comfort thy selfe with me than Gofreda which was the occasion of his death that loued her best And if that File and Laudonia were comforted with their sodaine deathes Comâ—ort your selfe with me by y â— euil
spouse and husband and doe you not consent vnto his death for if you doe I doe héere make a vow vnto God that at the very instant that he shall receiue his death with this sword I will cleaue mine owne heart asunder At which words Don Silueâ—io made no account although it was a griefe vnto him to vnderstand the great loue that she bore vnto Rosicleer by her outward semblance yet notwithstanding there were in that companie knights of the king Oliuerio that did reioyce to heare those wordes for to haue the better occasion to helpe Rosicleer without anie colour to attempt anie thing against the king their Lord amongst whom was the valiant Zoylo Bargandâ—l Lyriamandro and Almades of Cornwaile all which did beare good will vnto Rosicleer and were in the fore part of the ship readie to giue the first assault vnto the expectation of the rest At this time was Don Siluerio with thirtie of his knights entering into the ship of Rosicleer who receiued them with such mortal blowes that quicklie they ouerthrew sixe of them dead into the water and Don Siluerio had ben one of them if that his inchaunted armour had not defended him but yet for all that with his terrible blows he was so terriâ—â—ed that he withdrew himselfe backe and put his knights forwards and by reason that there were so many of them and euerie one did procure to enter into the shippe of the two knightes there was such a noise amongst them that they could not one heare another All this time was the Princesse Oliuia beholding the â—â—ttaile lamenting verie much to sée her Rosicleer in so great perill in such grieuous wise that it would haue moued anie man to compassion to haue séene her and with verie anguish she had vâ—ed there if that her damsell Fidelia had not béen who did comfort her in the best wise she could But this valiâ—nt and worthie Rosicleer séeing that they did in great hast compasse his shippe round about for to enter in with so great strength and courage as euer was séene in Knight hee besturred himselfe from the one part vnto the other defending the enterie of his enimies with such mortall blowes that hée might account himselfe vnhappie that was within the reach of his sword which was that of the Quéene Iulia and so noble a cutter and he so valiant who flourished therwith about him with so couragious a streÌ„gth as one which next vnto God hoped to set his lyfe at libertie for that hée neuer stroke blowe but that either hée slew or ouerthrew a knight so that all his aduersaries were wonderfullie amazed at him and not one amongst them all that was so hardie that dursâ— come nigh the place whereas hée was Likewise that good king on the other side did meruailouslie defend the enterie and gaue them wel to vnderstand by his terrible blowes the great good will that he bare vnto Rosicleer who dyd not estéeme to venâ—ure his liâ—e for his good friend and did so behaue himselfe amongst his enimies dealing such mortall blowes that hée slew and ouerthrew a great number of them in such sorte that all those which dyd beholde him by reason they knew him not were greatlie amazed At this time the thrée worthie Princes with the King Alamades séeing that it was high time for to succour and fauour Rosicleer with great lightnesse they leaped into his ship and returned against Don Silueâ—io with their swordes drawen in their hands and sayd Enforce and courage thy selfe valiant knight â—or wée that be heere are 〈◊〉 friendes And all together with a â—oude voice sayd â—aâ—taria Tartaria Hungaria Hungaria Bohemia Bohemia Cormualâ—a Cornualia So when Rosicleer by the naming of their Countries did know them he receiued great comfort and not hauing space for to answere them he did no â—ore but humble himselfe and for that his shéelde at that time was shieuered and broken all to péeces with the mightie blowes he had receiued he tooke his sword in both his hands and put himself amongst his aduersaries and did so great meruailes that all that did beholde him wondered greatlie and they which did not sée them afterward did thinke it a thing impossible and in declaring of it verie hard to be beleeued The thrée Princes with the king Alamades all foure together did defend the entrie of the shippe killing and wounding many of the knights of Lusitania and likewise receiued many blowes on euerie side The number of their aduersaries were so many that they were driuen into a meruailous exsegent But when that Don Siluerio sawe that the foure knights were on his contrarie part he receiued great dolour and anguish at his heart and with the great desire that hée had to take reuengement of them all together he encouraged and enforced his knights all that euer he could for to enter the ship and vanquish them and by reason that there were so many and verie valiant knights and continuallie entered in a fresh although that Rosicleer and his friends did incredible wonders yet in the space of one houre after that the battaile was begun they were put in a great extremitie for that Don Siluerio was verie wise and his knight valiant and experimented in the warres and battailes and did assalt their ship on eueriâ— side with great strength so that there was not one so soone slaine but another entered into his roome straight waies in such sorte that the other valiant knightes had no time for to ease themselues which was the occasion that in the end of two houres after that the battaile was begun all the water round about the shippes was dyed red with the bloud of the dead knights â—f Lusitania and the strong armes of Rosicleer and his friends as of mortall men beganne to ware wearie and their force and strength did abate and they could endure no longer yet their valiaunt and couragious heartes were prompt and readie for to receiue the death and neuer moued counteance thereat but determined there to die all together like valiant knightes without yéelding or surrendering in anie point but amplisying their forces with their valiant hearts making their defence in such sort that their aduersaries did not perceiue that anie wearinesse were in them so that the battaile at that instant was verie cruell and wonderfull and the noise verie great which they made in such sort that the inhabitants of Cerdenia came forth and did beholde that cruell and well foughten battaile dreadâ—ullie beholding the sea how it was stained with bloud could not beléeue thâ—y should be humane knightes that did defend themselues in 〈◊〉 ship alone against so many At this time were the good friends of Rosicleer verie wearie with the oppressing of so great a multitude of their contraries in such sort that they could not lift vp their swords at which time many knights of the Prince Don Siluerio beganne to enter their ship of the which Bramides was the first with a great number of other
maiestie went forth of the Citie with so great a troupe that all those wide and broade fieldes were full of people for that when the comming of these two princes were published knowen there were few or none that remained but all went forth for to receue theÌ„ The Emperour went in the middest of all those Princes and knightes and by him the good King Sacridoro with so graue and seuere countenance that he dyd very well manifest his high estate So when that they came vnto the sea port at the sound of Trumpets other kinds of instruments these princes did disembarke themselues a land Rosicleer brought by the hand his welbeloued princesse Oliuia who was of so great beautie that all that did behold her were greatly amazed so that there grew betwixt diuers great contention whether that the beautie of the Princes Claridiana did excéede the beautie of the princesse Lindabrides but all in generall said that Rosicleer had great reason to put himselfe in such perill for the loue of so faire a ladie Then straight waies came forth the faire Lindaraza whose beautie did worke no lesse admiration in the beholders then the princesse and was lead by that worthie knight of the Sunne her brother accoÌ„panied with those renowmed princes Clauarindo Bargandel and Liriamandro likewise with the Tartarian Zoylo and the good Troyan Oristedes and the valiant king Alamades of Cornewaile all the which came foorth so séemely and richly aryed that it put in great admiration all them that did behold them So when they all came before the Emperour who receued great ioy and pleasure to sée his two worthie sonnes those two so excelent Princesses he went embraced them with great pleasure delight but in especial the two faire Ladies saying I am much more bound vnto God then any other man in the world and to giue him greater thanks for that he hath not alone brought mée to the sight and knowledging of my two so valiant sonnes but also by them I haue recouered and obtained for my daughters two so worthie Princesses as the like are not to be founde in all the world How is it that by my desert I am worthie to sée in mine Empire of Grecia so high and soueraigne beauties as these worthie peeres are Then they did huÌ„ble theÌ„selues vpon their knées before the Emperour and would haue kissed his handes but the Emperour would not consent therevnto but returned and dyd embrace them a new caused them to arise froÌ„ the ground and then with excéeding ioy and pleasure he gaue entertainment vnto his sonnes and vnto those high Princes and Knights saying vnto Bargandel Lyriamandro Zoilo now my verie good friends am I satisfied séeing that with so ioyfull comming you wil requite me the euill newes the which you gaue mée in Constantinople of the death of my sonne Rosicleer In this shall your highnesse sée said Zoylo how far your good fortune doth extend the more to estéeme the acknowledging of your sonne Fortune wold first present before you those so sodaine and heauie newes of great dolour that after when it should be found vnto the contrarie the ioy and pleasure might be the more Then the Emperour did embrace them all one after another receiued so great contentment to sée those so worthie knights that brought his sonnes that he neuer rested nor could not bée satisfied in giuing thankes vnto almightie God for exalting him vnto so high estate Likewise they were no lesse amazed at the surpassing and gentle disposition of the Emperour and the great maiestie that hée dyd represent in his person they dyd beholde him with great attention and sayde within themselues that hée was worthie to bée Father of those two Myrrors of knighthoode throughout all the worlde And the Princesses Oliuia and Lindaraza receiued meruailous greate contentment to sée what great loue and humanitie he shewed vnto all people and what great ioye and pleasure he receiued of their comming So after that ther had passed much coÌ„munication in this their first méeting then the other Princes Rodamarte and Rodofeo and other noble men that came in the companie of y â— Emperour went welcâ—mmed their noble Princes who dyd embrace and receiue them with great ioy and loue This being done the Emperour and all the rest mounted vpon their horses and the two princesses vpon their palfraies which were brought thether for theÌ„ wel garnished tooke their waie towards the mightie Citie of Constantinople accompanied with so many knightes and Citizens that all the mightie wide and broade fields seemed to be couered with them In this sort they entered into the Citie with great maiestie pompe whereas was so meruailous sweet noise of all kindes of instruments and musicke that it was thought that the entring of Caesar into Rome afâ—er his great victorie was not equall vnto this and passing through the stréetes of the Citie the windowes were furnished with Ladies and damsels who greatlie meruailed at the strange and excellent beauties of Oliuia and Lindaraza and praised God of all partes for séeing that daie in the which the Emperour receiued his so worthie sonnes who brought so great ioy contentment honour and pleasure vnto that mightie Court So when they came vnto the mightie pallace Lindaraza was alighted from her Palsraie in the armes of the knight of the Sunne her brother and the faire Oliuia in the armes of the Emperour who would not consent that anie other should doe it and at their ascending vp into the greate hall there the Empresse Briana accompanied with al her Ladies and Gentlewomen came â—orth and did receiue the two Ladies embracing them with so great loue as though they had bene her owne naturall dauhters But when she sawe the great beautie and soueraigne grace of the Princesse Oliuia she receiued within her selfe a meruailous great contentment and thanked God for the good fortune that Rosicleer had obtained for the recouering of her Then the Princesses both of them did knéele downe before the Empresse would haue kissed her hands but she would not consent vn-the same but caused them to arise and with great loue shée sayde Ah precious and déere daughters what great pleasure doth my heart receiue and how ioyfull vnto me is this your comming into this Countrie and turning vnto Oliuia shee sayd How much am I bound vnto God that in loosing the name of a sister in lawe I doe inioy you for my Daughter So passing betwixt them many amorous and louing communications came vnto her the knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer to kisse her hands but she dyd embrace them with so great loue as vnto so noble worthie persons did appertaine TheÌ„ gaue she entertainment vnto all the other Princes knights with so gallant grace demeanor that al were contented therwith said that of so high worthy parents reason is that they should bring forth so worthie sunnes So after that they had spent a good
onely sonne and heire of his kingdome and then his daughter to be stolen and caried away requesting of them all fauour possible to helpe him to take reuengement for the same 〈◊〉 that to conclude some there were that for verie friendâ—â—ip and loue did ayde him And other some for the ill will they bare vnto the Gréekes of very enuie of their prosperiâ—iâ—es dyd ayde and help hâ—m and not onely with their people but with their owne proper persons 〈◊〉 vnto the King Oliuerio and there was so great hast and diligence made in the executing thereof that many daies was not past whan that in great Britaine there was ioyned together more then â—ne hundred and fiftie thousand knights where as the Historie doth leaâ—e them putting all things in good order as appertained vnto so valiant an enterprise for to tell you of other things that happened in the meane time How that the Princesse Lindabrides did craue of her father the Emperour Alicandro reuengement of the knight of the Sunne and how the Emperour at her request did call a Parliament and what happened in the same Chap. 9. IN great confusion and alteration remained the whole Court of the Emperour Alicandro for so sodaine departure of the knight of the Sunne but aboue all the rest was the fayre Princes Lindabrides whose lyfe was so full of sorow and griefe that manie times she was at the point of death And there was nothing that could comfort her in séeing that y â— knight of the Sunne was departed and returned to his owne countrie and was verie certaine that if once he came into the presence of the princes Claridiana it were past all remedie for him to haue her any more in his remembraunce so that she might vâ—rie well abandon her selfe of all hope euer to sée him any more the which was more bitter grieuous vnto her then death And coÌ„sidering with her selfe by reason of the great loue she bare vnto him that it should be great comfort vnto her and remedie for her griefe if that she did once againe returne inâ—â— Grecia by what maner of meanes so euer it was she cared not thinking by that meanes for to disturbe the knight of the Sunne that he shoulde not haue aâ—ie time nor space for to serue the Princesse Claridiana neither for to marrie with her for the which to put in effect the 〈◊〉 nothing so good as for to craue reuengement of the Emperour her â—ather for the iniurie done by the knight of the Sunne which might be the occasion that he with all his power should passe into Grecia and to tarrie her with him thether to be crowned Empres of Grecia séeming by those meanes the knight of the Sunne shall be constrained to doe perforce y â— before he wold not by his frée will the which she put in vre according vnto her thought And as many times the Emperour her father came into her closet to visit comfort her whereas she continuallie remained and neuer went abroâ—e vpon a daie when that hée was fullest of griefe comforting her whose sorrow pricked him to the verie heart for the greate loue hée bare vnto her The Princesse shedding many teares from her christaline eies said It is lost labour my Lord and Father for to comfort or giue anie consolation vnto this vnhappie and vnfortunate Damsell your Daughter for that thers is nothing that can remedie nor helpe mée but onelie the death the which if the high Gods were so pleased were so high â—ee that I could not make an end of this my speaking for that death were a great deale better vnto mee than to liue for to feele and suffer so great an iniurie as thaâ— which the â—nighâ— of the Sunne hath done against you and mee for if you my Lord would consider thereof as is right and reason you woulde leaue off comâ—orting of your Daughter and 〈◊〉 by all meanes that this our reproch may bée 〈◊〉 wherewith if pâ—esencâ—ie I should depart out of this world I should gâ—e with comfort but of the 〈…〉 that from their high Throâ—e they â—ill yeelâ—e 〈…〉 seeing that you doe so little esteâ—me it 〈◊〉 should other Damselles of base birth looke for 〈◊〉 that a Damsell of so high estate as I am 〈◊〉 oweth participate with the diuine 〈◊〉 of the hâ—gh Gods and being 〈◊〉 by one alone 〈…〉 griefe of her great wrong nor anie that will take vpon him to aunswere the quarrell With great reason therefore from this daie forwardes may your vassalles and subiectes take heart at grasse and bée bolde to rise vp against you seeing that you will put vp such an iniurie and euill proffer done against you by one alone Knight and an enimie vnto your lawe and will suffer mée that am your Daughter to liue without reuengement My Lord and Father I praie you beholde and consider your high estate which is such that all the kinges and Lordes of the Orient are obedient at your commandement and seruice and doeth honour and reuerence you as a parent and kinsman vnto the immortall Gods and if now you doe dissemble this great iniurie which vnto you and mée hath béene committed without making cruell reuengement you shall neither bée feared nor estéemed but had in lesse reputation than héeretofore you haue béene and your honour ouerthrowne from the throne which your predecessours vntill this present daie hath maintained and vpholden And that which séemeth to bée worst of all is that the diuine prouidence will féele and acknowledge part of this great iniurie the which I do most earnestlie praie and desire that they doe not execute against you their wrath in that you haue neglected to take reuengement For this cause onelie hath the diuine Gods giuen vnto you this high estate exalting and placing you aboue all other that are in the world because you should execute iustlie héere vpon the earth as they haue ordained in their diuine Consistorie This faire Damsell had not so soone concluded these her wordes when that the Emperour her Father vnderstanding the effect of her â—omplaint with great griefe and sorrowe vnto his heart béeing full of anger and wrath arose vp and laide his hand vpon his head as vpon a precious relike and said these wordes following Héere I doe sweare vnto thée by this sacred head and by the diuine Deitie that I doe participate of the immortall Gods for to goe with all my power into Grecia and in reuengement of this great iniurie to mée done I will destroie the Emperour Trebatio and giue a cruell and dishonoured death vnto his wife and children and crowne thée my daughter for Empresse of that Empire So with this conclusion without speaking anie moe words hee went forth of her Closet and calling together certaine of his counsaile he concluded that a Parliament shoulde bée proclaimed throughout all his kingdomes and dominions commaunding all Kinges Princes and Nobles of the same to come vnto the sayd Parliament in paine of death Lykewise hée
of them and other some for 〈…〉 thereof In the ende they did conclude that the 〈◊〉 should go forwards Then after certaine daies that they remaiâ—â—d in that Court all those kings and mightie Lords 〈…〉 owne Countries for to ordaine and 〈…〉 all such people as they would carrie with 〈…〉 warres But first before their departure it was concluded amongst them that at a certaine day 〈…〉 all meete with their people at the port of 〈◊〉 whereas the Emperour hadde commaunded for 〈…〉 to be made in a readinesse a mightie great and 〈…〉 of Shippes for to carrie their 〈…〉 and beâ—ng all occupâ—ed in these 〈◊〉 the Historie doâ—th leaue them till tyme 〈…〉 to tell you of other things that passed in the Court of the Emperour Trebatio How that there came to the court of the Emperour Trebatio a strange knight did defie the knight of the Sunne and of the stout and well foughten battaile that was betwixt them Chap. 11. VVIth great content ioye did this Historie leaue the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Buana for that they had with them their exelent worthie sonnes accompanied with those high worthie Princes who were no lesse glad and ioyful for that they were in that Court as well for the great friendship which they had with the Gréekes as for the affable conuersation that they had with the good Emperour Trebatio who séemed vnto them to be the most exelentest noblest Lord that euer they had sene or knowen But yet aboue all the rest the ioye and pleasure that those â—oyall louers Rosicleer and Oliuia receiued did far surmount who being at quiet resting themselues of those great troubles mortall anguishes the which the one for the other receiued that verelie they did séeme to recreate theÌ„selues with all soueraine glorie and vnspeakeable ioye The princesse Oliuia receiued so great contentment for that she had with her Rosicleer her loue and also to sée the great maiestie highnesse of the Emperour with the great loue and good will which he bare vnto her that in a short time she had cleane forgotten great Britaine and the court of the king Oliuerio her father and was neuer satisfied in giuing thankes vnto almightie God for that he had brought her vnto so high estate The knight of the Sunne was he alone that liued not to his contentment neither receiued any ioye nor pleasure in seeing himselfe absent from his Ladie the Empresse Claridiana all pastimes pleasures that were there ordeined were vnto him great anguish and griefe thinking himselfe to be alwaies in darknesse pensiue and imagining when the daye should be that he might reioyce and comfort himselfe with her precious sight but yet calling to remembrance his disloialtie past it seemed vnto him that hee was voide of all desert and coulde not imagine howe â—ee might excuse himselfe to come into her presence So all 〈…〉 Court béeing in their contrarietie of thoughtes and dispositions vpon a daie béeing all together in a faire hall of the mightie pallace after that dinner was done they sawe entering in at the gate a knight all armed with blacke Steele which was of so greate finenesse that it seemed to bée christaline glasse he was of a gallant stature and well made and of so gentle disposition that it caused great admiration in all them that beheld him his helme was on his head and the beauer down so y â— none could sée his face he brought leading by the hand a verie faire Ladie with a rich crowne vpon her head and after them came other two Damâ—ells the one of them bare the traine of the Ladie and the other brought the shéeld of the Knight which was â—â—wise of blacke steele all apparailed in blacke séeming to bée mourners So when they entered into the hall there was great silence then the Ladie which had the Crowne vpon her head without doing anie reuerence saide Who is hée amongest you that is called the Knight of the Sunne Hée béeing there present arose vp and said Faire Ladie what is your demaund Heere I am he that you do aske for In good time sayd the Ladie and I am verie gladde that I haue found you héere although our comming can turne no goodnesse vnto thée Thou shalt vnderstand that I am Media daughter vnto that Raiartes whom thou traiterouslie and falselie didst kill in Babilonia whose strength as thou doest well know was no lesse than diuine nor could not be slaine by humane hands exâ—â—pt it were by great trason and falsehood I remained a damsell and of tender yéeres at the time of his death and by reason that my beautie was such as thou doest sée there dyd not lacke many Princes and Knightes that dyd request mee in marryage from whence I did defend and excuse my selfe 〈◊〉 that straight waies vppon the death of my Father I made a solempne oath and vowe neuer to marrie with anie knight but with him that first of all shal make me reuengement â—or the death of my father And for that the fame of thy greate bountie is so blowne throughout the world I haue found none y â— is desirous to marrie with me with so great a charge but this alone knight who by fortune ariued at the Iland of Zardo whereas I am gouernesse who falling in loue with my great beautie did binde himselfe to come and make battaile with thée and giue mée reuengement for the death of my Father the which I do so much desire and I seeing with my owne eies the great bountie and valour of this knight in a certaine contention which hée had with certaine knights of mine receiued great contentment for to come with him and according vnto the great wonders that I haue séene him doe I suppose that there is not a knight in all the world that is equall vnto him so that the reuengement of the death of my Father I haue it so certaine as though it were alreadie done This is our demaund Knight of the Sunne and the occasion of our comming hether and to knowe why this my Knight doth not speake vnto you is for that hée is a straunger verie farre from this Countrie and cannot speake nor vnderstand anie Gréeke And in concludâ—ng these wordes the Ladie helde her peace and the straunge knight who was verie attentiue vnto that which was sayde beholding the knight of the Sunne dyd decline his head downewardes in signe that hee dyd graunt vnto all that which the Ladie had saide So this demaund béeing vnderstoode by the knight of the Sunne without anie chaunge of countenaunce but with a seuere semblaunce aunswered and sayde Ladie Medea I woulde that your demaund were some other than this which you doe bring not for that I woulde excuse the battaile that this knight will make with me for as I am cléere and without fault of the death of Raiartes your father as is wel knowen so do I litle estéeme the great bountâ—e of this knight hauing right and iustice on my
he wrote vnto him Soâ— Rosicleer tooke the charge vppon him for to dispatâ—h the Dainsell vnto whome the Empresse his Mother gaue many rich and precious iewells And he wrote vnto the wise man a letter in the name of the Emperour such a one that he receued great pleasure in the sight thereof So after that this Damsell was departed from the Citie within fewe dayes after the prince Clauerindo departed for France and Baâ—gandel for Bohemia and the other princes euery one into his owne countrie Then the good king Sacridoro at such time as hée shoulde depart towards his Countrie hee went to take his leaue of his great friend Rosicleer who as vnto the best friende hee had in the worlde did embrace him and not without shedding of many teares he sayd Ah my good friends I had thought that all my euill fortunes had bene concluded that you might haue gone as is great reason to haue taken your rest and ease whereas you haue béene so long looked for of that worthie â—â—éene Oriselua but now I sée my fortune to be such that whâ—â— a man doth thinke himselfe to bée at most quietnesse aâ—d ease then doth shée beginne a new to giue mee troubles to that new I haue more néede of your helpe and aide thâ—n heeretofâ—â—e desiring of God to gratifie you for the same for that of my selfe I am not able and hee doth well 〈◊〉 how â—â—â—uous it is to mée as now to leaue your 〈…〉 considering the state of all thinges it is 〈…〉 I should be absent one daie from the Court Then the good king Sacridoro with great loue dyd embrace Rosicleer and sayd My good Lorde in nothing can fortune shew her selfe more fauourable vnto me than to ofâ—er occasion wherein I may imploie the good will that I haue to serue you onelie to paie parte of that wherein I am so greatlie bound vnto you and these which you doe call misfortunes are vnto mee good and happie fortunes as well to haue occasion not to loose your companie so soone which is so acceptable vnto me as also the more for the extolling of your fortune and my good Lorde you ought not so greatlie to 〈◊〉 that thinges should so fall out to make you carefull and put your friendes to trouble for that béeing your Father and brother and you of so great highnesse of puâ—e force you shoulde shew your selfe stout against enuie and enimie vnto them of the worlde for that the most highest Pine 〈◊〉 are more assaulted of the windes than the other lowe trâ—es and the highest mountaines more subiect vnto the thundering and tempests that are conicaled in the Clowdes Thus these and many other thinges passed betwéene these two good and perfect friendes till such times as with many teares they tooke their leaue the one of the other So after that the king Sacridoro had taken his leaue of the Emperour the Empresse and of all the rest of his friends hée departed out of the mightie Citie of Constantinople and comming to the sea side he dyd embarke himselfe in a good shippe and made saile towards the kingdome of Antiochia and Rosicleer remained in great solitarinesse for lacke of his companie for that the loue which hée bare vnto him was verie greate who séeing how much it did touch him that which shoulde happen although his father the Emperour Trebatio with great diligence did vnderstand in the prouiding of all things necessarie He likewise on the other part did all that euer he could for to ioyne together the armie and in writing vnto his friends giuing them to vnderstand of the great néede that he had of them But the absence of the knight of the Sunne was vnto him verie grieuous for that he would not that at that time he should bée absent from the Court and for to tel you what passed with him the Hystorie doth leaue the other till time How the knight of the Sunne came forth of the wildernes of Grecia and sailing by sea was by a mightie storme carried vnto the solitarie Iland whereas was the diuellish Fauno Chap. 14. VVIth great sorrow griefe did this Historie leaue the knight of the Sun trauailing through that wide long thicke wildernesse of Grecia after that he had made the battaile with Brandimardo in the which he trauailed many daies and could neuer find the waie out in which time there happened vnto him many great and notable aduentures the which the author doth leaue to rehearse for to make short this first part So after a good while that the knight of the Sunne had trauailed in that wildernesse alone with his two Squires in the end he came vnto the sea side whose fortune was such that at the same instant there was come a land out of a boat certaine Mariners y â— came to séeke fresh water for a ship that was at the sea a good waie from the land in the which ship was to the number of thirtie knights that came from the Iland of Candâ—a and were bound vnto Mâ—fia which is now called Transiluania vnto certaine triumphs and feasts that were there ordained and as the Mariners were returning for to imbarke themselues the knight of the Sun did request them to receiue him into their boate for y â— it stood him 〈◊〉 vppon to passe into y â— Country The Mariners séeing him of so gentle disposition wel armed they durst not say to the â—entrarie but said they were verie well content therewith So this good knight did alight from his horâ—e also his squires and entered into the boate with their horses the which being done the Mariners began to row with great force till such time as they came vnto the ship whereas they were verie well receiued of the knights for y â— the comlinesse of his person ioyntlie with the strange riches of his inchanted arâ—â—or caused all them that did beholde him to haue him in great estimation and to giue him the honour that he deserued but when that he did lift vp the beauer of his 〈◊〉 they were all meruailouslie amazed to see how nature had wrought so great perfection in his face Besides all this in his coâ—â—senance he shâ—wed so great grauâ—tie and 〈◊〉 that as he was tall and verie well made that there was 〈◊〉 one as the wise Arteâ—ndoro sayth that euer dyd see him but his heart did alter and waxed timerous And this was 〈◊〉 of the excellentest vertues that was in this Knight thâ—t hée neuer sawe knight in the face although he were a straunger or otherwise knowen that he would 〈◊〉 or make anie euill account of him and this vertue did increase in him from his youth till such time as hée came vnto the perfectnesse of his strength which was at such time as he had battaile with that stout and valiaunt Bramarant as shall bée shewed you in the sequâ—ale of this Hystorie for vntyll that time his force and strength as also the bignesse of his members did dailie increase
thing â—he which he cannot obtain to put from him that which is impossible to leaue All creatures borne as wel as those that are to be borne although there be a great 〈◊〉 of liuing of their deaths yet to die is naturall vnto them all What do you thinke to flie from that which your fathers grandfathers their predecessors yâ—â— Emperours kings could neuer escape let vs turne our backes all that euer we can froÌ„ death auoide the perils thereof yet in the end it shall happen vnto vs as vnto hint thâ—â— sâ—utteth his â—ies at the blow of his enimie suffering the griefe thereof because hée would not sée it And whereas you saie that it is good for mée to liue longer and not to procure my death before my time I 〈◊〉 vnto you that there is none that dieth before his time for that all men dieth not at one time and as wise men saie euerie one hath his time appointed the which béeing accomplished hée concludeth his fine and for that wée haue not so much lisence to call time backe againe neither to staie of necessitie wée must procéede forwards No man ran die but at his time appointed sauing 〈◊〉 hee take the time for him that himselfe hath assigned and not by him that dooth assigne nature and fortune It is a small matter touching the immortalitie of the soule some to liue foure score â—éeres and other to liâ—e eight yéeres the time being past it séemeth the one to bée no 〈◊〉 than the other Men do deceiue themselues in many thinges but in especiall concerning their death not for that all men doe thinke to die but because they hope the time will bée long séeming to be farre of that which one waie by the briefnesse of life and swiftnesse of time and another waie by the force of fortune and by the diuersities of humane chaunces béeing alwaies at hand Death vnto a young man should neuer seeme grieuous although he made reckoning of no other goodnesse for abiding the time of auncient yéeres there procéedeth thereof nothing but sadnesse and miseries The young man doth well-knowe what he hath passed in his time but yet he knoweth not what he shall passe if that he endure long In this cruell and inconstant kingdome of Fortune hée that first dyeth doeth deceiue and mocke his fellowe You will now saie vnto me that séeing that death is necessarie and of force it were better to abide the time of naturall death than to goe and receiue it of that diuellish Fauno Then you might well saie if that I were certaine thereof that the death that I shoulde die shoulde bée more happie than fortunate but whosoeuer doth knowe it for that many a one haue hoped to die in their beddes when that afterward they were hanged and some throwne from the toppe of a mountaine some torne with Lions and some eaten with wilde Bores yea that Euripides the light of al great pollicy next vnto Homer was cruellie â—â—rne in péeces with dogges Likewise Luâ—recio Prince of Poets by drinkes that were giuen him by his concubine did raue in such sort that he thought it the best remedie to kill himselfe with a knife with what great good will would the Emperour Adriano suffered himselfe to haue bene torne in péeces of a furious Lion if his people would haue suffered him rather then haue abidden that terrible sicknesse whereof he dyed Many other mo as is well knowen did hope to die of their naturall deathes and yet in the ende they died of verie desperate and cruell deathes and possible before they eschewed farre worse And you who doth giue couÌ„sell for to flie from death I would you would tell mée how farre you are from it your selfe of trueth if you doe consider verie well you shall finde that there is but a thin borde betwixt you and death and not yet two daies past when that you thought the houre was come Oh false and folish world of men that flyeth with great diligence from one little perill on the land in resisting wherof there is no honour to be gotten yet putteth not doubt to put themselues vnto these déepe seas wheras their liues is at the courtesie of the windes to ouerthrow them and of the terrible waues to drowne them they flie from one follie on the land and putteth their liues in foure farre worse vppon the seas in a shippe that is alwaies mouing the mariners neuer in one accord the water that neuer staÌ„deth still and the winde that neuer resteth What Dragon or furie is vpon the land that doth feare vs more then vpon the â—ea whereas it is well knowen an innumerable sort of men hath bene drowned There is no furie nor wilde beast vpon the lande but that it is possible by the force and strength of man to make defence and resistance but vpon y â— sea if you ioyne together all y â— strengthes of the most valiantest men in all the worlde yet are they not able to make any resistaÌ„ce against one storme or teÌ„pest but if they please they may make thrusts with their speares into the water and strike with their swordes against the windes And now séeing that ther is all these perills on the sea wherefore my good friend doe you not take the counsel for your selfe the which you doe giue vnto mée What doe you thinke that it is not more possible for mée for to ouercome the diuelish Eauno then you to haue y â— victorie of two so terrible Elements as is the water and winde Finallie to conclude when that man thinketh himselfe most farthest from death it is then nighest at hande therefore barons that be stout and couragious in nothing they should feare the death wheras they doe venter themselues to get honor and not to apart themselues from perills and dangers for that they be alwaies readie at hand and in the ende when that it shal please God that they shal die it is no other thing but a cléering of the soule out of this miserable captiuitieâ— prison and to leaue this troublesome wearie world where in I doe sée that there is no pleasure without sodaine misthiâ—ousnesse no peace without discord no loue without suspition no ease without feare no aboundance without lacke nor no estate without complaints all doth wéepe all doeth sigh all doth complaine all doth shrike and sobbe and all things doth ende I sée none that liueth content I sée nothing that is firme and stable I sée all in confusion tossed vpside downe as wel in things liuing as insensible as wel the brute beastes as reasonable creatures the high mightie towers be torne and rent with thunderboults walles be ouerthrowen with Canon shot great flouds doth carrie away Cities and townes Trées be eaten with wormes the gréene corne with the Grassehoppers Timber doth rot and moulder away the brute and wilde beastes doth fight 〈◊〉 with an other betwéene the Ownce and the Lion there is great
contencion and the Rinoceront with the Crocadil the Egle with the Estridge the Elephant with the Minotauro and one man with an other and that which is worst women against men besides all these the continual wars and contencions that is amongst vs for that we haue the perills of death continuallie before our eyes What a number of things there is that doth put vs in great ieperdie threaten vs euerie moment vnto death the earth doeth open against vs the water doth drown vs y â— fier doth burne vs the aire doth disteÌ„per vs the winter doth runne through vs the suÌ„mer doth trouble vs with heate dogges doth bite vs Spiders doth poison vs Gnats doth pricke vs Flies doth ouerpresse vs Serpents doth â—eare vs and aboue all trauailes and cares doth ouer watch vs none can goe with securitie vpon y â— earth for y t euery pace men doth fiue stones to stumble at bridges wherof they fall brookâ—s wheras they are drowned hills froÌ„ whence they tuÌ„ble be ouerthrowne thunder cracks y â— maketh them afraide déepe 〈◊〉 that doth stay their passage thundeâ— bolts that both kill them And now séeing that both land and sea be all full of perâ—lls and whether so euer we doe flie death will ouertake 〈◊〉 I will say no more vnto you but that I am determined to goe a land on the Iland of the Fauno â—or I had rather die wheras I doe aduenture to get honor making my defence with my sword in my hand like a knight then to be drowned in the Sea or to kéepe my bed with sicknesse therefore my good friends I doe desire you to hoyse out your bote on y e water and procure no further to disturbe mée in this my pretence for that I will not let to accomplish this my desire â—or any thing that is in all the world and these my squires I pray you to carrie them with you and not to let them to folow mée neither to giue theÌ„ any ship or bote for y t their deathes shal be vnto mée much more greuous then mine owne Uerie autentiue were all the knights of Candia and the olde pilot vnto all that which the knight of the Sunne had said by the which they iudged him to be discreete wise by the vttering of his words as also in his semblance they iudged him to be valiant wherein he shewed so great grauitie of his person that ther was not one amongst them all that durst speak any more vnto him in y â— matter neither to disturbe him of his will determined purpose for that ther was not any that could say any thing vnto him but that he vnderstode it better thâ—n they yet they sâ—â—ing the perill he put himselfe in they all greued verie much thereat in such sorte that with their wéepings they coâ—ld scare speake but in especiall his two Squires who hauing heard all his speache and sawe the resolute determination of theyr Lord did beate their heads against the shippes sides and gaue such shrickes and cries as though they had bene cut of their wits and although the knight of the Sunne did comfort them with many swéete louing words yet all would not serue for the more he spake vnto them the more did increase their sorow and griefe Then he séeing that all which he did did little profit to goe with their good wills how y â— the longer he staied the worse it was he desired the mariners to hoise the boate into the sea who were not willing therevnto the which being by him perceiued as one which had as great forcâ— strength as anie man in all the world he tooke the boate in both his hands and without the helpe of anie other he hoised it into the sea and caused his horse to be put therein the which being done he would haue taken his leaue of theÌ„ all but his squires when they saw that he would depart they gaue such shrickes and cries that it séemed the noyse to reach vnto the heauens and fell downe at his féete shedding so manie teares that it was great compassion to behold theÌ„ desiring him that he would not leaue them in so great heauinesse and for that it was so manifest that he went to loose his life that he would take theÌ„ in his companie for to dye with him for y â— his life was no longer then he abode in their companie They complained verie much of him for paying theÌ„ with such reward after so long time that they had serued him but the griefe of this good knight was such for his two squires that with the great aboundance of teares that fell from his eyes he could scant speake vnto them one worde especiallie considering with what intencion he departed which was neuer to sée them againe in all his life neither returne anie more into Grecia for that he was determined if God did giue him victorie against the Fauno to remaine in that solitarie Ilande and there to ende his daies But for that he loued his squires verie well and likewise knowing the great loue that they bare vnto him his heart was readie to burst in péeces for to apart himselfe from them Likewise all those knights of Candia and y e olde pilot did labour all that euer they could for to breake him of his purpose but all would not serue and he séeing that his tarrying did him no profit he went vnto the shippes side and with a light heart he leapt into the boate and taking the oares in his handes he began to rowe towards the Ilande leauing so great sorow griefe amongst all them that were in the shippe that there was not one of them but wept bitterlie to see him depart in that sorte as one desperate to receiue a cruell death and being a knight that seemed vnto them all not to haue his lyke in all the world yet all the griefe which they receiued was nothing vnto that of his squires when they sawe their lorde depart who like desperate men would haue throwne themselues into the sea if those knights had not lette them and seemed vnto them to be true and loyal vnto their lord and of a good disposition so with the great care that they had of them they did kéepe them from destroying theÌ„selues After this good knight was departed within a shorte space he ariued at the Iland and those of the ship lost sight of him but there were some of the shippe that saide that it were good to tarrie ther a few daies for to sée what should become of him to whome the pilot saide that it was great follie so to doe for two causes the one for that he was certaine so soone as the knight should come a land with a trice he should be torne all to péeces by that diuelish Fauno so that it were lost labour to abyde anie more newes of him and the other for that all they should be in great perill of their liues if that
compassion to vnderstande that for the sinne of one woman there should come so much harme and damagâ— vnto that Iland He saw likewise that it was replenished with many Trées full of diuers soâ—ts of fruite as well for the Summer as for the Winter and such as he might verie wel sustaine his life without dying desperately for hunger So when y â— he had very well perused all these things he receiued great contentment for that the place seemed vnto him verie necessarie and aparant for him to liue out of the world and there to ende his daies wherefore he dyd determine to remaine there and for the defeÌ„ce of raine and stormes he thought it good to make himselfe a cottage for his continuall habitation to kéepe him selfe from the furie thereof and that farther within the Ilande for that the stinke and euill sauour of the dead Fauno should not trouble him but first before he would begin to put this in prose he thought it good to leaue some remembrance where the infernall Fauno was slaine for that if it should so fall out in time to come the Iland to be peopled againe the inhabitants thereof might know and vnderstand who had slame him and as a man that as then had no more neede nor necessitie of his armour he layde them downe by the Fauno vpon a great stone wherevpon he wrote with the point of his dagger in Gréeke these wordes following This is the diuilish and infernall Fauno the diuells sonne and begotten on Aâ—timaga and slaine by the knight of the Sunne Prince of Grecia who being determined to leaue the world would ende his daies in this solitaâ—ie Ilande this was his armour the which he doth leaue heare in signe and token that it was the last victorie that he made in his life time Then when that this was done he went from that place a good mile farther and came where as he founde a verie faire and fresh fountaine vnder the side of a little groue ful 〈◊〉 hâ—ge and great Trées the which place séemed verie good and conuenient for his determined purpose he staied there and after that he had dronk of the water of that fountaine the which was very cleane and cleare he determined vnder those trées to make himselfe a little cottage of â—oghes wherin he might harbour himselfe at such time as it was fowle and contagious wether Then he â—ore and rent from those trées braunches and boughes wherewith he made him a little cottage greatly vnto his contentment and at the entrie thereof he set a crosse so high as himselfe and knéeling downe before it he lift vp the eyes of his heart vnto heauen and saide as followeth O Lord the creator and maker of all things thou which dost permit to be crucified vpon a crosse as this is for to redéeme all humaine linage here I doe desire thée to giue vnto mée force and strength to suffer with pacience here to ende my daies in thy holy seruice and to be heartelie sorie for my sinnes euen as thou diddest giue vnto those holie Fathers who for to cléere themselues from the craftes and deceites of this wicked worlde went and liued in the deserts And in saying these wordes and other lyke not without shedding of many teares he remained on his knées a good while prostrating himselfe on the ground In this sort liued this worthie knight many daies not rating anie other thing but wilde fruites and dronke of the water of that fountaine because he would not desperatelie destroy himselfe he sustained himselfe with such hearbes and fruites as were in the Iland which was in so strange and straight maner that if the zeale which moued him therevnto had bene coressâ—ondent vnto his sufferance his pacience might haue bene accounted equall vnto the lyâ—e of saints But oh Lord how mightie is thy force for that vnto him that dyd tame the most strong furious beastes that was to be found vpon the earth and he that did abate the courage and pride of the most valiantest knightes and mightie Giants that were to be founde in all the world neither all the legions of internall diuells were sufficient to abate his courage and put him in any feare yet with one alonely dis fauour of his loue and mistresse was ouercome and ouerthrowen in such sort that he did abhorre his armour and his owne life forgot his parents brother and friends and tooke those vnto himselfe this solitarie and straight lyfe with determined good will there to ende his dayes without séeing any other liuing thing but onely his horse who many times did passe that way wheras he was where this Historie doth leaue him for to tel of other thingâ— that happened in the meane time ¶ What the Empresse Claridiana did after that the knight of the Sunne was departed from Constantinople Chap. 16. WIth great sorow and griefe this Historie dyd leaue the Empresse Claridiana in the companie of Medea daughter vnto Raiartes by whome she was continuallie required of loue as she that was meruailous faire which was the occasion that her loue was the more feruent and kindled in her till such time as the Empresse being verie desirous to leaue her companie the better to complaine her selfe put her out of all doubt and declared vnto her who she was at which sodayne and strange discouerie Medea was greatly discomforted and ashamed and after certaine dayes that she there remayned in the ende she returned into her owne countrie whereof she was Empresse 〈…〉 Empresse had 〈◊〉 in the Countrie of 〈◊〉 certaine daies with the companie of her damse◠〈◊〉 determined to returne vnto Constantinople with 〈…〉 sort of armour whereby she might not bée 〈…〉 Lirgandeo saith that he knew not whether it was to returne to make battaile againe with her knight it was forced by loue that she bare vnto him as it is a thing naturall amongst louers that when they haue an occasion more to hate than otherwise then doth loue more increase in them and although she desired to haue and take reuengement of the knight of the Sunne yet it was vnto her a great griefe to be absent from hâ—m one houre the damsells 〈◊〉 the Empresse carried alwaies with them choise of armour and apparell so leauing that armour which shée had she armed her selfe all in Azure full of flowers of gold and tooke her waie towards the Citie of Constantinople when she came nigh vnto the same she was greatlie amazed to sée all the field thereof round about peopled full of armed knights and amongst them seemed to bée a great preparatioÌ„ for the warres furniture for a great armie the occasion of all this was by reason y â— the letters of aduise were come from the wise Liâ—gandeo giuing to vnderstand of the comming of the Tartarians into Grecia the Emperour commaunded to ioyne together all knights possible at that present and at such time as the Empresse brew nigh vnto them the Emperour and Rosicleer with all such
yet more famous was that valiant and worthie Febatio who with one hundreth Gallies and thirtie great shippes was serued by all the kings of the Leuant and was feared of all them that dwelt towards the Ponients yet in the ende he was taken prisoner by king Cirus and in one houre he had his reward for all the euills that he had done in all his time The rouer Militas with Curreo which were both in y â— time of the first Dionisius the Siracusian the one destroyed Sicilia and thâ— other did rob spoyle all Asia but after y â— they had vsed this trade y â— space of xxx yéeres by sea in y â— end the rouer Militas was taken prisoner by them of the Rodes and when that he was brought into the place of execution he did aduaunce and reioyce in himselfe for that with his owne proper hands he hadde cut of the heads of fiue hundreth men and threw fortie into the Sea and thirtie thousande were slaine in battaile with his Galliâ—s and in the ende was executed by them of the Rodes according vnto his deserts This and many other moe which I could rehearse were famous rouers yet when their houâ—e was come of their sorowfull destinie they were rewarded for their sinne and wickednesse and neuer inioyed the ritches that they had stollen Therefore I doe beleeue Cleonidas that thou in all thy actions being so conformable that the Iustice which happened vnto them cannot be lacking vnto thée Consider from whence thou commest and what thou hast bene and then I hope in God that thou wilt leaue of to be a rouer or else thou wilt goe to receiue the reward of all the harmes which thou hast done in this world vnto the diuel of hell who is author and guide of such as thou art Then Clâ—onidas hearing y â— princes Claâ—idiana vtter these wordes with so great boldnesse and courage burst out in a great laughter and saide Now of my faith knight I tell thée that I neuer knew a more foolish man then thou arte that in this sort doest threaten Cleonidas and telleth him Histories of Rouers as though that he were lesse in force and strength then Dionedes and thy selfe of more power then euer was Alexander Stay a while and I will make thée to vnderstand and know who I am and likewise will teach thée to know to whome thou speakest and in saying these words he drew out his swoord went against Claridiana then there began betwéene them a very fierce cruel battaile they layed the one vpon the other such strong heauie blowes that in short space their shields were hewed broken in péeces all those that beheld theÌ„ were greatly amazed at their great force stoutnesse and it séemed vnto them that they were two of y â— brauest strongest knights that euer before they had séene This battaile was so rigorous that in a short space Cleonides began to féele know the high bountie of his aduersarie as he that neuer in all his life met with anie that did charge him so strongly neither brought him into the like extremitie and the more he strined against her the more he felte the waight and furie of her blowes This battaile endured betwixte them more then a whole houre from the beginning at which time the royall Empresse Claridiana was more fresher fought more stronger then at the beginning and Cleonidas began to wax werie and faint and would very faine haue had the ayde succour of his knighte but the Empresse perceiuing it fearing all that might happen did so inforce her selfe y â— striking thrée mightie blowes at him on his healme all in one place in great hast the one after the other she made him to fall forward vpon his hands to the ground and before that he had any time to recouer himselfe againe she stroke him so terrible a blow betwéene the gorget and his helme that she stroke cut of his head cleane from the bodie so that they fell boâ—h together downe to the ground Then the knights of Cleonidas which were to the number of ten when they sawe their Captaine headlesse they altogether assaulted Claridiana charging her with thicke and strong blowes but she receiued them in so gallant and valiant sort that in a short space she slew â—iue of them and the other séeing her mortall blowes dyd yéeld themselues and craued pardon for their liues In this sort did this famous rouer end his daies God permitting that he should be without the aide and succour of the rest of thâ— Nauie for that hée whom all the coasts of the sea feared shuld receiue his death and be slaine by the handes of a Damsell Thus he being dead and his knightes yéelded straight waies Claridiana commaunded to be set at libertie all those prisoners that hée had taken the which being done there came before her presenting themselues a damsel who was very faire brought by a principall knight that was taken prisoner at that instant by Cleonidas and both of them gaue her great thankes for the worthinesse the vsed in â—laying of their enimie and meruailed verie much at her great bountie and valiantnes The Empresse receiued them verie curteouslie and asked of them who they were and of what Countrie Wherevnto the damsell answered saying You shall vnderstand worthie knight that this Knight and I are both of the confines of Sarmasia and I am Ladie ouer sixe Castles of mine owne the which be verie strong and good all scituated in one great and fresh valley and this knight is Lord ouer other thrée Castles round about mine and being ouercome with my beautie fell in loue with mée and would haue taken me for his wife I liked wel of him but there was one thing that did disturbe me and hindered the accomplishing of his desire which was that I had some suspition that he bare great good wil and loue vnto a Damsell that is verie faire and Ladie ouer another little valley which is verie faire and pleasant and till such time as I was fullie certefied of this doubt I wold neuer consent vnto his request for the which séeing that there was no order howe and which waie I might entirelie satisâ—â—te my selfe There was a conclusion conserted betwixt vs both that we should goe together into the kingdome of Rusia vnto the caue of the wise Artidon who doth answere a full conclusion vnto all that is demanded of him and doth knowe the secret of all heartes and what they doe desire although they doe dissemble and kéepe it neuer so secret So this séeming vnto vs the best remedie wée straight waies gaue order for the same the which being in a readinesse wée embarked our selues in this shippe and departed bringing with vs to the number of twelue knightes to bears vs companie and béeing by fortune put into this port our mishappe woulde that wée shoulde méete with this rouer Cleonidas who straight waies with his knights
comming the Emperour Trebatio receiued as great ioy and pleasure as the Emperour Alycandro sorrow and griefe for that those knights came in the time of their truce and his will was to the contrarie for that he would haue giuen them a recompentibus before their entering into Constantinople but straight waies his griefe began to double for that within one houre after ariued there the good king Sacridoro with eight thousand of his owne knights and in his companie came the Prince Don Lucindo with great desire for to shew the good will that he bore vnto Rosicleer all the which came a shore in the face of all the Pagans passed through the great field and so entered into Constantinople whereas they were receiued of the Emperour Trebatio Rosicleer with that loue and friendship as was alwaies betwixt them Likewise the last daie of the truce lacked not the comming of the good and valyant king Florion and in his companie the wise Lyrgandeo and his sonne the stout Brandizel who met with him at the Sea by the industrie and wisedome of the wise man and in his companie twentie thousand knights who came to paie the greate debt in the which hée was bound vnto the knight of the Sunne and at their entrie into Constantinople they were receiued of the Emperour and of the Empresse as such persons as they were deserued who knew not how to gratifie the great paines and trauaile which they had taken in comming from so farre Countries to fauour succour and helpe them Héere the king Floâ—ion and the wise Lyrgandeo began a new for to declare vnto them how in what sort the young Gentleman of the Sunne was found and how he was nourished and brought vp into his companie till such time as he departed from them Whereat the Emperour and the Empresse receiued great contentment to heare it told Then the wise man turned vnto Rosicleer did embrace him with great loue and sayd Séeing that it is so worthie Prince that the euill fortune of your brother is fallen out so contrarie that hée is now absent out of this Countrie and you alone doe remaine the shield and defence of your father and Countrie shew your selfe now as euer héeretofore you haue béene let no troubles nor trauailes ouercome you nor wearinesse enter into your benes for seeing that God hath created and made you so valiant worthie let the honour of your mightie valiant attempts appeare in your high knighthood and you may wel make this account that if you goe through with this enterprise you haue conquered all the world from the Orient vnto the Occident beside the small companie that is on your part they be all against you this much I can tell you of the knight of the Sun your brother that since his departure froÌ„ hence he hath not bene greatlie at his ease for that he hath passed greater perils dangers thaÌ„ you can passe in these wars it doth not behoâ—e vs to speak any more of him for y â— of force he must passe the troubles the which his destinie hath ordained for him Héere did Rosicleer gratifie very much the wise man for that which he had sayd vnto him and after thanks giuing he said that hauing him on his side there was nothing y â— he did feare At this instant came thether fiue thousand knights from the kingdome of Thessalia and in their companie came the faire Quéene Arquirosa who after y â— she vnderstood that Rosicleer by whome shée recouered her kingdome was sonne vnto the Emperor Trebatio she was not content to send to him of her knightes but she her selfe would come in person vnto Constantinople as wel for to sée Rosicleer as also because she hoped to receiue take a husband at his appointment The Emperor Rosicleer thought great friendship of the comming of this aide by whom as also by the Empresse the Quéene was receiued with great honour All these were ioyned together in the mightie Citie of Constantinople whereas the Emperor found of the one of the other 100. â— foure score thousand knights so y â— if there were not ioyned together so many of their aduersaries they had ben sufficient to haue conquered al the whole world yet was there of the Pagans foure for one amongst theÌ„ there were the most brâ—uest stoutest giants y â— were to be found in all the world for y â— the Emperour Alicandro sent for theÌ„ from the Ilands of the farthest part of the Ocean seas and Bradaman Campeon brought with him two thousand that he tooke out of the Oriental Ilands so that all these were of so furious and stout a Nation that the Emperour Trebatio had héere great néede of the aide and help of almightie God All this aide and succour aforesaid entered into Constantinople in the face of the Emperour Alycandro and all his wherat he was wonderfull wrathfull as well for their comming to aide their enimies as also for that they entered in the time of their truce so that hée and all that were with him had great good will for to distrube them of their entrie into the Citie and swore that after their truce was ended if there came anie more aide succour that first they would put them all vnto the sword rather than consent that they should enter into Constantinople for that he might better deale with them abroade in the field than in the Citie and from that daie forwardes the Emperour Alycandro commanded that there should be put spies and scoutes in all places for to aduertise them if there came anie more succour vnto the Gréekes the which was no small harme vnto them as shall be tolde you héereafter in this Hystorie but God who is the author of al goodnesse did so ordaine that by their owne spies and scoutes they came to pâ—rdition were lost for that hée would not that his Christian people should receiue so much harme as was ordained for them by theyr enimies Of the second battaile which the Greekes had with the Pagans and of the notable acts that were done in the same Chap. 22. AFter that the eight daies were past of the truce that was taken betwéene the Gréekes and the Pagans the next daie following which was the ninth daie the Emperour Trebatio determined to issue out of the Citie with his knightes into the field and giue battaile vnto his enimies who were likewise in a redinesse and verie desirous they dyd abide their comming thinking it long to sée them in their clouches but in especiall those two furious Pagans the gran Campion and Bramarant vnto whome y â— eight daies of truce séemed to be eight yéeres according vnto the great desire which they had to be reuenged on those knights which had so shamed them in the first battaile who so soone as they sawe anie people begin to come forth out of the citie to enter the field put themselues before all the whole armie for
Physicke You are wise and discréete therefore you shall vnderstand that all this which I haue said vnto you is onely to put you in remembraunce that the passioned minde can neither sée nor discerne things farre nor nigh hand And as concerning Don Siluerio I haue committed nothing against him wherin I am bound to make satisfaction neither hée to pardon me for if you haue promised vnto him the Princesse Oliuia for wife first before that she chose me for her husband God and my good fortune hath giuen her vnto mee so that hee hath not to complaine himselfe but of fortune that woulde not be fauourable vnto him for to recouer her so that I doe not take from him her that should haue bene his wife but I haue taken out of your and his power the same whome God did promise and ordaine to giue me for wife Notwithstanding for all this I euer hadde Don Siluerio for my friend and before that these things fell out in this order I beléeued that he had mée in the same profession I do greatlie desire that this friendshippe may procéede and goe forwards and if so be that anie lacke or fault hath béene of anie part let satisfaction be made for the which I for my part will make satisfaction vnto Don Siluerio in giuing vnto him for wife the most faire and precious Quéene Arquirosa Quéene of Thessalia and is this that is héere present with me who with all the power that shée could make came into Grecia to the aide and succour of the Emperor my Father it is in my power for I haue promised her to giue her a husband such a one as her estate beautie doth deserue therefore Don Siluerio consider sée if you can like of this 〈◊〉 for that there be few damsels or not one at this time â—o bée found in the world with whom you may be better married withall than her Now haue you vnderstood the effect of our comming and héere I doe desire you both straight waies to giue me your answere The king Oliuerio was verie attentiue vnto all y â— was spoken by Rosicleer and one waie he liked verie wel of their intent and it séemed vnto him that all things were placed in verie good order and another waie the gallant presence of Rosicleer with the faire Princesse Oliuia seemed to force constraine his heart to like verie well of the one to loue the other as his owne naturall children and seeing them with so great humilitie before him Rosicleer being so high a Prince hauing confidence y â— in his great bountie he came to aske him pardon forgiuenesse not mistrusting his highnesse the teares gushing out at his eies with the great loue he bare vnto either of them calling to remembrance that by him he was deliuered from death the daie before so that if it had not bene for him he had béen slaâ—â—e and all his people destroied and seeing the great clemencie that both Father and sonne vsed with him he comming to destroie them in his Countrie he found it great reason to vse the same with them and to forget the death of Prince Edward for that God had giuen vnto him in his place that valyaunt Prince and knight Thus hauing his minde occupied in these and other things hee remained a good while without 〈◊〉 wering them looking alwaies when Don Siluerio wold speake because the greatest part of y â— matter did touch him and till such time as he did knew his will he thought it not good to vtter his iudgement which was the occasion that he did importune him verie much to make the first answere as he thought best who after such time as the Quéene entered into the tent was continuallie with great attention beholding her whose beautie gaue him greater contentment than anie Ladies or Gentlewoman in the world next vnto the Princesse Oliuia And when he vnderstood the demand of Rosicleer in his life he neuer receiued greater ioy contentment in séeing that without anie demand or asking he offered vnto him so high a Ladie and damsell for wife had cleane forgotten all the anger and wrath that he had before conceiued and taken against Rosicleer with the friendship receiued of him the daie before in deliuering of them from death So perceiuing that the king would not answere in anie respect till such time as he had vittered his minde hée spake these wordes following HIgh and worthie Prince of Grecia of all that you haue héere so highlie declared as also of all other things that haue so prosperouslie fallen out on your part I do vnderstand no other thing but y â— God hath created you amongst all Princes the most highest amongst al knights the most noblest and in strength the most stoutest amongest men of vnderstanding the most wisest and aboue all fortune hath shewed her selfe fauourable and prosperous for whosoeuer doth consider the highnesse of your estate shall plainlie sée perceiue that there is none that commeth nigh vnto you for worthinesse none equall and to consider of your high knighthood they shall see that it is without comparison and almost aboue nature likewise considering how prosperous all things hath fallen out on your part they will not onelie saie that fortune is fauourable vnto you but also that you haue her at commandement to do al things at your pleasure and séeing that you haue so many and high things on your side what enimie is there that will resist you or friend that will loose your friendship The wise man saith that there are thrée things which ought to be feared the waues of the sea the thuÌ„derbolts of the heauens the furious wild beasts on the earth but yet aboue all things he saith ought to bée feared the enimie prosperous fortunable for that he which doth not nauigate at the Sea is out of all daunger of the waues and he that kéepeth his house is out of the danger of wilde beasts and the thunderbolts verie seldome strikath but from the prosperous enimie there is none that can apparte himselfe neither can he finde anie place whetherâ— to runne for whereas he thinketh himselfe most surest many times it falleth out that there is most perill and héere I say that fortune hath shewed her selfe more prosperous vnto you than vnto anie and vnto me more contrarie than vnto anie other for that she did not content her selfe in giuing you the victorie ouer me but the more to cralt you shée brought me into that extremitie that of necessitie I must be defended froÌ„ death and receiue life at your hands the which you gaue mée as a friend whereby you got of mee the greatest victorie that euer man had of his enimie Therefore God forbid that now I should haue anie enmitie with him who with the great force and strength of your arme dyd ouercome me and I doe yéeld my selfe vnto the strength of your worthinesse and this offer which you doe
promise vnto me with the precious Quéene Arquirosa is of so great highnesse valour that with iust reason I may thinke that shée will bée the occasion that I shall conclude friendship with you yet God who doth know the secrets of all things I doe take to witnesse that I am not constrained by loue to take you for my friend but onelie your great vertue doth binde me therevnto and this being a meane betwixt vs I saie that this is the greatest friendship that euer I might receiue of anie humane creature this thing which you doe â—ffer vnto me not being of me dâ—serued to giue me so high a damsell and worthie a Princesse to be my wife whom from this time forwards if she be so pleased I do receiue for my Ladie and Mistres likewise I do desire her to conceiue so wel of me to take me for her owne héere I do desire the king Oliueâ—io my Lord to aunswere vnto the rest y â— remaineth I hope in God y â— his answere shall be such as he is bound to giue vnto so excellent a sonne and therewithall Don Siluerio concluded his reasons the king with great contentment with that which he had said but the answere which the king made was in embracing Rosicleer and the Princesse Oliuia with shedding many teares that trickled downe his chéekes with pure loue he said Oh my welbeloued children God forbidde that in mée should raigne so great ingratitude against his soueraigne maiestie and to let you vnderstand and know the great curtesie that he hath shewed vnto me in giuing mée so good fortune as by his owne handes is come vnto me so precious children héere I doe receiue you and I doe loue you and will not haue neither do I looke for anie other contentment in all the world The almightie God doth know and he is a good witnesse therevnto that I came not forth out of great Britaine with so great a multitude of knightes for anie euill will that I had but for to accomplish that wherein I was bound vnto the Prince Don Siluerio and now séeing that he is content and satisfied there remaineth no other thing but let vs goe vnto the Citie of Constantinople whereas I may acknowledge and know the Emperor and Empresse for my brother and sister and aide and helpe him with these few knights that doth remaine When the king had sayd these wordes Rosicleer and the Princesse Oliuia did knéele downe before the king and by force did kisse his hands but the king with words of great loue did cause them to arise embracing them many times and went and embraced the faire Quéene Arquirosa and said I doe now acknowledge that all these things are ordained by the will and disposition of almightie God in that I doe see so excellent a Damsell hath béene reserued and kept and now at this time come hether to the satisfactiâ—n of the Prince Dâ—n Siluerio and I beséech his almightie maiestie to giue you so good fortune as I doe desire for my selfe and therewithall Rosicleer and Don Siluerio did embrace one another from that daie forwards there was betwixt them great loue and friendshippe Therewith came all the rest of the worthie Princes and Knightes such as knew him in great Britaine and talked with him who neuer forgot the greate friendshippe that was betwixt them Lykewise the knighâ—â—s of Spaine for the valiant déedes which they sawe him 〈◊〉 in the battaile as also for the greate fame which 〈…〉 heard of him with excéeding good will came and offered themselues to bée his friends Then hée who had them in great estimation did offer vnto them the like and estéemed them for the most stoutest and valiantest knights that were in all the armie Thus after that they had bene together in these ceremonies receiuing the one the other a good while they all mounted vpon their horses and the princesse Oliuia and the Quéene Arquirosa vpon their palfraies and tooke their waie towards the Citie of Constantinople the Prince Don Siluerio lead the Quéene Aâ—quiâ—osa by the bridle with whom he vsed many loue trickes and amorous discourses and shée likewise answered him with a gallant grace and curteous demeanour giuing thankes vnto almightie God for that so worthie a Prince had gâ—uen him vnto her for to be her husband and receiued great contentment They had not long trauailed in this order towards the Citie but theâ— sawe a farre off come out of the Citie a great companie of gallâ—nt and glistering knightes comming towardes them it was the Emperour â—rebatio accompanied with all his nobles and valiant knightes who beeing aduertised by a Page of Rosicleers of all that passed and of their comming towardes the Citie issued out to méet them and when they came nigh the one vnto the other the king and all those that were with him weâ—e greatlie amazed at the gallant and gentle disposition of the Emperour and of all those worthie Princes and knightes that came with him and sayd that all the flower and worthinesse of knighthood in the world was there ioyned together Then straight waies the Emperour went towardes the king Oliuerio and the one receiued the other with so great loue and with such excéeding courtesie as commonlie is vsed betwixt so high persons and at that instant was there confirmed betwixt them such and so great friendship that neuer after so long as they liued was separated Then the Emperour receiued the other knightes with so gallant grace and demeanour that they all receiued great contentment at the sight of him but most especiallie the king Oliuero that was talking with Bargandel Lyriamandio and the Tartarian Zoilo and the king Alamades who all together went and kissed his handes crauing pardon of all that was passed Then he with great loue did embrace them all pardoning all the rancour and euill will that he had against them and it séemed verie well vnto him in y â— they had shewed themselues so faithfull and had accomplished all that they ought could doe no lesse but beare the like to them againe So from thence they all returned vnto the Citie but when they came vnto the mightie Pallace the king and all those that came with him were in great admiration to sée and behold vpon the fore front of the same all y â— who le Histories of the knight of the Sunne and said that by his figure he resembled verie much Rosicleer which was verie true for that there was no more difference betwixt them but that the knight of the Sunne was somewhat in his face more furious and more fatter of his bodie but of one stature in all other proportions of their bodies were all one and resembled one another verie much so that the remembrance of those valyant and worthie déedes which were there so naturallie set forth vnto them that knew not thereof that it put in them so great admiration that they saide with great reason the knight of the
thing so much as to heare newes of the knight of the Sunne Then the Emperour sayde Faire and worthie Princesse I was alwaies fullie perswaded with my selfe that your soueraigne highnesse could not let but come and succour vs and put vs all in great securitie Then the knight of the Sunne came for to kisse the handes of the Emperour who receiued him with that great loue that he alwaies bare vnto him Then straight waies came forth the king Florion and with him the wise Lyrgando and sayd vnto the Emperor Lord let your highnesse giue vs part of the sight of this knight whom we haue all desired so much to know and therwith they embraced him many times as they that entirelie and with all their harts did loue him Then those good and perfect friends of his Claueryndo and Brandizel and that good Troyan as all the rest of the othâ—r worthie knights It cannot be rehearsed the great mirth that all of them receiued as also the worthie things that passed at that méeting especiallie with the roiall Princesse Claridiana for that all did receiue her with that dutie and curtesie as was due vnto so high a Princesse Then was there complaints made for that they till that time woulde not make themselues to be knowen as also for that they were absent so long out of the Countrie Whereto the wise Lyrgandeo replied requesting them to let that demaund passe for that time because to giue them to vnderstand thereof it will aske a great time and how that he had it all written and when time did serue he woulde shew it vnto them forsomuch as they were thinges worthie to be knowen published After they had passed these and many other things betwixt them they all together went and returned into the Citie and the king Sacridoro went before to carrie newes vnto the Empresse Briana of the comming of the knight of the Sunne and vnto all the rest of the Ladies and Gentlewomen that were there with her who were meruailous gladde and ioyfull at those newes but most especiallie the Empresse who alwayes was verie sad and sorrowfull after that the knight of the Sunne was departed from the Court Then at the sodaine noise of these newes great preparation was made and an innumerable companie of Torches was light that it séemed in the Citie to be noone daie and all the stréetes were full of people for to sée their good Prince then at their entrie into the emperiall Pallace the Empresse accompanied with all those Ladies and Gentlewomen came forth for to receiue them whereas betwéene the Empresse and the roiall Princesse Claridiana passed many wordes of great loue Then the knight of the Sunne went for to kisse the hands of his mother who did embrace him and kissed him on the chéeke saying Oh my welbeloâ—ed sonne for this your comming I doe giue thankes vnto this roiall Princesse and if it had not bene for her your pardon at my handes had failed in that you haue forgotten vs so long time These and many other wordes of great loue said the Empresse vnto her sonne and vnto the Princesse the which this Hystorie doth let passe vntolde for to auoide tediousnesse and telleth of no more but how that all the rest of the night that remained they passed awaie with mirth and pastimes whereas the king Florion and the wise Lyrgandeo could not satisfie themselues in beholding the knight of the Sunne meruailing greatlie to sée him so much growen as well in bodie as in the rest since he departed from them out of Persia and héere began he to tell of many things that passed as well with the one as with the other but when he came to tell of the solitarie Ilande and of all that passed there they were wonderfullie amazed and eueuerie one did double their good willes and loue which before they bâ—re vnto the knight of the Sunne At this time came the king Oliuerio with those of great Britaine those worthie knights of Spaine for to speake with the knight of the Sunne who would haue kissed the kinges handes but hée would not consent thervnto but said Worthie Prince for well emploied I doe account my comming into this Countrie for y â— I haue séene the magnanimitie of all bountie and fairenesse of a knight comprehended in your person To whom the knight of the Sun answered My good Lord how in what sort so euer I am I am readie at your commandement to serue you in as ample manner as my brother Rosicleer for that it is our dutie vnto your highnesse great valour In like sort he gaue intertainment vnto all the rest of those worthie knights who meruailed to heare tolde the great wonders of the knight of the Sunne as also to sée his mightie and soueraigne proportion and grace with y â— great maiestie of his seuere countenance wherin only was sufficieÌ„t for to publish deâ—lare who he was so that after 〈…〉 departed into their owne Countries they had inough to do all the daies of their life for to tell of the meruailous and strange things that they saw in Grecia as well of the Grecian knights as of she without comparison in beautie fairenesse gentle 〈◊〉 and grace the Princesse Claridiana who of the 〈◊〉 and of the Empresse and of all people was most estéemed and had in reputation aboue all the rest But when they vnderstoode that they hoped shée should be spouse vnto the knight of the Sunne with greater loue and good will they did serue and honour her of all parties and she likewise did the like vnto them and was not a little amazed at the great beautie of the Princesse Oliuia who séemed vnto them to be one of the fairest Gentlewomen that euer they had séene next vnto the worthie and faire Princesse Lyndabrides who séemed to them to bée a pearle in excellencie So from that time forwards the two Princesses Oliuia and Claridiana did beare good will and loue one to another wonderfullie so y â— with great reason all those that did beholde and sée them together might saie that they did deserue to be spouses vnto those two brethren the knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer as vnto the best knights in all the world Héere was giuen to vnderstand vnto the knight of the Sunne all that had passed in the battailes and many other things more In this sort they passed awaie the night till the next daie in the which happened as shall be declared vnto you in this Chapter following How the faire Princesse Lyndabrides had vnderstanâ—â—ing of the comming of the knight of the Sunne 〈◊〉 â—home she wrote a Letter and of other things that to 〈◊〉 in the meane time Chapter 35. WHen the next daie was come all the Gréekes receiued great ioy and pleasure for that it was publikelie knowen vnto them the câ—mming of the knight of the Sunne and the Princesse Claridiana so that the newes thereof was carried into the Campe of the Pagans which was
to take of thée cruell reuengement before she doth depart from hence and séeing that thou wert so hardie and bold for to offend the diuine maiestie make thy selfe readie for to receiue the paine and punishment for the same for that it cannot be otherwise but that the immortall Gods will haue a regard vnto this my great iniurie and for the part of kindred that belongeth vnto them will punish thée conformable vnto thy deserts Lyndabrides In the meane time that this faire Princesse was writing of this Letter at euerie word her eyes ranne downe with water and her anguish and griefe which shée felt was so great that many times before shée coulde conclude the writing of her Letter she fell in a sound In the end when it was concluded she called a damsell vnto her in whome the had great confidence and trust and gaue vnto her the Letter saying that incontinent she should depart vnto the Citie of Constantinople and in the secretest wise that possible was shée should giue that Letter vnto the knight of the Sun and y â— she shâ—â—ld not returne againe in anie manner of wise without an aunswere vnto the same Then the Damsell who was wise and verie well vnderstoode allâ— her secrets did their promise and gaue her word to doe and accomplish all her request So in taking her leaue of her she depaâ—ted towards the Citie of Constantinople and when she came vnto the mightie pallace the askeâ— for the lodging of the knight of the Sun and being certefied therofâ— she went thetherâ— and entering in she found him not there for that he was gone vnto the Emperour but yet the found there a young man by whom she sent him word that there was a damsell tarrying for him at his lodging who bringeth vnto him a message He then so soone as he heard thereof did take his 〈◊〉 of the Emperour and departed with the young man but when he came whereas the damsell did abide his comming he was greatly amazed to see her for that by and by he knew her to be one belonging vnto the Princesse Lyndabrides wherewithall his hart seemed for to turne vpside â—â—wne within his breast according vnto the great alteration that he felt within himselfe but hee was troubled a great deale mâ—re when that the damsell deliuered the Letter and said that it came from her Ladie Mistres and being in a great confusion with a pale and wan colour he receiued the Letter opening it he read the whole contents thereof In the meane time that he was reading the same the damsel that brought it diâ— verie much behold him for so she was commanded by her Ladie to see that is by 〈◊〉 outward semblance he made anie signe of sorrow at which time all his whole members shaked by the which the damsell did verie well vnderstand that he was not a little troubled in the concluding and reading of the same for that his eyes were still full of teares with great pittie which hée conceiued by the wordes of that Letter and hée who had great and force courage for to cumbat with the most furious fierce and brauest knightes and gyantes in all the worlde had not now anie heart for to dissemble the greate pâ—ine and sorrowe manifested by that Letter that the faire Princesse Lyndabrides receiued Then after a while that he had studied with himselfe what was best to bee done 〈◊〉 straight wayes tooke paper and inke and â—orthwith wrote her a Letter in answere vnto that which he receiued the which being concluded he gaue it vnto the damsell sayd that in Gods name she might returne againe vnto her mistres although before she departed he demanded many questions of her touching her estate receiuing great pleasure to be certefied of the same as he who sometimes did loue her aboue all things in the world and as yet he could not so perfectlie cléere himselfe from her but there must néeds remain in his heart some sparkes of that amorous fire before past the which could not but many times trouble his conscience and although the roiall Princesse Claridiana in beautie and worthinesse was without comparison yet was that precious Princesse Lyndabrides so faire and gratious that there was no perâ—on in all the whole world but would haue bene in loue with her in especiall that continuall and long conuersation which the knight of the Sunne had with her did worke so much in effect that what with his procurement as also with the great maiestie wherewith shee dyd alwaies defend her honestie and purenesse was not of so small force but was sufficient of it selfe to worke so great effect in him that he could not by anie meanes wholie roote out the great loue the which he receiued in his heart Thus when the Damsell was diparted the knight of the Sunne returned vnto the place whereas the Emperour â—rebatio was for that with the presence of the Princesse Claridiana he might eâ—â—inguish those firie flames which the remembrance of the Princesse dyd cause desire for to kindle within him the which did assure him in all pointes for that in her presence there was not anie one so much to be desired as the royall princesse Claridâ—ana because shée had so great exquisitenesse and bountie that shée séemed amongest all the whole companie of the other Ladies and Damsells as doth the fragrant Rose amongest the other small flowers When that the Damsell was returned into the Campe shée straight wayes went vnto her mistres who taking her by the hand entered into her Closet with great abundance of teares and profound sighes before that she read the Letter the â—â—ire Princesse dyd aske the damsell where and in what place she did finde the knight of the Sunne whether he was with Claridian or whether hée made aâ—ie token 〈◊〉 or alteration when that he knew her and receiued the Letter Likewise when that he read it if his countenanceâ— dyd continue or altered in anie point These and many other perticular things she did aske and demand of her Damsell which were caused by the hot burning loue that did molest her minde Unto all the which her Damsell did make her answere and gaue her aduertisement of all that she had séene in the knight of the Sunne Which was not vnto her small contentment and ioy to heare how that he was troubled in mind with the reâ—ding of her Letter So that such like comforâ—s although they be small remedies vnto â—â—ue louers yet for all that they be great ease vnto amorous passions though in the end it be occasion of farther heate Thus after a while that they had passed the time in the demauâ—ds the â—aire princesse would reade the Letter but she was so troubled to thinke what should come written therein that she almost wanted courage and heart for to open it but yet in the end with â—râ—at alteâ—ation of colour in her face she did open it which sayd as heereafter followeth A Letter of the knight â—f
those Pagans were saued for that there was 〈◊〉 that came out of Persia but turned all Christans Likewise the valiant and worthie Prince of Fraunce in this time did reioyce himselfe with his loue the faire Princesse Lindaraza as two that loued together exeéedinglie The like did all the other Princes that had their Mistresses there in the Court as the Prince Don Siluerio with his loue the Quéene Arquirosa and Rodomarte and Rodofeo with their Ladies and as all these receiued great delight so to the contrarie Bargandel Liriamandro the king Sacridoro and Brandizel were verie sorrowfull for the absence of their Ladies although the great good wil which they had for to serue the Emperor Trebatio in those warres did witigate the great griefe which otherwise they should haue receiued for their louers After this sorte they were all in sundrie and different thoughts although for to giue battaile against their enimies they were conformable in which time vpon a sodaine there was brought newes vnto the Emperour how that the king Liseo and the faire Quéene Radamira were come into the port they for whome the knight of the Sun made baâ—taile with the stout and doubtfull knight Raiartes restored vnto him the kingdome of Lidia the Quéene brought with her foure thousand knights the king sixe thousand all valiant and well armed who comming towards Grecia by fortune did méete together at sea and comming both in one demand they kept companie together vntill they came into the port Then so soone as the newes was knowen in Constantinople the Emperour Trebatio did so much that his sonnes and all that worthie crew did go forth to receiue them being together in the field they went vnto the sea side whereas they found at their comming thether that the king and the Quéene were landed a shore comming vnto them to giue them entertainment the knight of the Sunne said My good Lords from this daie forwards we may haue little feare of our enimies hauing your highnesse on our side This feare may we all put a part being in your companie sayd the Quéene Radamira for he that deliuered me from that furious and fierce Raiartes will deliuer me from all the knights of the world Well then said the king Liseo I am no lesse bound vnto this happie Prince than all the rest for that by him I haue my life all my whole kingdome and there withall they embraced one another with great loue all that were there reioyced of their comming for that the king was a verie good knight furnished with all good manners and conditions the Quéene Radamira was verie faire and gratious and receiued wonderful ioy and contentment to sée the knight of the Sun for there was nothing in all the world that she desired so much to see but when she sawe him so much growen as well in bignesse as in height more than he was at such time as hée was in Babylon she meruailed verie much When the knight of the Sun and those that came with him had giuen them their welcome they tooke their waie towards Constantinople passed by the camp of the Pagans in sight of them all who did behold them offered them no harme nor discurtesie for that there was a truce betwixt them When they came vnto the Citie the Emperour and the Empres and all those Ladies and Gentlewomen that were with her receiued great ioy loued their new guests grasifieng very much their comming And héere you shall vnderstand that at this present that worthie and valiant Tartarian Zoylo when he sawe the Quéene Radamira was taken in loue with her with great good will for to take her to he his wise and spouse if that she were so content therewith and from that daie forwardes he did procure by all meanes to giue her knowledge thereof and she when she was aduertised knew him to be so valiant a knight and high a Prince she tooke great pleasure in his seruice So by reason that the time drew nigh of the generall battaile with great diligence the Emperour and all those worthie knights minded no other thing but to visite their people commanding that they should be prouided of good armour of all other things necessarie for the battaile as they that made account that they had all that remained in the world against theÌ„ Likewise on the other part in the campe of the Pagans they did as much for in all the daies and time of their truce they vnderstoode no other thing but to make all things in a redinesse against the daie appointed being determinded amongest themselues to goe forth all the whole Campe vnto the battaile for that they would at that time make an end and destroie all the Gréekes and straight wayes enter into the mightie Citie of Constantinople and so remaine Lords ouer all the whole Empire Thus after this sorte they passed awaie the daies of the truce and afterwardes there happened many other things as shall be tolde you in this Chapter following Of the rigorous and bloudie battaile that was betweene the people of the Emperour Trebatio and those of the Emperour Alycandro and of such meruailous things as happened therein Chapter 38. I Had néed of an vnderstanding iudgement much more higher thanâ—that of Plato who was amongst the Philosophers had in reputation of a diuine vnderstanding more prompter than that of Epaminondas or of Cirus amongst the Gréekes and Persians who were accounted without comparison and also a memorie more greater than that which maye be giuen me by the Memoratiue art of Simonides eloquence more eminent than Homer or Demosthenes to declare here the worthie and incredible déedes and memorable acts of those heroicall famous knights that in the last battaile betwéene the Emperours were ioyned together in the field of Grecia in the sight of newe Rome founded by Constantine the Prince for that if with good affection you read the Historie before written you shall sée this pleasant Hystorie so intangled and the worthinesse of renowmed knights so exalted that for to declare perticularlie euerie one of their mightie acts you shall well perceiue that it were néedfull of the diuine fauour againe if you do remember the most parte of the names of those worthy knights and the varietie of Nations there ioyned together you had neede of a good memorie and to tell of them and euerie thing in order it is for to manifest all the whole world and all worthinesse therein So I séeing this worke to mount and ascend so high my small vnderstanding not able for to comprehend the same was determined for to 〈…〉 last Chapter and not to procéede anie farther but leaue this trauaile vnto some other that hath a more sharper vnderstanding than I haue and remayned certaine daies in this determination and occupied my wits in other diuerse and variable things béeing fullie perswaded that my vnderstanding was not sufficient for to declare and make
all order and with so great furie that if they had béene two Rockes they hadde broke them all to péeces and the anger and courage of eyther of them was so great because they could haue no victorie that they left one another and put themselues into the battaile whereas they slew and ouerthrew to the ground and couered the fields with dead bodies as the Mower with his Sith couereth the sorrowes with corne The knight of the Sunne put himselfe amongst those monstrous Gyants of the Orientall Indias and made so great slaughter amongest them that those which were liuing although they were fierce and rough people did flie before him he put himselfe with so great furie amongst them that the stout Oristedes remâ—ined behinde him and could not followe but yet with the great desire that he had to kéepe him companie hée did strange exploits and of great wonder Then the knight of the Sunne looking backe and seeing him all alone did tarrie his comming making a breade waie in euerie place whereas hee went at which time came forth against him a rough and 〈…〉 named Othibeâ—â— and was Lord ouer the Iland of 〈◊〉 his armour was edged round about with golde and precious stones of great price who stroke so strong a 〈◊〉 at the knight of the Sunne vppon his helme that he somewhat aâ—â—â—med him But this proude Pagan departed aduancing himselfe thereof but was rewarded for his boldnesse with his head clouen asunder to his breast so that he fell downe dead to the ground yet ther lacked not another more hardie than wise that thought to make reuengement for the same There was a king called Armelion who hauing a great confidence in his strength and in the excellencie of his armour wherewith hee was armed and was verie good went towards him and stroke him a mightie blowe vpon one of his shoulders but he that had receiued so many of that furious Bramarant receiued that of him as nothing but in paiment of his great follie the sonne of Trebatio stroke him such another vppon his head that both helme and skull he stroke into his braines the which being done he staied not but procéeded forwards on not finding anie that did disturbe him in his waie and alwaies he had an eie vnto such as séemed vnto him to bée the principall of his enimies so it chanced he discouered two mightie great and deformed Gyants that were both together with mightie mases in their handes and made great slaughter and destruction vpon the Gréekes these Gyantes were two brethren and Lords ouer an Iland in the Indian sea The one was called Zario and the other Drago and in all the whole hoast was not to bée found two Gyants more mightier and fuller of pride than they were But as this gallant louer of the royall Empresse Claridiana hadde séene them without anie consideration that they were two and hée all aloneâ— hée tooke a Speare from a Pagan that was next him and seâ— spurres to his good horse Cornerino and with so great fuâ—ie that hée séemed a whirle winde he went towards those Gyants who were séene aboue all the rest more than two â—ubites and in sight of all the people he encountered witâ— one of them in the middest of the breast in such sort that â—â—though his armour was twelue plates thick yet did he thrâ—st his Speare a good yard through his bodie that the sharpe point of his Speare appeared at his backe and this great Gyant fell downe dead to the ground and made so great noise as though a tower had fallen downe and at such time as this good knight dyd passe alongst in his course the other Gyant that did abide his comming with his yroâ— mase in his hand all alofte hee discharged such a right downe blowe at him that if hee had chaunced to fasten the same it had not gone well with him but the great furie and swiftnesse of his horse Cornerino was such that before hée coulde discharge the same hée was passed by with his Maister so that the blowe fell downe to the ground and entred into the earth thrée spans and as yet hée had not lift vp his mase when that the knight of the Sunne tourned about his horse with great lightnesse and ioyning himselfe with the Gyant hée cast a thrust at him with the point of his sword in the middest of his bellâ—e and put so great force and strength ther vnto that without anie staying it passed through his double and thicke armour and entered into his guts vp to the hard hiltes and pulling his sworde out his guttes followed after And therwithall the Gyant with an infernall furie stroke such a terrible blowe with his mace on his backe that hée hadde ouerthrowen him to the ground if that he had not embraced himselfe with his horse necke But so soone as this blowe was giuen the mightie Gyant fell downe dead to the earth and the knight of the Sunne doing theâ—e and many other great meruailes passed forwardes on discoueringâ—through all the whole battaile beholding the mightie deedes greate meruailes and highe knighthood which was done by the famous knightes on his part vnto whome it seemed that they alone were a sheelde and defence vnto all his people for without them they had beene all ouercome and dispearsed for that in comparison there were a great number more on the paâ—t of the Pagans than there was on theirs Hee lykewise looked about for Rosicleer and sawe where hee was all alone so berayed and bathed in bloud that scarce hée could bee knowen from another knight but onelie by the incredible deedes which he did and seeing him in that sorte all alone without anie of his confortes that could come vnto him for to succour him hee fell greatlie in loue with him and his estimation and praied vnto God with all his heart to saue and defend him from all perill and daunger Likewise hee sawe in another place the good Emperour his father in the middest betwixt the two Spanish knights who went all three together with equall courage and magnanimitie and made exceeding great slaughter amongst the Pagans At this time the good knight would not staie anie longer to beholde them but thrust himselfe into the middest of the battaile and went from one place vnto another ayding and helping there whereas hee sawe was the greatest perill At this time the daie was wel spent for it was past noone and the knight of the Sun â—éeling the wether to be hot as he that had trauailed more than the rest for to refresh himselfe and to take some aire as also to sée in what estate the battaile was went out of the camp stood vnder a little wood side that was there hard by the Campe and alighted from his horse and pulled off his helme and dyd from that place beholde all that passed and sawe that on euerie side all the whole fields was full of people and by reason of the greate multitude he could not knowe those
seemed not to be anie humane creatures But now was the time come of the good fortune and destinie promised vnto the Emperour Trebatio to shewe it selfe fauourable and the Prophesie before sayde by the olde king of Gedrosia to worke effect and accomplish the truth thereof in confirming of the same for that the Pagans began to retire and night drew on and it wared darke they receiued great feare in such sorte that they put themselues vnto flight and ranne awaie with great shame so that a little before the shutting of the euening the Pagans put themselues in such feare and hast in running that there was no force of resistance in them but to be all slaine by the Gréekes who followed them at their héeles And the Emperour Alycandro when that he sawe himselfe left alone without his strong gard and mightie kings his vassals that were wont to kéepe and beare him companie and all his people to run awaie before him ouercome and cleane without anie hope of victorie he larged the raines vnto his horse and ranne about the field complaining verie much against the Gods whome he tooke to bée his parents and kinsfolke as also against Fortune for shewing her selfe so contrarie against him but most he complained against himselfe for putting so great confidence and trust in his owne power in that hée would not giue anie credit vnto the good and true counsailes of the olde king of Gedrosia and going in this sort he came vnto his Tents and taking the faire Princesse Lyndabrides and the rest of the Ladies and Damsels that were with her with other such things as conueniently he could hée fled downe vnto the sea side whereas was all his whole Fléete whereof the Christians had burnt a great part of them such as were at the Sea for although the saide ships of the Christians were but few in number yet when that they sawe the great destruction that was made on the land they recouered great courage â—or to assault them that were at the Sea in such sorte that they set fire on manye shippes that were in the Fléete in spite of them that were there for that they found small resistance Thus as I haue saide before when the Emperour came vnto the Sea side there was so great hast of embarking that with great trauaile hée embarked himselfe into a shippe with those that came with him and being embarked yet he thought not himselfe in anie securitie but in great hast caused the Sailes to bée spread abroade and launched themselues into the Sea leauing all this troupe and power ouerthrowen in Grecia Then the Prince Meridian and Brandimardo when that they sawe how that the people were dispearsed and that by no meanes possible they coulde not staie them from flying and running awaie Then went they from one place vnto another séeking of the Emperour Alycandro but could not finde him till such time as they came vnto the Sea side whereas it was tolde them how that hée was embarked into a shippe and departed with the Princesse Lyndabrides and the other Ladies and Gentlewomen that were in her companie amongst whome was the faire Princesse Floralinda spouse vnto the Prince Meridian who when that hée vnderstoode of their departure dyd straight wayes embarke himselfe in another shippe and followed after them In all this while the Gréekes vnderstoode in no other thing but in killing and slaying of Pagans as they ranne awaie and made such slaughter as in all the daie before was not the lyke at which time all the water in the Tirreno sea from the â—geo vnto the Euxino was redde and turned into the coulour of bloud with the great quantitie that were slaine as well on the sea as on the land which was a thing of great terrour and wonder to beholde But the knight of the Sunne when he sawe that the battaile was dispearsed and how that the Pagans sledde before them hée made no farther account of them but went and sought for the Emperour Alycandro and the Princesse Lyndabrides fearing that in the moouing and running of the people they should receiue some damage or harme The which he would not that it should so fall out for anie thing in all the world for that hée considered verie well in his minde how much he was bound vnto them for the great loue which they bare vnto him And when he came vnto the Tents he went from one vnto another enquiring for the Emperour and it was tolde him how they were fled and gone wherewith he gallopped his horse till hée came vnto the sea side whereas hée sawe the Pagans making great hast for to embarke themselues and many of them did swimme aboord because they would not abide the furie of the Greekes a land Then the Knight of the Sunne came vnto one of those Pagans and put the point of his sword to his face and sayd that hee would kill him if hée dyd not tell him newes of the Emperour Alycandro Then the Pagan who sawe him depart for feare of death tolde him how that he was departed from thence in a ship with the princesse Lyndabrides and all her Ladies and gentlewomen Whereat when the knight of the Sunne heard of their departure he was verie sorrowfull as well for the perill in the which they put themselues as also for that hée would haue done vnto them the honourâ— and seruice that they deserued and for that his valiant courage could not suffer that they should depart in such sorte with a setled purpose and determination full of vertue he put himselfe into a Boate and caused the Marriners to rowe him vnto a good ship that was there at hande whereas he found certaine knights that did resist him at his entrie whom he slew and threatned the Maister and Marriners that he woulde lykewise kill them if they did not gouerne the ship right that waie which the Emperour Alycandro was departed and gone Then they who sawe the great destruction that hée had made in so short a time being greatlie amazed thereat and with great feaâ—e did obey all that he commanded so that in companie with the other ships they hoised saile and departed through that bloudie sea whereas we wil leaue them in their iourney and returne vnto them that were left in the field At this time the good Emperour Trebatio when he saw the night come on a pace and that it waxed darke being verie wearie he all his companie in killing of pagans began to blow and sound his rich horne which lyke a good Captaiâ—e he carried alwaies about his necke and he dyd sound it iâ— such sort that in all those broade and wide fields it was heard at which sound all his people dyd obey his commandement and gathered themselues together But yet in all this time the battaile betwixt Rosicleer and Bramarant neuer ceased but rather as then was more furious and kindled in wrath and they did no other thing but procure to charge the one the other with
esteemed amongst all in the world But when that these two vnderstood with whome they had made their battaile it was no small ioy and pleasure that they receiued for that they desired verie much their friendship after such time as in the wildernesse of Grecia they sawe the one to kill the Gran Campion and the other dyd combat for them twaine with Bramarant but more was their ioy when that they vnderstoode what they had done in the deliuerie of the Emperour out of prison with the Ladies and all their damselles from the power of Roboan and his sonnes they knew not how to gratifie that great goodnesse but offered themselues to be their friends and craued pardon of all that was past And when they vnderstoode that the Emperour of his owne good will went vnto Grecia for to conclude a league of friendship with the mightie Emperour â—rebatio these two valiant knightes were excéeding gladde and ioyfull for that they had a most earnest desire to hee in that Court Thus after there had passed betwixt them many things their ioy and pleasure was such that it séemed to make void the remembrance of all troubles and aduersities past and so dyd prosecute their voiage â—owardes Constantinople The Prince Meridian was more ioyfull than the rest and receiued greater contentment for that he had with him his welbeloued spouse the Princesse Floralindia and againe for that hee went towardes Grecia whereas was the king of Macedonia forth vnto the Princesse with whom he hoped to make friendship in such sorte that he might haue her to wife which was the thing that the Princesse most desired After this sort they did nauigate by sea foure dayes with prosperous windes in the end whereof they ariued at Grecia in the mightie Porte of Constantinople whereas straight wayes they gaue to vnderstand vnto the Emperour Trebatio of their ariuall With which newes hée and all those of his Court were excéeding ioyfull for that they lacked no other thing entirelie for to celebrate the triumph of that victorie which they had got Then straight waies the Emperour Trebatio béeing accompanied with those mightie kinges and Princes and worthie knightes that were with him went forth of Constantinople for to receiue them at the port and the quantitie of people was so great that went forth with them that all those wide and broade fields and mountaines séemed to bée peopled with them and although the dead bodies by the commandement of the Emperour were burnt yet for all that all those fâ—eldes and plaines were stained with the bloud that was there shed When the Emperour Trebatio with all that royall and worthie companie came vnto the Port straight wayes the Emperour Alycandro and all those that came with him went a land whereas their receiuing was as vnto such personages did appertaine but in especial with those two Emperours for in a great space they were embraced together and did not loose the one from the other in which time there passed betwixt them many wordes of singular great loue as though they had béene alwaies before great friends and the Emperor Trebatio did giue him great thanks gratifying him for his comming into Grecia offering him great offers by word of mouth in such sort that the Emperour Alycandro thought himselfe fullie satisfied receiued more pleasure at that returne than he did at his first coÌ„ming into that Countrie Then straight waies the Emperor â—rebatio receiued with great curtesse the two Princes Meridian Brandimardo did embrace them with as much loue as he did his owne sonnes that came with them For you shal vnderstand that he was a Prince that in all the world could not be found his equall in maintaining honouring of good and valiant knights which was the occasion that whatsoeuer knight he was that once came into his companie could neuer finde himselfe in anie other place but onelie in his Court. Then he receiued the faire Princesse Lyndabrides in doing vnto her great curtesie and honour as vnto the highest damsell in al the whole world and vnto one that did deserue it But when the king of Maeâ—donia dyd see the faire Princesse 〈◊〉 his daughter and the Prince Mâ—rridian to demand his hands for to kisse them there was no â—oy and pleasure that might happen vnto a Father to be compared vnto â—is and hée went and embraced them keeping them betwiâ—t his armes a great while before that hée would let them loose Thus afâ—er one whole houre that there had 〈◊〉 betwixt them many 〈◊〉 at their meeting they all together with 〈◊〉 triumph tooke their waie towards the Citie of 〈◊〉 And it was a wonderfull thing to beholde and woâ—thie to bée noted to see so noble and worthie â—nightes to accompanie them that it might well bee sayde that there was neuer seene so highe and worthie a companie ioyned together Likewise at this present it was needfull of a better Painter than euer was Appelles or that worthie Pirgotiles for to paint and set forth the faire and rubicend face of the Princesse Lyndâ—brides by reason of the differences of varietie of coulours which went and came at such time as shée remembred how that the Princesse Claridiana shoulde receiue her in the Pallace of the Emperour Trebatio and also of that which the knight of the Sunne would conceiue in his heart when he sawe the same the which thoughts did make her to go in so great confusion as to your iudgement I doe referre it her loue was so great the which she bare vnto him that shée could not bée without great iuspition of alteration when that she considered of the great worthinesse and desert of the Princesse Claridiana So that the whole world was nothing in comparison that she would giue on condition that the knight of the Sunne might neuer sée the Princesse If she were sure thereof then were she fullie certefied that the knight of the Sunne would not chaunge her for anie other Ladie or damsel in all the whole world When they were entered into the Citie and came vnto the pallace those worthie Princes and knightes did descend from their horses those faire Ladies and damsels and being mounted into the great hall the Empresse Briana with the Princesse Claridiana and the Princesse Oliuia and Lindaraza with al the rest of those high and worthie Ladies Gentlewomen that were with them came forth and did receiue them with that honor that was requisite vnto so high and mightie personages And the Emperour Alycandro with Meridian and Brandimardo meruailed greatlie to sée the soueraigne beautie that was there assembled together which seemed vnto them as it was true that in all the whole worlde could not the like be séene but when the faire Princesse Lyndabrides went to embrace the roiall Princesse Claridiana Good Lord how her hart was troubled to see in her rubicond face al the beautie in the world to be comprehended and alâ—o how that her knight of the Sunne had his eies fixed on her
At that instant shee thought verilie her soule would haue departed from her bodie almost she could not go forwards neither scarce speake a word she was in such a trance The which was all contrarie in the Princesse Claridiana for as shee was sure of the loue of the knight of the Sunne â—o did shée shew her selfe verie merrie and content and gaue the princesse to vnderstand that shée receiued great ioy at her comming thether Likewise with no lesse ioy and louing embracings dyd the faire Princesse Oliuia receiue her welbeloued Rosicleer as though they had not séene themselues together in one whole yeere Then the Empresse Briana tooke by the hands the two Ladies Lindabrides and Floralindia hauing done their salutations the one vnto the other they altogether entered into a verie faire and great quâ—dran wheras the Empresse and all those Ladies and damsells did sit downe in a place by themselues and the two Emperours with all those worthie Princes knights on the other part by themselues whereas they passed awaie the time in gallant and pleasant conuersation till such time as it was time to goe to dinner and sitting downe they were serued verie highlie suniptuouslie as in the pallace oâ— so mightie a Prince was requisite and in the meane time that they were at dinner there was heâ—rd no other thing but the sweete noise of many instruments and in all the whole Citie was there so great triumph and pastimes that it seâ—med at that instant the Gâ—eekes did celebrate the victorie of their won battailes How Rosicleer and Lyriâ—mandro at the commandement of the Emperour Trebatio went into â—ungarâ—a to mâ—ke themselues knowen vnto the king and to giue him to vnderstand of all that had passed in Grecia Chapter 21. WHen the next daie was come and the Emperour sawe his Court of so great soneraâ—gntie as neuer was the lyke séene by Priâ—ce in all the whole worlde hee thought that there lacked nothing 〈◊〉 for to reioyce the victorie of their triumphant battailes wonne but onelie the presence of the king of 〈◊〉 Father vnto the Empresse Briana his louing and welbeloued wife and for to intreate with him of that concord and friendship as ought to be betweene Father and sonne in lawe and also that he might see the great magnisicence and high throne into the which Fortune gouerned by the will of God hath mounted him vnto so that if he did see that his Court in so great abundance of riches and adorned with so soueraigne Princes and knightes hee would thinke himselfe verie well contented and satisfied of the chaunge that was made for the Prince of great Britaine and also that he might recreate himselfe in that ioy and glorie which should procéede of the sight and acknowledging of his worthie newnesse by the which he should receiue great contentment and account himselfe to be the most happiest fortunate Prince in all the whole world And hauing this in his minde he straight waies went vnto the Empresse 〈◊〉 for to communicate with her about the same who was in the same determination and care as she that desired no other thing but to sée her Father present for that he might bée pertaker of hâ—r great triumph and glorie Thus being both of one minde and determination they straight waies gaue their valiant and worthie sonnes to vnderstand thereof betwixt whom there straight waies grew a great contention which of them two should be the messenger The knight of the Sun sayd that in times past without knowing anie kindred to be betwixt them he did him a great griefe anger that now he would make a recompence for the same in carying him this message And Rosicleer said that he was nourished and brought vp in the Monasterie of the â—iuer how that there remaineth his fained parents Leonardo and his wife whom he thought to haue bene his naturall father mother and had great desire to sée them and to recompence them the great benefit that he ought them more hee sayd how that Lyriamandro was so much his friend that he left his Father for his loue for the which his perfect friendship will not consent but that he must beare the Prince companie for to giue him that great ioy and contentment which he shall receiue at the seeing of him séeing that by his occasion he hath ben so long without his companie The contention was so great betwixt these two brethren which of them should goe vpon this message that in the conclusion they should goe both of them together if that the Emperor Trebatio had not staied them in saying that it did not séeme wel that in the time of great ioy and pastimes accompanied with so many strange and worthie knightes in this Court they should both be lacking or at least wayes one of them In conclusion séeming vnto 〈◊〉 that Rosicleer had greatest reason for to goe and acknowledge the king his graunfather for that he had neuer seene him they were content that he should goe on the message and that the knight of the Sunne shoulde remaine in the Court for that he shoulde haue time enough to be knowen of the king and that he was fullie satisfied of his great beautie These two knights wer such and of so great obedience that they hadde no other delight but to giue contentment vnto their parents so that Rosicleer prepared himselfe for the voyage But first he went vnto his verie friend Liriamandro and told vnto him all that the Emperour his Father had ordained who receiued great pleasure thereat as he that had great desire for to see the king his Father wherby he mâ—ght acknowledge his neuewes and vnderstand of the good and happie fortune of the Empresse his sister who aboue all the Ladies in the whole world is most exalted therewith he embrased Rosicleer very much and was verie glad of that which was determined and straight waies they both together went and dyd take their leaue of the Emperour and of the Empresse who dyd recomend them vnto Gâ—d and gaue them great charge that their retourne with the king might be short for that till their retourne they should not recâ—iue any ioy or contentment So hauing taken 〈◊〉 leaue for to depart such as did loue him as the king Sicridoâ—o and the valiant Taâ—taâ—o with Bargandel were verie desirous for to beare them companie as his perfect and good friends came vnto him and offered their seruice But Rosicleer whole desire was for to goe that iourney alone with courteous woords did gratifie their good wil and desired them to pardon him at that instant for that by the helpe of almightie God his retourne should be verie shortly And there with these two worthie princes with alonely two Squires departed out of the mightie Citie of Constantiâ—opâ—e and hauing passed through all the whole Empire of 〈◊〉 that came vnto Danubia the which descendeth from Hungaria And when they should passe the mightie bridge whereaâ— thâ— knight
and heard And againe I being in my glorie with the Dutches in the garden should chance to bée discouered and bewraied to haue your helpe and succour as of my verie perfect and good friends When the Duke had concluded this his fained protestation the thrée knightes who were so much his friendes dyd promise vnto him for to accomplish all his request Then when the night was come about twelue of the clock at midnight at such time as the Dutchesse and all the rest were in their found sléepe the Duke with the thrée knights went vnto the garden and although the walls were verie high yet by Ladders they went vp to the top thereof the wall was somewhat broade aboue and on the inside towards the garden hard vnto the wall dyd growe a great number of thickâ— and high Cypres trées which shadowed all the wall in such sort that the thrée knightes might remaine vppon the wall and heare and sée all that should passe in the garden and they not to be séene and discouered of anie In that place did the three knightes remaine and the Duke descended downe by those trées into the garden whereas he remained till within a little while after he heard a little posâ—erne to be opened whereat came forth that false damsell who by reason that the Moone did shine so bright yea nigh hand shée did seeme to bée the Dutchesse for that shee was faire and of her owne stature and was apparelled with a gowne of gréene veluet set full of brouches of golde wherein was set many fine presious stones shée also had her haire hanging about her shoulders which reached downe to the ground and vpon her head a garland set full of Diamonds and rubies of great price with the which garment and garland the thrée knightes dyd sée the Dutchesse the daie before in certaine bankets and feasts that were made and by reason that it was night although the Moone did shine verie cléere yet because shee was somewhat a farre of they coulde not discerne anie other but that she was the Dutchesse Likewise shee had in her hand a bunch of feathers wherewith this Damsell did dissemble and hide her face in such sorte that shée could not bee knowen Then so soone as the Duke had spied her to come forth he straight wayes went knéeled downe before her and sayd Oh my Ladie Polisena what Prince or knight in all the worlde was euer worthie to receiue so great curtesie and fauour as this is Giue mée these your faire and white handes that I may kisse them as one vnworthie to receiue so great honour and glorie and yet I cannot thinke but that it is a dreame My Lord sayde the Damsell giue thanks vnto almightie God who hath done so much for you that you do deserue this at my hands the which I haue done for your sake arise vp from the ground for that your state 〈…〉 courtesie vento any damsell in all the the whole world much lesse vnto the Dutches of Austria who is altogether yours and in saying these wordes she tooke him by the hand and caused him to arise from the ground and the Duke straight waies began to embrace and kisse her and tooke their wayâ— towards a fresh fountaine there at hand compassed rounde about with Iasmires and Muske Roses And before that they could come thether the Damsell sayde My Lord you doe well know that I doe not come hether for any other thing but to plight vnto you my faith and troth to be your wyfe and you my husband and spouse and that to the contrarie I would not come for all the world into this place so much against my honour My desire is that this should bée done out of hand and that we might depart for that I feare to be discouered My good Ladie Dutches sayd the Duke this is that the which I so long haue looked and hoped for And now séeing that we are both agréed and conformable in our good wills now I doe saye that I doe receiue my Ladie the Dutches Polisena for my welbeloued spouse and wife and that I doe renounce all other and cleaue my selfe onely vnto her so long as we shall liue Well then my good Lord sayd the Damsell Héere your true and faithfull Polisena doe receiue and take Roberto Duke of Saxonia for her spouse and will that no other shal be her husband but you alone All this that passed betwixt them was very well heard by the thrée knightes that were in secret and surely they were out of all doubt to the contrarie but that should be the Dutches of Austria For if they had knowen otherwise or had any other thing in their thoughts they were such knights that they would not haue affirmed that which they had sayd for all the kingedome of Hungaria When that this communicacion of matrimonie was concluded betwixt them two the Duke went with the Damsell towardes the Fountaine and at their coâ—ming thether she making the matter somewhat strange so that it might be heard by the thrée knights although they could not sée any thing by reason of the thicknesse of the trées whereas they were there the Duke did accomplish his wil with the Damsell And when it was houre and time for to withdraw themselues they went hand in hand together vnto the posterne where she came forth and there the duke with many imbracings and kissings did take his leaue of her and she entred in and went to sléepe leauing the apparaile of the Dutches in the place whereas she tooke them and was not séene by any And the Duke retourned vnto the thrée knights and departed from thence It fell out within a while after happened all that this Historie hath declared vnto you the which fell out to be vnto the Prince Lusiano great sorrow and griefe for that hée dyd loue the Dutches so entirely and was so fully certified of the good will loue she bare vnto him that it brought him into a great alteration of minde and almost from him selfe to sée the witnesse that was brought against the Dutches by those thrée knights whome he had in estimation to be loyall faithfull and of great credit and beleeued verely that they would not but tell the trueth in that behalfe if that to either of them should be giuen a whole kingdome And to the contrarie he had so great a confidence in his ladie and mistresse that he was fully determined first â—o bée sâ—aine then to consent that any such shame should be offered vnto her But his great bountie did little profit for to deliuer him from the death for that euerie one of the foure were so strong and valiant knights that in all Hungaria was not to be found one that could match any of them But yet for that aboue al things Iustice is of greater force God dyd permit for that Lusiano had Iustice on his part that he should be succoured in this his great extremttie as shal be told you
when they sawe his person presence to be so strange wonderfull for alonelie by his semblance and proportion they knew him for father of the two brethren the knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer aboue all other Princes that came in that worthie crew The king and the Emperour had not yet fullie concluded the louing words of their first méeting when that the Quéene Augusta came vnto them and with the selfe same loue wherewith she did embrace her sonne Liriamandro did embrace the good Emperor Then came the knight of the Sunne who aboue all the rest might be séene he was of so gallant and tall statuâ—e offered to kisse the kings hands but the king would not consent vnto it but embraced him and the king clasped him verie hard betwéene his armes saying Oh happie and fortunate kinsman I doe now finde my selfe in great securitie for that I am in the armes of him that alone did defend himselfe from all my power made my kingdome to tremble and quake tell me I praie you if that you haue forgotten that anger or not if you haue not then am I fullie perswaded that I haue no securitie in my owne Countrie of Hungaria much lesse in Grecia My good Lord and grandfather said the knight of the Sunne your highnesse in whatsoeuer place you are is in great securitie from my handes for although I would procure anie outrage yet am not I sufficient to doe you anie harme and if I were fortunate against your knights it was nothing else but the wil of God to saue and deliuer me for that afterwards when you should know me you should not haue so great reason to bée sorrowfull as now you shoulde bée if I had at that time béene slaine Then the king said Ah my sonne if that had happened my life could not haue endured so long but God who doth know the secret of all things that shuld happen vnto vs did guide and gouerne all things in such sort that it is come to this point and instant wherein I doe account my selfe the most fortunatest Prince in all the whole world not onelie in knowing thée to bée my sonne but in recouering you to bée my friend The king had scarce concluded these wordes when that the Quéene came to embrace the knight of the Sunne but he did offer to kisse her hands and there passed betwixt them many swéete and amorous wordes such as might passe betwéene the mother and the sonne at such time as of long time they had not séene the one the other The Quéene Augusta receiued so great ioy and contentment to haue him in her presence that she knew not almost where she was Then approched vnto them the king Oliuerio with the Emperour Alycandro and all those mightie Princes and Lords wheras passed betwixt them great curtesie with such dutie as appertained vnto so high and worthie estates In this noble méeting they spent a good while the which being finished the Emperour Trebatio accompanied himselfe with the king euerie one â—hose his companion as best liked him and began to returne towardes the mightie Citie of Constantinople The knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer did carrie betweene them the Quéene Augusta who went with so great ioy and pleasure that she knew not were she was to sée her selfe in the middest betwixt so worthie nephewes When the Emperour Trebatio had opportunitie he sayd vnto the king Now is my desire fullie accomplished in that I do sée your Hignesse in this Countrie for although all other thinges succâ—eded vnto me prosperous as I haue desired yet had I no conclusion of all this my victorie neither could I receiue anie glorie therein till now I haue your Highnesse in my presence and doe honour and obey you as dutifullie as your owne naturall sonne And if the great obligation in the which you were bound vnto the king of great Britaine had not béene betwixt vs I and the Empresse Briana many a time long ere this had come vnto you to haue craued pardon for that which is past with lisence and consentment for that which was to come For although the Empresse Briana séemed to receiue contentment to be with mée in Grecia yet receiued I great griefe for that I could not accomplish of my part the dutie which I owe vnto your highnesse When that the Emperor had concluded these words then the king who receiued great pleasure thereat sayd Soueraigne Emperour if that you haue receiued great ioy contentmeÌ„t and pleasure at my comming into Grecia how much more reason haue I to reioyce and receue pleasure to haue so glorious a sight of your person and presence being accompanied and honoured with the most highest mightiest Emperours and kings of all the world and mounted vnto the highest estate of honour that fortune may extend the which is apparaunt before my eyes also endued with such sonnes that there is not the lyke knightes in all the whole world And here I doe acknowledge that I am not worthie of so high a kinseman and in that you haue saide of my consentment it might haue bene excused for that I doe sée it cléerely before myne eies to be the will and permission of God by whome all thinges hath bene gouerned for the which neither I nor any of your aduersaries could withstand or resist And séeing my daughter hath brought vnto mée the highest and worthiest Prince of all the world to be my sonne in law and that this marriage was made by the diuine will and permission from whence hath procéeded so excelent 〈◊〉 what haue I to saye vnto it but giue vnto the soueraigne creator infinit thankes for his great goodnesse shewed vnto mée And doe most heartelie desire him to let you enioy for manie yéeres this high estate into the which you are exalted and also the high and worthie progenie that he hath giuen you With many swéete and courteous wordes the Emperour Trebatio did gratifie with thanks all that which the king had sayd So passing betwixt them these and many other things in communication which were to long here to rehearse they came vnto the 〈◊〉 of Constantinople whereas the king of Hungaria and the Quéene Augusta were wonderfullie amazed for to sée the great knighthood of that Court for that with great difficultie they might passe the wide stréetes the multitude was so great so that it was a good while before they could come vnto the mightie pallas but when they came thether they all alighted and entred into the mightie broad court whereas the Empresse Briana dyd receiue them with that ioy and pleasure as you may immagine and there passed betwixt them many louing and sweete words as betwixt Fathers and children the which I doe let passe to eschue tediousnesse And the royall Empresse Briana was so gallant faire that her Father did not know her she was so chaunged Yet they well perceiued in her the ioye and pleasure she receiued and the more to
aboue their heades readie for to strike them that shoulde giue the attempt for to enter in at the doore and had so furious and fierce semblaunce that they caused great feare in all them that did beholde them and aboue ouer the doore were written Letters which seemed to be of golde which afterwardes were read by those worthie Princes who were meruailouslie amazed in beholding that straunge and wonderfull worke and looking for the Coch wherein the faire Princesse was carried they saw it of so great height that it was equall with the Clowdes and within a little while after in the sight of them all the two Dragons descended downe out of the aire and lighted vppon the Tâ—wer who ioyntlie with the Coch consumed into the Tower and could not anie more bée séene Whereat all that were there present meruailed greatlie and for that they knew not what it should meane they requested the two wise men Lyrgandeo and Artemidoro to tell them who answered them to nothing but said Let vs go reade the writings that are vpon the gates and then afterwardes they wold declare vnto them the whole circumstance of that remaineth Then straight waies the two Emperours with those worthie Princes and knights descended out of the pallace into the Court when they came vnto the gates of the tower they saw in thrée parts written in Gréeke letters on each side one and in the middest the third which was as followeth The first sayd This is the disloiall tower into the which let none attempt the entrie except his heart be voide of all loue for if he doe you shall vnderstand that the first Porters will defend the entrie The second sayd Heere within is the precious Princesse of the Scitas who aboue all other Ladies in her time doth deserue to bee Ladie of this tower shall not goe forth of the â—ame till such time as commeth a knight who with his great force and strength shal conquere the entrie and mount into the tower and conclude this aduenture And the third said He had neede of great force and strength that is able to comprehend to see the great meruailes of this tower When that these writinges were read they were all greatlie amazed but the wise Lyrgandeo séeing them in that dumpe said My Lordes héere is nothing to be mused at but if it bée your pleasures that the faire Princesse Lyndabrides shall come forth of this tower it is conuenient that you proue this aduenture for it is a thing without remedie and not to be spoken off that she shall not come forth héereof till such time as all things bée accomplished according as these writings haue declared and héere I doe saie vnto you that so farre as I doe or can vndersâ—and by this aduenture that long time shall passe before anie shall come for to finish the same although on the part of the Princesse there shall no time bée lost for that shée shall goe forth out of the Tower according vnto nature of the same age that shée is now of although shée remaineth there one hundreth yéeres and in all this time shée shall not want anie thing but of all ioy pleasure and pastime shée shall haue vnto her contentment for that the Quéene Iulia knowing what should happen and come to passe héereafter for the good will and seruice that shée dyd owe vnto the Princesse her Ladie and mistres dyd ordaine this aduenture the which will fall out more for her honour and glorie But when the wise man had concluded his wordes it grieued much the Emperour Alycandro for that hée loued the Princesse verie much and doubted whether he shoulde liue so long as to sée the deliuerie of his Daughter The like care receiued the valiant and worthie Prince Meridian her Brother The like griefe receiued all the rest of the whole crue that were there present for that they loued her verie much for her great valour and desert but in especiall it grieued the knight of the Sunne as of one that to forget her néeded the processe of a long time yea and the trauaile vnto the mount Olympus and if it had not béene that there was in his presence his welbeloued and royall Princesse Claridiana hée would haue detracted no time but haue béene the first to haue giuen the attempt to proue that aduenture of the Tower but for that hée woulde not giue anie suspition of that which he felt in his heart he brideled his affection and desire till time some other knights went and armed themselues and proued the entrie of the Tower as shall bée declared vnto you in the next Chapter following How the valiant and worthie Princes did proue the aduenture of the disloiall tower and what happened of the successe thereof Chapter 49. WHen the knightes beganne to come forth armed for to proue that aduenture of the disloiall Tower straight waies the Emperor Trebatio and all those high Princes and knightes went put themselues at the windowes of that mightie pallace The lyke did the Empresse Briana with the rest of those principall Ladies and Damselles for to sée what should be done with those knights in y â— attempt of y â— tower The first knight that came into that Court was that valiant and worthie Prince Lyriamandro brother vnto the Empresse â—riana who was armed with guilt armour set full of rich stones and alighting from his horse with his sworde drawen in his hand he went towardes the gate of the tower without receiuing anie feare or dreade at the furious and fierce countenaunce of the two Gyantes but as one whose amorous effects towardes the faire Princesse Rodasilua dyd make him more couragious and bolde But yet nothing might bée more contrarie vnto him as now it happened than for to see the secretes of this faire Tower for that as he woulde haue put his foote vppon the thresholde before he was within one of these Images discharged vppon him a terrible blowe with such force that it astonied him and ouerthrew him to the ground without the gate that he seemed to be dead Whereat they all meruailed greatlie as well at the mightie blowe which the Gyant stroke as to see the Prince in that perplexitie but quicklie their feare that they hadde of the Prince was quieted for that so some as they had pulled off his healme and gaue him aire he came againe vnto himselfe and was as well as he was before but hauing no will to approue the attempt anie more he withdrew himselfe It was not long after when that his good friend Bargandel came forth into the place who as one that loued with all his heart the faire Princesse Rodasilua did no more in that aâ—tempt than the prince Liâ—iamandro for that at the first blow of the Image he was ouerthroweÌ„ to the ground without the gate so that it was verie wel vnderstood by them all according vnto the letters that was written how y â— these two knights were amorous which was the