made them equals to the end that as brothers and so like in proportion but that by their names no man could haue knowne them the elder was called Daristeo of Podolia and the yonger Rosaner Both at their comming affected the Kinges fairâ— Daughter wooing her with many Tiltings and Turneyes which they caused for her sake wherein they were both coÌ„mended in equall degrée As to subiect the mind in these louers cases is reserued to loue onely it ordained for the greater euill that Celibella most affected the younger not for that he had more then the other but that fortune thought it an honourable trophe to triumph of these two louers with her eies did this faire Dame giue her beloued gallant to vnderstand to what estate fortune had brought her but they had so small hope of béeing beloued that notwithstanding that she shewed it with a thousand good countenances yet he could neuer be perswaded that she loued him for as that Lady is the Phoenix of beautie hee held a fauour from her hand to be such a thing as loue it selfe could not deserue and so they procéeded in their loues a-vie without acquainting the one the other with the secret of their mindes It was no small griefe to the Ladie that Rosaner could not perceiue how well she loued him and for the Lady to make shew thereof by any signes or other meanes she would not for any thing in the world well knowing how much she should therein preiudice her honour with the often fauours and publike prayse which she gaue to whatsoeuer this gallant did he was partly perswaded that she loued him but yet he could hardly beléeue that fortune would be so fauorable At this instant wherein Celibella shewed her selfe most affected vnto him accepting of the endeuours and exployts which Rosaner performed in her seruice there was brought to the Court a kinsewoman of this Ladies who was the beginning and ending of all these mishaps She truly was fayre for somewhat being of kinne to the Kings daughter claue to her As my Lady was young and a nouice in loue she was of opinion that it was much ease to disclose it some others are of the same opinion but for my part I vtterly condemne it for there is no greater griefe then to reueyle the secrets of the heart whereby the renowne may be touched and from whence nothing is drawne but the Lady to subiect her selfe to the party to whome shee reueyleth her secret who also peraduâ—â—ture will hold her for more light in discouering it then for being in loue This hapned sometimes The vnwary Lady trode these reasons vnder foot told all to Felina for so was her kinswoman called The discouery of this secret serued not to yeeld any ease to the Lady but to incite her kinsewoman to fall in loue with the Prince Daristeo and that in so good earnest that shée spéedily made it appeare But as hee was so engoulfed in the loue of Celibella he tooke no notice with what affection Felina shewed her selfe to be his The Lady Princesse perceyued it well and receyued no small pleasure therein imagining that therewith Daristeo would leaue to bee so enamored of her for the beauty of her kinsewoman was â—ell worthy to be beloued There were often meetings in the hall betwéene these foure louers but I know not who is able to agrée them for with my tongue I am not able for neyther partie left to loue though it were not accepted It appeared in their eyes for the two brothers fixed theirs vpon the Princesse and she with new spoyles beholdeth her Rosaner making her eyes fat with beholding him But her cousin being touched to the quick with apparant signes giueth testimony of her loue in beholding her Daristeo in whom she onely delighteh and from whom she draweth her life and although she were but a nouice in that occupation the carelesnes wherewith the prince answered her put her in such care as I thinke no body hath béene more carefull for from that time forward her griefe was such as her cousin was very sory for This amorous passion did so much pinch her that shée knew no meanes how to remedie it neither saw any possibilitie for the prince neuer tooke any regard of the fauours which shee shewed him which was worse then death to this afflicted Lady who growing desperate would haue taken any course for remedy although somewhat dishonourable As the king loued these Princes holding them in place of sonnes although he had not yet determined vpon whom be would bestow his daughter Celibella so had they opportunitie to discourse with the lady who seeing that her father was well pleased therewith forbare it not making shewe that to be the cause concealing the trueth Rosaner being the man who wore the palme his brother could neuer imagine it thinking with himselfe that if the Ladyes affection were guided by reason he was rather to be beloued theÌ„ his brother but loue led it another way without respect of the large kingdoÌ„ whereof he was prince for to him which perfectly loueth it neuer representeth the qualities of the thing beloued but only what is in self which otherwise were but a fayned loue and so the Lady loued the fortunate yong man not with a litle enuy of loue séeing what was enioyed The passionate cousin was shée who sped worst in this businesse for although that the Princesse loued not Daristeo yet he was neuer perswaded that shee loathed him for the discreet Lady bestowed some fauours vpon him which were a meane to entertaine the Prince and hée held himselfe happy to obtaine so much at her handes But poore Felina neither perceiued any shew that she was beloued neither was there any end in vnderstanding her ill hap in being not regarded by him whom shee loued better then her selfe In this meane while the braue Furiandro bastard sonne to the king of Podolia which hée gat in his yong yéeres vpoÌ„ a most strong woman in the mountaines Rifei came to the court to séeke these 2. brothers he proued so fierce and valiant that they say that in valour he doeth exceede the great god Mars for there is no knight no although they be ten nay twenty that are able to kéep the field against him neither any Gyant how fierce so euer he be he is beloued of the common people for hee is not of that condition which such men commonly are of which excéede all other in force and strength of body but he is rather courteous and a great friend fauourer of Ladies although that in this occasion I maruaile not he haue shewed himselfe cruell to Celibella Much did the princesse reioyce at his comming all the whole court for the feastes were renewed wherein it is incredible not to be beléeued what that furious knight did for he was séene at one blow to strike downe both horse and man all men gaue him the prize for valiant The king respected him according as was
culuerine striking the one halfe thereof into the hard ground leauing the rest shaking in the fresh winde which did so much amaze all those that were present as the ouercomming of the prince of Campania with a soft pace hée came to the Knight There was no body there but did note the honour which the Gréeke did vnto him he was very neere vnto the prince wheÌ„ he put his hand vnto his sword more to defend himself theÌ„ to offend the other as he made it to be plainely séene for the Prince of Lucania assailing him with his whole force smote him so great a blow vpon the top of the helmet that it made him beÌ„d downe his head so low as his brest he came againe with another which the Gréeke tooke so ill that had not Florisiano bene present he had forgotteÌ„ his generous determination With all this not with the valour that he could but to put him froÌ„ him he smote him euery where where he could This is gallant noble Ladyes no ill will said the sayre Troyla that my Knight hath shewed to his enemy seeing how carelesly he procéedeth in a matter that so much coÌ„cerneth him but I beléeue that the iustice of his cause detaineth him which he seeth in the behalfe of his aduersary They could not answere her for the great noise which was in the place which was for that that the Greeke imagining that the time was now expired had closed with the prince clasping his body within his brawny armes he did not plucke him so soone froÌ„ his horse as he would for that that the valiancy of the louer séeing what he had lost did animaie him so as he did somewhat detaine him but it was but for a small time for with a strong pluck he dismounted him desiring him that he would not be ouercome but that he might hold him for his friend I desire no more answered the prince then mine eyes haue séene that by so many wayes you haue won the palme of the battaile but séeing the heauens wil haue it so all is yours so wil I be as long as I liue Many thanks did the Gréeke giue him for his offer so he mounted on horsebacke the valour of the knight of Crueltie being admired There was none in that place notwithstaÌ„ding that it was against their prince but did extell with high praises the knight in the yellow The coÌ„ming of the most valiant Asternio stayed their procéedings whom shew more mightie theÌ„ Mars himself came mouÌ„ted vpoÌ„ a most â—urious flea-bitteÌ„ coloured horse al his furnitures being of rich greene cloth of gold soweÌ„ ouer with hearts which made a very faire shew for the defence of his horse vnder this furniture there was excellent fine mayle in his crest hee waâ—e a most faire plume all spangled with gold his armor was of the colour of his furniture sauing that in the midst of his shield in a field azure he bare a Lady so fayre and well made as it gaue delight to al the beholders before her was a Knight knéeling shewing her a burning heart enflamed with a strange fire in the border this Mot. Well may this Sacrifice Giue hope assurance Of great confidence Much did the fayre Laydes extoll the deuice of this gallant louer But to the fayre Polinarda who remembred her Florisiano all this was a death for shée had yéelded her self to loue who loueth faithfully is not forgetull but absence rather reuiueth the memorie of those which loue perfectly preseruing the touch of their faith The gentle disposition of this Moore did well please the Greeke but séeing that without his death hee could not accomplish his promise made to the prince of Apulia without further pausing on the matter he turned about and went to the place where the lances were where with his owne hands he made choise of one of the greatest and most stiffe and tough among them I am of opinion sayd the fayre Troila séeing what hee did that the affection is not alike which my Knight shewed to the prince of Lucania to that which hee beareth to him which is now before him The occasion should not be smal sayd the fayre Solersia who in her soule was grieued that Asternio should by so many meanes procure Polinarda to be his wife Let vs see quoth shée what will become of this enmitie I am perswaded this battaile will bee worth the seeing Now were these 2. famous warrious confronting the one the other when the Gréeke with a soft pace came towards him saying You already know Sir Knight the conditions of my demaund which are that you tel me your name and the name of the Lady whom you serue for to be assured that her beautie doth excell hers which is Lady of my life without any battayle I will yéeld the prize I would not that wee should haue made so long delay sayd the furious yong man to make so long a discourse for I am perswaded to resolue you sooner with the battaile then to shew you in fight the Lady whom I serue Yet vnderstand that I am called Asternio prince of Calabria and the Lady whom the heauens haue ordeined for my Soueraigne is the kings daughter of this land To haue a good foundation said the valorous Gréeke for you to haue presumed to lift your affection to so high degrée it were without question no great matter to giue you the palme of this battaile and so I will haue it not in regard of the beauty which the heauens haue adorned the Lady withall but to let you know how presumptuous you haue beene to make shew to loue her These discourteous spéeches said the warlike Moore deserue the fury of the braue Asternio being as red in the face as a burning coale without regard of what to a knight did appertaine séeing him so neere vnto him stung with that which he had sayd with more force then discretion hee hurled his well pointed lance onely the excellence of Claridiano his shield saued his life for beeing vnable to pierce it the lance flew backe againe whole but not in such sort but that it was likely to haue made the Gréeke to haue lost his Saddle for it made him strike his head vpon his horse buttocks which stood him in no lesse stead then the earth did Anteus for redoubling his courage hee setled himselfe with such wrath that nothing could be more cruell there was neuer séene so angry countenance in any Knights it made aboue foure of the most valiant to lose all the colour in their faces to sée their furious encounters a good palme he raised himselfe vpon his stirrops whorling his lance about his head with greater agilitie then Mars himselfe hée hurled it at the Pagan who was about to draw his sword The thunder maketh not so great noyse in renting the clouds as the Gréeke made hitting in the middest of the Pagans shield It preuailed not that it had more folds of well tempered stéele in
her Helmet and with a touch pluckt it away leauing her couered with a fine Cawle of gold All the companie was stricken with admiration when they perceiued that shee was a woman The Queene of Lira knew her and doubting that Poliphebus would haue vsed her discourteously she would haue gone down to entreate him to giue ouer the battaile for the great loue which she bore her euer since they had beene together in Tinacria as is aforesayd But the Greeke was so gratefull considering how much loue this Lady had shewen him in time past He sayd vnto her You hauing so good assurance of your part valorous Lady haue wronged your beautie to séeke it with your victorious hands which if in ought I haue offended as I doubt not but that I haue much you may with lesse cost take iust reuenge although that comming hither vpon commandement it may somewhat excuse mee The victorie is yours and so are all in the world due to your beautie and worthinesse and so I beseech you in token thereof to take my shield To beare a pawn from so warlike a Knight quoth the Lady ought to haue béene done by some valorous knight for it is not iust that wee should take that which to your worth belongeth séeing that you haue so well woonne it for I am yours ouercome in battaile which otherwise I will not bee She would haue left her Shield which was held for an excéeding greatnesse of mind for it was one of the fayrest in the world But the Tinacrian would not yeeld thereto but rather accompanying her forth of the Lists offered her his seruice and so returned to his tent deâ—â—râ—ing the rest of the battels vntill the euening for these already ended had somewhat wearied him Bembo seeing what honour that Knight had gotten vpon his deare friends came forth like a Lyon There was a great hope of those which remained that they should againe recouer that which the rest had lost In the standings whither the Emperor commanded meate to bee brought for dinner there was no speech so long as it lasted but of the valour of this Knight If euer he had neede fayre Ladyes of your fauour sayd Liciana it will be this euening for I am of opinion that there remaine some behind which will put him to his shifts and God grant that hee fall not into their danger Hee shall not sayd the fayre Rosamundi for sith that these Ladies fauours haue serued his turne for so good a beginning and middle it will be no doubt sufficient to make a glorious end of that which remaineth They all wished it for they loued him in their soules and were neuer well vntill they might againe returne to see him Those of the campe stayed not long at dinner they were so sharpe set and the Greekes being aware of their comming came to the standing windowes to behold them whose sight deserueth a new Chapter CHAP. XXVI Of the cruell battaile fought betweene the youth Clecbulo and Poliphebus of Tinacria with what happened to Floriâ—arte of Argentaria FAire Ladies by often crauing your ayde as is reason I am become troublesome to you But my necessity so great occasion is offered me that I cannot forbeare to reâ—â—ire anew vnto you for some new fauour whereby I may bee able with a pleasing stile to deliuer vnto you the maner of foure of the most famous battels that euer were fought in the world for they which fought them were the flower of all valiancie and for such a cause as would haue made a Lambe a Lion There were many cruell blowes giuen but those which the Ladies gaue to those youths could neuer be cured but by them which gaue them No man employed himselfe so well nor with â—ore reason then the sonnes of Eufronisa which notwithstanding their braue and couragious hearts yeelded their soules to two Princesses of Grecia whose braue beautie would haue expelled the first Venus She to whome the gentle Leobulo subiected himselfe was the gallant Aurelia daughter of the valorous Tartarian Zoylo and the fayre Princesse Tigliafâ— whose loue gaue occasion to this Prince and his elder brother to worke wonders as I will the Muses assisting mee declare in the fourth part Well did Lupertius know what peace would grow of these warres and that hee should be a friend to the Greeks But hee was so much offended for the imprisonment of his fellow Scholler Selagio that he sought to bee reuenged of the Greeke Princes The destruction of Troy was neuer so much desired as was now the ruine of Grecia And although that he would that these youthes should haue dyed thereby to haue despighted Rosabel yet he forbare to the end he might see the bloud which they would shead in the Gréeke fields and in the behalfe of the Pagans And for this cause seeing the furious enemie with whom they were to encounter and the lucke of his hand hee sent them certaine most rich enchaunted Armours which were of the best in the world all russet with certaine knots of colours which made a marueylous faire shew They both bare one deuice for the gallant Claribel had chosen for his Soueraigne Lady the fayre Policena daughter of the valorous Polidolphus and of the second Venus In the middest of their shields they bare the God of Loue giuing him for tribute the spoyles of their hearts and soules with these words What may accounted pleasure Which doth yeeld no greater smart If loue therein haue no part Both the camps tooke great pleasure to sée these two gallant contented youthes which passing ouer the place tooke the first standing although there were some question about it for the Knight with the Starres had first desired the battell Brufaldoro was almost mad because hee could not be first The braue Lord of Achaia challenged it to bee his These fiue had fallen out about it had not the Emperour of the Romanes and the Souldan of Niquea taken vp the matter which brought them to agréement which was that they should draw lots whereto they agréed because they would not fal out The first lot happened to him which in all was equall to the best which was Leobello and the second to his brother the third to the Knight with the stars and next after him to Brufaldoro and the last of all to the furious Bembo who was as fierce as a Lion who imagined that after those Knights there would bee no meanes left for him to fight the battell but the Tinacrian did so wel discharge himselfe that hee gaue them all their hands full The youth came into the field with so gallant a countenance that all affected him for putting vp his Beauer hee went to the Tinacrian who entertained him verie courteously for they were maruailous like to whome the valorous youth said Mightie Knight with the Eagle although it bee a presumption for me to enter into the Lists with you yet for that my Ladie is fairer then shee whome you haue made Ladie
the noyse which they heard in the Campe but it gaue them greater to see some which they loued better then themselues for Eufronisa with the sight of Rosabel was stricken speechlesse The faire fearefull Arbolinda accompanied her in delight The mightie Generall which was not acquainted with Loue became suddainely enamoured for seeing Clabela the daughter of the mightie Assyrian so faire and so young he gaue her his heart for a recompence they were some of those which deerely loued which endured much as shall be declared in the fourth part The first which spake was the beloued Tinacrian to the faire Eufronisa saying I haue trauailed with such paine most excellent Princesse seeing my selfe your detter and vpon my word that I haue sought all meanes to accomplish it to bring you to this Knight pointing to Rosabel to the end that you take such reuenge of him as your beautie deserueth With such hazard to these Ladies valorous Prince of Tinacria I would not that you should haue accomplished it although that therein you haue done me a fauour according to the hope conceiued of your valour There is no reuenge to be taken of this Prince my griefe sufficeth mee which shall serue for a punishment for his vnkindnesse I was neuer so worthie Princesse answered Rosabel the much which I owe you bindeth me to lose my life for your sake They could no longer continue their discourse for the greedie Spaniards made such a noyse and such shoutings as though the skies would haue fallen Let this satisfaction suffice said the most faire Quéene of Lira putting off her rich Helmet whose rare beautie made them all to wonder vntill you come to the Citie where shall want no meanes to fauour your cause And so I beseech you in behalfe of all these Knights and my selfe you wil be pleased to come with vs for so faire a prise is not to be left for any thing in the world and more I being the cause and onely instrument which hath ordained it To many of them it was no griefe to goe prisoners thither and although that others grieued yet perforce they dissembled it Loue tooke good order herein for the faire Arbolinda seeing her beloued Prince Florisarte of Argentaria was glad to goe in his Armes Clabela with Oristoldo which was life to the young man Eufronisa at length came to see her selfe in the Armes of her beloued Britanian as though that shee had neuer beene there before Claridiano tooke the Sophie his daughter Claramante the kings of Fenicia Poliphebus the Souldans of Egypt all the rest which I leaue out whose beautie was great the Spaniards tooke so as they departed with the most rich bootie of the world which were sixtéene daughters of the chiefest Princes in the armie with a sister of Bemboes verie young whose beautie in her time caused no small troubles There was much to doe to get the gréedie Spaniards out of the Campe vntill that they saw their Princes goe pestered and loaâ—en with rich spoyles vp the hill at which time rescue came from the Armie but it was too late for they had alreadie made their boote and put the same in safetie for hauing the hill at their backes they would haue defended themselues against all the armie These warriours descended at that point which leadeth downe into the valley on which 〈◊〉 the Citie was not battered for the strength thereof There they entred with their pray a better then which and without bloudshed Alexander neuer tooke with all his Monarchie neither the famous African much more victorious The newes was presently knowne in the Armie where the battell was fought of the taking of these Ladies which was an occasion to encourage the Pagans O who had séene the migâ—tie Bembo the redoubteâ— Brauorante with the brothers of the Wood with this â—n sickle newes They fought not like men it is not to be imagined what hurt they did fourtéene Knights of the Gréeke Emperours chamber by their hands lost their liues 〈◊〉 a number which were troden vnder foote and wounde â—â— but yet they had the worser and although that the Princes were absent that was no hindrance to the victorie which they had wholly ended had not the warlike Sarmatia and Bembo his mightie cousin come to their aide who séeing him fight so desperately came to him saying In such times valorous Captaine you are to take order not with your disliking but with fortune which declareth it selfe for your enemie for I see all the Armie at the point to bee lost The Campe is spoyled the Sea died in your bloud so as there is no remedie but to take this blow with patience and know that it commeth through the small equitie of your cause which was great to couet those spoyles which the heauens had prepared for the Brittish Prince Looke well to it for you ought to giue ouer a thousand battels whatsoeuer rather then to giue cause of offence to your Ladie whome you make shew to loue so much and seeing that shée is not able to doe you pleasure put mee in trust and I will so employ my selfe as shal be to the contentment of all The discreet Ladie had taken off her Helmet and thereby the Captaine knew her who wel considering that what shée had said was wrought by the Almightie hand and preserued for some great Christian hee put the matter in the Princesses hands willing her to doe as best pleased her although that being so many which hold themselues agrieued it will bee a hard matter to obtaine any peace in the middest of such a tempest I desire nothing but that some occasion may bee offered wherein I may bee able to doe Liriana any seruice Leaue this charge to me quoth the Ladie for I will obtaine it of those which can doe most in this warre Shée tooke so good order that shee perswaded the Souldan of Niquea to peace séeing how much it concerned him seeing he thereby should recouer such friends and kinsmen Shée obtained the like of the Emperour of the Romanes and all perceiued being of the losing side that it better fitted with their Nobilitie to offer them peace then when they had the better of the warre And as of these men depended the commaund of all the rest and the new enamoured Oristoldo agreeing herein for the loue of his Ladie with all haste the retreite was sounded betwéene both armies that valiant Ladie being the occasion of all that good they were parted at an instant for it behoued them that were ouercome séeing it was for their good and the others to please their Princes sheathed their swords The Pagans would not that night enter into the Citie because they would take order for their hurt men and to burie their dead which were so many as made all men amazed thereat from the Citie they sent many dainties to the Campe which were not a little estéemed for the want which there was thereof in both Campes There was as great ioy
to acknowledge him for their Prince and soueraigne Lord for the king had so heauily taken the death of his two sonnes that the sorrow thereof bereaued him of his life and he left no heire but this mightie Furiander Al the principal of the Realme were of opinion to giue the crowne vnto him and to accept him for their king seing his valour deserued no lesse but was much more worthy The valorous Pagan did not a little sorrow the death of his father and the sonne of the most cruell Garofilea kept him company mourning with him for the one and reioyâ—ing with him for the other A newe life and a long answered the Pagan I would the heauens would grant me noble man at Armes to the ende to acknowledge howe great a good it is to bee your friend but such as it shall please the gods to bestow vpon me assure your selfe it shall be to doe you seruice as he who is no lesse endebted vnto you then for his life and honour It yéeldeth me not that ioy and solace said the Tinacrian Soueragine prince to sée how gentle fortune hath shewed her selfe vnto me to gette such a friend as I hope in the gods you will bée as to sée with what affection and in how good earnest you haue estéemed my offer so as if I shall be able to equall my déedes with my desire none shall shew himselfe a more faithfull friend then I. By this time the king with the whole court was descended to receiue and entertaine the Tinacrian who had already determined in himselfe to entreat the king to receiue Furiander for his sonne In approching with his Armes displayed he came to the faire yong man saying Althoughâ—â—t were for nothing else most valiant knight but to say that in my armes I imbrace the flowre of cheualry I hold the troubles well imployed whereunto this Prince hath brought vs. The faire Poliphebus wel discharged the part of the Moore saying It was a worthy matter mighty king to to considered in how manifest a daÌ„ger your daughter was but herein appeareth the noblenesse of your generous brest that you not onely pardon what is done with the passion to sée such princes to fayle but you are now to receiue him for a friend séeing his valour deserueth that all the princes of the world should hold him for such greater errours then these which may be pardoned so venturous a knight vndertaking the same By this time was come the Kings daughter so fayre that I know not any man of reasonable vnderstanding but would haue giuen rather then to haue lost the sight of her two thousand soules if he had them She drew néere giuing the prince great thanks for that which hée had done for her saying I was well assured valorous knight of the Bough that committing my affayres into your victorious hands it should haue such issue as is this While as the fayre Tinacrian made answere vnto Celibella loue began to sturre in the brest of the Pagan who regarded the beautie wherewith the Infanta was adorned whom in his conceit he had much offended but loue playing his part had obtained his pardon for sometimes she cast her eye aside to behold the wounds which this new-come prince had receiued and indéed the Pagan did not so much feele it as the Lady did for it did ease his paine to behold her beautie But to her who had already yéelded her selfe tributarie to loue euery drop of his blood was worse then a cruell death so farre doeth his power extend who is called the blind god of loue Within the Palace were these Princes cured of their wounds and fifteene dayes the Tinacrian there remayned in which time he behaued himselfe so well that hee obtained of the king all that he desired setting before his eyes the valour of Furiander and the state which hee held loue had so well disposed of the fayre princesse that it was no hard matter to winne her The valorous Furiander knew not how to value this good for all the Court feasted him holding it well content to receiue such a knight for prince and Lord thereof Much did the princesse desire that the Tinacrian should haue remained a longer time but being vnable to end other matters he tooke his leaue of the Lady and committed himselfe to the déepe sea with Ruuâ—o his squire alone The fift day of his nauigation with a prosperous wind he ariued in the kingdome of Hilepsia where hapned vnto him that which in the next Chapter shall be declared CHAP. IIII. How the Prince of Tinacria neere the Fountaine of three spoutes met with the braue Eufronisa and of the battaile which hee fought with two Giants which would haue robbed him SO much did absence most noble prince afflict the fayre Eufronila for the loue of Rosabel that shee tooke no pleasure but in comming to the fountaine where shée first saw him It fared with her as with one which hath lost a precious iewel who not finding it a thousand times returneth with great care to the place where he thinketh he lost it EueÌ„ so did this fayre princesse beeing not so much afflicted for the losse of the sonnes as for the absence of the Father In company of her discreet gentlewoman she passed a heauy solitarie life although it were som case vnto her to think that her father had promised to carry her with him into Grecia for there came certaine messengers to him from the Souldan of Niquea to entreat his â—auour which hee throughly purposed to grant as he which was very mightie and of great power And imagining with her selfe that there she should see her 〈…〉 made her to prolong some what the rest of her dayes it was a world to sée and to heare what she did and said beholding her selfe in the cléere fountaine Loue is not such most noble prince as that hee who is possessed ther with can haue any regard of reason neither is reason of force to detaine him who is enamored from going to any place whither his cruell destinyes shall lead him In the Schole of my mishappes I learned to discourse of the successe of Loue and how it dealeth with those which are subiect thereto this enamored princesse yéeldeth vs sufficient experience thereof whom loue so many wayes after she was subiect thereto tired with a thousand desastres and being set in the place where she first became enamored she made a thousand complaints of loue Oh fierce and cruell resolution said the fayre Lady and the pleasing content wherein I liueâ— before I saw that venturous prince the robber of my libertie I know not of whoÌ„ to complaine me not of loue for it shewed it selfe fauourable in my behalfe I complaine me of his crueltie séeing that he séeing the sincere faith wherewith I loued him neuer vouchsafed to giue me one sparkle of hope but reioyced to sée me for him in so sweet annoy Oh my sonnes if the heauens grant you life and by them
name and behalfe of those things which you loue best in the world to tell me your name and of what countrey you are for I am of opinion that I shall yet loue you better for some other reason then for all that you haue now done for mee Well did this yong gallant vnderstand her and so desiring throughly to satisfie her hee said Worthy Lady the Gods do beare me record how great ioy I conceiue for my comming into your Kingdome in time to do you some seruice and know that my Countrey is Tinacria and I am sonne to the Emperour Trebacius and hee among all my whole kindred whom I loue best is the Prince of the great Britany Afresh returned the most faire Eufronisa to embrace him saying Now valorous Prince I say that I wil not rest beholding vnto you séeing that in giuing me life it hath béen to the ende I should encrease my loue towards that cruell Prince whom you say you loue so much And as we leâ—t speaking streames of teares flowed froÌ„ her faire eies she considered her ouersight saying Maruell not noble Prince to sée the many shewes of my indiscretion for the â—eruent affection wherewith Rosabel is beloued in this Countrey is such and the crueltie which hee sheweth towards me is so rigorous that it forceth me to complaine of him séeing I haue so déerely loued him I would not for any thing in the world most worthy Lady answered the Prince that I should giue you any cause of discontent for I receyue so much herein that I know not ought that may frée me thereof although that if it may be held for an excuse that he haue not equalled your affection his being elsewhere deuoted yet a sufficient reason it yéeldeth to cause you to shew your selfe lesse passionate I neuer desired most valiant Knight that he should wholy requite my loue séeing it impossible for him to doe I onely desired that he should consider that I loued him and how swéet a life I held it and how much I ioyed to bee his But Oh extreme dolor it appeareth that if I did liue but to loue him he in good earnest tooke pleasure to abhorre me Here did I furnish him with horse and armes and here did I shew him the most faithfull sincere affection that euer was contained in any humane brest In my Palace did I cure him of his wounds hoping that that would haue moued him to haue cured those which he had giuen me but to my greater griefe I sent him hence whole and sound and he left me here so as you sée me Let it not noble Prince offend you to heare my passionate complaint for I would not haue spoken it to any man in the world but to such a one as were so néere a kinseman and deare friend as are you to that cruell Knight and know that my constancie shall serue for an example to the world for first shall my soule forsake my body before I leaue to be his Behold and sée vnto what estate affection hath brought me for in hope to sée him it doth not grieue me to sée my father in the behalfe of the Souldan of Niquea to goe against him And I beseech you valorous Prince séeing you meane to serue in those famous wars to remember some day to tell him that Eufronisa is in the Campe not in shew of an enemy but as a tributarie Much did the crueltie of his kinseman grieue the Prince of Tinacria wherefore to comfort this noble Ladie he said Be not dismaide noble Lady for I promise you on my faith and as I am a Knight that I will so bring it to passe that in Grecia the prince Rosabel shall visit you and acknowledge the fauor which in this countrie he hath receiued at your hands I desire no greater ioy for my whole life time answered the Ladie but only to sée him and that that with some acknowledgement he may vnderstaÌ„d how much I haue loued him and herewith let vs go for that Ladie staieth for vs who is a witnesse of what I endure Upon the dead Princesse horse the Tinacrian set the Ladie and himselfe mounted vpon his own they returneâ— so pleasant and merry that but for the remembrance of the losse of her sonnes nothing could yéeld her so great ioy of loue was all their discourse although this Youth had small skill therein But fortune determined to prepare him with those shewes of loue meaning shortly to subiect him thereto holding it for base séeing he was not yet subdued Some horsemen they met vpon the way of her gard which in a great troope came galloping fearing that they had lost the Kings daughter Here would the Prince haue taken his leaue without comming to the Citie of Goltuerg where the King made preparation for his departure but at the instant request of the Princesse and the discreet Silia he could not refuse to goe with them vpon condition that by no meanes they should discouer who he was Being ariued at the Citie it nothing amazed him to sée it in armes and the great number of Knights which hourely ariued there among which were many most fierce Gyants neither the great abundance of warlike instruments which were prepared in that Citie for well hee knew in what readinesse his father would be Eight dayes remained hee there with the greatest entertainement in the world for the king knowing in what maner he had rescued his daughter knew not how to requite it him At the end of which time with a determination to goe into Tinacria and there to leuie the mighttest Armie that possibly he should be able in the behalfe of his father hee tooke his leaue of that gallant Ladie with such a farewell as made him sorrowfull She likewise within foure dayes after tooke her way towards Grecia with her fathers Armie with so great a desire to bee there that she imagined that the heauens could yéeld her no greater content The words of the Tinacrian did much hearten her who in a well rigd Galley directed his course towards his Countrey with his aforesaid determination But the third day after his being at sea the sea began to worke in such sort that he lost his voyage casting him by diuine prouidence into a streight of the Mediterranean sea where he wandred 3. daies the fourth tooke land in the most swéet and pleasant countrey that euer he had séene in his life Hée leapt ashore desirous to know in what countrey he was ariued commanding the Marriners there to attend him and with his Squire onely he began to enter a most pleasant shadow of Poplar trées where hee tooke pleasure in the fresh ayre thereof séeming vnto him that there industrious nature had taken great care to excéed all humane arte When hee had trauailed about a mile therein busying his eyes in beholding the stately Poplars and lofty Cedars at the end of this wood in the midst of a fayre field he beheld the stateliest Palace
whéeling about he threw him downe néere vnto a great bowle wherevpon he set his hand thinking to kneele vpoÌ„ the Sauage but before he could doeâ—t there was heard the greatest noyse that euer was heard in the world a thousand visions comming out of the Towre appeared to those which were in the court the skyes were daâ—kened and there was such lightning that made the most couragious hartily afrayd and much more the Ladies which being from their gallants gaue a thousand seriches for feare after this earthquake which séemed as though heauen and earth should haue come together In the towre was heard the most swéet and best tuned musicke in the world it séemed to theÌ„ a thing come from heauen none were discomforted but such as were wounded with loue for to those onely comfort may be giuen by those which bereaue it And but that the great Lirgandeo did recomfort the Quéene of Lira assuring her of the Princes health and safetie telling her that it was not conuenient that they should so soone meet without doubt this heauenly musicke had bene lothsome and but for that aduertisement shée had gone to seeke him for shée could not forbeare to lament his absence This swéete harmony did no lesse recomfort the warlike yong man for therewith he thought as in déed it was true that he was whole and cured of his hurts and beholding with whom he had wrestled wondring to sée himselfe armed and sound he perceyued that he was in the armes of a very fayre Lady with a Quéenes crowne vpon her head euery body knew that it was Quéene Iulia who taking the yong man by the hand sayd vnto him Come with me valorous Prince and thou shalt sée a reward worthy thy great valour as well kept as you haue séene He could giue her no answere imagining that it was some enchantmeÌ„t but followed her and entring into a rich square roome two statues which stood at the doore casting flowers vpoÌ„ the Gréekes head at his entring bowed downe saying The long wished for Claramante of Gréece is welcome for with his coÌ„ming are ended the troubles and anguishes of her whoÌ„ he most dearely loued who although she were ill requited yet seing her liberty gotten by so great valour the iniury which she hath endured may be accouÌ„ted happines As the Gréeke came into the hall he was rauished of his wits to sée the strange pictures curious workmaÌ„ship he staied a while to coÌ„sider of the loue which that Princesse had borne the Gréeke prince and the faith which shée had sacrificed vnto him and seeing how desolate he had left her it extreemely grâ—ued him he being a man as Gualteâ—â—r sayth who tooke excéeding compassion of â—adyes would fayne know that Knight which was so ingratefull and challenge him for it But the Quéene put him from it because that the gallant Lindabrides was come whom arâ—â—yled to see that Knight in her walke where â—uer any bodie had bene The Queene sâ—ept forwardes and saâ—e Soueraigne princesse of the Scythians receiue here the Knight whom the heauens haue prouided for you in place of the ingratefull Alphebo It was long since that Lindabrideâ— had seene him yet she presently knew him to be the youth Claramante whom she dearely loued for the great resemblance betwéene him and Alphebo and her loue being now well cooled she presently affected him being of opinion that hee onely was the man who next after his brother did worthily deserue her beautie The free young man escaped no better for neither his valiant heart neither Theâ—â—us armes which had preserued him from so many dangers could defend him from the wounds and fyre wherewith loue tormenteth his vassals for beholding the rare beautie of the Scythyan princesse and her gracious countenance with the grauitie of her most fayre face he thought that there was nothing els to be desired in the world nor other contentment but to loue her for he was ready to giue vp his Ghost when hée left to looke vpon her The gracious Princesse answered Quéene Iulia saying I will not receiue this Knight deeâ—e Iulia so much because that the heauens haue sent him for my comfort as for the generositie wherewith with the hazard of his life putting it into infinite dangers he hath procured my libertie making me so much beholding vnto him so as except I shal employ the same in that which may yéeld him content all other requitall is vnworthy of the name for what I receiue admitteth no comparison This most worthie Princesse sufficeth answered the amorous yong man althoughâ— had aduentured farre greater dangers for I was bounden to doe it for your beauties sake withâ—ut â—eipe â—ing the deeds but the desire erthe soule wherefore I pray you kneeling downe before her giue me your faire hands to pay the 〈◊〉 which all the world oweth them and withall receiue mee for a knight so doe you seruice which shall aduance â—â—e to the higheir degree that fortune is able to giue me He could â—â—y no more for beholding her neither could she make any answere for loue had so wounded them that they were speechlesse leauing to the eies the imaginations of the heart But hauing recouered her speech beholding the Princes goodly proportion considering his valour and what hee had 〈◊〉 for her shee tooke him vp by the armes saying â—here is no reason valorous Prince to giue my hand to him who hath so good of his owne which haue set at libertie the most sorrowfull Damsell of the world as for the rest I would not shew any token of ingratitude but to my soule I haue had so costly experience for you so much resembling the Knight which was went to bee called Alphebo that I am afraid and not without reason you will resemble him in all and being so I should but doe you wrong to giue you occasion to shew your selfe inconstant I would Soueraigne Princesse answered the tender-hearted Prince that I were not so neere of kinne as I thinke I am to that Knight to make him know his vnthankefulnesse for it is a sufficient defect in mee not to know what I sée and nothing in the world can assure mee to hope for any good but from this hand Herewith answered Quéene Iulia I will be shee noble Prince which shal inbute this â—orthy Princesse to accept you for hers and I will be â—â—â—â—tie to you for her and to her that you shall bee thankefull The gallant 〈◊〉 â—abrides graunted what the Gréeke required and 〈◊〉 shâ—e could not doe for anything to beâ— wished for Loue had made her wholy tributary to the Greekes beautie hee kist her hands with so great contentment to them both that if hee thought that he spedde well she accounted her selfe happy to be beloued by him There was neuer heard sweeter musicke vpon the earth neither better consorted then they heard when shee made an ende of entertaining him Although that those which stood thereby in the Tower did sée what past yet they heard not
what the Princes said but seeing them to come hand in hand out of the hall they well knew that the aduenture was ended Let vs goe most noble Emperour said Lirgandeo to receiue these Princes for you and my Lady the Empresse are those which get most therein séeing that you holding Claramante for lost who was stolne away in the Forest the Heauens haue pleased to bring him againe to your sight with the extremities which you haue séene This is he whose name in the most remote and strange Countries shall be feared and he who among the greatest Monarchs shall be and that with great reason renowmed The Emperour was surprised with this new and sudden ioy being hardly able to beleeue it for so great a good as this with much reason may be suspected There was no Knight nor Lord which came not downe accompanying the Ladies who by any meanes would bee absent at this entertainement At the descending downe the Tower staires at the top thereof were foure Nymphes farre more faire then the God Apollo which with their Instruments made the most heauenly harmony that euer was heard and with their voyces extolled the praises of the two Louers saying in this maner Content and pleased may you be Siâ—h Ioue so much your friend you see Your wish effecting in euery thing And constant loue without wauering All griefe from heart you may remoue Sith Claramante is your loue What greater good can be desired Then herein plainely is deciphred Valorous Fortune seek'th your ease And with delights your minde to please Linking you in loue most constant With the valiant louely Claramant The Heauens you grant in blessed state Long to enioy your louing Mate Without suspect or ielousie Caus'd by the angrie Deitie Nothing can disliking moue Claramant being your loue Valorous Prince whose fame doth flie From heere beneath euen to the skie Enâ—oying beautie and the comeliest feature That euer Nature wrought on creature Confirme this good and wauer not Let faithfull loue ne're be forgot This swéete harmonie of the Nimphes did so amaze the hearers that they thought themselues taken vp into the quires of the inhabitants of the heauens only the â—aire Archisilora was in greatest care seeing the whole companie reioycing and her selfe wanting the cause thereof yet with the hopes which the wizard had giuen her shée shewed a most faire pleasant countenance which serued to no small effect to maintaine the opinion which was held of her beautie And the Tower giuing a great cracke vanished away the Princes remaining hand in hand in the place the common people beganne to extoll her beautie aboue all the Ladies in Grecia and I marueile not for according as shee came Venus would haue seemed ougly The valorous Greeke led her by the left arme without his Helmet which one of the Ladies caried and another Theseus his battel-axe the Ladies traine bore the discreete Quéene Iulia. Gualtenor doth not describe the Princes countenance but he saith enough in saying that he resembled his brother when in Gréece he ouercame the great Meridian This most faire Ladie came clad all in white in a gowne with foure sleeues cut vpon cloth of gold set with Gold-smithes worke which shewed like Carbuncles interlaced with certaine knots her yellow haires were sufficient to darken the Sun-beames which she ware after the Egyptian fashion made vp in tresses whereon hang many precious stones of sundrie colours neuer was Phoebus so curious in guiding his chariot as at that time for seeing her beautie it was feared that faster then with a good pace he would haue come downe to the earth but for all that he kept his course beholding the beautie of the Princesse of the Scythians I know not worthie Ladies how I am entred into this déepe sea which here presenteth it selfe to me for if I should describe all those Ladies which came to salute the faire Lindabrides there would be no end thereof They did all malice her not somuch for her beautie as to sée her matched with Claramant Some receiue the prince glad to renew their old acquaintance others reioycing at the happie estate whereâ—o Loue had brought him Those which hee knew hee entertained with the grace wherewith the heauens had endued him and as for the rest with such countenance as was requisite hee not knowing what they were Who is able to set downe what these two felt béeing competitours in all when they came to embrace one another Clandiana being secure holding her selfe assured of Alphebo and shee with her new Loue contented with her change This is a passage worthy Ladies which without your fauour I know not how I shall get out of it Worthy Empresse said the frée Princesse I would the heauens would haue graunted vnto me in time past to doe that with as little care as now I doe séeing how little this Knight hath had of me Mine was neuer so much answered the Emperour Alphebus supreme Princesse of the Scithes as the care which your comelinesse put mee to so as to defend my selfe from the force thereof I was enforced to shield me with the beautie of my Ladie the Empresse The rest of the Ladies left not to come forwards which came to entertaine her some to know her and others to behold her brauerie They wholly valorous Prince caried away both my wit and penne after them and it is no great maruaile for where Ladies are there Knights are not to be spoken of for that were to doe them wrong and were it not for Claramante I would not returne to whom his mother holding him in her armes vttered a thousand pittifull spéeches But leauing at last most glad to sée him before her dissembling the ioy of her heart there came his seuere Father who embracing him said No man vpon earth hath more reason to be glad then I séeing that when I thought least thereof it hath pleased the high heauens to cherish our old age with your faire presence The Princes and Knights which were there tooke him out of the Emperours armes saying Let vs in part enioy this Knight séeing hee hath béene as much desired and wished for by vs as you which are his parents These were those which tolde him what all those Knights were which came to speake with him he receiued al with so great grace and discretion that they al loued him I should spend more time then were reasonable if I should particularly set down the whole entertainment onely this I say that with such contentment as is requisite in such a case they went into the Emperours hall where each Ladie called to her her gallant entertaining with them the rest of the time which remained with great desire to know Don Heleno and the Princesse Rosamundi and no lesse to know Rosabel and his beloued Liriana In the middest were the gallant Claramante Lindabrides in all things answered him I would not Knight that thy comming as an Ambassadour should haue emboldned thee to speake without any good maners
master Gualtenor and hauing takeÌ„ his leaue of him by reason of the noise which he heard hastened forwards till crossing a groue of high Pine trées hee saw his valorous Uncle Claramante coÌ„ming mounted vpon a mightie horse with his speare and shield and at his saddle Bow a battel-axe he knew him by his gate and the richnes of his armes and determined to discouer himselfe vnto him to the end to goe to the warres together they mette Claramante wondring to sée his goodly constitution thinking with himselfe that it was the same man which indéed it was The Knight with the Dames according to the deuice which he bare vpon his shield approching néere vnto him said Sir Knight you are without all doubt hee which is called the Knight of the Lions to whom I bring a message from farre hence from a Knight which is called the Knight of Crueltie who knowing that I came for Gréece requested mee to visit you in his behalfe to tell you that he would be here with all spéed possible and told me farther that I should bee a gayner hereby for I should sée the gallantest Knight of the world hee told me so many things in praise of you that hée made mee much to affect you with a desire to trie my small with your much valour and although that I bee sure to be ouercome I shall take it with the more patience but our fight shall be without swords or Helmes with our daggers onely and if you so please we will deferre no longer time if you will not I haue performed what I promised to that Knight and as I desired For the newes Sir Knight which you bring me of that warlike young man in requitall thereof I would rather imploy mee to doe you any seruice then by battell to offend you But séeing you haue challenged me there is no reason but to yéeld to your demaund accepting the battell and the presently séeing you so please I assured my self before my comming that I should receiue so generous an answere said the other so as weighing and considering the fame and valour which is bruted euerie where of you I know not who would not refuse it and if I had not demaunded it I would leaue it for these reasons haue put me in more feare then if I had séene the daunger and my certaine ouerthrow before mine eyes but yet let it be notwithstanding that without it I will remaine your prisoner so long as I liue The Prince of Trapisonda had vnlaced his Helmet and séeing the valorous young man busied in taking off of his vpon a suddaine hee was transformed into the likenesse of god Mars By this time had Claramante fully taken off his Helmet and being about to assaile his nephew séeing him without a helmet he said vnto him Stay valorous knight for with my death you will offend your louing friend Claridiano He put off his inchaunted Iewel remaining in his perfect shape saying Why how now valorous Knight so highly hath the Prince of Gréece offended you that you should prepare your self to grieue him I reposemore trust in your arme This new louer was so surprised with ioy séeing him before him whom he most dearely loued that he could make him no answere but casting his arms about his neck he said O gentle gods how fauorable haue you shewn your selues in my behalfe hauing reserued so great a good for me as is this which is the greatest that could happen vnto me O desired Prince and is it possible that fortune should bee pleased to bring mee to so happie estate I beséech the heauens that they season this but with some meane ill hap I will not stand now to repeate what passed betwéene these two but of that onely which hee told had happened vnto him in Gréece and how hee knew that he was his vnkle There shall néede no great perswasion to make you beléeue how great ioy he conceiued of so pleasing newes hee told him all that had happened and of the remedie which his Master the wizard had giuen him to the end that he should come into Gréece to the reliefe of his Grand-father without being knowne to any body which it behoued him to conceale vntill such time as he should further aduise him The noyse which was in the Iusts with the Ladies did interrupt their discourse and so putting on their Helmets and the Prince his rich Iewel as hard as their horses could driue they tooke their way directly towards the place where the noyse was arriuing iust at the instant when the Ladie Rosamundi had made an end of giuing thankes to Bembo for leauing the battell but as these two approached who did most faithfully loue in the world O who had a refined wit to describe what the one the other felt in themselues onely in beholding the one the other Claramante reioyced for that hee was the first which came to the rescue of these dames if there had béene any néede thereof he maruailed to â—ée them without Helmets and the two Giants cruelly thrust through with Launces and the Squire with fiue shields being the spoyles of warre vnderstanding that all this was performed by the Ladies they knowing him were verie glad to sée him in that place not for any néede they had of his helpe the goodly proportion good grace and rich Armes of his coÌ„panion did much please them but they could not imagine who it should be I cannot tell how it came to my minde to describe the suspition which that Quéene conceyued in her heart that that should be her beloued Claridiano for as hee had the best grace of any mortall man if she saw any man to excell she presently imagined it was he O mightie power of loue but the houre is not yet come to know who he was Bembo and the great Brauorante knowing the gentle Claramante by his armes prepared themselues to fight being netled with that which past at Sea All this is nothing gallant Dames to that which the disguised yong man felt séeing himselfe disguised in the presence of her who ruled the helme of his life â—o faire so surpassing excellent that he held the griefe which he endured well employed séeing it was for hersake But comming néere her hee became more timorous then if hee should haue attempted the most doubtfull aduenture of the world There was not in all that land a Gallant that more déerely loued and therewith that liued more iealous of his honour Hee knew not whereupon to resolue whether hée should speake to her or make himselfe knowne desiring her to pardon what was past A thousand doubts came into his minde in the end he determined to the end not to offend her to passe his discontented life as well as he could in this shape of god Mars and to sée if hee could perceiue by her lookes whether his absence were grieuous vnto her or no and whether she had so cruelly vanished him from her sight The valorous
bridle they went downe the hill In comming into the plaine the right way towards the Hauen Poliphebus began after this maner I doe Soueraigne Princesse vnderstand of the great warres wherein my father now is and of the many enemies which beseege his Citie I neuer yet durst to make my selfe knowne vnto him without doing something whereby I might boldly vaunt my selfe to bee the sonne of the mightie Trebatius and for this purpose I take occasioÌ„ to goe in your company and hauing the equitie of your beautie on my side betwéene the two Campes I purpose to maintayne the same not against the Greeke Dames for the loue of my sisters and the rest of my kindred which liue enamoured which seeing my challenge of force must come to contradict it Fame hath reported that in the Moores Campe there are Ladies which for beautie are the Phenixes of their Countries and if I prosper well in this attempt I may make my selfe knowne for the sonne of the great Trebatius I would not valorous Prince sayd the Ladie the through my occasion you should lose that which your vertue doeth assure of for there want not Ladies whose brauery and beauty is to be preferred farre before mine I am not able to goe into Greece answered the gallant Louer without making it appeare what power your vertue hath within my brest So then answered the Ladie there is nothing to bee sayd against your resolution With swéete conuersation they came to the sea side where they past all that night with such contentment of either partie as can not bee expressed The next day at what time as the faire Phebus began to beautifie the earth with his presence the two beloued Louers embarked themselues in the ship which Poliphebus brought The Masters and Mariners entertaining them with great ioy and wondring at the beauty of the gallant Luzâ—la hoyseâ— their sailes directing their course towards Grecia sayling with so great pleasure content that they wished it had bene Vlisses voyage After supper lying vpon the hatches of the ship casting their eyes to behold the vast seas and the forme of the skies this Gallant sayd vnto the Ladie If it may be told without griefe vnto you I would gladly know the cause of your enchauntmeÌ„t Some it will be to me warlike Prince in renning the remembrance of what I there endured but to giue you satisfaction whatsoeuer you shall commaund shall be put in execution Then know valorous Knight that my father had an Aunt the wisest woman in all Egypt where it is an ordinarie matter to be giuen to the arte Magick My father comming to receyue the Crowne as Emperour of Egypt was defirous to learne that science and so brought that his Aunt to the Court of whom he learned the greatest part of all her cunning He married and the destinies would that there should be borne so infortunate a Damsell as am I to haue so many desastres Comming to the age that I now am of without any pardon as a father to his owne daughter he came to be so farre in loue with me that hee tooke no pleasure of the world seeing I would not yeeld to his desire I imagining that I should wrong my selfe to yéeld in such a case to my father This my iust disobedience made such an impression in his heart that from thenceforth his hatred was farre greater towards me then euer his loue had bene It did nothing grieue me to endure the troubles which he put me to for denying him a thing so vniust Wrath and blind affection so much preuayled ouer him that being in my garden little thinking of his paine although it did somewhat grieue me to see what hee endured considering that he was my father I saw him comming in a walke among Canes with a more vnstaied pace then his grauitie required In seeing him I arose with a fayned smile weÌ„t to méet him But he which came drowned in a deuillish determinatioÌ„ without regard of any thing more theÌ„ his passioÌ„ led him vnto with a strange furie tooke mee by the arme saying My Luzela if it may giue you no occasion to ease my paine in that I am thy father and to sée what I indure with the griefe and torment which thy beauty hath brought me vnto yet let the death which thou séest before thine eies moue thee to doe it And therewith he drew out his dagger which he set at my brest You may imagine gentle Knight what my soule felt betweene these two extremes and each of them so great In the end I chose rather to die then so to defile my body and answered him My Lord and dearely beloued Father the heauens beare record with me that if the losse of my life might doe you pleasure I would preseÌ„tly giue it and should take pleasure to lose it and therein should offend no body but rather ennoble the obedience which I owe you but to be obedient in this a thing so much against reason I am of opinion that therein I should doe iniurie both to you and my selfe Hee suffred mee not to proceede forwards for with a strange fury hee sheathed his cruell dagger in the tender brest of his louing daughter Few blowes suffised to stretch mee all along My father had not the power repenting himselfe of that he had done to take out his dagger I thinke the heauens would not that he should kill me to the end that I in him should sée sudden change O cruell destinies began he to say lifting his voyce to heauen in how many sorts haue you shewne your selues coniured against me O infortunate Emperour Alpatraphio to how small purpose serued the science wherewith I was indued O blind and vaine affection séeing that from thence is growne to sée before mine eyes a fact so inhumane O heauens if you heare me be attentiue that séeing that you are witnesses of my great crueltie so shall you likewise be of the reuenge which I will take of my rebellious heart He was a thousand times about to pluck out the dagger which hee had stuck in my brest I thinke hee let it alone because hee would not sée my bloud and I saw it was euen sâ—â— for comming vnto me he vttered these speaches Ah my Luzela sometimes beloued not as a daughter which is that which now 〈…〉 me if there from the heauens where without change treading them with 〈◊〉 immortall féete thou doest â—â—aunce to 〈◊〉 the alteration 〈…〉 I haue no eyes to â—caue pardon but thou wanting life which to me 〈◊〉 I giue mine it is not to bee sought for vpon earth seeing I haue sent it to the heauens neither will I enioy any because it will bee loathsome seeing I cannot forget to haue bene thy murtherer I doe proâ—ise thee my beloued daughter to accompanie thee in thy death seâ—ing I loued 〈◊〉 so dearely in thy life If for â—â—ented his soule to sée how still I lay imagining that I was dead and in pâ—lling out his
dagger hee had â—â—ne a greater harme which he had done had not his old Aunâ— Cleonta preuented it the which in her kind being angry vsing her accustomed inchaunâ—ments put him farre from mee Shée came to mee and pluckt out the dagger and putting certaine herbes into the wound cured me of the hurt and said vnto me Notwithstanding that the resisting of your fathers passion be very worthy of commendation yet in that that thou wast not sory for his payne as was reason being his daughter it is iust that thou make satisfaction therefore in straight and close inchauntment where thou shalt remaine vntill that the braue Lion shall enter into my strong Castle breaking by force of Armes the strength thereof and ouercomming the gards which I shall there set and then thou shalt begin to feele some comfort although thy father haue none for it is requisite that he pay more for the iniurie which he hath committed not onely against thy renowne but against his owne honour But the â—â—siliske shall be giuen him when he shall least think thereof She sayd no more vnto me but at that very instant me thought I began to want my wits and without knowing what I did I went to that lodging from whence you set me free where I did nothing else but be waile the absence of my father holding him for dead She would neuer tell me any thing of him although that sometimes she came to visit me giuing me hope hereof and she told it me so playne that I now perceyue how much is therein contaynes and I am giuen to vnderstand that the time shall come that I againe shall sée my father Yea it will come answered the gallant Louer for the heauens giue not one contentment without another In this and other pleasing things they past the greatest part of the night wherewith the young man began to ware somewhat bold it was not wholly to offend her but to shew with the mouth what the heart felt He was of opinion that this Ladie was sent to him from the heauens wherefore with the greater ioy they past the rest of the time It suffiseth that to take their rest they went to their Cabin with a determination on eyther side that nothing should hinder their loue Before that Aurora had done the Sunnes Ambassage to the world shewing his câ—mming the master aduertised the Prince that in the top he had descried somewhat neere another Galley Hee leapt out of his bed not willing to shew any carelesnesse for the defence of his Ladie With the masters helpe he put on his rich Armour and being at all peeces armed he went to put the Princesse of Egypt and his soule also out of feare and with reuerence being wholly ouercome with loue he told her that there was an enemies Galley discouered willing her that shee should not therefore bee afeard for the sight of her good grace did assure all With greater valour valorous Prince sayd the Ladie I would very gladly accompany you for the succour which hereof can come vnto you except the good will is so little that it will rather be a hinderance Ill should I gallant Ladie quoth the Tinacrian goe to fight if not going wholly yours and in fighting it shall bee onelie for you By this time the two Gallies were come neere together wherin in seeing the Princes Gally was heard a great cry bidding them amaine if not they should all dye The young man did it but to another intent for hee commaunded that all those which could beare Armes should take them and should stand at the ships side As the Marriners with all diligence had ended the casting of grapples aboord the other to the ende that shee should not fall off and that they might with their swords fight aboord it was no euill counsell for it gaue them the victorie vpon a sudden there came some twelue Knights which bade them to yeeld The valiant young Prince stayed vntill that they had fastened the Galley and getting a club in his hand hee set himselfe vpon the poope where hee gaue so good account of himselfe that two of them lost their liues with one blow which he gaue amongst them They were many and for feare of their Commaunders they set vpon the Prince but it was to come with their liues and there to meete their death for hee neuer stricke blowe which killed not a Knight and sometimes two of them together payd for their folly before that they could returne he had made an end of them By that time there came forth three most fierce Giants out of a withdrawing place in the ship where the Tinacrian heard cryings as of forced Ladies Those thrée most cruell Pagans were much amazed to sée how soone that Knight had made an ende of all their Knights All of them forgetting the order of Knighthood drawing out their monstrous faulchions came to the shippes side and one of them assuring himselfe of his agilitie setting his one foote vpon his shippe side leapt into the Tinacrians Galley and had done it if the young mans cruell club had not by the way taken him a blow on the pate and bereauing him of his life in the ayre throw him in back againe into the ship dead at his friends feet which were in a cold sweat He which lost least occasion was the Tinacrian for with a light leap he set himselfe against the Giants Whether that she which loued him better then herselfe tooke pleasure therein there is no doubt thinking that no man could be loued with more reason then the Tinacrian seeing his great valour conioyned with so much beautie as hath bene aforesayd He was one of the most gallant personages in the world so as many times he would not put off his Helmet especially among Ladies to whom he was as a Cockatrice Uery ioyfull she set her to behold what he did in the Galley He somewhat reposing himselfe with a troubled voyce sayd How now you traytours and so easily did you thinke to beare away the prize First you shall leaue your liues in pawne for your foolish presumption The valiant Louer stayd for no answere but whorling his club about his head he smote one of them vpon the shield which hee brake in péeces and there withall his arme which it hung vpon He escaped not without his paiment for in the warres for loue neuer giueth the palme without it for they both smote him vpon the inchaunted Helmet and made him set his knees to the ground they there strake the Prince and his Ladie in the shield which her soule hath that faithfully loueth this they which know what it is to loue call the heart hee saw that these fierce Giants againe smote downe right at him Hee on one side crossed the blow with his club and the other he shunned by skipping to one side The club was no defence against the force of the blow which brake it in the middest It was good fortune that the Tinacrian
reason for his valour good gouernment for that was it which most aduanced him aboue all others All this was nothing neither the assurance which shée saw of her paine to cause Felina to giue ouer her determination but rather increase it attempting one of the boldest most presumptuous enterprises of the world from whence could ensue no other thing but that which followed for vnable to endure to sée her self so little respected she adueÌ„tured to say vnto the prince Daristeo that the princesse would expect him that night in the garden to confer with him of matter of importaÌ„ce There could nothing happeÌ„ more pleasing to the infortunate prince then such a message for as it was a thing vnlooked for now holding him selfe assured thereof he held himself the most happy maÌ„ in the world he held the day for as loÌ„g as a mans life he thought the night fled froÌ„ him euery minute he held for a yere such was his desire to meet the lady princesse The subtil Felina séeing her plot to take effect took a sute of Celibellas which did best set out her beauty clad her self therwith as yâ— heauens would not frustrate what she had exployted so could not the gallant sée whether it were the Princesse or shée But hee comming into the garden lesse armed theÌ„ was néedfull went to the window so passionate that he knew her not The cruell damsell couÌ„terfeyted her speach and sayd I haue hitherto Oh prince of Podolia dissembled how much I haue loued you for some respects which haue forced me thereto but seeing your great deserts I could not forbeare holding it vniust but to impart my faith vnto you and to say that you are more beloued then all the men in the world As he should haue made an answere in an alley among â—ose trées priuily armed came Rosaner for as hee was wise so would hee not come into so suspicious a place carelesly and in danger of his person he had beforetime there spokeÌ„ with the Princesse and séeing a Knight there and that shée stood talking with him well may a man iudge what he felt who held him selfe beloued and with so great affection hee was come somewhat néere when the vnlucky Daristeo said My deare Lady I could neuer imagine that the loue which I haue euer borne you could haue bene so highly rewarded neither can it yet sinke into my head that I could euer deserue so great a good as thus to sée you to bestow such and so particular fauours which wholy is to be attributed to your generositie more then to my loue or desert although the I might hope much for I beléeue that no man euer loued with greater affection then I. The cause hereof is the little confideÌ„ce which I repose in my owne deserts and worthinesse to attayne to so great a good as to bee beloued by your beauty neyther can I leaue to coÌ„sider the high estate you hold without vnderstanding who he was or imagining any thing of his brother for now Fortune would néeds shewe her mutability against these two Louers with the greatest suddennesse of the world the beloued Rosaner ranne vpon his deare brother not knowing who hee was Neuer Eagle turned with greater liuelynesse then did Daristeo against his brother and as they were very valiant so began there betwéene them a most cruell battaile but the elder had the worser not through want of force but of armes fortune Although the other had receiued some hurts yet they were but small The furious louer would néeds close with Daristeo but therein he sought his owne death for the desperate yong man being deadly woundeâ— before hee gaue vp the ghost reuenged himselfe by bereauing life from his mâ—â—t deare brother Rosaner for stumbling forwardes by reason of his wounds he thrust out his sword arme and by chance hit him right in the face The elder brother had not yet so much lost his memorie but that he followed the blow vntil the point of the sword pierced through his brothers braines These faithfull louers came to fall iust together losing with one onely blow their liues ielousies and loue and the greatest good of the world which was the fayre Lady The vnhappy Felina stood beholding this battaile vntill that she sawe them fall then sorrowing their death with her outcryes shée disqueted all the Palace and falling downe in the euill which shee had done without dissembling it neither had she strength to auoid the punishment she her selfe being her owne executioner for euen in the same attyre as shee stood she cast her selfe headlong out at the window falling vpon her head betwéene theâ— and in their death kept them company The greatest part of the people in the Palace ran into the garden and the king with the furious Furâ—ander who when he saw the cruell happe of his two brothers was likely to haue lost his wits which was the cause of altering his condition imagining with himselfe that they were dead through Celibellas occasion Some others did suspect it to sée the brotherly death betweene two louers It caused extréeme sorrow in all the court for the king shewed himselfe very sorrowfull as was reason to sée so pitifull a chance What the Princesse did in her chaÌ„ber I would rather that some other body would report it then I which saw it A thousand times would she haue ended with one death yâ— many deaths which she should endure through â—he absence of her Rosaner which shée beganne presently to shew for the company of her damsels was displeasing vnto her wherein she was woont chiefly to delight the fight of knights and gallants was loathsome and their discourses yrksome so as her whole delight was to be solitarie receiuing some pleasure in me discoursing of the cruelty which fortune had shewed her There was nothing but did put her in minde of her knight and to remember him it was death to her and hauing no more comfort but what shee reaped from her teares which were so many which shee shed for that lamentable mischance that it bereaued her of a great part of her beauty All the Court was in an vproare the king in making search for the murderers could take no rest so as in the citie there was nothing but suspition and mourning The most valiant Furiander disturbed all forgetting what he had promised when he took the order of knighthood that hee should neuer take part against any Lady for as ech of his brothers had discouered vnto him part of his loue and séeing how much they were tormented and how carelesse she was thereof which was not for want of affection but rather of discretion he fully perswaded himselfe that to be rid of their importunities she had procured their deaths he conceiued it with such apprehension that nothing could disswade him neither to see the sorrowfull signes which the princesse gaue for the death of the two brothers for this furious yong man had determined what he would do
you shal heare in the next Chapter CHAP. III. Of that which hapned to the Prince of Tinacria with a Knight much affected to Celibella and how he ended the battell for her IT should bee past midnight most Noble Lord when a Knight with his lamentations did awakeÌ„ the valiant Poliphebus who a little from him had laid him down to sléep The sonne of the cruel Garriofilea saâ—e vpon the gréene grasse and being frée from loue he harkned and gessing which way the complaint came fully armed not knowing what might follow for he would not goe vnprouided he saw by the Moone light which shined very cléere at the foote of a great Oake a great Knight stretched all along vpon the ground richly armed in blew armour wrought all ouer with many knots of gold bee séemed to the Tinacrian to be some Knight of good account In his shield which he had fastened to his necke was painted loue with a merry countenance and fortune in the skirt with the most piercing aspect that euer was séene with these letters vnderwritten Fortune being so contrary With angrie valour taking part Though constant loue be on my side Yet nothing can assure my heart The Knight séemed to be in a trance séeing he moued not as indéed he was for the griefe to lose the faire Celibella had put him out of his wits But when he came againe to himselfe with a sigh being out of breath he began to say O Fortune with how many trials doest thou shew thy mutabilitie tyring my heart with so many troubles If I did imagine blind Goddesse that I had euer béene rebellious against thée that I had not respected thée that I had not put my trust in thée that I had doubted of thy power and of what thou art I should haue taken this rigorous touch for a reward for my patience But séeing that without any occasion thou wilt shew thy selfe my greatest enemy I hauing giuen thée no iust cause thereof I cannot forbeare to complaine and onely of thy mutabilitie séeing that with what or for what thou hast brought me to the point that nothing but death onely can yéeld mee ease O â—â—wardly heart séeing that for being so thou suffrest her to die which might giue thée life in distresse succour thée Pardon mee worthy Princesse for now I sée the iniurie which with my cowardise I haue done thée in not daring to oppose my life in thy behalfe and séeing that so many wayes I sée it lost and that now fayling with thée the remainder wil be worse then death it selfe the Gods defend that I sée thy vniust death but rather that I with iustice bereaue my soule thereof for in so long staying I wrong the loue I beare thée and herewith in a diuellish furie hee snatcht vp his sword and lifting vp his bresâ—plate hee would haue thrust it into his owne bodie saying Herewith soueraigne Ladie I make amende for not vndertaking the battell although that I had seene my death before mine eyes by how much more then beeing for thée it might haue béene accounted life The Tinacrian tooke hold of him and before that hee could effect his diuellish intent he seized vpon his sword which he pluckt out of his hands saying Oh desperate Knight and with committing so vilde an act wilt thou soader vp that which thou hast done against the Ladie whom thâ—usâ— much louest The Moore came to himselfe who was Prince of Prussia a countrey very néere adioyning to that of the most faire Celibella and beholding that Knight so tall and so wel armed being perswaded that he saw his remedy he said vnto him Do me not Sir Knight so great displeasure but suffer me to satisfie with my life that which I haue committed against the most faire Lady that the world containeth séeing that vndertaking the battell for her although with the losse of my life I might haue done her particular seruice but being against so furious a knight with very cowardise I lost that which I might haue gotteÌ„ although I had remained without life and séeing that now to hold it it will be to my further hurt giue me leaue to procéede according to my determination if you will not that I make a larger payment for the error which I haue committed which was the greatest that euâ—r Knight committed against her whom he so loued Leaue off your so much sorrow said the warlike Tinacrian for men are not bound to vndertake matters aboue their force for in such case you of your part are excused That cannot bee said the Pagan who owing his life and would not venture it for her in any daunger how doubtfull so euer the successe thereof were cannot be excused therefore you cannot denie me the wrong that I haue done my Ladie Notwithstanding all this I will not yéeld that any such crueltie bee committed in my presence neither is it weldone but ill you see the end of this aduenture to torment your selfe in such sort as may put you in such despaire as this which dooth so much disgrace the valour which appeareth in your person And because I came from farre about this businesse and to fight for this Ladie I pray you be satisfied and hold me companie to the Citie where I will trie my lot with Furiander Who can presume Sir Knight said the Moore to come into that Citie where hee hath committed so great a fault such as the like hath not beene séene I haue not the power neither can any thing make me thereto able It hath not beene so great said the Tinacrian but it may be amended if fortune fauour vs. The Prince told him so many things that in the end hee offred to hold him companie to the end that he might see the forces wherewith hee should fight for Celibella By this time it was day and so they tooke their horses and with the damsell and the Tinacrian his squire they tooke the way towards the Citie and by the way hee knew that this Knight was the Lord and King of Prussia where he fel in loue with the Princesse Celibella although he neuer knew the necessitie wherein shee was vntill hee came with his armes onely disguised to the Court to see her which for her beautie was extolled through his whole Dominion and comming thither he vnderstood of Furiander his challenge But the fame of his valour was such that hee durst not vndertake the battell for the Princesse notwithstanding that hee loued her much more then his owne soule and falling into consideration of what hee had done going forth of the Citie he meant to haue slayne himselfe The Tinacrian recomforted him the best that hee could and he did not a little preuaile being the most fearefull yong man in the world They ariued when the King was newly risen from the table and had that day inuited the famous Furiander purposing with some good reasons to haue disswaded him from that attempt being very sorrowfull for that he perseuered
after another which set him on the arson of his Saddle griping him so that it seemed he had striken him quite out of breath The Pagan aduanced himselfe closing with the Tinacrian he thought to preuaile by grasping with him but he found the sonne of Garofilia as fast in his saddle as if he had béene a rock they tugged so hard together that they both were out of breath their horses stood more fixt in the grouÌ„d with â—â—uing in their wrestling then the most moored roots With one turne they fell both to the earth The Pagan had a mishap because one of his feet hung in the stirrâ—p which if the TinacriaÌ„ had perceiued in time he had slaine him yet notwithstaÌ„ding before he could get it out with his dagger he gaue him 2. cruel stabs left the marks in the flesh which the Pagan held for mortal and so turning to his enemy who as he was higher then he he lifted him from ground carying him in such sort that the Batchelour had lieffer haue bene deadly wounded hee did his best to encounter his aduersary and so recouer footing whence twise whéeling about they hurled together with greater force then a Coluerine shot they gaâ— to their weapons with such speed that al those which were present wondred thereat I beléeue quoth the king turning himselfe towards the principall of those which were with him that in these two warriours is disciphered the flower of cheualrie No pleasure can be compared to that which Celibella receiued séeing how well her knight had acquitted himself for on foot none of her brothers could do better and yet oftentimes fighting with them hee made them to doubt of the battaile Some aduantage was perceiued in him for striking with great rage the Tinacrian happily crossing inwards and standing very firme on his right foote he ioyned hitting right on the side of the vaunt-brace the trenchant sword rebounded to the hollow entring a third part in at the brest The Pagan féeling the wound thinking it had bene to the death gaue a signe thereof for with the very paine of the wound he went crosse-leg'd and was readie to fall the furious yong man holpe him doubling another blow vpon his helme with so great might that hee made him set his knées to the ground There is no serpent so wrathfull which can turne so as Furiander returned against the sonne of Garofilea and with the raging smart which he felt of his wouÌ„d throwing his shield to the grouÌ„d he went with such fury with his sword in both hands that he made more then foure lose all their colour in their faces the blowe was with lesse héed then wisedome required to beare for it had beene the last that euer the Tinacrian had receiued he hit him so right vpon the gilded crest that hee made him to sée a thousand starres in his helme and he charged his furious sword with such force that he made him to 〈◊〉 both his handes and knées to ground The impatient Moore drew néere with another no lesse then the first hée had stretched him out for a pray according as he was stroÌ„g so he suddenly pinck't from him his vâ—â—nâ—-brace and Lirgando saith that he also tooke his shield from him Gualtenor sayeâ—h no but that hee did cut the greatest part of his Polarons If hee had béene able to haue giuen the third I knowe not how this Batchelour had escaped from the battaile but as the wound fell vpon that side where his heart was it made him breathlesse so as hee could not thencefoorth procéed in his furie giuing the Baâ—chelour place to rise there was no helpe for the armour against the blowe which he gaue for hee cleane carryed away the crowne of the helme and a piece of the head withall Well might the sonne of the great Trebacio haue ouercome him but hée was a Knight who in déed did more affect the woorth which the Pagan had shewen saying thus vnto him I doe much desire Sir Knight that this battaile may rest in that estate wherein it is for I see you are dangerously and sore wounded very néere vnto death and in going further any your euill fortune whatsoeuer would much grieue mee for I doe neither desire your death nor ouerthrowe but perpetuall amitie and friendship which from hencefoorth I offer vnto you swearing and protesting vnto you that you most inâ—uriously vphold and maintaine the wrong against a Ladie who in apparant shewe hath much sorowed and lamented the death of your brothers When the generositie most noble Prince is so discouered procéedeth from a gallant brest there is no Aspicque so fierce and cruell but will bee therewith appeased hée had not beene Prince of Tinacria neither could that haue bene the country of your most noble Lordship if therein had not bene bred so rare a good as was this And so this valiant â—â—oore sound himselfe bound with the reasons which the Prince vttered â—aying Fâ—â—thuâ—g could happen to me so well as this my life and reputation being in such danger I would valorous man at Armes gladly in exchange to purchase the friendshippe of such a knight as you are and seeing it behoueth 〈◊〉 and that of my obâ—â—inate contending there can nothing grow vnto 〈◊〉 but perpetuall infamy and discredite I doe from hencefoorth vtterly giue ouer the battaile and freely seâ— at â—â—ertie the Princesse condemning my euersight and blinâ—â—â—â—e séeing iâ— was not possible in so perfecâ— a subiect to 〈◊〉 any thing which should so much disgrace it When the prince of Prussia lawe the 〈◊〉 league and bond of friendship concluded beiâ—â—ue the 〈…〉 he put spâ—â—res to his horse and tooke his way towardes his countrey with all the spéede that might be where hee passed his time in great heauinesse and sorrow hauing atchiued no aduenture The Iudges were néere at hand hearing what the Pagan said which yéelded such contentment to the whole Court that no man is able to expresse it but â—â— may be better imagined then any way described The hidden fire in the scattered powder my Soueraigne Lady hath not so much power neither is it of such effectuall force as is settled loue to shewe what it is and what it is able to doe What man in the world could haue confirmed a peace betwéene Princes so much at variance and with so great reason Who could haue brought it to passe that Celibella the beauty of the world should haue béene any whit sorowfull or grieued for the spitefull Paganâ— hurâ—s though neuer so deadly bee receiuing them in fighting so disgrace and confound her It cannot be imagined that so great an alteratioÌ„ as this can be attributed vnto any other thing but to loue Fortune was more fauourable vnto him then he was well aware of for they were not yet gone forth of the field when twenty Knights clad in mourning attyre came into the Campe which seeing him come foorth of the lists afoote came to him to kisse his hands and
that could be imagined the height thereof séemed to touch the clouds with such varietie of stone that it seemed a worke of the high heauens or that it was the habitation of some rulers thereof This fayre Castell was compassed with a brâ—ad ditch crosse the which did run a mayne riuer there were certaine bridges which led to the Castell the principall hee wondred at for notwithstanding that it had but one Aâ—ch yet the workemanship was very curious for all the battlements were of most pure white Alablaster There entred the sonne of Garriofilea beholding the sore front of the Castel the richnes whereof he could not valew it was shut with most strong gates wherein were engrauen many Histories with most rich checker-worke of golde This Tinacrian dismounted from his horse the better to behold the work giuing his horse to his Squire with a very spéedy pace hee marched towards the gates where of force I must leaue him for there is so much else to be sayd that there is no other remedie CHAP. V. Of that which happened to the Prince Claridiano and to Florisiano of Apulia in their returne from Lucania IT behoueth mee most noble Prince the better to giue delight in so long an History to follow the rule of well consorted musicke sometimes striking the sharpe and loude strings of Cupid treating of his sundry effects and of his power in a mynd subiect to a thousand passions sometimes following the sound and churlish buzzing of angry Mars to the end in the end to make a pleasing conclusion of all together and where I finde a louer to conclude his constancie séeing how much many haue held not dismaying at any their beloued Ladyes disdaine but euen when they haue shewed themselues most froward haue continued most kind and constant purifying in the extremest of their tormeÌ„ts the forces of their hearts And to him which will follow his libertie and therewith furious Mars his drumme it may appeare howe earnestly many haue followed it and with how great content they haue past the gates of the hard Diamond so as to giue content to all it behoueth mee to treat sometimes of loue and sometimes of Mars his furious and horrible blowes and hauing left the sonne of Garrifilea so pleasant victorious setting Eufrosina at libertie it shall not bee amisse to prosecute the loue of the Lord of Apulia which to those which delight in a swéete Historie is the most principall who most faithfully loued was least regarded fortune shewing in him her power what she is able to doe when she wil. The Gréek much desired that his affayres might attaine to a happy ende for in his soule he much affected the prince Florisiano who séemed to him one of the most discréet that ouer dealed therein and passing the seas they discoursed of a thousand things and all of loue the wind being fauourable they made a pleasing voyage and being both enamored with discourses of loue they passed the loathsome tâ—yle of the seas vntill the tenth day at what time the fayre Aurora began to shew her selfe in the East foreshewing her brothers comming On the shores-side of Italy they discouered a very fayre Galley which came with sayle cares more swift then thought The Gréeke betooke him to his weapons to the end that retchlesnesse should yéeld no ill successe and so they stayed vntill drawing néere they heard them bid them amayne except they would all be dead Hee did not therefore commaund to strike their mayne sayle but onely to â—aye for them and to sée who it was that with such pride so threatned them and is lying by the see they stayed vntill they might sée aloft vpon the poope a deformed Gyant and about some twelue Knights and the two Galleyes aboording they might within heare the complayning voyce of certaine wronged women The valiant Prince of Gréece was very suspicious and any matter that might concerne women to whome in former time hée had vowed his ayde did much trouble him Hee turned himself to the Prince of Apulia saying Neuer trust me valorous Prince but there are in this Galley some Ladyes prisoners for their lamenting doth manifest as much and therefore I would not for any thing in the world being able to succour them leaue them for any hap though neuer so dangerous Doe as you thinke good valorous Knight sayd the gentle Florisiano for I to lose my life 〈◊〉 your seruice shall but â—equite the generositie wherewith you haue offred yours to yeeld me conteÌ„t I agree not herein said the Gréeke loner but that you remaine aâ—oord this galley suffer no man to enter as for the rest let me alone And herewith hoysed all the sayles with sayles dares made after that enemy which staied for theÌ„ accounting them very ill aduised hauing as it séemed within boord but â—armed maÌ„ And drawing neere Trebacius his nephew lifting a little vp his beuer with a loud voice said I desire sir knight that you should tell me whither you are bound for if you sayle towards Niquea we may the more safely make our voyage together incompany from the danger on the seas by reason of these alterations and warres which sound ouer all the world The fierce Giant answered saying Our Galley sir knight goeth so safe from any ill successe that may happen vnto her with those that are within boâ—rd that wee haue no néed of coÌ„pany except you desire ours to make your voyage with such safetie as you desire and therefore it suffiseth that your Galley may goe with ours This is superfluous fauor sayd the Gréeke fading feare and to the ende we may go the more at pleasure I pray you take aboord you a Squire who is in great feare for that hée heareth that certaine Gréekes scoure this coast Let it bée as you will sayd the Gyant and if he will he shall sée how little I esteeme those proud knights of whom he is so much afraid and so commanded to strike sayle and to lay his Galley so néere to the princes that he might easily lying néere together leape aboord where the Gyant was and did it with such dexteritie that when they betooke them to their defence he was already aboord with his sword in his hand saying It is requisite you traytors that you leaue your praye and your liues for payment for your presumption Hee stayed for no answere neither strained any curtsie for before they could fit themselues he had slaine two of theÌ„ It was wonderfull to behold how hee cast himselfe amidst the thickest of the throng and it is not a thing to bee written in so true an History as this which I prosecute what this valiant youth performed Lirgandeo saith that at thrée blowes he smote downe sixe knights at the Gyants feet who blaspheming heauen and earth lifting vp his terrible axe came towards the louer making the Knights to giue place They neuer better performed their Masters commandement then now for no lesse then
himselfe and holding such company as the Gréeke Prince who desirous to returne into Grecia to the aid of his parents taking leaue of these Knights thanking them for the newes which they had told them he said Ualorous Princes the best most certaine meane that I know to deale in this busines is to remit it to the fortune of my valor so to bereaue this Prince which procureth your spoiles of the meane therto here fréeing vs froÌ„ any successe that may happeÌ„ to send a messenger to the King of Lucania that I wil maintaine the beauty of this Lady against any Knight that shal say the contrary at al assaies to be the fairest that is in this kingdoÌ„ which shall giue occasion to this Knight if he loue and be valiant as he is reported to be to take it in ill part that any should bee preferred before his Ladie and comming to blowes with him for nothing in the world will I giue ouer the battell and if the heauens grant vs victorie as I hope they will it shall bee an easie matter for you to carie the Ladie away shee bearing you such good will as you say she doth and being in your Countrey you may defend her against all the world or otherwise make your returne into Grecia in company with this Ladie wherein you shall do the king of Argel great seruice deliuering her into his hands They all agréed to this which the Knight of Cruelty had deuised and so in conclusion they dispatcht a Damsell in company with Polisandro to deliuer the message to the King they remayning in a wood expecting answere which shal be declared in the next Chapter CHAP. VI. How the Damsell deliuered the ambassade to the King of Lucania in the behalfe of the Knight of Crueltie who admitting the same the matter came to triall AS Polisandro and the Damsell as saith Galtenor were departed from the Princes with the Gréeke Princes message and were come within two miles of the great Citie of Troba at what time as the King was newly risen froÌ„ dinner accompanied with many principal knights among which was the most strong Astrenio which was now respected of euery body as the Kings sonne they desired leaue to enter which was granted in the presence of many Ladies the faire Polinarda with Solesia the Princesse of Campania and her valorous louer Lisander The Damsell doing such reuerence as in such cases is accustomed the King willing her to deliuer her ambassade shee began in this maner Thou shalt vnderstand mighty King of Lucania that in the confines of the red Sea in that part which boundeth vpon Media there lyeth a most populous and rich Iland called the I le of plate for the great abundance which the earth there bringeth forth of which Iland is Quéene one of the most accomplished Ladies of the world called Troyla with whom the mightie Prince of Cumagena trauelling through the world to seeke his aduentures seeing her rare beautie fell in loue and that with such feruencie that according to the shew which hee hath made thereof nothing but death onely may suffice to diuert him from his amorous conceit hee hath perfourmed most Soueraigne King so many and so great matters in the seruice of this Ladie that of very dutie and considering with her selfe that it was no disgrace to her to accept him for her Knight thee resolued to admit his seruice and him for her seruant With the fauours which she bestowed on him he beganne againe anew to make triumphs for ioy in such maner that she consented and promised to be wholy his She valorous King standeth so assured on her selfe and her beautie that she requested him in requitall of the faith which she vowed vnto him to carie her to the Courts of the most famous Kings for the space of two yéeres to maintaine her beautie A small request seemed vnto her louer that which she required and to all others that knew him seeing by experience the great valour which the heauens had infused into him And now they goe accomplishing the two yeeres quest performing such aduentures therin with so much honour to them both that hee is held for one of the most valorous Knights of the world and hearing the fame of this Court of the gallantrie of the Ladies of the same he would not passe by into Grecia before he had here made proofe of what power his aduenture might bee he yéeldeth to the battell at all perils for some hauing procéeded to the Iusts onely haue remained throughly grieued bringing the battell to no perfection wherefore he hate sent to entreat thée if it shall so please thée to send him safe conduct to the ende he may maintaine the cause for which he commeth Here ended the Damsell her Oration leauing not one in all the hall which did not wonder at her bold demaund Some rumour beganne among the young Knights making a scoffe thereof auouching that the Ladies whom they serued had attained to the highest of all beautie Wel did the King vnderstand it and dissembling the same answered the Damsell which comming in the name of an Ambassadour was to be honourably entertained I doe thankefully accept faire Damsell of the pleasure which this Knight with his presence will doe vnto this court although as I am perswaded he shall here purchase more enemies then friends for here being Princes which delight in Ladies seruice they will neuer yeeld to so generall an offence as is this The most strong Astermo could not dissemble his discontentment déeming that therein was great disgrace done to his Polinarda who said thus I doe rather wiâ—h faire Damsell that this Knight had first séene the Ladies of this Palace that he might haue perceiued the errour which he maintaineth before he had with such ouerboldnesse defyed their gallants I am of opinion Sir Knight answered the disâ—reet Damsell that you haue not yet made proofe of the power of loue seeing that you know not that hee which admireth the beautie of his beloued speaketh according to his affection I am of opinion that both of the one and the other the Prince will put you out of doubt if it shall please the King to giue him leaue thereto I graunt it quoth the King if he will to the end wee may see the effect of your hopes The Lady would haue kist the Kings hand for the sauour which he granted returning she said As these Princes mightie King haue trauelled a long iourney so come they vnfurnished of prouision necessary wherefore they pray thee to commaund a Tent to be lent theÌ„ seeing that the challenger is to make his abode therein Whatsoeuer shall please him answered the King I will coÌ„mand to be carefully prouided In this maner said the Ladie with a high voice begin you that are enamoured to set vp your armes for betwéene this and to morrow wil come to the Lists the Prince of Comagena with costly experience to make shew of his great
out of great blowes the Gréeke gaue the Pagan such a blow on the shield that he cut the one halfe cleane away so tormenting his arme that hee could not lift vp the little which remained and so he flung it to the ground pursuing the Gréeks more fiercely then the hungrie Lyon doth the fearefull shéepe-flocke he reacht him vpon the toppe of the rich helmet a blow with such furie that although that he cut it not by reason of the good temper thereof yet for all that it made him to sée the twinckling starres of the skies within the helmet making him for a space to forget himselfe and taking benefite of the time he gaue him such a stabbe in his louing brest that it much grieued him they were come so close and so néere together that béeing vnable to strike and seeing him so néere he claspt him in his strong armes The Pagan refused not to wrestle neither would he if hee had béen Anteus There was neuer battell so fought for they were so lockt together that they stood more firmely fixed in the ground then the roots of a great and wel growne Oke All men wondred at this rigorous combat thinking with themselues that there neuer was the like séene in the world and so was the King saying to the Prince his sonne that hee was much beholding to the Knight of Cruelty séeing how he had dealt with him and the like to the Prince of Campania who maruelling much thereat said I doe certainely beléeue that this battell will be perpetually memorable and much it would grieue me that eyther of them should die séeing how great losse their death would bring to the world The sorrow would bee generall saide the gentle Lisander of Lucania who was of opinion that hee in the yellow would obtaine the victorie They turned to behold the battell which at that instant was maintained with much obstinacie but in the end they were of flesh and fell to the ground they gaue ouer their hold betaking themselues to their armes where with they afresh renewed the battell which was worth the séeing although with some aduantage to the Gréeke for as he was more nymble hee charged and retyred with agilitie both of body and minde The Pagan would haue relied himselfe who as hee was heauily armed and corpulent of body and the battell had lasted so long he was out of breath said thus If it please you Sir Knight let vs rest vs a little for there remaineth time inough to ende the battell I will take none answered the cruell yong man neither shall there be any thing to giue it me but to sée thy head in my hands for the ill maners which thou didst vse towards me There is no venimous Uiper but was to be accounted méeke and gentle in respect of the Moore who being perswaded that his spéeches had encouraged the enemie assailed him as fiercely as a Tyger said Stay and thou shalt sée to thy cost what the assurance of that good which I requested might haue done thée It had so stung him in minde to sée himselfe lightly regarded that with greater force then at the beginning he againe assailed the Gréeke giuing him with both his hands 〈◊〉 great a blow on the toppe of his Crest that it made him to set both his hands to the ground He hasted to him with another wherewith hee had wholy ouerthrowne him but that he holpe himselfe with his knées which were so strongly fastened in the earth that hee could not stretch himselfe out at length to giue further place to the Pagans furie Without all doubt the Gréeke had béene in great danger and the baâ—tell to him would haue beene much more costly but that rigorous furie béeing past at an instant appeared the aduantage on his side which was in the yellow There is no doubt to be made of that pleasure which the gentle Sir Florisiano of Apulia would haue receiued therin séeing how wel the Prince had perfourmed his promise if he had there with knowne how well the faire Troyla had negotiated for him no man would haue béene more glad then hee there was no reason but hee which had loued and did so effectually loue as he did but he should be so and so hee set himselfe to see the end of the warre which lasted not long for the Gréeke being exâ—remely angry for the blowes which hee had receiued arose more fierce then a Basiliske often giuing him such cruell blowes as put him cleane out of breath making him sometimes to set his hands and sometimes his knées to the ground which did much moue him séeing before his eyes the death wherewith the cruell Knight had threatned him who being desirous to end the warre defending himselfe with his shield closed with him and gaue him such an encounter that it made him giue backwards making shew of falling hee holpe him thereto with a strong stabbe which was the last that hee receiued for hee had not throughly vpon the ground spread his broad shoulders when through his visor he cut from him all hope of enioying Polinarda ending his life and his loue both at an instant with so much contentment to the louers that it shall bee fitter to bee left to consideration then any thing coÌ„cerning the matter here to be set down in writing The Gréeke entred into his tent to repose him embracing the Prince of Apulia who knew not what to do for ioy By this time the faire Titan had ended his iourney and the Ladie Lucina was to begin hers when the friendes of the dead Prince caried him from the place giuing according as to him did appertaine honourable buriall The Prince of Apulia went to the faire Troyla who with some sheweâ— although fayned of sorrow for the dead man said From this time forward I will take the word from my Knight if he please because he shall leaue so cruell a deuice as that which he beareth for my sake It was agréed betwéene them that on that side of the Ladies garden which Florisiano knew they should come where she would warrant his life and receiue him for her husband The young man went downe so troubled to sée himselfe in her presence and not to lead her by the hand which loued him as her selfe as it were impossible but that his alteration would be noted To auoid tediousnes I do not set downe how he felt himselfe when he knew what the Ladie determined Happie loue said the Prince séeing such hands haue dealth therein bringing it to that ende which the louer deserueth and happie Florisiano which shal enioy the same The contentment which I receyue with my mistresse fauour noble Princesse is no greater then that which to sée the effect of yours doth yéeld me and how carefully you haue procured it it is a fauour which I haue receiued which cannot yet bee requited for that bringeth the payment therewith séeing you haue accomplished it with your valour and my necessitie Those few
houres which they past seemed a thousand to goe to the place appointed where hauing taken order for all that was to be caried the Ladie leauing a letter for her father contayning a thousand amorous excuses reciting to him all the whole course of their loue past she stayed in company of the faire Solersia who would not part without speaking to the valiant Florisiano Without the inclosure remained the faire Troyla and the rest of the Ladies with Palisander and the two Princes he of Apulia helping the Gréeke who in a moment gat vp to the top of the wall and giuing his hand to Florisiano they leapt into the garden where the louers could not speake the one to the other a common thing in the law of loue But the pleasant Solersia imbracing the Prince of Apulia said I would not valiant Prince that that Ladie had told vs the discouerie of Iaroe for it had beene to put vs in new griefe to loue you not as the Carthagonian but as the Lord of Apulia I was assured worthie Princesse answered the Prince that shée who then did me fauour would now worthily accomplish it with that generositie wherewith you are endued Your sight and new acquaintance quoth shée is for so small a time that I cannot suffer this Ladie to enioy the same to whome your absence hath béene so grieuous that shée could hardly bee comforted But seeing that the heauens will that you come together there is nothing to bee done but to giue thankes therefore and wee are all glad thereof Those true louers imbraced each other with so much ioy as cannot bee imagined it sufficeth to beléeue that it was the greatest in the world being purchased with so much troubles which doe season the good when it commeth to bee enioyed About an houre they stoode talking giuing many thankes to the Greeke for that which hee had done for them admiring his beautie and few yeeres Much it grieued the Ladies to depart but séeing that it was requisite giuing in charge to Solersia to procure her Fathers good will and excuse the Prince of Apulia with his beloued Lisander giuing strickt imbracemeÌ„ts they tooke their leaue the Ladie returned to her lodging without being perceiued The Princes in their armes receiued the Kings daughter which went away very feareful of her Fathers displeasure it was good hap that shée lost not her sences for sorrow but Lisander and his beloued Solersia tooke so good order that they did not onely satisfie him but also procured him to pardon them séeing shee was so well maried as with the Prince of Apulia who with his beloued Polinarda with the rest of the Princes tooke the way towardes Apulia with determination to leuie the greatest forces that hee should be able and goe to the succour of Grecia for the much that he was bounden vnto the Prince thereof And so in a short space he armed twentie thousand Knights entreating the Prince Claridiano to goe into Gréece with him who yéelded thereto but vpon condition that he should neuer speake to any man of him for no lesse then his life depended thereon And so they tooke their course towards the great port of Grecia where they arriued in happie time not without many great suddaine passions of the Gréeke louer to know himselfe so néere to her whome he carried in his soule they tooke land the Emperour receiuing them with such grauitie as appertained But the Gréeke louer would neuer discouer his name neither would hee see her which was Ladie of his life and therefore tooke his leaue of the Ladies promising the Emperour that he would not depart out of Grecia before the warres were ended which was then euen at their doores the enemies comming being most certaine with his Squire Palisander alone accompanied with a thousand passions of loue hee tooke his way into a wood which was called The wood of Willowes purposing to change his armes and so vnknowne to giue aide to his Grand-father Hee greatly reioyced to sée the great good preparation in a readinesse being of opinion that with so great armies and so well armed the land might be defended against all the rest of the world Foure daies he wandred in that wood without any aduenture worthie of memorie vntill the fifth in the euening he heard a great noyse as though it had béene of Knights fighting he mended his pace making towards the place where he heard the noyse but he had ridden but a little way when an old man leaning vpon a great Rush tooke his horse by the Reines saying Hold thée Prince of Greece for it behoueth thée not in any case to goe any further forwards for to goe to say the truth it is to goe to the house of death What art thou honourable auncient old man answered the Prince beeing much abashed therewith which knowing me hast bound me vnto thee for the aduertising of me of the danger wherein I went He valorous Prince which many yéeres hath procured your good as hee which most dearely loueth youâ— and therefore alight for without my helpe you shall not come to the battell whereof you haue heard so much neither shall you serue in the warres in the field without being knowne to your parents and friends which will bee little for your ease and somewhat hard for you to endure The valorous young man with a skip was on foote verie desirous to know who this olde man was which knew so much of his life Hee had hardly set his féete to the ground when the olde man with his armes displayed in his owne likenesse of Gualtenor came to imbrace him saying Doe not thinke my beloued sonne that I take so little care for your contentment but that I procure it more effectually then if it were for my selfe and séeing I perceiue your desire to returne into Grecia â—and the disgrace wherein you are with your Mistresse and the néede that there is of your helpe I haue enforced my selfe to come to yéeld remedie to all aduertising you first to the end that you may with contentment endure this long warre that if you loue you are beloued in good earnest and with the soule but the high heauens haue so ordained that you shall not liue assured from this vntill that these warlike hands haue shed the bloud of that person whome you best loue in the world your sorrowes being then grown to the highest which you shall not be able to passe and then will come the ioy which you desire which your destinies haue prepared for you the most acceptable in the world and because you shall goe vnknowne I haue brought you here certaine armours which I began to forge long before you were borne and onely against this warre they are such as no other Master is worthie thereof but the Prince of the two Empires there are onely three which equall them in value for that that the temper of them all was giuen vnder one planet with these and this Iewell you may goe in
safetie for you shall bee knowne by no man except such as you will At an instant the Armes were present and were such as the old man had reported all set with Pearles and blacke Checker-worke and some spots of Russet The prince had neuer seene a fairer thing neither did the world containe any for it séemed to excéede all humane workmanship The young man put them on remaining the same that he was before and so wel disposed that Gualtenor could not forbeare to say O luckie Planet vnder which so gracious a Knight was begotten and happie Armours seeing that it may well bee said that within them is incompassed the flower of cheualrie He gaue him a rich Iewell which was of most fine Rubies of no lesse worth then faire in shew In putting it about his necke he séemed to bee of greater age and his colour was not so white his haire curled and turned vp in his forehead Lirgandeo saith that hee resembled the god Mars when by force of armes vpon the earth hee wonne Venus Hee gaue him a shield of the colour of his Armour and in middest of the field he set Crueltie as hee bore it before although with a different writing for on the side appeared manie Ladies which tooke compassion of him and vnder this Mot. If to be grieued for your loue Were a meane to ease your paine Who would deferre the same If he knew what t' were to loue In the whole campe for this deuice hée was called The Knight with the Ladyes and he was rightly called so for the most of them did affect him With these valorous prince and my sonne you are to defend your Countrey which according to the perillous combates wherein you shal be they are those which shall assure my weary old age and your good successe that which I request is that you procéed not in the warre in such sort that your doings be correspoÌ„dent with your deuice for there is nothing that doth so much dishonour a man as crueltie I can stay no longer for the much that I haue to doe elsewhere but you may goe in safetie for if you be in neede I will come to your ayd as he which most leueth you He embraced him with as much tendernesse as if he had béene his owne carnall sonne hee tooke his leaue of Palisander to whom he gaue a girdle which altered his complexion The valiant Gréeke saw himselfe so plaine in the stones of his shield that he needed no loâ—king glasse hee could not chuse but laugh and say to the olde man at his departure Assuredly deare father if you could as wel change my lady Mystresse conditions as the colour of my face wholly in your hands would be reserued my contentment The old man presently vanished away and the Gréeke returned to his begun carriere where let vs leaue him to take our way towards Greece CHAP. VIII Howe the aduenture of the hatefull Tower with the libertie of the fayre Linda brides was ended with the coâ—ming of the Ambassadours from Rome and of that which therewith happened to the Ladyes THe Armes of the famous Athenian beeing lost with his dagger onely in his hand most noble prince wee left him in the end of the third Booke to the noble Claramante in the top of the hatefull tower in viewe of all the Gréeke Court who stood there with great desire from thence to behold the most beautifull Lindabrides hee which most shewed himselfe was the great Emperour Alphebus who could not put out of his mind howe much he was indebted to that Lady how ingratefully hée had euer shewed himselfe treading vnder foote that which she desired worthy to be more estéemed of the world then she was by him All those which had knowen her desired no lesse her rare beautie leauing them affected vnto her and the faith and loyalty which she euer bare to her prince They were quickly in better and more certeine hopes for to sée the couragious Knight without Armes had shadowed it as with a cloud but not to sée him so with great fury hee strake the sayle with greater courage then before he had shewen when his person was furnished putting himselfe in point not onely to defend himself but also to offend recouer his lost Armes Contrary to his desire stood those of the towre saying There requireth more care to be taken in the comming in sir Knight then you haue yet shewen which is a matter which onely to haue it will put it in your hands There hath not bene so great want thereof sayd the furious yong man as of your part there doeth wickednesse abound wherewith you haue procéeded and to the ende that you may sée that I am not without Armes stay and you shall see how costly your cousinage will proue vnto you And here with like a royall Eagle with a iumpe hée set himselfe in the midst of the Hall where O Apollo that thou hadst the describing of this battaile to set it out in particular the acts of this yong Gréeke according as they did deserue which were worthy of no lesse then thy wisedome and not of his that is bare and vnfurnished of grace and method who yet hath not had knowledge and experience of the deceites in loue what it is to be beloued what to liue secure from the paine which the soule féeleth Wanting this worthy Dames what courage can my wearie penne haue séeing the teares blot the letters I write and drowne the conceites framed in my soule Yet notwithstanding trusting in your fauour I will begin to describe the doings of this Gréek to set at libertie the Lady whom hee best loued euer in his life In the midst of the Hall he stood expecting these 2. which more swift theÌ„ a Sacre flying after her praie came the one with a battaile-axe aloft the other with the well sharpened sword of Theseus The first was more spéedy in deliuering his blow which stood the prince in no little stead for making him to lose it with a ship he closed with him and as for his dagger there was neither Armor nor enchantment that could resist it and finding himselfe néere the Knight of the towre he strake him on the top of his left shoulder drew it out againe dyed in his blood By this time the other was come with more discretion theÌ„ the first for hauing noted the quicknes agilitie of the enemy he came well in breath with his sword in his hand the point forwards The yong man had good hap that he ran him not thorow for he tooke it vnder his arme He of the towre thought that he had sped him so drawing backe his sword which making way to the flesh came foorth without any dangerous hurt hee marked his fortune considered that it was no fearefull hurt he would not lose occasion in a matter where it was so necessary to sée himself destitute of Armes so with the strength that he recouered aboue
offended those yonder Ladies in denying what they required that they will lend mee none and yet I knowe no reason for it seeing that heretofore I haue bene so subiect to their obedience All the Ladies which before he had seene had seated themselues all aboue in the Galleryes to see the battell Yet the Tinacrian was of opinion that what was past would giue no occasion that in such a case they should refuse to fauour him and so he beganne with a very great good grace to put off his Armour remayning all in blew so gallant a personage as there was none like him In that maner he went towards the Ladyes and making vnto them a verie comely reuerence hee sayd vnto them I remember Soueraigne Ladies the small reason I haue considering what is past to come to intreat you but in that that I did not performe your commaund it is to be attributed to the naturall feare wherein I was not conceyuing that your presence was sufficient to accomplish with honour any action whatsoeuer though neuer so daungerous yet notwithstanding being challenged to the battell by this gentle Knight with mantles and I hauing none and to be giuen by Ladies reposing my case in your generositie and not in my want of courtesie which I acknowledge I beseech you that it may come from some hand which may giue me the palme of this and all other warres which I shall vndertake to doe you seruice I know not Knight with what countenance you can come to request any thing at Ladies hands whom you haue so much offended and in a matter which so much concerned you answered she which first had spoken vnto him particularly there is nothing wherein Gallants attaine vnto greater honour then by obeying Ladies So as that now if wee should at your bare request giue you our mantle it would seeme that wee did it of great necessitie Therein consisteth your noblesse most excellent Ladies answered the fearefull young man and I will assure you to returne it againe to you whole and sound although it cost mee my life which I will esteeme nothing so deare nor no aduenture so hard that I will not vndertake and there is no greater generositie then to pardon an enemie principally acknowledging his error and that he hath deserued punishment As they stood denying this Mantle there came into that same roome a most faire Ladie O loue how great is thy power for shee was not fully come and had set her selfe at the side of the Gallerie when to her was subiected the most frée young man who hauing forgotten what he requested and himselfe also for he stood gazing fixing his eyes so vpon her that hee was besides himselfe and knew not where hee was And in exchange for beholding her he gaue her the keyes of his heart and was yet sorrowful holding it yet too little in exchange onely to behold her Shée came all clad in cloth of Gold with sundrie colours with her haires curled after her Countrie fashion with a Dutch robe of the colour of the rest of her apparell the young man neuer saw any thing so well worth the séeing in his life All the rest of the Dames séeing him in this maner with a fained laughter asked of him How now Sir Knight what haue you felt that you haue so soone forgotten not onely the Mantle which you desired but euen your selfe also If it bee a wound of loue it is ill falling in loue in this place for here is nothing to bee hoped for but cruell death In her crueltie answered the now firme louer consisteth all my life séeing I haue séene the most swéete death that can be imagined he spake it with such passion that I know not who would not but haue yéelded considering his goodly personage The faire Ladie was no lesse busied in her imagination perswading her selfe that there was not so comely a Knight in the world giuing loue so frée passage into her brest which lasted till her death being no way able to leaue to loue In her did loue shew an example of power and valour and being vnable to doe any otherwise hauing vnderstoode the request of this young man and what the Ladies denied she said Because gentle Knight you shal not think that in this Castle is included all the crueltie of the world I will giue you this Mantle wherewith you may end the battell but vpon condition that you shall not depart from hence before you shall first haue come to aske pardon of the Ladies whom you haue so offended That should bee a great want of discretion Soueraigne Ladie for a man to fall into the reckoning what it is to offend you séeing how much it concerneth mee not to depart hence without it it shall not need to aduertise mee that therein I should purchase your disfauour Why then valorous Knight quoth shée there resteth nothing but to giue you the Mantle and therewith to wish you the victorie as one which deserueth the same In vttering these wordes with such a grace as would haue made loue himselfe in loue shée tooke off her rich robe cast it downe to the Tinacrian who being much enamoured with his necke in her yoake winding it about his arme he turned toward the knight who at his approach said vnto him You haue Sir Knight made so long stay that but for that that I did so much desire the battell I would haue returned to my lodging without giuing you any place to go any further forwards In that I haue made no longer tariance I doe maruaile said the valorous Gréeke for I know not how I could possibly depart from my life leauing it in the hands of those faire Ladies Is it possible said he of the Castle that comming in frée you are become alreadie so subiect Therein appeareth the force of loue answered the gentle Tinacrian for he giueth and bereaueth of libertie at his pleasure In this maner said he of the Castle you are desirous to giue end to this battel It rather grieueth me much answered the valiant youth that we stay so long I expect no longer the contrarie neither did the Tinacrian giue him aunswere but rather the one making to the other a due reuerence with angrie paces they came to ioyne O Thalia that a man might put this battell into thy hands to the end that thou mightest giue it that Soueraigne grace which it deserueth for with my dull wit and want of fauours it is not much though I erre therein All the faire Ladies beheld the warriours The Tinacrian did purpose rather to suffer himselfe to be hurt then that the Mantle should bee toucht it did encourage him and that verie much that his Ladie had giuen it him hee entred with his right foote bearing the point of his sword firme forward He of the Castle was nimble and so with his left arme he baâ—e by his thrust giuing him another verie strong one it did not a little auaile the young man
he so hard pulled the bough that he brake it off running downe great streames of bloud all his armour and weapons were changed into that Purple colour and hauing the bougâ— he went therewith to a gate within which led into a great hall so rich that it made him out of his wittes to behold the Paintings and Carued workes which were round about it The young man was much troubled to see the things which were in that most faire hall in one side thereof hee saw comming foorth an auncient Gentlewoman of good yeeres leaning vpon two Nimphes such as hee saw the Queene haue apparelled all in white cut vpon coloured Tinsell which comming neere vnto him said I know not presumptuous Knight who hath giuen you leaue to come into my lodging whither it is not permitted to any man to come without bringing the Golden bough or at least that of Siluer Why then honourable Ladie aunswered the young warriour I bringing the tokens of the tree which you speake of you haue no reason to shew your selfe displeased with me And with that he held vp his hand and shewed the Golden bough The Ladie verie much reioyced to see the Princesse at libertie shee came to the gentle Tinacrian and taking him by the hand shee said Come with mee valorous Prince of Tinacria and you shall enioy the spoyle due vnto your rare vertue Shee brought him to a lodging whose richnesse and beautifull building made him more to wonder then all the rest it was supported by foure Pillars and vpon euâ—rie Pillar was a picture painted holding arowe signifying what he was These shall not be freed from enchantment valorous Prince said the Ladie with the sorrowfull Emperour of Egypt which heere shall remaine punished for his follie and manie faire Dames vntill that the great Basiliske free his lodging for the present to you is onely granted the most faire daughter for reward for the paines which you haue endured in performing this enterprise a reward worthie of the sonne of Garrofilea and shee is a gainer to bee beloued bâ— so valorous a Prince Shee would not let him staie any longer but taking him by the arme shee ledde him to other rich lodgings till at last shee brought him verie neere where his Squire was before he went forth Shee put him in a rich square roome which opened towards the Dungeon where Luzela the Emperours daughter was lamenting her misfortune to see her selfe without libertie or any hope thereof The Ladie verie pleasantly went in thither saying Come hither Soueraigne Princesse of Egypt for now the high heauens haue practised a meane to free you of your paine and haue sent you the Prince of Tinacria to set you at libertie for whome it was reserued as for him which was most worthie The Ladie surprised with ioy could gaue no answere the good and such as that was so busied all her sences that she could not beleeue it although she saw it She came foorth with her where in seeing the great Tinacrian sheâ— fell wholly in loue with him in louing being beloued neyther of both had any aduantage The valorous louer set him on his knées before her imagining that it was shée which had giuen him the Mantle in pawne whereof he left with her his heart and soule he desired with great affection to kisse her hand and shée not to shew herselfe vnkind raising him said There is no reason valorous Knight that shée which hath receiued so much good at your hands should be entreated for ought séeing you haue more deserued The most discrete Ladie would not suffer them to spend any longer time but bringing them foorth into the walke where his Squire staied giuing to the Princesse those two Nimphes for her seruice shée imbraced them saying Although that the pleasure valorous Princes which I now enioy to sée you be great I hope in the high heauens to receiue greater although not so soone but the assured hope shall make mee liue contented expecting the Basilisk on whome your and my contentments doe depend Shée had alreadie prouided Palfreyes for the Ladies and againe imbracing them not without teares shée returned to the Castle at whose going in there was so great a noyse as made the louers much to wonder and within their sight they sawe the building to arise and to flie in the ayre vntill it past their sight whereof mention shall bee made in the end of this fourth booke where it shall better fit to tell you what those louers did CHAP. XVII How the Prince of Tinacria tooke his way towards Grecia in companie of the gallant Luzela and how hee set his sister Rosaluira at libertie from the power of the Giants which carried her to Sea IN sight faire Ladies of the inchaunted Castle wee left the two Louers who seeing themselues alone who is any way able to expresse what the one conceited of the other Now I would faine haue a fauour to be able to publish with my owne experience of what power a fauour is which is giuen with a pleasant countenance All this was experimented in them for if hee loued her shee liued by adoring him they were well matched and to liue secure from the changings in loue and with tendernesse of heart the valiant young man askt her saying Soueraigne Ladie séeing that the heauens haue reserued me to be yours and that I am neuer to depart your seruice neither from what you shall commaund I should bee verie glad to knew your mind and whither your will is that wee goe My lot valorous Prince is so contrarie although that I now haue my wish seeing I am in your power that I am to doe nothing after my owne will but onely follow yours The Gallant hartily thanked her saying I well see valorous Princesse that this your generosity is wholly to inrich me and seeing that it is your pleasure that I shall dispose of all for this present let our iournie be for the Greeke Empire for I haue a great desire to make my selfe knowne vnto the Emperour Trebatius my beloued father and also because that he may see what chaunce is fallen vnto mee in comming to doe you this little seruice for there your greatnesse may stay with the Greeke Ladies in greater honour then in that sorrowfull habitation Ualorous Prince sayd the tender Ladie I haue euer had a great desire to see the Gréeke Court and the Ladies therein for that I haue heard say that they are the full perfection of all brauery In this maner there is a thing come into my mind which if it shall please you to heare it I will tell it you vpon the way betweene this and the sea Nothing valorous Prince shall displease mee if you therein shall take delight In Poliphebus armes the Ladie tooke horse and so did the Nimphes giuen to doe her seruice Hee as nimble as a flie leapt into his saddle a new bayt to make the Ladie the better to loue him and leading her horse by the
gaue back with his body letting goe his club which was the cause that he escaped the blow which if he had not done he had falne on his face the handle onely remained with the valiant louer which he would imploy in his Ladies seruice which he saw did behold him it did the more encourage him to doe it for that that by reason of the noyse there came cut of a Cabbin in the Galley a most braue dame clad all in blew cut vpon rich cloth of Gold with her haire made vp more bright then the Sunne beames vpon her head a net-worke of Siluer the swéete prison of loue which to him had béene life if they would haue letten him alone although somewhat painefull in that place It was long since that the Prince had séene that Ladie but he presently knew that shée was his beloued sister the gallant Rosaluira a cold sweate to sée her in that place ran ouer all his bodie he would defer no longer time but threw the péece of the Club which hee had in his hands at one of the Giants if it had béene shot out of a Culuerin it could not haue fline with greater force he smote him right on the Helmet him who had alreadie lost his arme the gallant neuer in his life gaue blâ—w more worth the séeing for lighting on the end it sheathed it selfe in his head he therewith stept backe and drew out his rich sword and with a skip was with the Giant who was yet troubled with the last blow and with all the strength that he was able hee gaue him a thrust in the middest of the brest His strong douâ—le brest plate auailed him not but that his sword entred euen vnto his shoulders and in drawing out his sword cut came the Giants soule He which remained aliue was much vexed therewith and séeking reuenge with his sword in both his hands he made towards the youth he could not auoide the blow and to haue receiued it was like to haue béene the Princes last for striking him on the top of the Crest hee made aboundance of bloud gush out at the visor of his Helmet he was readie to fall The Moore came vpon him with another which made him fall vpon his hands and knées vpon the ground hee would haue troden him vnder his feete but the warlike Prince had not yet lost his good resolution séeing him come running slipt to one side letting him passe with greater force then a thunder-bolt The young louer followed him and as hee turned about with his sword in both hands hee smote him athwart the Helmet and strake away all that side and left him shrewdly hurt hee prouided for him another because hee should â—â—aie and with a backeward blow hee left him astonied for to smite him on the side of the head euerie blow was death to him hee closed with him séeing the aduantage which then he should haue The Giant with the pangs of death griped him with such force that his armour entred into his flesh But the fierce youth with his dagger ended the warres and throwing them all into the Sea hee went straight to his sister putting off his Helmet and said I know not Madam and my beloued sister how I shall estéeme this good hap which the Gods this day haue powred vpon mee séeing they haue brought me where I might doe you seruice for I beleeue you were forced to come hither with such euil companie By this the Ladie knew him and imbracing him with a thousand teares like Pearles for ioy shée said Who that hath gained valorous brother hath béene my selfe séeing that in giuing me libertie you haue giuen me means to reioyce at your Cheualrie They againe imbraced for there were no brothers that more déerely loued then these two he acquainted her with his aduenture and the course which he held The Ladie beyond all measure reioyced to sée the prince Poliphebus so well employed shée would then goe to speake to the Princesse of Egypt taking much pleasure to knowe her for her Ladie and sister The Prince carried her in his armes aboord entertaining her with such courtesie as was expedient and knowing her to bee his sister whome shee so deerely loued shee shewed her great affection which lasted so long as they liued The Princesse was verie sorie to thinke how much her mother grieued for her absence wherefore they tooke order that two of their people should goe in the Giants Galley directly for Tinacria where they should bee well paid for their labour which they did carrying certaine letters from the Prince to his mother They tooke their course for Grecia where in few dayes they arriued and those with the letters at Tinacria where they were well entertained knowing for whome they came The Quéene read the letters reioycing to know what was become of her beloued sonne the contents whereof were these Poliphebus his letter to Garrofilea his mother MY businesse hath beene such so much Soueraigne Queene and deare mother that they haue not giuen me leasure to bee my owne messenger notwithstanding that I much desired the same occasion was now offered me when verie merily I tooke my way towards the Greeke Empire in companie and as husband of the Princesse of Egypt and the high heauens willing to fauour me ordained that in the middest of the Sea I met with my Sister whom three cruel Giants carried prisoner The gods were so fauourable that I gaue her libertie and with her am going to doe my dutie to our father who is vexed with most cruell warres and if mine and my sisters intreatie may ought preuaile with you we beseech you that forgetting what is past you will not onely pardon but also assist him with men from your kingdome which wil be much esteemed through the world and to vs it shall be much honour to be the children of such a mother We hope that your wisdome wil consider that this is verie requisite and much importeth The gods preserue your royall person and graunt vs life to returne againe to doe our dutie vnto you Poliphebus of Tinacria and Rosaluira of Grecia your louing children The sonnes reasons did so much mollifie the hard hart of the cruell mother that shée presently altered her mind In the end as shée was a woman yet therefore shâ—e lost no part of her authoritie but presently commaunded Proclamation to bee made through all Tinacria that they all should within few dayes with the greatest force that they should bee able to leuiâ— make their repaire to her Citie Her subiects obeyed for shée was well beloued of all and when they knew what voyage they should make they leuied thirtie thousand men all verie well armed shée issued of her treasure what was néedful for although that the warres would be long yet there should bee nothing wanting shée was a thousand times in the mind to haue gone for Grecia but she found so many inconueniences that shée was enforced to stay Shée sent for
Souldan came mightie Giants Against this squadron the braue Emperour Trebatius addressed himselfe compassed about with the best men of all his armie they two met but the Greekes force was such that excepting his sonnes it was matchlesse hee ouerbare both man and horse to the ground Many alighted after him some to defend him others to kill him or take him prisoner Twelue Giants which were of his gard alighted from their Elephants to rescue him which did much hurt With all this as in a chase there alighted the noble Emperour and Rosacler with the Princes of Fraunce and Zoilo the braue Tartarian with Brandafidel and Bramidoro and the gentle Tifereo There was renued one of the most perrilous fights that had bene seene of all that day for the Emperour making no reckoning of the Giants rushed in amongst them and at his entrie with a stabbe hee thrust their Captaine quite thorow the body from side to side who for his heyght was like to a well growne Pine trée The fierce Giant fell not seeking before bee dyed to be reuenged for hee swinged his heauie club about his head and therewith gaue the Emperour Trebatius such a blow athwart his shield as made him goe staggering to one side readie to fall and hee had falne the blow was so terrible had not his valorous Nephew Clarindo bene by him who held him vp with his hand The yong maÌ„ made no stay there for séeing what had happened to his grandfather casting his shield at his backe he made at the Giant Others were come to the aide so as he was well reuenged for Bramidoro with his heauie club the Prince with his sword smote him both at once one of them made his eies leap out of his scull and the other with his sword cleft his head Rosacler turned to another which had smitten his Uncle whom he made to lose his féeling This day did the young man winne his credit and eternall praise for with a mighty blowe he cut him almost in two péeces Much did the father reioyce to sée the force of his sonne who mayntained a cruell fight against another Giant This was no time to straine courtesie for Brandafidel came who with his hideous club knockt him on the pate his Helmet could not protect him for he stretcht him all along at the Princes feete The Gréekes and Macedonians seeing their Emperor tooke herein so good order that they wanne part of the Giants campe There remained two to beare newes of the Greekes valour and had there not come so much people that the trampling of their horses was daungerous they had without doubt taken the Souldan but they mounted him againe vpon a swift courser whereon he rode encouraging his people The Califa of Siconâ—a kept him better company then he thought for who seeing so much people there gathered together brought â—wenty thousand men to the rescue At their first comming they did some harme because they were flesh men but it lasted but a while for the Greekes which by this time were already fleshed made a cruell slaughter of them supplying that heere which was lost in the rest of the battels for the Fenician Prince Don Argante although vnknowne came afresh with all the Medians and for that cause where he entred he made a deadly but cherie This was no day for the Greekes for euen the Sunne was against them for falling downe in the West he bereaued them of their sight so as the enemies might easilie charge and retire at libertie The Prince of Britany could not sally on that side where he was but that he chaunced to see the furious young man with the stars who desirous to end the war with him seeing that his people had the better in the fight he weÌ„t along the side of a hill which he could not do but BeÌ„bo would sée it who with the other 2. famous Knights went to séeke him leauing the charge of his gouernement with the warlike Celindo who séeing himselfe in such authoritie began also to encourage his people and with as good order as Bembo himselfe could haue done What happened to those which so went out of the Campe is fit to bee told in another Chapter CHAP. XIX How the Prince Poliphebus of Tinacria came to the Campe and what hee did for the libertie of the Flemmish knight with the comming of the Princes of Silepsia Leobulo and Claribel and what with them happened to the Princes of Grecia VAlorous dames if to bee engulfed in the actions of bloudy Mars bee an occasion to leaue to treate of louing matters at the least I cannot leaue to acknowledge the much which your Soueraigne worthinesse deserueth I speake it for that hauing one day detained mine eyes from beholding this intricate historie kéeping continually my Chamber I chaunced to looke forth and saw my death and life both together Death because that there is no remedie for the euill which I then receiued Life also which is to sée my selfe wholy wel employed without enuie of a more happie louer although he liue daintily for although they loue me not neither doth my state deserue it yet for mee to loue it is a swéete life that I conceyue therein Being confident in my new wound although it bee in my old soule I presume to begin to make relation of the most famous warre that euer was séene of so many against so many for Rosabel had scarcely parted from among his friends and enemies when descending downe the side of a hil which led towards the Strand he saw come that way a 〈◊〉 to his seeming of a goodly proportion in companie of foure Ladies This was the valiant Poliphebus who hauing landed and hearing the noyse of the battel in great haste drue néere vnto it but durst not disclose his meaning because he would not grieue the Ladies The two nimphes of the Castle vnderstanding the matter one of them said vnto him O you mâ—y well valorous Prince without caring for vs goe to succour your Father for it is not a little needfull for if it were not so neere night the whole house of Grecia would be neere ouerthrowne considering the aboundance of enemies that are against it for know that this Ladies Aunt who is held for the wisest woman in al the vniuersal world for shée was taught out of Medeas bookes and in the same signe commaunded vs that in this battel and the challenge which you are to make we should haue especial care of your person for considering with what Knight you are to fight you would lightly bee brought into danger if shée vse no meâ—ne to the contrarie but shee being of your side you may boldly and merrily attempt any enterprise bee it neuer so doubtfull and shall preuaile The Prince was verie glad of the newes which the Nimphes had told him so willing him to goe before for they would come to behold he imbraced them tooke his leaue of the Ladies not without griefe for the one he
loued as his sister and the other as his loue the greatest in all Cupids band He pluckt downe his Beauer with his Launce in his hand hee marched away like Mars and came downe into the valley hee did not bow the grasse where his horse went hee flew so swift with the enamored gallant It was a luckie cōming for the Frenchman who was taken prisoner and sore wounded whome three most strong Giants and foure Knights carried away towards their Campe to goe in the more securitie Both princes saw them but the Tinacrian like an Aspicque in furie was the first that came for knowing the Knight which was prisoner by his armes ful of Flowers 〈◊〉 Luce he held him for a man of worth and of the Gréeke partie He would aske no questions but rather charging his Launce assailed the Giants who held him for a mad-man one of thē opposed himselfe against him who with his life paid for the young mans displeasure for in méeting him before that the Launce brake hee passed it a third part thorow his backe and like a Lion returned against the rest of the rascals Foure times he hurled about his strong sword wherewith hee dispatched the foure Knights remaining alone in the field with the two fierce Giants where O valorous Ladie newly mistrisse of his soule who can depaint this combat in such sort as you may take pleasure therin He which carried the valiant Frenchman prisoner was constrained to set him downe vpon the hard ground and with his Club to turne against the sonne of Trebatius who making a hard rocke of his rich and sure shield attended the blow bearing his sword aloft and séeing that the blow came hee spurring his Rubicane came so néere the Giant that hee made him lose his blow Luzelaes louer came with a good will for with a thrust he hit him on the middest of the brest came with such force that it past halfe thorow at one side his armour was so thick that he scarce hurt him His other companion came with a great Cemiter in his hand hee slaied for his comming but before that he could make any resistance he smote him vpō the rich Helmet and made him sée al the least stars in the skies and the bloud in great aboundance to gush out at his mouth had it not béene Poliphebus which fought this battel without al doubt they had ouercome him for the two Giants were the best in all the Camp therfore Bembo had recōmended vnto thē the kéeping of the good Frenchman but they met with the sonne of Garrofilea who more fierce then a Basiliske againe rusht in betwéen them from him who had so handled him on a suddain he smote his shield to the ground with the gretest part of his arme The yong mās fury rested not here seeing that he came néere to the knight who also saw him not knowing whether he were his friend although that indéed hee was the greatest that hee had in the world he would not méete him in this hurly burly with the Giants for turning to the second he smote him vpon the Helmet and left his head all vnarmed and therein a great wound By that time came his lame enemie who séeing himselfe without one arme lifted vp his crooked Faulchion but it was to smal purpose for his wound tooke away the greatest part of his strength with a leape he cleared himselfe from him and iust as Rosabel came with his sword in both his hands hee smote him vpon the top of the shoulder there was no defence in the hard Stéele for hee strake away all that quarter throwing him downe dead at his horse féete Hee had so fatned himselfe therwith that he gaue opportunitie to the other being in despaire of his life to giue him a blow yea he smote him a full one and strake him downe vpon his horse necke past all féeling sencelesse and so hee continued a great while giuing place to the Pagan to second it with another and had not Rosabel come in time to hinder it hee had striken him againe The furious Breton returned and smote the Moore on the side of the shield the one halfe he flung away with great part of his Uant-brace leauing him sore hurt By this time was Garrofileaes sonne come againe to himselfe who seeing the Gréeke so néere him hee presently knew him and was wonderfully glad to sée him in that place but he would not that he should end the warre for giuing his Spurres to his strong horse for there were few such and for such did the wizard giue it vnto him and ioyning with the Pagan desirous to giue his Cousin to vnderstand that he was no lesse then himselfe with both his hands hee smote him vpon the vnarmed head and as he hit him on the skull so hee cleft him downe to the brest and then as though hee had done nothing wyping his victorious sword he went to his Cousin Rosabel saying I would gladly know Sir Knight of whether of these two Camps you are for if you bee of the Gréekes my mortall enemies I shall bee enforced to become ingratefull for that which for mee you haue done by challenging you the combat hauing farre better confidence in the equitie of my cause then in my owne valour In vnderstanding this worthie Knight in denying my selfe to be a Gréeke I might auoide the combat But because that you shall vnderstand that you come ill enformed let our fight begin presently and in what maner you will whereby you shall vnderstand that the equitie of our cause will giue vs the victorie Your personage valorous Rosabel is worthie of all the triumphes in the world and putting off his Helmet he went to imbrace him saying Why did you thinke Sir Knight that I would not haue come into your Countrie to sée you you hauing offended a Ladie in Silepsia such as is Eufronisa by whome I am commaunded to challenge you the single combat The yong man could giue him no answere for ioy Sometime Madam a suddaine ioy bereaueth me of my sences especially when it commeth vnlooked for but that qualme being past imbracing him againe he said I did assure my selfe valorous Prince and my Lord that considering how much néed Gréece hath of your aide you would remember it let vs bee gone to acquaint the noble Emperour your Father herewith That may not bee yet answered the valorous young man but it behoueth rather to conceale my name for the loue of certaine Ladies which come in my companie whome I haue promised to maintaine their beautie in the middest betwéene these two Campes against the Moores for against the Gréekes who shall dare although it were Mars him selfe Rosabel being of their side Séeing that you so please answered the nephew there is no man that will gainesay your will but first I would that wee might to day before the Sunne goe downe let them know what your arme can doe and it commeth well to passe
Claramante and the fayre Archisilora were also missing thinking that they were all together The night was wholly shut in when the braue Don Heleno and his beloued Lady with the Captaine generall and Brandafidel and Tirefeo went forth of the Citie and within a little while after the most part of the Princes went forth also and likewise out of the campe to seeke for their Gallants which were missing What happened vnto them shal be declared in another Chapter because O Mistresse of my heart I would not be noted to be tedious CHAP. XX. What happened to the Knight with the starers and to Rosabel in the combat and the end thereof I Cannot O Ladie of my life leaue to acknowledge what paine I indure for Loue hath made mee feruently enamoured and subiect to his swâ—eâ—e yoke yet I cannot haue time to treat of loue matters a thing so pleasing to my life but all of furious Mars to whom although I haue bene affected yet now a strickt account is called for of the time spent with him which might haue bene for loue What good thing hath there euer béene without it Who euer liued a merry life if hee spent it not in loue The imagination of field battels hath ouerwhelmed me otherwise no man should haue made more manifest shewes of his loue in writing then I but notwithstaÌ„ding my desire I am to follow those Princes which are gone forth of the campe He with the stars had no great experience in the warres and much lesse knew the countrey for both which his few yéeres might excuse him for yet hee was not fully sixteene yeeres old and yet he gaue all the flower of Greece matter to thinke on At last they came to a fit place for the battell although somewhat farre from the Citie and the campe Without speaking one word these two warriours turned their horses and parted to returne the one against the other Oh that my Mistresse would allow herselfe to be beloued which would giue me meanes to depaint this warre which was the most bloudy being betweene so many against so many that happened in all those warres it were a sweet pensill for mee to vnderstand that she tooke pleasure to be adored yet perswading my selfe that I am beloued I will goe forwards because they came together with greater fury then the sea when being most swolne it threatneth the heauens putting the ships in great danger Neither of them mist in the encounter breaking their launces as if they had bene réeds They past the one by the other with Mars his countenance Lirgandco saith that he with the starres lost one stirrop but it was not perceiued The Briton had a better horse then those which draw the Sun a reasoÌ„ why he was with him before the yong man could turne about he strake downe right Achilles neuer strake better blow for as it was Hectors sword it did cut away halfe of his shield for Lupertius his enchauÌ„tment was not of that antiquity as the swords he beat it to his helmet with greater force then can be imagined made him bow downe his head as low as the horses crooper and gaue him a terrible stab within little he had indangered him for it lighted néere the ioynting of his vant-brace He would néeds close with him which was to his owne hurt for the yong man like a fleshed Lion with a leap was on one side of him the Gréeke passing by with his courser as quick as thought He with the starres followed him in hope of reuenge fortune put that into his hands which he desired for Oliuiaes son returning he smote him at ease vpon the highest of his helmet the sword rebounded as if he had smitteÌ„ a rock The yong man was nothing glad of that yet he gaue him another which smote the Breton downe vpon his horse neck casting out bloud at his mouth nostrils eares The furious Tinacrian his bloud did fréese to sée such a blow at length coÌ„ming againe to himselfe in state to seeke reuenge thinking that he returned against his companioÌ„ he came to the Assyrian saying Sir Knight there is no reason that our friends should be in such daÌ„ger we stand and looke on The same did the other desire but the sonne of Garrofilea is secoÌ„d to none in valour was euery way too hard for him they encouÌ„tred with as great noyse as if two rocks had met The AssyriaÌ„ lost both his stirrops reines Luzelaes louer past forwards estéeming him highly for the good encounter which he had receiued tooke more pleasure theÌ„ any man to sée warlike Knights desired to try himselfe withall although that when he saw he had the aduantage he presently came to a peace a thing which few men will do The AssyriaÌ„ was more enamoured then Loue himselfe was of opinion that bearing so high thoughts as he did it were a great basenes for him to be ouercome bearing Miloes Armes He returned against the Gréeks smote him vpon the helmet which made him hold his head more at one side theÌ„ he would and busied him so that he had meanes to giue him another no lesse then the first He receiued it on his shield which was driuen back to his brest rich helmet it séemed to the new louer that a rock had falne vpoÌ„ him the blow was so mighty There is no serpent in the sands of Libia so furious as was the Tinacrian but before he could be prouided the Assyrian was with him with a strong thrust and made him to bend backe vpon his saddle Here choler mouÌ„ted to the highest degree in the sonne of Trebatius for now hee would not haue giuen place to Mars but with him he would that the battell had bene there was no defence against his blowes but that he cut his Armour notwithstanding the fine temper at the first blow he smote the Assyrian downe vpoÌ„ his horse neck sencelesse casting bloud now he assured himselfe of the victorie for although that hee with the starres would haue holpen him hee could not for Rosabel with his Flyer was come and his other valiant vncle with his Rubicane and trusting in his swiftnesse he set vpon the young man be labouring him with the best Armes that the earth knew pulling him out of his saddle but hee came to himselfe before he fell to the ground Don Clarisel was nimble for drawing his dagger his fortune was so good that hee stabd him in the closing of his brest-plate and but that it crost in the entring hee had wounded him deadly but this serued him to no small purpose for it made the Tinacrian to let him goe and fall downe vpon his feete it was a prodigious thing to see the Rubicane in the battell for hee forbare no footeman and so the Assyrian was not fully at the ground when hee ran vpon him and gaue him a shrewd fall The Tinacrian neuer perceyued that in his horse before and was sorry for it in
certaine aduenture They all offred him their company but then to be alone did best fit him accepting according as was reason of their gentle offer he tooke his way with his Ruvican speaking first to Rosabel whom he entreated that he should not tell who he was vntill hee had performed his chalenge He went directly to the place where he had left the Ladies but went not long to seeke them for by the Nymphes direction they met presently they made that day holyday passing it in reciting what had happened betwéene the Gréekes and the Moores to the which they determined the next day to send their message Their Captaine was much affected to valiant Knights and seeing what the two youthes had done he went to imbrace them who knowing what he was desired to kisse his hands putting off their Helmets discouering more theÌ„ humane beautie which strake them which were present with admiration to sée them so young and so valiant The warlike Bembo imbraced them saying It were no reason that they which haue so good hands of their owne should kisse any mans in the world All the rest of the Princes receyued them with such courtesie as was due to their valour There were no greater friends theÌ„ he with the stars and they all the whole campe did celebrate their comming reioycing to sée them especially the King of Silepsia when he knew that they were his subiects knowing the Knight whom they held for their Father they all supt together in the Soldan of Niquea his tent and to shew them the more pleasure there was that night masking and dauncing the Ladyes méeting there then which the earth bore none fayrer nor more discréete The Princesse of the Romanes séeing there was no possibilitie to effect her good sometimes from her seats with no small affection she beheld the Lord of Achaia séeming to her that next after the Dacian shee might best employ her beautie vpon him Of this Supper grew many new loues for the mightie Argante who till then had béene frée from his snares held the Sophâ— his Daughter to be the Sunne of all beautie and with this conceit he gaue her his life and soule submitting himself to her in such earnest and good fayth that nothing was of power to vntie the knot which blind loue had made Epirabio yéelded himselfe to the will of the gallant Lisiana who séeing his valour did neuer estrange her selfe from him It serued to small purpose for the braue Soldane of Egypt to subiect himselfe to the fayre â—ufionisa who had her eyes soule life and heart fixt vpon her Rosabel and without hope of remedie séeing him otherwise busted Time being come to withdraw themselues for some of the Knights were hurt they all went to their tents carrying with theÌ„ the yong Knights to their vnknowne Grandfather which went coÌ„mending the brauerie of the Gréeks who took no other race but to fortifie their Citie iudging that that war would be of long continuance both the one and the other had néede of truce And so from the Moores there came to the Citie to request it the Kings of Fenicia and Armenia The Gréeks granted it for fiftéene dayes and that into the Citie there might come onely 20. Knights together And séeing that both armies were in quiet the discréete Earle of Modica went to doe his dutie to the Emperour Trebatius making himselfe knowne vnto him who knowing from whom he came graciously receiued him This increased his good liking for he gaue him a letter from 〈◊〉 which the Emperour read alone not without vnderstanding how much hee was bounden to that valorous Queene which had so déerely loued him he read the letter which sayd in this maner A Letter from Garrofilea to the Emperour Trebatius TO the great Emperour of the Greekes Garrofilea sendeth greeting Had I not well knowne mightie Monarch how worthie those errours are to be pardoned when loue is the causer thereof neither would I haue presumed to write neither had I any mind thereto although I haue had it to desire thy death my life depending onely on thee that thou liuest I acknowledge my fault and for amends I send thee these Knights to serue thy person assuring me that the two sonnes which thou leftest heere will doe the like And if the affection which I doe and haue borne thee may moue thee the warre being ended I pray thee to returne them backe to me againe that I may enioy the presence of the sonnes which I hope not of the father The God in whom thou beleeuest grant thee such health as the forgotten Garrofilea desireth If he had to his liking ended all these battailes hee could haue receiued no greater ioy then he did in receiuing that letter from that cruel Quéen which was now become gentle milde amorous Sée of what force loue is for it hath euen melted me being of the countrey of the Tigers The Princes of either side were glad of the truce for the Greeks desired to sée the Ladies in the Moores camp the Pagans were no lesse desirous to sée the Gréek Ladies the fame of whose beautie recahed to the highest heaueÌ„s With this desire we will leaue them to tell what the most mighty Poliphebus did the next day CHAP. XXII How the Prince of Tinacria sent a Letter of challenge to the Pagans camp with leaue from the Emperour of Grecia and of what followed thereof IMagining faire ladies that chaptere of loue would be more pleasing vnto you I haue conceiued so much ioy thereof that it hath eased me of my paine which I begin to feele as the cause of my life if I intreate of any swéete hope it is but to deceiue mine owne fraile vnderstaÌ„ding who as a nomes in loue is of opinion that there can be no remedie for his griefe And my paine maketh me liue euer doubtfull of any good for although I loue in good earnest my Lady doth not yet know it an excuse for that which I endure not to attribute it vnto other but rather to mine owne mishap The valorous Tinacrian goeth free and at libertie for if he loue well hee knoweth that hee is also well beloued There is nothing in the world so swéet as is mutuall loue betweene a Lady her gallant for it sufficeth to make him cheerefull well content for to sée himselfe beloued was the occasion why he sent challenges to the 2. camps by the Nymphs which he brought She which went to the Citie well knowing what she had to doe stayed vntill all those high Emperours and Kings had made an end of their dinner and til that the Ladies were al come forth into the Hall séeing occasion she entred clad in such attire as was fit for such a message At her comming in she did her duty to such as were there and addressing her spéeches to the mightie Emperor Trebatius she sayd Soueraigne Prince whom in reason the world should acknowledge confident in thy generositie I am sent
and Rosabel the Prince of the great Britanie agreeing thereto as suretie that thou shalt bee worthie the fauour which thou requirest hauing in him reposed our hope of the victorie wee giue thee leaue to the end that in the field thou shew the degrees of thy faith whither thy loue hath aduanced thee subduing by them thy presuming to a matter so difficill We would that in thy warres companie might bee admitted which we would hold thee for vpon thy sureties speeches wee would aduenture any hazard The gods haue thee in their keeping Great was the contentment which the Princes receiued with the gentle answere of the Gréeke Ladies giuing his nephew many thankes for that which hee had done for him he presently dispatched another message to the Moores Campe bearing a Cartel with his challenge All the Princes and Ladies were in the Emperour of the Romanes his pauilion The damsel went in and doing her dutie séeing so many of whome shée was to aske leaue shée asked it in general saying The high gods soueraigne Princes haue you in his kéeping I am sent hither by the knight with the Eagle to deliuer a message which I wil deliuer in few words The president which was the King of Armenia bade her to deliuer what shée had to say Quoth the damsell My Lord the knight with the Eagle considering the Truce granted to the end that idlenesse mortifie not the desire of Armes hath thought good to entertaine this time and to shew you that he desireth to serue all and to maintaine in the middest of the field the beautie of two Ladies which he hath brought in his companie at all hazards from to morrow forwards and commanded me to giue this letter to him who holdeth himselfe most enamoured The great and famous Captaine Bembo rose vp who in Loue causes desired euer to bee the first and as such shewing some discontentment he gaue the letter to the frée Thorisiano to read which he did thus Poliphebus his Letter to the Ladies of the Moores THe Knight of the Eagle to the death seruant to Cupid to the Princesses and Ladies which are in the famous Bembo his Campe greeting Because gallant Ladies you may see the effects of Loue in him which hath subiected his life seeing it employed in so sweete a seate assured that no man hath seene the like quiet as I haue done And relying on the beautie of the Ladies in whose companie I come more then in the valour of my person I doe challenge any one that shall come from your partie that she which is mistresse of my soule is fairer more discreet then al the Ladies in your Campe. It is a great boldnesse but I am to bee excused hauing iustice on my side wherewith and with my weapons and horse from to morrow forwards I will defend my demaund swearing the battell against all the enamoured gallants of your Campe at outraunce The gods keepe you There was not one whome Cupids aye me had touched but shewed himselfe more fierce then the Basiliske in the Libian sands séeing the proud challenge of this knight the night séemed to them long yeeres many that the next day they might make him know in how great an error hee came They allowed the challenge the Ladyes remaining highly displeased which they could not forbeare to shew in their bitter answere which they sent to the Knight by the Dāsel who laughing at the smal account which they made of the Prince of Tinacria gaue this answere The fayre Luzela took it with great contentment saying This which belongeth to your soueraigne beautie gallant Rosoluia I purpose to reade to sée how the Moore Ladyes receiued your brothers challenge For as those Princes are famous it should be expedient to send a fauourable aunswere This belongeth to you faire Princesse answered Rosoluia séeing that grounding himselfe vpon your good grace and discretion he hath aduentured to do this Wel let it be how it will but I beléeue wee shall sée him in danger Your fauour valorous Luzela shall draw me out of a greater said the beloued Tinacrian If that may serue the turne answered the Lady there shall be no want thereof and therewith she read the letter An answere to Poliphebus FOr not to returne without answere seeing the much wherunto thou knight with the Eagle hast opposed thy selfe thy pride did not deserue to enioy such a fauour as is this But because thou shalt know with whom thou shalt encounter in battaile hauing displeased vs we from henceforth nominate for our part our Captain generall which is the mightie Bembo King of Achaia and as for the rest he will make thee know in how great errours thou comest The Gods keepe thee and open thine eyes that thou maist see thy fault With great pleasure the Princes made end of reading this letter séeing how angrie these Ladyes were attending the morrow in the which what succeeded is fit to be told in another Chapter CHAP. XXIII How Poliphebus beganne to maintaine his challenge and of the perilous battaile which followed HOld valorous Ladyes for now it is requisite that you condole my paine to the end that I may depaint what happened after this defiance for the golden Apollo had not throughly shewen his glittering beames when in the middle betweene the two campes appeared one of the most sumptuous tents of the world for it was little lesse then the Greeke Palace it was all of coloured cloth of gold with greene knots and many siluer Eagles embrodered vpon it a man could desire no more It was work enough for either armie to behold the fayre tent imagining as it was truth that humane hands had wrought but little vpon it All the Ladyes of the campe would sée the battell vpon assurance of the truce So came they in a Chariot triumphant drawen by 20. Unicornes as white as the driuen snow couered all ouer with rich cloth of siluer The Ladies came as it behooued for their valour and beautie for there was no lesse to be seene then in the Citie from whence they might sée the Greeke Ladies and Princesses begin to come which as they were many so of force they must haue two famous Chariots there was neuer seene a fayrer shew There were made by the Emperours commaund certaine most sumptuous roomes for the Ladyes couered al ouer with most rich Canopies where the Ladyes went vp inuiting with their standing so those of the Campe. Some did it to sée about them those which they most loued which were Rosilia Arbolinda and the fayre Eufronis◠estéeming their courtesie as was reason they remaining in their Chariots Presently at one side of the campe entred sixteene Knights either of which would haue waged battaile against Mars That day did Bembo lay aside his sad deuice which hee euer vsed to beare For Lupertius had sent him most rich greene armour all wrought ouer with Sunnes there was no goodlier sight in all the field except the challenge In his shield
hee bore Lady Fortune as though she procured his good holding her hand out to him with these words My wheele sometime hath little power If that loue do please to lowre And the dame reiect valour He had about his necke a blew scarfe fringed with gold mounted vpon a roane horse The Greekes tooke great pleasure to see him comming in so good order for although hee were an enemie yet vertue wheresoeuer is beloued Hee brought with him those which in all mens iudgement were most valiant There came the Knight with the Starres with his ordinarie deuice so gallant that hee gaue them all matter to looke vpon They stayed but little with him for looking vpon the two youthes to whom Lupertius had sent new Armours they were all of the Lyons colour with much Gold-smithes worke and so many precious stones that they could not bee valued The Caparisons for their horses were of the same with great plumes of feathers in their heads in both their Shields one deuice which was this they were depainted betweene Loue and Libertie with these words If sorrow must needes come T' is best to attend it And seeke to amend it Euerie man affected the two valiant youths After them came with their old deuices the fiue brothers of the hidden wood sauing that Floralisa and Don Argante according to that which they felt had set in their shields for the Lady bore Ielousie proper which was painted like a louer hauing more eyes then Argos with these words No eyes can behold The plagues of this torment Nor heart but will rent The new enamored whose eyes had made his heart to feele the flame bore Constancie naturally depainted with this motte No griefe but may be endured If louing at leysure It passe not all measure All the place noted the deuice of these two although that none of the Greekes knew Floralisa for fearing that the Knight would not fight the Combate with her she couered all her armour with blew silke There came the famous Epirabio so gallant that hee gaue good hope of him the like did Lindauro and the most mightie Aristoldo with the Prince of Almany who came all in gray with many waues of gold wrought with the hammer on his armour The mightie Brandaso who would also shew himselfe affected to Ladyes came into the field armed with cleane wel tempered stéele The Pagan brought for his deuice a Lyon which he in his youth had torn in péeces with his hands with these words What force would worke his smart Which yeelds himselfe in euery part Sith the Lyon hath no hart There went with him the mightie Coriandro a valiant knight although hee had ill lucke with the Greeke Princesses At last came in with a gallant shew and furious aspect the two emulators Brauorante although with no determination to fight and the braue Brufaldoro who as hee so déerely loued his Ladie so could he not endure the wrong which hee thought was done her They all repaired to the place where the Moorish Ladies stoode so faire that they would make the Sunne to séeme foule in the middest of his course The Knight with the Eagle quoth the Emperour of Trapisonda had néede of hands to answere all those which haue presented theÌ„selues at the Lists truly he hath procéeded with much discretion to craue fauour at the Gréeke Ladies hands for such cruell battels as hee is like to haue which if he performe with his honour it shall bee to him the greatest of the world for the Knights with whome he is to fight are the most famous vnder the Sunne Al that which may bee giuen him for fauour said the gallant Helena hath béene giuen him by the hands of these Princesses for hauing such a suertie as is the Prince of the great Britanie what attempt but is assured They could not procéede in their discourse for in the place was heard a great noyse which was that the Tinacrian comming forth at one side of his Tent would shew himselfe to the Greeke Ladies There was neuer swéeter Musick heard in Gréece then at his comming foorth without knowing who made it and there were many Squibs and fireworkes throwne into the ayre which gaue great pleasure to the beholders But much more when they saw Poliphebus the sonne of Trebatius come betwéene two Ladies so gallant that hee carried euerie mans eyes with him his Armes were of the colour of his Tent set with many Eagles of Gold so artificially done and with so many stones of sundrie colours that the Sunne shining vpon them no man could behold them in the middest of his rich shield whose borders were of most bright shining stones in the middest betweene two towring Herons he bare an Eagle so excellently made as was wonderfull to behold and vnder it were written these words The Eagles wings he ought to haue Thereby to mount vnto the skies From scorching flames himselfe to saue Or other harme that may arise His deuice was wel liked of and for his presence there were very few but were wel affected vnto him The ladies whose beautie brauery made al the assistants to wonder came clad all in white cut vpon coloured Tinsell and tho cuts set with most fine Rubies their Gownes were after the Spanish fashion with foure sléeues one paire straight and imbrodered with Gold and the other paire long and large hanging downe seruing onely for ornament their hayre made vp verie faire and set with rich stones so faire that many in beholding them fell extremely in Loue and vpon the top of al rich Garlands They came alone for so would the Tinacrian haue it He bare his Launce himselfe with his Beauer downe and with the same armes which the Nimphes had giuen him so as no man could knowe him They weÌ„t directly to those standings where the Gréek Ladies were whither when he came making his horse to knéele downe putting vp his Beauer with great reuerence he said Soueraigne Princesses of Grecia the fauours haue béene so great and so many which I haue receiued from you that I am not of hope to bee able to requite theÌ„ but to acknowledge the dutie on my part and these Ladies all the dayes of our liues employing the same in your seruice and to lose it therein shall be to vs gratefull These Ladies beautie said the Empresse Claridiana is more worthie and your valour Sir Knight bindeth all to fauour you although that hee which bringeth so good assurance with himselfe néedeth no greater fauour then from his owne presence which is such as assureth the palme of the battels whose end we wish may â—e such as the Gréeke Ladies doe desire The yong man bowed downe his head to his saddle bowe leauing them all amazed as much at his gallant countenance and good behauiour as at the brauerie and beautie of the Ladies which séemed to them to be exquisite They took their leaue going directly to their Tent where they were solemnly receiued with such heauenly musicke
as none could bee better vpon earth In sight of the campe he was armed but by whom it was vnknowne There was a stately Theatre made for the Ladies to behold the battell Upon a great piller they hanged the Princes shield bringing an infinite many of Launces that those which would but onely iust should want no Launces for that purpose The Tinacrian paced ouer the field vpon his Rubican a betâ—er horse there was not in the world with such a grace as Mars could haue done no better There wanted not some in a readines to come into the lists for Lindauro who yet had not lost Venus loue would there shew it Ah he that had so excellent a wit as might be able to depaint with contentment to all those battels which were the best worth the séeing of any that euer were in the world for the Pagan which first presented himselfe in the lists was valiant and who without question was most enamoured although he neuer attained to any thing whereby he might perceyue that he was beloued He smote his furious horse with the spars but with the Tinacrian he got little for he made him with the encounter to take hold of the saddle pummell for feare of falling The young Gallant past forth with a braue countenance and turned his horse vpon the hand so lightly as could not bee thought The Prince came ashamed of his ill successe and desiring to amend what was past drawing his sword with both his handes hee smote the Tinacrian vpon the Helme it sounded like a bell and the enamoured youth well felt the blowe but seeing how many and how valiant Knights there yet remayned to come it behoued him to giue a good account of himselfe or not to bee called the sonne of the great Trebatius repaying him another were but small hope of victorie They encountred with Mars his might for it séemed that some great house was fallen when their lances brake they made such a noyse The Almaine lost his reynes and stirrops and was so besides himselfe that the Tinacrian perceyuing it trusting to his Rubican ranne vpon him with his horses brest and ouerbare them both to the ground wherein fortune was contrarie vnto him for as hee was taken so at vnawares he had no leisure to pull his foote out of the stirrop and so one leg was vnder his horse who with the force of the encounter died presently Trebatius his sonne alighted leauing the whole campe amazed at his valiancie and went to the Almaine holpe him to frée himselfe from his horse saying vnto him I will not sir Knight that you should lose that for want of a horse which your valor doth assure you and so you may end the battell on foote But he was in so ill taking with his fall yâ— he was enforced to giue ouer the battaile and to leaue his shield behind which much despited Bembo who loued him very much admiring at that which he with the Eagle had vsed towards him I beléeue quoth the fayre girle Rosabella that my Lord my brother Rosabel did better know this Knight then me that hee was so readie to bee his suretie séeing wee were scrupulous in giuing him this leaue it is reason that we should recompense him with something the better to encourage him against the Captaine of the Moores who they say is very valiant Her faire mother stood hard by laughed at the girles speaches who wel knew what Knight that was for her son Rosabel had told her vpoÌ„ which assurance she said Séeing you are so careful for the good of this Knight being challenged I am content that you shal send him a pledge from your hand that he may see how much his valour is estéemed Al the rest of the yong girles hâ—lpe to further what Oliuia had required In the end Rosabellaes faire sister was to take from her necke one of the most rich Iewels in the world It had beene her mothers which Rosabel had brought out of Astrutio his Countrey there was not a better piece in that field Shee gaue it to a Damsell of hers who with many Knights which held her companie came downe to the place where the Tinacrian with a nâ—w Launce in his hand was on horseback The Prince séeing her comming leapt from his horse receiuing her with much courtesie which he shewed to women more then any other Prince of the world The Damsel sayd vnto him Ualorous Knight with the Eagle my Lady the Princesse Rosabella daughter to the Prince Rosacler commendeth her to you séeing the valor which you haue shewne which shee imagineth to come from the Gréeke Ladies haÌ„ds which with such generosity gaue you leaue she sendeth froÌ„ them her selfe this Iewell to the end you should know of what credit your suite is how highly your valor is estéemed The Tinacrian smiling receiued it said Tel these soueraine Princesses faire Damsell that with such fauors such as the Gods are vnworthy of it shall bee easie to accomplish this enterprise againe a new to bind me to be theirs which this rich gift cannot do séeing I am so already shal be til I die And acknowledging how much I am bounden I find it to be so much that to lost my life it is too little to requiâ—e al of what I haue receiued He deliuered the message with so loud a voyce that the Ladies which stood about the â—ent heard him Luzela did assure her selfe of her Knight séeing the gift came from so neere a kinswoman He put it about his neck in sight of all the campe which was a wound to the Moores Ladies hearts to sée him so fauoured which was enemie to their beautie The Greeke Ladyes did celebrate the courteous answere of the Knight who séeing the place cleare tooke horse as light as a bird and taking his place expected the comming of some aduersarie desirous to make them know their errours There wanted not those who were so conceited of their Mistresses beautie that they opposed themselues against him although that there were some question about it for euerie one would be the first At length the lot fell to the mightie Brundusio who being armed with strong plankes of stéele made head against the Tinacrian whose battell and the rest deserueth a newe Chapter CHAP. XXIIII Of the cruell battell betweene Brundusio and Poliphebus with the comming of the couragious Lindoriano Prince of Niquea WIth Soueraigne praises most excellent Prince did all Grecia extoll the noble Tinacrian whose fame reached to the heauens for in lesse then thrée houres hee had ouercome thrée of the most famous Princes in the Moores Campe. And Brundusio Prince of Gibia desirous to reuenge their losses with a most gallant shew confronted Luzelaes louer there was neuer séene a more angrie onset for before the beholders could imagine it they were together making little splinters of their great Launces whose trunchions flew out of sight vp into the clouds The Pagan lost a
sawe that which hee neuer had seene for the swordes point entring at a cracke in his brest-plate as it found a little entrance it cut the rest till it set out the bloud it was a great chance and God preserued him to the end he should bee his fâ—iend and the greatest in the world to this Prince for falling in loue in Egypt hee was a meane to put the Ladie into his hand as shall bee declared in the fourth part of this Historie and so winding himselfe to one side the sword slipt out leauing him wounded although not much The braue Pagans bloud did fréeze in his belly to sée it vpon the Grecians sword and giuing a fierce crie he assailed him and but that his nimblenes did much helpe him I beléeue that hee had incurred great danger for notwithstanding all this he hit him a blow vpon the rich shield and made him runne stumbling forwards readie to fall The Pagan to his owne hurt closed with him for the Prince was as strong as hee who letting goe his shield set hand to his rich dagger But the Moore had such confidence in his armour that hee made no accompt thereof and the young man remembring the vertue of that weapon gaue him vpon the top of his shoulder two sore wounds one after another which made much bloud to run out The Moore was so highly angred that with a push hee put him far from him and séeing that it was meere madnesse to striue any longer hauing no assistance hee assailed the Knight Flamineo who was mounted vpon a good horse hee pluckt him out of his Saddle pulling him ouer those which were on horsebacke and with a leape hee gat the Saddle and rushing through the thickest aboue foure lost their liues in the Pagans going forth At the top of a hill all the whole armie staied expecting him hearing the noyse but they were not able to come to helpe him for from the turrets and Parrapets of the wals they threw so many stones Darts that without manifest danger they could not come néere him and the Pagan escaped not without it so as when he came to the Campe he was as wearie as furious he would speake to no man but rather méeting with Brufaldoro not remembring their agreement he set vpon him roaring like a baited bull The braue Mauritanian encountered for hee neuer feared him where they began one of the most fierce battels that euer was in the world for they were two of the best Knights therein but Bembo came to part them Herein did the Pagans blindnesse appeare who not respecting him turned against him saying that they should all fight against him for his deare Uncles death could not be reuenged with lesse then with the destruction of all the world The great Captaine would not lay hands on him although hee had much angred him All the whole Campe could not haue made him giue ouer the battell had not Floralisa come whom the Pagan euer since he met her in Mauritania had chosen for his God for hee was of opinion that there was nothing in the world worthy to be regarded but her beautie Well did the Lady know how dearely the Moore did loue her although it were single loue for she was otherwise prouided although she liued the most sorrowfull life of the world séeing her hope to marry with the Tinacrian frustrate yet to appease the battell she tooke off her Helmet and putting herselfe betweene them she sayd Giue roome Knights for this battell cannot now be ended and you wrong the Souldan of Niquea his whole campe if in time of necessitie any of your Armes should be missing The Pagan lifted his sword no more vp after he heard his mistris voyce Strange power of affection for what so many Princes could not doe was ended with her sight onely I would haue bene very glad valorous Lady said the Mauritanian if you would haue suffred mee to haue ended it but seeing it is your pleasure I leaue it in your hands Let it rest sayd the Ladie vntill the field battell be ended Let it be as you will appoint it sayd he now very gentle which before seemed to be a Lion for from henceforth in any part I will not breake it and so they returned to their campe and although against his will yet she made him to sup in the Ladies Tent where although fained she shewed him a thousand fauours they were meanes to withhold him from his fury for he had determined to pursue them al to be reuenged of the death of his Uncle There was great sorrowe for the losse of that day and meaning to make amends in the field battell they concluded that it should be eight daies after What happened in the meane season you shall knowe by the next Chapter CHAP. XXVIII How the Greekes with victorie returned to the Citie where they made preparation for the field and how the two youthes were made knowne to their mother WIth such contentment as winners vse to enioy most excellent Prince the Greekes remained in the Citie of Hircambela wondring at the furie of that Pagan holding it for a matter incredible if with their eyes they had not séene it and so much to the cost of such personages as they were There was none of the Princes but desired alone to fight with him especially Poliphebus of whome the old King of Macedonia returning to Constantinople reported wonders all were glad thereof especially his Father who loued him in the same degree as he did the Emperour Alphebus By the Ladies which boldly might doe it those knights were disarmed some helping one with their hands and with their eyes and soule another What passed in the Campe was discouered and how that from thence eight dayes they had appointed the field battell because that by that time Leobello would be cured of his hurts Lupertius cured him verie carefully that all might sée how much hee loued them One night the discréete Selia came by chance who had folded them in their swadling cloathes at the time of their birth being much affected to their valour without any knowledge of them by reason of Eufronisa who was in the same Tent shee went to see how hee did of his hurts Shee came as Lupertius was dressing of him and as women are verie bold and being by night for that shée would seeme to doe him some fauour therein shee tooke the candle to giue him light to dresse him but hee had scarcely lifted vâ— his shirt to see the wounds in his brest for those were the most cruell shee was so much troubled that shée was readie to let the candle fall out of her hand and seeing the picture of a Ladies face in the young mans brest and remembring that that marke was vpon one of the children borne by the Princesse Eufronisa and shee imagining that without doubt this was one of them with verie ioy shée was ouercome Shee desired to stay with him to the end to know more
side for certaine in the twinkling of an eye they came to the place where the Generall with his friends stayed for them glad of the exploite which they had done and the couragious young man taking the ensigne in his hand deliuered it to his Lady saying Although that it be a presumptioÌ„ and apparant errour valorous Ladie I bestow this Standard vpon your beautie and valour but seeing it is done and that I haue gotten it in your name my ouer-boldnesse is excusable Upon some other more worthie answered the Ladie I would you had bestowed it but comming from you none will refuse to receiue it as from the best Knight of the world and I will this day bee Standard-bearer to all this companie to charge into the Campe for it now groweth somwhat late And setting vpoÌ„ those which are come to the Campe it will be their whole ouerthrow to sée themselues assailed by so many for there is nothing that putteth men in such feare as to sée before their eyes their goods friends consumed with fire And presently they tooke their way downe the hill vntill they were out of sight of those of the Campe who were busied with beholding the great armie which was newly arriued The sixe valorous Princes came to the Ambuscado where Florisarte ioyfully receiued them and with all spéede put their people in order What followed and who it was which came shall be declared in another Chapter CHAP. XXX How the mightie Andronio Lord of the great Tartaria came to aide the Greekes and of the end of the field battel HOw highly gratitude most excellent Prince is to be estéemed it shall bee néedlesse with many examples to amplifie hauing one in sight as the comming of the famous Tartarian who as he euer had béene a friend to the Dacian Prince and to Thorismundo as in the first and second parts was declared who in his countrie hearing of the warres which the Romanes made determined to come to their aide with the greatest power that hee was able hee leuied two hundred thousand men and thirtie thousand Giants with which for they were both valiant and expert in the warres hee purposed to aide his friends he came thus late because hee thought that the warre had beene in Dacia whither hee went and there vnderstood of the fierce proceedings of the greatest part of the world Hee came in good time and was not a little glad thereof especially when hee saw that the Greekes had the worse imagining that his succours would be the better esteemed In comming to land hee deuided his troopes into two battels and with the one he sent the mightie Prince Daristeo with 15000. Giants who taking his fathers blessing was accompanied with those prowd Giants whereof 100. had charge of his person which was armed with the most coâ—â—ly armour in the camp for it was set with stones of great price and in some places with exquisite workmanship were set great Carbuncles which when the Sun did shine vpon them bereaued men of their sight There was no goodlier shew in all the campe for he was a very youth not yet 15 yéeres old but matched the Gréeke Princes in valour Of his standard which was of the colour of his Armour which was Lion-colour 50. which were the flowre of all the Giants had the gard which presumed to defend it against hath the campes As he tooke the way about the camp he might well sée the estate of the battel He hasted to come to the port of Mars his Castle where all the Ladies were for he perceiued that the Gréeke Caualiery gaue back and to get before them he hastned his march to the end that with his ayd they might be encouraged coÌ„ming at the instanâ— that the ramer of humane harts the sonne of Venus attended his comming for passing before their windowes that the Ladies might sée and bee séene by him delighted with his brauery and the more for that he came in their ayd he looked by chaunce saw his life enclosed in a sweet death for as Rosabella the daughter of Rosacler did shine like the Sun at noone-tide hee could not resist the beames which came from her beauty but that he must yéeld giuing her his soule in exchange for the pleasure which hee conceyued in beholding her neither did she so escape from his brauery but that she thought him to be one of the most gallant youths in the world which in deed was true With this new alteration marshalling his troupes he stayed very ioyfull to sée himselfe by his fathers direction so well imployed who whéeling along the bottome of the valley had placed himselfe right ouer against the flowre of the Parthians which were those which of all others had done most harme in Grecia In the triumphant Charriot they thrise sounded three great Clarions so lowd that the noyse was heard ouer all the fields As they left the mighty yong Daristeo stayed no longer but with the greatest courage of the world casting vp his golden trunchion taking a great Launce in his hand he turned about to behold his Ladie which to him séemed now more beautifull then before I know not how to expresse the noyse which hee made when he gaue the onset for it séemed that all the whole frame of heauen and earth would haue suncke At the first encounter they threw to the earth aboue 30000. for as those fierce Giants went in the vaunt gard there was no defence against their armes for they were the totall confusion of the Pagans The fierce yong man hauing well imployed his Launce drew out a rich sword wherewith hee began by the déedes which he performed to resemble Hector of Troy for hee gaue no blow but ouerthrew a Knight and somtime both horse and man Heerein did Bemboes wisdome appeare prouiding for either partie for against this young man came Brufaldoro with all his people who had not yet charged but his valour could not serue the turne for the Tartarians to winne their Princes fauour fought valiantly Both Captaines met with their swords aloft The blowes which they gaue were cruell for they saw the starres within their Helmets They came againe with others which made the bloud to gush forth at their visors Then they aduaunced themselues beginning one of the most perillous battels of the world The Affricane was more accustomed to labour but the young man being in his sprouting youth and being newly wounded with loue was so ready to strike and retire with his well made horse that he made the Moore sweat drops of bloud Neuer was man séene so furious for perceyuing that he was none of the Gréekes and to sée him so valiant it put him out of his wittes This fight lasted but a while for the armies comming to ioyne made them to part eche of them going where was most danger the better to shew their valour But the Mauritanian had a mishap for as he charged in among those Giants working wanders at the last
and Poliphebus and his wife with Lindoriano and his wife Triumphes are a preparing which will bee reported ouer all the world In the meane time vpon agréement the Moores discharged their Nauies remayning for euerie Monarch twelue Galleyes They set at libertie all prisoners and amongst the rest Epirabio whom as hee had deserued they gaue Lisiana which hee so much desired The great Assyrian Don Clarisel by the consent of all the Greeke Princes marryed with Floralisa In this pleasure remained all those Princes and fayre Ladies which of all the world were the flowre when as Selagio framed a newe reuenge for herein is crueltie depaynted in his colours hee obtayned so much by ouerturning Lupertius his bookes that hee came to finde this prophesie Into Mars his Castle no man shal be suffred to enter but him which mounting vpon the hill Olympus shall winne the passage and after that hee is entred shall bereaue Mars of his Armes Hee was verie glad imagining that no man could doe it and hee stealing away the greatest part of the Ladies which were busied with pleasing feastings being so hard to set them at libertie hee should remayne somewhat satisfied In a moment hee put it in execution for taking a Charriot with flaming fire which hee brought into the hall at Constantinople so as no man could stirre with such lightnings and thunder as though heauen and earth should haue come together which being past there were missing the fayrest Ladies of the world which were Policena Helena Aurelia and Rosabela with the faire Artemisa and of the Moores the daughter of the Sophie of the Assyrian of the Fâ—nician Troyla and Bembo his sister although but a girle and the Souldans of Egypt All the Court was in an vprore and there would goe to séeke them particularly Rosabel his sonnes and hee with the starres with the great Tartarian but in the meane time in came Nauato who pacified them saying that then to goe to séeke them was to no purpose for hee found that they should not so soone be set at libertie for there was a prophesie that vntill that the disguised Lion should hold the Ounce in his pawes at the poynt of death who loued him as her selfe hauing wounded her and set her in such maner not springing from thence the furious Basiliske which may breake open that which is lockt it shall be impossible for the world to sée the inclosed Nymphes So as excellent Princes it behoueth you to make merry although there be so many Ladies missing by reason of the peace which hath cost you so much and because I haue much to doe and all for your seruice I can stay no longer neither sée any body vntill all be accomplished and so he presently vanished leaâ—ing both the Gréeks and Moores somewhat satisfied in that they knew that they were in some part whither they might goe to séeke them And so all the gallant youths began to prepare for the feasts vntill that one day all the Ladies passing their time merrily with their Gallants in the middest of the great hall with all those mighty Princes discoursing of pleasant matters the famous Brauorante sâ—ung with his owne honour rose vp and began in this maner CHAP. XXXII How the redoubted Brauorante required the braue Brufaldoro to performe the challenge past and agreed vpon and of the cruell battell which was betweene them with that which followed A Touch in honour most excellent Prince is of such force that there is no pleasure taken in any thing vntill that it bee defaced or the breach repayred wee haue an example heereof in the most mighty Brauorante who being stung with the sight of his fathers Armes in another mans hands it made him starke mad and it was a sufficient paine sith hee felt not how great it would bee to him to see Floralisa married but his wits were so troubled with this griefe that it gaue no place to feele any other which he plainely discouered for nothing regarding what discontentment hee should giue therein in time of so much content he stood vp and said The gods are my witnesse Soueraigne Princes what pleasure I conceiued to see you reconciled for so many yeeres and that after that you haue shewed the heights of your displeasure it endeth in such ioy so fixed that it is needlesse to feare that fortune may alter it In generall wee are all victorious for if the Gréekes may glorie in that name the Pagans may also weare garlands of gréene â—ke but in particular I alone cannot ioy in this name although that for some respects I haue so much deferred that which ought not to be endured for a minute and how can it be that I should liue contented séeing my fathers Armes in the handes of Brufaldoro so much defended by the Gréeks that therein they haue bound mee to doe them seruice so long as I liue and hauing twise giuen ouer the battaile for the loue of my Lady Floralisa and a hundred would but shee deferred it vntill the end of these battailes and seeing that they are so well ended there is no reason why it should be any longer delayed for it is a great stayne to my honour and much for this King to haue challenged mee And heerewith the Barbarian gaue an end to his discourse remayning so furious that all men marueyled at the order which he obserued in his chalenge The braue Brufaldoro stood vp and with that fiercenesse wherewith the heauens had endued him hee sayd I would Brauorante long since haue accomplished thy desire but in time of such ioy as this to trouble them with new warres after so many past it is rather a signe of pride then of any thing else and because thou shalt knowe that if I tooke those Armes I meane to defend them to morrowe I will in the place fasten them to a Launce from whence if thou take them not it will bee for want of that valour whereof thou so much vauntest The Pagan leapt out crying It is to bee delayed no longer for there is time inough betwixt this and night to chastice thée The braue Affrican had set vpon him had not the most mightie Tinacrian stept betweene them at whose request it was deferred till the next day It was a marueylous thing to see for before that Titans Messengers were departed from their logdings the place was all full of people which attended the sight of the horrible battell As they were couragious so were they both desirous and it séemed to bee one of the most sightly battels of the world and with much reason for therein were fewe that could match them All the Gréekes discoursed of the successe thereof but durst leane no more to the one then the other not to disgrace eyther although that in secret some more affected Brauorante for that which they had séene him doe in those warres When Apollo began to shew his golden lockes bathed in the Spanish seas all the Court began to stirre some