intent and seeing him so pensive she immediately interpreted this Saturnine taciturnity to her own advantage thinking it proceeded from the ravishment of her beauty as her Embassadour had before perswaded her herewith she judged in him more elegancy of form and sweetnesse of complexion then in any other Knight whatsoever which made her so esprised with his attracting regard as to allay the extremity of this heat she desired nothing more then to speak with him that she might be resolved of whence and what he was Palmendos stirred not from his place nor thought he long of his stay there because he hoped to gather some fruit thereby but warily marks the amorous looks of Iffida and how her eye was the messenger of her inward desire all which he covertly imparted to Ozalio who moved not one foot from his dear friend They fearing lest their long stay would cause suspicion went their way which made Iffida likewise repair to her chamber and calling the minister of her love aside began in this manner Ah Page how truly didst thou discover the perfections of the strange Knight whose behaviour and discréet modesty joyned with his rare and martial prowesse makes me repute him for the chiefest man that ever came into this Countrey Madam answered the young Councellour if you would sée innumerable vertues conjoined in one body I beseech you hasten your speaking with him and let not the happy hour miscarry through your default which the fatal destinies have so graciously appointed his lovely spéeches shall acquaint you with his indowment which you may behold so correspondent in every point as you can wish 〈◊〉 nothing but is to be found in him How should I speak with him said Iffida without impeach to my honour which hitherto I have carefully regarded unlesse it be by thy means in some secret place free from the hurt of suspected persons wherewith the world is now mightily stored I shall tell you how Madam answered the page you know my Lord your father willed you the other day that you should return to him with all possible speed which will serve as a fit occasion to take your honest farewell of this company if then you will depart hence to morrow toward evening you may lodge by the way at my mothers house whither I will go before with the two Knights and cause her to say that they be both her Nephews who now are friendly come to visit her so may you confer together at your pleasure The invention is good answered Iffida yet must you be very circumspect herein that the drift of our intent be not discovered The complot thus concluded the Page went in the morning to Palmendos and making him not a little glad with this news caused both the friends to mount on horseback and set forward with him to his mothers house seated in a pleasant place between Tubant and the Castle of Albayzo When the Gentlewoman saw the two Knights she was much abashed but her son soon resolved her in every point and that she might boldly call them her Nephews her self being a stranger born far from that country The mother being throughly instructed by her son desired their intent might take good successe whereupon the Page returned to his Mistresse who had in this while so well ordered her departure as the new married nor any other could gather suspicion then forward she sets for her journey had hast so surely had love seized on her heart having no other company with her then her four waiting damosels and two squires of her fathers Nâ—w is she come unto the long desired place where being very graciously entertained both by Palmendos and Ozalio as also the Pages mother Iffida being not to learn her lesson desires to know what Knights they were that so friendly saluted her They are quoth the Pages mother my two Nephews who having not seen mo of long time are come to know if they may stand in any stead as also to offer their service to my Lord your father if in any thing it shall please him to imploy them Right heartily wellcome are they answered Iffida and of duty I must needs thank them for the good will they bear my Lord and father for which cause as also their near alliance to you I love them as they were my proper brethren Palmendos coming to her with great reverence gave her humble thanks for her honourable kindnesse and while they spent the time about other familiar conference supper was set on the table in a pleasant Arbour where Iffida could digest no meat her eies were so busied in beholding her champion afterward they walked up and down the garden and she seeing the pages mother was deep in talk with Ozalio as one loth to lose so good an opportunity she beginneth with Palmendos in this manner I cannot but marvel at my self Sir Knight that being nothing touched with the love of sundry Gentlemen which heretofore have divers times offered me their service my heart should by you whom I never saw before these two days past so vehemently be provoked to love so that I cannot hear or think on any thing but it is broken or rejected by the remembrance of you let me then intreat you not to repute me as carelesse of my chastity or forgetfull of the modesty beéesming a Virgin For the worthy behaviour I sée couched in your incomparable personage hath fatally depeived me of my formen liberty and yielded me wholly you captive not doubting but you will so estéem of your conquest as not to impeach the same by any dishonorable attempt considering my noble birth and parentage And to satisfie my earnest longing desire onely abouted to have further knowledge of your estate acquaint me with the secret considerations of your heart and what you will command me in guerdon of the pains you have taken for my sake wherein my honour defended I will yéeld that willingly to you which none else but you can have of me Madam answered Palmendos I cannot expresse my high good fortune finding such grace and courtesie at your hands being on my part no way as yet deserved but time may yéeld the due to every gentle mind and make me able to requite such extraordinary favour And think not sweet Goddesse of my heart that in pittying the unsupportable burthen of my oppressions you shall any way incur the detection of lightnesse but rather of honourable and well-governed care when you shall behold the place whereto I hope safely to bring you for Madam setting aside my simple outward appearance I am a King born and Governour of sundry famous Provinces and this attempt proceeded onely of religious zeal to make you Lady of me and mine as your wondefull fame at first took the soveraignty of my heart How can I worthy Lord quoth Iffida but stand amazed that you being a King and a man of so rare fortune in managing Arms should come hither for so simple a damosel as my self
Knights of his Court I hope he shall have small cause to mislike of me when he knows my forwardness in other matters on his Majesties behalf Then beholding a Knight ready to encounter him he brake off his musings and gave him such a welcome as he tumbled headlong down to the ground Like successe had divers other Knights of the Court which Arnedes seeking angerly to revenge accompanied the other in misfortune and after him Pernedin son to the Duke of Pera one of the best esteemed knights in Greece Rifarano next ran against Palmendos and three courses they past bravely with the break of the lance but at the fourth Rifarano was dismounted wherevpon Recinde came to revenge his cousin Arnedes foil whose fortune was as bad as any of the other and Lecefin had his disgrace likewise for company The Emperour moved to admire this Chivalry ignorant who this gallant should be affirmed that he never saw his equal in prowesse the like did Primaleon being very desirous to know his name To whom Abenunco answered that he imagined him to be Palmendos because he much resembled him in brave constitution of body At these speeches the Emperour was exceeding joyful requesting Abenunco to go understand the truth thereof But Palmendos had thrust himself in the thickest of th◠crowd which now went out of the Lists because the sports were ended for that day so that Abenunco could by no means come near him and therefore was fain to return unresolved So went Palmendos closely to his lodging again where being unarmed he found that he had received three wounds that day in the Iust the greatest whereof he took by Recinde the Prince of Spain but when he saw Ozalio in good disposition he was right joyfull commending him for his worthy behaviour And for that he was wounded he stayed there two days without returning to Constantinople lest if he went again his intent might be prevented Afterwards he rode to the Realm of Macedon in the very same Arms he wore at the Tourney continually having Francelina in his mind CHAP. XVI What conference Arnedes had with the Princess Philocrista after Supper whereupon he sent a Messenger to the King his Father And how after Recinde Rifarano and others had won the Prize of the second Tourney they intended to follow in search of the Prince Palmendos VEry much ashamed were the vanquished Knights of the hard entertainment they had received by Palmendos and most of all the Prince Arnedes because he was unhorsed before his Mistress Philocrista wherefore he vowed to be revenged or he would die the death And so divers other Knights that murmured against the Conqueror did the like But the Emperor perceiving this discontentment came to Arnedes Recinde and Rifarano and to put them from these melancholy conceits he shewed them very pleasant countenance saying they ought not to mislike with what had happened in that themselves shewed very sufficient Chivalry and desired them at the next Tourney to compass the knowledge of the strange Knight If he come again answered Arnedes it may be happily be to his disadvantage for he having already disgraced so many the sport will hardly end without his foyl By this time was Abenunco come back to the Emperour declaring how he could not speed in his intent wherewith his Majesty somewhat offended said Nor will any quiet sléep enter my head until I know the name of that worthy Knight and were it not I should be estéemed over-fond I would my self travel till I found him All the Knights marvelling at these spéeches concluded when the Triumphs were ended if so be the strange Knight returned not again to adventure themselves in the search of him and they who were most forward hereto were Arnedes Recinde Rifarano Lecefin and Pernedin son to the Duke of Pera these gallants without any further conference together constantly vowed to die or bring back the Knight again to the Emperour if they might méet with him in any place Supper being ended Primaleon and Ditreus took Arnedes and Recinde with them going to sit and devise with the Ladies when Arnedes got the mean to court Philocrista and Recinde his chosen Mistress Melicia what contentment they received by this good opportunity I refer to such as are desirous to break the Ice of their amorous passions to them that hold them in so severe servitude Divers familiar spéeches tossed up and down as of the Tourney and their unhappy disgrace Philocrista pittying that Arnedes should take it so discontentedly thus spake Me thinks sir you should not be offended at so small a matter for oftentimes the best Knights have no better success and we have so well beheld your valiancy that the Conquerors have cause to complain of your comming as the vanquished have of the Knight departed who as yet is unknown to any in this Court Arnedes hearing the gentle spéeches of Philocrista bashfull modesty with-held him a while from making any answer yet at length Love unlocked his lips in this manner Madame quoth he the rare ornaments wherewith nature hath accompanied your divine perfection causeth you to speak so favourably on my behalf although no desert in me can apprehend the least part of this kindness but were I possessed with any such ability the very glance of her eye who hath power to command me would increase my strength and make me invincible wherfore my desires cannot be satisfied untill I recover my liberty lost in this Tourney the conceit whereof is more intollerable to me then the labour to Sisiphus in rolling the restless stone The Heavens will further your attempt herein answered Philocrista and I heartily desire it may so come to pass because it were against reason that you comming so far to sée my Lord the Emperour should receive so unkind a reward for your labour This swéet reply redoubled the French Princes joy for which he humbly thanked Philocrista with so many courtesies and amorous shews that she well perceived the effect of his grief procéeded from the passions of a lovers spirit Recinde on the other side had so communed with Melicia that she perceiving how many offers he made to be her Knight favorably gave him entertainment and more then any thing else it pleased him to note her beauty wisedome and good grace which set his eys and all his sences to work And if they that are in such delight with their Ladies give some refrigeration to their hearts enflamed with the fire of love how could Lecefin but be in extream jealousie séeing his rival thus to parley with Philocrista gladly could he have wished him without ransome in the strongest prison of Persia But now is the hour of rest come when the Emperor withdrew himself to his chamber and all the Knights likewise to their lodgings where Arnedes still meditating on the words of his beloved immediatly wrote to the King his father that he should send Embassadors to the Emperor for conclusion of the marriage and till
perish Let idle and undecent thoughts be now abandoned and lift thy mind to the place of eternal comfort With these words he bound up his wounds so well as he could minding to lead him to his Hermitage But as one mischance happeneth not alone so fell it out at this instant for he was no sooner gotten on foot but Lecefin his mortal enemy arrived and knowing him to be his rival in love drawing his sword thus spake Now shall I teach thée my capital enemy what it is to love her whom thou art not worthy to serve and that shall I make thée presently confess or buy thy boldness with the price of thy bloud for a Lady of so care perfections standeth too high out of a Frenchmans reach Herewith he violently strook at Arnedes whom the good old Hermit seeing in such dangerous case did take him in his arms desiring Lecefin not to seek his death that had of late eâ—caped it so near But Lecefin being a Moor and therefore the more inexorable would give no ear to his words but cruelly gave the old man such a stroke on the head as that therewith he fell down dead to the ground Ah dogged and disloyal Traytor said Arnedes when he beheld this tragical act why hast thou slain this religious Father that never offended thee the Heavens I hope will not let thée pass unpunished but plague thée as such a damnable déed requireth So taking his sword as well as he might by reason of his former hurts he sought to defend himself and revenge the Hermits death but all was in vain for without a marvellous chance Arnedes death was now ordained In a happy hour arrived there Pernedin son to the Duke of Pera one of them that departed in the search of Palmendos who knowing both the combatants stâ—pped between them saying Why how now Gentlemen are courtly friends become enemies in field Arnedes who was no longer able to hold out falling down to the earth said Ah Pernedin revenge my wrong on this inhumane wretch who seeing me cruelly wounded before by the Knight that bare away the honour of the Tourney without any cause set violently upon me And this villanous Moor not content to wrong me alone hath slain this holy Hermit because he disswaded him from dealing with me that had been so hardly intreated before What tyranny is this in a Knight answered Pernedin by my Sword did not my love to Rifarano over-rule me the gentle prince that brought thée to the Court here I would make thee to breath thy last but I shall declare this treason before the Emperour and his Barons what manhood thou hast used to a wounded man whom thou durst not deal with had he been in health wherefore get thee gone I advise thee or I shall send thine accursed soul to hell At these words Lecefin was so ashamed of himself as mounting presently on Arnedes horse he rode away not speaking to either of them knowing he had notoriously blemished his honour wherefore he went to â— Monastery of Nuns near at hand to have his wounds bound up that he had received by Arnedes When the sisters knew that he was of the Emperours Court they entertained him very courteously and one of them being a cunning Chirurgian undertook in a short time to heal his wounds Now was Pernedin both offended and grieved to see the old Hermit slain and Arnedes in such danger wherefore calling the Novice that always attended on the old Father they led the wounded Prince into the Hermitage and afterward fetching the dead body buried it as they could conveniently applying soveraign salves whereof the good old man was never unprovided to Arnedes wounds But Pernedin seeing there was no more help and they likewise ignorant in those kind of unguents thought it more meet they should go straight to the City of Constantinople There may you quoth he sooner recover your health because men of skill and knowledge shall take special care of you and for my part I will willingly accompany you thither albeit I have not sped in the cause of my departure It will be to my shame answered Arnedes that the Emperor should see me in this dangerous plight notwithstanding I will at this present be councelled by you being never able to recompence this honourable kindness CHAP. XVIII How Pernedin brought Arnedes to Constantinople where the Emperor the Empress with their Daughters Philocrista and Melicia came to visit him what talk the two Dwarfs had together PResently after that Arnedes was brought by the means of Pernedin to Constantinople in a Litter because he could not endure to sit on horseback news of this mischance was brought to the Emperour who growing into extream anger against the Moor said Well may Lecefin resemble the Soldan his father a man full of treacherous and ignoble practises but he must not thus think to wrong a Prince of France So stepping frowningly from his Chair he went to the Princes chamber to see him charging his Physitians and Chirurgians to tend him as well as if they had his own person in cure Then Arnedes revealed the whole discourse of that which happened between Palmendos and him at the end whereof the Emperor thus answered I wonder that the Knight should be so desirous to do me service and yet doth sly in this sort from me doubtless he is gone to prove the adventure of Francelina if he rode that way you say he did and it may be his fortune to end it I hope except our Nephew Belcar exceed him in valour and that I can hardly beleeve he will When the Emperor departed he commanded that the Empress and her daughters should go visit the Prince which she accordingly did taking Philocrista and Melicia with her she being greatly offended at the injury done to Arnedes Philocrista very much bemoned his mishap yet wisely and discreetly as became a sober virgin for the love she bare him was derived from gentleness and vertue which she noted him to prefer in all his actions and nothing had she in more especial account then to conserve her chastity pure and unspotted Arnedes was joyfull to see her he loved so dearly how she sorrowed for his hard fortune and blamed Lecefin as a disloyal Traytor which gentle speeches did more comfort his heart then all the Physick or cunning in the world could do While the Empress and her daughters beguiled the time with him Amenada a woman Dwarf that attended on Philocrista and Risdeno her Nephew came to Bruquel Arnedes Dwarf who used sundry lamentations for the great mishap had befallen his Master Amenada comforted him in the best sort she could saying that in respect his wounds were not mortal there was no doubt but he would soon recover them and the rather because the Emperour had given such charge of him as his own person could not be better attended Ah quoth Bruquel would God it were no worse then breaking forth a renting sigh he proceeded in
tearing his armor cruelly in pieces that he was now driven to despair of his life yet in the end with much ado he prevailed against them albeit they brought him into excéeding great perplexity as he never felt the like in all his life before CHAP. XXI What gentle speeches and gracious devises Palmendos had with fair Francelina in the Garden where they supped together and how after he had told her what he was he gave her the King which he received of the Queen his mother at his departure from Tharsus FRancelina already had felt the flames of love in as vehement manner as the Prince Palmendos because the Fairies knowing the end of the inchantment was at hand told her that ere long she should be conquered and delivered from that Castle by one of the best Knights in the world she being at her birth appointed his wife in recompence of his adventurous travels And this discourse she sealed with so many rare commendations of the Knight as her heart was surprised with love in such sort that she longed every hour to sée the man appointed for her husband And as the Pilot long perplexed with outragious tempests mounts to the top to sée if any Haven for rescue is at hand so this Lady tossed too and fro in the rough billows of love oftentimes left her Dungeon and came upon the walls expecting the comming of this promised Knight By good hap she espied when Palmendos came to the bridge beside the trembling of the Castle at the departure of the Knights touched her heart with a sign of present comfort whereupon in this bravery she went with her damosels into the garden expecting the issue of the Knights fortune that presaged so much before hand In brief he being entred the garden as you have heard already she being directed by the Fairies what she should do when she perceived the dogs overcome arose with her Damosels and went towards the Knight shewing many gracious countenances for his welcome but Palmendos seeing her approach so near him fell on his knee offering to kiss her hand whereat Francelina bashfully blushing offered him the like saying It is my duty Sir Knight to use such humility albeit your courtesse hath prevented me for this wonderfull adventure finished by you declares your rare perfection in Chivalry being second to none that at this day beareth Arms. Yet ere you take me hence I would request one favour at your hands not any thing to make you doubt the losse of her who fréely giveth her self as your own but for that you have delivered me from the inchantment my request granted you may dispose of me as your loyal spouse and wife Madam answered Palmendos I now think my self no lesse beloved of heaven then favoured by fortune hearing you say that I am yours and you are mine which makes me think all my labors nothing in respect of you therefore demâ—nd what you please for I being your professed servant must with all reverence obey your command A thousand thanks good Knight qd she albeit such spéeches agrée not with your calling I being onely in your subjection and ready to attend as your hand-maiden but me thinks it were necessary you should take a little rest being good to regard the end and period of all things let me therfore humbly intreat you to come refresh your self for the better conservation of your health So went they both together to the Fountain where Palmendos was unarmed by the Princesse Francelina and her damosels and a costly Mantle was brought to wrap about him then sate he down by his Lady in another chair covered all over with Gold There was Lillies Roses Violets and all the sweet flowers that the earth afforded of incomparable beauty the maidens beguiled the time with sundry sounds of instruments and thereto sung many dainty Canzonets as if Apollo Orpheus Arion and all the other fathers of heavenly Musick had been present which so attracted the sences of the Prince as his memory began to wax drowsie and forgetfull imagining himself in a very beatitude where he seemed to see not onely the perfect beauty of a Goddess but a divine shadow which carried away both his heart and eys in contemplation Of the like opinion was the young Princess marvelling at the brave constitution of her Knight and esteeming her self beyond all other in happiness that Fortune had sorted her out such a husband and in sooth these Lovers were the fairest couple that ever were joyned in marriage together not unfitly compared to Leander and Hero the two goodliest stars that were in their times In this surpassing contentation they continued till a Damosel understanding that supper was prepared there set before them a table ready covered the wood whereof was very precious delivering a savour much like to Balm and thereon was set all sorts of costly viands hard by stood a Cupboard richly adorned with Basons and Cups of gold which were embellished with such precious stones as the value of them was reputed inestimable But these Lovers could eat very little because they had work enough to regard each other for there is nothing in the world more agreeable to one enamoured then to contemplate the object of his thoughts because love making a breach into the body and planting his siege against the very soul hinders the passage of nourishing meats and makes them feed on his lovely devises which are such as every one of you that have tasted thereof can best apprehend the pleasure and swéetnesse thereof Hence procéeds delightfull dreams and fancies of the mind when the eye taketh a full view and the lively drought of the object beloved through the penetrails and rayons of the stomack which graves on the heart the perfect portrait of the thing beloved And what morsel more delicious what wine more pleasant or liquor more ambrâ—sions can one find wherewith to satisfie the soul esprised with the brandâ—n of Venus then the exact contemplation and secret discourse which the spirit maketh to his onely choice when he beholdeth himself reciprocally beloved of her whom he loveth doubtless none at all happily some other might be spoken of which seem to yeeld more content but then they are transitory and of no continuance In this sort supped Palmendos and Francelina when the damosels withdrawing the Table went to take their own refection leaving these twain to devise together Then approached the Knight to the Mistress of his heart and said Madame how happy may I name the hour of my nativity séeing the celestial bodies appointed me such a planet as made me gain the honour of your love Now find I that for truth which you told me in the Temple of Delphos that in short time I should see you at mine own pleasure Command then I beséech you what you would have me do and shew me the way to gather some fruit by the perpetual service I have vowed to your divine beauty that I may give some
in and out the Court were greatly amazed hereat and moved to pity her case very much so that Palmendos came himself to behold her and seeing she would use no speeches to him went in again and sate down to dinner Afterward comming forth to walk abroad for his delight he found her sitting there still in the same place wherefore he called his Cousin Ozalio to him who was son to his Vncle and Tutor saying Can we not understand what this poor old woman would have Ozalio as desirous as the Prince came to the old woman demanding of whence she was and if she stood in need of any thing But she without answering one word gave him a very frowning countenance and afterward scornfully turned her back towards him wherewith Ozalio somewhat offended did give her such a spurn with his foot as she tumbled quite beside her seat whereat Palmendos and his Lords merrily laughed But their pastime was quickly altered into admiration for after the woman arose again she séemed of such huge deformed stature as each one was amazed that had beheld her before and turning her self angerly towards the Prince she used these spéeches Ah Palmendos little regardest thou to resemble the Emperour of Constantinople thy father whose gentlenesse and swéetnesse stretcheth as well to the meanest persons as them that are Lords and of great account What gainest thou in rejoycing at the injury done me by thy Knight I pray that the great imperious Monarch Cupid quoth she with lifting up her eys and hands to heaven may so cruelly wound thy heart with the love of fair Francelina and cause thee to conceive such gracious thoughts of her as thou mayest leave this idle and delicious life thou leadest to win the honour that is gotten with pain and travel So did thy father heretofore for the fair Princess Polynarda whom he loved so religiously as with the dexterity and strength of his body he assayed to gain the reward which Fortune provideth for her chiefest favourites whereon imperially he is now mounted accompanied with the greatest felicity that can happen to any one under this Hemisphere Leave then these wanton and Courtly surfettings wherein thy mother laboureth to contain thée and now begin to manage Arms which may make thy name perpetual and yéeld the reward of immortal glory for it will redound to thy great shame being son to so rare and so invincible a Knight not this way to imitate his laborious déeds And when I shall sée thee throughly wrapped in the passions of love I wil think my self satisfied with revenge of the dishonour which thou hast suffered to be done to me in thy presence The old Woman so breaking off immediately vanished away to the great terrour of all the beholders especially of the young Prince Palmendos whose sences were for a while estranged and walking up and down musing on the old Womans words his heart was so enflamed with the love of her he knew not as he was enforced thus to cōmune with himself What may the Lady be with whom at the report of this woman I find my self so distraughted Doubtless if her words be no fables but that I am son to the Emperor of Constantinople it behooves me to enterprize such actions as I may be judged somewhat to resemble him While his spirit was thus busied with diversity of these thoughts and no one daring to interrupt him Ozalio went into the Quéens chamber and telling what had happened she was therewith greatly displeased Immediately she came down into the great Hall and finding her son thus perplexed took him by the hand causing him to sit down by her and then begun to him in this manner I know not my son what follies it should séem the old Hag hath troubled your mind withal but refrain from giving credit to them and I shall tell you the very truth of all Madam answered Palmendos I am certain you will not dally with me notwithstanding I cannot but marvel that you would all this while conceal the original of my birth for the Emperour Palmerin being such a worthy accomplished Knight as he is estéemed of every one little occasion have I of disdain to be his son and you much lesse to kéep it from me Wherefore I humbly intreat your Majesty to resolve me faithfully of this present doubt to the end if it be so I may shew my self forward in duty in causing the bud to flourish that came from such a noble and vertuous stalk And fear not that for his sake I will abandon you because it is impossible for me to leave the Law wherein I have hitherto lived for a strange opinion which I am ignorant in Ah my son quoth the Quéen the Gods so inspire and direct your designs that you may perfectly accomplish what you have promised for the onely fear to lose your company hath caused me to conceal the thing you are so desirous to know But séeing you have heard what I can no longer dissemble assure your self my son that the old woman hath told nothing but truth Hereupon she recounted the whole History how to have issue by such a péerlesse Prince imitating Thalestris Queen of the Amazons who for the like cause acquainted her self with the valiant king Alexander she by the counsel of a wise Magician amourously beguiled the Emperour Palmerin Lastly she intreated him not to forsake her while she lived because her life was onely prolonged by his presence Great matters have you told me answered the young Prince the Emperour then knows not that he hath any child by you No verily replied the Quéen nor would I he should know it for the whole world Nor can he I think understand it by any said the Prince yet in mine opinion I count it necessary that one day I should go see my father But trust me Madam it shall not be without speedy return because I am determined not to leave you or give over with my will the Countrey and Kingdome which the heavens have appointed me to rule and govern Thus reasoned the mother and her son on divers matters and henceforth the Prince shewed himself more chearfully disposed intending very shortly to be armed Knight and to be called the Knight of Cupid bearing for his Devise an Heart wounded with an Arrow For himself he provided an Armour as red as bloud and for Ozalio whom he loved as his brother a fair white Armour and were both Knighted by Ozalio his father who was one of the best Knights in all those parts Having thus received their order a very solemn feast was made in honour thereof during which time Palmendos gave away sundry sumptuous gifts Yet could he not be unmindfull of Francelina or forget one jot of the old Womans words because he had lodged them so near his heart as they were in manner a martyrdom to him For ease whereof he determined to see Greece as also to visite the Emperour his father and learn some tidings
Ring like that which I gave you when you parted from me which Rings if you compare together you will remember the words I spake wanted no relation Once more I conjure ye by the honour and reverence of the firm love you alwaies bear so religiously to the onely Mistresse of your heart that you will quickly return our son again that he may yet be some comfort to my following date of time while I enjoy my being in this nether Region The most humble of your friends the Queen of Tharsus CHAP. VI. How Palmendos by means of a Tempest on the sea was brought to the Isle of Delphos where after he understood the adventure of the Temple he went on shore And how after he conquered the son to the Giant Baledon who held the Island in forcible subjection PAlmendos with Ozalio their Squires embarqued the Mariners hoised sail and set away merrily the Prince commanding the Pilot to make towards Thrace because he hoped to hear some tidings of Francelina whom he had made chief mistresse of his affections But after they had sailed half a day a violent contrary wind arose which drove them three days and three nights as the Mariners could scant tell in what part they were At length this rough and boisterous tempest ceased when Palmendos desirous to know in what countrey they were was answered by the Master that they were in Europe in the Mediterranian sea very near to the Isle of Delphos where after so long and uncomfortable weather Palmendos would go on land to refresh himself In this Isle the Pagans were often wont in ancient time to come and visit the Temple of Apollo as also to consult with his Oracle and at this time was Lord thereof a Giant named Baledon the most fierce and cruell Tyrrant in all those three parts of the world This Gyant had a son no lesse valiant then himself and after he had by force gotten this Island he builded a strong Castle on a little Promontorie descending so artificially into the sea as having a huge Rock on either side it was well defended from the extremity of the water No other port for landing would he permit in all the Island then this only heÌ„med in with the two Rocks between which he had fastened a great chain of iron which commonly lay somewhat shallow in the water But when any vessel came to anchor in that port certain villains which he kept in Towers for the purpose would hoise them up with the chain in such sort that they could depart no more thence except the Giant pleased and thus would he roh and spoil all that landed there that all those parts lamented to hear of his villany If happily he met with any Knights who resisted his will then would he outrage them by force of Arms and afterward put them into an infectious stinking prison The Merchants and others that used traffck from them would he take all they had and afterward deliver them over unto a most cruell death so that all such as had notice of his tyranny fled that place as the dangerous gulf of Caribdis Yet notwithstanding there was in this Island a great adventure for in the time of the Gentiles there inhabited a wealthy Priest a Magitian and wonderfull investigator of hidden things he was high Priest of the Sanctuary in the Temple as also he had the general administration through the whole Province he having a comely beautifull daughter indued with all vertues requisite in a Virgin and her he gave to the service of the Oracle It so fell out that the Duke of Feria a very gentle and gracious youth became enamoured of her onely by report for oftentimes he had heard her comended to excéed in beauty the choicest dames of that Countrey wherefore he made sundry requests to injoy her as his Wife but all his labour was to no purpose because her father would not part with her And as it often happeneth that the Messenger who is twice or thrice sent to one place to obtain a matter earnestly desired will devise what means he can for the behoof of his Master more to escape the shame of refusall then for any great good will happily to the party even so fell it out with the minister of this sute for séeing he went and returned so often without avail he got one day to speak with the Maiden her self whom he laboured with so many perswasions and whetted on to â—â—â—n in a secret marriage as she became ravished with the love of the Duke and promised if his master could cunningly steal her from her father she should go with him whither he pleased The Duke not a little glad of this answer presently journied to the Island where being arrived he advertised the damosell that he would stay for her in a convenient place near her fathers Pallace whither she should not fail to come so soon as the silent night had brought every one asléep But the Priest who by means of his Magick foresaw all these practises and knowing the place where the Duke of Feria stayed for his daughter caused two fierce inchanted Lions to discend from the mountains which came with ravenous mouths on the unprovided Duke and he no way able to defend himself they rent and tore him cruelly in pieces Which pittiful spectacle when his Squire that came with him beheld he gave such a lamentable shriek as the damosel whose eys and ears were carefully waking easily heard it In like sort did divers others of the house who came forth with lighted torches to understand the cause but the maiden hearing too soon in what case they found the Duke came running from the Castle as a mad Woman to accomplish the Sacrifice Such was her grief to behold her vowed Husband thus cruelly massacred as she taking his Rapier set the pummel thereof to the ground and placing the point opposite to her heart with marvellous violence threw her self thereon as one disdaining to live being robbed of her love Neverthelesse she was herein deceived for the Sword passing through her right side she fell upon the dead corps and so lay a while alive breathing forth many grievous sighs and lamentations And finding in her bosome a shéet of paper with her own bloud she wrote twelve mournfull verses in form of an Epitaph then séeing her latest hour to hasten on with rufull mones she delivered these spéeches Séeing it is so my swéet choice and paragon of courtesie that for my sake thou hast endured this martyrdome it will remain as a gall in my conscience that I did not end thy funeralls according to thy desert And that my father may know what wrong he hath done us I will leave some occasion for his too late repentance yet I desire no other recompence but causing our bodies to be buried in one Coffin he will suffer for a perpetual remembrance of this stratagem this Epitaph to be engraven thereon Forbear mine eyes more to bemone thy
friend Whose peerless vertues time nor death can stain Despise the man that thus procur'd his end And hath withall his onely daughter slain Ah angry fate and Planet most unkind What more in humane act could ye devise Then step between the heart the eye and mind And pierce that vein which could them all suffice But fith in life our fortune was so bad To misse of that which we desired most Yet now in death the same is freely had Wherefore of love in death we make our boast This Epitaph ended she yéelded the humane tribute to nature for afterward her body made no motion of vitall moving and it cannot be estéemed as fabulous that love should cause the death of any one because in ancient Histories we may find innumerable of recent and modern examples thereof But return we to the Priest who understanding that his daughter ran forth with such a clamour followed her immediately fearing she would offer some violence on her self and finding her dead holding the Epitaph in her hand he was in great danger to make a third in this wofull tragedy Ah miserable and desolate wretch quoth he if thy knowledge had efficacy in working the Duke of Feria's death why was it not sufficient to prevent thy daughters mishap unhappy was the hour when first I practised this divellish sorcery Many other sorrowfull lamentations he made over the dead bodies whom we may aptly compare to the loyal lovers Piramus and Thisby but afterward he erected a costly Sepulchre of brass and having embalmed them according to the ancient ceremonies of funeral pomp he intombed them in the Temple both together and caused the Epitaph to be cunningly graven thereon Not long after considering himself deprived of his lawfull heir and how greatly he had perverted the course of nature very extream grief ended his daies but ere he died he inclosed the treasure of the Temple with such enchantments and with so strong and fearfull a guard that from the time of his death it was very dangerous to come near the place And till the time of Palmendos arrivall there there durst not any one make tryall thereof albeit before Baledon abused the Island Knights of divers Regions came to prove their fortune and the Giant himself came thither for the same occasion but séeing he could not approach the Temple perceiving the Island to be fair and delectable he got it by force of arms the people thereof being unable to resist his hostility Let us now remember where we left before the arrivall of Palmendos in this Island of Delphos to whom one of the Marriners told all these things as also the horrible villainy of the Giant wherefore he intreated him not to anchor in that Port because quoth he we shall all be either slain or taken prisoners Why said Palmendos is no man able to punish his pride and tyranny séeing Fortune hath conducted me hither and will permit me to have a sight of him I will not depart without some proof of my self for if I be son to the Emperor Palmerin I must not be frighted with the name of Giants who rather resemble huge Colosses without any souls then humane creatures much lesse strange adventures how hard and dangerous soever they séem If I would acquire praise and honour immortal long time must I follow military exercise as my father did in his younger days prevailing against divers such Monsters and bringing innumerable enterprizes to happy end Turn prow then toward shore and boldly let us enter the Port without any fear of this deformed Goliah With much adoe they set into the Port where they were no sooner entred but they saw themselves enclosed with the chain which sight dismayed both the Master and Mariners but Palmendos and Ozalio presently put on their Helmets and Gantlets standing ready for defence of all the rest The Giant being advertised that a rich ship was got within the chain commanded his son presently to take Arms and with sufficient assistants to go and take all the strangers prisoners whereto the young Tyrant was very ready and entring with thrée Knights into a boat he came directly to the ship where Palmendos standing foremost the Giants son thus spake to him How darest thou Knight be so bold as to enter our Port without licence I dare do more then that answered Palmendos in despight of such disloyal villains as you are who by treacherous means intrap the innocent and afterward exercise what cruelty you please upon them but now is the time come I hope that shall guerdon you with recompence answerable to such brutish behaviour The Giants son displeased with these words sought with his Knights to enter violently the ship But Palmendos and Ozalio being too high above them gave them so many sharp repulses that young Baledon received his deaths wound at the Princes hand and Ozalio sent one of the Knights to bear him company With this foyl the boat spéedily returned and they advertised Baledon of what had happened bringing his son slain up into his chamber wherewith he was so wonderfully enraged that he vowed to revenge his blood with the death of all the strangers In bitter anguish of heart he called for his Armour preparing himself to the dismal attempt in the mean time the two Knights that escaped back alive stood on the shore reviling the Prince willing him to prepare for his death was comming If your Master quoth Palmendos be so valiant as you report let him deal alone with me in single fight and if I chance to vanquish him let him accomplish what I shall set down and I will grant him life On the contrary if he conquer me let him do with me and mine as him pleaseth Tell him that Bravadoes and proud spéeches cannot daunt resolute minds and if he dare grant me safe conduct with good assurance not to offer me any wrong I will presently come on shore and try my fortune with him CHAP. VII How Palmendos came on land to combat with the Giant Baledon whom he vanquished and afterward delivered many Knights out of his prisons among whom were two young Princes being Moors who in travelling to the Emperours Court were by a tempest cast on this Island RIght soon went the Knights to the Giant with Palmendos challenge who being very well pleased therewith came down proudly to the Port with these spéeches Which is the wretched Knight that dares so peremptorily venture on shore to receive the death he hath justly deserved I am the man answered Palmendos and I will be so good as my word if thou wilt faithfully promise me safety from thy people By the hallowed faith said Baledon that I owe to our Gods thou shalt be as secure as thou canst require albeit I die under thy sword in combat The Prince loth to waste the time in words called for a skiff to carry him on shore which the Mariners unwillingly consented to being loth to lose a Knight so valiant
In brief he came on land and no one with him but his cousin Ozalio who would not at any time forsake his company Baledon pranceth up to the plain before his Castle commanding his attendants on pain of their lives not any way to trouble or molest his enemy Now are the champions covered with their swords and shields and with such fury do the weapons clash upon the Armour as though Vulcan and his Cyclops were at work with their hammers You must think that the Giant being a man of monstrous stature dealing with a young Prince but a gristle in a manner in comparison of him did often bring his life to very perilous exigents Notwithstanding so did the Heavens favour Palmendos and despise the manifold tyrannies of the Giant as after a long cruel and bloudy fight Baledon had received so many wounds as he was constrained to fall at the Princes mercy for which Palmendos humbly thanking heaven boldly set his foot upon the Giant saying Confesse thy self Baledon vanquished by me and let me enjoy the prisoners which thou unjustly detainest in thy Castle for the remainder of thy life hangeth on the point of my sword When the Giant beheld his great pomp so overthrown and he had no mean now left wherewith to defend himself he breathed forth these sorrowfull spéeches Ah angry Gods how strange and divers are your judgements in suffering both me and my son to be foyled by one Knight Now sée I well that mine infinite and wicked offences committed against men without desert hath thrown this wreakfull sentence on me Then calling his servants he comanded them to conduct the Prince into the Castle and deliver all his prisoners to him with any thing else he should command them So went the Prince with his cousin Ozalio and two of the Giants servants to the Castle the rest remained to bring their Masters dead body and when they were entred into the base Court they met the Giantesse heavily lamenting and cursing the Knight who was cause thereof But Palmendos made no account of her words commanding all the prisoners to be presently brought before him which indéed were very many both Knights Merchants and other travelling strangers who had long time béen kept there in captivity and now séeing they were so generally called they verily thought to die or endure some cruel torment but finding the contrary I leave their joy to the Readers judgement Then Palmendos called for the Knights Armour that each one knowing his own Armour might be armed therewith For this their happy deliverance they all fel down at the Princes féet desiring God to reward his honourable pains But among the prisoners there were two young knights of comely stature being both Moors who had not long time béen held in that servitude and witnessing by their countenances that they were descēded of royal parentage The one of them was Rifarano son to Trineus Emperour of Almain and Aurecinda the Soldans sister as you may read in the History of Palmerin d' Oliva the other was named Lecefin son to the Soldan of Persia being the youngest of thrée which he had by the Princess Zephira These two young Lords were nourished together by the Soldan because he beheld the towardly inclination of Rifarano whom he ever imagined would prove a worthy Knight and because he was son to his sister and the Emperour Trineus his great friend he loved him as Lecefin his own child Rifarano comming to the age of ten or twelve years waxed very forward in all commendable exercises and one day reasoning with his mother desired her to tell him the cause why she went so continually clad in mourning the truth whereof she discoursed to him and how his father was the Emperour Trineus of Almaign When Rifarano understood that he was son to one of the chiefest Princes in Christendome he made greater account of himself then he did before and disposed himself to matters of higher quality so that being of years to receive his Knighthood he requested the Soldan to honour him therewith which he with right good will performed causing Iousts and Tournaments to solemnize that time withall wherein Rifarano still bare away the prize Following arms and chivalry he stil continued and with good success won such fame through all Persia as the Soldan thought to join him in marriage with the King Maulerino's eldest daughter But he would never hearken to such matters for that he had secretly vowed to sée the Emperour his father whereto his Mother whose days long sicknesse had now shortned evermore provoked him that Trineus beholding the fruit of her love might think the better of his acquaintance with her After the obsequies and royall funeral as well beséemed a Princesse of so great regard and Rifarano loth to stay his mother being dead he desired the Soldan that he might travell to Constantinople to sée the Court of the Emperour Palmerin and thence he would go to his Father in Almaign Albeit very unwilling yet the Soldan condiscended whereat the young Prince Lecefin who loved Rifarano as himself began to conceive great sorrow wherefore he intreated his father that he might travell with him in company perswading him that it would be a cause of his cousins more spéedy return The Soldan liked hereof very well and although he was yet very young he gave him his Knighthood and so with divers presents from his father and Zephira as also Letters to both the Emperours accompanied with thirty hardy Knights they took shipping and by means of an excéeding rough tempest on the Sea they were driven perforce into this Isle of Delphos where being hemmed in with the Chain and flattered by the Gyant to come on shore without suspecting any treason they went to his Castle and finding outward friendly entertainment they were fetched forth of their beds and thrust into prison and twenty of the Knights that came with them cruelly murthered the rest were brought into the Dungeon to their Masters and afterward the Giant took the spoil of the ship at his pleasure But to come to our purpose Rifarano and Lecefin séeing themselves delivered from this dolorous life much worse then that of the slaves of the Gallies they spake to Palmendos in this manner Tell us in courtesie good Knight by what means you have obtained our liberty for we marvel we sée not the Giant who brought us hither by villany and treason Gentlemen quoth the Prince I am a Knight born far hence and being by the angry seas cast upon this Island I determined to come on shore where being no way able to escape the death present before mine eyes I was constrained to Combate with the Giant you talk of who to allure me the sooner to the battell promised me security from any save himself But heaven giving me strength to erect a mortal Trophie of his slaughtered body hath thereby given you all fréedome again Might we not said Rifarano know your name to whom we are so
Prince could not continue his magnanimous and wonted vigour but fell down deprived of his understanding as though pale death had taken possession of him During this trance a fair Virgin richly accoustred whom the old woman that told him of so many things at Tharsus had sent thither by her Post came and took him by the hand saying Arise Palmendos my noble Lord and come to her who séeing the fearfull state wherein you are onely by fantasies represented to your eyes do intreat you not to disable your heroical and noble courage at the sight of vain and fantastical visions for it beseemeth not so good and accomplished Knights as you are in such sort to passe through strange adventures Be of good chear then and repute this hour of your renown to surpasse all the bravest men in the world because since the essence of this enchantment no Knight could enter this Temple but you alone Wherefore by good reason ought the treasure to be yours which hath so long time béen concealed here take hence then the Golden Idol on the Altar with all the other rich and precious jewels and send them to the vertuous Emperour your Father And for your sake shall this temple hereafter be frequent and accessable for any which you shall consecrate to the name of Christ and of the treasure you shall yet find you shall erect a Monastery of Virgins in honour of that incontaminate maiden that brought the Saviour of al mankind into the world who hath given you strength to run through these actions that this place may be reverently and devoutly used which heretofore hath been blasphemed with Idolatry contrary to the bounty inexpuisable making to sinfull men vows offerings and sacrifices And albeit you are not as yet a Christian yet for my sake enter that unspotted faith for the time will come wherein you shall sundry times say happy was that hour wherein you found me Having taken good order for all that I have said contain your self no longer in these countries because in other climats is reserved a tryumphal Scepter for you inriched with honour and eternal praises In vain it were to ask if Palmendos was filled with great marvell hearing the damosels voice who came to comfort him in this austere calamity and could so well decipher his affairs for the extasie and radishment of his spirit which evidently appeared in his countenance delivered ample testimony thereof Nor were these words any thing else but fuel to encrease loves fire already burning neverthelesse séeing himself in a place so commodious where fréely he might hold that with this Damosel he called up his spirits and boldly made this answer Madam for the reverend honour you bear to your God conceal not who you are that know me so well intreating you to pardon my presumptuous request because your rare and perfect beauty which is the onely spur to my demand hath confounded me with greater admiration then all the strange sights I have yet beheld all which in respect of your excellence I hold as diabolical and frivolous for you séem celestial and sent by the Gods into these nether Regions where having discovered the future event of my destinies my heart hath thereby received incredible joy and contentment Be not abashed courteous Knight quoth she at any thing I have said for it is long since I knew what I have uttered and in regard of your worthy valour I love and estéem ye above all other in the world so that I have left the Countries of my original onely to sée and tell ye what I have done desiring you to excuse me in the rest as concealing of whence and what I am because at this time you cannot be satisfied therewith yet ere it be long we will méet again and then shall you understand more of me by one request I must make to you which as yet may not be manifested Wonderfull will that consolation be quoth the Prince to me that you will command any thing wherein I may expresse my forces and in that devotion I have vowed evermore faithfully to continue your friend offering in witnesse of this obeisance to serve henceforth as your Knight with promise not to prejudice the least of your commandements so long as my stars give me leave to breath Nor will I further presse you to tell me what you are séeing your will standeth not thereto but till that gracious hour of commandement come I will accomplish your appointment erecting here a Monastery of virgins for the service of your God and your words have made me thirst with unquenchable desire till I be resolved as concerning that faith While she returned him many thanks for his friendly offers the old woman arrived who made him enamoured with the love of Francelina in his Realm she taking the Damosel by the hand said Go with me fair daughter and leave this most discourteous Knight who suffered me to be misused before him in Tharsus whereof I hope to take sufficient revenge by the extream passions his heart shall endure hereafter No sooner had she ended these words but immediately they both vanished away wherewith the Prince greatly admiring was driven into such a profound conceit of her rare beauty as he thought even there to yéeld up his Ghost because he imagined never to have séen her like Herein his judgement was no whit beguiled for he did as many young Lovers do shew themselves favourable Iudges in their own causes Now enters he into conceit because the old woman had taken her away that this Damosel was Francelina she whom he had so lively imprinted in his heart as for her love he had left his native Country Thus compassed with grief on every side entred into these terms Alas old Woman I know not what thou maist be yet very true do I find thy words but small to my avail did Ozalio smite thée in my presence that I must requite with so long irksome and lingring pennance Ah cruell enemy why didst thou rob mine eys so soon of their unspeakable content thou sufferedst me to sée that my love might grow the more immeasurable but thy words were such daggers to my heart as never can I tast a sharper corosive And if this were the object of Francelina for fairer creature did the Sun never shine upon at no time shall my soul enjoy rest till once more I have séen her again Thus entercoursing a thousand opinions he stood a long time as driven to the Antipodes accusing himself with base pusillanimity and blaming the old woman who had so robbed him of his forces as he could not stay the Lady with him by whose presence and gracious spéeches he supposed himself in an eternal beatitude But now is the clowdy night chased toward the Occident when he determined to effect what the damosel had commanded him and going to the Altar he took the golden Basons and the other sumptuous things making them ready to be carried thence despoiling likewise the
from all Countreys Herewith he discoursed the successe of Arnedes against the County of Pelada and his cousin and how the two Frenchmen continued Masters of the field But can none in the Emperours Court quoth Palmendos where are such store of valiant Gentlemen out go those French cousins in déeds of Arms Truly sir answered the old Knight it is a matter much to be marvelled neverthelesse I think if Belcar son to the King of Hungaria and brother to the Bridegroom that shal be could come thither he would dispossesse the French men of the victory they have gotten of County and Lynedes considering what fame is daily bruited abroad of him for his rare prowess in guarding the adventure of Francelina And since the time of his famous attempt no Knight hath there arrived in hope to end the enchantment but Belcar evermore hath béen his conquerour yet Francelina continueth in the Castle of the Fairies stil and shall till some Knight more fortunate then Belcar can get her forth notwithstanding he hath vowed no one shall do it séeing himself hath failed in the trial except he first surpasse him in valor and prowesse Palmendos hearing the name of Francelina was assailed with such a sudden and vehement passion procéeding from the unquenchable flame wherein his heart lay burning for her love as his countenance altered and his very soul was touched with the word Francelina Wherefore most instantly he desired the Knight his Host to tell him of what race the Lady was discended and withall to procéed in discourse of the adventure which so many worthy Knights had lost their labours about likewise to tell him in what Country the Castle was where the Fairies had appointed this enchantment because he had sundry times heard spéeches thereof yet could not méet with any one to resolve him of the truth Know then good Sir answered the old Knight that this Lady is one of the fairest and most gracious Princesses that this earthly habitation enjoies between the two Tropiques of Heaven Daughter to the King of Thessaly now prisoner to the great Turk she being taken forth of her Cradle and inclosed in the Castle of Carderia by the thrée inchanting Sisters of the Island because they foresaw by their Magicall Art that her Father who was their noble Friend never could be delivered from the captivity of the Infidels but by the means of some perfect accomplished Knight Thus did they direct this enchantment that the readinesse of Francelinaes beauty might be blazed by them through all Regions and desire to gain the Kingdome of Thessaly for he that shall deliver the Lady must enjoy her as his Wife next heir after the death of the captive King might incourage Knights to come prove this adventure whither many have gone in hope of happy conquest as the aforenamed Prince Belcar did but he wants strength as sundry other have done yet will he make the accesse to the Fortresse more difficult untill he for whom the Princesse is destinied arrive there with such puissance and magnanimity as shall enforce him to forsake the place Many other things as concerning the history of Francelina already set down in the Book of Palmerinâ—d Oliva did the old Knight recount to the Prince Palmendos who having with great attention noted all was strucken mute and much amazed for so was his spirit carried away with new and divers thoughts that he could not tel what to do or say Now he remembers the old Womans words and saw there was some likelihood of truth in them thinking because she had spoken so much of Francelina that she was one of the Fairies which framed this inchantment the end and abolishing whereof he thought was reserved for him onely comparing all passed conjectures together which made his heart conceive incredible joy and thus often to parley with himself Alas Palmendos well mightest thou account thy self favoured of the stars and Fortune if thou couldest conquer a Lady of so rare and perfect beauty and thereby attain the Kingdome of Thessaly adjoyning to the confines of thy Lord and Fathers Empire Such was his inward joy conceived by these news in hearing her spoken of whom his heart most of all honoured as he said to the old Knight When you understand gentle Sir that Palmendos is come to the Emperours Court let me intreat you to travell thither and there shall I cause him to requite the courtesie which we being strangers have hâ—â—e received Then commanded he one of his Squires to bring a great bag of Gold and Iewels which he powred forth upon the Table giving the old Knight and his Daughter the most part thereof to the end he should see her honourably married and furnish her with all things beséeming such a beautifull Bride The Knight and his daughter séeing so much treasure fell down on their knées and would have kissed his hand but he very kindly took them up in his arms saying this was nothing in respect of that he would do for them hereafter For his mind being ever given to liberallity received such contentment by the spéeches of his Host as rare and precious things séemed of no account for her sweet sake who was the Goddeste and Mistresse of his heart All this night he passed in premeditating what he ought to do in the present occasions at length he resolved to go see the Tourney without making himself known to any one because soon after he would journey to the Isle of Carderia hereupon he sent a Squire in the morning to St. Lordin to leave order that the ship should meet him at Macedon Then courteously taking their leave Ozalio and he rode towards Constantinople whither the old Knight would have born them company but Palmendos perswaded him to the contrary and so set away in great hast arriving in the evening within two miles of Constantinople from whence he sent a Squire to the City to understand what was done at the Court and when the chiefest day of the Tourney should be The Squire well discharged his Masters command and returned with full satisfying him in every point wherefore Palmendos and Ozalio determined between themselves not to ride together in company but each one alone with his Squire and to return thence very secretly again nor would they stay there but the two chiefest days lest happily they might be discovered and so sâ—ack their journey to the Isle of Carderia CHAP. XV. How Palmendos came to Constantinople where he won the honour and prize of the first Tourney and how he intended to depart thence on the morrow lest he should be sought for on that occasion and what else happened WHen the long expected day of marriage was come the Emperour with all his knights were very richly clothed but especially Arnedes son to the King of France he was exceeding brave both in attire and countenance for the hope he had to see fair Philocrista to whom he had religiously dedicated his heart Now set they
this manner Ah my noble Lord Arnedes how dear doth her beauty cost thee for whom thou leftest thy Countrey where the onely reputation of thine estate being â—â—tracted from such an high and illustrious linage was sufficient to have obtained her without hazarding thy life in so many perils and dangers Amenada marvelling at these words was immediately wrapped with a curious desire to know which was the Knight he named and therefore she laboured Bruquel with intreaties for her Lady Philocrista knew his Master to be a Knight of France yet none but the Emperor could tell that he was the Kings son All things that I can possible quoth the Dwarf will I do for you this onely excepted which without his command I dare not attempt because my liberty stretcheth not so far yet will I promise you to ask him the question and if he be pleased I will satisfie your desire Melicia who was earnest in affection to know more as concerning her Lover Recinde seeing these Myrmedons thus conferring together and over-hearing some of their speeches after they were departed to their chambers she demanded of Amenada what talk she had with Arnedes Dwarf whereupon she repeated the whole discourse to the no little content of Philocrista because this way she might attain to more knowledge of the French Prince And as she heard her say that he left his Countrey for the love of a Lady she presumed immediately her self to be same for commonly it falls out that Lovers will favour themselves in semblable judgements conjectures wherfore she commanded Amenada to await Bâ—uquel for performance of his promise The dwarf when he saw conuenient time to talk with his Master he gave him to understand what had past between him and Amenada which pleased him so well as nothing could do more commended to him the pursuit of his practice On the morrow the Emperour and Primaleon dined together wherefore Amenada went to find out Bruquell at his lodging and he méeting her by the way first of all told her that he would perform the promise he made the day before but quoth he before I satisfie you herein I must request one thing of you Demand hardly what thou wilt quoth Amenada for thy sute being honest thou canst not be denied You must promise me then said Bruquel that to no living creature except Madam Philocrista you disclose what I shall reveal to you So is it Amenada that for the love of her onely Arnedes my honourable Lord and Master eldest son to the King of France hath forsaken his native Country in that the renown of her excellent beauty spread by fame through all those parts caused him to cut through the dangerous seas to credit with his eys what his ears were cloid withall And having at ful contemplated her swéet face he finds that nature willing industriously to imbellish the chief piece of work hath taken all ability from human report how curious or eloquent soever it be thorowly to accomplish the praise of her merit wherefore he hath sent a Currier to the King his father that his Majesty should send Embassadors hither to confer with the Emperour on a marriage betwéen my Master and your Lady and till they come to dispatch this occasion he will not be known hereof to any one except it be to her gracious self onely Humbly then desire her with some benigne clemency to intreat the heart which her divine figure hath secretly ravished and made her thrall so shall she give cure to his wounds make him the most fortunate Champion that ever entred field for his Lady otherwise he can not long injoy his vital motion and by his death shall occasion divers other beside especially his cousin Recinde son to the King of Castile who loveth him as his proper life and as he bare him company in this voyage so will he take part of the hardest fortune for the love and near alliance that is betwéen them So well could this tall Pigmy use his language to gain successe for his Masters intent as he made no more difference betwéen the two Princes in respect of their loyal unanimity together then was betwéen the two Pythagorick companions Orestes and Pylades or Nisus and Eurialus that would one die for another Greatly did Amenada marvel hearing that a Prince of so high and great birth would adventure thorow such dangerous travells onely for the accomplishment of a marriage and might have gained it with much lesse labour wherefore she thus answered In sooth if I had not promised to acquaint my Lady herewith I durst not for my life discover such weighty matters because I cannot tell her the whole discourse in that her Sister Melicia is never from her and then shall she know as much as my Mistresse That â—urteth not replied Bruquel never conceal it through fear of her presence for she is such a wise and well governed Princesse as she will rather modestly hide it then any way seek to spread it abroad and will beside nothing at all mislike thereof This he spake for that she had her part in the play namely by her love to the Prince Recinde and if perhaps Philocrista should be slow or opinitive in her love Melicia happily would councel her not to refuse so good an offer in brief that they might reciprocally advise one another as sick folks who had surfeited both of one disease and so oftentimes it comes to passe that two thoughts afflicted with one kind of martyrdom receive together more consolation then they could by any other that féel not the like torment Bruquel having done his indeavour for the conciliation of Philocrista with his Master returned immediately to him whom he found attending in silent devotion to understand the issue of this amorous stratagem and after that the dwarf had word by word recounted all his negotiation Arnedes was wrapt in such unspeakable joy as he imagined the hour happy when he met with such an ingenious Truch man Amenada on the other side when she espied time for the purpose interpreted so well and faithfully the intent of the Prince to her mistresse Philocrista as she therewith was carried into a thousand imaginations And albeit the Knight despaired not in his sute but rather imagined so sweet a countenance would be inclined to mercy yet she had so lost her liberty in this cause by seeing her beloved so dangerously wounded as now she feared to send him any severe or rigorous answer wherefore she thus spake to her Dwarf I am offended that thou didst promise Bruquel to acquaint me with this news but seeing what hath happened cannot be prevented thou shalt then go to Arnedes and tell him from me that I marvell he would thrust himself into many perils for which I account my self beholding to him and promise him in requitall of his hard sufferings to accept of him as my loyal husband if my gracious parents will so permit it with this condition that he
the crest rare and precious Calamite that ever was séen the blade of the finest tempered â—eel that could be in any sword in brief the like weapon was hardly to be found through the world By this time Oricano's father was come home who reâ—oycing to behold his son shewed very loving countenance to the Princes for his sake when amongst other talk Palmendos requested to know of the old man whence he came so late whereto the poor man humbly thus answered I come sir from a Town not far hence whither I went in the morning to sell fish because great number of Knights are assembled there against the marriage of the Lords daughter with the son to the Captain of Albayzo Castle and I stayed the longer to sée the Bridegroom and his sister who is reported to be the fairest woman in the world By many great Princes she hath been requested in marriage but she hath refused every one saying she will never â—e married but with him that can win her by martial prowess for which cause many brave and gallant Knights are come thither and on the third day of the feast have appointed a Tourney for her love the resort being so great to sée this Lady as if the great Turk with all his Bassaes and Ianizaries kept Court there Palmendos attentively noting this tale considered with himself that if he could by subtil trains entire this Lady to Love he might easily get into Albayzo Castle where he should the better compass the stratagem to set the King of Thessaly at liberty For this cause he determined to be present at the Tourney and in bed acquainted Ozalio with his whole intent who thought it the onely way to work their enterprize On the morrow Palmendos told the Fisher that he would make one in the Iust so giving him good store of money he prayed him to regard his ship and mariners till he returned and so he set forward with Ozalio and Orycano who served them faithfully during all this business Not far had they rid but they met with a Page that attended on Iffida for so was the beautifull virgin named the Captains daughter and occasion of this triumph Palmendos then asked him if the Tourney held the day following It doth sir answered the Page by general agreement and so please you to be there you shall see many valiant Knights enter the field where I hope the partakers of Ripole for so was the Bridegroom called shall bear away the honour of the day and sundry brave champions will adventure for the love of Iffida my Mistress whereby they may gain the better mean to offer her their service intending therefore to be on her brothers side who is the chief man in this enterprise The Prince calling to mind the perfections of Francelina breathed forth a sigh that came from his very soul and on the other side he was marvellous glad that he had so fortunately met with the Ladies Page and being desirous to gain some acquaintance with her he spake to the youth in this manner Gentleman I think the graces of your Mistress to be so amiable as in one instant they are sufficient to captivate all such as behold her and therefore I can assure you that with the better will and more sincere affection is he provided to her service that never saw her which I speak on mine own behalf who abandoning the place of my original have with insupportable travels crost many Countreys onely to come let her understand my extream devotion to be her perpetual and faithfull servant whereto the renown of her beauty induced me which I think is spread over the face of the whole earth And séeing my hap was so good to méet with you albeit you know me not nor have I yet deserved any thing at your hand yet let me intreat you to do one favour for me the issue whereof beside your atchievement of notable reputation in debonair courtesie which all of your young years ought to have in singular commendation I hope I shall let you sufficiently perceive that you deal not for an ingratefull person nor will ye mislike your travel in the cause What would you have me do answered the Page in respect you séem a man of vertue and quality if it be a thing possible for me and honourable I will with all my heart accomplish it A thousand thanks for your friendliness answered Palmendos and for nothing else is my suit but that you would say to your Lady Mistress how that a strange Gentleman which came into this Countrey onely to sée her graces and vertues most humbly commends himself to her favourable opinion earnestly desiring that she would accept him as her Knight in the Tourny where to morrow he intends to shew himself as one that will over-ballance her most favoured in weight of affection and will be accounted second to none in exploits of Arms having no better mean whereby to acquaint her with the insupportable burthen of his heart and that she may well perceive it I will not be on her brothers side but against them that take his part hoping to send them vanquished out of the field or make them glad to take their héels by the strength and hardiness her divine beauty shall give me so please her to grant me the aforesaid favour and which will cause me to account my self the most happy Knight on whom the planets have breathed their celestial influence The Page séeing Palmendos fair and so richly armed imagined him to be some great personage wherefore be modestly thus replied My Lord this dare I not do for any man living without I knew the party to have some familiarity with my Mistress nevertheless being a matter of so small consequence and that you deserve much more then this on my behalf I shall deliver her this message for your sake who have so importunately requested it Palmendos requited the page with many thanks and to make him the more forward in the matter he took a bracelet of gold from his arm and gave it him So beguiling the time with other spéeches at length they arrived at Prisâ—a for so was the Town called where the triumphs were appointed the field being covered all over with costly pavilions wherefore Palmendos made choise of a convenient place and there commanded his rich Tent to be presently erected Mean while the Page courteously took his leave and entring the town went straight to his Mistress lodging where having first dispatched the answer sent from her sister and séeing her so conveniently apart from her Damosels he rehearsed all that Palmendos had said unto him I wonder quoth she what the Knight should be that durst send me such a presumptuous message séeing he saith he is a stranger and for my love hath forsaken his Countrey Believe me Madam answered the Page nor do I know him but he séemeth to be discended of great parentage and is one of the goodliest personages that ever I
saw as for his courtesie and liberality behold Mistress what a costly bracelet he hath given me that never did any thing for him in all my life Me thinks this is very strange replied Iffida that this Knight should come from far Countreys to see me and very ingratefull might I be reputed if I should not thank him for so great pains therefore fail not but shew me him to morrow so soon as he doth enter the Lists that I may give good héed to his behaviour Herein quoth the Page will I accomplish your command because right well I know him by his rich Armour as also the lusty Courser herde on yesterday Thus made the Page a train for love which afterward reached to the heart of his Mistress where having kindled the fire her self she felt the sparks so to leap about her imaginations as all this night she could enjoy no rest for thinking on the Knight that came from far Countreys CHAP. XXIIII How Palmendos came to the Tourney appointed for Iffida where he won her by his Knightly Chivalry and by that occasion obtained her love And how they spake together by the means of their Ambassador so that Palmendos and Ozalio easily entred the Castle of Albayzo ON the morrow which was the appointed day of the triumph Iffida decked her self in most sumptuous ornaments and after dinner came with the Bride and divers other Ladies to the scaffolds and pavilions prepared for them in the field Then assembled the Knights on all sides and entred the Lists each one to shew his prowess but because the greater part were on the Bridegrooms side therefore the contrary went apace to wrack and the other were verily judged to bear the prize out of the field if Palmendos and Ozalio had not suddenly arrived For they knew better how to handle their weaponâ— then the Knights of this Countrey did and that they made them very well perceive chiefly Palmendos who did marvellous exploits as Iffida without any instruction of her Page knew well enough the man that sent her the message whereat both she and all the beholders were amazed to sée him play the Devil so among the Knights that no one dealt with him but was unhorsed When they saw there was no more work to do they withdrew themselves into their tent and would not unarm themselves lest some treachery should be practised against them as oftentimes at such occasions it hapneth when the vanquished attempt unhonourably against the Conquerours When Ripole saw his Knights discomfited he was excéedingly agreeved therewith because he entirely loved his sister Iffida and doubted she would now convict him of great dishonour but she whose mind was no where else then on the Knight to whom the victory was due extolled his admirable magnanimity to the heavens as the rest of the History will plainly discover and knowing no better mean to work by she called the Page aside whom the Prince had imployed as his Ambassadour and thus she spake to him Vnspeakable in mine opinion is the generosity of the Gentleman stranger who hath right well performed the resolution whereof by thée he assured me yesterday very necessary it is therefore that thou go thank him on my behalf for his long journey and great pains taken for my sake beside as he hath sufficiently shewed me his fortune in déeds of arms so do I desire secretly to sée his person in which request to satisfie me if he will this night to me to my brothers bâ—nquet which is provided for the new married couple I shall not fail to estéem him among my chiefest favourites While every one was busily censuring on the Conquerour the messenger from Iffida came to Palmendos Tent where briefly discharging what he was commanded and the Prince marvellous glad of this good fortune thus answered Gentleman I desire you to â—ell your Lady that nothing shal make me disappoint her pleasure because the only occasion of my long travel was extream desire to offer her my service and right happy shall I account my self if she will imploy me in any thing to her content To be at the Bridegrooms banquet me thinks should argue over much boldness in respect of the slender acquaintance and habitude which as yet I have with him or any of his company Notwithstanding I would willingly be there after the banquet to guide mine eys to the place where they might féed on the celestial and gracious countenance of your Mistress yet with this intreaty before hand that I would not be known to any what I am And if it happen I may confer a little with her in secret I wil tel her such things as all the rest of her life time shall yield her contentation wherein likewise if you will be loyal and favourable to me to compass both her good and your own your guerdon happily will be such as you will a hundred and a hundred times think the hour fortunate when by so good chance you met me on the way for though you see me here but in simple equipage and as a Knight errant I am the Lord of many Provinces great estates and wonderfull riches My Lord answered the Page right willingly will I adventure my person in doing you all the faithfull service can be devised the actions no way stretching to the dishonour of me and my Lady and such good order will I likewise take as you shall not be known to any but onely her that longeth to see you Hereupon Palmendos unarmed himself and putting on a Turkish mantle taking his good sword under his arm he and Ozâ—lio went with the Page into the great Hall where the banquet was afterward they closely got to a convenient place where both Iffida and he might behold each other which he did but with faint and deluding looks only to add some grace to his subtil determination which he had practised for the K. of Thessalies deliverance And while in this counterfeit contemplation he busied his eys the Page cunningly went to Iffid and whispering in her ear said Sée Madam the conquering Knight of the Tourney who desires you very instantly to conceal him onely to your self in that his travel hither was to no other end but to sée if your gracious gifts and beauty were answerable to the renown blazed thereof so far hence in his Countrey hoping to compass the matter so for to me he hath opened the very secrets of his heart that when you have further knowledge of him you shall not onely have occasion to love him but account your self likewise beholding to him in respect of the voluntary pain he hath suffered for your sake The rest of his speeches I shall acquaint you with at better leisure in place more convenient for such discourse Iffida who was prudent and well advised did forbear to confer longer with her new sollicitour least her love should be lightly espied by any then secretly she glanced on Palmendos whose thoughts were busie to compasse his
not worthy to cast mine eys to such preferment yet not to dissemble with you as concerning my resolution without my fathers consent I neither may or will go hence with you because it were both disobedience and injury to nature Notwithstanding one thing I will do for you which never heretofore I offered to any Knight I will bring you to my Father and tell him you are one of this Gentlewomans Nephews she being my Nurse in the time of mine infancy to him must you offer your service and no sooner shall he behold your Knightly chivalry but he will gladly accept you as his Son so with my Parents consent you may convey me hence and in mean while I shall keep secret your estate albeit it were good that you tell him the truth Pamendos who desired nothing but to get into the Castle and to compass the same by any way he could thus replied Madam such is the extreamity of my vehement passions as no one can recure them but she from whom they took their Original nor do my vital spirits receive any force to execute their office but from your gracious and gentle disposition therefore I will go with you when you please to your Father and say what you can best imagine for the peaceable assurance and fruition of the good pretended These words he uttered with very chearfull countenance by reason of the hope wherewith his heart was encouraged seeing the practise of his negotiation stand now on the tearms himself desired the Lady on the other side was so ravished with his love that she could not be satisfied with beholding him or consent to forsake his company till time of constraint came that they must to their lodgings where Iffida could not sleep through the whole night her slumbers were so broken by the abundance and plurality of amorous discourse which chased all other imaginations from her spirit In these extreams poor Iffida was tormented a disease clean contrary to that which troubled Palmendos who onely sought by dissimulation to recover the good King of Thessaly whereof he conferred in bed with Ozalio what stratagems and subtilties he must compass in the action intreating him most affectionately they having once getten entrance into the Castle to shew himself hardy and valiant putting every one to the sword when the watchword should be given When the morning was come Iffida decked her self in her brave accoustrements and coming into the garden found there the two Knights armed except their Helmets she praying them to go with her to the Castle of Albayzo that she might have the honour of presenting them to the Captain her Father This matter being soon concluded they all mounted on horseback and about noon arrived at the fortresse the foundation and structure whereof caused Palmendos to wonder in that it was placed on a high and mighty rock and stored with such munition for war as it was thought impregnable Being come to the gate Iffida lighted from her hackney and entred taking the Knights by the hand the Arches permitting them quietly passe without any fear or further inquiry what they were seeing them so well acquainted with fair Iffida whom the Captain loved so well as none might gain-say what she commanded Afterward the bridges were drawn the gates strongly barred according as they were wont to be so the Princes entring the great Hall Palmendos diligently looked about him thinking each hour a year till the skirmish were sought in this strong Hold thanking the heavens that had so well guided them thither CHAP. XXVIII How Palmendos and Ozalio slew the Captain of Albayzo Castle and all the Guard that then kept it taking the King of Thessaly forth of the Tower where he had remained captive twenty years and what did happen unto them in the mean while WHen the Captain of Albayzo Castle who was an honourable old man and put in chief trust with the great Turks treasure saw his daughter accompanied with two such brave Knights he was thereat exceedingly amazed as if this occurrence had already presaged the conflict and cruel slaughter which was immediately to follow in the Castle wherefore he said Why daughter how chanceth it that you are come without your brother My Lord quoth she the desire I had yester-night to sée you hastened my return in company of your two Squires my four waiting damosels and these two Knights who are both Nephews to my Nurse where I found them as I passed by that way and hereof be assured good father that this Knight pointing to Palmendos is one of the most hardy and courteous Gentlemen that ever you knew Whereof his victory in the tourny at my brothers marriage hath given me evident example as also the honest speeches he hath used to me this morning declaring his earnest desire to offer you his service under hope whereof I have been his guide hither esteeming the acquisition of such a man rare and of great consequence and will chiefly help the strength of your charge He is the better welcome answered the Captain and in recompence of his good will he shall command any curtesie at my hand For all these words he had other matters in his mind and because his daughter praised him so much so much the more willingly could he have spared his company in the castle for that his presence made him misdoubt and fear somewhat yet to dissemble the matter and take away all occasion of contrary mistrust with a counterfeit merry countenance he said Go daughter and sâ—lute thy mother mean while these Knights shall be unarmed Which words he spake to be assured of their Armour and weapons intending they should not have them again till they were forth of the Castle But Palmendos hearing these words began to misdoubt their interpretation and therefore thought best not to use any more spéeches but going with Iffidaeâ— Page into a fair chamber in stead of unarming themselves they clasped on their helmets and taking their shields with resolved courage came forth having their good swords ready drawn Palmendos now intending to try the vertue of his enchanted sword or else to put both their lives in danger The Page séeing this sudden alteration driven into as great a quandary as if he had been new metamorphosed began to cry out very pittifully tearming this act abominable and scelerous disloyalty wherewith he ran down to advertise the Guard thereof but they themselves were not far behind him because Palmendos knew this enterprize was not to be deferred therefore he and Ozalio came into the Castle Court where they found the Captain threatening the guard that they had so lightly suffered the Knights to enter but they excused themselvs on Iffida who brought them with her wherewith the Captain turning about and séeing them come in such fury he cryed to the Guard saying Take Arms my loyal and faithfull Knights and let us murther these false villains who have beguiled us so treacherously Palmendos having instructed
Bay-trée Wrapping her costly mantle about her he departed safely from the guard and coming where Oricano staied with his horse made such shift as he mounted into the saddle and so gallopped to the rest of his company who marvelled not a little that he had got so good a booty Great hast they made till they got on shipboard when Palmendos laying her upon his bed and using her reverently because she was of such honour he put up his vertuous sword into the sheath when very soon after Marencida awaked and séeing her self in the company of strangers crying out with fear she said Alas where am I what have I no one about me that I know how came I so strangely into this place Why Fortune hast thou not yet afflicted me enough are my stars grown into such hatred toward me as in my sléep to séek my destruction And what are you that have béen so bold as to take me out of my bed this audacious behaviour will return you no other guerdon then the very sharpest death that can be devised Madam answered Palmendos from that we shall keep our selves so wel as we may as for my self I am a Knight of a Country far hence and hearing by chance what mone you made for the captivity of the King your husband as also how desirous you seemed to see him in Constantinople I was greatly moved to pity your affliction and as one willing to pleasure you herein as also what other thing you shall command me I took you forth of your bed promising you by my religious vows to Chivalry not onely to show you the King Ocurites but also to guard your chastity incontaminate as free from the least spot of dishonor as when you happened into my custody False and disloyal Knight quoth she how can I but receive shame and infamy by this treachery having in such sort been taken from among my Guard If I desired to see the King my husband it was only to content my mind which is thereto moved with vehement affection yet might my meaning be â—at enough from my words because I could not do it without my fathers licence and more willingly would I end my life in this place then go with thée of whom I can imagine no good thought but as thou hast feloniously stoln me from my bed so wilt thou hereafter traiterously murther me I am neither theef or traitor answered Palmendos but a Knight ready at your commandement if so you take my service in good worth and séeing you are now in my power determine to go with me willingly or perforce and think not I intend your death for it is far from my thought I promise you Then began Marencida to fear her hair which séemed as the golden wier and beat her fair hands so white as the Alabaster with out-cries as a Woman deprived of her sences when the Prince pittying these feminine importunities drew his sword and to ease these extreams charmed her a sléep again During this time Ozalio had told the King of Thessaly the whole news of his daugh Francelina whereto he gave good attention because since the time of his imprisonment he had not heard any thing as concerning the affairs of his Realm or that the Quéen his wife had any such daughter wherefore the tears trickling down his face he came and imbraced Palmendos saying In sooth my son all the grievous torments I have heretofore indured séem nothing in respect of the comfort I now feel that my unknown child shall injoy a man so vertuous and for this Ladies taking I am likewise glad because by this mean I shall be sufficiently revenged on the Turk Thus doth God answered Palmendos shew himself a just Iudge and the true directer of all humane actions limiting every occasion according as best him pleaseth but we were best to make what speed we can hence else may we repent our comming among these inexâ—rable tyrants Marencida awaking again and not perswaded with all the courteous entertainments he could devise she still continued her former acclamations not unlike Ariadne at the comming of Bacchus when she was found forsaken by Theseus at the sea-side in like sort did she renue her maledictions invocating on Neptune and Thetis as also the Tritons their Heralds Monsters Nimphs and Sirens that she might suffer shipwrack in the sea and the fishes feed on her unhappy carcasse But Ozalio pittying her dolorous complaints and finding his heart somewhat esprized with her love intreated Palmendos to grant him one request which above all things else he required at his hands when the Prince yeelding unto any thing his cousin would demand Ozalio proceeded in this manner My sute is worthy Lord and cousin to enjoy this Lady as my Wife to whom I know the destinies have fatally reserved me considering the sudden change and inexplicable controversie my heart indureth whereas the continual accompanying of beautiful Ladies heretofore could never move my frozen affections and now I féel them not warm but boiling Easily may you quoth Palmendos obtain this demand of me if nothing else stand in the way to hinder it and as much do I desire your advancement as any way I can be covetous of mine own hoping while I live to sée no divorce betwéen us but that our estates shall continue equally together and in witness of my word I deliver you the charge of this Princesse hereafter to dispose of her according to your desires Ozalio now uses all decent courtesies to Marencida thereby to gain favour in her conceit yet all was in vain for she would not afford him any good countenance but remain in her wonted obstinacy When the poor fisherman understood by his son Oricano how his guests had delivered the King of Thessaly out of Albayzo castle he thought it no longer tarrying for him in Turky wherefore he came and intreated the Prince Palmendos that he might sail with him into Christendom which suit was very soon obtained so he his wife and family came all aboard the ship the Prince promising to reward their gentleness liberally Now let us come to the Guard and them that attended on Marencida who waking and not finding their Lady in her bed began to chafe and rage in most extream manner some rending their hair and beards violently others running mad among the Trees thinking she had been metamorphosed in the Garden nor could they imagine how to escape the danger when the great Turk should hear of this mishap These comfortless creatures thus amazed not any one of them daring to go tell the Emperour hereof they determined to fly the Country and return no more to the Court leaving Marencidaes Ladies and Gentlewomen mourning in that unhappy place where about noon Ripole brother to Iffida arrived returning from the wedding with his wife and divers brave Knights but when he understood the cause of their sorrow he was stricken into such a quandary as he would pass no further before he
was present in his thoughts The Queen very earnestly beheld the King her husband when séeing his hair and beard so strangely over-grown beside his skin and complexion so wonderfully altered as doubtfull in mind she came to him with these words Are you my Lord the King of Thessaly for whom my heart hath suffered excéeding grief I pray you resolve me presently without holding me in longer suspence in that your deformed estate hath greatly perplexed my remembrance Madam answered the King it is no marvel though you know me not considering the long time since you saw me last which the integrity of our love hath made us imagine of greater compass although the accustomed revolution of years do not diminish or increase one moment in their natural course notwithstanding I am the same King your husband who have felt more passions for your absence then anguish or torment in my miserable captivity But séeing the immortal bounty hath suffered me once again to sée you before my soul forsake this passible body which was my continual desire during my tribulation now care I not though Death presently do his duty for séeing the circle of your arms have embraced me I am the readier for my mother Earth to receive me Now are joyfull tears plentifully poured forth on all sides and embracings so vehement as though they should never unfold again the liberty of spéech being hindred all this while for Palmendos and Francelina were transported into a second heaven where the outward ceremony served to confirm the inward contentation at length the Quéen taking Francelina by the hand thus spake to the King Sée here my Lord your daughter of whom I was but newly conceived when you went from Thessaly happy and fortunate may she justly be tearmed in that her destiny hath delivered you from prison restored me my former joy and given her the most perfect Knight that ever bare Arms. When the King beheld his daughter so fair and gracious he took her in his arms expressing with silent favours his hearty joy and in this while the Emperor came with his train alighting from his horse to welcome the King of Thessaly whom when he beheld so spent and dis-figured the tears fel from his eys and imbracing him in his arms said My noble brother heaven have the honour for delivering you from our common enemy where albeit heretofore I was glad of your rescue yet was I agrieved at your imprisonment being then my self as you know in the Turks power although he gave me more liberty then you in hope I would have aided him with my uttermost ability My desire then to get from his service constrained me to deal somewhat hardly against you an errour too notable and I confess worthy reprehension but God pardoning the offences of the repentant hath in pitty regarded us both and by his inexpuisable goodness directed all things to a happy end My Lord replyed the King the whole discourse thereof have I heard by Palmendos which gives me reason not to think any fault in you when you could not otherwise help the same But let us leave occasions past séeing heaven hath so miraculously delivered me that I should come my self to present the entire affection wherewith I am bound to your Highness service Nor could any thing in the world said the Emperor more delight me then your comming with the Knight I have so long desired to see with whom I cannot but be offended these words he merrily uttered in that he hath tarried so long time from me Then Palmendos falling on his knee modestly answered in this manner Dread Lord if heretofore I have provoked your displeasure I confess such punishment is due to me as you shall ordain and willingly will I endure it to fashion me the better to your service wherein I would imploy my self according to your appointment although it were to sight against the gates of Death whereof I gladly could afford some proof so please your Highness to enjoyn me such a task as may express my zeal and forwardness And that you may know the name of your voluntary servant I am that Palmendos who was since the hour of my birth destinied to follow your vertues humbly intreating to discharge your remembrance of any discontentment I have heretofore occasioned in that mine own mind still perswaded me I wanted worthiness to come before your Excellency The Emperor beholding him of such gallant stature did not a little marvel at his rare perfections wherfore taking him graciously in his arms desired he would command any thing wherein he might stand him in stead for he was not able to requite his high deservings Afterward came Primaleon and courteously entertained him the like did Abenunco signifying how much he was bound to him for his happy deliverance then came Arnedes with the other Lords and Knights all of them embracing the hardy champion that went away with the honour of the Tourney By this time had Ozalio brought Marencida on shore she wondring to behold such state and royalty wherefore she desired to know the place of her landing Madam answered Ozalio this City is called Constantinople and among this flourishing troop of Princes who have vouchsafed their comming hither to this Port there may you behold the famous Emperor Palmerin who is here in person to receive the King of Thessaly and the worthy Knight that delivered him from prison your self likewise will esteem him a vertuous Prince by the good entertainment you shal enjoy when once he understandeth your state and calling so that I hope you will not repent this voyage were it but to have knowledge of him alone How miserable and unfortunate am I quoth she to fal into the mercy of my fathers capital enemy how can my griefs but grow into an exceeding surplusage If I see the King Occurites my husband the meeting will be with marvellous heart-break on either side being both of us captive to the very worst enemy we have The Emperor and his Lords kindly saluted her but she would not once bow her self or make any answer whereat the standers by very much wondred tearming her a woman of rough and unseemly behaviour saying nature might much better have made her a man Mounting all on horseback in most comely order they rode to the Pallace where the Empress and her Ladies met them in the Court. To tell the courtesies gratulations and welcome there used would ask a world of time yet but little to the purpose let it suffice then they are so well entertained as you can any way imagine Palmendos taking Marencida by the hand brought her to the Princess Philocrista with these speeches I desire you Madam to accept this Lady into your company and give her such good counsel as you can best devise for she is descended of royal bloud I assure you Sir Palmendos replied the Princess I must obey what you command me for the love I bear to you and your sweet friend and