me and I assure you that these tydings hath breathed such newe life into my verie soule as alreadie I finde my selfe wonderfullie chaunged yea and that in such sorte as before thrée daies bee past I shall attende her gracious will with seruiceable dilligence In the meane while I shal desire you faire Fréend to let my soueraigne Mistresse vnderstand that I kisse her highnesse hande in humble duetie and had ere this giuen farewell to this life hadde not her swéete regard called me againe from death Thus parted Cardina from the Prince taking her way spéedily towards Griana who longed not a little to heare from Florendos whom she had made Lord of her gentle affections CHAP. VI. Howe Cardina recited to the Princesse Griana what speeches had past betweene her and Florendos and of the counsell shee gaue her Mistresse to conferre with him in the Garden so soone as he was recouered CArdina thus dispatched from Florendos made no little haste towardes the Princesse who remained all this while silent in her Chamber and no sooner perceiued she Cardina to enter but she demaunded if Florendos receiued her token in good part or no. Beléeue me Madame answered Cardina I thinke you neuer did anie thing in all your life whereby you coulde obtaine more honour and applause then by that you vouchsafed to doo at this instant for in my iudgment you haue performed a miracle in giuing him life that was in the very iawes of death Then from point to point shee recounted the talke passed betwéene them first howe she founde him in yâ— midst of his regrets and lastlie what message hee had sent by her Thus while Cardina continued her discourse euery worde tooke hold on the gentle hart of the Princesse and wounded her with such pittifull regarde of the Prince his torments as what she desired inwardlie shee shaddowed with modestie as lothe to receiue shame in her loue hauing caryed her selfe with such honour all her life quoth shee to Cardina Howe might I good Seruaunt ease this waightie oppression Uerie well said Cardina wheÌ„ Fortune alloweth opportunitie But thou knowest quoth Griana a Princesse as I am to be séene secrete with so braue a Gallant dooth greatlie hazard my life and honour As for that Madame saide Cardina my Sister can better aduise you then I or any that I know by her meanes may you speake with your Knight the brauest Gentleman in the world and one whoÌ„ I knowe is so farre deuoted yours as hee will rather loose his life then impeache your honour anie waie and otherwise then in loyaltie to make you his Ladie and wyfe I am well assured he loueth not which loue Madame you may well entertaine Returne then Cardina quoth the Princesse to my Lorde Florendos and assure him that so soone as he is recouered I wyll come and speake with him in such place where we may well aduenture and desire hym as he loueth me that it may bee with all conuenient spéede Cardina without anie further delay weÌ„t with this message to the Prince Florendos who hartened himselfe so well vpon these spéeches as within sixe dayes he found himselfe thorowlie amended whereof the Emperour and Caniano hys Sonne was not a little glad but Tarisius was scant well pleased thereat for he had coÌ„ceiued a secrete iealousie because he was so earnest in affection towards Griana who by her Mayd Cardina had warned Florendos that yâ— night following he should come into the Garden whereâ—nto her Chamber had a secrete entraunce and there woulde he and she conferre of their loue without suspicion of any Florendos séeing these affayres sort to so good ende purposed what euer happened not to fayle the time place which made him thinke this day a yéere in length so long hee looked and desired for the night But nowe the wished howre is come when Florendos with his Cozin â—renato who was priuie to the Princes secrete loue departed from their lodginges and comming to the Garden they sawe the wall was verie high and harde to climbe notwithstanding greater thinges are possible to Louers chéefely when a cause of such waight is in hand so that in short time Florendos had gotte the top of the Wall and afterward went to the place where Griana â—tayed his comming who had no bodie with her but Lerina Sister to Cardina to whom likewise she thorowly bewrayed her secrets He hauing espied them came and fell on his knee before the Princesse but she tooke him vppe in her armes embracing him so swéetlie as Lerina withdrew her selfe amongst the Trées not with anie intent of feare to displease them but with a certaine kinde of gréefe which ouercame her that shee wanted a Fréende to participate with her in loue as her Mistresse hadde before whâ—m Florendos béeing on his knée sayd Madâ—me by vertue of your commaundement I am thus bolde to enter your presence yéelding my whole abilitie to you as to the diuine Goddesse that hath shéelded me from death which grace séeing your princelie nature hath affoorded me my life for euer héereafter remaines at your soueraigne pleasure the vnfeigned promise whereof I binde to you by irrâ—uocable vowes but especiallie by my faith yâ— onelie ornament of a true Knight that I desire no longer to breathe this ayre then to honour your name with my continual seruice for life without yâ—ur grace and fauour is more yrkesome to me then a thousande deathes But by your fauour my Lorde answered Griana howe or from whence hath this hote loue sprunge let mee knowe I desire you Madame ê™ he as I haue heretofore so at this time I assure you that in my nature Countrie of Macedon I hearde the renowne of your excelling beauty at which verie instant I dedicated my selfe onelie yours and euer since continuing in this religious seruice I haue so confidentlie set downe my rest in gracious regard of your swéete selfe as béeing yours in seruice I liue if otherwise I die In sooth said said the Princesse I sée theÌ„ you haue giuen your selfe wholie mine and so I am well centented to accept you Then Madame quoth he to seale yâ— assuraunce of this diuine fauour you haue doone me 〈…〉 intreate to kisse those swéete lippes that deliuered the 〈◊〉 I haue long looked for Which to grant though for modesties sake at first she séemed daintie yet at length looue had so supprâ—zed her as he néeded not striue when no resistaunce was offered Thus with feares and solemne kysses they breathed into eache others soule the mute arguments of their loue and faire Cynthia amiablie fauouring this delicate encounter added such courage to the minde of this louâ—lie Champion as breaking his Launce in the face of Venus hee bequeathed the successe of his dâ—uoire to the gracious aspect of that Planet And among a number of soft and sweete loue spéeches he discoursed to her his talke with the Emperour her Father howe he had requested her in marriage
cannot as yet know him saide the Damosell I praie you faire Uirgin quoth Palmerin that you will aunswere on my behalfe howe in anie place I shall come héereafter I remaine readie to doo what likes him to cōmaunde me It suffiseth quoth she looke that héereafter you remēber your promise then comming to the Prince Florendos she said My Lorde the same Man from whom I haue saluted Palmerin gaue me in charge to saie to you that you should not feare or doubt to dubbe him Knight but to perswade your selfe that both by Father and Mother hee is so noble as he dooth well deserue it and him héereafter you will loue beyond all other for by him you shall enioy the thing you most estéeme and desire Thus hauing no longer licence to staie with you I humbly desire you to excuse my departure Swéete Maide saide Florendos may your wordes sort to so good end as you haue promised So departed the Damosell leauing Palmerin on his knée before the Prince who taking the Sworde that sometimes belonged to Gamezio Knighted him saying And maist thou prooue as famous and fortunate as my hope perswades mee thou will Then was he honourablie conueyed to the Pallace where the faire Arismena vnarmed him and couered him with a rich Mantle of white Satten imbroydered all ouer with sumptuous flowers of Gold beside no one in y◠troupe but highlie reuerenced him for the woorthie report y◠Damosell made of him And albeit the Princesse Arismena disswaded him so well as she could that he should not endāger himselfe against the Serpent because by him her Brother should ouercome his melancholly and fearing his losse without hope of recouerie yet néedes would he be gone the same daie but that her importunate intreatie perswaded him to staie eight daies longer Palmerin béeing soone after alone by himselfe he remembred the wordes of the Damosell who promised him to finde the secrets of his hart in his Shéelde whereupon he well aduised himselfe and sawe that the hand portraied in the Shéelde had the same marke which the Ladie had that appeared to him in his sléepe whereat not a little maruailing he said within himselfe It must néedes be without all doubt that he which sent mee this present knoweth full wel the scope of my fortune for I am well assured that the Ladie which spake to mee in my sléepe when I abode in the house of my Father Gerrarde shewed me her hand with the selfe same marke I sée heere pictured by which I may perswade my selfe that she will not cease to follow and finde me out vntill such time as I maie speake with her Whereuppon he founde himselfe so suddainlie inueigled with her loue as he thus complained Ah Palmerin well maist thou sée that long thou canst not resist this impression but whence should this humour proséede to loue her thou neuer sawest nor knowest where is her abiding If it fall out that tho diest in thy pursuite these passions shall so haue a small ende and I gaine y◠greatest felicitie that I can desire By this time had he spent the eyght daies which he promised Arismena for Florendos companie when as well to begin the searche of her hee loued so well as to ende the aduenture he intended of the Serpent he prepared to depart prouiding himselfe a great huge Mace of yron which did him good seruice as you shall reade héereafter CHAP. XVI Howe Palmerin fought with the horrible Serpent on the Mountaine Artaeferia and slewe him bringing the glasse filled with the water of the Fountaine whereby King Primaleon of Macedon recouered his health EIght daies had Palmerin stayed with Florendos and in companye of the fayre Princesse Arismena who fearing that hee woulde neuer returne from the Mountaine Artifaeria was very pensiue and sad and oftentimes she intreated him not to hazard himselfe against those cruell rauenous and supernaturall Monsters but rather to witnesse his valour against Knights of account like himselfe but all her spéeches profited not for he was resolute to depart I shall yet desire you sayde the Princesse that for my sake you will take with you thrée Esquires which I will giue you who may lend you succour if anie inconuenience should befall you Then she called the Esquires and presented them vnto him with the glasse that he should bring the water in from the Fountaine if Fortune stoode with him to finish the aduenture Palmerin moūting on horsebacke and Florendos accompanying him halfe a daies iourney on the way left him on his iourney towardes the Mountaine Artifaeria where he arriued on the last daie of April Thē he commanded the Esquires his Dwarffe Vrbanillo to expect his returne at the foote of the Mountain for he would suffer none of thē to goe vp with him so ascended he the Hyll by a little trackt footepath with hys yron Mace on his necke and the Glasse for the water fastened at his gyrdle Hauing thus trauailed vppe till about midday he founde the passage so thicke set with Trées and brakes as he was constrained to alight frō his Horse whō he vnbrideled and left there féeding and much further had he not gone but the night ouertooke him yet did the Moone shine bright and cléere which made him still trauaile onwarde till he beheld the Rocke where the water was and the Serpents Den who was come somewhat lower to recreate himselfe among the swéete Hearbes where he hadde closelie couched himselfe But when he heard Palmerin cōming he began to swell and writhe his taile togeather verie strangely all which could not dismay this aduenturous Knight but commending himselfe to God sette downe his 〈◊〉 and with his Mace marched stoutlie against his enemie saying Why Palmerin didst thou so often request of Florendos the Princesse his Sister to try thy strength against thys deuill and now thou art come in sight of hym wylt thou faint Dooth it not beséeme thée better to die with honour then to liue with shame let the one encourage thée to follow thy enterprise and the other kill thee when thou offerest to retire And with these wordes he aduaunced him to the Serpent and the Serpent fiercelye began to assaile him and with his taile had smote him down but that hee nimblie preuented the stroke deliuering the Serpent so sore a blowe on the head with his Mace as made him reele and stagger and cry so terribly as the whole Mountaine resounded with a meruailous Eccho and to reuengo himselfe with his tallants he got hold on Palmerins Armour which hee rent violentlie in two or thrée places wounding his bodie verie daungerouslie When Palmerin perceiued in what hard plight he was he tooke hart a fresh and watching his aduauntage strooke the Serpent wyth his Mace so stronglie on the necke as he fell to the grounde in a manner dead and Palmerin plied him with so manie strokes one after another as he left him not while any life was in him After this happy victory for
in such sort as you may neuer depart from the Emperours seruice Palmerin with excéeding contentment receiued the Chaine and on his knée huÌ„bly thanked the Empresse and the Princesse to whom hee spake as followeth Madame I am well contented to abide in such a pryson and neuer will I desire any other libertie but still will bee his vassaile that hath power to commaunde mee This aunswere pleased the Emperour excéedinglie in that he desired to haue Palmerin still abide in his Court Wherfore he said to Polinarda you haue doone well Daughter thus to binde Palmerin for nowe he can not escape awaie when he list So the Tables béeing couered the Emperour and all the Knights of the Tourney satte downe to meate where much talke was speâ—t as concerning y◠〈◊〉 on al sides but Palmerin Polinarda had enough to doo to view eache other their eyes dooing their office and carrying betwéene them the mâ—ssage of their passions yet so discreetlie shaddowed as none could perceiue them Supper ended the Knights and Ladiâ—s went to dauncing and afterwarde to their Chambers because the Emperour had commaunded the next daie an other Tournament a breefe report wherof may very wel serue in that you can imagine there wanted no braue chiualrie What Palmerin did that daie it were in 〈◊〉 to tell because the former daâ—e makes knowne his woorthines and Ptolome behaued himselfe in so good sort that Brionella was as proude of him as the Princesse of her Knight and therfore presented him with a very rich Diamond as a token of his desert her loue Thus while the Ioustes endured the Duke of Lorrayne had great familiaritie with Palmerin because he had deliuered his Sister Cardonya from the false treason of the CouÌ„ty of Ormequâ— All pastimes thus finished the Emperour returned to Gaunt where Palmerin intreated his Mistresse to appoint him time place where they might more priuatlie discourse on their loue the which the promised and awaited oportunity CHAP. XXX Howe Polinarda disclosed her secrets to Brionella and of the talke she had with Palmerin POlinarda not forgetting the promise she made her Fréend to meete him in some place where they might argue on theyr loue determined to discouer her affections to Brionella the beloued of Ptolome well perceiuing that without her helpe she could not attaine the end of her desires wherefore without any longer stay shee thus began with her My chosen Freende I would make known one thing vnto thée which death can compell me discouer to no other wherefore thou must haue care to keepe secret my speeches in respect of my calling not doubting but in time to recompence any paine thou takest for me Fayre Princesse said Brionella in that you doo me such honor as to impart your thoughts to me rather will I die then fayle one iote of your commaundement and therefore assure your selfe that what you declare shall neuer be discouered Then Polinarda reuealed to her the loue she bare Palmerin what passions did torment her and in what extreamitie her desires had driuen her and therefore swéete Fréende quoth she with a déepe sigh find thou the meane that I may priuatlie talke with him Brionella admiring the earnest loue of the Princesse knewe not readilie what to aunswere but séeing that by these meanes she might more easily conferre with Ptolome whom shee likewise intirelie loued thus spake It is no wonder Madame you béeing so incomparable as I knowe no Prince liuing of whoÌ„ you are not woorthie if you haue resolued your loue on noble Palmerin in that there is no Knight in the worlde better deserues you his rare chiualrie beeing such as it cannot otherwise bee but that he is discended of royall linage béeing accomplished with so many speciall perfections Therefore Madam so like you I haue deuised well for your purpose as thus You knowe my Chamber window standes so commodious as you may with safetie confer with him at pleasure which you may let him vnderstande by his Dwarffe and appoint him time as you shall thinke conuenient This counsel did not a little content yâ— Princesse because she longed to chatte with her louer and therefore concluded at his departure to appoint Palmerin his time Nowe was the Chamber of Brionella ioyning to the Cittie wall and had a goodly prospect into the fieldes and Palmerins lodging was néere vnto it facing the wall as the other did so that one might easilie passe betwéene the lodgings nothing béeing betwixt them but a little Garden brauelie decked with flowres and goodlie fruite Trées The time appointed Polinarda called the Dwarffe to her saying Vrbanillo thou shalt goe to thy Maister from me and after thou hast saluted hym with my manifolde well wishinges wil him this night to come secretlie to Lady Brionellas Chamber where at the windowe we may safelie talke togeather and bid him not misdoubt my Lady Brionella for I haue made her acquainted with all my secrets And because thy selfe maist conduct him to the place come and I will presently she we it thee So went the Dwarffe with Polinarda to Brionellas chamber where hauing séene the windowe and gladde to carrie such tydings to his Maister beeing well assured howe they woulde content him he departed and tarried not long on his message because Palmerin thought each howre a yeere to heare from his Mistresse wherefore hee beholding the Dwarffe comming tooke him in his armes and demaunded what newes he had brought him The Dwarffe with a cheerefull countenaunce thus aunswered My Lord Fortune speede you as luckilie as the newes that I bring you doo well deserue By this beginning Palmerin perceiued that he brought such tydings as he long looked for which was howe he might speake with the Princesse wherfore embracing him againe he commaunded him to make report of that his sweete Mistresse had giuen him charge Then the Dwarffe deliuered howe the Princesse had great desire to see him and where shee did intende to speake with him Which wheÌ„ Palmerin heard â—illed with vnspeakable ioyes he recorded the words to himselfe with many itterations and the more often he spake the words the more his delights increased But tell me quoth he to the Dwarffe didst thou marke the place well where I must talke with my Goddesse Thereof doubt you not my Lorde sayde the Dwarffe for I shall not faile to bring you surely thither if it be your pleasure I shall goe with you because yâ— Princesse her selfe in company of Lady Brionella shewed it me How am I beholding to her said Palmerin for this high fauour which els were my death if I had beene denyed Uppon this he called Ptolome to whom he imparted euery circumstaunce which Ptolome reputed for his great auaile thys offering the meane for him to visite Brionella and therfore they concluded to goe togeather the night â—nsuing to the place appointed for this louing encounter The howre of rest beeing come and euery one in theyr Chambers as best beséemed Palmeâ—in Ptolome and the Dwarffe remayned
séeing that to staye longer would not auaile him tooke his leaue of the Soldane saying Albeit my Lorde you cannot giue my Maister anie assistance yet let Palmerin returne to him at his departure from your Court What I can doo héerein aunswered the Soldane your Lord shall be assured to finde although I thinke his minde bee otherwise adicted but you were best to knowe his minde your selfe because I heard him saye he would write to Madame Alchidiana Maucetto departing to Palmerins lodging the Soldane went to see his Sisters of whome hée demaunded if they had as yet practised anie thing with the Knights My Lord aunswered Aurecinda who in all things was more prompt then her eldest Sister I haue fixed my loue on the knight Trineus with full resolution neuer to loue anie other yet dooth not he intend to staye héere in your Courte much lesse I feare to make me his wife As for my Sister shée cannot compasse the meane howe to impart her loue to Sir Palmerin Right strange is it quoth the Soldanen that the promises you haue made them and so apparant signes of ardent affection cannot disswade them to make choyse of you Doubtlesse they bée some great Princes who to sée the fashions of the worlde haue thus disguised themselues Continue your loue as you haue begunne and if by other meanes you cannot stay them aduenture your honors as a meane to entrappe them And now dooth occasion well serue you Sister Aurecinda for by courteous intreating Tryneus now he is wounded you maye more profit in one houre then you haue doone during this tedious pursuit Néedlesse was it for the Soldane thus to perswade her in that she laboured for no other matter kéeping Trineus companie both day and night but Palmerin offended thereat secretlye thus rebuked the Prince What meane you my Lord If you mend not this order I must be angry with you You sée this Princesse excéedes in her desire and you giue her occasion to continue it I know not what will happen héereon but my mind perswades mee that you will hardlie depart hence with honour Be aduised I desire you and take this of me that if the wisest man will lende his eares to loose persons and followe theyr affections hée shall become more vnreasonable then a bruite Beaste regarding nothing but what is obiect to his eyes and what the flesh the onelie mortall enemie to the spirit shall soonest perswade him Chap. LV. How Aurâ—cinda Sister to the Soldane of Persia pursued the Prince Tryneus so neere as in the end she had her desire and what followed thereon PAlmerin hauing thus schooled yâ— prince Trineus that he should giue no eare to the enticements of Aurecinda Lyzanda came to his chamber and feigning vrgent businesse with him tooke him aside deliuering her affections in this maner Right happie wold I think my selfe Sir Palmerin so you would deigne to continue in the Soldans Court who doubtlesse would aduance you to the highest step of honor and giue me to you in mariage that am his Sister and a Lady worthie some reckoning Palmerin offred to depart the Chamber but Lyzanda stayed him procéeding thus Alas my Lord will you neuer vouchsafe to speake to mee nowe see I well that you are the most disâ—oyall Knight in the worlde Madame aunswered Palmerin rather will I die then one iote of diâ—â—oyaltie shall be found in me nor can I graunt your importunate requests without committing notorious treason to my Ladie and offending my God whom foolish loue shall neuer make me to displease So without any further spéeches he went to the Prince Tomano leauing the poore Ladie well-néere dead with this vnkinde refusall who going to her owne cabbanet thus began to breath foorth her sorrowes Ah Loue the most cruell passion that euer entred the hart of anie Ladie how great and meruailous is thy power Some thou enforcest to desire and intreat without being heard or regarded others thou causest to be happily fauoured estéemed of their Fréends Seruaunts and louers Unhappie that I am but much more vnhappie Brother accursed be the houre when thou didest commaund mee to loue the most cruell and vnkinde among men Can there be anie Ladie in the worlde more disgraced then I am had I not reuealed my loue to him some comfort I might thereby enioy among my sorrowes but the frozen minde knowing my loue dooth holde mée in the greater contempt My Sister tolde me that by too long concealement of loue many haue lost them they most estéemed but I alas doo finde it cleane contrary Now was Aurecinda by chaunce in the Chamber next her Sisters Cabinette and hearing her thus sorrowfully complaine shée came to her and thus spake Good Sister discomfort not your selfe by your friendes refusall I would not thinke my selfe woorthie the name of a woman if I could not winne you the man that thus torments you As for me I haue founde the meane to compasse mine owne desire Yet could not all these spéeches appease her wherfore shée left her and vnderstanding by one of her Ladies that Tryneus should this night suppe in the Soldans Chamber whereuppon shée went to the Ladies hote house amd there prepared his bed and such swéete delicate bathes as might mooue the spirits of a verie staied Gentleman This doone she came to one of the Pages of honor Brother to the Ladie whome shee most of all trusted saying I praye thée good Page goe to the Prince Trineus his Chamber and there attende till he come foorth then feigning that some one hath doone thée iniurie thou shalt intreat him to helpe thée against him that abused thée If hée condiscende as doubtlesse he will bring him to the bathe where I will stay his comming with thy Sister and so soone as he is entred make fast the doore on him and gette thée gone but in anie case be secret héerein and I will recompence thée to thine owne content The wagge was so well instructed in his arte as he failed not in any one point oâ— his charge But as the Prince Tryneus came alone from his Chamber he fell on his knées before him saying My Lord if euer you pittie a Gentleman abused let mee intreate you to reuenge my cause on a villaine that hath too much wronged me Tryneus who had often séene the Page in his Chamber with Aurecinda answered Beléeue me Page it were pittie to denie thy request considering thou doost demaunde it so courteously shall I néede to bee better prouided then I am No my Lord quoth he your sword is sufficient So was he conducted by the Page along the Gallery and béeing come to the appointed place he opened the doore thus speaking to the Prince My Lord the partie you must deale withall is in this Chamber accompanied but with one Ladie wherefore you may enter secure from daunger Hee was no sooner in but the Page clapt to the doore and departed Now was Tryneus not a little amazed when he saw no bodie but the
whether hee went he entred the Empresse Chamber where shee and her Son Caniano stoode conferring togeather without saluting the one or other he satte downe in a Chaire and gaue such bitter sighes as the Empresse hearing was somewhat mooued therewith doubting he had either receiued some greate iniurie or els coulde not prouide himselfe so sufficientlie as he would for the Triumphe wherupon she left her Sonne and calling Tarisius aside thus began with him Nephewe I sée you verie melancholie which makes me to iudge that you want some néedefull thing for the Tournament which my Sonne hath caused to be published With which words she beheld Tarisius more wishlie then she had doone before and perceiued the teares to trickle down his chéekes which made her more desirous to knowe the cause of his gréefe but his hart was so confounded and shut vppe in anguish as hée could not speake one word to her Neuerthelesse the Empresse who loued him as her owne Sonne founde so manie meanes to perswade him as in the ende he disclosed the loue he bare to Griana and the aunswere likewise which shee made him whereby I am assured quoth he that nothing but death can cease my torments The Empresse who of her selfe did manie times determine to make that marriage perceiuing nowe howe fitlie the occasion offred it selfe began to resolue on the consumation thereof and to content her Nephewe in excusing the Princesse Griana spake as followeth Doo you Nephewe mislike the aunswere of my Daughter beléeue me therein she didde but her dutie for she cannot dispose of her selfe béeing yong and vnder controule but the Emperour and I whom you ought firste to make acquainted with your request But since I perceiue how you are affected I promise you I will confer with my Lorde the Emperour and hope to preuaile so well in the cause as you shall spéede of that you moste desire As they continued these discourses they were giuen to vnderstande by a Messenger that the Prince Florendos the Kinges son of Macedon was newlie arriued with a braue companie of Knights But his comming to the Emperour was not as his vassaile or Subiect because the kingdome of Macedon was at that time no way beholding to the Empire but onelie to sée the faire yong Princesse Griana the renowne of whose beautie and vertues had so peirced his thoughtes as before he sawe her he loued and honoured her so that for this cause onlie he iournied to Constantinople where he was verie honourablie entertained bothe of the Emperour and his Sonne Caniano as also of the Empresse and faire Griana who oftentimes hearde him reckoned and estéemed amongst the most honourable and gracious Princes that liued at that daie CHAP. II. Howe the Empresse conferred with the Emperour as concerning the mariage of theyr Daughter Griana wyth Tarisius Sonne to the King of Hungaria whereof they both determined and of that which happened in the meane time THe Empresse was not forgetfull of her promise made to her Nephewe Tarisius but endeuoured by all meanes possible to find the Emperour at such leysure as she might impart the whole to him and because shee had so hardilie taken the matter vppon her shee would gladlie it should sorte to effecte as commonlie Women are couetous of their owne desires therefore no meruaile if shée were earnest in following her intent Soone after walking alone with the Emperour and smoothlie couering the baite she was desirous he shoulde swallowe shee desired him to graunt her one request whereof shee woulde not willinglie be denied The Emperour neuer before hearing her so importunate consented at the first to whatsoeuer she demaunded nowe perswading her selfe sure to spéede thus shee beganne My Lord hauing often considered with my selfe that our Daughter Griana is of yéeres and discretion able for a Husband I am the more desirous to sée her honourablie bestowed And for that the yonge Prince Tarisius hath béene trained vp in your Court and which I little thought some good will appeareth to be betwéene them I should thinke if not amisse to vnite them in mariage togeather for hardlie shall we finde 〈…〉 a Lord of greater blood and birth then he béeing heire apparant to the Crowne and kingdome of Hungaria besides they hauing béene so longe time conuersant togeather in their yonger yeeres will entertaine a more speciall regard of loue betwéene them then can be in anie other that may mooue yâ— question to her Madame aunswered the Emperour she is your Childe and I doo not thinke but you would her good therefore I like the motion well for that indéede I esteeme so well of Tarisius as of mine owne Sonne aâ—d since wee haue so happilie fallen into these discourses we will foorthwith certifie yâ— King his Father by our Ambassadours that we may vnderstand his opinion héerein The Empresse gratified her Lord with verie hartie thankes béeing not a little glad she had so well preuailed wherefore immediatlie shee aduertised 〈◊〉 But for Griana her affection was els where for she bare a certaine secrete good liking to Florendos so soone as shee behelde him hearing so great reporte of his knightlie bountie and prowesse so that beholding them togeather and their eyes deliuering the good conceite of eache other one might easilie iudge that Loue hadde so mightilie maistered her thoughts as if he consented she had sette downe her reste for her choise and hee on the other side was drawne into the same compasse notwithstanding eache of them for the time concealed what they rather desired should be known betweene them Yet this hidden fire stroue to gaine place of issue for diuers times the Princesse Griana béeing amongst her Ladies talking of such Knights as woulde shewe themselues at the Tournament the Prince Florendos was coÌ„monlie first spoken of and so highlie would the Ladies commende him beyonde all the other as Griana coulde not refraine from changing coloure so that the alteration she founde in her spirite might be euidentlie perceiued howbeit none of the Ladies as then noted it and thus shee continued till the feast of Saint Maria d' Augusta which was the daie appointed for the Tournament on which daie the Emperour knighted his Sonne Caniano and Tarisius Nephewe to the Empresse in honour wherof hee held a greater and more magnificent Courte then before time hee had doone for he suffered the Ladies to accompanie the Knights at the Table albeit they were not wont to doo so often at yâ— time yet full well it pleased the Prince Florendos who satte opposite to the Princesse Griana during which time of Dinner though manie piercing lookes and smothered sighes were sent from eache other as messengers of their sâ—mâ—lable opinions yet cunninglie they shaddowed all from being discerned But after the Tables were withdrawne and eache one preparing for the Tourney Florendos so well behaued himselfe as he founde the meanes to speake priuatlie with his newe Fréende and thus he beganne Madame the Heauens haue not a little fauoured mee in
and brought him into so weake estate as the learned Phisitions coulde not deliuer the cause of his sicknes to the no small gréefe of the Emperour but especiallie of Caniano yet for all this woulde not the Empresse at anie time visite him because shee woulde hinder the occasion of her Daughters séeing him remembring what spéeches had past betwéene him and the Emperour And albeit Griana made no outward shewe thereof yet in her harte shee was greatlie displeased at her Mothers dealings so that one day when her Brother Caniano came to sée her to recount vnto her in what extreamitie he had left his fréendlie coÌ„panion and what gréefe it would be to him if he died as he greatlie doubted What my Lord quoth she it is not so I hope Yes certainlie quoth he and I feare he will very hardlie escape this day At which wordes the water stoode in her eyes yet so well as she coulde shee dissembled her passions neuerthelesse she could not holde it in but said I meruayle much that the Empresse my Mother makes so slender account of him as since his sicknes shee woulde not vouchsafe once to visite him I feare she hath forgotten what good hée 〈◊〉 for vs that day when he valiantly slew the Turke Gamezio Beléeue me my good Lord and Brother I am harâ—â—lie sorrâ—e for his sicknes for if he die as heauen forbidde quoth shee secretlie the Emperour my Father shall loose more then hée thinketh on the great seruice hee hath doone for him already may giue instaunce of my words and more he béeing the Sonne of so great a Prince as he is By this time had such extreame gréefe ouerburdened her hart as she was constrained feigning to goe to the Empresse ChaÌ„ber to leaue her Brother that she might alone by her selfe bemoane her fréends hard fortune CHAP. V. Howe Griana sent a Ring to the Prince Florendos by Cardina her Mayde desiring him as he loued her to comfort himselfe and of the aunswere he sent her SO soone as Griana hadde left her Brother she went into her chaÌ„ber where more and more shee lamented for the sicknes of Florendos and with her teares shee coupled these discourses May it be that anie liuing creature can deserue so gréeuous punishment as I doo that endaunger the life of the woorthiest Knight in the worlde Unhappy that I am that loue yea the loue he beares to mee should bring so braue a Gentleman to so hard an exigent but if he die such iust vengeaunce will I take vpon my selfe as I wyl not remaine one howre aliue after him and let our ghostes seeke their owne quiet in death that Fortune would not affoorde vs in life Yet will I thus farre first aduenture and that before any sléepe enter these eies of mine try if it consist in my power to ease his extreamitie that buyes my loue at too déere a price And in this anguish of minde she called one of her Damoselles the Daughter of her Nurse named Cardina whom aboue the rest she trusted most and to her she began in manner following Cardina thou knowest the loue I alwaies bare thy Mother and for her sake howe well I haue thought of thée I haue knowne thée long time a true and faithfull Seruaunt but nowe Cardina is a time beyonde all other to make tryall of thy truth and to witnesse thy loyaltie to me onelie as thou art sure so to bee secrete and so secrete as I must put my life and honour into thy secrecie Cardina who was wise and of good gouernement hearing Griana vse such earnest spéeches imagined that she would commit no commoÌ„ matter to her trust with such coniuration whereuppon she modestlie returned thys aunswere Madame rather had I be torne péecemeale in sunder then anie thing you commaunde for secrete shoulde by me be reuealed without your licence and so assure your selfe that while I liue you shall finde mee as faithfull in déede as I promise in worde I neuer hitherto quoth the Princesse had other opinion of thée listen nowe therefore what I shall commaunde thée I haue vnderstoode for certaine Cardina that the gréeuous sicknes of the Prince Florendos is caused by verie earnest loue which hee beares to me for I account it great pittie to loose so good a Knight doo so much as take the paines to goe to him from me and saie I desire him to bee of good chéere and if there bee any thing in my power may doo him good I will gladlie accomplish it as she that loues him as her own selfe and to assure him thereof saie I sende him this Ring which I wyll him to kéepe as a pledge of my loue Madame answered Cardina Fortune spéede me so well as my paines may giue ease to both your passions and might my sentence like you Madame I knowe no Knight so worthy your loue as Florendos Goe then sayd Griana and returne againe so soone as thou canst So went Cardina straite to the lodging of the Prince Florendos at the entraunce whereof shee met the Prince Caniano so heauie and pensiue as might be because he perceiued his Fréend to consume awaie euerie day more and more But Cardina who had well learned her lesson stept aside and would not be séene of Caniano who beeing gone shee went vp to the Chamber where when shee was readie to enter she hearde the Prince coÌ„plaine in this sort Ah poore wretch must thou néedes die without anie hope of remedie And as he would haue procéeded on Cardina stepped to him and after she had saluted him said to him secretelie that the Princesse Griana had sent her to him to vnderstand of his health and beléeue me good Prince quoth she I neuer sawe Ladie so sorrowfull for your sicknes as she is She commendeth her selfe to your honour most hartilie and hath sent you this Ring as an earnest of the looue she beares you desiring you to bee of good chéere and comfort your selfe because she desires to sée you to confer with you of matters that concerne you bothe néerelie These wordes so rauished the spirit of Florendos as a good while he doubted whether he dreamed or that hee might giue credite to what he hearde for albeit he knewe the messenger so well as anie in the Courte yet coulde he not perswade himselfe that hee was so fortunate At length betwéene hope and dispayre he tooke the Ring which he entertained with manie deuoute kysses and embracing Cardina so well as hee coulde thus answered Alas my swéete fréende may it bee possible that my Ladie hath such regard of him who neuer was able to doo her anie seruice Doubt not thereof my Lorde aunswered Cardina and if you will declare your loue answerable to hers in vertue you must giue testimonie thereof by comforting your person that she may sée you so soone as may be Ah fayre Uirgin quoth he let my whole life be imployed in what shall like her diuine nature to coÌ„maunde
maie be good because his desire is to make staie with vs and for your owne part looke that you intreate him well with this request that you accept him for your seruaunt and he shall be your Knight And are you bothe agréed Ladies said Palmerin Heauen forsake me if I refuse honour of so high account And as they woulde haue procéeded on the Emperor came in and brake off their talke and comming to the Empresse saide Madame I beséeche you haue good regarde to the health of this Knight and let our Chirurgions not trifle the time with him for I perswade my selfe that the enchaunted Knight with his venomed arrowes hath wounded him with great daunger inwardlie and hath besides sore brused his bodie with the weight of his Mace But Palmerin hauing Polinarda so néere him neither minded his woundes or what the Emperour had spoken his obiect more delighted then his woundes gréeued him then the Emperour taking him by the hande saide I pray you my déere Freende to bee of good comfort dispayre not for anie thing I beseeche you and bee aduised by them y◠haue care of your health for you shall want nothing if my Crowne will purchase it So departed hee and the Empresse with their Daughter Polinarda whome loue had already so inueigled that she béeing yet but tender of yéeres found her selfe so restrained of her libertie as scant she knewe howe to dissemble this suddaine affection and from that time forward she became so sadde and pensiue as one of her Ladies the most fauoured and familiar with her named Brionella Daughter to the Duke of Saxon well perceiued it yet durst shee not presume to demaunde whence procéeded this strange alteration but so circumspectly did she regarde the Princesse as she well noted the grounde of her gréefes Whereuppon it happened that one time amongst other they two béeing alone togeather Brionella iudging that her Ladie delighted to heare spéeche of Palmerin nowe to hitte the nayl◠on the heade she thus began What say you Madame by your fauour of the newe come Knight did you euer sée a brauer and more accomplisht Gentleman Upon my faith Madame in mine opinion I thinke that nature hath wrought all her perfections in him and fauoured him aboue all other Knights in manhoode and Chiualrie Ah Brionella aunswered the Princesse thou art not alone of this opinion for I euer thought as much though I kept it in silence would God I had as great authoritie ouer him as he alreadie hath gotten ouer me Is the matter so with you saide Brionella it shoulde séeme you are in looue with him then To tell thée the trueth Brionella quoth shee I am and did I not doubt foure other hath preuented mee I would aduenture to make him mine In good sooth Madam said Brionella you two béeing vnited togeather in one reciprocall league of loue well might it bee reported the most honourable match and of the two noblest yong Princes through the whole worlde and séeing you haue made a choyse so worthie dismay not good Madame but proceede in your determination Thus deuised the two Ladies together on Palmerin who was no lesse in affliction for the looue of Polinarda whom hee had searched with so gréat payne and trauaile and had nowe founde with so high good fortune If loue was so earnest with him before in his sléeping visions hauing not séene her much more vehement was the impression nowe hauing her in presence Whereupon the day folowing he called for his garments and as he was making himselfe readie the Emperour by one of his Gentlemen sent him the good morrow desirous to vnderstande in what plight he felt himselfe Good Sir aunswered Palmerin to the Gentleman I beséeche you doo my humble dutie to the Emperour for this great courtesie and you may thus assure him that heauen be praised I féele my selfe in so good estate as euer I did Which the Emperour hearing was highlie contented and sent to desire his companie to the Chappell where Palmerin neuer before so throughlie touched with the forcible assaults of looue glaunced so manie swéete lookes on the Princesse Polinarda and breathed so many sighes the secrete Ambassadours of his harte as it was a heauen to him to be in these passions The Emperour and all the traine returned from the Chappell they went to meate and Palmerin beeing placed right against Polinarda was in such fits as hee knewe not what countenaunce to vse for his couller went and came in such manner as the Princesse might easilie iudge the cause of his dolour wherupon she presentlie presumed that she had more interrest in his thoughts then ere she looked for The like opinion conceiued he of her yet was no other testimony deliuered on either side then sad countenances the reuealers of a tormented spirite Thus continued these two louers till the Tables were withdrawne and then the Lords and Ladies fel to dauncing in which delight and diuers other the whole day was spent till the Empresse and her Ladies departing to their Chambers the good night on all sides was reuerently giuen when Palmerin went to his lodging in such an agonie as more likelie to die then liue hee threwe himselfe on his bedde where hauing sighed and sorrowed long time gréeuously at length hee brake foorth into these tearmes Ah Palmerin vnhappy wretched and moste miserable nowe art thou entred into such a Laborinth as impossible is it for thée to get out again with life but what shoulde mooue thee to so high an enterprise béeing no way able to equall her that is second to none Alas nowe doo I plainlie sée the small credite is to bee reposed in Dreames and that the visions I saw in my Father Gerrards house on the Mountaine Artifaeria and els where are friuolous illusions and of no account with them may I ioyne the promise made mee by olde Adrian who boasted to knowe so much of my fortunes for looue is not of such power on my behalfe that faire Polinarda either can or will make anie reckoning of me Then Palmerin resolue thy selfe suddainlie to die that this inuisible and consuming fire which by little and little melts thée away may bee extinguished and thy selfe eased With these wordes he breathed foorth such an extreame sighe as Vrbanillo the Dwarffe being néere hearde him who doubting least any newe mischaunce had happened by the priuie woundes she enchaunted Archer gaue him made hast to know the cause of this euill Ah Vrbanillo quoth Palmerin I finde my selfe farre worse then deade What my Lorde sayd the Dwarffe now you ought to be of best disposition will you deceiue vs with this alteration The Emperour neuer gaue you bad countenaunce since your comming whence then shoulde procéede thys straunge conceit No no Vrbanillo quoth hee it is not the Emperor but a Lorde of greater power then his Maiestie It is Looue my Lad the strickt commaunder of the stoutest mindes he hath conquered mee and well I knowe I shall die if thou
himselfe and tormented with so manie passions as euerie howre his death is expected What will ye Ladie that I say hee complaines hee sighes and daie by daie is in such dispaire for his Ladies loue as happie might I haue accounted him had he neuer séene her or that his daies were as short as his desires If then Polinarda were in doubt not iudging herselfe to bée shée it may easilie bee imagined and presently was shee brought into such perplexitie as the vermillion couller in her chéekes began to change such suddaine feares possessed her and so manie sundry opinions thwarted her conceite as faine she woulde haue spoken but coulde not of long time wherby the Dwarffe discerned the cause of her alteration yet he dissembled what he sawe and thus continued on his discourse Nowe considering faire Madame the high deserts of my Lorde may she be estéemed happy as you saie that shall cause the losse of the best Knight liuing this day Ah Mistresse if he die as God forbid farwell the flower of all noblenes and the most assured Freâ—nde to distressed Ladies Wherefore I beséeche you pardonâ— mee if I shall name her vnto you and let mee intreate you to dealé with her so farre that the courtesie wherein she is indebted to so gooâ— a Knight as my Master is may be shewed effectually as that she would loue and fauour him as he dooth hath verie well deserued Trust me Vrbanillo aunswered the Princesse when I knowe the Ladie I will and beside if she doo not regarde his passions as she ought I will intreate her at my request to be more pittifull These wordes procured a suddaine iealouzie in her that shee shoulde promise to another what she desired her selfe yet earnest to bee resolued she vowed to fulfill her promise and therefore desired him to tell her name So you will giue mee your worde Madame quoth the Dwarffe not to take in ill parte what I shall saie I will satis-fie your request presently Be léeue me saide the Princesse I will not rather perswade thy selfe that héerein thou doost me great pleasure Ah fayre Princesse quoth the Dwarff it is for you and no other that my Lord is thus tormented it is for you that heé liues and dies a hundred times a daie swéete Ladie haue pittie on him and séeke not the losse of so good a Knight who looues you déerer then his owne life At which aunswere shee was supprized with incredible pleasure yet feigning the contrarie she saide Is it I and howe long I praie you By my faith Madame quoth he that can I not well tell yee but I haue hearde him say of long time more then foure yeeres before he was Knighted hee vowed himselfe yours since which time all his honourable actions hath hee onely dedicated to your praise So that to finde you hee left the King of Macedon and his Sonne Florendos of whom hee was estéemed as no man the like yet that honour hée forsooke to doo you seruice and for your loue he yéelded himselfe as vassaile to the Emperour your Father and gaue himselfe your Knight if you deigne to accept him When Polynarda had well hearde the Dwarffe albeit her harte floted in ioyes yet could she so well commaunde her thoughts as shee seemed to make smal account of his words notwithstanding she returned him this aunswéere I promised thée Vrbanillo not to conceiue ill of ought thou shouldest tell me nor doo I yet wold I haue thee to regard my calling béeing daughter to so great a Prince as is the Emperour But if it bee so that Palmerin thy Lorde beares me such speciall affection I must let him knowe by thée that it would haue â—éene farre more séemelie himselfe to haue told me then to make thée Ambassadour in such secrete affaires neuerthelesse I not mislike his honourable loue and good will whereof I shall thinke better when I knowe the effecte is conformable to thy protestations Madame quoth the Dwarffe so you would please to vouchsafe him time and place hee will acquaint you with strange matter concerning bothe your destinies which courtesie can no waie impeache your honour Why tell him saide the Princesse he shall haue mee dailie héere in the Chamber of presence where he may saie his pleasure with safetie in meane space I accept him as my Knight charging him that he doo not depart the Court without my licence if hee desire to doo mee pleasure The Dwarffe well pleased with so good an aunswere on hys knee kissing the Princesse hande tooke leaue of her to returne towardes Palmerin who méeting him by the waie in place conuenient saide Howe nowe Vrbanillo what newes hast thou brought me life or death So good newes Maister aunswered the Dwarffe as you haue good occasion to repute your selfe the moste fortunate Knight that euer bare Armes Then Palmerin embracing him saide Ah tell me what they are hast thou spokeÌ„ with diuine Polinarda takes shee anie pittie on my consuming cares That dooth she my Lorde quoth the Dwarffe and commandes you by me if you be so vowed hers as I haue perswaded yâ— hence foorth you depart not the Emperours Courte without her leaue Then recited he the whole talke betwéene them and lastlie the pleasure she conceiued in so good tydings so that she accepted him onelie for her Knight While yâ— Dwarffe continued this discourse Palmerin was rauished with such inwarde ioy as with a great sigh he said Oh heauens how doo you fauour me nowe sée I well that my seuerall apparitions on the Mounts of Oliues and Artifaeria are predestinations ordeyned to mee by your gracious prescience I beséeche you therefore humblie that what you haue promised may soone come to effect for the regarde of incomparable Polinarda Then demaunded hee by what meanes he might attaine to speake with the Princesse She sayth ê™ he that you shall dailie haue her in the presence or in the Empresse Chamber and there may you safely impart your whole minde vnto her But I haue other newes to tel yee for I vnderstand certainlie that the Emperour intendes a matter greatlie for your aduauntage he minds to morrow to visite one of his Castelles neere at hande and there to passe the time in honour of the Ladies will haue a Tourney There better then any where els may you and Polinarda conferre togeather therfore courage your selfe and goe keepe comanie with my Lorde the Emperour it may bee himselfe will acquaint you with this enterprise Now credite me Vrbanillo saide Palmerin thou hast doone so much for mee as I shall neuer recompence thée while I liue but I pray thée tell mee did shee not at the first take my message strangelie That did she quoth the Dwarffe when I perswaded her that you loued a Lady in such sorte as hardlie coulde you liue without her fauourable regarde then she thinking it was some other and not herselfe changed couller meruailous passionatlie but let it suffise you that she is as deepe in loue as you
are or can be So went Palmerin to the Emperour who calling him to him saide My noble Freende I shal make knowne to you what hath béene concluded in your absence the Ladies of our Courte haue beene so long lockt in for feare of the enchaunted Knight whom you haue slaine as they haue desired to prograce a little for which cause and to pleasure them I am thus determined Two leagues hence haue I a goodly Castell enuironed with woods and pleasant Meddowes there may wee hunte the wilde Harte and Bore with other pastimes but nowe haue I caused Scaffolds and other prouision to be made there for a Tourney and fortie Knightes will I appoint in this action tenne against tenne and the first conquerers shall keepe the fielde against tenne other that shall reuenge the tenne vanquished so hauing all iousted they shall fight at Barriers with rebated swordes and the brauest Champion shall haue a rich Iewell which the Empresse hath prouided for the purpose Nowe woulde I haue you one of the ten challengers and my Nephew Ganareno on the Defendants side for him doo I esteeme one of the best Knights in my Courte will you not doo thus much at my request God forbid saide Palmerin that I shoulde refuse any thing you please to commaunde These newes were immediatly published through the Courte which made euery Knight speedilie to prepare himselfe in hope to be of the number of the fortie that should performe the Tourney and thus they priuilie imparted to their Ladies howe they would breake both Sword and Launce for their loue Among whom Ptolome was not the last for he so affected the yong Princesse Brionella as he had made her sole Mistresse of his hart yet coulde he not find the meanes to acquaint her therewith but the next day as shee rode among the Ladies they had good leysure to conferre togeather and before they arriued at the Castell they discouered thorowlie to eache other their affections promising mutuallie such a iust consent in loue as the one should bragge of the others happines While they continued their amorous discourses Palmerin who had newlie presented himselfe to Polinarda was greatly discontented because so soone as he came to her the Empresse called her and left not talking with her till they alighted from horsebacke notwithstanding before night he gayned recompence for that disaduantage for after Supper the Emperor and the Ladies went a walking by a goodlie Riuers side there to disporte themselues in the coole of the euening Nowe was it the merrie Maie moneth when the fieldes were richlie decked with Natures Tapistrie and Cupid gaue oportunitie to hys Subiects to contemplate theyr swéete and affable desires and well came it to passe for Palmerin while Trineus and Ptolome were conuerssing with the Empresse that he taking his Mistresse by the arme walked with her amongst the faire flowers and seeing the time and place serue him so well trembling as supprised with a vehement passion thus began Madame your gracious nature will not count it strange but rather take it in good part that I a Knight errant and as yet vnknowne among courtlie assemblies should presume to make known a secrete to you which my selfe dare not imagine without reuerence death can cause me declare to none nor may I procéede without some assurance of my vncertaine hope by her diuine pittie that giues me life And although the wordes of my Dwarffe haue acquainted me with your princely fauour sufficieÌ„t to expel all feare and suspition of reproofe yet such is the height wher to I aspire as the greatest Monarche in the worlde â—anne scantly deserue then well may I estéeme my selfe vnworthie But doubting whether your spéeches were such or that my Dwarffe as such as he often may doo hath reported more then he had in charge I am desirous trusting on your benignitie and speciall fauour aboue all other to vnderstande if your pleasure bee so highlye to honour mee as henceforth to accept me for your Knight and Seruaunt And if such vndeserued grace may fall to my lot I shall not onely acknowledge that Fortune hath directed my course to the onely place of honour but shall haue good occasion beside to make knowne by my Knighthoode that I am the fauoured of the most faire Princesse Héerein good Madame you shall not dissent from reason if I hauing lost my libertie by beeing onelie yours want the modestie that shoulde sheelde me in your high regarde therefore may you swéete Ladie in mine excuse accuse loue and your celestial beauty bothe stronger to coÌ„mande then I to gainesay My Dwarff hath let you knowe as he tolde me part of the paine I endure for your sake which you cannot but thinke well off in that my destenie so commaunded mee long time before I sawe or knewe you not alone in visions but by manifest sollicitings so that in search of you I haue suffered such trauaile as maruaile it is that nature coulde make me able to sustaine Notwithstanding I account all right happily bestowed if I may gaine fauour in your gracious eyes without which it is vnpossible for me to liue for there is no part possessing life or spirite in mee that is not vowed to your onelie seruice These words were dipt in teares and deliuered with manie a bitter sigh which mooued Polinarda to such compassion as taking him by the right hand she began to playe with his fingers her trembling testifying her secrete afflictions and breaking off Palmerins discourse as he thought to haue continued longer thus aunswered Syr Knight it seemes by your countenaunce that you dispayre of something or els haue more fortitude then I can conceiue Esteeme you mee of so simple iudgment that knowing your valour and knightly perfections I shoulde not account my selfe happy to haue so braue a Champion Let it suffise you that what Vrbanillo tolde you is true and in regarde of the paine you suffer for my loue and fancying mee so firmelie as you doo beléeue mee good Knight you feele no gréefe but it is as familiar with me so that what thought you haue of mee the like haue I of you as time and the vnspotted loue I beare you shall witnesse in meane time promise me not to depart my Fathers Court without my consent And because I sée the Ladies approching refer we the rest till some other time when wee shall haue more leysure to conferre togeather and tell mee nowe if you bee determined to ioust to morrowe That will I Madame quoth hee if it please you to commaunde me In sooth saide she I will not hinder ye because I knowe the honor of the Tourney will be yours for my sake therefore shall you were this Bracelet as a signe of my fauour and pledge of my loue So taking off her Bracelet shee gaue it to Palmerin who receiued it with no little content and so concluding their talke because manie Knights and Ladies came about them they walked where the Emperor and the Empresse
togeather and séeing the time readie to countenaunce theyr enterprise tooke eache of them a rich Mantle and wyth theyr Swordes vnder their armes went out at a windowe vppon the walles and albeit the passage was somewhat daungerous yet loue had so encouraged them as without regarde of daunger or fortune they came to the windowe which the Dwarffe shewed them not séene by any Polinarda who was most attentiue hearing the trampling of theyr feete sayde to Brionella Is not this Palmerin So opening the Casements they sawe Palmerin and Ptolome attending like dilligent Seruants If then bothe parties were pleased it is not to be doubted nothing in the worlde more contenting them then the sight of each other And truelye Palmerin and the Princesse had great reason for beside that their fatall destenies did so prouoke them theyr equal natures were so commendable and correspondent as though they had neuer séene yet were they borne to loue togeather Now was Polinarda very brauely accoâ—stred in a gorgious night Mantle and such soft white silkes as the shewed more bright then the morning Starre her firie pointed lookes so wounding Palmerin as rapt vppe as it were into a second heauen he remayned silent a long time not able to speake a worde The Princesse was likewise in the selfe same conceit and so ouercome with regarde of her Paramour as she continued mute and was loth to giue the onsette Palmerin ashamed to accompany his Ladie with such silence beganne thus mildlie to courte his Mistresse I did neuer thinke faire Madame that Fortune woulde honour mee with such extraordinarie fauour directing my course to your noble Fathers Courte to bee thus entertayned into your gracious seruice hauing no deserts in mee to induce you to your choyse but it may be in respect of some good report by such to whom I account my selfe highlie beholding hauing thus founde the place where I was prâ—ordained to loue my Starre hath appointed it and withall to make me the happiest man liuing And it may be Madame that such as enâ—ie not my happines haue acquainted you with some of my exterior actions which God not I hath brought to passe but they ignoraunt of the intire and feruent loue I beare you coulde make no iust report therof to you béeing a secret so speciall and not to be comprehended beside the depth and wonderfull nature thereof not to bee measured therefore to be buried in your heauenly opinion which howe ample so euer you please to graunt me the more am I bounde both in duetie and affection which in despight of enâ—ie and his confederates shall remaine immooueable and pleade the continuall loyaltie of your Knight and Seruaunt And if I shoulde reporte howe manie times your diuine personne hath béene presented me in sléepe I shoulde therewithall discourse infinite passions which I endured séeing my selfe frustrate of that I nowe beholde How many Countries and Citties what perrils and daâ—ngers haue I past to finde you prouoked on still with neuer chaunging loue If this then were sufficient to make me run through a worlde of daungers I leaue it to your iudgment sweete Madame what it may doo nowe séeing with myhâ—â—yes what I dreamed on before and may with â—â—fetie saie incomparable beautie Héerehence proceedeth that my extreame affections haue ouercome all other parts in mâ— not able to imagine howe manie reuerende opinions I vse of you which must intreate you on my behalfe that your accustomed clemencie will pardon my preiudicate conceiâ—e because béeing not mine owne but yours onelie I may easilie offende These spéeches moistened with the teares of his eies and like-warme blood of his hart deliuered manifest euidence how truelie he loued the Princesse who bearing him companie in all arguments of loue thus answered I doubt not Sir Palmerin but the looue you beare mee is excéeding great noting your earnest affections and the great trauaile you haue sustained in searche of me and no other certaintie doo I request to be perswaded by béeing as vehement in affection towards you as you are to me for proofe whereof this attempt maie suffise that against my duetie I should be séene thus secretlie in a place so suspicious and time so vnnecessarie But if I haue offended héerein accuse those séemelie perfections which I haue regarded in you and the confidence I repose in your good conceit coupled with the honourable estimation yâ— is generallie reputed in your vertues Pardon me swéete Ladie saide Palmerin if by my longing desire to speake with you I haue in anye thing displeased for earnest good will to doo you seruice constrained me to be thus importunate The matter is far from anie desert of offence quoth the Princesse for hither are you come by my commaundement to the ende that wee might sée one another and talke of such thinges as neerest concerne vs and therefore resolue your selfe good Knight that I esteeme you aboue all other and promise you by the faith of a Princesse and loyall Fréende to die rather then anie other shall be Lorde of me Which verie words so rauished his sences as verie hardlie he could sustaine himself whereuppon Polinarda put her hande out at the windowe which he in often kissing well marking behelde the Charracter thereon as you haue hearde before Ah Madame ê™ hee this is the token that makes me the happiest man liuing As howe I pray you saide she what know you héereof Then Palmerin discoursed all his dreames and visions and bréefely ranne thorow repetition of his whole life how the wise Adrian had sent him the Shéelde of Sable wherin in was figured a hand fast closed togeather signifying the same hand I holde at this present because this hath the same marke the other had in figure In trueth said the Princesse I was desirous to know the meaning of that Sheeld wherin I sawe a Siluer hand closed which you bare the first day of the Tournament béeing nowe not a little glad that you haue so satis-fied me Afterwarde Palmerin made knowne to her the marke himselfe had on his face which agreed with hers in perfect likelihoode O God quoth she happie be the time of this meeting blame me not my Lorde to bee thus supprised with your loue séeing our fatall desteâ—ies haue so appointed this will cause mee to liue in more hope of good successe then before I did and that our amitie will sorte to such ende as our two harts shall bee combined in one yet let mee sée I beséeche you the marke on your face howe neere it resembles this on my hand She fetching a Taper which burned in the Chamber lifted vp his comelie locks of hayre and sawe them bothe shaped in one forme wherefore suddainly setting awaie the light shee embraced Palmerins heade in her armes and sealed many swéete kisses on his amiable Charracter The like louing salutation passed betwéene Ptolome and Brionella at another Casement of the Windowe with sollemne vowes and protestations neuer to faile in their loue and this to
as you can haue no priuiledge to aske nor I to graunt and therefore content ye This aunswere albeit it was sharpe and scant pleasing to the Prince yet loue so perswaded him that the Duchesse had another meaning then she bewrayed for nothing her countenaunce so full of change he gessed that sâ—me sparks had fallen among her affections wherefore he began againe I beséeche you Madame accuse Loue if I haue spoken to your dislyking yet hope I to sée the time when I shall make knowne howe great my affection is to doo you seruice and continuing this talke he brought her to the Quéenes lodging Loue following them bothe so narrowlie at the héeles as the Duchesse was no lesse affectionate then Lewes was passionate Which when he got some light of in hope to purchase hys his desire he sollicited her in more secrete manner then hee was wont so that being one day in place where they might familiarlie talke Lewes perseuering in his enterprise declared what torments he suffered for her loue whereuppon the Duchesse not onely by the Princes reasons which were perswasiue but as well to mittigate her owne oppressions thus aunswered Great is the force of your perswasions my Lord but greater is yâ— of looue which hath made me yours so that what you request I cannot denie and though it stand not with mine honour yet such is my fortune Let me intreate you therefore to conceale this loue so discréetlie as none may knowe of it especially my Lord the Duke and expect the day that shall yéelde you content and make mee happy This aunswere so highly pleased the Prince as neueâ— man thought himselfe in greater felicitie and rendering her manifold thankes sayd I sweare to you Madame by the diuine force of loue that gouerns vs bothe to bee for euer your Knight and neuer shall any other desire abide in me then you shall like and well allowe of for otherwise I were not worthy this speciall fauour The Duchesse thanking him departed and thenceforth so secretly shaddowed their loue as none suspected that the Prince loued the Duchesse CHAP. XXXII Of the enterprise of Lewes the Prince of Fraunce for the loue of the Duchesse of Burgundie LOng continued the King of Fraunce this state in all magnificence there méeting many noble personages as well Straungers as of the Realme that it was meruailous to behold as also the Ladies and Damosels that accompanyed the Quéene who on a day in the presence Chamber among many Knights conferred of the bountie and prowesse of the florishing braue yong Courtiers among whom the Prince Lewes making one eache one spake in behalfe of his Ladies beautie yet concealing their names to themselues till better occasions might cause theÌ„ deseruedly to be known Al this talke the Prince well marking who for the Duchesse loue was depriued of libertie threw many swéete glaunces at the Mistresse of his affections perswading himselfe that nature neuer made a more perfect creature and not able to make her like againe burst her molde whereupon hee said Lordes and Ladies who with such aduauntage haue chatted on beautie vnderstand that such as you haue yet spoken of or seuerally in your owne thoughts shall thinke vppon may not be equall with one that I knowe euen she that is Ladie and commaunder of my hart whose beautie is so far beyond all other as bright Cynthia from the goodliest star in the firmament And because that none shal imagine how being carried awaie with priuate opinion I vse these spéeches I will make good my words by deedes of Armes against anie Knight whatsoeuer that dare saie the câ—ntrarie Nowe in regard that none shall pleade ignoraunce I will aduertise all Knights howe the first daie of Maie next ensuing and seauen daies more immediatlie following I will be in open fielde in my Tent where I will eâ—ecte a statelie monument on the toppe whereof shall bee her figure whose Knight I am and there will I defende it in this honorable quarrell against such Knights as will Combat for the beautie of their Ladies I affirming mine to excell all other in perfections This condition must be obserued by such as enter the fielde that they bring the Ladies figure with them whom they honor most and if Fortune frowne on them in such sort as they be vanquished they shall there leaue their Ladies Image to be placed vnder my Mistresse as her subiect Nowe if my vnhappy Starres so crosse me as I loose the credite I would bee lothe the conquerer shall enter in my Tent and in my Ladies place shall his Mistresse bee mounted if he meane to maintaine her with such conditions as I doo mine And hee that last shall accomplishe these eyght daies shall beare away the honour with the portraitures of the Ladies which by him or anie other all the saide time haue béene gained And this libertie shall be granted that he which receiues the foyle with the Launce shall CoÌ„bat with the Sworde if he please before he yéelde Nowe that this mine enterprise may be openlie knowne and put in execution as the vertue requireth I will sende Horsemen through all the prouinces of Christendome that all Knights willing thus to aduenture shall be heere receiued His spéeches ended the Gentlemen present could not maruaile sufficiently at this great and high enterprise of the Prince Lewes and the daunger whereinto he thrust himselfe yet not knowing who was the Ladie he woulde thus aduenture for but she béeing present perceiued that the Prince in honour of her loue tooke in hande this perilloâ—s hazarde wherein she conceiued such secrete content as the passioÌ„s of loue hauing penetrated her hart made her feare his mis-fortune which she would not for her life In this assemblie was present the Duke of Sauoye a yong Prince braue hardie and couragious as might be and estéeming so well of himselfe as he thought no Knight in the world coulde vanquish him who to aunswere the Prince Lewes arose and thus spake My Lorde I would not willingly haue entered the Combat against you but that I heard you so farre outreache your selfe as shee whose beautie you maintaine is more perfecte then all other Ladies but shee that is the commaunder of my hart is such a braue accomplished Ladie as in trueth her beautie may not be matched through the whole worlde And to affirme what I saie I sweare by the order of my knighthoode that the morrowe after you haue finished your eight daies enterprise I will enter the same fielde and auerre against all Knights that the Goddesse to whom I am dedicated excelles all other Ladies in her heauenly gifts and he that dare maintaine the câ—ntrarie vnder my Sworde I will make him confesse it All such therefore as will make proofe of their valour shall find me there in my Tent at my appointed day and nine daies after to sustaine the same quarrell in plaine Combat either at the Launce the Maâ—e the Sworde on horsebacke or on foote at his choise
And though I vanquish one Knight it shall not be lawfull for me to rest a minute space but presentlie take him in hande that shall followe and bee it my fortune to bâ—â—oyled by him he shall kéepe the fielde in manner as you my Lord deuised And to the ende all may be the better executed pleaseth you yâ— in such places where your intelligencâ—rs shall come my enterprise may likewise bee declared in respect I hope to behaue my selfe so well as my Ladie will make speciall account of me The Lady for whoÌ„ the Duke of Sauoye thus attempted was Daughter to the King and Sister to Lewes named Lucemania whom he loued intirelie and aboue all thinges desired in marriage which to compasse and to honour his Ladie he thus offered the Combat against all Knights These Princes intending to goe thorow with their intent concluded betwéene them that the Duke of Sauoye shoulde breake it to the King to gaine his good-will whereuppon the Duke departing towards the Quéenes Chamber to finde the King espyed him aâ— very good leysure walking in his Garden to whome hee went in all haste and on his knee thus began So please it your highnes to graunt me oneâ—boone I shall be bounde to continue the â—oue I haue borne your Maiestie which is to prolong my life in your seruice as the most forwarde Knight in your royall Court The King who had long time fauoured the Duke 〈◊〉 him by the hande thus aunswered Demaâ—nde my good Cozin what you please and it shall bée graunted Then the Duke deliberatelie discoursed what the Prince Lewes and he had intended for the loue of theyr Ladies wherwith the King scant content and mâ—ruailing at this hastie enterprise said Why Cozin do you imagine your selues able to maintaine so hard a taske in resâ—â—â—ance of so manie hardie Knights wherewith the worlde is now plentifullie stored Beléeue me in maine Countries are Ladies of greater beautie I doubt then is at this 〈◊〉 in our Realme of Fraunce I promise you I hardly like what my Sonne and you attempt but seeing my worde is paste you shall not nowe be hindered doo â—herefore what your thinke expedient with this consideration alwaies that the ending of matters is greater then the beginning The Duke humbly thanking the King aunswered Wee doubt not my Lorde but by the hope of God and fauour of our Ladies to ende our affaires with fortunate successe but if nowe we should giue ouer and not goe forward with our promise we might woorthily be reprooued of shame cowardise the most villainous reproches that can be to any noble hart The King perceiuing the earnest affection of these two yong Princes and that to denie their request would be more hurtfull then to graunt commaunded him againe to procéede with their intent with such suretie against all strange Knights as what losse or victory happened to them they must be content with all that fell out The Duke not a little ioyfull kissing his highnes hande departed and immediatly acquainted Prince Lewes therewith but nowe the Queene vnderstanding her Sonnes enterprise sent for him and with sad countenance thus spake I would my Son that the intent of you and the Duke of Sauoye were eyther awhile deferred or vtterly forgotten because I greatlie doubt that the ende will bring a further consequence then you expect For thinke you that by all your forces and Chiualries the beauties of your Ladies shal be any iote increased no beléeue me but if they loue you as loyall Freendes ought to doo as greatlie wil they dislike your enterprise as feare the daunger whereinto you may fall a matter causing other desire then you thinke on more offensiue perhaps to them then anie honor you may winne can please them Lewes who by no meanes would be disswaded from his conceit aunswered Good Mother if for no other feare this matter shal not be reuoked in regard of the shame neuer dying dishonor I shall gaine thereby which makes mee desire a thousande deathes then not to bee so good as my worde therefore perswade your selfe good Mother that albeit her beautie for whom I enter the Combat cannot bee more perfect hereby in that it is without imperfection yet such is my resolution in a matter so certaine as her sweete lookes shall deliuer me strength enough to ende my taske without dreade of any inconuenience yâ— may happen The Duchesse enflamed with loue hearing these wordes on her behalfe must needes speake and thus began I knowe not my Lorde who is the Ladie you loue nor what are her vertues but heereof I can assure you that she is highlie beholding to you and except great reason to the contrarie ought to loue you considering what perill you thruste your selfe into for her beautie Madame quoth the Prince the trauaile I shall take and the bad fortunes may befall mee are little of no account in respect of her gracious deserts therefore for her honour I will beare my inwarde paines with secrete content and attempt these outwarde actions with the greatest courage I can possible desiring no other recompence then her fauourable conceit whereof once assured nothing can seeme difficult to me no were it to dye in her diuine seruice And as he would haue continued longer the King not yet thorowlie content with his promise past to the Duke of Sauoye entered the Chamber by whose countenaunce Lewes wel knewe he was mal content wyth him wherefore falling on his knée hee saide My Lorde no one is ignoraunt how all my welfare and reputation consisteth onelie in your Maiestie as a Prince and Father the most vertuous that I know which great good in some part to recompence I haue enterprised a matter vnwoorthie of dislike so please your highnes of your accustomed bountie to excuse accept it in good part in respect that such as are borne to the highest places of dignitie ought to bee more prompt and readie to all magnanimious actions then theyr inferiors chéefelie in prowesse chiualry and deedes of estimation What brought such renowne to Horatius Mutius Scaeuola Marcus Curtius Manlius Torquatus and a number more of Romaine Knights if not the couragious folowing of occasions offered What made for euer immortall the fame of Marius the Romaine Cittizen Hanniball the Carthaginian and Agesilaâ—â— the Greeke if not the vndaunted valour of their minds deliuered in their déedes of kinglie consequence Assuredly I beleeue that their Fathers Uncles and auncient progenitours neuer made them noble or ought renowmed what then onely vertue the very formatrix of all nobilitie For this cause my good Lorde and Father hauing now oportunitie as my Cozin yâ— Duke of Sauoye hath informed you may it please your grace to permit my endeuours with fauour to the ende I may deliuer perfect testimonie that I no whit degenerate froÌ„ your heroycall and kingly vertues The King somewhat moderating his former opinion answered Trust me Sonne full well you know howe to disguise and couer your follye
as Prince Lewes was throwne betwéene his horsses féete and he for England lost his stirrops but recouered himselfe well enough by the mayne of his Horse then he séeing his enemie not vppe againe cast himselfe out of his saddle to haue taken his aduauntage but Lewes preuented him and came marching against the Duke with his Sworde drawne who staied him thus Me thinks Prince of Fraunce before any worse befall thée thou wert best to yéelde thy selfe and remember that our Combatte beginnes for the excellencie of beautie By God man of England aunswered Lewes thou canst not perswade me to a thing so farre from my thought therfore goe too and he that hath the fairest Fréende shall soone be knowne In this great choller he reached the Duke such a stroke on the head as made him sette one knée to the ground but recouering himselfe quicklie and both thorowly angry they laid on eache other so cruellie as the very hardiest of the beholders feared the successe Thus fought they for matter of speciall value the defence of theyr owne reputations and honor of their Ladies whose loue was more precious in their harts then their owne lines So long these eager charges continued on bothe sides as Prince Lewes hauing receiued more then twentie woundes on his bodie feeling himselfe fainte fell downe before his enemie saying O noble hart of Fraunce the true succéeder of thy famous predecessours The victorious Englishman setting his foote vpon him saide Lorde Lewes if now thou declarest not my Lady to excel thine in beautie it câ—sts thée thy life a matter nothing pleasing to me in respect of the chiualry and singuler prowesse I haue founde in thée as also this magnaâ—â—â—ious enterprise of thine which in despight of thy foyle and death it self shall make thée liue for euer But Lewes made no aunswere eyther for his weakenes or sorowful conceite of his mis-fortune wherefore the Iudges came who granting the Duke victorie desired him to procéede no further which he honourably graunting was as ioyfull of the conquest as the Duchesse sad and pensiue thinking Prince Lewes had béene slaine outright wherfore the floong away to her lodging not tarrying for the King or any of the Ladies who likewise departed the fielde in maruailous sorow séeing theyr Sonne so pittifully wounded but aboue al the Duchesse made more lamentation then shee woulde haue doone for the death of her Husbande yet fearing what shee thought secretly shoulde by her gréefe bee openly suspected comforted herselfe so well as she coulde and béeing by herselfe with one of her trusty Gentlewomen shee thus breathed foorth her mones Ah trecherous Fortune enemye to all actions of regarde why hast thou suffered the man thou most fauoured thus to be vanquished and which is most to be pittied without hope of life Ah deceitfull tremperesse séeing thou hast offered him so much wrong doo mee the fauour to beare him company in death that liued and died so honourably for my loue Ah death let it suffise thée yâ— Loue hath wounded him and make not thou experience of thyâ—e ineuitable stroke vnlesse thou wilt doo as much for mee Ah false and flattering Sonne of Venus is this the guerdon thou rewardest them withall that serue thée faithfully So ceasing her complaint awhile in great impatience she thus began againe Alas neyther the one or other are cause héerof but my most vnhappy selfe when prouoked by my beautye he tooke in hand this enterprise but if it bee so déere Fréende that enuâ—ous fate deale so harde with thée soone mayst thou be reuenged on her that caused it And wyth these wordes she sell betwéene the armes of one of her Ladyes present whom she specially trusted who thus spake to her Why howe nowe Madame wâ—l you perswade your selfe no otherwise beléeue me there is no remedy but you must change this conceite What wyll you forgette your selfe it is no time if you remember your selfe well for if he whom you loue and endure these paynes for shoulde vnderstande héereof in stedde of séeking his health you wyll shorten hys dayes if as you say hee liue not without your welfare More requisite is it that you goe coÌ„fort him wyth your chéereful presence then thus to bee the argument of bothe your deathes Beside Madame if my Lord suruiue as no doubt he shall what may he presume trust me matter sufficient if you gouerne not your selfe better that you séeke to discouer what most of all beséemes you to conceale Alas my Fréende aunswered the Duchesse I knowe you speake the trueth but howe is it possible for me to content my selfe séeing what estate he is in onely for my loue But if he dye small reckoning will I make of my life for let my honour bee blamed or otherwise let all aduersities and mis-fortunes goâ— togeather Yet will I somewhat bee aduised by thee and I wyll goe sée if my presence wyl any thing comfort him To breake off this talke came an Esquire from the Queene to intreate her come to her Maiestie which she did and went with the Quéene to the Princes lodging who beholding the Duchesse so pale and full of greefe with this conceit his woundes opened and blâ—dde 〈◊〉 for which cause his Chirurgions who imagined the occasion to proceede by shame the Prince conceiued that any one should see what woundes he tooke by the Duke of Gaule wherfore they forbad any to enter his 〈◊〉 vntill the peril of death was better passed ouer which was within short time when the Duchesse by her ofteÌ„ visiting him coÌ„uerted his sorowes into many ioyful coÌ„ceits But because our History appertaines not onely to hys deedes or the loue of the Duchesse we will returne to the Duke of Gaule who after he had thus conquered Prince Lewes followed the conditions of the fielde taking the portraite of his Ladye Agriola and placed it where the Duchesse picture stoode setting it among the other conquered Ladyes That day dyuers other Knights came on behalfe of their Ladies whoÌ„ the valiant Englishman entertained with such valour as all his paines tourned to the honour of his Mistresse Agriola who nowe was seated as paragon of the fielde CHAP. XXXVI Of the Combatte betweene Palmerin and the Duke of Gaule with the successe thereof ON the same daie that the Prince of Fraunce was vanquished by the Duke of Gaule arriued at Paris Palmerin Trineus and theyr trayne but the Combat was first ended wherefore they commaunded their Squyres to prepare theyr Tent. Palmerin vnderstanding yâ— the Duke was conquerer greeued not a little in yâ— he came no sooner to winne the honour of the Prince yet knowing if nowe he coulde conquer the Duke more glory shoulde arise to him then by the Prince Lewes he contented himselfe passing that night in his Tent with the Prince Trineus in diuers arguments of the Combat between Lewes of Fraunce and the Duke yet was Lewes highly commended to Palmerin though he were ouercome because hee had so brauely doone the
with him into England where he founde the Countrey very much desolated with warres to his no little greefe but leaue we them and returne to Palmeâ—in CHAP. XLII Of the great courtesie the King of Fraunce vsed to Trineus and Palmerin and of their returne into Allemaigne SO dilligently were Palmerins woundes attended which he had receiued by the hand of Frysol as not long after hee recouered his health whereof the King and Prince Lewes were highly glad and much more Trineus to whoÌ„e the King desired to giue his Daughter Lucemania in marriage which to compasse hée intended a sumptuous banquet whereto hee woulde inuite these twaine yet first he would acquaint the Quéene therewith and therefore began the matter with her thus I see Madame that our Daughter Lucemania is of yéeres sufficient for a Husband and because I euermore desired her highest preferment and that I would knâ—w if the Prince Trineus to whom I could wish she were espoused were anie thing in loue that waie affected for hardlie in my iudgment shall we finde a greater Lord béeing heyre to the famous Emperour of Allemaigne for this intent I say will I ordaine a banquet whereto hee and noble Palmerin shall bee inuited and our Daughter to beare them company in yâ— best sorte you can deuise The Quéene who more desired this marriage then the King her Husbande aunswered You doubt not my Lord that I request her chéefest aduantage wherefore let it be as you haue determined and shee shall be present as you haue appointed This matter thus procéeding two daies after were Trineus and Palmerin called to this banquet and to honour them the more the King caused his Sonne Lewes with a braue companie of Knightes and Gentlemen to conduct them into the Pallace where they were royallie receiued by the King and Quéene and so led vppe into the Chamber appointed for their banquet After they had washed the King caused Trineus to sitte by him and Palmerin against him aboue whom sat faire Lucemania his Daughter béeing placed iust opposite to yâ— Prince Trineus the Quéene to furnish the Table satte downe by the King And albeit nature had bestâ—wed on yâ— Princesse most exquisite beautie yet her sumptuous accoustrâ—ments made her appeare most amiable but all coulde not mooue the hart of Trineus to forget her to whose shrine hee was dedicated The banquet ended and yâ— Tables withdrawne Trineus daunced with the fayre yong Princesse courting her with manie honest decent spéeches which made Lucemania suppose he loued her but the Prince noted it well enough albeit his affections were bound to English Agriola In this time the other Ladies were conferring of Palmerins knightlie valour when the Countie of Armignac his Sonne intreating the Duke of Orleaunce Daughter to daunce was thus staied by her spéeches to yâ— other Ladies You sée faire Ladies quoth shee that Palmerin hath misprized our beauties to reuenge our iniurie let vs all fall vppon him and shut him in some place where hee may neuer come foorth for if he escape vs the Allemaigne Ladies shall beare the honor from the French which will bee to vs perpetuall discredite These wordes she spake with such a pleasant countenaunce as mooued all the other Ladies to smile whereupon the Duchesse of Burgundie answered In sooth it is necessarie we should doo so and let vs not suffer him to gette out of our handes so easilie as he did from the Knights that came to the Combat All the companie lyked this motion well but the King said Ladies I will not consent that Palmerin shall haue anie wronge because I haue taken him into my guarde And who shall make recompence quoth another Ladie for the wrong hee hath doone vs You ought to suffer for satis-faction saide yâ— King and bee glad that you had the meane to sée the best Knight in the world for mine owne part I promise you I rest so contented Palmerin hearing the King so commende him bashfullie thus aunswered Alas my Lorde there is no such matter in me as pleaseth your Maiesty to report but what my abilitie is it remaines to doo you seruice accounting my selfe more then happy by comming to your Courte to haue knowledge of a Prince so noble and vertuous and no man liuing next my Lord the Emperour that maie commauÌ„de me more then your highnes Among other speeches yâ— King broke the matter of his Daughters marriage to Palmerin desiring him to labour in the cause to Trineus which hee promised but al in vain for after they had taken their leaue to returne towards Allemaigne though Palmerin was earnest in the matter in respecte of the beautie and nobilitie of the Princesse as for the support he might haue by matching with the Daughter of Fraunce yet Trineus thus answered I thanke you my Lord for the good you wish mee as also the honour the King affoordes mee but another beyond her whose renowne hath conquered me is Lady and Mistresse of my affections And because you are hee frâ—m whom I will not hide my most secrete thoughts know that it is Agriola Daughter to the King of England to whom though my Father be an enemie yet by your aide mine owne good endeuours I doo not doubt to compasse my loue You knowe my Lord quoth Palmerin that I wish as wel to you as mine owne hart and when occasion serues tryall shall make manifest And séeing you haue fixed your loue on faire Agriola of England imparting likewise the same so confidently to me I am perswaded you coulde neuer make a better choise therefore let nothing chaunge your opinion Thus rode they on with manie sundrie spéeches not a little gladde they were returning to the Emperour but Palmerin much more then was Trineus for the desire hee had to sée his Ladie Polinarda wherefore with the consent of the Prince he sent a Squire before to aduertise the Emperour of their comming before whom he had no sooner doone reuerence but he was presentlie knowne and demaunded in what estate his Son Trineus and Palmerin were where he had left them what accideÌ„ts had happened in Fraunce Then the Squire rehearsed the Combats and victories of his Maister against the Princes of Fraunce and the Dukes of Gaule Sauoye with their royall entertainment by the King and his Sonne howe manie portraits of Ladies Palmerin had conquered with the whole discourse of euerie action Whereof the Emperour the Empresse and all the Lords Ladies were maruailous glad yet was not theyr ioy comparable to the Princesse Polinardas hearing the Squire reueale the honourable déedes of her loue so that her conceit might be discerned by her couÌ„tenance needes she must thus demaunde of the Squire I praie thée tell me my Fréende howe fares my Lord and Brother with his noble companion Sir Palmerin The Squire wel abuised because he knewe the loue betwéene her and his Maister sette his knee to the grounde againe with this aunswere I left the Prince your Brother accompanied with
were in yâ— same predicament for he knowing her to be of the noble and auncient ligne beside sole heyre to the house of Saxon might count himselfe highly honored with such a Wife and therefore the like coniunction was made betwéene them so that nowe these Knights and Ladies were espoused before God there wanted nothing but the ceremonie of yâ— Church to confirme it But nowe comes Vrbanillo and hee breakes of this pleasure because yâ— time was so farre spent as they must néeds depart which with much a doo they did leauing their Ladies examining theyr content the Princesse soone after thus conferring with Brionella Alas faire Fréende it is doubtfull what danger maie arise because you haue contracted your selfe to Ptolome without the Emperors consent howe will you answer when you are charged with the fault Brionella who now feared nothing but the preuenting of her loue aunswered In sooth Madame you speake with great reason you nowe giue counsell when the déede is doone and cannot bee reuoked till it be dispatched woulde you haue all the good fortune your selfe and suffer your Freende to enioy no part with you trust mee that is vnconscionable dealing for he that made you to loue framed me of the selfe same mettall But I sée you make the occasion to me to learne howe to aunswere your owne déede let vs referre all to him Madame that appointed your choise by destinie and mine by mine owne lyking Manie other pleasaunt spéeches passed betwéene them and diuers times their Knights came to visite them till Fortune who will neuer suffer thinges long in one estate sent an occasion to hinder this delight of theyr loue for there was a Messenger come to the Courte from the King of Norvvay Nephew to the Emperour who beeing admitted audience thus deliuered his message Woorthie Lord the King of Norvvay my Maister requires your assistaunce in his great distresse against the King of England who with a mightie and puissaunt Armie is entered his dominions where he hath made great wast slaughter of his people in diuers skirmishes and conflicts passed betweene them so that he neuer had likeâ—néede as at this instant Trust me quoth the Emperour I will assiste him with right good will and his mis-fortune dooth not a little gréeue me but I will take order for it immediatlie and my power shall be with him so soone as possiblie maie be with which aunswere the Messenger departed Nowe as concerning the cause of these warres betwéene the Kings of Norway and England it was procured by displeasure of succor that the King of Norway gaue to the King of Scots his Brother who helde warre with England about the taking of certaine Shippes the Emperour likewise his heauie enemie and for that cause he promised helpe so soone to yâ— King his Nephew Which when Trineus vnderstoode that his Father declared himselfe displeased with the Father of his beloued Agriola whose loue no occasion coulde alter hee was greatlie discontented yet dissembling his conceit determined rather to aide the King of Englande then his Cozin and therefore intreated Palmerin to accompanie him to his Chamber where hee woulde acquaint him with some part of the sorrow he conceiued by the succour his Father would sende to the King of Norvvay against her Father whose Seruant he had vowed himselfe and therfore quoth he let me desire you to conceale a request I shall make to you You knowe my Lorde said Palmerin that I will no lesse obey you then the Emperour your Father commaund therefore what you please and be it in my power it shal be executed So it is quoth Trineus that I woulde haue you not accompanie the power my Father sendes by Sea but doo so much for me that you Ptolome my selfe vnknown to anie may assist the King of England in his warres by which meanes I doubt not to compasse the thing I most of all desire And this I dare tell you that my life is only dedicated to her seruice and so well doo I hope to imploye my paines that she shall haue cause to loue me and regard the paine I suffer for her sake and but I gaine the fortune to to purchase my loue right soone suddaine shall you heare of my death You that haue felt the like torments can censure of mine which I dare not impart to the Emperor my Father because of the hatred hee beares the King of England aduise mee therefore good Fréende what I shall doo These spéeches were nothing pleasing to Palmerin seeing he must nowe againe depart from his Ladie but because he earnestly affected Trineus and knew how wel he might helpe him in his loue answered Assure your selfe my Lord that I will labour dissigentlie for your good and shall assist you to my vttermost in that you beare such loue to yâ— Princesse And I am of the opinion that hauing receiued the order of knighthood which the Emperour your Father wyll not denie it woulde auaile you much to tell your Father howâ— you desire vnknowne to aide the King of Norway For my part if he demaunde my aduise I will like it so well as because the Annie cannot bee readie so soone your honor Ptolome and my selfe will ryde before towards the King and so may we accomplish what you so earnestlie desire This counsell pleased so well Trineus as he intended on the morrow to request his order of the Emperor as also how gladlie he wold assist yâ— King of Norway and howe necessary it was for him to goe before the Armie as Palmerin and he had deuised togeather CHAP. XLIIII Howe Triâ—eus was knighted and what happened to him afterward ON the morrow this yong Prince seeing that to accomplishe his intent it was ecessarie hee shoulde be knighted he gaue attendaâ—ce to finde the Emperour at leysure when he might sollicite his highnesse with his sute and vnderstanding that hee was walking in his Gallerie hee went to him and on his knée thus began Dreade Lâ—rd and Father so pleased your Maiâ—stie it is nowe time I shoulde receiue my order of Khighthoode and more necessâ—â—y now then at any of her time in respecte of my earnest desire to aide the King of Norway my Gozin in his warres The Emperour meruailing whence this humour shoulde procéede answered Why Trineus doo you thinke your selfe able to take so waightie a charge in handâ— truely such honor is soone receiued but to maintaine it as it ought to be and preuent the dangers incident therto is more hard then you weene and maketh proofe of the most couragious 〈◊〉 in that neither paine â—eare or danger must hinder what a matter of so great consequence dooth command And perswade your selfe that such as councelled you thereto knowe â—â—aut theÌ„selues their duetie in those affayres wherefore for a 〈◊〉 haue patience and referre it 〈…〉 abilitieâ— for I wil send good store of other Knights in this expedition who shall well excuse you to yâ— King my Nephew 〈◊〉 not contented with this
but well may I content my selfe for this is a iust scourge for mine offence and vndutifull obedience to the King my father Ah my Lord and loyall husband Trineus neuer shall I sée thée againe for God dooth know whither these villaines hath sâ—nt thee Ah noble Palmerin who was woont héeretofore to comfort me too much hast thou failed vs all thy former promises are nowe altered for in steede of imperiall soueraigntie pleasure anâ— honor I am requited with pouerue greefe shame and mockerie Ah death sweet death too long desired â—rath why commest thou not to end all these miseries But God will not permit thée because by my torments and afflictions I may féele the weightie burthen of my offences and large bountie of his mercies Ptolome séeing her in this mournfull vexation sayde It is no time nowe Madame thus to offende your selfe but rather as wise and well gouerned is beare these aduersities euen with as great content as your former prosperities taking in good part whatsoeuer shall happen for I am in good hope and my minde perswades me that wée shall be deliuered by noble Palmerin who I am sure endureth greater gréefe in his libertie hauing left vs 〈◊〉 wee can doo in our imprisonment Olimael excéeding angry to 〈◊〉 Agriola wéepe violently puld Ptolome from her charging his men not to suffer him once to come in her sight which he suffered patiently because he saw it was in vaine to kicke against the pricke When they were come to the Pallace and admitted to the Emperours presence Olimael knéeling downe and kissing his foote presented Agriola to his maiestie who séeing her of such rare and wonderfull beautie said to Olimael This present my Fréende is of such surpassing value as thou couldest neuer honour me with the like good reason is it therefore that a gift so precious should be rewarded with like recompence and so perswade thy selfe I will and thou shalt say the Emperouâ— is bountifull As for the Ladie thou hast giuen me I â—â—â—ceiue her so faire and gracious as I inteâ—d neuer to haue any other wiâ—e and that I may espouse her with the 〈◊〉 magnificence I will stay till the hallowed day 〈…〉 â—â—ronation when all my Princes Barons and 〈◊〉 wil be héere assembled and then in their prsence shal our nuptialles be solemnized Nowe had the Emperour a Woman captiue named Hippolita who was a Marchantâ— Daughter of Scicile and better skilled in all languages then anie Ladie in the Court for which he made speciall account of her reposing great confidence in her and acquainting her with his chéefest secrets wherefore hee sent for her before Agriola and sayd Hippolita I giue you this Ladie in kéeping commanding you to intreat her as our owne person and that all meanes may be practised to cause her forsake this sad mellancholy In conference you may shewe her what honour and happinesse she shall receiue by falling into our hanâ—es and what incomparable fortune it is to her whom we shall please to accept for our Wife All which Hippoâ—ita with great humilitie promised to accomplish and so conducted her into a maruailous princely Chamber the floore couered all ouer with cloth of Tissue and hung about with such sumptuous Tapistrie and bloth of Golâ— as hardly might the richnesse thereof be valued There Hippolita caused the Princesse to fitte downe in a Chayre of state which was purposely prouided for her demaunding her name and of what countrey shee was The Princesse answered that shee was of England but further of her state shee would not bewray Hippolita speaking perfectly the English tongue tooke great delight daily to commune with her and because Agriola should the better like of her conuersation she tolde her that she was like wise a Christian but by constraint she followed the Law of Mahomet and his Alchoran In further spéeches shée acquainted her with the estate of the Sultanes in the Court of the great Emperour of Asia which communication serued well to weare away the time albeit the Princesse tooke small pleasure therein Olimael in consideration his noble present was created high Admirall of the Mediterranean sea and furnished with greater store of Foystes and Gallies then 〈◊〉 before Chap. II. How the great Turke summoned all the Kings and Princes his Subiects because hee minded to hold open Court and howe he married with the Princesse Agriola his prisoner HIppolita daily conuersing with Agriola â—ecause shee could not so well speake her language at length the Emperor came to her chamber and because he might the better behold the princesse hee sate downe in a Chaire opposite to her anâ— there he sate a long time not able to coÌ„tent his eyes with looking on her for speake to her he could not because shee vnderstood not the Turkish language Wherefore he commanded Hâ—ppolita to request her name and what her Parents were which to satisfie his maiâ—stie shee did Agriola thus answering her In vaine Lady séeke you to know of me the thing which death cannot force mée bewray let this suffice you that I am a poore Gentlewoman the most infortunate that euer liued with which words shee wept very greeuously The Emperour moued with pittie departed to his Chamber so surprised and enflamed with her loue as hée could take no â—est one minute 〈◊〉 the night considering with himself that seeing she estéemed so little of the riches she sawe in his Pallace and refuseâ— the offers made her by Hippolita that doubtlesse shee was extract of sâ—me noble Image The next morning he called his foure Secretaries commaunding them to write to all the Princes of his Empire that they should not fayle to honour the day of his coronation with their presence and to bring with them theyr Quéenes and Daughters and this they should do on paine of displeasure all which was performed with present expedition In the meane time hee caused sundrie sumptuous ornaments to bee prepared with all manner of precious Iewels could be deuised and these he daily sent to Agriola but all these presents promises and munificent entertainment could no way mooue her not so much as to grant him a gracious countenance He likewise sent for the brauest Ladies in his Court that they should kéepe the Princesse companie but she would be conuersant with none but Hippolita of whom she had so prettily learned the Arabian tongue as many times she could indifferently answere the Emperour But when he behelde her continually so pensiue and that by no meanes shee would bee comforted hée doubted least his presence did offende her and therefore hée forbare so often to visit her For so déerely he loued her as for the halfe of his Empire hee would giue her no occasion of discontent hoping in time which is the Lorde and conquerour of all things to alter that humour and purchase her loue which he desired with earnest affection But now at this day where may we find a Lady so vertuousand wel gouerned being captiue as Agriola was that could
thy beautie of such value that the Knight to whome my Father and I haue doone so great honours would leaue vs and depart with thée trust meâ— thou art farre from thine account for if thou vauntest to doo him such honor in thy Fathers Courte as his nobilitie deserueth it consisteth in my power to exalt him more in one howre then thou canst doo in a thousand yéeres mightest thou liue so long I did neuer thinke that such audacious and incontinent tempting a man could any way enter thy heart but if such bee thy disposition thou oughtest rather to abide in thy Fathers Courte where thou maist haue leysure to followe thy base affection with some of the 〈◊〉 or youthes attending on thy Father then to offer the 〈◊〉 héere in my Chamber Hence hence foorth of my presence for I will not kéepe company with such an intemperate Woman What regard hadst thou of thy great linage or the place from whence thou art discended Yea what comfort will it be to me when I shall heare that a Ladie issued of the blood royall should bée more shamelesse and impudent then a 〈◊〉 a villaine or an high way begger Many other such like hard spéeches vsed Alchidiana all which gréeued her not so much as to 〈…〉 of him whom she reputed as passionate for her loue as shée was for his These high words of the Princesse caused the Ladies attending on Ardemia to enter the Chamber which maâ—e her then breake off because she woulde not haue euerie one knowe the matter and they séeing their Mistresse so sad and discomforted brought her to her owne Chamber where on her bedde shee sorrowed so impatiently as each one 〈◊〉 she would 〈◊〉 her selfe and faine shée woulde but that their presence hindered her therefore shee deferred it till better opportunitie And because shee had spent the most part of her yonger yéeres in reading the workes of 〈◊〉 as wel Greekes as Arabians she remembred the mouâ—nfull Tragedie of Biblis which caused her to frame a Dittie that shée had translated from the Greeke 〈◊〉 of Sapho into her vulgar spéech and turning towardes her Ladies and Gentlewomen she began in this maner The lamentable Dittie of Ardemia dying for loue MVsenot fayre virgins at Ardemia Although her end be hard and dolorous For death is pleasant as mine elders say To any Ladie sometime amorous For as the Swan in cold Meander glide By mournfull notes foretelles her speedy death So my complaint doth bid me to prouide For sweetest loue makes hast to stop my breath The ill that endlesse and vncessantly Torments my heart is fayre and choysest beautie And this vnhappie awkwarde desteny Falles to my lot through spotlesse loyaltie For fond conceit that ouer-rulde my wit More wretched then fayre Biblis maketh me And he I loue more stony hard is knit Then Caunus who could ken no courtesie Yet Bibliâ— oftentimes could ease her heart By sweete deuising with her louely freend But he I honor recks not of my smart Nor will vouchsafe one gracious looke to lend And as her sorrowes cheefely did arise Because the secrets of her loue were knowne So I reueald each one will me despise VVhich death can stint ere it too farre be blowne Vnhappie wretch that could not this foresee And be more chary of so choyse a thing But all too late I wish the remedie Therefore my folly doth due guerdon bring if loue that is esteemde a power diuine Vnto his Seruaunts giue so sharpereward VVhat merit may vile hatred then resigne Vnto his vassayles that his Lawes regard Oft haue I heard mine auncient elders say That such as loue not are vnwoorthie life Yet doth my loue imagine my decay And throwes my hope into whole worlds of strife And yet the paynes I wish for my mischaunce May not be valued with my present woe For to compare them is meere dalliaunce And neither sence or reason should â— shoâ—e Life is to me lothsome and burdenous All pleasure seemes to mee tormenting hell Ah poore refused and abused thus Must thou needes die for louing all too well O sacred Venus patrâ—nesse of loue In this distresse wilt thou not pittie me And thy fayre Sonne that thus his shaft did proue VVill he forsake me in this ieopardie If you forsake me in this iust request And will not fauour what you did procure Giue leaue to him that bringeth all to rest And he will ease the torments I endure You fatall Sisters that haue spunne my thred And now thinke good it should be cut in twaine Fulfill the taske as you are destenied And let my heart abide no longer paine Come sweetest death expected too too long Ende all the euils vnhappie loue begun If thou delay I challenge thee of wrong Hast then good death that loue and life were done Her complaints thus finished shée commaunded her Ladies to depart the Chamber and being alone by her selfe shee againe began to consider the rigorous refusall of Palmerin the conceit whereof gréeued her so extreamely as also the reproachfull wordes of her Cozin that making a conscience of her sorrowes and raging with extreamitie of this despight brake the vaines of her heart in sunder and the artiries of her bodie as the bloud issued foorth at many places aboundantly and therewithall in short time she was strangled The nxet morning her chéefest Lady that attended on her and loued her excéedingly came to the bedde side to sée how shée fared but finding her dead and so 〈◊〉 with her owne bloud gaue such a loude shrieke as Alchidiana and her Dâ—moselles affrighted at the noyse ranne in all haste to the Chamber The Princesse knowing the cause of this mischaunce was maruellous sorrowfull assuring her selfe that the wordes shée spake in her anger occasioned this bloudie 〈◊〉 And the â—umor of this mishop was so soone spread through the Palace as all the Ladies Damoselles Knightes Squires and other câ—me to beholde the harde fortune of Ardemia What lamentation was made on all sides is not to be expressed especially the Ladies attendant on Ardemia and her Brothâ—r Guâ—â—haran who brought her with him thither but her Gouernesse not able to endure the burthen of her heauinesse without feare of dread of any thus openly complained Ah swéete Princesse Aâ—demia the flowre of beautie howe deare hast thou bought this precious gift for I knowe assuredly that for this cause onely thy death happened vnhappie was the houre when thou didst leaue thy Fathers Court to accompanie the Princesse Alchidiana After her mones and the funerall pompe accomplished the Soldane erected for her a most beautifull Tâ—mbe with a sumptuous Coronet on the toppe thereof being vpheld by two inestimable Pillâ—rs of engrauen and guilded Alablaster the like whereof were neuer séene since the first King of Greece Yet was hée ignorant in the cause of her death and Palmerin not imagining whence this inconuenience did arise was so sorrowfull for the death of the Princesse as day and night hee mourned for her and
at length remembring her wordes to him and doubting his vnkindnesse to be the cause of her death sayd within himselfe Alas faire Princesse must I at the first motion driue thée to dispaire had I dissembled a little or temporized the matter thou hadst not fallen into this extremitie but my onely wilfull indiscretion is cause of thy losse O Female sexe howe are you subiect to casuall passions Yet néede I not wonder at this present mishappe for from the beginning of the worlde the Woman hath béene so suddein and voluntarie to the effect of her desires were they good or euill but especially in the action of loue as neyther feare honor shame torments no nor death could diuert her from her vndiscreâ—te fantasies Hereof beare record Hypâ—â—mnestra Myrrha Deianira Scylla 〈…〉 Phyllis Salmacis Hero and Dydo whose deatheâ— were procured onely by lauish loue O diuine wisedome that hast suffered me to fall into this lucklesse accident protect mée from any further disaduauntage séeing thou hast taken her hence who gaue some ease to mine 〈…〉 that so liuely shée resembled my swéete Mistresse 〈…〉 desire to serue with continuall loyaltie I nâ—we 〈◊〉 my selfe that this loue was not accompanied with vertue and that for my good it hath so chaunced forgette 〈◊〉 not then but so enable me as in such badde occasions 〈…〉 not from my duetie And such is my confidence in thy promises as no teâ—ptation shall preuaile against mée but this â—aptiuitie once discharged I hope to direct my course pleasing in thy sight and to 〈◊〉 such gracious seruice as thy name 〈…〉 and glorified for euer So long continued he in this silent contemplation as Alchidiana perceiued him which greatlie displeased her but fearing any way to 〈◊〉 Palmerin shée durst not saye what shée thought liuing in hope that her Cozin being dead she should now compasse the effecte of her desires Ardemia enterred in her honourable Tombe Guilharan her Brother with his traine and the Ladies that attended on his Sister returned into Armenia where great sorrowe was made for the death of the Princesse and the renowne of her beautie blazed the report of her death through euery region Chap. IX How Amarano of Nigrea eldest son to the king of Phrygia vnderstanding the death of the faire Princesse Ardemia who was newly promised him in mariage made many greeuous lameÌ„tations for her losse And how Alchidiana discouered her amorous affections to Palmeâ—in SO farre was spread the reporte of the strange death of the Princesse Ardemia as 〈◊〉 came to the hearing of 〈◊〉 eldest sonne to the king of Phâ—ygia the most valiant redoubtâ—d knight of y◠〈…〉 as wel for his great 〈◊〉 and déedes of Armes which he before that time accompliâ—â—â—d in Asia as for his affable nature vertue and courtesie This yong Prince being in the King his fathers Court and hearing commended beyond al other Ladies of the East the faire Ardemia Daughter to the King of Armenia at the verye sounde of the Trompe of this blazing Goddesse and setting the newes downe for true from her affecting spéech he became so amorous of her as he had no content but in thinking on her Héereupon he sent his Ambassadours to her Father to request her in mariage wherto right willingly he condiscended and nowe at the instant when he intended to go visite her newes came to the Court of her admirable death which for a while was 〈◊〉 from him because each one doubted the conceit 〈◊〉 would cause his death For they knowing the loue he 〈◊〉 her to be so vehement as hée vnderstanding her strange kinde of death they thought it impossible but it would 〈◊〉 to very scandalous inconuenience yet in the ende he 〈◊〉 thereof but to sette downe héere the gréefe teares and complaints of this yong Prince is more then I am able 〈◊〉 it therefore suffise you that his sorrowes were such as euery houre his death was likewise expected It was likewise told him howe through the enuie of Alchidiana shée dyed and that for certaintie shee was one of the chéefest causes thereof which mooued him then into such an alteration as hée swore by the great Prophet Mahomet to reuenge her iniurie so that the Soldaâ—e shoulde for euer remember the daunger in suffering so great a treason In conclusion hée intended to take with him two hundred chosen Knights all clad in mourning for the gréefe of their Maister and â—oure of his Brethren Knights of great hardinesse and so well they iourneied as they â—ame within twentie miles of the 〈◊〉 Courte But that wée may not too farre 〈◊〉 from our intent Alchidiana ioyfull as you haue hearde for the departure of Guilharan and his 〈…〉 Palmerin 〈…〉 to all louers such account she made of her beautie and riches as she imagined that Palmerin would not disdaine her but rather would repute himselfe happy to haue that at his pleasure whereof so many Kings and great Lordes had béene denyed And in this opinion the next time that Palmerin came to her Chamber she beganne with him in this manner Now Syr Knight what thinke you of the death of Ardemâ—a who so falselye would haue seduced you to goe with her hence did shée not commit great treason against mee if shée had preuailed but right well is shée rewarded and as I desired Thinke then no more of her presumptuous follie or the ridiculous conceit of her vaine loue which shée made her pretence to cause you forsake my Fathers Court where you haue receiued so many speciall honours chéefelie of his Daughter who loues you déerelie and inâ—â—nds to make you Lord ouer all her possessions Beléeue mee Sir Knight if hitherto I deferred to acquaint you héerewith it was in respect I doubted her but now shée being gone estéeme henceforth of me as your owne and to begin this alliaunce I honour you with all that is mine and my selfe to be disposed at your pleasure For my heart which is onely subiect to you applyes it selfe to your lyking and can wish nothing but what you will 〈◊〉 How long haue I desired this happie day howe often haue I contemned and despised my selfe in not daring to breake the seale of my affections which nowe I 〈◊〉 aduentured to your knowledge As for that which now troubleth mee is the want of your spéech which the Gods haue depriued you off being enuious of your manifolde perfections Alas my Lord why did they not endue â—hée with that benifit that in declaring my desires thy answeres might returne reciprocall pleasure Some in their loue delight themselues with embracing kissing and such ceremoniall behauiour as for mée amoâ—rous priuate and 〈…〉 I repute a 〈◊〉 content Yet hath Loue one shaft in his 〈…〉 then all these béeing the onely argument of each others resolution in respect whereof I commit my honour into your protection prizing estéeming and chusing you aboue all men in the world beside Palmerin exceedingly abashed at these vnséemelye spéeches knewe what signes to make for his aunswere
Ladyes eares Neyther can you in my iudgement honour him sufficiently because my Daughter and mée hee hath shéelded from death expulsed our ignominious slaunder and slaine our false accusing enemy to make vs liue in perpetuall fame and memory The most part of them well 〈◊〉 his words and confounded with the remembrance 〈◊〉 theyr shame when they 〈◊〉 not enterprise the Combat for their Lady knew not what to answere but fearing to grow in further offence sought how to change his minde to some other talke Alchidiana béeing all this while in her Chamber prepared her selfe to goe visite 〈◊〉 not knowing how to shape her 〈◊〉 for fresh bewraying of 〈…〉 for the Goddesse Iuno when shée stoode before Syr Paris for sentence of her beautie was not more sumptuously adorned then the Princesse Nowe be 〈◊〉 shée to dispute in her thoughts the honourable graceâ— of Palmerin his nobilitie so farre renowmed his knightly prowesse and magnanimitie whereof herselfe had so good experience as shée resolued neuer to haue any other Husband Then 〈◊〉 she of her Ladies how she might 〈◊〉 her Knight if her head â—yre 〈◊〉 orderly if her 〈…〉 were tressed as they ought and if her garments were braue enough For conclusion the louely Mayden knew not how to dispose of herselfe to gaine his loue shée so earnestly longed for In this equipage she goes to sée her Friend and in his Chamber shée findes her Mother who hindered her languishing Daughter from discouering her sicknesse to him that onely had the power to helpe her wherefore liuing in hope of some better oportunitie for this time she smothered her gréefes so wel as she could finding other talke with her Ladies least her mother should suspect her Chap. XIII How the brethren of Amarano would haue buried his bodie in the Tombe with Ardemia which Alchidiana would not suffer but constrained them to carrie him home againe into his Countrey AMarano thus slaine his Brethren according to his charge thus giuen them before hée entred the Combat tooke his bodie and with great mourning they brought it to the Princesse Ardemiaes Tombe thinking to burie him there with her but Alchidmia aduertised héereof came presently and intreated her Father that hée woulde sende an Herauld to the Brethren of the vanquished Prince to charge them not to leaue the bodie of Amarano in his Dominions for if they did he would cause it to be burned as a Traytor deserued Moreouer that they themselues should depart within foure and twentie hours on paine of the daunger should ensue by their default For good Father quoth she if you should permitte their boldnesse it will be great blame and dishonour to you in that it is commonly knowne with what great pride and arrogancie he came to your Court thinking to iniurie your good report and eyther to shut mée from your presence for euer or else with open scandale to ende my life The Soldane well regarding her wordes willingly graunted her request whereupon the Princesse Brethren were certified of the Soldanes pleasure by a Trumpet whereat they maruailed not a little but séeing they could no way remedie it they said Herauld it is reason that your Lord should bée obeied within his owne territories neuerthelesse you may say vnto him that the crueltie he shewes to a dead bodie is verie great and against all equitie which he héereafter happilie may repent So opening the Tombe againe they tooke foorth their Brothers bodie and the Princesse Ardemiaes likewise conuaying them into a Litter of Cipres to kéepe them from corrupting and thus returned with them to Phrygia where the Princes death was greatly lamented but chéefly by the aged King his Father who séeing his Sonne dead before him after many dolorous passions thus complained Ah Fortune howe cruell doost thou shew thy selfe to the mightie as well as the meanest Ah my Sonne Amarano too déere hast thou bought thy loue to Ardemia Wretched and dispised olde man howe vnfortunate art thou among all other For when thou perswadest thy selfe to haue ioy and comfort by thy Sonnes thou findest the chéefe cause of sorrowe and discontent O death thou sufferest me too importunate Yet if the Soldane had graunted thée buriall where thou diddest desire it before thy death the lesse had béene my gréefe But soone shall I cause him repent his hard dealing and reuenge thy death with sufficient requitall The second brother to Amarano named Gramiel séeing his father in such extreame heauinesse assayed by all meanes he coulde to comfort him promising in the presence of all his Knights with all possible spéede to reuenge his Brothers death and so did all the sixe Brethren solemnly vowe togither Which spéeches did somewhat comfort the aged King who commaunded the bodies of the two louers to be taken from his presence and for a perpetuall memorie of his Sonnes death he caused a sumptuous monument to be made of marble and Porphire whereon was grauen the cause of their vnhappie death All this while Gramiell who vndertooke his Brothers reuenge gaue charge to the people round about him as also to the Kinges and Princes of Suria who were then enemies to the Soldane to prepare themselues in readinesse so that within a Moneths space hée had assembled a power of fiue thousand hardie Soldiers himselfe béeing appointed leader and generall ouer them In this sort they tooke themselues to the Feelde hoping to ruinate the Soldanes Countrey with fire and sworde but they were better entertained then they expected as hereafter shall bée largely discoursed Chap. XIIII Howe Alchidiana ouercome by vehemencie of her loue offered her selfe to Palmerin as his wife and of the aunswere he made her REmembring what hath past in the chapters before we may not forget how by the message of the Quéene of Tharsus sent to the Soldanes Court Alchidiana who began as it were to despise Palmerin was coÌ„strained to renue her loue thus conferring with her selfe that if so great a person as the Quéene of Tharsus commended estéemed and honoured him hauing neuer séene him the better meane had she béeing dayly in his companie to practise the furtheraunce of her earnest desires Shée therefore continually awayted oportunitie to discouer the fire newly raked from the embers and which day and night consumed her with languishing but so well it came to passe that not many dayes after the Combat with Amarano hee came to visite her in her Chamber right ioyfull of the talke hee had with the Soldan as coÌ„cerning the prouision of his strength to goe ruinate the Citie of Constantinople which gaue him hope of his returne to Allemaigne Alchidiana hauing courteously saluted him and shewing better countenaunce then before shée did caused him to sit downe by her and soone after began in this sort I desire you Sir Knight by the reuerence you beare our Godâ— and the â—ayth you owe to her for whose loue you tooke the enchaunted Crowne from the Prince Maurice to tell me your name what your Parents be and of whence
you are For I sweare to you by the honour of a Princesse that the guerdon you shall receyue in so dooing is my heart hauing once conquered those desires that long haue tormented me intending to make you Lorde of my selfe and all the possessions of the Soldane my Father without anie sinister meaning you may beléeue mée Consider therefore good Knight that without feare or dissimulation I haue tolde you what néerest concerneth mee if then you desire not my present death make aunswere as honourable dutie requireth ballancing in your owne thoughts howe vehemently the impressions 〈◊〉 loue haue touched me in respect that now I haue twise for your sake excéeded the limits of mine owne regar◠〈…〉 of my passions But séeing our Gods haue béene so fauourable as to restore the thing was earst taken from you and likewise hath brought you into her companie who loues you dearer then her owne life shew not your selfe so hard of nature to flie the howre that Loue and Fortune presents you withall Therefore â—y onely beloued Lorde in recompence of your sharpe Combat with proud Amarano receyue me as your wife whom you haue woorthily deserued Palmerin séeing himselfe assayled by so faire an enemie who coulde sooner bring in subiection an other Hercules then euer did Iole and as easily giue life to a statue of Marble as Venus sometime did at thâ— request of Pigmalion the Caruer was in maruellous affliction hauing before him on the one side feare to offende God on the other the loyaltie he ought his Mistresse and then the 〈◊〉 death of Alchidiana if he denied her In the ende remembring what the Soldan had spoken concerning his voyage to Constantinople hée deuised by this meane to 〈◊〉 her such aunswere as she should rest contented and neither God nor his Mistresse be offended he thus began 〈◊〉 and most excellent Princesse 〈◊〉 I am assuredly peâ—waded that there is not any Monâ—rce or Prinâ—h so noble in all Asia but might reckon himselfe among the happiest in respect of your perfections and vnualuable riches to espouse you as his wife By farre greater reason I that am poore a Knight errant vnknowne and whose life you haue saued may say and name my selfe aboue all other in fortune But knowing my selfe to simple and of so slender deseruing towardes you I estéeme it impossible for the Gods and nature likewise to lift mée to so wonderfull 〈◊〉 of happinesse Wherefore séeing the cause such and greater then I can desire or imagine likewise that it is 〈◊〉 to your commaundement 〈◊〉 I were 〈◊〉 any fauour of Fortune and to bée 〈◊〉 among the most vngratefull Knights in the worlde iâ— may any thing I should disobey your pleasure My reason is that you béeing reckoned as chéefe among the most perfect and accomplished Ladies deigne so much to abase your selfe as to make mée Lord of your loue which hath béene desired by so many worthie personages For these causes most gracious Mistresse I am bound to loue you aboue all other Ladies liuing which henceforth I hope to doo and loyally to serue you with my vttermost endeuours And as I ought swéete Madame to loue none but you so is my dutie to hold your regard in chéefest commendation therefore will I with such secrecie as so honourable a conquest will permit conceale this extraordinarie graâ—e And had I not this morning made promise to your Father to accompanie his power Constantinople there to reuenge the death of your deceassed vncle Gamezio soone should our loue sort to wished effect and I gather that swéet flower which aboue all other would beautifie my Garland Notwithstanding my hope is such that in this voyage I shall do such seruice to the Soldane your Father as at my returne hée will recompence mee to your content and good lyking of his Princes and Subiects which may no way nowe bee mooued least his minde otherwayes busied should conceyue displeasure against me and so all our fortune for euer squandered In this respect swéete Madame if euer hereafter I shall doo you seruice let me intreate you to patience till my returne resoluing your selfe in the meane while that I am more yours then mine owne and dedicate my life to your gracious seruice As concerning the rest of 〈◊〉 demaund my name is Palmerin d'Oliua and what my Parents are the Quéene of Tharsus within these thrée daies will tell me more then hitherto I could vnderstand by any when you shall vnderstand more of my estate and Country also but so farre as I yet gather by mine owne knowledge my â—iscent is from Persia. This excuse hée made because Alchidiana should not suspect him to bée a Christian and with this aunswere shée was so ioyfull and contented as nothing was able to inspyre more chéerefull life into her languishing soule which Palmerin perceyuing and the better to continue her in this opinion verie often he kissed her hande in signe of his affectionate obeysaunce and in this sort hee departed to his owne Chamber leauing the Princesse triumphing of her conquest He was no sooner come into his Chamber but solicited with the remembraunce of his Ladie Polinarda hee imagined how she blamed him with mournfull complaintâ— for his late promises which thought so diuersly afflicted him as he spent all the rest of the day in teares and as shée had béene present humblie requesting her to pardon what had past him in respect hée did it not willingly nor gaue anie consent with his heart thereto but dissembled the matter least the Princes by his deniall shoulde fall into despayre and rather then he would violate his solemne vow to his gracious Goddesse hée woulde aduenture on infinitâ— dangers Yet did this feigned answere to Alchidiana greatlie auaile him and caused him to bée more honoured then euen hée was before as also to bée continually accompanied with her presence whose onely delight was in dayly beholding him Chap. XV. Howe the Soldane hauing determined to send his armie to Constantinople would elect Palmerin his Lieutenant generall which he refused intreating him to giue the charge to the olde King of Balisarca NOw was the Soldan continually mindfull of the promise hée made to his deceassed Father Misos to reuenge the death of his Brother Gamezio wherefore séeing all his dominions in peace and that hée had with him the valiaunt Palmerin hee concluded to leuie a mightie Armie to 〈◊〉 that which dutie daylie called for And hauing prouided a huge number of Galions 〈◊〉 Gallyes and other vâ—ssels hée sent abroade to aduertise all the Kinges Princes Califfes and Toborlanes his Subiects of his will and pleasure who likewise gathering their forces togither were numbred to bée aboue an hundred and fiftie thousand fighting men All this while the Soldane so fauoured Palmerin as he had bestowed on him 〈…〉 which he made but slender account of 〈…〉 continually expected time to sée his Polynarda Alchidinia likewise building on his passed promises daylie presented him with many rich gifts and practised all
the deuises shee coulde to please his fancie for so deuoutly did the Princesss loue him as shée rather desired her owne death then to giue him the least occasion of dislyking And Palmerin by fayre and affecting speeches perswaded such setled opinions in her as shee helde his promises with greater pertinacie then euer did any Logitian maintainâ— his Aristotle By this time were the men of Armes come from all places wherefore the Soldane calling to Palmerin beganne with him in this manner Syr Palmerin considering how much I am indebted to you my affections are so resolutely perswaded that I estéeme of you as you were my Sonne and much more then I am able to vtter not so much for seruices you haue done mée from time to time as for the incomparable déedes of armes and chiualrie which makes you honoured through the whole world Hauing nowe determined to sende my forces to Constantinople my onely hope I repose in you and well it liketh mée that you beare the office of my Lieutenant Generall and principall gouernour of the Kings and Princes in this expedition Therefore my noble and approoued good Friend vsing your wonted magnanimitie and discretion my people shal think well of my appointment referring the honor of their victorie to the generall hauocke and confusion of their enemies Nowe I perceiue my gracious Lord answered Palmerin that by your manifolde fauours and courtesies you would depriue mée of acknowledging mine owne dutie notwithstanding in respect it is your pleasure I would aduenture the vttermost of my life for you which I cannot with greater honour loose then in your noble seruice Yet may it be spoken within compasse of your highnesse controll me thinks you should rather giue this charge to the King of Balisarca a man wise experienced and farre more skilfull in Armes then I am Beside your people hauing a man of their owne nation for theyr head will obey him more willingly and serue with much more chéerefull coâ—rage then vnder him whom they know not but onely by your Princely and liberall bountie which hath béene such that from the meanest estate where fortune helde mée as altogether despised your Maiestie hath lifted mee to the highest earthly honour Thus speake I dread Lorde as not gain saying your commaundement but for this consideration that taking this honourable charge the Souldiers may mutinie against me and so your seruice be altogether disappointed And thinke you quoth the Soldane that my people will be more obedient to the King of Baâ—isarca then to you Yea doubtlesse my Lord saide Palmerin that is my opinion Know then quoth the Soldane that for this counsell you haue giuen mée my loue is nothing diminished towardes you for I sée by this noble regarde how deseruedly you gaine the fauours of Kings and great personages it shall be therefore as you haue appointed This counsell gaue Palmerin not for any good he wished to Maulicus or the King of Balisarca but desiring nothing more then the ruine and generall destruction of these Heathen hounds sworne enemies to Christ and his Seruants to ridde himselfe of that charge which would bring him so great and shamefull report to â—ight against his Lord and maker therefore premeditating on all these inconueniences he but expected the meane to gette footing in Christendome againe Maulicus thus contented with his aunswere the King of Balisarca was appointed generall of his Armie yet he gaue commandement that Palmerin should bee reuerenced among them as the second person to himselfe and on paine of death none to offende him As all this strength was readie to take shipping newes came to the Court of Gramiell and his brethren what slaughter and spoyle they made through all Assiria whereat the Souldane béeing greatly offended séeing his prouision against Christendome thus chaunged came to Palmerin and sayde My Sonne what thinke you of our enemies What shall I doo to these followers of their Brother in pride I pray you counsell mée in this necessitie Palmerin perceiuing his desire preuented was ouercome with maruailous passions yet to hide his discontent from the Soldane he thus answered Séeing it hath so fallen out my Lord that without any summons our enemies haue presumed vppon vs I thinke it most expedient that your Armie prouided in so good readinesse beginne first with these arrogant inuaders for I doubt not their attempt béeing so trecherous and the courage of our men so resolute but they shall déerely buy their presumptuous aduenture A matter soone begunne will bee as soone ended and our shipping readie wee may afterwarde set forwarde to Constantinople for this will bee a good whetting to our stomackes to deale with our enemies of greater multitude This counsell was accepted wherefore it was immediatly proclaimed through the field that euery man should be readie to depart within thrée daies Chap. XVI How the Prince Olorico sonne to the King of Arabia came and offered his seruice to the Soldane bringing with him fiue hundred armed Knights and of his entertainment SOmewhat before the Soldanes Armie was readie to departe the Prince Olorico eldest sonne to the King of Arabia came to the Court and with him fiue hundred Knights so hardy braue and comely personages as both for the Court and the war better might not be imagined This yong prince reputed among the most valiaÌ„t of his time hearing report of the rare beauty of Alchidiana vnder colour of offring the Soldane his assistance determined to behaue himselfe so brauely in his court that by his liberalitie and honorable actions he would obtaine the Princesse to his Wife wherefore beeing come to the Court and hauing doone his obeysance to the Soldane hee began in this manner Right mightie Lorde of all Assiria and Palestine hauing of long time heard your great forwardnesse to the encreasing of our faith chéefely of the last honourable councell you held to reuenge the death of your famous deceased Brother Gamezio whom our Gods nowe entertaine at their celestiall banquets I tooke my selfe to trauaile with aduised resolution to doo you such seruice as might stande with my abilitie and your pleasure to command And for I now beholde that my arriuall is in a time so fortunate I celebrate theyr names with immortall thankes assuring your Maiestie so farre to stretch my endeouurs as the sonne that is beunde by dutie to his Father The Soldane who had heard great report of his bountie and valour his Father likewise béeing one of his friendes and confederates after he had made him very gracious welcome thanked him for the succour he brought him and henceforth he would not estéeme of him as a stranger but as his Sonne and most especiall Friende All this while Palmerin noted the behauior of the yong Prince and iudging by his complection that hée was of better nature then the other Assirians began to affect him so that after the Soldane had giuen them all the good night Palmerin accompanied the Prince to his Chamber where they could deuise no
you faire sir to tell me howe the Quéene of Tharsus intreated you and what is your opinion of her In good faith Madam aunswered Palmerin shée is one of the most honest and vertuous Ladies that euer I came in companie withall and to whom I greatly desire to do any seruice You haue good reason quoth the Princesse in that she came so farre to sée you and discouer her loue which other coulde as well accomplish as good or rather in honor beyonde her if they might hope of anie ease in their passionate desires Palmerin feigning to vnderstand her meaning entred into other kinde of talke vntill supper time which finished each one returned to their Chamber when the Prince séeing himselfe alone with his Fréend thus sayd Ah my déere Fréende Palmeâ—in howe worthily may you be sayde to bee without coâ—pare in all perfections that a Knight ought to haue loue onely excepted yet héerein if I be not deceyued you doe for mée agaynst all reason for a thousand times are you more beloued then your selfe can loue anie Notwithstanding for this default if so it may bée named and for 〈◊〉 wordes this day vsed in my presence to Achidinia I remaine vowed to your seruice for in trueth you know not the good you did me supporting my imperfection of speech when I was before my Mistresse Yet know I not whence such imbecilitie should procéede if not by béeing rauished with regarde of her celestiall countenaunce my ouer laboured spiriâ—e forsooke me and béeing too much tormented in this languishing bodie abandoned all the partes sensatiue placing it selfe onely in mine eyes which neuer could imagine themselues satisfied contemplating beautie of so rare and especiall estimation And were it not that my hope onely consisteth in you comparing my small desert and the excellencie of my Ladie long ere this had my soule forsooke her infortunate habitation which so indiscreetlie fell into these oppressing passions And this I earnestly intreate you to let her vnderstand in that I feare least shée impute my happie alteration to want of wisedome and ciuilitie Trust me quoth Palmerin I promise you my vttermost abilitie and so much will I do as one Friend may for another to discharge my selfe of the promise which héeretofore I made you And let me intreate you on mine owne behalfe to remooue that opinion of speciall loue which you report the Princesse beares me béeing not such as you doe imagine for noble Prince and my deare Fréende you néede not despayre of the benefit whereof I haue so solemnely assured you After many other speeches they slept till the next morning when clothing themselues in their richest garments they went and gaue the good morrow to the Soldane who verie honourablie thanked them and Palmerin espying conuenient occasion thus began My Lord you haue sufficient experience that by the bountie and great fauour of the Gods you haue obteyned victory against your enemies to the no little content of your Subiects all which béeing so happily finished base were the thought to feare the perfection of higher enterprises Therefore my Lord I thinke it expedient so it may stand with your good liking considering your prouision for the sea is in such readinesse your people likewise acquainted with your intent before we meddle with the Brethren of Amarano came daily in troupes to offer their seruice that now you send your Armie to Constantinople for your answere once heard right soone will we embarke our selues and set forward on our voyage For the rest I pray you deliuer these prisoners to be vsed as your slaues but as for the Princes I thinke hauing séene the fortune of theyr Brethren and their owne badde successe in Armes that they will serue you with continuall loyaltie My Sonne quoth the Soldane let all bée doone as you haue appointed for such is my confidence in you that your intent cannot but sort to good ende wherefore my Gallies and al things readie furnished depart when you please hauing first sent your Souldiers abroad The Prince Olorico beeing present offered againe to go in this voyage with like number of men as he brought against the Brethren of Amarano for which the Soldane greatly thanked him promising him such satisfaction at his returne as should agrée with his owne content Alchidiana taking in ill part the words of Palmerin on the Prince Oloricos behalfe sent for him to come speake with her which hée did and finding her very sad and melancholy hée demaunded if any one had doone her displeasure and what the cause might bee of her pensiuenesse Ah my déere friend quoth shée how can I but be agréeued séeing no one Lady in the world hath so many contrarie fortunes as my selfe Alas my heart hath chosen you for my onely Lords and Friend thinking to finde place woorthy my conceite and that your loue would answere me with the like but in ought I can perceiue I am too much beguiled for you either as ingratefull or carelesse vse affecting spéeches to me importing no other ende but that in leauing you I should take the Prince Olorico for my Husband Do you imagine me so mutable and inconstant that I will or can loue anie other but you or that my affection intirely setled so high can brooke such a downefall as to like the man so much inferiour to mée And which most of all offendeth me not contented to mocke me in disdaining my knowne loue so discourteously would perswade me to choose another Let all our Gods be iudge if I haue not iust cause to complaine of you albeit I haue greater cause to hate and despise my owne selfe for in that I haue more then deserued your loue yet as too much vnwise I cannot consider that in the heart of an ingratefull person loue hath no place of certaine abyding But seeing our gods haue in such sort subiected mee as against my will I am constrained to loue mine enemie in vaine were it for me to resist against them that they beholding the vnspotted loue of the one may in the ende punish the ingratitude of the other Thâ—s thinking to continue longer spéech so many violent sighs intercepted her as she was not able to proffer one word more whereby Palmerin enforced thus answered I beséech you Madame crosse me not with these néedelesse words for although the Prince is so worthie to be loued as any man that euer I saw yet were I very much vnprouided of witte and a méere stranger of good consideration if I would refuse that speciall felicitie then which I can desire no greater I knowe swéete Lady that you loue mee intirely perswade your selfe then that my loyaltie is no lesse nor can death make mee gainesay the promises I haue made you and were it not to the great disaduantage of mine honour to leaue the honourable warre your Father hath intended which might procure each one to misconceiue of mee assure your selfe that I would forsake dignities Armes and all to do you the seruice you
them home with excéeding ioy but they answered that they ought rather to thanke the Knight in gréene Armour for hee deliuered vs from the Moores and Infidels without request of any ransome Olorico amazed at these signes of ioy as also when hee sawe Palmerin pray knew not well what to thinke which Palmerin presently perceiuing and to resolue him of all doubts whatsoeuer sayd No longer neede I know my good Lord and Friende to hide the affaires and secrets of my heart from you know therefore that I am a Christian and a Gentleman of the Emperours Court of Allemaigne But that which most of all gréeueth me is that I am constrayned to forsake your companie and returne againe to my Lorde for too much should I offend my God to go with you to the Soldanes seruice Wherefore my louing friend let me intreate you to holde me excused swearing to you by the faith of a Knight that whether else it shall like you to go I will accomplish your minde in any thing I intreate you likewise to entertaine al my Squires and Gentlemen into your seruice and among them to share all my treasure in the Shippe because I will haue nothing with me but my Horse and armour And notwithstanding all this feare nor to present your selfe before the Soldane and Alchidiana for to them will I write such matter of you as they shall accept you in my place and with as great honour as euer they did mee If heauen so fauour mee as I may come to the knowledge of my father I will certifie you with the truth of all As for my counterfeiting to be dumbe was onely but to awaite opportunitie when with safety I might escape thence If Olorico at the first was amazed what may be iudged of him nowe notwithstanding hee loued Palmerin so perfectly as hee returned him this answere Although Syr Palmerin wee are of contrary faith and opinion yet hath your noblenesse and humanitie gained such priuiledge ouer me that as you haue long time liued a Christian among the Turks so for your sake will I liue a Turke among the Christians dissembling in like sort as you did and neuer shall any occasion force mée to forsake you till you haue found your Father and know if he be discended of the Soldanes bloud No honour will it be for me nowe to returne again to the Assirian Princes and as for my people I force not though they go backe againe with my treasure for on my Knighthood I will bee no richer then you nor will reserue any thing with mée then what belongs to a Knight errant which is Horse and Armour For the rest let Fortune do the worst she can I hope for all this one day to be King of Arabia Then noble friend be not offended for I will beare you companie if death and strong imprisonment doo not withhold mee Palemrin embraicng him saide Ah worthie Prince so noble is your minde and repleate with fidelitie as perswade your selfe to find me your loyall Brother and fellow in Armee neuer to forsake you while I can lift my Sword so please you to abide with mee So calling the chéefest of them in the ship they sayde as much to them as you haue heard commaunding them not to stir from Arabia before they heard some other tydings As for their strange conceit at these newes I bequeath to your iudgements yet durst they not gainsay their Maisters but launching into the deepe sayled backe again into their own Countrey Palmerin and Olorico for this night lodged in the Cittie to refresh themselues and the next morning after they had taken leaue of the Merchants they deliuered they set forward on their iourney Continuing their trauaile thrée daies together at length they mette a Knight who séeing them armed after the Turkish manner sayde Gentlemen God saue ye if I should not seeme troublesome to you because I iudge you to be strangers I would gladly knowe if you could tell me any tidings of two Knights which long since left this Countrey Howe were they named quoth Palmerin Syr saide the Knight one of them is Trineus Some to our dread Lord the Emperour and the other the most valiant Palmerin d' Oliua Two yéeres and more since they left the Court without any newes what became of them sauing that wee heard they were a while with the King of England and thence they conuayed his Daughter the Emperous continuing so sorrowfull for theyr losse as euery houre his death is expected May it be quoth Palmerin that all this while Trineus is not returned What daunger will noble Allemaigne receiue by loosing their young Prince Ouercome with exceeding griefe and sorrow by report of these vnhappie tidings to himselfe he beganne in this maner What shall I doo dare I be so presumptuous as to present my selfe before my Mistresse what sufficient excuse can I make for the loue of her brother Doubtlesse if it were such a hell to me to finde the meane for my departure from that long captiuitie in the Soldanes Court much more will it be to me now in the search of the Prince for without him I dare not approach the Emperours presence While he thus secretly discoursed with himselfe he became so excéeding passionate as Olorico thought he had lost his sences which was the cause that without any further enquirie the Allemaigne Knight departed from them when Olorico amazed at this suddain alteration said How now Sir Palmerin what hath moued you to this heauinesse I beséech you conceale not the cause from me for if it be by any offence that the Knight offered which spake to you soone shall I deliuer him his penance Therefore tell me I pray you for vndoubtedly I will not suffer you to rest vntill you haue acquainted me with the truth Palmerin knowing how déerly y◠Prince loued him and that for his sake he had left Country parents and friends reposing on his loyaltie imparted his loue to him as also the lesse of Trineus and the Princesse Agriola Olorico then laboured to perswade him aduising him to compasse some secret spéech with his Ladie of whome hée might learne how to recouer her lost brother and the faire Agriola of England againe Palmerin following this counsell pacified himselfe and kept himselfe so closely as he could from being knowne to any Chap. XX. How Palmerin by the meanes of Vrbanillo his Dwarfe spake with his Lady Polynarda with whom he stayed fiue daies to recompence some part of his long absence and to the great contentment of them both SUch expedition in their iourney made these noble companions that at length they arriued néere a castle which was foure leagues from Gaunt where the Emperour as then was disposed to hunting for the delight of the Ladies but chéefely to expell his owne melancholy for the losse of his sonne as also to recreate the Princesse Polynarda who shadowing the cause by her Brothers absence lamented continually for her noble Friend Palmerin of whome
no Ladie may comparâ— her felicitie with mine Ah my sonne by thée are my sorrowes chaunged into ioy my dispaire into content and from death it selfe am I brought againe to life for if my husbands hard hap made me dâ—spise life now may you be assured how much I desire it Then declared shée how to saue the Prince Florendos life whose faithfull loue brought him to such extremitie by sicknesse she aduentured her honor for his safetie and entering the paradise of loue bestowed that iewel on him which she most of all estéemed And so maist thou quoth shée report to the Emperour yet in this manner that not by carâ—all impudicitie I so consented for God is my witnesse that notwithstanding the perill wherein I sawe him no perswasion could cause me yéeld him that especiall remedie before he had first solemnly vowed marriage to mée which against all right was broken by the Emperours commaundement Madame quoth Palmerin Florendos is of such valour and his honorable actions so well receiued among men that albeit he had made you no such promise yet reason may excuse you in this matter But if by promised faith and to saue the life of so gentle a Knight who happilie by your refusall might haue miscaried you honoured the Temple of Loue with so swéete an offering among people of good minde it ought rather to bée tearmed a vertue then anie bad affection or vnlawfull lust And therfore Madame comfort your selfe for shortly I hope to assure your peace with the Emperour and séeing I haue you for my mother and the Prince Florendos for my Father I féele my selfe frée from any gréefe or vexation assuring you that I will driue it to no further delay but this morning will I confer with his Maiestie The Quéene béeing fearefull that her long stay should cause anie bad opinion hauing kissed her sonne gaue him the good morrowe and so went to her Chamber where shée found Cardyna her Gentlewoman to wâ—om she shewed the Crucifixe her sonne had giuen her saying Tell me I pray thée Cardina doost thou remember that heeretofore thou hast séene this Crucifixe and in what place Beléeue me Madame quoth shée I thinke I haue seene it before nowe but in what place I am not certaine Why forgetfull creature knowest thou not that this is the Crucifixe which was tied about my sonnes necke when thy selfe did carrie him to the mountaine In gooâ— faith the Knight is hée who fought the Combate for my Lorde Florendos Nowe sée the great mercie and bountie of our God who preserued his life then and from infinite daungers hath defended him hitherto Notwithstanding bee thou secret and on perill of thy life reueale it to none vntill the Emperour my Father be acquainted therewith Cardyna was so ioyfull héereof as shée must néedes goe presently to sée Palmerin and finding the Chirugions with him visiting his woundes shée fetched a gorgious Mantle of purple Ueluet broydered round about with Pearles Diamonds and Rubies as wel might beséeme the greatest Monarch to weare As Cardina holpe him to put on this Mantle she noted the marke on his face which she remembred since thâ— time of his birth and in this maner goes Palmerin chéerefully to the Emperour whom he founde conferring with his Lords and Barons but his presence caused them breake off talke imagining him the comeliest person that euer they sawe The good olde Emperour Remicius reioycing to sée him in so good and able plight demaunded of him howe he fared Right well quoth he I thank God and your highnesse readie to aduenture on any occasion shal like you to commaund me and now am I come to aduertise your Maiestie of such matters as will not a little glad ye in the hearing so please your grace to vouchsafe me priuate audience Hereupon the Emperour commaunded euery one to depart the Hall and they béeing nowe alone Palmerin thus began Dreaâ— Lord and mighty Emperour till this time haue I frequented the Courts of manie Kings and Potentates without desire of requesting anie thing vntill this present when faine would I request one boone of your Maiestie the grant whereof shall returne you both profit and honor My noble Fréend Palmerin aunswered the Emperour what euer thou pleasest demaund and on my worde it shall bée graunted Palmerin with humble obeysaunce kissing the Emperours hand sayd In sooth my Lorde all that I haue to request is onely to desire your highnesse that all offences committed by the Prince Florendos and Madame Griana your Daughter may not onely be forgotten but also forgiuen For thy sake Palmerin quoth the Emperour I forgiue all their offences whatsoeuer May it then please your Maiestie quoth he to remember howe when Florendos came to doo you seruice during your warres agaynst Gamezio because you denied to giuâ— him your Daughter hée was so sicke as euerie howre his death was expected It then so fortuned my Lord the Princesse your Daughter acquainted with the cause of his sicknesse to giue him some comfort as also to defend so good a Prince from death by gracious spéeches shée gaue him such hope of her loue and such for trueth as before they parted a solemne promise of marriage was concluded betwéene them I know not the conditions of their agréements but it séemed the Articles consisted on no difficult accorde for each receyued of other the swéete desires of loue in so much as that night was I begotten And for a trueth my Lord I am the Sonne to the Prince Florendos and Madame Griana your Daughter who as I vnderstand by the Empresse perswasion against all right you compelled to marrie with the Prince Tarisius Florendos notwithstanding my Mothers wrong was verye great hath continued so loyall as hée would neuer accept anie other for his Wife nor as yet will but onely her Nowe my Lord that this matter may not séeme a fantasticall inuention I can resolue you of the place of my byâ—â—h which was in the Tower where my Mother remained prisoner by your commaundement vnder the charge of a Ladie named Tolomestra who to defende your daughters honor caused me to be carried to a place not far hence which is called the Mâ—unt of Oliues from whence my surname is likewise deriued in that place was I â—ound by a Countrey pesant vnder a Palme Trée who in signe thereof named me Palmerin d'Oliua My sorrowfull Mother hoping one day to sée me againe diligently noted diuerse markeâ— I haue and hung about my necke a golden Crucifixe which this day I gaue her againe and by this marke 〈…〉 like a Crosse shée well remembers me to be her Sonne In this respect my Lord that your Daughters offence was occasioned by true and faithfull loue and hauing likewise promised to forgiue all causes of displeasure graunt my father nowe at length to enioy his lawfull Wife that I béeing their Sonne may not bée estéemed as illegitimate the dâ—â—ing whereof will renowme your name for euer and loue
as you can better conceiue then I expresse After all these courteous grâ—etings they went to the Court where began a fresh occasion of ioy betwéene the Empresse and her Nephewe Netrydes shée then embracing him in her Armes thus spake Ah my noble Nephew how haue the Heauens blessed me with speciall fauour in suffering me before my death to sée my chéefest Fréendes whom I was out of all hope to behold againe especiallie you whose long absence from your Countrey hath rather deliuered imagination of your death then life Neuerthelesse it is the prouidence of the highest that after all the troubles you suffered in your youth you might receiue the recompence in your age by the knightlie honour and bountie of your linage In sooth Madame sayd Netrydes not so pleasant to mée is high preferment as that I liue to sée my sonne againe for hauing contented my selfe in my little Castle with a life frée from offence and sollitarie I did account it to excéede all other but nowe séeing in my declining yéeres the God of Heauen hath thought good that I might profit his people the thought were base and abiect in me to make refusall So long were they deuising on these and other matters as the good night beeing giuen on all sides the Emperour caused these newe come Fréendes to bée conducted to theyr lodgings But on the morrowe when Palmerin came to bid the Emperour good morrow he thus began You knowe my Lord that a Common wealth without a heade and Gouernour as for example is the Realme of Hungaria cannot long endure without sedicious tumults or rebellion wherefore vnder your Maiesties reuerende regarde I thinke it expedient that my Sister Armida shoulde bee giuen in mariage to Sir Frysoll because in nobilitie of minde and perfection of iudgement hardly may so good a Knight be found nor shée enioy a fitter Husbande and so may the Realme lineallie discende from Netrides nowe aged to his noble sonne The Emperour liked well of this aduise wherefore the same day were Frysoll and the Princesse Armida espoused togither to the good lyking of all but especially of the louers themselues whose secrete desires were now effectuallie requited After the feast was ended Netrides instituted Gouernour of Hungaria departed with his wife and Sons to his Kingdome where hee was receiued very honorablie by his subiects who had not forgot their former loue to him and the vnnatural dealing of their king his deceased brother Chap. XXXIX How Palmerin tooke his leaue of the Emperor his father and mother to follow the search of the Prince Trineus CErtaine daies after the solemnitie of this honorable mariage was ended betwéene Frysoll and the yong Princesse of Hungaria Netrides likewise gone to his seate of gouernment all the Lordes and Princes of the Empire except such as continuallie aboad in the Emperors Court returned to their own homes yâ— like did al the strange knights that came to the tryumphs except the king of Sparâ—a and the Lords of Macedon Wherefore Palmerin nowe remembring his promise to his Ladie and how long he had stayed slothfull at Constantinople determined to departe and vnderstanding that his Father was with the Emperor came to them with these spéeches My gracious Lords it is now thrée monethes and more that I haue remained héere by your commaundement contrarie to the promise that I made my Ladie wherfore â—y your leaue I am nowe determined to departe hence before the Duke of Lorrayne returne backe againe that hée may assure my Lord the Emperour that I am gone to séeke my Fréendes My Sonne quoth the Emperour vnwilling am I thou shouldest leaue vs so soone but if the matter may not be contraryed in respect you are bounde to her by faithfull promise who aboue all other deserueth loyall seruice I neither maye or will gaine-saye you but intreate your returne so soone as may be You shall therefore take with you a good companie of Knightes who may preuent anie sâ—nister occasions which your trauaile in strange Countreyes happilie may offer that my hart enioying life by your presence may once more sée you before my date bée expired I beséech you my Lord aunswered Palmerin gréeue not your selfe by my absence which shall not be long I hope neither will the multitude of Knights auaile in my enterprise for more by fortune then by force of Armes must the aduenture bée finished Doo then as you thinke good aunswered the Emperour in meane time I will cause prouision for your traine Palmerin hauing now licence to depart perswaded Frysoll so earnestlie as hee coulde to abide aâ— Constantinople as well for the loue he bare his Sister Armida as because he was loth to depart the new maried couple but all the circumstances he could vse might not perswade him for his religious vowe to his Fréend excéeded his affection to the Princesse so that for a flat resolution he aunswered that nothing but death shoulde seperat their companie Palmerin seeing Frysoll continue in his former amitie and that the desire which conquers all men coulde not preuaile in his noble minde reioysed greatlye thereat determining to recompence his princelie kindnesse if Fortune did not contrarie him in this enterprised iourney And fearing least anie newe occasion should arise to delaye this intent dispatched presently his Letters to the Emperor of Allemaigne and his Ladie Polynarda honoring his highnesse Ambassadours with manie sumptuous gifts Hauing nowe ordered all his affayres and euerie one béeing ready to mount on horsebacke hée came to bid the Queene his Mother farewell for well he knewe that if shée could any waie hinder his departure his iourney should be soone preuented The Quéene with motherlie loue embracing her Sonne saide Ah my Sonne 〈◊〉 thou béene so short a time with me and wilt thou now leaue mee trust me it is a point of great vngentlenesse to deale so hardly with thy mother but séeing the Emperour and my Lorde haue giuen their consent my gain-saye will bée to little purpose And nothing would it auaile mée to sette before thine eyes the inconstancie of Fortune her sleights and trecherie commonly against great persons when they are in the waye to prosperitie honor and renowme Therefore my sonne I committe shée to the protection of Heauen desiring thée to regard mine honor which by thée ought to be defended and now may runne in daunger of common reproche in that the vulgar sort iudge after their owne humours not according to the quallitie and estimation of vertue For this cause let thine returne be the sooner as thou tenderest my life and thine owne good All which Palmerin promised to doo and so comming downe into the Court founde there the Emperour and his Father mounted on horsebacke who bare him companie two miles from the Citie where after many courtesies betwéene them the Emperour and Florendos returned to the Courte againe where the Duke of Lorrayne stayed their comming when taking his leaue likewise went aboorde and sayled with so good a winde
noble blood and therefore caused them to be verie honourablie intreated So sâ—yling on at length they came neare the great Cittie of Albania when Oâ—imaell commaunded two or thrée Foystes to goe vnderstand in what estate the Citie was who were aduertised by certaine Frenchmen that the people were vnprouided of anie fortifications so that winning the Port the whole Cittie might easily bée conquered These tydings caused them forciblie to enter the Hauen where setting all the Shippes on fire they went on shore and murthering the Warders of the Gates â—ooke the Cittie at the first assault when Palmerin and his noble Fréends to their great sorrow declared howe well they could skill of such affayres The Citie was ouercome and the chiefest Citizens therein taken prisoners the Turkes following their fortune marched further and came to the Cittie of Durace where the faire Princesse Laurana abode of whom Palmerin sometime was amorous when he imagined by her excellent beautie that it was shée who so often solicited him in his dreames Palmerin béeing there come on land presently knewe the Countrey wherefore hée sayd to his companions I nowe perceiue déere Fréends that fortune forceth vs from ill to worse this speake I in respect of this Cittie agaynst which wée must be compelled to fight and not manie yéeres since with the price of my blood I laboured to defende it But because the Dukes Daughter is so good a Ladie as in my heart I reuerence and honor I beséech you euery one imploy your selfe to preserue her and her Ladies and demaund them of the Admirall for our part of the spoyle While Palmerin thus conferred with his Fréendes Olimaell vnderstoode by certaine prisoners that the Cittie was verie slenderly defended therefore no great maistrie to winne it quickly Yet at their first assault they were so valiantlie repulsed as Olimaell and his men began to despaire of victorie wherefore hee made open protestation that hée who first could enter the Cittie should haue anie boone of him hée woulde request Palmerin ioyfull of this promise caused sixe scaling Ladders to be sette agaynst the wall whereon hée and his Fréends ascended and on the wall cryed the Citie is ours wherewith the people within were so dismaied hauing endured a long and furious skirmish as they all fledde out at the further Gate The Turkes then burned the Gates on the Sea side and entering the Citie put olde and yong to the Swoord But Palmerin and his companions feigning to pursue them that fled ranne strait to the Pallace at the entraunce whereof they found many Moores who had taken the Duke wherefore they went to finde the Princesse Laurana who sate in her Chamber well néere deade for gréefe because shâ—e heard that her Father was slaine Her hée committed to the custodie of the King of Sparta Frysoll Olorico and Eustace desiring them to comfort the Princesse in that neither shée or her Ladies should fall into the Tyrants power and so comming to Olimaell on his knée he began in this manner You knowe my Lord the promise you made to day by vertue whereof becaâ—se I first got ouer the wall into the Cittie for my share I request the Dukes Daughter and for my Fréendes that followed mée her Ladyes and Gentlewomen for other spoyle of the riches and treasure we desire not Olimaell graunted his demaunde charging his people on paine of their liues not any way to offende the Ladies In this manner was the Princesse saued whereupon the Duke of Pontus presently went to her and taking her by the hand acquainted her with this ioyfull newes whereto shée thus replied Can it bée possible that Palmerin who héeretofore ventured his life in my fathers defence against the Count Passaco of Mecaena should now become so familiar among Turkes and Moores Hath hée so forgot his honour to God that himselfe is not onely a vassaile to the enemies of his faith but dooth likewise séeke their destruction that serue Christ Iesus Be silent good Madame aunswered the Duke for if his name be knowne we all perish what hath béene doone is for the safetie of your life and our owne likewise which hée hath obtained of the Generall of the Armie With these words she was somewhat pacified and the old cinders of loue which nowe began to spreade abroade caused her to returne this answere In sooth my Lord séeing I am become Palmerins prisoner I thinke my honour in better assuraunce and my Fathers death is the lesse gréeâ—ous to mée in that this matter may sort to better effecte then I can conceiue By this time was Palmerin come to her who intreated her to kéepe all things secretly for hée woulde endure a thousand deathes before shee should be any way dishonoured In time quoth he wée may be deliuered from these Hell-houndes as for you and your Ladyes the Admirall hath openly commaunded that you be reuerently vsed A thousand thanks my Lord quoth the Princesse and séeing matters are so come to passe yet do I reioyce that I fell into your power The Citie of Durace left in the same state as Albania was the Turkes went all aboorde taking no prisoners thence but Laurana and her Ladies whome Olimaell intended to giue to the great Turke So passing along the Coast of Thessalie they spoyled many Citties on the Sea side tooke the King and many noble men so that nowe they were stored with a number of Christian prisoners Now Oâ—imaell feared that the Christian Princes hearing what spoyle he made in their Dominions woulde râ—yse a mightie power agaynst him wherefore hée gaue charge to his Pilots to order their course towards the Cittie of Tubant where as then the great Turke kept his Court. The King of Thessalie thrée dayes before his taking sent his Queene who was great with Childe to one of his Castelâ— a good daye iourney from the Sea but when shée heard her Husbandes misfortune the gréefe shée conceyued caused her presently to fall in trauell when shée was deliuered of a goodly Daughter named Francelina At this time the thrée Magical Sisters who appeared to Palmerin on the Mountaine Artifaeria and one of them afterwarde in his going to Buda made theyr aboode in an Isle thereby named Carderia When they by their hidden Philosophie heard how the King was taken and should be kept in perpetuall prison without the helpe of his Daughter which was newly borne they concluded to frame such an enchauntment as maâ—ger the Turke and his power as hée that would not deigne to kisse his shooe should be deliuered from imprisonment Héereupon the yongest of these thrée Sisters went to the Castell where the wofull Quéene remained where shée was verie honourablie entertained because the Quéene desired to know if the King her Husband was dead or aliue and if any hope might be expected of his deliuerance The Damosell Enchauntresse aduertised the Quéene that in departing with her Daughter Francelina the King her Husband should enioy his libertie and in time to come she
offended yée By our Gods if I knew him presently shoulde he die the death The Princesse trembling with feare séeing Hippolyta was not present spake thus in English What will my Lorde and Husband Trineus say if hee be in this companie séeing I haue so dissloyally forsaken him and thus though God knowes perforce in stéed of him haue taken the enemie to him and our faith Yet one comfort haue I that this Infidell hath not carnally knowne me for which perfection I thanke the heauenly maiestie At these spéeches Palmerin was so glad as the feare of death could not withholde him but in the same language he thus answered Feare not good Madame Trineus is not in our companie but so please you to say I am your Brother you may happily saue my life and practise your deliuerance The Turke misdoubting by Palmerins perswading that hée had caused this sodaine alteration imagining him to be her husband of whom he had heard her talke so often in a great rage said Knight how durst thou presume my Ladies presence knowing the sight of thée would any way displease her By the Prophet Mahomet thou shalt immediately die that all such audacious villaines may take an example by thée Agriola knowing the Turks censures were very peremptorie and commonly no sooner saide then excuted embracing him thus replied Ah my Lorde do not the thing in haste for which afterwarde you will be sorrie for I assure you on my honor the Knight that spake to mée is my Brother and hath left his Countrey onely to finde me and him I do loue so effectually as if you put him to death impossible is it for me to liue afterward When the Turke heard her speake with such affection qualifying his anger saide I promise ye Madame for your sake hée shall haue no harme but bee entertained with loue and honour conditionally that you forgette this melancholy and hencefoorth shewe your selfe more pleasant for in séeing you sad I am more gréeued then if I had lost the moitie of dominions In sooth my Lorde answered Agriola now shall I be merrie séeing you intende to loue my Brother for greater good cannot happen to me then this gentle entertainment and hencefoorth shall I tread vnder foote the sad remembraunce of my Countrey and Parents hauing him with me by whom I hope to gaine my greatest comfort So the Turke arising from his Chayre caused Palmerin and Laurana to accompanie Agriola and the other fiue Knights hauing kissed his hande hee went to his Chamber commaunding Olimaell for his greater honor to vsher Agrola who as she went thus spake Beléeue me Admirall if I was offended when thou broughtest me prisoners hither thou hast now made mée sufficient amendes in that by thée I enioy my Brother whom I was out of all hope to sée againe Alas Madame quoth he little did I thinke him to be such a one for had I his vsage should haue béene much better which fault I hope heereafter to recompence I commend him to thy countesie sayde Agriola let him and his friendes haue all things they want according as my Lorde hath appointed So taking her leaue of them she entred her chamber where she and Hyppolita conferred with Laurana of all her fortunes passed and the aduentures of her Brother Nowe was Palmerin and his companions by the Turks commaundement lodged néere the Pallace and to each of them he sent a goodly Horse with costly furniture thinking by these meanes to conquere Agriola and purchase that of her which he long had desired and talking with Palmerin sayde Right well may you be Brother to my Lady Agriola in that your beautie and complexion deliuers great likelihood séeing then our Gods haue permitted that for her comfort you shoulde be brought hither perswade her I pray yée that she be no longer repugnant to my will for could I haue a Child by her I would thinke my selfe the happiest Lord on the earth Beside I would haue you forsake the follie of your Christianotie and yéelâ— your selfe to our Law which is much better then yours and you shall sée how our Gods will fauour you likewise what great good you shall receiue therby My Lord quoth Palmerin I will labour with my Sister so much as lies in me to doâ— as for your Law as yet I am vnacquainted therwith but when I shall find it to be such as you assure mee easily may I bee drawen thereto and to serue you with such loyaltie as so great an estate doth worthily deserue I confesse my selfe likewise greatly bâ—unden to your maiestie in that you haue accepted my Sister as your Wife and to mee a poore slaue giuen life and libertie which I beséech you also graunt to the Marriners in whose Uessell it was my chaunce to bée taken in so dooing she may be greatly mooued by your magnificent libertie and mercie The great Turke presently gaue his consent causing their safe conduct to bee openly proclaimed so Palmerin and his Friendes humbly departing to their lâ—dging the Turke went to Agriolaes Chamber where sitting downe by her he thus began Now shall I perceiue Madame how much your Brother may preuaile with you for hée hath promised me so to order the matter as you shall graunt my long desired sute My Lord quoth shée my Brother shall command me nothing but I will doo it with all my heart as for your request it is not in my power but in the hande of God who defendeth me as best him pleaseth Nor can I change the opinion I haue held so long though by hauing my Brother with me I enioy farre greater content then I did before It sufficeth me saide the Turke to sée you so well pleased and as for your Brother that you may perceiue howe well I loue him before one moneth be expired I will make him the chéefest Lord in my Court next mine owne person so kissing the Princesse he departed to his Chamber The day following Palmerin saide to his companions You sée my friendes how friendly Fortune smileth on vs but least shee change as euermore she is wont wée must practise some meanes to escape from these Turkish infidels Beside séeing wée haue founde the Princesse Agriola I hope Trineus is not so secretly hidden but we shall heare some tydingâ— of him Of her will I therefore enquire if she know what became of him and Ptolome wheÌ„ we left them in meane while you may closely conclude with our Marriners that they be euer readie at an howres warning for I hope we shall set hence before eight dayes be past Palmerin went to Agriolaes Chamber and there by good hap hée â—ound her alone whome after he had humbly saluted the Princesse thus spake to him My noble friende you must be carefull howe you speake to me especially before the aged Lady you sawe héere yesterday for shee vnderstandeth all languages and if we be discouered there is no way but death therefore when you sée her with me conferre rather with Laurana
all his enemies Moreouer within two Moneths hée would deliuer tenne thousand talents of Golde and two millions of Seraphes in recompence of his wrong doone to the King Abimar All this my Lord quoth the Soldane will I faythfullie performe and all the Kinges my Subiects shall subscribe thereto on this condition that you accompanie the Princesse to the Cittie of Harano there to honor with your presence our espousall where your sonne Tomano shall likewise match with our Daughter To this the King willingly consented whereupon the Soldane sent his Seneshall to cause his Armie march homewardes into Persia except sixe thousand men at Armes to guard to Soldanes person then openly in the field was the peace proclaimed and the Captaines on either side fréendly embracing each other Afterward the soldane comming to the king Abimar and in the presence of Palmerin and Trineus thus spake Néedlesse were it now my Lord to remember our passed displeasures but generally to conferre of warre and peace yet hereof I can assure you that the Princesse Zephira and these two strange Knights preuailed more agaynst me then all the rest of your Armie But least your people should thinke that our concluded peace is not thorowlie grounded to morrowe will I bée openlie affianâ—ed to the Princesse Zephira and afterward set forward to Harano that my Sisters may bée present at our nuptials in the meane while our Seneshall and sixe other noble Lordes shall remaine with you as our hostages These determinations fulfilled the Soldane passed to Harano where hée heard of the death of the Prince Donadel and the Kinges sonne of Rosillia with diuerse other Princes of his kindred â—â—aine in the battell but the heate of his newe loue caused him to make small account therof preparing all things readie for the solemnitie of his marriage Chap. LIII The conference that the Soldane of Persia had with his Sisters thinking by theyr meanes to stay Palmerin and Tryneus in his Court and the honourable entertainement hee made them at the arriuall of the Princesse Zephira And how by good fortune Palmerin recouered his Squire Colmelio from the Ambassadour Maucetto NO sooner was the soldane come to Harano but hée presently dispatched Messengers to his sisters that they might bée present at his honourable marriage and calling for his Daughter the yong Princesse Belsina he thus began Faire Daughter I thinke you are not ignorant for report fâ—â—eth quicklie fâ—r that I haue promised you in mariage to the Prince Tomano therefore I account it verie requisitie that your solemnitie bee done on the same day when I shall espouse the Princesse Zephira My gracious Lorde and Father quoth shée I remaine altogither at your highnesse direction and if for conclusion of peace you match with so faire a Princesse as is Zephira it were agaynst reason I should refuse the worthie Prince Tomano of Romata When hée perceyued the readie good-will of his Daughter and his two sisters by this time were come to the Court. After hée had welcommed them in most gracious manner hée entred into these spéeches I thought it verie expedient fayre sisters since you vnderstand the peace concluded betwéene the King of Grisca and my selfe to acquaint you with other matters greatly concerning you There commeth hither in the companie of the Princesse Zephira two strange knights of very rare perfections to whom I would willingly haue you vse such especiall behauiour as wée might purchase the meanes to enioy them continually in our Court for no other intent I promise you but onely that they may match with you in marriage You sister Lyzanda quoth hée to the eldest I commit to the cheefest Knight the verie same man that most valiantlie tooke mée prisoner in the battaile and you Arecinda for so was the yongest named I bequeath to the other who is one of the goodliest personages that euer Nature framed Héereunto they were right soone entreated especiallie Aurecinda who though her elder sister were graue and well aduised yet was shée pleasant quaint and so subtile as easily could shee practise the meane to deceiue the wisest man whereof she made some experience as you shal hereafter perceiue in the Chapters following The Soldane hauing sent for all the Kings Princes and Lordes his subiects to bée present on the day of this great solemnitie the Prince Tomano earnestlie desâ—ring to sée his best beloued desired Palmerin Trineus and the Princesse Zephira that they might set forwardes to Harano But Muzabelino who knew what troubles would succéede the marriage aduised the King Abimar not to goe and counsailed the two Princes Trineus and Palmerin to kéepe themselues continuallie Armed because the Soldane was a man continually subiect to incertaine chaunces So giuing of each of them a Cote of Armes of Crimson Ueluet most curiousâ—ie embroidered with Pearles hee departed from them returning backe againe to the Citie of Grisca Nowe ride these Princes ioyfully to Harano where they were receiued by the soldane with wonderfull pompe and honor each one admiring the rare beaâ—tie of the Princesse Zephira who was conducted with such a royall traine as neuer was the like séene before in Harano At the Cittie Gate the Soldane mette them and in a sumptuous Câ—â—che accompanied them to the Pallace where after many solemne curtesies on each side deliuered and such magnifical royaltie beséeming the time and place the Soldane came to his Sisters who had not yet talked with the two strange Knights and thus spake Sisters to the eâ—de that héereafter you shall not be beguiled the Knights that accompanie my Ladie the Princesse and whome I haue so much commended to you are Christians notwithstanding they bee such as they twaine deserue greater honor then I am any way able to expresse As for their comely stature after that your â—ye hath conferred with your heart I referre my opinion to your iudgement regarde then that they bee loued and estéemed as their perfections doo worthily deserue Aurecinda the yongest and most voluntarie Sister hauing her eye continually fixed on the Prince Trineus thus conferred with herselfe My Brother verie lightly commaundeth vs to loue these strange Knights I knowe not what my Sisters opinion is as for mine owne the beginning alreadie of my loue is such that if I do not quickly obtaine my desire I feare that my affection is rated at the price of my life The time is passed ouer with many delights and daily pastimes after the Persian manner but all this while Lizanda and Aurecinda are tormented with loue so that all patience was vtterly denied them yet bearing this waightie burden so well as they coulde at length the two Sisters came to the Princesse Zephiraâ—s Chamber where they founde Palmerin and Trineus conferring together feigning the cause of their comming to bid the Princesse good morrow Palmerin perceiuing that Lizanda sodainely chaunged her colour imagined the cause of her secret disease and béeing loth to bée tempted with anie such occasion dissembling that he sawe her not tooke
Zephira by the hande and leading her to the window â—ounde some cause of conference which Lizanda perceiuing in anger shée â—long forth of the Chamber yet Aurecinda would not follow her for she being thorowly conquered with loue neither regarding feare shame or other such like behauiour séemely in Maidens tooke Trineus by the hand and causing him to sitte downe by her thus beganne I doo not a little maruaile Syr knight that when Ladies come to sée you their entertainment is no better It is not the manner of Gentlemen to be so sollitarie without hauing some friend or beloueâ— which you shall soone finde in this Court of higher calling then you imagine if Ladies may discerne some signe of your fauourable liking In good â—aith Madame answered Trineus if to you and your sister I haue not done such â—uety as beséemed me it procéeded by forgetfulnesse or my minde carried away with other occasions for nature made me obedient to Ladies If these words Sir knight quoth she procéede from your heart I can assure you to be loued of such a one who is not vnworthie the like good will and of such account is shée with the Soldaâ—â—e as he shall create you one of the greatest Lords in Persia so please you to stay in his highnesse Court That may not be quoth Trineus for so soone as the Soldane and the prince Tomano shall be espoused I must néeds depart with my companion about affaires of very great importance Palmerin who with one eare listened to the Princesse Zephiâ—a and with the other to the words of Aurecinda after she was departed to her Chamber thus spake to Trineus Good Friende beware of this Ladie that shee cause you not to offende God and violate the loyaltie you owe to Madame Agriola Such experience haue I had in these actions as when Ladies haue enterprised theyr amarous furies if they cannot compasse it by the meanes of men they will aduenture it with hellish familiars that can deceiue the very wisest especially in this wicked Countrey where is no knowledge of God or his Lawes Beside you know that such impudent loue cannot bee carried about without such apt mâ—â—engers and from whence procéedeth manie inconueniences Brother aunswered Trineus feare not my constancie for my Ladyes loue hath taken such sure foundation as death cannot make me false to her yet prooued his words contrarie in the end and for which hée repented afterwarde While these delights continued 〈◊〉 Ambassadour to the soldane of Babilon arriued at the Courte where the Monarch of Persia receiued him verie honourably willing him to conceale the newes till the marriages were past which on the morrow was performed with maruailous royaltie As the Princes and Lordes accompanied the soldane to the Temple it happened that Aurecinda was conducted by the Prince Trineus whereof she béeing not a little glad by the way entred into these spéeches Ah my true Friend and Lord Trineus when will the day come that I may be thus led to espouse the man whom I loue more déere then my life Madame quoth Trineus I cannot maruaile sufficiently to sée you thus changed considering the greatest Lord in the Orient may be thought too simple for such a Wife yet did you choose one that perhaps would not espouse you my Lorde the soldane béeing your Brother may constraine him thereto Héere-hence quoth shée procéedeth my sorrow for hée whome I loue is not the soldanes subiect nor dooth agrée with mee in faith and opinion he will giâ—e no eare to mine intreaties much lesse to such a one as can make him one of the greatest Lords in Persia. But thinke you my Lorde that I can conceale what you may plainely discerne in mine eyes You are the onely man my heart 〈◊〉 chosen and whome the soldane loueth more then his Brother Alas Madame quoth the Prince vnfitting is it that a Knight errant shoulde espouse the Sisters of so great a Lord as is the Soldane of Persia. And would his Maiestie so much honour me yet the contraritie of our faith is such an impeach as flatly it may not be for rather will I be torne in péeces then match with a Pagan or renounce my faith for her loue No no my Lord saide the Princesse I will râ—nounce mine for your loue and worship Iesus Christ the sonne of the blessed Uirgin Well worthie then were I of reproch quoth Trineus if I should not requite you with loue againe considering what you aduenture for my sake As they would haue procéeded further in talke Colmelio Palmerins Squire whome Maucetto hadde bought standing to sée the tâ—aine of Persian Lords and Ladies passe by espied his maister and the Prince Trineus wherefore preasing through the guarde of Archers hee came to the Prince and taking him by the Mantle saide Most happie be this houre my noble Lorde to finde you and my Maister Palmerin What fortune hath brought thée hither Colmelio saide Trineus hast thou yet spoken to thy Maister No my Lord aunswered Colmelio he conducteth the Princesse with the Calife of Siconia wherefore I durst not presume to trouble him Beléeue mee saide the Prince but thou shall speake with him and while the Arch Flamin was performing the ceremonies in the Temple Trineus presented him to his Maister Palmerin who was thereof so ioyfull as if he had gotten the best Cittie in Persia. Hee demaunded by what meanes hee escaped the Pirates handes the true discourse whereof Colmelio rehearsed and howe Maucetto the Ambassadour bought him as Ptolome and he were brought to the Soldane of Babilon his Court to be sold and there doth Ptolome finde great fauour as I haue heard of the fayre Princesse Alchidiana the Soldanes Daughter onely for your sake Thou tellest me wonders said Palmerin depart not from me till after Dinner when I will goe to thy Maister Maucetto to demaunde â—hée which I hope hee will not denie because when I was Knight to Alchidiana hee was one of my most specially good Friendes After the solemnitie of the marriage was ended and Dinner ended at the Pallace for preparation of pastime Palmerin calling Colmelio went with him to the Ambassadour Maucetto who not a little abashed to sée him that was generally reputed dead in the soldanes Court came and embraced him with these spéeches My Lorde Palmerin what great God hath raysed you againe The soldane was credible enformed that you and Olorico were drowned in the sea for which both hée and Madame Alchidiana more lamented then for the losse of his whole Armie before the Cittie of Constantinople Palmerin dissembling as though he knew not thereof séemed to maruaile thereat very much and the better to shaddow his conceit saide that after the tempest was ceased which cast him verie farre from the Soldanes Armie thinking to returne to Constantinople hée was by violent windes brought to the Isle of Malfada where the Prince Olorico quoth hee and all the rest of my companions remaine enchaunted whom I hope to recouer againe after I can
Princesse with her Ladie shée being come thither to bathe her selfe and layd in her bed but in such surpassing brauerye as Iupiter with his lightning Neptune with his thrée forked Mace and Pluto with his Cerberus would stand and wonder thereat So â—inâ—lie had she tressed the golden wyres of her hayre and her heade attyre embellished with such goodlie Orientall Pearles as made her séeme a beautifull Angell béeing couered with a gorgious Canapie resemblingng the Sunne vnder a faire cloud Betwéene her daintie Breastes hung a precious Carbunckle which supplied the office of Venus her firebrand when she sawe Tryneus stand so agast she said Why my Lord are you more afraide of a naked Ladie then of the most puissaunt Knight in Persia armed cap ape I can iudge no lesse séeing you dare approch no néerer In sooth my Lord quoth the Pages Sister you may thinke your selfe happy to be desired of such a ladie whome mightie kings and princes haue earnestly sought and woulde gladly haue had the least fauour shée bestowes on you So taking him by the hand shee caused him to sit down in a Chayre by the beds side and giuing her Mistresse her Harpe she departed leauig them together Ah page quoth Trinens howe hast thou deceiued mee What saide the princesse you forgette where you are you must at this time somewhat pittie my sorrowes and heare a dittie which I haue made for your sake Then taking her Harpe shee thus beganne to sing as followeth The Dittie sung by Aurecinda to the Prince Trineus THe God of warre fierce stearne and rigorous when he beheld faire Venus heauenly beautie Made small account of her disloyalay But suddainlie became full amorous Beautie had thâ—n hâ—r power vigorous Chaunging rough lookes to sweetest secrecie But he I loue incenst with crueltie Doth not regard my torments langourous VVhy should I then pursue that stubborne minde That with excuses kils my hope out-right Yet if he helpe not death must me acquite Ah mightie loue in nature most vnkinde Thou doost constraine me to affect the man That neither fauour loue nor kindnes can VVhat haue I sayd the Knight of my desire Is meere diuine and furthest from compare VVhose Eagles eyes can well discerne my care Vnd with sweete pitties droppes â—lay this fire The little Cod hath made him gracious His Mother mild to rue the Ladies smart That shrines his liuely Image in her hart Then to despaire beseemes no vertuous Regard sweet freend the passions of thy Freend VVhom God and nature hath appointed thine Giue loue his due and then thou must be mine So shall long sorrow haue a happie ende The Persian mayd say boldly thou hast wonne That Monarches Kings and Princes neere could donne With excellent cunning did shée handle her instrument but with farre better grace and affection deliuered her dittie gracing it with such sadde countenaunce mournfull lookes and renting sighes as forced the Prince Tryneus to become excéeding amorous And burning in this newe fierie impression beheld the singuler beautie of Auredinda which rauished his sences in such sort as trembling like the Aspen leafe hee satte downe by her on the beddes side The Princesse laying her Harpe from her embraced him very louinglie with these spéeches Alas my Lord will you still continue in this rigour and cruell inhumanitie your heart is more harde then Adamant that will not bee mollified with so manie intreaties I sweare to you by the Sunne that lightneth the worlde vnlesse you graunt me one request before your face will I presentlye sâ—eye my selfe Full well doo I perceiue quoth Tryneus that hardlie can I escape mis-fortune the Seruaunt hath deceiued mee and now the Mistresse séekes my death Ah Madam quoth he how can I graunt your request considering mine offence to God and he that loueth me loyallie Eyther bée as good as thy worde quoth she else stand to the danger that may befall thée Why Syr Knight is my beautie of so slender account as I am not woorthie to bee helde betwéene thine armes wilt thou 〈◊〉 me to consume in this violent flame which thou maist with such ease and honor extinguish hadst thou rather sée a Ladie split her heart before thée then thou wilt vouchsafe to preserue her life Come come swéet Fréende sée how loue and his Mother hath made waye for thée refuse not opportunitie so fauourablie offered What blemish is on this bodie that shoulde deserue disdaine If the King of Gods would thinke himselfe honored with this conquest much more estimation shouldest thou make héereof In bréefe she was so perfect in her subtiltie and knâ—we so well how to inueigle the Prince with queint spéeches and swéete embracings that she made him forget God his Ladie loyaltie and himselfe so that of a Maiden he made her the fayrest woman in Persia. When the time came that hee should depart the Princesse saide to him Yet haue I a further request my Lord you must promise to mâ—ete mee in this place at timesâ— conuenient and endeuour with your companion that he may likewise loue my Sister Trineus made promise hee would but rather hee desired to stab himselfe with his weapon then that Palmerin shoulde knowe this great abuse so heinous did his offence séeme to himselfe Aurecinda perswaded her Sister still to pursue Palmerin with her loue and what had passed betwéene her and the Prince Trineus she declared whereupon her desire grewe the greater yet all was in vaine for Palmerin would giue no eare to her complaints which was the cause of this mishap following Lyzanda aduertised by her Sister that Tryneus still thus vsed her companie in the Bath euious of her Sisters benefit and despightfull at Palmerins obstinate refusall she went to the Soldane and with manie teares thus deliuered her gréefe Ah my Lorde how much better had it béene that wee had neuer knowne these cruell Christian Knightes whose ingratitude will bee the cause of my death for the yonger of them is meruailouslie beloued of my Sister who forgetting her faith honor and her obedience to your Maiestie hath dishonored both her selfe and you onelie to make proofe of the other knights Crueltie to me The Soldane admiring his Sisters report answered I did not will my Sister to abuse her selfe without promise of marriage but séeing it hath so fallen out by my Fathers soule they shall both repent it Durst the Traytour abuse me so much in mine owne Courte Why my Lord quoth Lyzanda you are the onelie cause thereof and therefore you must bee angrie with no bodie but your selfe Let me not liue an houre sayde the Soldane if I be not sufficiently reuenged on him Sister be you but secrete and referre the rest to my direction Then calling for the Captaine of his Guard willing him to take fiftie Knights and when his Maiestie was at Supper they shoulde goe take his Sister and the Knight with her in the Bathe and afterwarde carrie them to strong pryson But sée it doone secretlye quoth he for if
guarde giue you the hundred Knights I had of the King Maulerino and fiftie Knights naturally borne in Greece as able in Armes as any other whatsoeuer intreating you to holde me excused if I giue you not such estate as 〈◊〉 your nobilitie Woorthie Palmerin answered the Prince the greatest Lord that is might well content himselfe with the honourable companie you haue giuen mee And did not extreame passions ouer-rule me and call mée hence to her seruice whom I haue onely chosen I woulde renounce Arabia and the Lawe of Mahomet onely to liue in your companie But in what place my fortune guides me héereafter neither Parents or Friendes shall hinder mee to saie that I am your vowed and affectionate seruaunt The like doo you conceiue of me sayde Palmerin So with teares they left each other Olorico and all his companiâ— béeing aboord such fauourable winde and weather they had as without any danger they safely arriued where the Soldane lay and first the tenne knights went â—n shore they that were left of the companie which the Princesse Alchidiana gaue to Ptolome and comming before the Princesse saide Madame your Knight sir Ptolome humbly saluteth you by vs sending your excellencie this Letter Beside there is nowe arriued at the porte the Prince Oâ—orico and certaine Ambassadours from the valiant Palmerin Prince of Greece and Macedon who come on his behalfe to kissâ— your hand The Princesse hauing heard these newes and read the Letter which Ptolome sent containing the great 〈◊〉 fortunes of Palmerin was inwardly so rauished with delight as a long space she remained silent but at 〈◊〉 brake foorth into these spéeches Ah Fortune how well thou knowest to change matters which way thou pleaâ—est not according to the wil and desire of passionate minds but on the behalfe of the highest in perfections Ah Palmerin the man whom my heart shall euer loue howe may faire Polinarda iustly tearme her selfe happie hauing thee for her Lord and loue considering that the beautie and graces of so manie Ladies conquered with thy deserts nor the sumptuous riches continually offered thée could once diuerâ— thee from thy first affection Ah Alchidiana that which hath made so many Ladyes and knights fortunate in compassing the onely issue of their desires dooth now remaine for â—hy torment alone making thée the most vnhappie creature vnder the Sunne Agriola Griana Arismena Armida and Zeplura are they swéete Knight by thy meanes in assuraunce of theyr loues Trineus Frysoll the King of Sparta Maulerino Abimar Tomano and â—iuers other are their Realmes quieted and their Ladyes triumphing in their ioyes onely by the price of thy bloud and daunger 〈◊〉 thy life And must I alone remaine disgraced for euer 〈◊〉 hauing lost the knight I loued aâ— my soule While the princesse continued these complaints the prince Olorico and the Ambassadoures were come before the soldane and beâ—ng entertained by him with verie gracious 〈◊〉 they presented the Letters from Palmerin which béeing read in presence of all his Lords the Soladne thus answered My Friends I will impart these 〈◊〉 to my Counsell and my Daughter and afterwarde make you answere as I may Héereuppon the Duke of Mensa the Counteâ— of Redona and the Prince Olorico 〈…〉 and soone after the Soldane sent for his daughter thus speaking to her Daughter our Princes thinke good and haue counselled mee to make peace with Palmerin who at 〈…〉 of Greece and requireth in 〈◊〉 of our truce that I should giue you in marriage to the renowned Prince Olorico Aduise your selfe hereon for Palmerin hath earnestly intreated it by writing and héere I haue a letter for you I think to the same effect The Princesse hauing read the Letter returned this answere It is verie true my Lord his request to mee is for the selfe same cause séeing therefore it liketh you and the Princes of our Realme think it conuenient in respect of the common profit and good may ensue thereby it is not for me to make deniall Right glad was the Soldane of this aunswere wherefore he saide go then faire Daughter and 〈◊〉 your selfe accordingly for after Diâ—ner in the presence of the Ambassadours you shall be affiaunced to the Prince Olorico since his arriuall had talked but little with his Ladie wherefore hée nowe determined to go sée her and meeting her as she returned from the Soldane he saluted her with great reuerence but the Princesse â—eigâ—ing that she knew nothing yet of their marriage thus spake to him I vnderstand my Lorde that your companion Palmerin hath altogether forsaken vs. Madame quoth the Prince if hee haue abandoned your companie it is onely by the fauour of Fortune who hath béene a greater Friend to him then any man beside yet cannot the great honours and possessions he now enioyeth make him forgette you in that at my departure he said for eâ—er he would liue and die your knight God kéepe him said the Princesse where euer he is for still is my heart vowed to his remembrance and gladly can I doo as 〈◊〉 for him as for my Brother though his present 〈…〉 from my seruice Such is his trust 〈…〉 present you my heart that neuer since the day of our departure from Constantinople hath enioyed any rest béeing absent from the onely meane of my comfort If then I haue liued all this while in some hope by remembraunce of your excéeding graces and courtesies beyonde all other should I account my selfe in happinesse if now at length you receiue me as your Seruant I receiue you saide the Princesse for Palmerins sake and for your owne deserts which haue béene so worthie requiting you with equall affection so that you denie mée not one request Nothing shall you bée denied swéete Princesse quoth hée if by my life it may be compassed Nor will I demaunde any thing of so great value said she this is the fauour you shall graunt me héereafter when time shal serue that you wil conduct me to Constantinople there to behold the faire princesse Polynarda and the magnificent Court of noble Palmerin in recompence whereof I giue my selfe to be your wife and accept you as my Lord and Husband If Olorico was now well pleased I referre to your iudgements wherefore confirming their promises by kisses and embracings with solemne protestations and irreuocable vowes they departed thence to their Chambers After Dinner the Princesse attired in most sumptuous garments came into the Hall with her waiting Ladies when the Soldane sent for the Ambassadours and thus spake to them My Friendes I now perceiue the man to bee ouer foolish that trusteth in himselfe I thought by my power to destroy Greece where on the contrarie my people are destroyed I thought to continue vnquenchablâ— hatred toward your Maister and now I am constrained to graunt him peace yet not constrained but by the worke of the greatest God I am mooued so to doo which in the presence of all my Lordes I protest and with as good will as hée â—ooth dâ—maunde
it Sée then the power of that Maiestie which can 〈◊〉 and conquerâ— where he lift and I swearâ— to you by my Crowne that the good fortune of Palmeriâ— contenteth me as well as if he were mine owne sonne Mightie Soldane answered the Duke of Mensa if you resolue to loue the worthie Prince Palmerin both hée and his will performe the like to you and on his behalfe we promise faithfully that against all your enemies Christendome excepted you shall be assured of his succour and assistance I request no better assurance quoth the Soldane then this that he hath sent and that you may witnesse I am his faithfull Friendes at this instant shall the peace be ratified by all the Lordes and Princes here present and to seale the same as he requested I giue my daughter to the Prince Olorico Great ioy was generally made for this good agréement and the two louers were espoused together within few dayes after and the time being come for the Ambassadours returne to Constantinople Alchidiana sent diuerâ— rich gifts to Palmerin and Polinarda the like did the Soldane and the Prince Olorico Chap. LX. How Palmerin Trineus and Agriola accompanied with many great Lords and princes went to the Emperor of Allemaigne at Vienna where great triumphs were made at the celebrating of the marriage between Trineus and the princesse Agriola SOone after the Prince Olorico and the Ambassadours of Greece were gone towardes Assiria Palmerin although the aged Emperour very much disswaded him made prouision for his spéedy voyage to Allemaigne and hauing conducted the King of Sparta and his Aunt Arismena some parte of their way homeward at their returne to the Cittie of Constantinople hée came to the Duke of Pontus saying I remember the time when you did cutte off the great Turks head an acte deseruing good and especiall recompence and that you thereby deliuered vs and performed it at the motion of the Princesse Laurana her haue you loued euer since both on lande and Sea and her Countrey is not farre hence will ye now make her your Ladie and Wife I promise ye my assistance so farre as I can My Lord aunswered the Duke fearing to offend you I still deferred to mooue you in this cause but seeing wee are nowe so happily fallen into these tearmes I will not conceale the truth from you In sooth my Lorde when first I sawe her I loued her and haue euer since continued in this hope that time at length would fauour my intent It sufficeth saide Palmerin and presently hée acquainted the Emperour therewith who thinking the match very méete and conuenient they were the next day married by the Achbishop of Constantinople and in short time after went to take possession of their Duchie of Durace where they were receiued very honourably and the whole state yéelded vp into the Dukes hande When Palmerin sawe that the most parte of his companions were departed at the earnest intreataunce of the Prince Trineus and Agriola he set forward to Allemaigne accompanied with Frysoll and Armida whome hée conducted into the Realme of Hungaria where Frysoll was crowned King by reason of his Fathers decease there went with him like wise Diardo of Bohemia the Prince Eustace Ptolome and other Lords of great account 〈◊〉 good speed they made in theyr iourney as in short time they arriued at Vienna where the Emperour béeing aduertised of their comming by the Dwarfe came with his courtly trayne to méete them and taking his Sonne Tryneus in his armes said I sée it is the will of God my Sonne that héere after I shall haue as great ioy by thée as in thy long absence I haue had gréefe and sorrow all which I patiently put vp for the loue of thy brother the noble Prince Palmerin and faire Agriola of England that well deserues it But in good â—â—â—th my Children had you not come in so happie time I should haue bene driuen to meruailous fears For the King of Fraunce perceiuing that I would not giue my daughter in marriage to his eldest sonne demaunded the King Recinde of Spaine his daughter who graunted his request so that they twaine with the aide of the King of England haue leueyed such an Armie on the Sea as neuer was the like séene to passe the Rheine But séeing you returned in so good disposition the lesse account I make of their angrie menaces yet are they the thrée principall Kings of Christendome My Lord answered Palmerin be not you dismaide at their enterprise for ere manie dayes bee expired I hope to sée all matters quietly pacified and that without anie effusion of blood The lesse is my doubt quoth the Emperour in that with such good fortune you haue finished your intentions for nothing you begin but comes to luckie ende Witnesse héerof appeareth in the search of my Sonne Tryneus whom the best Knights in Christendome haue laboured to finde but all their trauaile I sée hath béene spent in vaine By this time they were come to the Pallace where they were graciously receiued by the Ladies Alas my Fréendes said the Empresse which of you shall I first embrace Ah my Sonne Tryneus howe sorrowfull hast thou made mée since thy departure from England iust cause hast thou to thanke the Heauens who protected thée still in so manie daungers and forget not thy Brother Palmerin who hath endured such trouble for thy sake Faire Daughter quoth she to the Princesse Agriola welcome are you indeed God send you better fortune héereafter then you haue had alreadie which yet hath bene a Touch-stone of your loyaltie But while these spéeches continued howe the other two Louers with piercing regard beheld eache other and how many gracious signes passed as secrete Ambassadours betweene them Polynarda was clad in such costly 〈◊〉 for the pleasure she conceiued since the Dwarffes 〈◊〉 at the Court as shee seemed anothâ—r Iuno when shée stood to abide the arbitrâ—ment of 〈◊〉 or like Voluptas fâ—llowing her Mother Venus But fearing least this amiable encounter should decipher some part of her former courtesies to her friend which as yet was vnknowne to any but Bryonella she locked vp all secrets with so swéet a kisse as would haue contented the rudest of the Gods had it bâ—ne Vulcan or Neptune themselues And comming to salute the Princesse Agriaâ—a sayd No meruaile faire sister if your loue wrought wonders in my brothers minde for vnfainedly I speake it your exquisite graces deserue the greatest seruice in the world Alas Madame aunswered Agriola if nature or they that had the charge of me in my youth could haue painted me with such beautie as I see in you or enriched me with wisedome able to deuise with my Lord when he came to sée mee then could I haue said somewhat of the paines he hath taken for mée but I know my selfe so full of imperfections as the loue hée beares me procéedeth of his owne good nature not by any merit he can behold me Then Palmerin kneeling before the
addition vnder your highnesse correction that were she mine as I am wholie hers the faithfull seruice of a thankfull Sonne shoulde aunswere the genâ—lenes of so good a Father and the irreuocable vowes of holie loue assure Griana of her Florendos Right déerelie did the Emperour loue the Prince Florendos as had he béene his owne Sonne Caniano his knightlie valour and manifold other vertues iustlie inducing hym thereto and gladlie he would haue coÌ„sented to his request if his promise made vnto Tarisius did not binde him to the contrarie whereupon he returned him this aunswere Beléeue me good Cozin I am not a little agréeued that I cannot satis-fie your gentle request for that Tarisius Nephewe to the Empresse hath alreadie preuented mee to him haue I past my promise for my Daughter and dailie I expect the Ambassadours comming from Hungaria to finishe the mariage so that I had rather loose the best of my Citties then it should be said I falsified my worde Notwithstanding of one thing I can assure you that you are far higher in my grace and fauour then he yet necessitie is without lawe and the regarde of mine honour must intreate you to hold me excused Greatlie abashed was the Prince Florendos séeing in one instant that hope strooken dead that had maintayned his life since his comming to Constantinople and so nypt in the heade was he with the Emperours answere as hee stoode a good while in a studie not speaking a worde at last he began thus God forbidde that so great a Prince shoulde breake his promise by my occasion neuerthelesse my truth and loyaltie to your highnesse shall not any way diminishe but I shall remaine the most forward in duetie of any that owe seruice and alleageaunce to your Maiestie Neyther will I sayd the Emperour imagine the worse of you but loue you rather better then I did before Then entered diuers Noble men and Gentlemen which made them breake off from further spéeches and Florendos taking his leaue went to his Chamber so full of gréefe and extreame heauines as easilie he could haue béene induced to commit some violence vpon himselfe but casting himselfe vpon his bed he thus beganne to breath foorth the furie of his passions to ease the heauie burthen of his oppressed spirite Unhappy wretch that I am beyonde all other what hope of life canst thou flatter thy self withal séeing the meane that should maintaine the continuaunce thereof forbiddes thée sonde man to hope any longer What angry Planet gouerned thy natiuitie that he to whom thou gauest life should this day be the cause to ende thine owne Beléeue 〈◊〉 Tarisius had I made tryal of this inconuenience before hardlie shoulde I haue put my personne in such daunger amongst the Moores to shéelde thy life but in defending the sworde out of thy throate I haue deseruedlie thrust it in mine owne so that by lengthning thy daies I haue expyred mine owne date and that with a death so miserable and cruell as no enemie whatsoeuer would wish to another But were it not that my duetie to the good Emperour countermaundeth me thou couldest not with such ease either out-braue me in my looue or thus vsurpe the gracious fauoure of my Mistresse Griana were affection ballanced with desert or loue measured by vertue as it is by opinion Notwithstanding to die for her loue I shall account my selfe happie in that she cannot but pittie my vnluckie death and my spirite should passe with greater quiet to his ende if she knewe with what content I take my destenie but fayre Griana would God I had either not séene thée at al or Fortune had béene fauourable to me in choise At which words the extremitie of his passions tooke away the libertie of his spéeche so that he could not finish what hee woulde gladlie haue spoken but falling from his bedde to the grounde in a swoune amazed one of his Esquires that was in the nexte Chamber who hearing the fall ran in immediatlie where séeing his Maister lying deade in his iudgement ran and called Frenato who was Cozin to Florendos and one that knewe most of his priuate affayres notwithstanding hee was ignorant in the cause of this accident who taking him vppe in his armes with colde water and vinagre caste in his face at length he got life into him againe when Florendos opening his eyes and séeing his Cozin so busie about him breathing foorth two or thrée bitter sighes saide My déere fréende and Cozin I beséeche you hinder not the ende and issue of my life for béeing out of all hope to recouer my Ladie Griana there is no meane left to maintaine my life When Frenato heard these wordes hee doubted that the Prince had receiued some contrarie aunswere from yâ— Emperour as concerning the marriage betwéene him and his Daughter for whose loue onelie hee left the kingdome of Macedon wherfore he perceiuing that she must bee the onelie meane to ease his torment hee began thus roundlie to aunswere the Prince And what of this must you therefore dispaire Alas said Florendos what would yee haue me doo the Emperour hath long since past his promise for her to Tarisius as his highnes assured me by his own wordes Uerie well Sir answered Frenato but doo you know if she haue giuen her consent I promise you I am perswaded that she loues him not but that her fauourable regarde is much more towardes you then him and for you saye so much to morrow will I sounde the bottome of this matter so that if I can I will frustrate the Emperours intent towardes Tarisius Doo you in the meane time but learne to dissemble your gréefe and shewe not your selfe mal content for anie thing that hath béene saide but bee of good chéere and referre your fortune in this case to the successe of myne endeuours These and such like perswasions Frenato vsed to the Prince whom he thus left in his Chamber and returned to the Pallace as was his manner All this while the Emperour bethought himselfe on the spéeches that had passed betwéene him and Florendos which made him the night following to discourse theron with the Empresse perswading her that hee coulde more willinglie accept of hym for his Sonne then Tarisius But she who highlie fauoured her Nephewe reprooued his opinion with manie answers so that by importunate intreaties teares and other subtill fetches which Women are wont to vse to accomplish theyr desires she so farre disswaded the Emperour as hee promised her againe not to giue her to anie other then to him to whom he first past his worde Of which wordes the Empresse was not a little glad and therefore all that night shée deuised by what meanes she might froÌ„ that time forward so much as in her laie hinder Florendos from speaking to her Daughter whereupon she dailie kept the Chamber of presence and helde a more strickt looke on Griana then before shee had doone which greatlie increased the passions of Florendos
for Florendos could not finde him the bruite and rumor was qualified and the Emperour went againe to his Chamber till the morning when the Empresse hearing yâ— her daughter was in prison tooke it verie heauilie and knéeling be-before the Emperour desired him that she might fetch her foorth but he was so angrie as her wordes coulde doo nothing with him yet he graunted that shee shoulde goe see her and tooke her the Key when she entering the Tower founde her sitting on the ground so blubred with teares as was lamentable to beholde but when she behelde her Mother she arose and dooing her reuerence coulde not speake her teares so ouercame her The Empresse that loued her déerelie séeing her in this gréeuous estate had much a doo to dissemble what she thought how beit after a fewe light wordes passed betwéene them she said I am â—orie daughter that you haue so lightlie throwne your affection vpon a Straunger and that you forget your duetie in following your Fathers counsell and mine who well knâ—we the loue Tarisius beares you and no otherwise Daughter then to take you to his wife But you carried awaie with yâ— loosenes which ill agrées with your credite and calling haue rather thought best to grant Florendos enterance by your Garden at such a suspected howre as while you liue your honour will be hardlie thought on for two of Tarisius his Knights who thought to take the Traytour are slaine and my Nephew himselfe daungerouslie escaped Griana hearing him called Traitour whom shee so highlie looued and that shee herselfe was accused by that which ought to excuse her answered Madame and my gracious Mother as yet I am ignoraunt of the cause that hath mooued the Emperour in such choller against me and be it for this you speake of in soothe I am offered verie great iniurie for I knowe not whether Florendos or anie other haue entred my Garden well I am assured hee came not where I was These are straunge newes to me Madame I â—old rather haue thought him on his waie towards Macedon in respect of the solemne leaue he tooke in the Courtâ— For my part I would that the Traytour which was the cause hereof had long since béene buried in the bottome of the Sea then he should so abuse the honor of Florendoâ— with a matter of such villanie wherein I cannot iudge him faultie but were it he Madame I am at a point let him die yâ— death as he hath well deserued for my duetie to you my Parents hath taught me better nurture and loue canne be no priuiledge to me to offende Then good Mother twit not mee with impeache of honour in so innocent a cause for defence whereof were the death present before mine eyes I haue sorrowed as much as I would and am more readie to embrace then liue in suspecte so shall my Father and you bee eased of prouiding me a Husband As for the prison wherein I am I will not denie his fauoure when it shall please him to deliuer me but I coulde take it farre more contentedlie to spende the remainder of my following daies thus solitarie then to liue abroade misdéemed on by anie Faire Daughter said the Empresse doo not discomfort your selfe in this sort the Emperour had some reason in regarde of the loue he beares you and the outragious tumult which happened to doo as he hath doone but I hope in the end all will sort to the best and that you your selfe shall remaine contented Manie other spéeches passed betwéene them till at length the Empresse left her and departed for she thought long till she was with the Emperour to let him know the talke betwéene her and Griana which shee didde without omitting anie thing notwithstanding hee was more seuere to his Daughter euerie daie after Then sent hee for the Ambassadours and thus he began with them My Lordes at this time I am aduised that you shall returne to your King my Brother for in respect of the accidents which you haue séene to happen I will craue pardon for this tyme referring matters ouer till some other time when thinges shall fall in better disposition The Ambassadours vnderstanding the Emperours pleasure the next daie tooke their leaue towarde the King their Maister to whom they declared the whole in generall whereat hee conceiued such dyspleasure as he presentlie sent for his Sonne Tarisius who had not as yet recouered his health But he was so enamered on yâ— yong Princesse as he would not obey his Fathers commaund but so soone as he was indifferentlie amended he intreated the Emperour to pardon his Daughter accusing his owne men who vndiscreetlie had raised this false rumour of her and Florendos By this meanes the Empresse and her Ladies obtained libertie dailie to accompanie Griana but all the night time he caused her to bee locked vp as closelie as before committing her to the charge of an aged Gentlewoman named Tolomestra whom hee commaunded on paine of death not to bee a minute of an houre forth of her companie CHAP. VIII Howe Florendos arriuing on the frontiers of Macedon made manie sorrowfull complaints for not bringing Griana away according to his enterprise NO sooner had Florendos Frenato ouertane their companie but they rid on in such hast fearing to be followed as at length they got the Frontiers of Macedon And because Florendos imagined himselfe without life not hearing anie tydinges from his Mistresse Griana he concluded to rest at the first Towne he came too there to expect the returne of the Esquire he sent to Constantinople who returned towards his Maister sooner then he looked for by reason of the little aboad he made in the Emperours Court for he staied not when he hearde that Griana was imprisoned and that Tarisius was not slaine as his Maister was perswaded These newes did wonderfullie afflict the Prince as well for the harde vsage of his swéete Fréende as that he had fayled in killing him by whose death he well hoped to recouer his losse all the whole daie would he receiue no sustenance but locked himselfe close in his Chamber and tombled on his bedde as a man halfe desperate But Frenato who would not be long absent from him fearing least his furie woulde cause him worke some violence on himselfe made such meanes yâ— hee got into the Chamber at what time the Prince was thus lamenting Alas swéete Madame was I borne in such an vnhappie houre that without desert you must indure imprisonment for me What satis-faction maie your Florendos liue to make in requitall of this iniurie When didde you euer merit to be so hardlie intreated for him Beléeue me coulde you bee discharged so soone as I coulde wyshe it bolts locks nor walles coulde holde you a thought whyle yet wyshing is no action euerie thing is contrarie to me al helpes refuse me and death likewise denies me but by my sworde and therewith he started vp in spight of whatsoeuer I will deliuer you Frenato
Mother nor any of my kindred notwithstanding mine owne hart makes mee iudge no lesse of my selfe and more gladlie would I die then doo anie thing that were not vertuous and well woorthie the name of a Gentleman And trust me said Florendos I am of the same opinion this night therefore you must obserue the religious watch as is accustomed and to morrowe will I giue you your order and put the spurre on your héele my selfe Palmerin on his knée humblie kissed the Princes hand and continuing in talke togeather Florendos tooke a great delight in beholding him so that hee demaunded his name and Countrey My Lord quoth he they which found me amongst the Palme Trées on y◠Mountaine of Oliues not farre from Constantinople haue giuen me the name of Palmerin By mine honour said Florendos I ought wel to know the Cittie whereof you speake as the place wherein my déerest affections tooke their first life and not long since are bequeathed to death awaiting nowe but the howre to be discharged of the burden Thus hauing in his companie his vnknowne Sonne begotten by him on the Princesse Griana knew little that his loue had sorted to such effect neuerthelesse nature prouoked him to like so well of Palmerin as none in y◠Courte contented him more then he And longer woulde they haue continued their talke but that faire Arismena interrupted them asking Palmerin if he woulde discharge her of the request he demaunded That doo I Madame quoth hee and in requitall thereof dedicate the whole circuit of my life to your gracious seruice and to begin my deuoire on your be halfe so soone as I haue receiued my Knighthoode I wyll take my iourney towards the Serpent in hope to bring the water that must recouer the King your Fathers health Alas good Sir said she God forbidde that you should fall in such daunger by my meanes I know well aunswered Palmerin that I can die but once and if it be nowe then am I dispatched and if I escape I shall doo that whereof many other haue failed and this is my resolution faire Madame Beléeue me said Florendos me thinkes you are as yet too yong to finish an action wherein consists so great daunger I praie you therfore referre it vnto such as haue had more experience in Armes then as yet you haue My Lorde saide Palmerin in other matters I shall obey when you cōmand but this I must desire you not to disswade me from Well then quoth Florendos séeing you will néedes haue it so I am content you shall in the meane while kéepe mee companie as for Sworde and Armour trouble not you selfe to prouide ame because my selfe will furnish you sufficientlie Thus all daie Florendos accompanied Palmerin demaunding of him what things he had séene in Constantinople and falling from one discourse to another he asked him what Esquire he had to attēd on him Thē he shewed his Dwarffe called Vrbanillo such a deformed and euill fauoured felow as euerie one that saw him laughed hartilie whereuppon Palmerin said to Florendos By my faith my Lorde as vnséemelie as he is I thinke so well of him as I should be displeased if he were anie waie iniuried Assure your selfe said Florendos that he will stand you in great stedde when you haue no néede of him and looke y◠you leaue nothing behind you that you néede to fight against the Serpent and trust it in his discretion to bring after you When Vrbanillo perceiued euerie one test so with him he was halfe angrie and in some choller thus said to the Prince I can no waie my Lord better my shape or proportion but if I liue this little deformed bodie of mine shall giue you to vnderstande that I beare so good a minde as where my Maister leaues his life I meane to finish mine and though in meane while I can doo him no other seruice he shal be assured of my trueth and loyaltie But not offended Owarffe my good freende saide Florendos for I thinke well of thée and of thy behauiour And so because the Tables were couered for Supper they brake of talke Palmerin preparing himself to his watchfull deuoire in the Chappell CHAP. XV. Howe Florendos gaue to Palmerin the Armour and Sword of Gamezio whom hee slewe before Constantinople and afterwarde Knighted him and howe a Damosell came to the Court who presented him with a Helmet and a rich Sheelde THe time béeing come that Palmerin should performe his deuonte watch in the Chappel before hee receiued his Knighthoode according to the auncient custome Florendos gaue commaundement that the Armour of Gamezio should bee brought him which the Emperour had giuen him after his conquest of the Soldan of Babilons army on the Sea as you haue heard before and these he shewed to Palmerin saying My fréend this Armour sometimes belonged to the best Knight of his time whom neuerthelesse I conquered béeing then more pleasant ioyfull and at better content then I shal be while I haue a daie to liue And because I haue some speciall opinion of your prowesse and that these ornaments of defence you will better imploy then anie other on whom I shal bestowe them I praie you henceforth to weare them for my sake My Lorde saide Palmerin my desire is that my seruice towardes your honour maie be witnessed in my good imploying of this gentle gift Then Frenato and diuers other Knights did helpe to arme him and afterward accompanied him to the Chappell where all that night hee spent in sollemne orisons that God would endue him with strength to vanquish the Serpent that so the King might againe receiue his health At the breake of daie as Florendos went to the Chappell to giue him his order there entred among them on the suddaine a comelie Damosell bearing a Helmet a Shéeld of Azier the goodliest and most beautifull that euer was séene vpon the Shéelde béeing portraied a Ladies arme hauing her hande fast closed togeather the Damosell comming before the Prince Florendos began thus I pray you my Lord to pause a while till I haue conferred a little with Palmerin Florendos was greatlie amazed at this accident in that he had neuer séene the Damosell before notwithstanding he returned this answere Faire Damosell my Fréende good leaue haue you to saie what you please Then comming to Palmerin and falling on her knées before him she saide Sir Palmerin a Knight that hath authoritie to commaund me and whom as yet you doo not knowe hath sent you by me this Helment and Shéelde wherein you shall find the verie secretes of your hart And if you desire to know whence this honour procéedeth it commeth from him who hath prooued the effect héereof and that knowes more of you néerest affairest then you doo your selfe albeit as yet he hath neuer séene you Damosell saide Palmerin where maie I finde the learned man that hath thus honored mee whō I may remunerate with my chéefest endeuours heerafter You
doubt of My Lorde quoth Palmerin the King and you haue so highlie honoured mee as wheresoeuer I shall come heereafter I rest yours in my verye vttermost endeuours These wordes did Ptolome heare the Sonne of Frenato whoÌ„ Florendos had kept since the time he was his Page and was nowe olde enough to receiue Knighthoode which made him desirous to purchase honour by some meanes especiallie if the King woulde mooue Palmerin to take him with him his request he perswaded himselfe would not bee denyed whereupon knéeling before the King hee beganne thus If it so please your highnes that at your handes I might receiue my order of Knighthoode before Palmerin departed from your Court I am assured he would not disdaine me for his companion especially if your Maiestie did mooue the question on my behalfe Beléeue mee quoth the King so good a motion shall not be hindered by me therefore to morrow will I giue you your order and such Armor as shall well beséeme a Knight prepare you in meane time to performe your watch Highly contented was Ptolome at these spéeches and gaue order for his prouision of néedefull occasions til euening came when he entered the Chappell where hee spent the night in deuout orisons yâ— heauen would so further the whole course of his time as might stand with the aduauncement of iustice and his own honor Earlie in the morning the King accompanied with his Sonne Florendos and manie other Knights entered the Chappel where finding Ptolome on his knées hee gaue him his knighthoode wishing his fortune to prooue such as might make him famous where euer he came afterward he desired Palmerin that this new Knight might beare him coÌ„panie in his trauailes whereto Palmerin willingly consented accepting so well of Ptolomes behauiour as hee purposed thence forward not to forsake so good a companion TheÌ„ they both tooke their leaue of the King and Florendos and departed with the Gentleman towardes the Duke of Durace making such good expedition in their iourneye as hauing crost the Seas with a prosperous winde they landed in the Countrey of Durace Nowe because the Cittie was besiedged on all sides they were doubtfull howe to gette in vnséene of the enemie which the Gentlemanne their guide performed so well as by priuie signes made to the Sintinell at length they got in without any danger The Duke hearing tydings of their arriuall left his Chamber came to welcome Palmerin whome hee entertained with great honour spending the most part of the night in familiar conference with him till hauing brought him to his Chamber hee left them bothe to their good rest till the next morning when he came againe to visite them thus saluting Palmerin Your arriuall Sir Knight dooth arme mee with such assured hope as by the helpe I shall receiue at your hande mine enemie I trust shal not outbraue me as he hath doone hitherto and therfore you with your worthie companion are bothe so welcome as you can desire My Lorde quoth Palmerin the King that sent me to you hath bounde me to him by so manie courtesies as for the loue of him and Florendos his Sonne you may assure your selfe of my vttermost seruice so long as I shall be able to holde my Sworde The Duke returned his noble offer manie thankes and walking into the Hall the Duchesse there expected the comming of Palmerin so after manie welcoms and courtlie embracings the Tables béeing couered they sat downe to Dinner all which time Palmerins eyes were fixed on the Duchesse Daughter who was one of the fairest Uyrgins that euer he sawe and so busied was his thoughts in beholding her as hee gaue small regarde to the Dukes wordes who reported what shamefull iniuries the Countie had offered him from time to time and howe manie skirmishes had passed betwéene them since the beginning of the wars Thus spent they the Dinner time till the Tables beeing withdrawne and the Duchesse with her Daughter gone into their Chamber the Duke questioned with Palmerin as concerning Ptolome who was verie néere allied to the Duke and so with discoursing of nouels of Macedon as also the doubtfull affaires of the warres they passed the whole daie till night came when Palmerin and Ptolome departing to their Chamber Palmerin coulde take no rest the beautie of the Duchesse Daughter so troubled hys thoughts which made him desirous to knowe her name if this were shée the thrée Sisters spake of on the Mountain and was beside promised him in hi◠〈◊〉 visions Palmerin was not alone thus passionate but on the other side the yong Ladie became as amorous of him but Fortune wold not permitte their loue as you shall heare more héereafter The CouÌ„tie hauing al this while maintained very straight siedge intending now to loose or gaine al gaue fierce assault vppon the Cittie first calling all the cheefest Lordes and Captaines of his Armie moouing them with earnest and Souldiour like perswasions to foresée all aduauntages and to encounter their enemies with magnanimious and resolute courage When he had thus unboldened his menne to the fight with sound of Drummes Trompets Clariâ—ns they bad the Cittie battaile then might you beholde howe they besturred themselues with Fagots to fill the Ditches and Trenches set scaling Ladders to the walles howe the one side assaulted and the other defended that manie loste their liues or departed maimed such hauocke did Palmerin and Pâ—olome with the Dukes power make on their enemies notwithstanding they were in number farre beyonde them and meruailous well prouided of all necessaries But then Palmerin remembred a suddaine pollicie to preuent a mischéefe for as the enemie retired to prepare for the seconde assault he called the most part of the best Knights that the Duke had willing each one betake himself to his horse and follow him leauing the rest well appointed for defence of the walles The Counties power sounding the alarme and comming roughlie againe vpon the Cittie Palmerin with his company priuilie issued foorth at the Posterne gate on the backs of the enemies and gaue such a braue onsette as they were forced to forsake their scaling Ladders to resist this encounter There were manie strokes deliuered on either side the Countie most part of his Knights béeing on horsebacke which made them holde the longer play with Palmerin and his men notwithstanding the Countie séeing such a hardie attempt giuen on a suddaine and doubting freshe supplie woulde come from the Cittie with feare began to retire and with one of his Bretheren laboured to resist this sharpe assault but Palmerin and his companie gaue them small time to rest laying on loade with meruailous fiercenes whereat the Countie was so offended as coÌ„ming to Palmerin he gaue him such a cruell stroke on the Helmet as he fell therwith to the ground yet did he quicklie recouer himselfe againe and requited the Countie with so sound a salutation as he made him tomble from his saddle headlong to the earth at what
countenaunce to her then hee was accustomed but shee good Lady in his excuse conceiued better opinion then she had cause yet as it euermore falleth out in loue that when Ladies sée themselues but slenderly courted by their Fréendes they growe importunate in their amorous desires so came it to passe with Laurana who perceiuing herselfe not solicited by Palmerin as shee was wont one night somewhat late shee called the Dwarffe and thus began Howe comes it to passe my good Fréend that thy Maister is not of so pleasaunt disposition as heeretofore he hath béene it may be thou hast not let him vnderstand my last salutation or els feare with-holdes him from following his determination I pray thée doo the message of my earnest good will to him and tell him that I long to impart our affections togeather to the ful resolution of our desired thoughts which I haue found the way vnsuspected to accomplish so please him to come to my ChaÌ„ber to morrow at night where I shall not faile to expect his presence When the Dwarffe heard Laurana vse these words thinking his Maister was still in his former cogitations thus aunswered Trust me fayre Madame within these fewe dayes my Maister is become so mellanchollie as I haue manie times feared his death and I am sure hee hath no other cause to torment him so but onely the fury of the extreame loue he beares you yet séeing you haue promised him such gracious fauour let me alone to change this vnpleasaunt humour Fayle not then quoth shee to let him know my minde I goe presently said the Dwarffe to acquaint him with these long desired tydings So taking his leaue he went to his Maisters Chamber whom he founde fast a sleepe when not daring to awake him let stay hys message till the next morning and so laide him downe to rest at what time sleepe had thorowly possessed him he began to cry and complaine so loude as his Maister hearing him arose and demaunded of him the cause of his lament Alas my Lorde quoth he neuer in all my life was I so affrighted me thought that one of the fayrest Ladies that euer eye lookt on helde a naked sworde against my throate saying Uile and villainous creature as thou art darest thou presume so much to offende me as to make thy Lorde and Maister amorous of Lady Laurana and to forsake me iustly doost thou deserue to dye on this weapon for thy paillardise and if héereafter thou carry any message to preiudice my right assure thy selfe that I wil chastise thée in such sort as all deformed villaines shal receiue example by thée I tell thée Traytour Palmerin his fortunes climbes higher then the name of Laurana and where he is more looued for the royaltie of his linage then for his base and Pastoral education With which wordes shee gaue me such a stroke on the heade with her sworde as I fearefull of my life cryed so loude as you say you hearde me This motioÌ„ made Palmerin easily perceiue that Polinarda had made thys threatning to the Dwarffe for Laurana which concealing to himsâ—lfe he said in laughter I think thou diddest forget to drinke when thou 〈◊〉 to bed and so thy hart béeing drie conceiued this fonde vision I praie thée sléepe trouble me no more with such idle passions The Dwarffe betooke him to rest but Palmerins thoughts all night were hammering on this Dreame so that he resolued to departe thence the next morning and séeke els where his aduentures séeing hee was admonished by so manie aduertisements So at the daie rysing he called the Dwarffe and commaunded him to prepare his Armour for hee intended to take his leaue of the Duke Ptolome hearing this and hauing noted beside all that the Dwarffe tolde his Maister in the night Dissembling the matter as was his manner he came and bad Palmerin good morrowe who aunswered Ptolome in this manner My déere Fréend I haue concealed none of mine affaires froÌ„ thée since the time we receiued our knighthoode and parted togeather from the Courte of Macedon nowe therefore shall I impart to thée what I haue determined It is so that vrgent occasions constraines me presently to leaue this Countreie and henceforth to frame my course which way Fortune will direct me by which occasion I see we must be enforced to leaue each other notwithstanding let me intreate that our absence may no way impayre our fréendshippe not doubting but in good time we shall meete togeather againe In meane space if you sée the King or Prince Florendos forgette not the humble duety of theyr vowed Seruaunt I beséeche yée who dedicates his life and honour in all attempts to their gracious fauours By God said Ptolome let who will doo the message for me for neither death nor daunger shall seperate me from you but I wil beare you companie while life and soule hold together If you be so resolute said Palmerin shame were it for mee so to refuse you Set forward then when you please quoth Ptolome for we neither must nor will depart that 's flat So béeing bothe armed they came to the Duke who meruailed much to sée them so prepared and therefore demaunded whether they went My good Lord answered Palmerin in that your Countrey is nowe quieted wee must intreate you for our departure because waightie affaires in other places doo so commaunde vs. How happens it fayre Fréendes saide the Duke that you will so soone leaue mee My Lorde quoth Palmerin wee are so enforced and therfore we humblie intreate you not to be offended If your affaires bee such saide the Duke lothe am I to hinder you commaunde of me and mine what you please for all remaineth at your disposition Most humble thanks did Palmerin and Ptolome returne the Duke and ere they went to horseback they came to take their leaue of the Duchesse Laurana who was well nie deade séeing her hope deceiued for she expected the night comming when shée and Palmerin should conferre togeather of their loue but séeing him now departing she was out of all hope to sée him againe the extreame gréefe whereof so ouercame her as giuing a greate shrike shee fell in a swoune The Ladies and Gentlewomen in great amazement came about her ignoraunt of her euill but onelie Palmerin and his Dwarffe which hee likewise woulde not reueale to anie for the reason you hearde discoursed before and rather would she entertaine her own death then make knowne a secrete of such importaunce wherefore hauing somewhat recouered herselfe and not able to conceale her anguish with an extreame sigh she thus breathed foorth her sorrow Ah Palmerin easilie hast thou kindled the fire which with great shame thou leauest consuming vnquenched Who would haue thought such treason coulde harbour where faire conditions and honourable valour shined so brightlie Well may I condâ—mne al men of disloyaltie séeing thou hast failed resembling so excellent Beléeue me Knight thou hast doone mee great wrong and thy selfe much more
so tooke their way towards the sorrowfull Widdowe who expecting good tydings continued in earnest and deuoute orisons that the good Knight might ouercome her blood-thirstie enemie and returne with victory and her Daughter Esmerinda CHAP. XXIII Howe Palmerin returning with his company to the Ladies Castell happened to meete with the Giant Darmaco who lost his life in Combat with Palmerin THus rode Palmerin and his coÌ„pany verie ioyfull of their good fortune especially Esmerinda aboue all the reste but this pleasant humour lasted not long for shee had espied Darmaco comming foorth of a woode hauing with him his wife tenne well appointed Knights whereat the yong Ladie was so affrighted as she cryed out saying O God now are we all cast away At which words the other women began to discourage themselues and séeing the Giant so neere knewe not whether they were best to goe forward or backe againe whereupon Palmerin saide to Ptolome I praie thée good Freende while I fight with Darmaco doo you these two Knights deale with the rest in the meane while I thinke it good that my Dwarffe Vrbanillo conuay these Ladies into the thickest of the woode He had no sooner thus said but he behelde the Giant make apace towards them who not thinking what had happened yet séeing faire Esmerinda so deliuered in wonderfull rage not taking either Sworde or Shéelde with him he praunced towardes Palmerin who entertained him so soundly on the head with his Fauchion as the Giant tombled foorth of his Saddle hanging in hys styrrop by the left foote and was no way able to recouer himselfe The Horse feeling his Maister from his backe and his burthen to weighe ouer heauie on his side the Giants foote likewise tickling him in the flancke began to course about and to beate his Maister with his féete euery way he could reach him wheÌ„ Palmerin on the other side laid him on such strokes as at length he sent his soule to the deuils the patrons of his villainous life Now thought Palmerin he had no more to doo but goe helpe his companions against the other Knights wherein he was deceiued for the Giantesse to reuenge her Husbands death gaue so cruell a stroke at Palmerin with her Husbands Mace as had he not shrunk aside she had slaine him and so continued more like a Lyon then a Woman redoubling stroke after stroke which forced Palmerin for safegarde of himselfe séeing no meanes or perswasions could preuaile with her to sende her packing after her Husbande Ptolome and his Knights had dealt so well with the rest as on the comming of Palmerin they had dispatched them all if fresh supply had not come to theÌ„ as you shall heare more anon The Lady of the Castel mother to Esmerinda so soone as Palmerin departed thence towardes the Giant sent to séeke a yong Gentleman named Crispino to whom shee promised her Daughter in marriage if so be she could recouer her againe out of the Giants power who staying not long after this message made hast to the Castell the Ladie entertaining him in this manner Not long since my good Freende there departed hence a Knight who intendes to reuenge my wrongs on the Giant Darmaco and because I knowe not to what ende this enterprise will sorte I pray you Arme you and take tenne of your hardiest men with you to helpe the good Knight if he should be distressed Crispino soone consented to this motion in his way towards the Castell it was his chaunce to meete with the Dwarffe and the Ladies that fledde into the woode It is not to demaund how pleasing this sight was to him beholding Esmerinda whom he loued as himselfe of whom he demaunded where their companie was and shee reported in what state they left them at time of their flight Whereupon he commaunded fiue of his men to guide the Ladies to a Kinsmans house of his that was néere at hande and hee with the rest of his traine galloped to the place where Palmerin Ptolome and the Ladies two Knights encountered wyth the fresh supplie that came to Darmacos men Hee was no sooner arriued but he behelde Palmerin and Ptolome wouÌ„ded very sore and one of the Ladies Knights 〈◊〉 among the rest which mooued him his men to bestir themselues so that short tale to make the Giants men were all vanquished in the ende and then Crispino declared to Palmerin howe he had sent Esmerinda and the Ladies to his Cozins house not farre of whether if it pleased him to walke he should receiue what courtesie could be performed on so suddaine warning in respect of the happy fortune yâ— who le Country shoulde finde by him beeing thus deliuered of Darmaco and his Sonne but aboue all for the safetye of his best beloued Esmerinda Thus rode they togeather with Crispino whose Cozin made them verie gracious welcome reioycing greatlie at this happy victory and afterward they set forwarde to the good Widdowe Crispino by the way reporting to Palmerin his loue to Esmerinda and howe her Mother had promised him her in marriage desiring him to assist the matter that it might bee finished which he promised to doo and so at length they came to the Castell where when the Ladie sawe her Daughter and hearde howe her cheefest enemies were slaine it is hard to expresse her excéeding ioy which her chéerefull countenance somewhat made manifest welcomming Palmerin with these wordes Ah genâ—le Knight howe might I be able while I liue to recompence this inestimable fauour the comfort of mine age and my oppressed soule haue you brought me may neuer harmes befal so good a Knight Ladie quoth he giue the prayse to God as for me iudge if I haue béene as good as my promise to your Damosell or no and if there be anie thing els to doo Lady I am readie now to performe it You haue doone so much for me saide she as nothing remaineth more to be desired vnlesse of your bountie you will cause me to receiue what the Giant tooke from me by force for séeing he is deade they that with-helde it from me will nowe willinglie restore it againe That shal be likewise accomplished quoth Palmerin but because hee and Ptolome were sore wounded as you hearde they staied to be 〈◊〉 and sent Crispino with his Cozin and a good sufficient traine to demaunde the Ladies Castell and her goods They that helde it of the Giant vnderstanding his death made present deliueraunce thereof and committed themselues to the Ladies mercie whether shee sent her Daughter so soone as Palmerin and Ptolome were healed to whom the Subiects vowed their faith and allegeaunce and with great Triumphes honoured the mariage of Crispino and Esmerinda On the morrowe as the Knights sat at meate there entred the Hall a Squire who said to Palmerin that a Damosel staied without to speake with him Let her come in quoth he saie her pleasure The Squire bringing her into the Hall she fell on her knées before Palmerin
saying Sir Knight doo you not knowe mee No in good sooth aunswered Palmerin Beléeue mee quoth the Damosell then hath my seruice béene euil imployed which sâ—metime I did you and whereof I am sure you haue heard good account Then Palmerin knewe her she bringing the Shéelde and the Helmet when Florendos knighted him whereuppon he rose from the Table and embracing her said Faire Damosell and my fréende I pray you pardon me for the length of time since I first saw you did quite exempt you from my remembrance pleaseth it you to commaunde me anie seruice Sir Knight said the Damosell when I presented you the Helmet and Shéelde wherwith you tooke your order of Knighthoode you promised mee if you remember that you would vse it with right good will in anie affaires the Knight had that sent it you and when he should require such performaunce nowe is the time to confirme your déede with your worde for hee hath sent mée to you with humble intreatie that without anie staie you goe where I shall conduct you otherwise you are the onelie cause of his death God shéelde me froÌ„ such mis-fortune said Palmerin rather woulde I goe with you presently from the Table So doo I pray you quoth she for I haue hast Then he called for his Armour and the table withdrawne he went into his Chamber to arme himselfe and so dyd Ptolome also returning they tooke their leaue of the Ladies and mounted on horsebacke the whole companie béeing so sorrie for their departure as Esmerinda came to the Damosell saying I promise you Damosell you haue doone vs wrong in mine opinion to hinder vs of the presence of so good a Knight Ladie aunswered the Damosell thinke you he was borne for you onelie content your selfe with the good you haue receiued by him and suffer such as haue néed of his prowesse to receiue his assistaunce as you haue doone And good reason saide Esmerinda if it be to so good an end that no resistaunce bee offered when helpe is required So departed the two Knights with the Damosell which waie she guided them and verie desirous was Palmerin to bee with the Knight that sent to seeke him because hee would gladlie know of whence hee was that wyshed him so wel as his message declared by the Damosell the same daie hee was Knighted CHAP. XXIIII Howe Palmerin and Ptolome arriued at the Courte of the King of Bohemia where they entred Combat against the Countie of Ormeque and his two Cozins who accused the Knight and his Son of treason that sent to seeke Palmerin MAnie miles had these Knightes ridde with the Damosell when Palmerin at length desired her to tell him what hee was that sent him yâ— Helmet the Shéeld whereto she aunswered that séeing he was so desirous to knowe listen ê™ she and I shall report the whole vnto you The Knight we speake of is disceÌ„ded of verie royall bloode béeing Uncle to the King of Bohemia that raignes at this present as also to the Empresse of Allemaigne the verie best séene in Nigromancie this daie liuing This noble man is named Prince Adrian who neuer liked to liue in the Court of the King his Brother but contented with what patrimonie his Father left him at length maried with a verie beautifull Ladie of whom in time hee begat a Sonne named Dyardo which Sonne his Brother the King of Bohemia nourished vppe in his Court with his owne Sonne So mutually in loue agréed these two yong Princes as after the death of the aged King the yong Dyardo should ioyn the rule with his Cozin the King who tooke to Wife the Daughter to the Duke of Lorayne bringing her with him into this Countrey in companie of her Sister a Princesse so wise and vertuous as euer liued It so came to passe that Dyardo my Lords most noble Sonne framing his thoughts to the inspirations of loue affected so highlie the other Sister as he determined neuer to haue anie other to his Wife if he might compasse what he intended For her good Ladie he coulde not be deceiued in his amorous desires he found her loue so equall with his yet did they shaddow their affections so discreetlie as none coulde perceiue them but Domarto the traiterous Countie of Ormeque one of the best Knights in all this Country were he as familiar with vertue and honestie as he is with mallice and disloyaltie This Traytour enterprised to match with the Queenes Sister beloued as you haue hearde by my Lordes worthy Sonne and thereuppon after manie sollicitings made knowne his intent vnto her whereof she made so slender account as shee forbad him any more to trouble her Domarto séeing my Lorde Dyardo his onely hinderaunce in loue intended a mallicious villainie and on a suddaine accused the Prince that he intended to poyson the King so to obtaine the Crowne as discended of a neerer coÌ„sanguinitie And as it often falleth out in such cases when one séekes to crosse an others fortune there is no time flacked in following such drifts euen so this Traytor finding the yonge King alone began his matter in this coullorable sort My gracious Lord the faith and allegeaunce I owe to you highnesse bindes me to make your princelie cares acquainted with such newes as God is my witnes said the Traitour lifting his eyes and hands to heauen mine own death were more welcome to me such is the loue I beare them whom it concernes béeing al so neere allied to you in birth as sorie I am they shoulde bee detected but in your regarde my gracious Lorde the action touching you in such sort as it dooth let me die rather then spare any liuing creature no not mine owne Sonne had nature giuen mee anie This néedelesse exordium haue I made to so foule an occasion albeit truth néedes no coullers or eloquent figures and therefore in bréefe my Lord this is the summe I am crediblie enformed that your highnesse Cozin the Prince Dyardo and Madame Cardonia Sister to the Quéene haue laid the platforme to poyson your Maiestie and this haue they attempted by the procurement of olde Adrian your Uncle who pretends that the Crowne of Bohemia is his I knowe not whether it be for want of discretion or no but howsoeuer it be my Lorde you shoulde not leaue such a villainie vnpunished The King began greatlie to meruaile at these newes and knewe not well what to think whervpon he aunswered the Countie that he coulde not beleeue this accusation But the Traytour set so smoothe a countenaunce on the matter and did auerre it still with such stout protestations as hee induced the King to beleeue him so that a daie or two after the King béeing walking in hys Garden séeing Dyardo Cardonya at the Quéenes chamber windowe secretlie conferring of their amorous affections commaunded them bothe to be carried to prison The Countie glad thereof prouoked the King still with such anger against them as immediatlie he woulde haue theÌ„ bothe doone to
perceiuing the high fortune he was borne to chéefelie that he shoulde prooue a most noble Kâ—â—ght and the greatest Lord in Europe hee was desirous to contract a marriage betwéene him and his Niece Polinarda presenting her to him in his visions as hath béene declared Hee thus deceasing the King highly discontented at his Uncles harde fortune caused him to be buried in most sumptuous maner making him a Tombe in forme of a Piramides the most excellent stately that euer was in Bohemia and ouer against it were hanged the bodies of the Countie and his two Cozins for his Trophe Thus euery thing quieted and the funeralles of the Prince Adrian solemnized Palmerin woulde presentlie depart towardes Allemaigne but Ptolomes woundes were so daungerous as he was constrained to staie longer then he intended In the meane space the King did them all the honour could be deuised in hope to stay them still in his Court but it was impossible for Palmerin told him he must néedes goe to the Emperour about affaires of very great importaunce I knowe your meaning well enough saide the King you intende to goe Combat with the enchaunted Knight and in so dooing you shall loose both your paines and your life as manie other haue doone before you What enchaunted Knight is it saide Palmerin on my faith my Lord I neuer hearde anie one talke of him but you Then will I tell yee quoth the King since I haue begun the matter Not long since in the Country of the Emperour mine Uncle in the Cittie of Yâ—manes dwelled a welthie Knight who had a fayre Daughter amorous of a Gentleman and their loue kept so secrete as none knew it but themselues It so fell out that her Father marryed her to another Gentleman in his house but for any good acceptation or chéerefull countenaunce of the Gentlewoman the bridegrome could haue none so highlie estéemed she her first loue and continued in opinion towards him so firme as she graunted him enteraunce into her Chamber at an appointed time where hee murdered her Husbande and carryed the Lady with hym whether he pleased The bruite heereof was so soone spred abroade as the mother of the murdered Gentleman heard thereof whereuppon she made her complaint to the Emperour who immediatlie sent to summon the other before him but they refusing to come and hauing taken themselues to a very strong Castell were in the ende so straightly besieged as the Lady with her louer at length were taken hauing confessed the trueth of their offence sentence was giuen on them yâ— they should be burned The Father to this Knight offender so gréeued heereat as hee went to one of his Sisters entending neuer to sée the Emperour or his Court againe His Sister séeing him in this extreamitie as no mallice or bad inuention is comparable to a Womans deuised to enchaunt one of her Sonnes a good hardy Knight in such sort as he shoulde neuer bee ouercome in fight but with an enchauntment of greater force Beside shee gaue him a Bow and a great companie of impoysoned arrowes wherewith he should kill the Emperour and his Children or anie other whome himselfe pleased which hee had not failed to haue doone but mine Uncle Adrian vnderstanding thereof did take such regarde to the matter as hee coulde not hurt them but many of his people so that the Country is wonderfully perplexed For hee is mounted on a Horse enchaunted as himselfe is the swiftest in pace yâ— euer was séene wherewith he flies into manie out places of the Empire committing a thousand harmes and cannot be stayed for whosoeuer comes to him armed Knight or pesant all dies the death and none escapes him And that which is worst of all it is commonly reported that if mine Uncle will not giue him his eldest Sonne Trineus and faire Poliâ—arda his Daughter to doo with them what shall like his humour hee will neuer departe the Countrey til he haue thorowly ruinated it By my Sworde my Lorde sayde Palmerin in all my life I neuer heard so strange a tale were I sure to die a thousande deathes I will fight with this deuill and deliuer the Countrey if my strength wyll compasse it Alas my good Fréende sayde the King it would much displease me that you should hazard your selfe in such daunger for where such deuillish enchauntments are the strength of man howe great soâ—uer it be dooth not auayle and therefore for my sake I pray you to forbeare Let come what pleaseth God said Palmerin for if I die nowe I shall be excused for euer hâ—ereafter Wâ—ll sawe the King that he coulde not chaunge him therefore he left off any further to intreate him and too long he thought hee tarryed for Ptolomes health so desirous was he to be with the Emperour hoping that his Combat with the enchaunted Knight would graunt him meanes to sée and talke with fayre Polinarda Wherefore when his coÌ„panion had gotten a little streÌ„gth they tooke theyr leaue of the King and the Ladies chéefelie of the Prince Dyardo fayre Cardonya who after theyr departure had such successe in their loue as with yâ— Kinges consent the marriage was finished Nowe are Palmerin and Ptolome on their way to Gaunt where the Emperour made his continuall aboade the enchaunted Knight so persecuting him as he durst at no time come foorth of his Castell CHAP. XXVI Howe Palmerin and Ptolome arriued at the Cittie of Gaunt where the Emperour of Allemaigne kept his Courte and of the Combat betweene Palmerin and the enchaunted Knight GOod expedition made these Knights in their iourney tyll at length they arriued at the Citty of Gaunt where the Emperor of Allemaigne then soiourned not knowing howe to depart thence because the enchaunted Knight watched him at all howres our Knightes béeing thus come thether lodged in the house of a welthie Burgesse where they were entertained in very honorable maner They were no sooner dismounted from theyr Horsses but the whole Cittie was on a suddaine vprore and the people ranne on heapes from one place to another which made him remember what the King of Bohemia had tolde him and presently he imagined what after followed for his Hoste in great feare came running to him saying Alas Sir we all are vndoone the enchaunted Knight hath gotten the Gates of our Cittie and in despight of the guarde he is entered wonderfull is the harme that he will nowe doo if the Prince Trineus and fayre Polynarda be not reskewed God defende such harde fortune saide Palmerin rather will I fight with him and if I die I shall accompanie many other in vnfortunate successe With these words hee tooke his Launce and galloped that way where hee hearde the tumult which was at the Emperours Castell where the enchaunted Knight was shooting his arrowes at the windowes he espied open Ioyfull was Palmerin to finde him in so fit a place where his Lady Polinarda might giue iudgment of his valour which opinion did so renewe hys courage as
doo not finde the meane to helpe mee By my fayth my Lorde quoth the Dwarffe so please you to tell me howe and wherein I may helpe you let me die a thousande deathes if I doo it not Understande then my good Vrbanillo sayd Palmerin that this strange alteration procéedes froÌ„ the diuine lookes of my péerelesse Mistresse Polinarda whose fiery beames haue searched so narowly euery corner of my thoughts as I must die because I loue too déerlie But couldest thou make knowne to her the least parte of my insupportable vexations may bee shee woulde haue some pittifull remorse of my martirdome for well may it be iudged that a Lady accomplished with so many vertuous perfections must néedes bee stored with sweetnes fauour and pittie Not vnlike my good Lord said Vrbanillo but doo not you remember how I was punished when in the like case I ventured to sollicite your looue to Laurana Daughter to the Duke of Durace by my fayth my Lorde I shall not forget it while I haue a day to liue and am afrayde to fall againe into the like daunger And this spake Vrbanillo with such a grace as Palmerin coulde not but laugh noting with what feare the deformed felow gaue it foorth whereupon he sayd Thou needest not be dismaid if she that smote thée in thy sléepe bee that Polinarda for whose loue I am thus tormeÌ„ted for whom I was borne as many haue enformed me I pray thée therefore speake to her and dreade no coullers It is good saide Vrbanillo that you woulde haue mee more hardie then you are your selfe speake to her your selfe if you dare for I dare not aduenture it for feare of my life If thou doost it not quoth Palmerin assure thy selfe thou shalt neuer henceforth serue me Nay then quoth the Dwarffe I will rather put my selfe in ieoperdy to be better beaten then I was the last time before I will loose so good a Maister I pray thée doo sayde Palmerin in respect thou séest the earnestnes of mine affections Feare not quoth the Dwarffe albeit you were a great deale more fit to breake the matter then I but I wil gadge my life to gaine you the Ladie and héereupon they rested till the next morning CHAP. XXVIII Howe Polinarda desired Palmerin to giue her his Dwarffe and of the speeche which she and Vrbanillo had afterward togeather EArly the next morning Palmerin arose and hauing walked abroade to contemplate his desires returned into the Chamber of presence where he founde Trineus the Emperors Sonne conferring with the Ladies at which very instant the Dwarff entred whose badde shaped body and face made them all fall a laughing so that Trineus came to his Sister Polinarda saying Sister did you euer beholde a more proper Page to attende on Ladies then this gaunt Squire that serues my Lorde Palmerin In good â—ooth Brother quoth she hee is farre vnlike his noble maister yet wold I like well enough if he were mine I beséech you Sir Palmerin said Trineus bestowe your Seruaunt on my Sister Polinarda Madame quoth Palmerin were he better hee is yours and his Maister likewise then called hee Vrbanillo who knéeling to vnderstand his Maisters pleasure hee saide Vrbanillo I haue giuen you to my Ladie Polinarda as her man will you not serue her honourablie and truelie aboue all other Yea my Lorde quoth he next after you but you will I not leaue while I liue although you woulde disdaine my seruice Good reason hast thou said the Princesse and wel am I pleased it shold be so yet during the time of his stay heere you shall forsake him and abide with mee For yâ— Madame quoth the Dwarffe I am well contented Then looke you faile not said the Princesse hencefoorth to giue your attendaunce These spéeches were thus vsed as it were for pastime that shee might thereby deceiue the iudgments of other but her whole intent was to know of Vrbanillo if his Maister were affected to any other Ladie by whose meanes her loue might be frustrate For as you haue heard a little before that loue had brought her vnder such obeysaunce as did not the regarde of honour with-holde her her selfe would first breake the Ise of her vexations rather theÌ„ Sâ—aie too long and not be solicited Many other deuises had the Ladies with Vrbanillo who knewe so well howe to behaue himselfe as from thence forward he grew so familiar amongst them as he woulde enter their Chambers when himselfe pleased vnder couller of attendaunce on the Princesse Polinarda from time to time to mooue his Maisters messages But at length she preuented him in this sort for béeing alone at a windowe in the presence Chamber shee called the Dwarffe and making her entraunce by other occasions she asked him whose Sonne Palmerin was God knowes Madame quoth hee for I doo not nor himselfe neither but of this I can assure you yâ— neuer was Knightlie Chiualrie better imployed by any then by him for since the time of my knowledge he hath doone such noble acts as it is not remembred that â—uer Knight in this age did the like And then from point to point he discoursed all yâ— Palmerin had doone since he came to him and can you thinke then Madame quoth the Dwarffe that he is not dâ—sceded of noble linage Trust me Ladie I haue my self heard by manie learned Magitians and other that their diuinations were no lesse then I saie When Polinarda heard the Dwarffe thus speake on his Maisters behalfe if before his loue had kindled her liking no meruaile if hart and spirite were nowe enflamed so that nowe she could no longer coÌ„ceale what she had hetherto couered and therefore sayde to the Dwarffe I beséech thée Vrbanillo by the faith and duetie thou bearest to thy Maister tâ—l me one thing that I desire to knowe of him which shall bee nothing but to his honour and aduantage You haue so coniured mee faire Madame quoth the Dwarffe as death shall not make me hide what you please to command if it lye in me to resolue you Knowe then Vrbanillo said the Princesse that I looue thy Maister as well as my Brother Trineus and am desirous to knowe of thee what Ladie it is hee estéemes aboue all other because when I knowe her I may loue her the better for his sake withall that I may commend the Ladies happines whose fortune is to be loued of so braue a Gallant Well perceiued the Dwarffe that now or neuer was the time to bestirre himselfe according to the promise he made his Maister wherefore hee aunswered the Princesse in this manner Beléeue me Madame were it to anie other I would not reueale such secrets of my Lorde as you desire to knowe but to you that are his Lady Mistresse I am content to bewraie the whole Suffiseth then Madame that he loueth in such sorte as if the heauens sende him not remedie the sooner vnpossible is it that his life should long endure for I sée him so far beside
were deuising with Ptolome and Trineus Nowe because darke night drew on and yâ— euening dewe was dangerous they returned to the Castell entending the next day after dinner to begin the Tournament CHAP. XXIX Howe Palmerin gained the honour of the Tourney and of that which happened afterward AFter the order of the Tourney was sette downe by the Emperour as you haue heard Palmerin did but expecte the howre to goe to it not doubting to performe such chiualâ—ie that his Ladies fauour shoulde be woorthilie honoured wherefore hauing prepared all his necessaries readye immediatly after Dinner accompanied with nine other Knights brauely Armed whereof Ptolome was one hee entered the Lysts royall And espying his Mistresse Polinarda in the windowe with the Empresse after he had doone her huÌ„ble reuerence hee began to mannage his Horse with such braue carrâ—res as euerie one delighted to beholde him but speciallie the Princesse whose harte loue had thorowlye conquered so that she gloried to be beloued of a Knight so worthy and commendable as that her eye was neuer from the obiect of her swéete desires And marking his Shéelde she behâ—lde in a Sable fielde a Siluer hand fast closed the import whereof caused her to meruaile in respecte what had passed betwéene them before and gladly would she haue knowne the meaning but the place would affoorde no such conuenience wherefore perswading herselfe for the time shee was content in séeing her Bracelet which her Knight wore vppon his right arme And after manie courses and loftie poynts doone by Palmerin and other Knights before their Ladies among whom Ptolome shewed so correspondent as the presence of his Ladie Brionella highlie prouoked him Then entered the Prince Ganareno Nephewe to the Emperor a Knight of no small reckoning amongst the Allemaignes and with him nine other in most sumptuous Armour and their braueries likewise ended to their Ladies yet nothing comparable to Palmerin and his companions they went to their Tent and while the Trompets Clarions summoned the fielde euery Knight prepared himselfe in readines Palmerin not so much to winne common applause as her loue that had the soueraigne power ouer him séeing Ganareno ordering himselfe to run first tooke a strong Launce and encountred him with such puissaunce as Horse man were bothe ouerthrowne and very sore brused notwithstanding hee was soone recouered by his companions and in a Chayre carried forth of the fielde One of his Knights would néedes reuenge his mis-fortune and was himselfe in like sort serued in bréefe the other eight had all one payment not one of them béeing able to mooue Palmerin from his saddle Palmerin ioyfull of his good successe was departing away with his coÌ„panie when one of them thus spake vnto him Sir Palmerin you haue saued our labour and got the honour that we desired The time will come ê™ Palmerin wheÌ„ you may doo as much for me but for this time if you please you may excuse me All that were present as well Lordes as Ladies mâ—ruailed at the valoure of Palmerin and among the rest the Emperour who said aloud that he neuer knâ—we a more valiant Gentleman Polinarda béeing so néere as she heard her Fathers words and had herselfe behâ—lde his high good fortune was suddainly sollicited with such affectionate pleasure as forgetting herselfe and where she was she thus spake to Brionella indifferent loude What say you faire Fréende dooth not Palmerin worthily deserue to be loued By my faith Madame aunswered she I neuer sawe Knight giue such â—ough encounters with the Launce as he did to Ganareno and the rest of his companions Polinarda wold haue procéeded further but there entered tenne other Knights the formost beeing Ptolome not content as it séemed that hee â—anne not at the first and then entered tenne Knights more of whome the formost was Cormedes an Allemaigne Knight They raunging themselues in order Ptolome and Cormedes brauelie encountred but neither were vnhorssâ—d which gréeued Ptolome to doo no better in presence of his Ladie wherefore taking another Launce at the seconde course Cormedes was cast quite out of his saddle and thrée more of his fellowes after him for companie Which when the Duke of Lorraynes Brother perceiued a Knight well accounted of in that Countrey desirous to recouer the honour his foregoers hadde lost thus spake to Ptolome It séemes that these Grecian Knights are come to rob vs of the honor that is ours by inheritaunce in vnhappie howre were the Allemaignes borne if they so suffer it and so couâ—ching his Launce met Ptolome with so full a carrâ—re as loosing saddle and stirrops he fell to the ground and â—oure more of his Knights after him had like entertainment but a hardye Knight of the Emperours named Menadus met yâ— Dukes Brother so rudelie as downe hee fell to the grounde with his saddle betweene his legs Thus were manie braue encounters with the Launce to vanquish one another and all for the loue of their Ladies who delighted to sée theyr Knights so brauelie behaue theÌ„selues The Ioust finished eache one allighted and with their blunt Swordes fell to the Barriers and so cruelly they laid on each other as they would not suffer one another to take breath especially Ptolome who buckled with the Duke of Lorraynes Brother to winne the honor he lost in the Iousting And now a fresh entered noble Palmerin who as the onelie man to whome Loue and Fortune were fauourable raunged among the thickest and with his Sworde made way among them valiantlie at length he came to the Duke of Lorraynes Brother and so canâ—azed him about the pate with his blunt Fauchion as he fell to the ground greatlie 〈◊〉 charging him to speake no more in disgrace of â—recian Knights All the sport ended the Knights withdrâ—w themselues into their Chambers to be vnarmed and 〈◊〉 Knight wrapping himselfe in his Mantle Palmerin was in his Ladies liâ—ery for she had sent him a 〈◊〉 rich one and so comming into the Chamber of presence the Emperour welcommed him in this manner Beléeue me my Lorde I account the Prince happie that hath you for his Frâ—â—nde As I am my gracious soueraigne answered Palmerin I am your humble and obedient Seruaunt during life ready to accomplish what shall please you to commaunde me The Emperour highly thanked him and presently came the Empresse one of her Ladies bringing with her a riche 〈◊〉 all couered with pearles and stones of great valew which she presented to Palmerin as the prize and 〈…〉 in the Tourney and saide to Polinarda 〈◊〉 Daughter I am sure you will bestowe some gift on Sir Palmerin in that he hath so worthilie deserued These wordes raysed a swéete blushing in the Princesse countenaunce not a little reioysing that he whom shee loued had carryed awaie the prize from all the other Knights so with a prettie modest smile she tooke a chayne of Gold from about her neck saying Sée heere Sir Palmerin what I giue yee this gift is to tye and chaine you
be the place for conuersing on their desires till Fortune affoorded theÌ„ better opportunitie and longer would they haue there coÌ„tinued but that the Dwarffe came to his Maister in this manner My Lorde I thinke you can neuer finde time to make an ende will you haue the day light preuent yee and so discredite you all in sooth it is time you were in your Chamber Palmerin who was lothe to depart from the pleasure of his thoughts made small account of the dwarffes words and continued on in amorous deuises but the Princesse a litle more fearefull then he seeing the Dwarffe said true and lothe to be séene suspitiously said My Lord it is time to breake off but I pray you faile not of your promise let vs visite one another now you knowe the way and place So Palmerin and Ptolome tooke leaue of their Ladies passed to their Chambers without suspition the successe of their loue you shall vnderstande héereafter as time place shall fitte for the purpose but nowe to satis-fie you with choyse of delights wee will returne a while to another discourse CHAP. XXXI Howe the King of Fraunce kept a royall and magnificent Courte and howe his Sonne Lewes became enamored of the Duchesse of Burgundie DUring the time that the Emperour of Allemaigne liued in this happines accompanied as you haue hearde with manie hardie Knightes there raigned in Fraunce a mightie Prince named Agariell valiant wise and vertuous hauing thrée Sonnes whereof the second was the hardiest Knight at Armes being named Lewes This King Agariell the more to honour hys Knights and noble Gentlemen abyding in his Realme determined to keepe open Court for all â—â—mmers as none of his predecessors euer did the like before him and therefore sent abroade his Heraldes Gentlemen of his escuyrie and others to summon his Lords and Barrons of Fraunce that on a day appointed they would all méete at the Court. And because none shoulde be ignoraunt what hee intended he requested that all Gentlemen professing Armes at the feaste of Easter following shoulde repaire to Parris beeing the heade and cheefest Cittie of his Realme The Queene likewise aduertised al Ladies and Gentlewomen at whose commaunde euery one obeyed so that in fewe dayes the Courte was furnished with Lordes and Lâ—dies nothing nowe intended but delights and courtlie pastimes which made the Duke of Burgunâ—â—â— likewise repaiâ—â— thither Now was the Duke aged a man of good prouidence and a tryed Knight hauing matched in marriage with the King of Denmarks Sister a yong beautiful Ladie and of vertuous education the Duke hoping to haue issue by her because by his first Wife he could not haue any The King aduertised of the Dukes comming commaunded his Son Lewes with an honourable traine to goe entertayne him which he did so that many solemne reuerences passed betweene the Duke and him as also to the Duchesse whom as he welcomed with manie salutations so did he earnestle coÌ„template her excellent beautie reputing her fairer then the fayrest and on a suddaine became amorous of her such a violent breach made loue into his hart at the very first sight of her In this great and vnlooked for vexation hee conducted her to the lodging was prepared for the Duke dissembling so well as hee coulde his newe desire but so vehement was his oppression as without returning againe to the King he went to his Chamber Prince Lewes béeing thus alone by himselfe Loue not a little tryumphing of his new pray tormented his thoughts with so manie conceits as all the night he spent in sighes and dolorous laments his mind stil trauailing by what meanes he might compasse his intent Sometimes he thought it vnpossible in respectet of yâ— Duke then againe as easie because of his age a contrarie too yâ—ksome in his eyes for the sweete florishing youth of the Dâ—chesse all which imaginations wrought so diuersly in him as his spirite forsaking counsell reason made him breake foorth into these exclaimes Ah heauens haue you beautie with such excellencie as to cause me endure a torment more then mortall Ah mine eyes too lauishe were you in beholding her who cannot chuse but vtterly disdaine thée thou hast no acquaintaunce with her and therefore let thy death chastise thy boldnes Yet mayst thou bee deceiued in thine opinion foolish man perhappes in offering her thy seruice she may accept it for the Duke is old and likelie to die howe happy were it for thee to be his executor for his Ladie Dispayre not then man for things thought impossible are easiest oftentimes in performance In these and such like tearmes hee spent the night and séeing the fayre morning salute him at his Chamber windowe he arose intending that day to bewray his passions to the Duchesse and knowing that the Duke would goe visite the Quéene accompanied with many Knights he came to bid him good-morrow which the Duke taking very kindly requited him with many thankes ignoraunt that for the faire Wyfe he was so courteous to the olde Husband The Duke hauing taken his way to the Queene Lewes kept company wyth the Duchesse very mannerlie wayting oportunitie to dyscouer his affections and reuiewing her beautie so perfecte and rare not able longer to hold beganne thus It is maruaile Madam if fayre beautie should be so bitter as a man cannot surfette but hee must néedes die The Duchesse not knowing of whom the Prince spake nor as yet regarding that he was in loue aunswered In sooth my Lord the Ladie hath small reason that shee shoulde vse you so hardlie yf you meane it by your selfe In bréefe Madame quoth hée it is you haue wounded me and none but you can ease my afflictions if then swéete Lady you retaine such pittie as all your other excellencies shewe you to haue you wyll not disdaine to giue me remedie which if you doo for euer I remaine your Knight and loyall Fréende And in mine opinion Madame you can not well refuse me séeing Fortune hath béene such an enemie to you in marriage the Duke beeing olde and full of mellanchollie you yong tender and daintie as may be hee more méete to kéepe companye wyth Atropos the mortall Goddesse then liue with a Saint of so rare perfections But had my luck beene such before you were espoused to haue knowne you I woulde with valoure haue hindered your briding so or Fortune should haue foullie denied me for such is my religion in looue as better death then discontent and had I béene Lord of Europe you had béene Ladie Notwithstanding Madame so like it you I may be your Freende and knightly seruaunt for Loue wants no wyles to compasse desire and my sute is modest if you count it not vnséemely The Duchesse whom swéete loue could easilie entice to folly hardly might resist a present conquest wherefore chaunging countenaunce and not daring to reueale what she gladly would sayd Trust mee my Lorde your speeches are not comely to violate chaste wedlocke is so monstrous
occasion I would gladlie knowe would you graunt it me what Ladie she is for whom you thus aduenture you néede not Palmerin hide it from mée My Lord ê™ he the Dame for whome I enter the Combat is such as none may or ought compare wâ—th so singuler 〈◊〉 and aboue all vertuous and neuer would I think my selfe worthy to beare Armes if feare of danger mis-fortune or death it selfe should haue power to pluck me from my duetie As for my staie she Ioustes ended within one Moneth or sooner will I returne to your Maiestie and let mee intreate you not to feare anie thing in my iourney because I goe for your honour and my sword shal ring on the stoutest Creast the euer continuing honours of the Emperour of Allemaigne The Emperor vnwilling to forgoe him and loth to hinder knightlie chiualrie said Without question Palmerin the Ladie is indebted to you and you declare vnspeakable loue that for her beautie you deliuer your selfe to so great hazard but as for your intent to my honor I rather delight to haue it by your presence then thirste after such applause with your absence But séeing you will néedes to Fraunce happie fortune goe with you and make you victorious in all your attempts which I doubt not but by your valour vertues of your Mistresse the French wil not braue so much on the seauentéene of Maie as perhaps they wil on the first Prouided that before you depart you demaund and haue all thinges for your iourneie as well for such as goe in your companie as for your owne necessarie prouision and some wil I appoint to trauaile with you that may preuent anie trecherous inconuenience Palmerin not refusing thys bountifull offer with great obeisaunce thanked the Emperour and taking his leaue for that night returned to his Chamber determining to depart with expedition because the daie of the Ioustes were at hande Nowe was Trâ—â—eus the Emperours Sonne a yong Prince and had not yet receiued his order of knighthoode hee hearing of Palmerins departure was meruailous desirous to beare him coÌ„pany whereuppon he knéeled before his Father intreating him not to denie him one request Demaunde what thou wilt my Sonne quoth he I graunt it thée Then I beséech you good Father saide he to suffer mee sée Fraunce with noble Palmerin that I may bee acquainted with the courtesie and ciuilitie of that nation not doubting but soone to deserue my knighthoode And yet if before I receiue my order I see these high and woorthie déedes of Armes happilie they may entice me to follow their vertues beside if nowe I loose so good an occasion offered I knowe not when I shal compasse the like commoditie therefore good Father let me not be denied The Emperor offended for his rashe promise to his Sonne laboured to change his minde but all woulde not serue for the Prince promised to goe so couertlie as none should knowe him Wherefore he called Palmerin who as yet was not departed the Hall saying I sée Sir Palmerin you shall not goe alone in your voyage for my Sonne Trineus desires to be your companion for which cause I commit him to you and desire you to conceiue so well of him as at your returne we maie be all merrie togeather Which Palmerin promised whereuppon the Emperour called for the Maister of his Horse commanding him that all things might bee in readines against their departure all which was doone with such diligence as the thirde daie following all thinges prepared they tooke their leaue of the Emperour and the Ladies who at their departure shedde manie teares a common matter with them wishing the victorie and honor to Palmerin Thus with Trineus and twentie other Knights a great number of Squires and seruants in good equipage they iourned towards Parris without anie hinderaunce by the waie or matter of memorie Nowe before we passe anie further you shall vnderstand that after the Heraldes of the Prince of Fraunce and Duke of Sauoie were departed and that Palmerin had obtained leaue of the Emperor the Princesse Polinarda aduertised heereof was greatlie displeased with this suddaine departure wherfore calling Vâ—banillo the Dwarffe to her she saide Vâ—banillo thou must goe to thy Maister and will him this night to meete me at our appointed place that I maie confer with him of a secrete néerelie concerning mee Which when Palmerin hearde the earth béeing couered with her blacke Mantle and euerie one in their dead sléepe he called Ptolome and Vâ—banillo who were well acquainted with this loue walke and béeing there in presence of their Ladies the Princesse with a great sigh thus began Alas my Lord what mind is this in you thus to voyage towardes Fraunce and leaue mee alone sad and sollitarie Alas not content to hazard so long a iourney but a daungerous Combat beside for my beautie which is of so slender estimation as may not parragon with the Ladies of Fraunce béeing péereles as I haue hearde among those of highest perfection Ah my Lorde more comfort and content is it to me to haue your companie then to be crowned Quéene of anie Realme conquered by your vertue prowesse Therefore swéete Fréende I intreate you with all my hart and by the vnfained loue you beare me to leaue such dangerous enterprises where death is commonlie more frequent then life These wordes came with such amiable coniurations from the Princesse as Palmerin though loth to be disswaded answered Let me preuaile with you so farre good Madame as not to mislike my enterprise for your gracious loue for the honour you haue doone me in making mee your Knight I prize at no lesse valew then my déerest blood and shoulde I be helde from these French exploits vnwoorthy were I to bee your Seruaunt in that as you knowe no Knight but caries the honour of his Ladie in such account as he preferres that before his owne life If then Madame in religion of this office I absent my selfe for a while I shal accomplish nothing but my duetie wherto your selfe bound me and I hope to execute with such successe as you shall beare the prize for beautie not onelie from the Ladies of Fraunce and Allemaigne but from all Christendome yea the whole worlde may I liue to trauaile it Doo not then swéete Mistresse mislike if I absent my selfe for a cause so reasonable and continue me still in your fauourable conceit as he that was borne to doo you seruice And albeit I can not depart without excéeding gréefe and anguish yet perswaded of your rare arguments I arme my selfe with patience and yéelde to reason béeing present with you alwaies in that I carrie your diuine Image in my soule and leaue hart life and all with you till I come These wordes were sealed with manie deuoute kisses and Ptolome had like paine in perswading Brionella yet this coÌ„tented them in the ende that the honor of their trauaile was the renowne of their beautie and so with forced content they louinglie departed The
Ladie to be this daie liuing then your owne for mine own part I am not so troubled in conceit as you are to quarrell for such a fabulous matter yet dare I tell yee that my Ladie is much more beautifull then yours which if you will denie I am readie by the strength of mine arme to make you confesse it Lewes féeling himselfe gréeued with these iniurious spéeches of the Countie answered Proude Knight I am ashamed to heare thy iudgment so simple as to thinke I am come hether for a matter of so light moment as though I would not iustifie against thée and all other what I haue promised but let that passe before we part I will cause thée know thy folly by that time thy pate and thy bodie is thorowly bumbasted looke to thy selfe for I intende to doo it So mounting on horseback and prepared as it had béene to a warre mortal encountred eache other with such furie as their Launces flying in shiuers vppe in the ayre they met together so terriblie with their bodies their Shéeldes their Horsses and their heads as they were bothe dismounted to the grounde But earnest desire to vanquish they béeing beside stronge and will disposed Knights made them quicklie beginne the second assault with their Swords which was so dangerous and handled with such dexteritie as it was harde to iudge who should haue the honour of the Combat Bâ—t Lewes beholding the representation of his Ladie and considering her so excellent and fauourable to him tooke hart a fresh and as it were inspired with newe vigor so laide on the Countie Dâ—â—cell as in short time he brought him vnder the mercie of his Sworde when holding it against his threate he said Peremptorie Knight if nowe thou confesse she not my Lady to 〈◊〉 thine in beautie thy vndiscréete heade shall raunsome thy sollâ—e The Countie for all this woulde not aunswere one worde by reason of the debilitie he felt himselfe in hauing lost so much of his blood as for the gréefe hee conceiued to be thus vanquished whereat Prince Lewes not content would haue taken his heade from his shoulders but the Iudges of the fielde canie to him saying My Lorde you ought to forbeare hauing brought your enemie beyonde his owne defence your victory â—éeing sufficient to content you forbids his death The Prince perswaded entred his Pauillion and ioyfull of his conquest commaunded two Gardants of the field to take the figure of the Princesse of Arragon and place it at the féete of the Duchesse counterfeit which was doone immediatlie and the Countie Durcell brought into his owne Tent where his Chirurgions tooke dilligent care for the curing of his woundes Soone after came a Knight of Myllaine who giuing such defiances as the other dyd was in the ende constrained with great shame to confesse vnder the conquering Sworde of Lewes the imperfections of his Ladie and her stature placed by the Princesse of Arragon The same daie were fiue great Lords of Italie brought in like subiection and so the tryumphe ended till the next daie when the first that came into the fielde was a braue Gallant of Spayne a Knight of good estimation and specially reputed who after a dain-glorious Oration made as the nature of the people is that way affected put hys fortune to the triall of his Launce where hee sped so ill as he was vnhorssed and in the following Combat likewise receiued the foile After him seauen other Knights of Castile prooued as vnfortunate their Ladies pictures all reuerencing the Duâ—hesse who béeing not a little proude of her Knight and the memorable renowne he witnessed of her beautie I leaue to your considerations both of her conceite that waie as also in loue towards the Prince who séeing no more readie to enter the quarrell returned thence to the Pallace to conferre with his swéete Mistresse of his high good fortunes CHAP. XXXV Of the Combat betweene Prince Lewes of Fraunce and Crenus the Duke of Gaule GReat pleasure did the King conceiue and all the nobilitie of the Court at the â—otten victories of Prince Lewes against so manie woorthie Knights so that they altogeather accounted him most fortunate And nowe the thirde daie when hee was entred his Tent an English Knight no lesse braue in termes then the former defied the Prince and betwéene them began a dangerous conflict in the midst whereof the King with manie Princes Barons and Lordes as also the Quéene and the Duchesse of Burgundie came to their standing and vnhappily behelde the foyle of the English Knight the Duchesse hearing him confesse her beautie and behelde his Ladyes portrait placed vnder hers But now the couragious Duke of Gaule named Crenus came brauelie mounted into the fielde dooing his duetie to the King Quéene and Ladies who not knowing him by his Armour iudged him some great Lorde in that no Knight before caused so good opinion generallie nor came with brauer countenaunce into the field he béeing indéede a Prince of wonderfull possessions and a Knight at Armes woorthilie approoued The Duke as all the other had doone caused his Ladies counterfeite to bee placed where it ought by his Squires to the no little admiration of all the beholders noting what rare and excellent beautie it was adorned withall the workman hauing performed such exquisite perfections as it had béene the Ladie herselfe naturallie liuing while the Squires were thus placing it on the monument the Duke aduaunced himselfe to Lewes in this manner The ouermuch selfe conceite Lorde Lewes of mindes but easily acquainted with matters of difficultie hath often béene and yet is the cause to plucke great personages more lowe then they expecte so that men haue séene them deceiued of their intents and rewarded with ridiculous shame and confusion This speake I to you hauing héere begun a busines the ende whereof will bee more harde to you then as yet the beginning hath béen for Europe is sufficientlie stored with hardy Knights to asswage your presumptuous opinion and Ladies much more faire and excellent then she whom you contende for And this by the fauour of Fortune gracious regarde of my Ladie and Mistresse and helpe of my good Sworde will I enforce you to confesse that incomparable Agriola daughter to the King of England for vertue for beautie and all diuine perfections excéedeth yours whatsoeuer she be Before such a leasing quoth the Prince shall passe the lippes of a Sonne of Fraunce rather will I consent to bee péecemeale torne in sunder and before fayre Phaebus haue paced one howres iourney I doubt not to make thée repent thy pride and arrogancie By the soule of King Arthur said the Duke looke thou garde thy selfe well for I haue with my courtelaâ— abated the pride of a brauer man then thy selfe and ere we two part I meane to trie if I can doo it againe therefore resolue thy selfe to thy best defence for by my life I will not fauour thee Without any further spéeches they encountred with such violence togeather
of Knights and Squires who brought the portrait of his Ladie béeing a figure of rare beautie and hauing a Crowne on her heade where ouer was written in great Letters of Golde Thys is Polinarda exceedyng in beauty al Ladyes in the world which was read by manie who coulde not satis-fie their eyes in beholding so braue a spectacle and being sette on the Pillar appointed he came to the Duke of Sauoye saying Blasphemous Knight detractour of the beautie of Ladies héere may thine owne eyes witnes how thou hast belyed beautie in presuming to thinke any more fayre then this incomparable creature to whome thy Ladye may not worthilie be handmaide And if thou will not presently confesse what I commaunde thee shéelde thy head from my weapon which I meane to knocke well for thy great vndiscretion The Duke of Sauoy enraged with these words armed himselfe presently without any aunswere mounting on horsebacke with a strong Launce in his hande encountred his enemie so couragiouslye as breaking their staues brauely in thyuers to their verye Gauntlets passed on without any further harme The Duke of Sauoy angrie that he had not dismounted his enemie with hys Sworde drawne returned furiously vpon him laide on such strokes as the fire flew foorth of his Helmet yet the Duke of Lorrayne like a good and hardie Knight defended himselfe valiantly and reached the Duke of Sauoy many shrewd woundes so that bothe of them throughlie netled rent eache others Armour in such sort with their swords and mangled theyr flesh so vnmercifully as the Iudges coulde not imagine who had the better vauntage The Duke of Sauoye wondering to sée the Duke of Lorraine holde out so long began to storme more like a Fiend then a manne rayling on Fortune that in respect of his Ladies beautie shee asisted him no better and béeing at the very point of dispaire tooke hart a 〈◊〉 and redoubling his strokes vpon his aduersarie at length â—lewe his horse vnder him who falling downe and his Maister vnder him by reason he was so sore wearyed and beside had broken his thigh in the fall coulde not recouer himself before the Duke of Sauoie being alighted sette foote vpon him and in furye woulde haue parted hys heade from his shoulders but that the Iudges ran quicklie and stayed him Then was the Duke of Lorraine halfe deade carried into his Tent and the Duke of Sauoie caused Polinardas picture to be set at Lucemanias féete a thing verye strange in respect of their great difference Afterwarde hee was vnarmed to haue his woundes bounde vp which were so dangerous as gladlie he would haue béene excused from the Combat with any other Knight for that day didde not shame and the Lawe hée made himselfe prouoke him to the contrary But within an howre after he was defied by a Knight of Scicilie who woulde Combat on foote with the battel Axe in which conflicte the Duke was verye néere ouercome he had lost so much bloode before but in bréefe the Scicilian Knight lost the daie hys Ladyes picture was yeelded conquered and the Duke of Sauoie went to rest him in his Tent. CHAP. XXXVIII Howe the Duke of Sauoye entered the Combatte against Ptolome and howe he sped PAlmerin not as yet in perfecte health was aduertised how the Duke of Sauoie hadde conquered the Duke of Lorraine fighting for the beautie of the Princesse Polinarda the conceit whereof so gréeued him as nothing coulde more to sée her honour so badlie defended whom aboue all other he estéemed déerest which made him in great choller say before the Prince Trineus By God my Lorde Looue made a slender choyse of the Duke of Lorraine for his vassayle and Madame Polinarda scant wise to chuse him for her Champion in respect of the excellent beautie Nature hath bestowed on her And yet it could not be imagined howe the Duke of Lorraine shoulde gayne the victory without shame in séeking honor beyonde his desert because he is vnwoorthy such extraordinary fauoure which makes me repute it rather of a faynt hart then anie want of a iust quarrell Trineus hearing Palmerin so affectionate in his spéeches in a merry laughter sayd In good sooth Sir Palmerin the Duke of Lorraine was but ill councelled to enter the Combat for my Sisters beautie without her licence in that he once learned howe you coulde defend it much better then hee Palmerin fearing hee had spoken more then he ought because he discoursed his loue too openly excused the matter thus If it were not my Lorde that I doubt to offer wrong to a Lady on whome dependeth my lyfe and whom I loue more déere then my selfe I woulde cause the Frenchman well to vnderstand how Madame Polinarda your Sister surpasseth in all perfections eyther of grace or beauty all the Ladies of this Country yea I dare say of the whole world therefore one may easily coniecture that the Duke of Lorraine during the Combat had his mind fixed on baser occasions Then Trineus smyling to sée Palmerin so dilligent to shadowe his loue sayd It is no strange matter Fréende Palmerin to sée presuming mindes payde with selfe same coyne as the Duke is and yet I can not meruaile enough that my Sister Polinarda wold not commit this matter to your charge she hauing had so good knowledge of your valour and prowesse These speeches pleased not Palmerin a little and did in such sort encourage him as for the iniury doone his Ladie by the Duke of Sauoye in setting her figure at the féete of Lucemania as had not Trineus perswaded him wyth fayre spéeches all sicke and sore as he was he would haue gone to reuenge this dishonor Notwithstanding hee called Prolome secretly saying Thou knowest my déere Freende what shame is offered her to whom I was destenied before my byrth by the presumption of an ouer-bolde Knight and what greefe it is to mee that I cannot at this present reuenge this wrong my selfe I pray thee therefore supply my insufficiencie and enter the Combat with that vaine-glorious Duke of whom thou maist gaine honor and yéelde me content in giuing ease to my afflictions which els are insupportable I promise you my Lorde aunswered Ptolome before you made the moâ—â—on I intended it and I will accomplish it with such good will as I doubt not to ouercome the Duke of Sauoy And for my Miâ—â—â—esse Brionella will I enter the fielde whose beautie is sufficient to enriche me with the victory for in my conceit shee farre passeth Lucemania Therefore my Lorde let me request one courtesie which I am lothe you should denie me that if you shall be able to morrow but to accompanie me with your presence in the fielde If the ayre will suffer me quoth Palmerin I will in meane while I will pray that thy fortune may fall out to my harts desire Thus Trineus Palmerin and Ptolome were passing the time with other noble men of the valoure of the Duke of Sauoy against all strange Knights and how he
No permission of breathing was suffered betwéene them but blood and death earnestly desired on either part so that the King the Lordes and the Iudges reputed this for the strangest Combat that euer they sawe nor could they say who was likest to winne the fielde but if the one died the other could not escape so that the King mooued with compassion caused them to be seuered and commaunded them to enter theyr Tents Which motion liked well the Knight of the Sun for long he perswaded himselfe he could not hold out wherfore he mounted on horsebacke so well as he coulde withdrewe himselfe Palmerin béeing wonderfully displeased that he could not obtayne the victory of thys Knight Soone after the King and the Prince Lewes came into his Tent and séeing him very sore wounded woulde not let him staye there but sayd Beléeue me Sir Palmerin you haue great néede of rest and your wouÌ„ds I sée are very dangerous you shall therefore be conueyed to my Pallace where all helps that may be deuised shall be giuen assuring you that greater honour could neuer Knight purchase then you haue doone And though this last Combat were not ended you néede not be displeased the issue thereof importing yâ— death of the one or the other and perhaps of both which I would not haue séene for two of the best prouinces in my Realme And me thinks you should content your selfe hauing receiued before such honour ouer so many Lords and Knights of name come you therfore with me and Lord Trineus beare vs company Great thanks receiued the King of them for this honourable courtesie and Palmerin went with him to the Pallace where the Kinges Chirurgions tooke care of his woundes he béeing lodged in the most stately Chamber in the Courte Nowe the Prince Lewes beganne to loue Palmerin so déerely as he coulde not be an howre foorth of his coÌ„panie desiring his health as his owne welfare wherfore all thinges that he imagined Palmerin tooke pleasure in would he performe with his vttermost endeuours and would suffer none to hold him talk but only of matter that might yéeld pleasure and delight Notwithstanding diuers Knights conferring with him that euening as concerning the Knight of the Sunne Palmerin aunswered them that his mind should neuer be thorowly quieted vntil such time as he fought with him againe The Prince who still endeuoured to kéepe him from sadnes saide I beléeue my Lord that he will not easilie be induced to deale with you again for you brought him into such estate as hee will kéepe himselfe héereafter out of your handes and well I am assured that had you continued but a little longer the victorye had béene yours for the Knight was so weakened that he did nothing but defend your blowes It pleaseth you my Lord to say so quoth Palmerin but had he felt such valour in me or such courage as beséemes a vertuous Combatant hardlie coulde he escape as he hath doone neuerthelesse I hope with the fauour of Fortune to méete him once more and then we will trie who is the strongest Much other talke they had but Palmerin intreated the Prince that all the portraits of the conquered Ladies might bee brought him which were aboue an hundred of diuers beauties most strange fashions and among them all could be founde none seconde to Polinarda but as we haue said already that of Agriola the Princesse of England who by the report of a Gentleman present that had séene her was much more beautifull then her figure presented Such spéeches they continued so long of the Englih Uirgin as Trineus albeit he neuer sawe her became amorous of her and at yâ— instant he so solemnly vowed himselfe hers as thence forwarde he swore neuer to loue any but her so yâ— for her sake he thrust himselfe into manie perrillous fortunes as in the folowing discourse of the History you shall reade more at large From whom let vs returne to the Prince Lewes who seeing so many portraitures of Princesses and Ladies would dailie congratulate Palmerins good fortune and embracing him said So helpe me God my noble companion I woulde neuer desire greater riches in the world theÌ„ to resemble you especially in chiualry which in you is so surpassing al other as you haue ended to your honor what a number haue fayled in Oh howe happy may the Ladie account herselfe that hath such a Knight and were not the condition too cruell towards my selfe I could wish I were a Woman in her place to haue so high rule and commande ouer you At which words all present began to smile yet shewing good countenaunce to Palmerin for the affection they sawe the Prince beare him which is yet to this day a common vsage and practise among Courtiers but Palmerin somewhat ashamed of such superstitious prayses aunswered Trust me my Lorde I account my happines the greater that I haue doone seruice to so high a personage and so good a Knight as you are desiring to méete you in such place héerafter where you may perceiue the good wil I beare you not only for this high entertainement which is more then I can deserue as for the pleasure I haue to honour so good a Prince which if the occasion happen you shall perceiue the experience I haue spoken nothing quoth the Prince but what is more acquainted to others then my selfe and if I would conceale them then will they be most openly knowne because vertue doth so apparantlie shine in them Manie other spéeches passed betwéene them and longer had continued but that manie Lords which came to sée the Ioustes were now vpon departing and therefore woulde take their leaue of the King whereuppon they were constrained to breake off the Prince going to the Chamber of presence where hee gaue thanks to a number that honoured the Courte with theyr presence and so one after another all departed the Duke of Sauoye béeing one of the first ashamed God knowes to be so conquered by Palmerin and not bidding his Lady Lucemania farewell But Lewes did not serue the Duchesse so for her loue continued as resolute as before and shee loued him as wel conquered as had he béene the conquerour whereof she assured him by many amorous méetinges by which meanes the Prince stayed the Duke at the Courte longer then himselfe would haue doone Lewes thus loâ—ing Palmerin as you haue hearde intreated the Duchesse to come and visite him which she accomplished the day folowing when Palmerin spent manie discourses with her rather of loue then entring into religion for he perceiued by her countenaunce that she had no will to become a Nunne where we will leaue them togeather to tell you who the Knight of the Sunne was that fought the last Combat with Palmerin CHAP. XL. VVho the Knight of the Sunne was and of his strange aduentures THe King of Hungaria Father to the Prince Tarisius that maried the faire Griana Mother to Palmerin had in his latter yéeres a Sonne named Netrides
and after he had long lyued in rest and prosperitie hee dyed leauing the yong Prince Netrides fiftéene yéere olde and in the custodie of his elder brother Tarisius This Netrides growing in good constitution of bodie and behauiour béeing well beloued generally so gracious gentle and well gouerned he was as the Lords Knights Gentlemen the people of Hungaria esteemed him more then their King Tarisius who béeing crowned after his fathers decease loued Netrides as brotherhoode required till Fortune enuious of this concorde not willing that the vertues of this yong Prince should be there extingushed changed his affection into excéeding hatred by an occasion héereafter following One daie the King Tarisius walking in his Garden to take the ayre left his Brother Netrides in his Chamber accompanied with the Quéene who without imagination of any harme nor that his fatall staâ—s woulde sort him anie mis-fortune sactte downe in the Kings chayre as he talked with the Quéene and continued there so long till Tarisius came vp and founde him there sitting which he tooke in such ill part as in a great rage he thus begaâ—me Who made thée so audacious and presumptuous to sitte in my seate against thy duety and my liking By mine honor thou hast doone more then thou wéenâ—st and if I sée the like againe or I may but heare thereof thy heade shall pay the price of thy folly Netrides who of his owne nature was humble and gentle fell downe on his knée intreating the King his Brother to pardon him for what hee had doone was not with any intent to displease his Maiestie but an ouersight and that so he would permit it to passe The King made him no aunswere because hee tooke Netrides reasons for no payment but conceiued a secret hatred in his minde by this occasioÌ„ of so slender moment which increased thence forward as the matter prouoking a fierie Meteore so that he did repine at his Brother so much as he would not speak to him nor affoorde him a good countenaunce Then called he to remembraunce the loue of his people towardes hys Brother and if this hatred should come to their knowledge for so small a cause he imagined they woulde displace him and make Netrides King For which cause hee intended to haue him slaine and the execution â—â—reof hee committed to one of his Archers but God who is euermore the preseruer of the innocent would not suffer such a damned déede of paracide to take effect Which Tarisius perceiuing and finding one day his Brother alone enflamed with this dyscontented humour sayd Netrides thou hast offended mee more then I will now stand to argue on I therefore banish thée my Court and Kingdome and looke that within three daies thou get thée hence and on thy life not to discouer it to any man or take any one with thée to beare thée coÌ„pany The yong Prince obedient to his Brother made answere that he wold accomplish his charge and so withdrew himselfe into his Chamber not declaring to any one hys cause of heauines Then willing one of his Squires to saddle hys Horse departed so closely as he coulde forbidding anie of his Seruaunts to follow him and such expedition he made as not resting but one night in any lodging he left his brothers kingdome wandering without anie care of himselfe or which way he tooke but went héere and there as fortune pleased to guide him Hauing long time trauailed in Alâ—lemaigne his money fayled him in that at his departure hee was but badlie prouided yet could not his priâ—celie minde abase it selfe to begge so yâ— béeing without meate or drink or anie place to rest himselfe in ashamed of himselfe hee sought to shroude him where none might discrye him and so entring a great Forrest very thicke set with Trées shrubs and bushes hee estéemed this a conuenient place to rest in wherefore alighting from his Horse and turning him to féede layd himselfe downe at the roote of a Trée and thus began to breathe foorth his complaints Ah inconstant Fortune and to me most of all inconstant didst thou erecte me so high and reiect mee nowe thus lowe well then may I saie that more wrong thou doost a man in one houre then right all his life time for it héeretofore thou diddest lende me pleasure and delight thou nowe makest me pay for it and that with vsury too rigorous not leauing anie hope to comfort mee Ah tirranous King cruell and vnmanlike Brother thou hast with shame banished me and brought me into this poore estate wherein I must die Oh happy if I might rather then to liue in the vile estate of beggery So saying he layde him downe among the Hearbes and was supprised with such extreame féeblenes as he fell into his lamentations againe thus Ah my Lord and Father too soone diddest thou leaue me woulde God I then had borne thée company or that at this instant I could come to thee Ah men of Hungâ—ria I am well assured knowing the loue you euer bare me that you will pittie when you heare my afflictions and calamities alas I neuer deserued this vnhappy ende And béeing vnable to continue longer spéeche he there determined to finish his life But better fortune befell him then he expected by the meanes of an auncient Knight named Lombardo who béeing néere hearde all his dolorous complaints This Knight béeing rich and of noble blood had neere that Forrest a strong delightfull and sumptuous Castell and delighted to walke among the woods for his recreation as good hap it was fore Netrides that he walked this euening He hearing these sad and sorrowfull regrets pittie so touched his hart as the teares bedewed hys â—héekes yet would he not trouble him while he continued his mones but afterward came and tooke him by the hand saying Arise my Freende and take courage for you are in the place where you shall finde more good to benefit you then harme to offende you therefore cherish your spirites and forget this heauines which may endaunger you beyond recouerie Netrides séeing this honourable Gentlemanne with his bearde so white as snowe hearing his courteous offer and for him nowe so necessary with ioy feare bashfulnes all coupled togeather accepted it and humbly thanked him albeit quoth he a contented death is better to me them a miserable and dispised life The Knyght comforting him aunswered that it was not in his power to chuse lyfe or death but the founder of the heauens reserued that authoritie in his owne handes With these wordes hee tooke him by the hand and conducted him to his Castell where he was worthilie entertained by the Knight himselfe his Ladie and her Daughter one of the fairest Uirgins in all that Country Lombardo hauing heard all his mis-fortunes and hard aduentures in the night discoursed the whole to hys Ladie wherefore good Wife quoth he entertaine him so well as may be for I assure you he is discended of high degrée and if his manners and vertues bee
my Lord Palmerin well and in good health but chéefely my Lorde who since you sawe him hath wunne the greatest honour that euer Knight did Afterward he reported the manner of the Combats to her and what gréefe his Maister sustained in his sicknes when he coulde not be reuenged on the Knight that lost her counterfeit which the Duke of Sauoye placed at the féete of Lucemania and last of all the perillous Combat betwéene his Maister the Knight of the Sun Which she tooke such delight to heare as she made him repeate one thing manie times and could not satis-fie herselfe sufficientlie with these worthy reports Which the Squire perceiuing delighted as much to itterate euerie thing and said Beléeue me Madame the loue my Maister beares to her for whose beautie he entered the Combat in my opinion is incredible for he is much more hers then his owne and I haue séene him in such sort thinking on her as one coulde hardlie iudge him aliue or deade fearing least anie other shold rob him of his loue such is the iealousie of his vnspotted affection albeit my Maister reputes his Ladie immouable Polinarda changing countenance oftentimes at yâ— Squires wordes aunswered The Ladie shoulde be very ill councelled béeing honoured with the looue of so good a Knight as Palmerin to make refusall of his worthie seruice and I promise thée by the faith of a Princesse that if I knew her for the vnwillingnes I haue to heare him coÌ„plaine I wold endeuour to cause her like none but him and therein to thinke herselfe the most happie among Ladies Wherfore if thou maist bee so bolde tell thy Maister at his returne that I will be a meane to aide him towardes her he loues and therewithall present him my fauourable salutations in that I euermore desired the fortunate ende of his enterprise not so much for the lyking of his Ladie béeing beloued of the best as for the renowned chiualrie that harbours in his hart These spéeches ended the Squire returned to méet the Prince Trineus and his Maister to whom he reported his talke with Polynarda which Palmerin reioycing at let fall all iealousie estéeming her nowe the truest Lady liuing The men of Gaunt for ioy of his returne that so worthilie deliuered them from the oppressions of the enchaunted Knight went foorth in seuerall companies according as honor yéeres and office directed them to méete him and so conueied him with signes of ioy to the Pallace where the Emperour so much abased himselfe as he came downe into the open Court to entertaine him and glad likewise to see the safe returne of his Sonne Tryneus saying My Sonne right happie is thy returne you Sir Palmerin perswade your selfe so welcome as hart can deuise assuring you that your successe hath not a little pleased me And needes must I account the Ladie especially bounden to you for whose loue you haue past so manie dangerous Combats good reason hath she to loue you in respect of your trauailes for her renowning her so much by your knightlie chiualrie so that if she recompence you not according to your merits woorthilie may she be condemned of ingratitude Alas my Lords quoth he her beautie commaundeth higher matters then all my labours Polynarda béeing in presence remembred well her Fathers words and therfore she intended to shun that condemnation saying to herselfe He that deserues honour ought to were it and he that commaundes the soule may easilie ouer-rule the passions of the minde let my Knight then be rewarded as he hath rightly deserued All this while the eyes of these two louers so well discharged their office as Palmerin wished that Iuno had graunted him so much as she did somtime to Argus her shéepehearde that he might haue more ease in his afflictioÌ„ for he thought it not enough onelie to behold the beautie of so rare and excellent perfection Againe he was not a little tormented because Polynarda to couer what she woulde gladlie none should discerne cast her lookes on the ground which sometimes shee likewise compelled him to doo but her presence whom he estéemed aboue all other things would not allow him that consideration The Emperour at length commanded that all the figures of the Ladies which he had wunne in CoÌ„bat should be brought before him but when hée sawe so manie and of so contrarie qualitie hee coulde not but coÌ„mâ—ndâ— Sir Palmerins victorie Then were diuers iudgments giuen of the beauty of the portraits eache one of the beholders after their seuerall opinions Ptolome made description of whom they were and who did enter Combatte on their behalfe omitting at no tune the honour of Palmerin whereat they all admired some commending their complexions others their swéete yong yéeres and altogeather the prowesse of him that brought the conquest with him whereupon the Emperour said In good faith Sir Palmerio I blesse the time that Fortune sent me so good a Knight and thinke not to carrie awaie all the glory of your victorie your selfe for I meane to haue part because you gaue your selfe mine And woulde the Ladie you loue were in thys Courte or in my Realme to the ende I might so assist you in your sute as you might both be mine My Lord quoth Palmerin the victorie is wholie yours béeing gotten by your Knight and if the Ladie I loue were not vnder your regiment then shoulde I complaine of a greater matter then abyding with you béeing obedient to your highnes as your humble subiect and Seruaunt With which aunswere the Emperour was highlie contented and Tryneus comming to his Sister Polynarda saide Trust mee faire Sister you are more indebted to Palmerin then to anie other Knight in the worlde beside and rather accept of him then of the Duke of Lorrayne who maintaining your beautie was ouercome by the Duke of Sauoy and your picture placed at the féete of Lucemania where yet it had remained but that Palmerin conquering the Duke remooued the figure of the French Princesse in obeysaunce to you Polynarda not content with the vndiscréete enterprise of the Duke of Lorrayne aunswered In sooth good Brother the Duke of Lorrayne is none of my Knight and I repute Palmerin to haue more bountie and valour then the Duke can haue of wit or courage therefore great meruaile that hee was not slaine The Emperour seeing Polynarda was offended with the Duke of Lorrayne aunswered You cannot Daughter forbid men to execute their owne pleasure and if the Duke liked to enter the Combat for your beautie it was for the honourable good will he bare you and albeit hée could not reache his desire yet haue you no cause to thinke the worsse of him Polynarda béeing a Princesse of rare wit and iudgment as anie of her time would multiply no more words but continued silent neuerthelesse Palmerin remembring her aunswere to Tryneus intreated her to kéepe all the portraits of the Ladies determining to sende them to whom they belonged according to their degrées in birth and honor
Which she thankfully accepted and spending this whole daie in diuers delights Palmerin béeing in the euening in his Chamber accompanied with Ptolome sent his Dwarffe to the Princesse to appoint the time of their méeting and she séeing the Dwarffe caught him about the necke demaunding of him what newes hee brought None but good Madame answered the Dwarffe my Maister hath sent you the Bon soir and therewith his humble duetie to your highnes for being your Knight and liuing onelie to doo you seruice he hath good hope that your vertuous nature wyll not forget howe many daungers he hath past for your sake and nowe dooth loue appeale for his desired reward Therefore good Madame as you are hartfast vnite your selues handfast giue my Maister life your selfe comfort and make me happy by carrying of this message for I vowe by the reuerend faith I beare you bothe that I will not depart without some gracious aunswere Polynarda smyling to heare Vrbanillo speake so earnestlie sayd The assuraunce thou giuest me of the trustie affection thou bearest thy Maister dooth not a little content mee and pitty it were so good a Knight shoulde labour all this while in vaine therefore perswade thy Maister that to morrow at night I will méete him where we were wont and there will I resolue him to his owne content CHAP. XLIII How Palmerin went in the night to the appointed place to conferre with his Lady Polinarda and the amorous communication they had togeather VRbanillo with chéerefull countenaunce returned to his Master declaring to him his talke wyth Polynarda her swéete lookes her gracious aunsweres how choiselie she loued him and lastlie her promise to meete him in the accustomed place yet is not this all for before you depart with her shee hath assured mee to resolue you to your owne content And that is it I want ê™ he for might I once receiue my content then shoulde I thinke my trauailes rewarded And doubt you not thereof saide the Dwarffe if she be a woman of her worde Then Ptolome béeing present asked the Dwarffe if he saw Bryonella No in sooth quoth he she was not in the Princesse Chamber nor to my knowledge was she acquainted with my comming yet dare I thinke she will be there with my Lady The time béeing come the Ladies were at the place with deuotion answerable to those silent howres and theyr Knights not fayling their appointment what pleasure on eache side was conceiued is not to be enquired for all wyshings are nothing in respect of their contentments Polynarda hauing her fréendly Knight before her so sweete a blush ecclipsed her countenaunce as woulde driue nature into a studie to frame the like and thus she began Alas my sweete Freende in what paine anguish and heauines of hart hath your absence brought me what teares haue fallen from mine eyes and drops of blood froÌ„ my hart by renting sighes and â—easelesse acclamations remembring our pleasures past our present comfort and the hope of better hap to come What dolorous conceits hath often wounded me thinking on so many hazards and perrils as might hinder me from séeing you againe and not without cause beléeue me for had you miscaried neuer Ladie sustained such a losse in respect of your Knightlie valour and the vnfeigned loue I heare you whereof before I depart I meane assuredlie to resolue you in requitall of your honâ—urable tranailes for maintenaunce of my beautie And héereof perswade your selfe good Knight that to haue you I refuse all other good fortunes whatsoeuer and therefore I carâ— not though it were openlie knowne how especiallie I prize desire loue and estéeme you Palmerin confounded with this long expected comfort and not able to endure with silence interrupted her in this manner By the faith of your sworne Seruaunt swéete Madame the perrils mishaps and dangers I haue past since my departure neuer deserued the verie least of your coÌ„plaints nor could my endeuours prooue such as your incomparable perfections merrited the onelie remembraunce whereof was sufficient to make me inuincible wherefore faire Mistresse if I haue wunne anie honorâ— your fauour was the meane and your beautie gaue mée the vertue streaming so plentifullie from your chaste eiâ—s as the water from the Fountaine To little purpose were it nowe to rehearse yâ— strange assaults massacring thoughts and violent flames wherein I haue buried and continuallie béene crucified since the howre it pleased you to let mee sée Fraunce vndoubtedly yâ— verie meanest of my sufferings was able to destroie me without the resolute assuraunce of your diuine fauour which triuÌ„phing â—uer death shall make me liue continuallie So that the desire to let you knowe how assuredlie I am yours and the continuall wyshing to see you againe gaue mee victorie ouer your enemies and brought me safe thorow all extreamities to honour you as I doo at this present It nowe remaines Madame that you regarde the trueth of my loue the permanence thereof and the instant passions worsse then death to mee yet with this prouiso that I presume not of anie action meritorious but your grace which is able to strengthen me in greatest debilitie And no where know I to séeke for pittie and support of my cares if not onelie by her who hath yâ— soueraigne power to chase hence the cruell and euer threatning menaces of death Forbeare good my Lorde quoth she thus to talke of death considering I cannot liue one howre without you nor holde I any comfort of my life but onelie in loouing you to enioy you so that what you endure I suffer and no passion torments you but I haue a share therein so deuoutlie is my spirit conforted with yours And therefore thinkâ— not your oppressions greator then mine for if you doo it procéedeth by want of experience of feminine passions the extreamitie whereof farre surmounteth your sexe For which cause to giue some rest to our long and ouertrauailed desires I giue you héere my hand and therewithall a chast hart accepting you onely for my Lorde Husbande and to my promise call Heauen Earth to witnes Where is the wit so daintie the tongue so florishing or the penne so dilligent as can conceiue report or set down in perfect coullers the ioyes of these louers You faire Lordinges and you likewise swéete Ladies that long haue trauailed in amorous affections and in the ende receiued the rewarde of your passions by your owne conceites can imagine the content of these twaine for Palmerin was of this opinion that Iupiter had not the like pleasure with faire Alemena for whom hee caused one might to endure the space of three daies as hee hadde with his gracious Mistresse Polinarda For nowe the manifolde strokes he gaue for beautie were héere remembred his daungerous trauailes in all places recounted his absence with kinde gratulations welcommed his teares sighes complaints feares resolued and lastlie his long vnchangeable and most faithfull loue fâ—eendlie rewarded Let vs not heere forget that Ptolome and Brionella
Court that hée is one of the wisest and best gouerned Princes that euer I heard of Wherefore bee it spoken vnder correction your Maiestie should forget this light offence and consider if the like had béene towards you you would haue done no lâ—sse When the King heard him to support the Emperors cause he presently iudged him to be of his Course and therefore sayd Are you he Sir that woonne such honor and renowne in Fraunce at the combat maintained by the Prince Lewes for the loue of his Ladie If you be so I pray you do not denie it for I shall henceforth thinke my Court most happie to harbour the most excellent among all Knights and I promise you I am so iealous of mine owne conceyte as you can hardly pâ—â—swade mee otherwise such experience haue I made of your bountie and vertue Palmerin blushing at thâ—se worâ—es and doubting he should nowe be certainlye knowne answered Wee humbly intreate your Maiestie héeretofore and so we doo now againe that you would not enquire whence we are sufficeth your highnesse that wee are his humble Seruants in any thing that shall like him to commaunde vs. The King this hearing repented himselfe that hee had béene so importunate for hée feared least his spéeches would make them forsake his company wherfore by this time béeing come neere his Pallace hée sayde What I haue sayd Gentlemen I hope shall not offend you in my excuse admit my earnest desire to know you By and by ouertooke them the Duke of Tintriel who went to restore the Crowne as you haue heard what the Scots vsurped and he aduertised the King that the Quéene and her Ladies were ridden to a Castle foure miles from London to sollace themselues whereupon the king resolued to rydâ— thither Whereof the Prince Trineus was not sorie such was his desire to sée his faire Fréend whose loue still crossed him with so many passions as hée séemed a man of another world and did not his woundes sâ—rue somewhat to couer his disease hardly could he haue sounde any shift to conceale it so closely wherefore he beganne with Palmerin thus You knowe my chosen friend that the hope of my loue made me leaue my fathers court and to preuent my meaning consists onely in you now in respect of my forcible captiuitie béeing vnprouided of strength sence or any meane to discouer my loue to her who only can helpe mée I intreate you by the inuiolable league of our amitie that when you chaunce to speake with the Goddesse of my life my paines and anguishes may serue for my salutations and imparting to her the extreamitie of my sorrowes shee may perceiue in what estate I am and what néede I haue of her gracious pittie These wordes were deliuered with such sighs and teares as Paâ—merin was amazed thereat albeit hee knewe howe heauy the burthen was and howe it excéeded patience in suffering comparing his absence from his mistresse Polinarda to be as insupportable as the presence of Agriola not daring to speake to her was to Trineus whereupon he answered My Lord repose your trust in this matter on me which I doubt not to handle in such sort as you shall haue no cause to be mal content or the Princesse any reason to be ingratefull But what thinke you if my Dwarfe did carrie this message in my opinion through the whole world you could not finde a more fitte fellow such is his subtile and present inuention as hee wil prooue the onely string to your bowe Alas sayd the prince I care not who were imployed héerein so I were sure of comfort Then was the dwarfe called to whom Palmerin in this sort began It is wel knowne to thée Vâ—banilâ—o with what good will I would do any seruice I could to my Lord Trineus as well for the incomparable kindnes I haue receiued of my Ladie his Sister as for the affiâ—â—tie I hope shall one day be betwéene vs by his meanes So â—ften haue I made experience of my loyall seruice and fidelitie in my chiefest and very nâ—erâ—st affayres as well may I impart to thée the secrets of my noble companion pâ—rswading my self of thy suretie and secrecie It now remaines that thou pleasure the Prince Trineus in breaking his loue to the Princessâ— Agriola as thou diddest for me to my Mistresse Polynarda but aboue all things haue regard that thou bewray not of whence or what we are yet must thou assure her that the Prince is one of the greatest Lords in Europe My Lord quoth the Dwarffe I was neuer yet disobedient to you in all my time and very loath were I now to beginne but because I am such a little writhen fellowe you make me your Broker in these perillous loue matters Notwithstanding I will doo it though I died for it esteeming my life well bestowed to pleasure such Princes There can no inconuenience arise hereby to thee quoth Palmerin but profite euerie way be not enemie then to thine owne good That will I neuer sayd the Dwarffe and well might the Ladie be iudged vnprouided of reason and verie farre from vnderstanding if she make refusall of the Princes honourable offer the King himselfe if he knew it woulde imagine his dayâ—s blessed the issue then of this enterprise can not but sort to good The Dwarffes wordes pleased so well Trineus as he tooke him in his armes saying I commend my selfe and my happinesse to thée Let me alone quoth Vâ—banillo if I bring you not hearbes that shall coole this hote feuer then let me neuer bee counted for a tall man so went he about it as you shall vnderstand hereafter Chap L. How the King of England went to the Castle to the Queene and her Ladies and of the honourable entertainment made to the three strange Knights NEwes béeing brought to the Quéene â—hat the King was not farre off shée sent a verie honourable traine to méete him and with them his sonne the yong Prince Fredericke ten yéeres olde but beautifull and of such perfection as promised great hope in time to come Hée hauing made reuerence to his Father and the other Princes demaunâ—ed for the straunge Knightes and saluting them with such kindnesse as was rare in a Childe he rode betwéene Trineus and Palmerin giuing them harty thanks for theyr fréendly succour to his Father without which sayd hée as the Quéene my Mother tolde mee hée had dyed and wée all béene distressed By this tyme they were come to the Castell all the way so thicke pâ—stered with people as there was no roome to stirre among them euerie one crying Happie be the Knights that foyled our enemyes So entring the Castell in the vttermost Court they mette the Quéene and her Ladyes among whom fayre Agriola shyned as beautifull Venus among the other starres wherewith the Prince of Allemaigne was so nipt in the head as an offâ—nâ—our with his guilt before a Iudge so that not regarding what yong Fredericke or the other Lords courteouslie sayd to him he
King and Palmerin with fifty Knights more came to assist them for Palmerin hauing slayne the Giant mounted on his horse because it was one of the goodliest yâ— euer he saw and espying the King comming with his trainâ— set on with him and found Trineus in great danger because so many of his side were slaine but this fresh assistance brought by the king was the meane that all the Giants knightes were slaughtered and they knéeling down thanking God for their victory The king alighting came and embraced the quéene saying Now happy may we thinke our selues Madame hauing so well preuented this trecherous villaine for neuer did I thinke to sée you againe but that God these knights so highlie befréended vs. The Quéene and her Daughter were as yet so dismayed in remembraunce of theyr former daunger as beholding so many lye slaine before them and ioyfull beside béeing so fortunatelye deliuered as betwéene these extreames they knew not what to say but desired spéedilie to sâ—t forward thence which they presently did yâ— king commaunding his Nephew Cerides to sée Franarco and his men burned to ashes and honorable Sepulture to be prouided for the other When the Quéene heard that Eranarco was dead Tell me my Lord quoth she who hath doone such a gracious acte to kill that monstrous villaine Euen hee Madame said the king that was cause of my victorie in battell the knight héere in blacke Armour to whome I am so far indebted as I cannot imagine any recompence sufficient for him and this can I not speak without great maruaile séeing so rare valour performed with so little danger on his behalfe Long may the good knight liue saide the Quéene that hath so defended vs and may they all thrée prosper in their affaires for their knightly seruice to the Realme of England While these spéeches endured Trineus béeing sore wounded was brought betwéen two squires and set vpon his horse but the king the quéene and chéefely faire Agriola was glad when she heard there was no such danger but he might well escape it Wherefore mounting al on horsebacke they rode to sée the Giants bodie which made Agriola repute Palmerin for no lesse then his Dwarfe commended him Then the king commaunded to vnarme the body and one of his knightes should bring away his Helmet and Shéelde which would be tokens sufficient for him to recouer the Castle of Garbones which he seised on and all other things belonging to the Giant he sent the Count of Bonneroy with fiue hundred men to confiscate and return to his Maiesties vse The Count well knowing such matters would not easily be accomplished if they in the Castle should make resistance therefore politikely he sent the Giants Targe and Helmet before as sent from Franarco who was with the king and they should open the gates because they were comming thither for witnes wherof they shewed the giants signet of arms The guard too crâ—dulous and thinking it vnpossible for any man to conquere the giant opened the gates wherupoÌ„ the Count presently entred with his power putting all to the sword not sparing any not so much as the giants yonger brother who escaping aliue from the battel was the cause who Franarco dealt thus villanously Thus did the Count yéeld the Castle into the Kings obeysance remaining Captaine thereof vnder the Kings authoritie the like hee did in many other places where the people aduertised of the Giants rebellion and that the Castle of Garbones was taken there was nonâ— would resist the kings commandement whereof the Count was not a little glad returning as soone as he could with the glad tidings of his successe to the Court certifying the King how all things happened Chap. LII Of the conference Palmerin had with the Princesse Agriola after he had slaine the Giant Franarco BY this time the King was come to his Pauillion where he caused his Chirurgions dilligently to attend the thrée knights for the curing of their wounds who found that the prince of Allemaigne was worst of al hurt yet the king vnderstaÌ„ding he was in no danger of life was the better pacified because he loued him déerely and intended to honour him so much as lay in his power promising not to depart thence till hee recouered his health and because he would preuent like mischances he caused dilligent watch to be made euerie night as though he hadde lien in field encamped with the enemie During the Princes sicknesse â—ee was oftentimes visited by the Quéene and fayre Agriola not vnthankfull of the courtesie receiued by him and his companions and for which they requited him with manifold thankes Trineus estéeming himselfe worthily recompenced séeing that heauenly spectacle whose presence healed a greater wound then any hee had receiued in fight desiring the continuance of the outward hurts for comforting of his inward oppressions And while the quéene thus conferred wiâ—â— Tâ—ineus Palmerin came to the princesse Agriola seeing the time so lawfull and commoâ—â—â—â—s that hee might thorowly acquaint her with matter long enough before premeditated but because shee was desirous to talke with him she first began in manner following I know not sir Knigâ—t how the king my Father will satisfie the great seruice you haue doone him in so many hazards to his Realme and himselfe but for mine owne part I think my selfe so bounden that after life which he gaue me by generation my deuoted soule shall remaine to honour you And if these occasions passed doo giue mée iust cause to thinke my selfe happie what lesse account may I make of that vertuous Prince Trineus your companion who came into this Countrey onely for my loue as I am perswaded yet doubtfull to be lightly carried away with report I should accept it for more sound assurance so please you to speake the truth herein Madame quoth Palmerin if I haue doone any seruice to the King or you it is rewarded with much more theÌ„ sufficient séeing it pleaseth you to make such account thereof and I promise you you haue two knights wholly at commaund for the loue of the third who is so confidently â—owed your friend and seruant as no man in the world can bee more this is he that lieth wounded in his bed the princely sonne and heire of the Emperor of Allemaigne in which report my Dwarfe hath not deceiued you And giue my word this credit Madame that since the time hee first heard of your excellent beautie béeing then in Fraunce he neuer had other determination but to spend his life in your gracious seruice and making refusall of many faire Ladies especially of Lucemania daughter to the most christian king of Fraunce set downe this princely and commendable resolution neuer to espouse any other but you so it may stand with your liking to accept him for your husband think then aduisedly swéete madam of the incomparable happines ordaiâ—ed for â—ou and stand not in your owne light to loose so good fortune In truth my Lord quoth the princesse I
quarrell My Lord quoth she in concealing his name I should offer him great wrong concealing the bountie and prowesse of the man which hath not béene sparingly shewed heretofore in presence of the Duke of Gaule agaynst the King of Norway whose armie was â—icomfited by the worthy valour and pollicy of this knight who calleth himselfe by the name of Frysol the Duke of Gaule bringing him foorth of Frauncâ— at his last voyage and euer since hath so dearly loued him as he were his owne naturall brother I promise you Ladie sayde the King you made no ill choyse of your Knight for I haue heeretofore heard of his actions and am not a little glad that I know him wishing he were of my Court because a King accompanyed with such persons must néedes imagine his Countrie happie And in respect he is so braue a Champion it is impossible but hée shoulde bée a wyse and vertuous Knight wherefore I pray you cause him to come to mee which shée presently did And hauing saluted his Maiestie with honourable reuerence the King embraced him with these wordes Woorthie Sir you are most heartily welcome I coulde wish you were one of my Knights in respect that my Court should bee the more honoured and I might requite your paines better then I can on a sudden Mightie Prince quoth Frisol in assisting this distressed Ladie I haue done but my dutie but if I could any way do your highnesse seruice I knowe no Prince liuing for whom I wold more gladly employ my selfe And at this time vrgent affayres excuse me from staying héere any longer neuerthelesse I intreate you my good Lord if it may stande with your fauourable liking to repute mee among the number of your Souldiours and Seruaunts If it must néedes be so sayde the King you shall doo what please you yet will I reckon you amongst those to whom I owe continuall loue and affection And although the death of Myseres doth somwhat gréeâ—e me because I made some estimation of him yet for your sake shall I deliuer the Ladie her Castell which you haue conquered with so knightly chiâ—alrie Frysol humblie thanked his Maiestie and departed with the Ladie which way they came but Palmerin very much offended at his departure and earnestly desiring to be reuenged on him commaunded his Dwarffe to marke well which way they went The Dwarffe diligently fulfilling his Maisters charge returned and told him which way they tooke wherevpon he beeing desirous to follow without giuing any knowledge thereof to his companions left Trineus to conferre with his fayre Mystresse Agriola and departed the Câ—urt so secretly as neither the Prince or Ptolomie suspecâ—ed any thing And so accompanied with the Dwarffe Vibanillo 〈◊〉 câ—me to the place where his Squire stayed with his Armour where when hée 〈◊〉 armed hee mounted on horsebacke thus speaking to his man Returne you to the Cittie and there expect my comming as for thée Vrbanillo thou shalt say to Tryneus that hée must pardon mee though I did not acquaint him with the cause of my departure which I was more enforced to doe then he thinkes on neâ—erthelesse pray him take no paine to enquire after mee because I doubt not to returne verie shortly although not so soone as hee woulde yet pray him to vse so little speech thereof as may be The like mayst thou say to Ptolome and to them both commende me most heartily With this charge to you both that vppon payne of your lyues neither of you doo followe mée nor cause anie other to séeke after mee So taking his Launce hee galloped that way which his Dwarffe shewed him they were gone and he with the Squire returned to the Cittie making verie sorrowfull lamentation because they thought their maister woulde returne no more in that hée would not bee knowne whither hee went yet would they bewray nothing theyr maister had forbidâ—e them Trineus and Ptolome were maruellous sorowfull especially the Prince who without the Dwarffes assurance of his Maisters short returne had followed to seeke him yet not thorowlie contented with Vrbanilloâ— perswasions the King came to comfort him saying You must thinke good Sir that your noble Fréend is gone about some straunge aduenture for you knowe he neuer enterprised any thing but it returned him to honour If héeretofore for the loue of his Ladie hée shewed himselfe without his Péere in chiualrie thinke you be will not regarde his reputation and premeditate his actions before hee runne to farre in daunger Content your selfe I pray you for if his returne be not the sooner I will cause such prouision to bée made as hée shall be found againe The Princesse Agriola likewise intreated him not to bee displeased at the absence of Palmerin for with the helpe of God and his Fréendes quoth shée his returne will cause as much ioy as his departure dooth grâ—efe All this coulde hardly content Trineus for hée dreamed in his sléepe that the Knight which slewe Myseres was hée against whom Palmerin entred the Combat in Fraunce at what time they could not ouercome each other And remembring what ill will Palmerin bare him vehemently suspected that for this cause hee followed him which imagination somewhat comforted him and he reputed the Knight vnwise if hée medled any more with Palmerin Chap. LIIII How after the death of Myseres Palmerin followed Frysol whom he had slaine but that a Damoselâ— intreated his life AL that day Palmerin trauailed and most part of the next yet coulde hee heare no tidings of the Lady and Frisol which made him ryde in great melancholly till at length méeting with a Damosel mounted on a goodlie Palfray very richly harnessed of whome he demaunded if shee mette not a Knight armed who bare in a Shéelde of Azure a Golden Sunne and with him a Ladye attended on by manye Squires Truelie Sir quoth the Damosell if you will graunt mée two requests that I shall demaunde I will bring you to him you séeke for before to morrowe the third houre of the day Palmerin who was woonderfull desirous to finde his enemie granted to anye thing shee woulde desire on condition quoth he that you shewe mee the Knight Followe mée then sayde the Damosell for I will accomplishe what I haue promised So rode they togither and among other speeches Palmerin asked her if shee knewe the Knight and what his name was The Damosell aunswered that shée knewe not the Knight but shée was very well acquainted with the Ladye in his company and this night quoth shee they mind to lodge at a Castle of mine Auntes in the euening they arriued within the sight of the Castle where they alighted from their Horsses and entred a little thicket for feare of béeing séene and the Damosell hauing a flagon of Wine and a pastie of redde Déere in a maunde at her saddle bowe Palmerin and shée refreshed themselues therewithall but all that night coulde not Palmerin settle himselfe to sleepe watching the castle Gate least in the time of his
sléeping his enemie should escape him The next morning so soone as the breake of day appeared Frysol came foorth of the Castle with his companye wherefore Palmerin not a litle gladde saide to the Damosell Now Lady is your promise perfourmed for this is the Knight I séeke if therefore you will any thing with mée I must intreat you to followe mee for I would be very lothe that he shoulde escape me With which wordes hée mounted on horsebacke galloping after Frysol so fast as the Horse coulde away and ouertaking him sayde Stay a while Sir Knight thinke you to passe away in such sorte haue you forgot your words at Parris to the Knight that guarded the Duke of Sauoyes Tent now is the time I hope to correcte your presumptioÌ„ when thou shalt well perceiue that thou neyther deseruest to be Seruant to the Princesse Polinarda nor art worthy to talke of her honourable name Frysol thus slaying knâ—we by Palmerins words that it wâ—s hée against whome he fought the Combatâ— in Fraunce whereupon he aunswered Truely Sir Knight I haue not as yet forgotten what I then sayde nor is the beautie of Polinarda or my loue to her so little that my desire to doo her seruice shoulde not bée now remembered nor will I forbeare to confesse it stil for feare of thée or any other whatsoeuer And if thou hastâ— sought me foorth in this quarrell thou hast found me to readie to defend it as I will more willingly choose to die then denye any parte of my duetie to that gracious Princesse Palmerin béeing so angrye as hee woulde multiply no more wordes encountred his enemie so valyantly as they brake theyr Launces and yet coulde not vnâ—orse each other then drâ—wing their swordes they laide so cruelly vppon their bodies as theyr shéeldes being broken theyr Helmets battered their Armour defaced and their flâ—sh so grâ—â—uously mangled as neither of them both could iudge who was likest to winne the victorie Till at length Frisolâ— Horse fayling vnder him fell to the grounde and hée so weakened with his great losse of blood as hée coulde not recouer himselfe before Palmerin came to him thinking to haue parted his head from his shoulders with his swoord which when the Ladye sawe for whome Frysol had slaine Myseres shée fell into most pittifull acclamations not sparing her louelye tresses of hayre but with great impatience renting them violentlye made the ayre to eccho her lamentable complaints Which the Damosell seeing that guyded Palmerin and mooued with compassion of her excéeceeding gréefes fell on her knées before Palmerin intreating him to giue ouer the fight But he feyning that hee heard her not because Frysol with rough strugling had got on foote againe charged him with such violent strokes as Frisol beeing of inuincible courage requited him with as woorthy chiualrie Againe the Damosel came on her knées to him intreating him to giue ouer the fight saying You know my Lord that before you came hither you promised me two requests and this I make one of them that you continue no longer Combatte against this Knight and in so dooing I shall acquite you of part of the promise which you made mee Palmerin chaâ—ing like a furious Lyon aunswered I pray you Damosell aske some other thing for in this matter of force you must pardon mée In sooth saide the Damosell if you denie mée my demaunde I will complaine at the King of Englands Courte and there will I declare you periured for ill it beséemes such a Knight as you are to make promise to a Lady and not obserue it By God Lady saide Palmerin you doo me great wrong in with-holding mee from reuenge on him whom aboue all menne in the worlde I hate most deadlye vnhappye was the houre wherein I mette you and so mounting vppe on horsebacke he galloped awaye in very great anger When the other sorrowfull Lady sawe that Palmerin was gone and hadde left her Knight with great ioye shée embraced the Damosell that had procured it thanking her for â—héelding the life of a most noble Knight for which courtesie shee remained bound to her during life What I haue doone quoth the Damosell is for the loue of you and this Knight swearing to you by the fayth of a Gentle womanne that I haue another thing to aske of the Knight which is gone that concerneth mée very neerelie Notwithstanding your teares mooued méeâ—with such compassion that I stande in daunger to loose what I shall neuer recâ—uer yet in respecte the cause was so honest and vertuous I doo not repent what I haue doone but because he remaineth indebted to mée for another request I must néedes leaue you and followe him so mounting vppon her Palfraye shée rode after Palmerin with all the haste shee possiblye coulde make And in her iourney wée will leaue her returning to Frysol whose woundes béeing very dangerous the Lady bounde them vppe so well as shée coulde till they came at theyr next Lodging where by good Fortune was a Lady so well séene in Chirurgery as in shorte time she cured his woundes whole and sounde Frysol so well recouered departed thence with the Ladie because the thirde day following they shoulde bee at the Castell whither alreadie was come Hermes one of the King of Englands Knights béeing sent by his Lord the King to deliuer the Ladie her right which Hermes did according to his charge entertained the Ladie honourably deliuered her the Keyes of the Castell and commaunded all the Subiects to reuerence the Ladie which they refused not to doe but were glad of her comming For ioy hereof were very solemne feastes prepared and the Ladie recounted to Hermes Commissioner for the king howe Frysol fought the Combate by the way agaynst the Knight of the blacke armour whereby Hermes presently knewe that it was the straâ—nge Knight who had left the Court vnknowne to his Companions or any of his Friendes whereof hée was not a little glad because hée iudged that these newes woulde bee welcome to the King Wherefore so soone as he had accomplished his charge and seated the Ladie quietly in her Castell hee departed intending to follow Palmerin till he found him trauayling the way was assigned him by the Ladie Frisol stayed there with the Ladie till hee had perfectly recouered his health and then without any other recompencâ— for his paynes but onely a Horse because his owne was slaine and a newe Armour his owne béeing spoyled hée returned to the Duke of Gaule who reioyced greatly to haue his companie But when the Duke vnderstood how discourteously he had béene vsed by the blacke Knight who was so highly fauoured in the English Court hée deuised by all the meanes possible to bée reuenged on him so that béeing in a Castell on the Frontiers of his Duchie yet within the King of Englandes dominion hée vnderstoode the blacke Knight should passe that way because he coulde not else returne to the Court. Now perswading himselfe for resolute vengeaunce hée pitched his Tents
onelye excepted who euermore hath beene my most trustie Seruaunt and fetcheth my necessaries at a village néere adioyning and by his honest perswasions hath manie times with-helde mee from committing violence on my selfe Thus haue you heard in bréefe the cause of my sorrowe the depth whereof cannot bée considered or valued but by such as haue in like manner tryed and suffered the disdayne and ingratitude of vnconstant Ladies Palmerin hauing heard the fortunes of the Knight repeated to him the graces and fauours of his Ladye Polynarda what honour shée did him in her Fathers Court and how hee was in daunger to receiue the like rewarde as the Knight did of his Valerica and fearing indéede that his mishappe woulde sorte to that issue he fell down at the féete of this poore refused Louer The Knight perceiuing that the reputitioÌ„ of his misfortune was cause of this alteration breâ—thing foorth a vehement sighe hee sayde Alas wretched â—atife that I am hath my destâ—ny made mee so vnhappie that enduring an extreamitye worse then death I cannot dye and yet hée that did but heare my miserie hath lost his life I will not liue any longer to preiudice any other men but will now make waye to the ende of mine owne troubles So drewe â—ée foorth Palmerins Sworde and â—ffered to thrust it into his bodye but Palmerin receiued his former estate started suddainlye vppe and catching him in his armes sayde How now my Fréende will you bée so incâ—nsiderate that for a little temporall paine which your body endureth to condemne your soule to euerlasting perdition And though your passions touch you so seuerelye as you will affoorde no pittie to your selfe yet lâ—t trée intrâ—ate you to forbeare this humour For not without reason haue I sustained this suddaine motion remembring the vnspeakable comfort I receiued by one who by false suggestions or slaundreous reports which woundeth more déepe then the fatall weapon may in like sorte be chaunged into such conceit as her iudgement may excéede a hel of torments Yet canne I not denye your Lady hauing with such shame refused you but you haue great occasion to gréeue thereat yet not to stretch the extreamily so farre as to dispayre or worke iniurie to your â—elfe calling to memory how light the opinion of a Woman is how suddaine shée will alter and howe prompt shée is to iealousie especially where shee loueth effectually And if héeretofore shée loued you feruentlye it is impossible but shee should féele some part of your anguish and more violently I thinke then your selfe can Trust then in him that hath all hearts at commaunde repose your self constantly on his prouidence for hée will not leaue you frustrate of your honourable intent standing with iustlâ—e and perfect integritie As Palmerin continued these comfortable perswasions the Dwarfe couered the Table and sette before them such a small pittaâ—nce as he had prouided when they hadde refreshed themselues Palmerin tooke his leaue of the Knight promising him if hée coulde by anye meanes to giue some ease to his oppressions Varnan returned him many thankes commanding his Dwarfe to conduct him to the high waye béeing not a little sorrowfull to leaue his compaâ—ie who had so well aduised and comforted him Palmerin being come into his ready way sent backe the Dwarfe and rode on till he was gâ—t out of the Forrest intending to finde out the Castlâ— where Valerica remained because he would somewhat sollicite the cause of sollitarie Verman Ryding along in this determination hée espyed a Knight and two squires before him yâ— knight thus speaking to one of his squires I knowe not whether it be time as yet to enter the Garden or if Madame Valerica be as yet come thither Go sée if she be there and returne quickly to mée againe Palmerin hearing the name of Valerica knewe well it was shée for whome the solitarie Knight liued in such pensiuenes wherefore mooued with pitty of his miseries hee sayde to himselfe Sée héere the trecherie of a trothlesse Woman so vnhonorablie to forsake the man that loues her so déerely and preferre the villanie of this intercepting Traytour but I shall teach him ere I go what a penalty belongs to the preuenting of a loyall knight and so comming to the knight hee sayâ—e Art thou a man villaine that wouldest forest all the loue of the best Knights in England by my Sword thou shalt déerely pay for thy disloyalty With these words he gaue him such a stroake on the head as he cleft it therewith to the very téeth The Squires séeing theyr maister slaine beganne to haste away but Palmerin caught him that was sent to the Garden to whome he sayde Come on Sirra if thou louest thy life bring mée to the Lady if thou doost not thou shalt neuer followe thy trade any longer The Squire durst doo no otherwise so he brought him to the little gate where Valerica was wont to receiue in her louer and knocking with his finger as his Master was accustomed Valerica opened the doore and thinking it was her Fréend cast her armes about Palmerins necke who brought her in his armes forth of the Garden commanding the Squire presently to followe him Valerica abashed hereat sayde Howe nowe swéete fréende whether will you carry mee Knowe you not if my father heard héereof that neyther of vs durst approch before him Tush Madame sayde Palmerin these are but wordes there is no remedy but you must go with mée So neyther with teares nor requests would hee be intreated but mounting on horsebacke caused the Squire to helpe the Lady vppe before him because he would be sure shée should not escape from him and riding on towardes the Forrest because the night drew on he left the rode way séeking some place where they might coÌ„ueniently repose themselues for that night At length hee founde out a little thicket where they alighted and hee returning his Horse to pasture tooke off his Helmet and came to the Lady desiring her to bée content with such hard lodging for that night but when shée behelde that it was not her fréend wringing her handes she thus exclaimed Alas vnhappy wretch that I am how trecherously am I deceiued What mishappe may be comparable to mine hauing lost my fréende and abyding at his pleasure that hath cruelly murdered him Ah Fortune why art thou so inconstant to chaunge my former pleasure into this gréeuous stratageâ—â—e Palmerin hearing her so impatient sayde You must thinke Lady that what hath happened is by diuine permission who hath thus appoynted to punish your loosenesse and your excéeding disloyalty towardes him who loues you dearer then his owne soule and for your loue leades a most austere life in the very desolate and vncomfortable place of the worlde If hée haue thus long endured such hardnesse for your sake it is good reason that you should participate a little with his misery Feare not therefore for I speake nothing of him but what I haue séene and by great chaunce haue
I thus brought you from your Fathers house meaning by Gods grace this humor forgotteÌ„ to cause you match with him whose true loue aboue all other hath deserued you Ah miserye incomparable said the Lady I sée now it is in vaine to shun what the destenies haue appointed how falles my fortune from ill to worse Must I now go to that coward Varnan whom hitherto I haue continually despised me rather die a most shamefull death I know not Lady what you thinke said Palmerin but in my opinion Varnan is much better then you estéeme him and a better Knight then he that coulde defende his pate with no wiser pollicy woorthilye may you call him cowarde and loue the other that liues to dâ—â— you seruice So long they stood on these tearmes vntill a knight passed by them to whome Valerica cryed Helpe gentle Knight for Gods sake pittie me deliuer me from this Traytour who falselie hath be guiled me and violentlie brought me hither against my will What art thou sayde the Knight that thus dishonorest this Ladye I shall teache thée better knowledge of thine order before wee part Palmerin quicklie bridling his Horsse and clasping on his Helmet sayd to the Knight What art thou that wouldest take her from me whoÌ„ I conquered euen nowe by my Sworde followe thy way or I shall she we thee what discipline I vse to fooles that wil meddle with matters aboue theyr capacitye Doost thou so obstinatelye stande in thy trecherie sayde the Knight Marke what will be the end of thy presumption Chap. LVII Howe Palmerin hauing thus brought away Valerica conducted her to the Caue to her beloued Varnan and there confirmed the agreement of their loue BEfore we passe any further you shal vnderstande that the Knight thus contending with Palmerin was Hermes who the King sent after the Lady with Frysol to make deliueraunce of the Castle as you haue heard before he béeing Palmerins Fréende yet neither knowing the other For Hermes tooke such regard of yâ— ladies coÌ„plaint as he marked not Palmerin before he put on his helmet Palmerin séeing that Hermes woulde néedes trye his fortune encountred him with such a rough stroke as downe hee fell to the ground Hermes thinking his head was shyuered in a hundred péeces so Palmerin called Hermes Squire commaunding him to helpe vp the Lady or else he woulde sende him after his Maister The Squire alighted and hâ—lpe vppe the Ladye rewarding her with an infinite number of cursses because his Maister had sped so ill by her meanes Trust mée Lady quoth Palmerin though you thinke my labour but ill bestowed yet such is the regarde of the solitary Varnan as ending the Hell of torments he suffers I must néedes holde better opinion of my paines With these and such like spéeches hée be guiled the time till they came néere to Varnans Caâ—e who to take the ayre was there walking vnder the Trées but when hee sawe Palmerin returned and a Lady with him yea perceiuing well that it was Valerica they were no sooner alighted but he caught her in his armes saying Is it possible swéete fortune that after so long mishap and when all hope was vtterly gone thou canst affoord me this gracious faâ—our Ah happy eyes that haue powred forth such showers of teares what felicity may compare with yours coÌ„templating now the rare beauty of your mistresse May it be that after so many insupportable torments the meane therof shuld return such pleasure comfort and sollace Depart then teares pack hence lamentations gréefe torments all melancholy conceits get you else-where in the most barbarous countries of the world make your abiding for she coÌ„mands you hence in whom coÌ„sists my special coÌ„tentment O fortunate knight how may I recompence this inexplicable kindâ—es surmouÌ„ting al other that euer was heard of impossible is it for me 〈◊〉 requite this fauor though al my possessions life body and spirit were bound to your seruice But heauen will supply my want and continue 〈◊〉 in as great happinesse as your noble bountie hath brought me comfort Forbeare these spéeches sayd Palmerin albeit I had doone a thousand times as much yet should I but accomplishe what one Christian owes to another I pray you therefore let vs go into your Caue least we be espied and so preuented beside I am so ouerwatched as I cannot stand on my féete through want of sléepe Valerica séeing her selfe in such an vncouth place and in his custody she most â—etested her angry stomacke would not suffer her to speake one word but when â—he had a while rested her selfe on a seate of Hearbes and flowers which Varnan diligently preparâ—d Palmerin said â—ehold Madame Valerica sée in what place in what solitary austere and sharpe kind of life your Varnan liues by your commandement now â—éeing time and fortune is so fauourable let not your rigâ—r and disâ—aine excéede their muâ—abiliâ—y Consider a little what gréefes hee hath endured in this comfortlesse place which veryly haue béene so great as all the pleasures in the world cannot recompence the verye leaste 〈◊〉 them I beséech you then if héeretofore you haue borne him hard liking let it now be forgottâ—n and if vnaduisedlye 〈◊〉 hath any way offeÌ„ded yoâ— let his long torâ—eÌ„ts surpasâ—ing loyalty sâ—ruel now for satisfaction take him to your 〈◊〉 as yâ— most perfect and faithful 〈◊〉 in England You likewise sir Varnan without remembrance of your 〈…〉 or her too rigorous refusals héeretofore take her as your lady wife and in al honor vnite your self to her by preseÌ„t spéeches for séeing I â—aue brought her hither it will remaine a continual reproch to me if you should not accept her as your spouse and wife Ah my Lord ê™ Varnan with right good wil shall I accomplish your command so it may stand with my ladies liking for héerin is comprised the whole sum of my desires Ah miserable beyond al other said Valerica to Palmerin must I by a varlet be subiected to so vile an extreamiâ—y and constrained to take him for my husbande whoÌ„ I cannot affect he being the most false and cowardly Knight yâ— euer I knew must I against my fathers wil and by my Traytors procurement that hath so abused me as no vertuous knight would so haue wronged a Lady be coÌ„pelled to my mariage heauen cannot like héereof rather well I die then doo the thing shal return me such reproch Theâ— shriked she sopitâ—ifully as though she had bene quite distraught of her sences which Varnan beholding beganne thus to complaine Ah gentle Knight what gréefe is it to heare her in these torments whom I loue much better then mine owne life and for whom I rather desire to die then not to â—nioye her with her owne liking I cannot liue séeing her in these â—fflictions and therefore conuay her againe to her fathers house and no sooner shall shée be departed hence but life will â—orsake this forlorne Carkasse then shall 〈…〉 how faithfullye I loued
Palmerin 〈…〉 of Valerica sayd By God Lady I thinke in all the 〈…〉 not a more cruell and disâ—oyall 〈◊〉 then you are perswade your selfe that if I take the paine to carry you againe to your fathers Castle I shall 〈…〉 there in such sorte as all your life time repentance will hardly â—xcuse you And to speake the truth Varnan dooth much more then you deserue if you well remember your selfe and for you are so stubborne I shall giue you the desart offering to drawe his Sworde that such ingratefull and trecherous women woorthily merit Vaâ—erica afrâ—yde when shée saw him in such choler and doubting hée would discouer her incontinent loue past threwe her selfe at his féete desiring him to appease his anger shée would obey what ere he commaunded For ê™ she séeing my fortune hath brought me into his company who for his vnfeigned loue to me hath so long suffered woonderfull calamities well might I be â—stéemed of brutish nature if I did not acknowledge it therefore I will be his wife and giue him my faith héere in your presence Palmerin well pleased with this aunswere â—ooke her vp by the hand and taking Varnan by the other espâ—used them there togither by solemne promises and afterwarde laide him downe to rest himselfe a while Then Varnan taking Valerica in his armes with swéete kisses and amorous speeches expelled all former 〈◊〉 estéeming himselfe the happiest Knight in the whole worlde hauing now at length obtayned the fauour of his Mistresse giuing her to vnderstande howe acceptable the gift of pittie was comming from so â—are a creature to her languishing beloued Palmerin séeing them so well agréede would nowe depart and leaue them to their fortune but by earnest importunitie of these louers he stayed there longer then hee entended Now was the loue betwéen these twaine far greater then theyr hatred had béeene so that after they had stayed thrée or foure dayes in the Caue with such entertainment as the Dwarfe could 〈…〉 of Valerica continuing long time togither in comfort of their loue and ending their liues in loyaltie thereof Chap. LVIII How Palmerin after he departed from Varnan and Valerica met with two Ladies in chase one of theÌ„ giuing him a Faulcon And what happened to him against the duke of Gaule his twelue Knights out of whose hands he deliuered Hermes WHen Palmerin sawe Varnan and Valerica so well contented after many offers of their seruice and kinde a diewes deliuered on al sides he left them in their Uault and set forwarde on his iourney lodging yâ— night in an auncient knightes castle where he vnderstood how the brethren of the slaine Knight besieged Valericas father in his Castle Wherefore he turned an other course and leauing the broad way that guided to London he met two ladies accompanied with thrée squires who had cast off a faulcon and a Martin to â—lie the sight whereof so highly contented him as he would néeâ—es tarry to sée the end thereof which made one of the Ladies thus speake to him I sâ—e sir knight you haue no hast on your iournie because you staie to behold our pastime therfore if you will go with vs to a water héereby you shall there sée a braue â—light indéede such worthy gamâ— is there so pleÌ„tifull my faulcon so good as she will neuer faile Palmerin who aboue all pastimes loued Hauking rode with the Ladies to the Marshes by their Castle where they hadds such excellent sporte at Heron Duck and Mallard as the day beguiling them Palmerin was forced to stay with them that night When they were come to the castle Palmemerin manned the Ladies Faulcon so wâ—ll as though all his life time hee hadde béene a Faulconer The Lady séeing him so braue a Geâ—tleman so courteous afâ—able 〈◊〉 in behauiour and that he tendered her Hauke so gently was immediately supprised with his loue so that she desired to knowe of whence hée was whâ—me she could so gladlye affoorde to chuse for her beloued and hauing long earnestlye beheld him shée sayd Sir Knight that I may entertaine you as your estate beseemeth I pray you tell me your nanie whither you trauaile Lady quoth Palmerin I am a straunger who by fortune on the Sea was brought to this Countrey and because the King had warre against the Emperour of Allemaigne I remained a while héere as a souldiour attending a prosperous winde to conuay me home againe into my natiue Countrey The Ladye hearing this and iudging him one of the famous Knightes that came to the Courte loued him more earnestly then shée did before prouiding such surpassing delightes for him as shee wished that night hadde béene a yeere in length The Tables withdrawne and many pleasaunt spéeches past betwéenâ— Palmerin and the Ladies Daughter shée conducted him to his Chamber wishing if her honour might so auouche it that Palmerin neuer might haue any other bedfellowe But leauing him to his good rest shée departed to her chamber where little sléepe suffised her that night In the morning Palmerin called for his Horse to beegon the Lady very sorowfull to forgo his companye but séeing shée had no meane to holde him she sayde Séeing your departure Syr may not bée denied I would present you with the Faulcon which yesterday did so speciallye content you which if you please to accept for my sake I shall not forget the honour you haue doone me chéefely that you vouchsafed to stay héere this night béeing as welcome hither as the King himselfe Séeing it is your pleasure Madame sayd Palmerin to bestâ—we your Faulcon on mée I accept it as the onelye thing you could giue me and by the faith of a Knight I promise you that I will kéepe it for your sake and neuer parte therewith if by force or villainie it bée not taken from mée Thâ— Ladye so ioyfull héereof as might be deuised caused the Faulcon to be brought to him Héere must you note that this is the selfe-same Ladye which sent the Faulcon to Varnan and loued him so déerely as after she vnderstoode hee had forsooke the Countrey shée gaue her selfe altogither to this recreation Her Father perceiuing how shée was affected suffered her to take her pleasure sending her euermore the best Haukes that could be gotten But it came so to passe that two Faulcons so fréendlie giuen and in the like sortâ— taken prooued very vnfortunate to both the Knightes causing them to curâ—â—e the houre that euer they accepted thâ— Ladyes liberalitie came néere her Castle or sawe her Haukes as you haue already heard by solitary Varnan and héereafter shall perceiue in Palmerins fortune hée being departed from the Ladye rode two dayes togither without any aduenture till at length hee came to the Tent where the Duke of Gaules Knightes guarded the passage which scant pleased Palmerin because he imagined if hée fought with them he should be deceiued in his intent and not sé◠Trineus so soone as hée would whom he left at the Court expecting his comming wherefore
Frisol had recouered his health Chap. LX. Howe Palmerin Hermes and Colmelio returned to London and the good entertainment the king of England made them AFter that Frisol was returned from the Combate Palmerin after many embracings of Colmelio went with him to the fountaine where hee left Hermes all thrée togither making no little ioy Colmelio for his happie finding of Palmerin and he for the loue of his supposed brother and Hermes for the comfort hée shoulde bring the King his Maister béeing able nowe to acquaint his highnesse with Palmerins name which hée was loath any in the English Court shoulde knowe wherefore he sayde Nowe can you not my Lord hereafter bide your name though you haue béene daintie of it all this while It is true Syr quoth Palmerin albeit I little thought to be discouered so soone but séeing it is so come to passe my hope is in yâ— highest who wil defend me in all mine attempts now tell me Colmelio what newes in Greece Truly my Lord quoth he the discourse will be long and tedious therefore if you pleasâ— to mâ—unt on horsebacke it will serue well to shorten the thought of our iourny So as they rode towards London Colmelio began to discourse in how many places he had â—â—â—ght him in Greece and how at length he heard of him at Macedon by report of his coÌ„quest of the serpent at the mountaine Artiâ—aeria which was the meane that broâ—gâ—â— the King of Macedon to his former health Afterward how he left Greece trauailing into Allemaigne and froÌ„ thence into England at what time the Emperors power was discomfited and hearing great fame of Frisol his late Maister he spent some time in his seruice not doubting but by his meanes to find the man he looked for Palmerin was somewhat mooued hearing Colmelio so commend Frisol wherefore he demaunded of him if he knewe any thing of that Knights linage No my Lord quoth he but I can assure ye that he is one of the most gentle Knights in the world and he concealeth his parentage very secretly which makes me iudge he is disceÌ„ded of royal birth After Colmelio had ended his discourse he repeated to him some parte of his fortunes in the end perswading him that hée would remunerate his paines in séeking him and in time manifest the loue he bare him By this time they were come to the Citie of London Hermes riding before to the pallace where he aduertised the king how Palmerin was returned to yâ— Citie which newes so highly contented the king as oftentimes he imbraced Hermes for bringing the man he long desired to sée but Trineus and Ptolome excéeded him in ioy and mounted presently on horsebacke to go méete theyr fréend when so many embracings courteâ—â—es and kinde gratulations had passed betwéene them as is vsuall at the méeting of long absent louers Ah my Lord and fréend quoth Trineus how long hath Fortune kept you from me why did you depart not vouchsafing a farewel What earnest occasion might cause such an vnking departure trust me I perswaded my selfe in respecte of the long continuaunce of our amitie that death could not procure such a seuere enterprise My Lord quoth Palmerin it séemeth you haue some cause to complain of mée but wheÌ„ you vnderstand how matters haue happened you will not condemne me altogither For at the time of my departure I thought verely to return the next day following but such importunate affaires continually fell out as I could not return till this very instant Ptolome said as much as Trineus did notwithstanding this fortunate meeting forbad all further accusations and they became as good friendes as euer they were So rode they to the Pallace where the king attending theyr comming perceiued at length they were entred the Hall when Palmerin falling on his knée kissed his highnesse hand who very honourably embracing him saide Where hath my noble friend béene so long What crooked fortune hath caused your so long absence you departed from vs in blacke Armour I pray you tell vs where did you conquere these sumptuous Armes by the loue you beare to chiualrie and to mee satisfie me in my demaund Palmerin séeing the king coniured him so straightly reported the truth of all his aduentures howe he had that armour of the Ladie whose daughter hee deliuered and left his owne there broken in péeces The king embracing him againe saide I cannot be perswaded but all especiall aduentures high good fortunes and chéefest honours in the world are onely reserued for you and among all the rest most maruailous is this of the Castle in the enchaunted Lake which many knights haue heretofore attempted but returned with the losse of their horses Armour and with great dishonour Thrise welcome are you for these happy tydings as also for your gentle courtesâ—e to Erisol who is a knight of most honourable reputation But in regarde of your wearisome trauailes it is verie requisite that you nowe go rest your selfe therefore lette some body helpe to disarme you and betake your selfe on Gods name to your Chamber Palmerin reputed the kings councell most expedient and therefore did as hee commaunded him so hauing reposed himselfe a while hee came to sée howe the Quéene and her daughter fared who would not suffer him to departe before hee hadde likewise acquainted her with all his fortunes especially the whole circumstaunce of his traâ—â—ile at the Caâ—â—le of the Lake But night being come and euerie one betaking themselues to rest Palmerin demaunded of the Prince how hee â—â—llâ—wed his desires and what hee had concluded as concerning his loue Ah dâ—â—re fréende sayd Trineus why aske you mée that question doo you not thinke that hauing so lost you I likewise was disappointed of any meane to helpe mee know then that at this instant I am in the middest of all my misfortunes for so badly hath it happened that I am now further from Agriola then euer I was and I shall tell you how Not many dayes since as I was familiarlye deâ—ising with my Ladye the Duke of Gaules daughter chaunced to hearâ— such amorous spéeches as passed betwéene the Princesse and mée wherby she gathered that Agriola made some estimation of me whereupon shée laboured to cause my Mistresse in shorte time mislike what I hadde so long trauailed to perswade her with as thus That it ill beséemed a Princesse of her account of so gracious discent and Daughter to such a mightie King to conferre with straungers or vouchsafe a listening to any thing they sayde for they were none such as she reputed them but after they hadde brought a Ladyes honour in daunger they then were satisfied as they vsed it for a custome among theyr companions And so well could shée féede the Princesse humour with these suborning and spightfull detractions which séemed to her as swéete and freendlye perswasions that in stéede of the little loue I latelye conquered I finde nothing but frownes and disdaine that she will scant affoord mée a
looke Which discourtesie hath well nere driuen me to dispayre in regarde of her slender opinion of mee as being so hindered onely through your absence Often I determined with Ptolome to leaue the Courte and followe you in trauaile but the King by no meanes woulde permit mée sending many of his owne Knightes because I shoulde not go yet was I resolued that had you not come no displeasure whatsoeuer shoulde haue helde mée héere but to finde you I intended or loose my life This falles out very harde quoth Palmerin for by these meanes we shall stay héere God knowes how long beside Hermes knowes my name which makes me doubt least we shal be reuealed the Emperour likewise may be offended at our long tarriaunce In regarde of all this good Prince I thinke it best that we sende your squire and Vrbanillo my Dwarffe to aduertise his Maiestie of our affaires and how by reason of the tempest we were cast quite out of course so far as we could not by any meanes assist his Armie not doubting but to sée his highnesse in very short time In the meane while we may practise meanes to win the Princesse fauour againe and so in good time departe hence with the honourable prize that we came for Trineus was newlye reuiued with these spéeches wherefore he desired that betimes in the morning hée would dispatche theyr Seruauntes towardes Allemaigne Which Palmerin fayled not to doo in respect of a dreame he had the night before for he imagined that he sawe his Lady Polynarda in meruailous heauinesse and that she sayde to him Alas my Lord what shall become of me for I am narrowly sought to be seperated from you This fearefull vision so discouraged him as he sent thence his Dwarfe to shewe her what trouble he hadde with his dreame and how constant he remained in his loue to her Chap. LXI How Palmerin promised the princesse Agriola to conâ—ay her out of England with his friendes which he performed to the speciall content of the prince Trineus EArly on the next morning Palmerin arose and wrote a letter to his Lady Polinarda wherin he secretly put a ring which shee gaue him when he departed from her straightly commaunding Vrbanillo that hee shoulde diligently attende on the Princesse till hee came which should bée with all the spéede hee could possible Ptolome likewise wrote to his Ladiâ— Brionella and these Letters dispatched the Messengers immediatly sette forwarde on theyr iourney From this time Colmelio was Palmerins Squire which pleased him very well because hee knewe that Palmerin was nobly borne so that by his meanes in time hee should rise to preferment This day the king would ride abroade a Hunting which gaue Palmerin occasion to sée the Faulcon fliâ— béeing reputed by the king and all his traine to be the best that euer flew In this time of recreation Hermes reported to the King that the knight so long absent was named Palmerin and the same knight that woonne so much honour in Fraunce which so well contented the king as he more and more desired his companie summoning all his Barons and Lordes to his Courte where hee made such feastes triumphs and other sportes for the honour of the noble Palmarin and his companions as the like had not béen of long time before At night when the Maskers Mumeries and Moriscoes were in presence that Palmerin espied conuenient time to talk with the princesse he tooke her aside to a window and thus began Madam before I begin what I haue to acquaint you withal I must giue you this ring as I was commanded by the lady of the castel in the lake the singular vertues thereof are such as I intreate you to kéepe it coÌ„tinually on your finger which Agriola receiuing with a curteous reuerence faithfully promised to accomplish his request then Palmerin with earnest affection on his friends behalfe thus continued his discourse I cannot but maruell fayre Princesse you being a Ladie of so speciall qualitie renowmed among the most vertuous creatures in the world for your rare integrity profound iudgemeÌ„t that you will be gouerned by the vnaduised perswasioÌ„s of other which I would not beléeue had not the Prince Trineus certenly assured me how since my departure in stéed of fauorable countenance and the intreatance beséeming so great a Lord he can haue nothing but frownes disdaine coy regard which is as easy for him to indure as a thousand deaths one after another Assure your self so farre beguiled as your councellers disswade you froÌ„ your chéefest good desirous to withhold you from the height of honour wherof you cannot faile being matched in mariage with the most vertuoâ—s Prince Trineus Make you no small account that he being one of the most noble states on the earth hath left his parents his friends and countrey hath past so many strange vncouth regions hath aduentured the iniurie of the seas bâ—aten with so many bitter blastes and raging billowes euerie minute in daunger of Shipwracke all for your loue Thinke you that he being son to the Emperour of Allemaigne attending euery day the rule of the Empire that he came hither to you in hope of your rich dowrie No trust me Madame and I thinke your own conscience doth so resolue you that néerer home he could haue found other endued with larger possessions then this Realme affords you But hearing the fame of your manifold vertues rare life choise beautie and all other good gifts he was willing wtout regard of his owne estate to thrust himselfe in daunger yea to forget himselfe for your loue which hitherto he hath with religious seruice intreated and except you intertaine him with more gracious fauour he is in danger of life Which if it should happen by your occasion for euer you shal be noted of monstrous ingratitude and Christendome should sustain a losse vnrecouerable How far such a thought ought to be froÌ„ you I leaue to your own coÌ„struction If hitherto you haue knowne me a knight readie to support the causes of Ladies far beneath your height thinke you I haue not greater reason to honour you yea not a moue you with any request but what may euery way aduance your credite And though my lord Trineus were not of the blood imperiall yet might his gentle heart vnfeigned loue and â—urpassing humanitie cause you to make choyse of him aboue all other whatsoeuer they be But séeing it so falles out that you will not regard good counsell following rather the perswasion of mean capacities whose iudgemeÌ„ts may not reach to so high occasions continue in your obstinacie and marke the end of such indiscréet consures I sée that our company is yrksome to you therfore sooner then you imagin we will remoue that occaâ—â—on I knowe well enough that you intend to match with the duke of Gaule who is but your fathers subiect so refusing yâ— degrée of an Empresse you shall tarry in England and be a Dutchesse Thinke you that if my
the ship and mariners ready and getting all aboord the wind seruing for their auaile they set saile and before day they got farre enough from London Chap. LXII How the king of England and the Queene were aduertised how their daughter Agriola was conuayed away and of their sorrow for her departure THe Duke of Gaules daughter who continually was bedfellow to the Princesse absenting her selfe very long from bed fearing to disquiet her Ladie being sicke as she supposed but comming at length to sée hâ—w shee fared finding the bedde emptie and Agriola gone shee presently made a great out-crie whereat the other Ladies came and altogither amazed at this sudden aduenture went to the Quéenes Chamber where they reported how the Princesse was gone but howe or when they knew not The Quéene at these tydings suddenly arose and comming to her daughters Chamber found it too true which made her fal into such pitiful acclamations farre surpassing those of Maguelona when she lost her friend Peter of Prouince in the wood In these lamentings shee returned to the king whose heauines excéeded iudgment for the losse of his daughter and then came diuerse lords gentlemen who declared that the strange Knights were likewise departed Which raised such a â—umour through all the Citie that they had stolen away the Princesse The King vnderstanding the general sorow for his daughters absence said In sooth my friends if these Knights haue done such seruice for mée they haue sufficiently recompenced themselues in doing me the greatest dishonour they could deuise yet wil I not condemne them so much as my daughter for that I am perswaded shée procured this mischaunce But nowe I well perceiue what credit a maÌ„ may repose in his enemy for Palmerin euermore serued the Emperour of Allemaigne then hâ—rdly could he be true to mee Yet is it in vain for me to blame him or his companions if they tookâ— the aduauntage of their owne intents But now there 〈◊〉 no remedy my daughter is in the company of most chosen knights if she haue done well or ill hereafter her deserts will answer her misdemeanour Thus the king would not suffer any pursute after them though the Quéen and her Ladies earnestly intreated him he answering that no such mone should be made for a child so vngrateful 〈◊〉 disobedient but hauing committed an action so â—ile â—â—â—rme she should no more account of her as 〈◊〉 childe And well may wee quoth hee so refuse her in that she wouâ—â— leaue her parents and depart with straungers 〈◊〉 might we haue accounted our selues if we had lost her in her infancie The Quéene séeing her â—ord so impatient appeased his displeasure so well as she could because shee would not mooue him too much Within few dayes after the Duke of Gaule arriued at the Court who most of all gréeued at thâ—se vnhappy tidings wherefore he perswaded the king to proclaime open warre against the Emperour of Allemaigne assuring him that the knight which most commonly accompanied Palmerin was Trineus the Emperors sonne When the king heard the Dukes spéeches forgetting his anger he reioyced estéeming himselfe happy and his daughter wise in matching her selfe with such a husband and if she had made her choyse among al the Princes of the world shee could not haue sorted out one comparable in honor In bréefe aunswered the duke that for a daughter so lost he would not séeke the death of his louers and subiects but being one of Fortunes changes he could not withstand it and thus the king wisely and patiently entâ—red hiâ— gréeâ—e Chap. LXIII How Vrbanillo and the Prince Trineus Esquire arriued at the Emperours Court and what great ioy their comming procured IN this place â—ur history taketh this occasion howe the King of Fraunce daily expecting newes from Palmerin as concerning his intent of marriage betwéene his daughter and the Prince Trineus but séeing he heard no tidings at all he determined to send his ambassadâ—rs to the Emperor electing for chéefâ— in this embassage the Count of Aâ—mignac to whom hee gaue ful power authority to conclude the marriage betweene Trineus his daughter Lucemania as also of the princesse Polinarda with his son and heyre The king dispatching al things for his ambassage sent many â—arons and knightâ— of name to accompany the Count to countenance the matter with more royaltie magnificence and in this maner they came to Gaunt where the Emperour being aduertised of theyr arriuall 〈◊〉 no grâ—at account thereof such was his gréefe for his sonneâ— absence Palmerins of whom he could not heare any tidings as also for the foyle his Armie sustained in England But while the messenger from the ambassadours of Fraunce stayed with the Emperour Vrbanillo and the princes Squire entred the hall whose presence highly contented the Emperour as embracing them very louingly he demaunded for Palmerin and his sonne Trineus when they deliuering their letters and the Emperour perswaded therby of their spéedie return was greatly contented saying to the Ambassadours messenger My fréend séeing I haue heard such long looked for tidings of my sonne you may returne to the 〈◊〉 your maister desiring him to come when hee thinks conuenient he shall be heartily welcome to me with this answer the messenger departed TheÌ„ the emperor taking Vrbanillo by yâ— hand said Tel me now I pray thée how fares thy maister where is he is my sonne with him My gracious lord quoth the dwarâ—e where your noble son abideth there is my maister both of â—â—â—ght good disposition and highly honored And hereof I can assure your maiesty yâ— you haue a son who by good reason 〈◊〉 to be numbred among the best knights liuing for such honourable experience hath hee made of his worthines that perpetuall memorie will recorde his déeds of chiualry what els remaineth you shal know at their comming which will be so soone as they can possibly I euer perswaded my selfe said the Emperour that in the company oâ— so good a knight as Palmerin my son could not but purchase credit and honour the refore séeing they haue such prosperity of health I care the lesse for their stay but welcome are they whensoeuer they come By this time Polinarda heard of the Dwarfes arriual which greatly pleasing her she sayd to Brionella I pray thée swéete fréend go spéedily and séeke the Dwarfe that we may knowe what is become of our Lords and my brother Trineus Brionella who longed to heare of hir loue Sir Ptolome whom wel she knew to be one of the companie with all spéed accomplished the Princesse commandement and found the ioyfull messenger with the Emperour who tooke great delight in the Dwarfes reports but his maiestie perceiuing with what chéerefull countenance she came to bring Vrbanillo to her Lady the princesse bad him go with her hoping by his meanes his Daughters extreame sadnesse would be comforted Brionella béeing forth of the Emperours presence embraced him many times to know his tydings when the Dwarfe not
ignorant of the Ladyes passions deliuered Ptolomes letter to chéere her but wheÌ„ the Princesse saw Vrbanillo comming with the teares in her eyes she ranne apace to méete him and casting her armes about his neck embraced him verie often saying Tell me Vrbanillo tell mee how fares my brother thy Maister Palmerin Madame quoth the Dwarfe so well as your owne heart can wish and will ere long be héere with you Then deliuered he yâ— letter froÌ„ Trineus which certified her of his short returne that hee would bring with him yâ— thing she most estéemed But the wag knowing she expected other matters and that her brothers medicine was not sufficient for her cure he gaue her his masters letter when she hastily breaking open yâ— seale found the ring which her loyal friend had sent her and after she had welcomd it with many deuout kisses she put it on hir finger with these words I charge thée kéepe this token safely in witnesse of the knights gentlenesse that sent it whome my heart hath made speciall choyse of aboue all other Then reading the letter and discréeâ—ly considering not without great eâ—fuse of teares the swéet words humble supplications entire excuses extreame passions that her friend continually suffered for her loue deliuering many bitter sighs she said Ah my true and loyall friend I beléeue wel and take in good part your cause of absence béeing assured that if possibly you could returne sooner nothing should stay you from the place where yâ— only remedie of your dolorous gréefes abideth But séeing for my loue you may not forsake my brother I pray you for your continuall safetie and spéedie conduction to your longing desires that mine eies ouerwatched with tedious expectation my hart néere tired with bootlesse wishings may by your presence be thorowly coÌ„forted Afterward Vrbanillo bréefely reported to her the noble actions of his Lord and maister the loue of Ttineus to the Princesse Agriola discribing her beautie and rare perfections whereupon Polinarda thus answered Beléeue mee Vrbaniâ—lo if the Princesse be so faire as thou saist she is her great vertues and firme loyaltie likewise comparable enuie false report shal not impeach her to be reckoned among the most happie Ladies of the world and her desires wil be as honorably effected as with vertuous thoughts she first began them The like I doubt not will happen to thy maister for fortune hath euermore so specially fauored him as now it were against reason shée should alter her countenance So departed the Dwarfe from the Princesse returning to the Emperor who by no meanes could get any other tidings of his son then what you haue heard which made him doubt the dwarfe iuggled with him The next day the Emperour sent his chéefest Lords and Barons to conduct the French ambassadors to the court which was sumptuously hanged with Tapistrie especially the great hall which was adorned with costly cloth of gold and rich purple as it had béene the Pallace of Salomon The Ambassadours entertained with maruailous royaltie hauing deliuered the summe of their embassage the Emperour answered that hée would conferre thereon with his councel in me any while they might returne to their lodgings After they were departed the hall the Emperour demanded of the princes electours and the rest of his nobilitie if these marriages of his sonne and daughter with the heire and princesse of Fraunce might not be granted as well for the vtilitie and honor of the Empire as for the generall benefit of Christendome commanding them to speake their iudgements without feare The Lords altogether answered that the mâ—tion was so good the aliance so honorable as it was no way to be misliked I will then quoth he talke with the empresse that she may vnderstand hir daughters opinion then my lords of France shal be answered So leauing them hee went to the Empresse chamber to whom he reported his agréement with his councel which pleased her likewise maruailous wel but when shâ— had a little considered on the matter she answered that but little could be said before Trineus returned home againe You reason well quoth the Emperour but in meane time I pray you â—ouÌ„d your daughters iudgement yâ— we may returne our brother of Fraunce some certain answer Which she promised to do so departing froÌ„ her lord she went to her daughters chaÌ„ber where hauing coÌ„manded her ladies aside she thus began Faire daughter it is the emperors pleasure and mine that you marrie with the eldest sonne and heire of Fraunce and your brother Trineus with his sister for hee is one of the most renowned kings in Europe his son recounted among the best knights of the world for which good fortune you may thanke the heauens that so great a prince offers his Sonne to be your husband Aduise your selfe of your answer for by your opinion must the ambassadors be dispatched hence who came to the court for nothing else but to conclude these honorable marriages Polinarda hearing yâ— words of her mother was surprized with such sodain heauines as she could not tel what to answer but fearing the Empresse should perceiue that her loue was already determined with sad countenance thus replied Madame you know what promise I made my brother the day when he departed from the Court in the presenâ—â— of you and all the nobility that I would not marry before his returne and me thinks I were greatly to be blamed and well worthy gréeuous reprehension if I shoulde so falsifie my word which I cannot do without impeach of myne honor And héerein shall I follow the laudable bertue of the Emperor my father who euermore estéemed his promise aboue al earthly possessions Beside I can assure you that my brother wil neuer marry with the princesse Lucemania for he loues one many degrées beyond her and may I speake it without offence one of the most beautifull Ladyes that euer nature framed Thus Madame my Father and you haue excuses sufficient auayleable wherewith to aunswere the king of France It may be quoth the empresse that your brother loues els where but I can tell ye that neyther hée nor you shall do any thing contrary to the Emperors commandement Polinarda séeing her mother persist in her opinyon bit in her sorrowes with many secret sighs yet knew she so wel how to dissemble her passions as the Empresse could not discerne her priuat meaning So returned she to the Emperor aduertising him of hir daughters answere wherat he was so offended as in great anger hee came himselfe to his Daughter saying Why howe now Daughter are you so bolde to disobey my commandemeÌ„t or dare you repugne against my wil al is to no end that you haue babled with your mother for will ye or no it shall bée as I haue appoynted I knowe right well dread Lord and father quoth she that I ought no way to deny your pleasure but rather wil I die a thousand deaths then consent
to match with the Sonne of Fraunce considering what promise I haue made my brother and if I should so farre dishonour my selfe as not to regarde what I haue promised I were not worthy hereafter to be called your daughter Thus stoode she resolute in her answere and therewith shedde such aboundance of teares as the Emperour was constrayned to tell the Ambassadours that the marriages could not be concluded till the returne of Trineus notwithstanding he granted all the articles of their embassage The princesse qualliâ—â—ing her gréefe as well as shee could sent for the Dwarfe and taking him by the hand sayde Alas my freend I am now in yâ— greatest perplexity in the world neuerthelesse one thing comforts me that thou be holdest the true loue and loyaltie I beare thy maister which neuer shal be broken what euer become of me And would to God he were now heere then would I speake it openly without feare of any that I am â—is and he myne Madame quoth the Dwarfe if you continue faithfull to my maister perswade your selfe of his assurance for he building on your constancie takes such continual pleasure in remembring you that it is the onely meane that preserues his life and you may be bâ—lde to credit me that if your brothers loue did not with-hold him he would haue bin here long ere this but he wil come soone inough I hope to end this doubt As for me I am of the opinion that heauen wil not suffer so good a knight to die but first wil permit him to sée his mistris Die quoth the princesse sooner let all the knights in the world ende theyr dayes and the eldest Sonne of Francâ— likewise though hée loue mée so déerely so might I be rid of these importunate Ambassadours The Emperour séeing hée could get no other answer of his daughter concluded with the French ambassadors that so soone as his son was returned he should be aduertized and so for that time they might depart but the empresse and he first bestowed on them many rich presents and so in short time they arriued againe in Fraunce where great ioye was made in hope of these marriages albeit they little thought the Prince Trineus would tarrie so long Aboue all other the French prince was most ioyfull hearing the Countie of Armignac report the wonderfull beauty of Polinarda but â—he good Lady was of another mind for she had rather bâ— take her self to a Cloister then to breake her faith to Palmerin whom shée loued so constantly Thus leaue we her conferring with Vrbanillo returning to Palmerin and the Prince Trineus Chap. LXIIII. ¶ How Palmerin beeing thus on the Sea caused Trineus there to marrie the Princesse Agriola THis noble company being thus on the Sea hauing winde at will sayled with such expedition as in fourâ— dayes they had gotten farre enough from England and the prince séeing Agriola very pensiue and sad comforting her with many swéete kisses and taking her by the hande thus spake O soueraigne Creatour how shal I render sufficient thanks and praise to thée in graunting me the onely thing I desired Aâ— swéete madame and my onely mistresse Agriola howâ— much is your seruant indebâ—ed to you hath any knight more cause to honour extol his lady then I Beléeue me fayre Princesse such are the rare effects of your gracious nature and I so ioyfull of my happie fortune as neither friend or father shall fetch you againe from mée Iâ— my life might endure the length of tenne menâ— and euery day I shuld accomplish wonders in your seruice yet could I not remunerate the least part of your Princely deserts But if your loue be such to me as I am right wel assured â—t is let me intreat you forbeare this heauines and banish from your thoughts your melancholy humours for seeing you so sad pensiue I suffer a torment worser then death it selfe Fâ—r lâ—t me perceiue how little soeuer it be yâ— my presence may be to your lyking our present enterprise somwhat more pleasing I fly to the heauens with conceit of happines and value my fortune aboue the reach of humane capacity In stéede of teares let vs vse quaint tearmes and for these dumps pleasant imaginations perswade your selfe Madam you are now in his custody that honours you for your vertues reuerenceth you for your diuine perfections extols you for incomparable merits and liues for you with his very vttermost endeuors Thinke not though you haue left your parents the fault is not pardonable for the new alyance wherein you haue combyned your self shal one day glad you with such speciall content that what you do imagine nowe a dangerous offence will bee reputed on act of prouidâ—nt and princely discretion Then shall you finde true what Palmerin hath spoken and his promises of preferment and imperial dignity shall be both rightly sufficiently perfoâ—rmed Let these perswasions if not my intreatyes excell these passions and procure better comfort Madam quoth Palmerin though you haue left your country consider the occasion yâ— loue of a mighty prince and the heauenly appoyntment that your noble vertues should be coupled together hath brought you from England to sit on the imperyal seate in Allemaigne How carefull we haue béene of your honor your selfe can witnes no motion béeing offered to preiudice your lyking That you are contracted before the only immortall witnes you wil not deny therfore to preuent all ensuing dangers the actual ceremony shal be héere celebrated and the royaltie thereof solemnized when we come into Allemaigne So if Himen claimes his due you may graunt it without reproch and Iuno will as well smile at her sacred offering here as if it were in bower or hall The credite of Princes are charie and angry parentâ—â— may hinder what heauen dooth further but the déede doon it cannot be recalled nor can you be diuorced but onelye by death and pittie were it loue so well begun but shouldâ— continue therefore so please you let it bée perfourmed The Princes both agreed they were there maried requiting theyr chast loue with a simpathie of vertuous desires but this time of delight and pleasure hadde small continuaunce for Fortune enemie to prosperitie accompanied with her eldest sonne Mischaunce conuerted their ioyes into sorrowe teares and paynes vnspeakeable as you shall reade héereafter These Louers thus ryding merilye on the streame suddenlye the Sea began to swell the winde chaunged roughly the Skyes were troubled and such a daungerous tempest beate vppon theyr Ship as the Pilot Maister and Mariners knewe not what to say and fiue dayes togither they were in this perplexitie sometime forwarde then againâ— backward that no hope of life was expected but euerye onâ— prepared themselues for death the implacable messenger of God for they could discerne no other remedie Agriola not accustomed to these daungers was meruailously discomforted but Trineus perswaded her with many examples in that such stratagems were vsuall on the Sea albeit shâ—â— to ende the feare
escaped valiantly PAlmerin béeing brought to his Chamber which was one of the most sumptuous in all the Pallace accoridng as the Princesse had appoynted he made signe to the Gentlman that attended on him to withdrawe himselfe for he was accustomed to bee alone in his chamber which he immediatly did being loath to offend him Palmerin béeing alone by himselfe gaâ—e thanks to the God of heauen who in midst of his misfortunes caused such a gracious Ladie to fauour him so kindly as defended his life when hee was in daunger and by whose means hée conceyued good hope to escape his enemies hands and to returne safely toward Allemaigne His meditations ended he betooke himselfe to rest and in the morning Linus the Gentleman that had him in charge came and presented him before the Soldane who commaunded him to bée carryed presently to the Lions Alchidiana vnderstanding that the dumbe Knight was with her Father sent him a rich Mantle of scarlet desiring him to weare it for her sake which hee putting about him went frankely with his kéeper to the Lions Denne where the doore béeing opened hée boldly entered desiring God to assist him in this perill Palmerin being in the Denne because none of the Lions should get forth to hurt any other howe euer God disposed of him made fast the doore after him and with his sworde drawne his Mantle wrapped about his arme went to sée how the beasts would deale with him The Lions comming about him smelling on his cloathes woulde not touch him but as it were knowing the bloud royall lay downe at his féete and licked him and afterward went to their places againe But there were among them thrée Leopards that furiouslie came and assayled him the formost where of hée paunched with his Sworde that hée was able to doo no more harme The other two although they had torne his Mantle and put him in verie great daunger as they that looked in at the windowes and creuises perceyued yet to their no little admiration in the end hée slue them both and so went forth of the Denne againe to whom Linus came and louingly taking him by the hand brought him to the Soldane to whom hee discoursed his fight with the Leopardes and howe gentle the Lions had beene to him The Soldane greatly astonished hereat made more estimation of him then hée did before and because the Lions refused to touch him reputed him of royall parentage Whereupon he sent for his Daughter praying her to intreate him not as a Knight but as a noble and vertuous Prince considering his behauiour so well deserued The Princesse entertayned him very graciously and hearing the successe of his happy fortune spake thus in the hearing of them all Because euery one shall know Sir knight how much I honour your good gifts I will cause my Father so well to loue you as hée shall repent himselfe a thousande tymes of the â—aunger hée put you to and so veriâ— louingly embracing him desired paâ—don on her own behalfe because she suffered him to be thrust to the Lions Palmerin in signe of attonement that hee was nothing displeased kissed her hand and sitting downe in a Chaire by her behelde Aâ—demia who resembled his Mistresse so equall in beautie and could not holde his eye from her so that hée conceiued such pleasure in his regard as he iudged it sustenance enough to maintaine life But she that was ignorant of the cause presumed that he loued her wherfore thenceforwart she began so amorously to affect him as shee enioyed no rest but in his presence Thus were these two Ladies Alchidiana and Ardemia touched with one disease and that so sharpely to the quicke that the least torment they endured séeing hée could neither speake nor vnderstand their language was woorse to them then death And so it fell out that each of them thinking her selfe best beloued concealed her thoughts from the other and would in no case be reputed amorous least so her desires should be discouered Alchidiana for arguments of her loue gaue him horses esquires seruants and pages so that the greatest Prince in the Court was no better equipped then he and in this fortune such was his mind that for all the honor and fauour the Soldane and his daughter bare him he did not outreach himselfe in behauiour but was benigne and full of courtesie that each one loued and desired to be familiar with him And if any enterprise of Ioustes or Tourneyes were in hand Palmerin was the formost in the field and carried the prize away from all whatsoeuer which incited Maulicus to loue him in such sort that he entertained him into such speciall credite as he would neuer resolue on any matter of importance without his shew of good liking And albeit the Princes of the Court shewed him good countenance yet Enuy that neuer can rest in ambitious hearts caused them in the ende to raise slaunder against him which Palmerin perceiued but being vnable to remedie awaited conuenient time for his departure notwithstanding the earnest affection Alchidiana bare him He knew likewise so well to disguise his matters that so often as the Princesse would hold him in talke he still feigned not to vnderstand her which made her iealous towards Ardemia her Cozin who by Alchidianaes iniuries and Palmerins refusall of her loue lost her life as you shall read in the chapters folowing Chap. VI. How the Prince Maurice sent his Ambassadors to the Soldane to desire safe conduct for his comming to the Court to trie if he could find any Knight there able to deliuer him of an extreame trouble that hee dured by enchauntment DUring the time that Palmerin was thus estéemed and beloued in the Court of the great Monarch of Assiria vpon a Sunday after dinner as the Soldane was in the great Hall conferring with his Daughter and many other great Princes and Lordes present there entred a Moore Knight armed except his Helmet and Gauntlets which were carried after him by two Squires and making his solemne reuerence humbled himselfe at Maulicus féete saying Most high and redoubted Monarch my soueraigne Lord Maurice sworne Prince of whole Pasmeria kisseth your highnesse hand sending to require your gracious safe conduct that himselfe may come to your Court to trie among all your knights if there bee any one so loyal and valiant as can deliuer him from a torment he endures the most cruell and straunge that euer was heard of and happened to him in this sort The King of Pasmeria great gouernour of the Moorâ—s and father to my Lord béeing vnable through extreme age to weilde the gouernment of his Realme gaue the administration thereof and made his Lieutenant generall my Lord Maurice a Knight so hardy and puissant as any of his time and so renowned for his beautie sagacitie and braue lineaments of body as there is none of the Kings of Iudea Egypt Ethiopia and neighbour Countreyes round about but gladly desire his 〈◊〉 and friendshippe So that
may wee beholde the soueraignitie of confident loue 〈…〉 then and certifie him of our pleasures and that we pray 〈◊〉 godâ— his 〈◊〉 may be in such an houre as hee may depart hence to his owne content yet am I greatly afraid that he shall not finde any Knight in our Court but hath eyther forfaited or failed towardes his Lady The Moore kissing the Solâ—ans hand and humbly taking his leaue returned to his Lord leauing the Soldane and his Knights admyring this rare accident so that hee exhorted euery one to aduenture his fortune at this Crowne to giue the greater assurance to their Ladies of their loyall fidelitie but many of them were herein deceiued for in stéede of prayse and glorie they receiued shame and reproch as you shall sée héereafter The Prince aduertised of the Soldans aunswere in hope of good successe sette forwarde on his iourney and the next day following hée came to Calpha where Maulicus caused him to be honourably lodged in the Cittie because that day he would not come to the Pallace On the morrow after that Lethea wife to the Soldane her Daughter Alchidiana the fayre Ardemia with many other Ladies and Princes were come into the Hall to sée the tryall of this noueltie Prince Maurice vnderstanding how the Soldane with all his courtly assistants stayed his comming went to the Pallace accompanied with a hundred Knights all clad in mourning blacke in signe of their continuall sorrow for their Princes misfortune There he was very royally entertained the Soldane causing him to sitte by him in a sumptuous Chayre of estate of purpose prouided and after many welcomes and kinde gratulations the Soldane demaunded how hee felt himselfe and whether hee sustayned any ease of his torment Ah my Lord quoth the prince I can not expresse to your maiestie the paine which I féele being a thousand times worse to mée then death and euerie houre enforcing mée to despayre but I must endure it with what patience I can till incomparable loyaltie discharge mee of this burthen With these words he lamented excéedingly so that each one was mooued to pittie him for such a burning flame continued in the Crowne and so fâ—rious heate procéeded from his mouth as sette the Hall in maruailouâ— hotnesse yet consumed hee nothing at all but in euery part was as formall as any other man Beloued Couzin said the Soldane for my selfe I will not enterprise to meddle with your Crowne for I doo not imagine my selfe so fauoured of loue as I can finish that wherein so many haue fayled nor would I willingly séeke mine owne dishonour being farre vnable to profit you as for my knights let them make proofe of theyr loyalty and spare not and sée which of them can winne the honour of this aduenture Hereupon Guiâ—â—haran brother to faire Ardemia first entred and 〈◊〉 to the enchaunted Prince sayd Trust me my Lord since I began my profession in loue I neuer committed any preiudice to my Lady therefore will I trie to end this enchauntâ—ient Then earnestly beholding Alchidiana for whose loue onely hee came to Court hée approched to the enchaunted Prince and pulâ— so hard as he could at the Crowne but hée crying aloude sayde For Gods sake Sir knight striue no longer for if by disloyaltie I could be cured I sée you are able to giue me remedie Alas in all my life I neuer felt like paine by any Knight that tried his fortune great neede haue you to doo seuere pennance if you will bée fauoured by loue any more towards whom you haue so haynously offended for my infirmitie may not be holpen but by loyaltie firmnesse faithfull persuit constant perseuerance and such other honoured vertues estéemed in loue whereof you haue not the least particular Thus retyred this newe louer more ashamed then a Uirgin to bee seene lightly disposed and so sate downe among the other 〈◊〉 whose fortune prooued as effectuall as the first to 〈◊〉 owne disgrace and great torment of the languishing 〈◊〉 The Kings and auncient Princes séeing the young Knights could doo no good put themselues in deuoire each one conceiuing so well of himselfe as if theyr fortune serued to ende the aduenture their yéeres should carrie the honour and they be renowned for euer by their Ladies but their vaine conceit and desire to accomplish an impossibilitie much abused them so that they shamefully remained frustrate in their intents and the paines of the enchaunted Prince greatly augmented who thus spâ—ke to them Truly my Lords it is the custome of your auncient and auâ—acious opinions to extoll your loueâ— and valour but for any thing I sée your olde yéeres haue much lesse merited amorous mercy then the indiscréete and vnconstant dealing of these yong Princes Then seeing that no other offered to prooue his vertue deliuering many greeuous sighs he sayde Unhappie wretch that I am howe much more had it béene to my ease and benefit if the Quéene of Tharsus whome I so 〈◊〉 offended would haue contented her selfe in her reuenge to cause mée be péece meale torne in sunder then thus haue deliuered me into this insupportable vexation the ende where of will neuer be accomplished séeing that in this honourable Court of my Lord the Soldane I find no one can giue me comfort Palmerin hearing the lamentation of this amorous 〈◊〉 fell into a profound imagination and after he had long regarded Ardemia who so liuely resembled his Mistresse Polynarda saide within himselfe Ah swéet Madame and onely mistresre vouchsafe at this instant to assist mee for by your succour I shall nowe make proofe of my faithfull and inuiolable loyaltie which neuer in ought offended you if not at Durace in affecting Laurana whom I simplie thought to be the Lady who was so often promised in my viâ—ions But seeing my thoughts neuer sorted to effects as also that I was deceiued in your name that ought not be imputed to me for any trespasse and therefore 〈◊〉 Goddesse bee fauourable to me Then surprised with sodaine ioy hée beganne againe earnestly to be holde the Princesse Ardemia who imagining her selfe onely beloued of him cast foorth a bitter sigh turning to Alchidiana 〈◊〉 Ah Madame and my déere Couzin what great fault hath this cruell Quéene committed appointing her Magique in such sorte as loyall and faithfull Ladies maye not be suffered héerein for deliueraunce of this yong and beautifull Princeâ— doubtlesse hee should sooner receiue helpe by them then by Knights 〈◊〉 much more loyally doo they loue then men and are in their affections firme and constant Alchidiana who felt her selfe touched with this intricate furie whereof the 〈◊〉 Ardemia complained suddainly coniectured whereto her sighes and faultering spéeches tended which raysed priuate conceit and such a vehement attaint of iealousâ—â— as she would not aunswere any worde but feigning to smell some discontented fauour turned her face the contrary way Palmerin looking round about him and séeing no one would meddle with the 〈◊〉 fell on his knée before the 〈◊〉
crauing 〈…〉 〈…〉 well be coniectured prostrated himselfe at Palmerins féete and with vnspeakable ioy thus said Most noble and fortunate Knight how much am I bound and indebted to thée right happie was the howre of thy byrth but much more happie my iourney to see thée let my word suffise I so far deliuer my selfe yours as my selfe my Subiects my possessions or whatsoeuer else is mine I fréely offer to your disposition Palmerin who euer bare the most noble minde of a Knight was displeased that so great a Prince shoulde honour him with such reuerence wherefore with great humilitie hée tooke him vppe in his armes causing him to sit downe where before hée did but the Soldane and all his Lords greatly amazed not so much at his courtesie as his 〈…〉 Chap. VIII How the â—ayre Princesse Ardemia enduring extreame passions and torments in loue made offer of her affections to Palmerin which he refused wherewith the Princesse through extreame conceit of greefe and despight suddainly died EAâ—â—â—ye may be coÌ„iectured the great pleasure of the two Ladies Alchidiana and Ardemia beholding the man 〈◊〉 they loued as their liues to haue the honour of the enchaunted 〈◊〉 for eacâ— of them seuerally perswaded her selfe that he had thus aduentured in hoâ—or of heâ— loue And as they returned from the Hall to their chambers Alchidiana came and tooke Palmerin by the hand and walking on with him thus spake Ah gentle knight how are you to bee regarded aboue all other I knowe not why the 〈◊〉 should depriue you of speeche except that in all things this onâ—lie excepted you should be perfectly resembled to theÌ„ Oh how happie is shee that might aduenture to make you her Seruant doubtlesse if in her appeare so singuler perfections as apparantly shew themselues in you well might it be reputed a rare coniunction when the celeâ—tiall 〈◊〉 gouerning 〈…〉 affections hath vnited you in â—o amiable alliaunce The Gentlemen that attended on the Princesse greatâ—â—â— murmured at this priuate familiaritie but shée 〈…〉 in her affections as virginall 〈…〉 now forgotten and earelesse of regarde openly shewed her desires Thus were these two Ladies now much more amorous of the dumbe Knight then before so that they were not well but eyther in his companyâ— or thinking on him Alchidiana remaining iealous of her Cozin seemed not to loue her as she was woont but deuised all the meanes shée could that she might be sent to her Fathers Court againe yet she that little made account thereof sought opportunitie to bewraye her loue to Palmerin and by hap séeing Alchidiana in the Gallerie conferring with two of her Ladies shée entred alone into her Cozins Chamber where sitting downe on the bedde shée compassed many imaginations howe she might discouer to the dumbe Knight the secrete fire that was kindled in her breâ—â— So long shée staied there till Palmerin came because about that time hée was woont to visite the Prinâ—esse Alchidiana Ardemia so glad héereof as could be possible suddainlie started vppe and saluting him with more then common reuerâ—nce taking him by the hand and causing him to fit downe by her vpon the bedde Then enflamed with wonderfull passions surpassing Pasiphaes desire to the brutish Bull when shée mette him in the wood made by Dedalus shée beheld him with such a piercing countunaunce as the least glimse whereof was able to confounde the reason of the most constant person as the aspect of the Sunne in the 〈◊〉 of Leo dooth the eyes of the beholders and of force to warme the coldest complexion although it were an 〈◊〉 himselfe in her presence Then deliuering thrée or foure bitter sighes fetcht from the verye bottome of her heart as cruell as y◠〈…〉 she tooke a rich Diamond from her finger and put it on Palmerins with these words Swéete Fréends and onely comforte of my soule let me intreate you to weare this as an argument of my loue thereby to knowe howe well you estéeme of mée assuring you that I am so deuoted yours as if you vouchsafe to 〈◊〉 me the fauour and honour by iournying to the Court of my Father with mee I neuer will haue any Husband but you and there shall such account be made of you as wel beséemes a Knight so noble and vertuous Ah diuine defence of my life and more woorthie to bee loued then Loue himselfe misdéeme not of these spéeches so aduenturouslye vttered by a yong Ladie and vnmaried for the loue I beare you is such as I am constrained forgetting the decent regard of a bashfull Uirgin who naturallie is shamefasâ—e to estéeme of you honestlye and as is conuenable to 〈◊〉 estate Then séeing the Gods the place the occasion and the time permits me to bewraye that which I dare not otherwise manifest haue then faire Knight some pittie on mee and let mée enioy assuraunce of grace for which I 〈◊〉 in ceaselesse torments With which wordes shée embraced him and sealed so many swéete kisses on his hand as apparantly deciphered her earnest affection Palmerin amazed at this strange accident because shée was a Pagan and contrary to him in faith that making 〈◊〉 aunswere but following the example of chaste Ioseph who refused Zephira Wife to Putiphar great prouâ—st to the King of Aegipt started from her suddainlie and mooued with displeasure departed the Chamber thinking in himselfe that such occasions more ouer-rule the hearts of men then all other matters that might bée deuised and 〈◊〉 the practises of â—ellish Pâ—uto Then calling to his Ladie for assistance said to himselfe Ah swéete Mistresse succour now your seruant for I rather desire a thousand deathes then to violate the chaste honor of my loue or to giue that fauour to this Lady which is onelye yours Alchidiana by chanceâ— séeing Palmerin when he entred her Chamber and 〈◊〉 him now to depart againe imagined presentlie the 〈◊〉 of the cause wherefore entring the guarderobe which was adioyning to her Chamber shée closely stood and 〈◊〉 all that had passed and at his comming foorth staied him in this maner Notwithout great cause good Knight 〈◊〉 thou take the fatall Crowne from the head of Maurice for in thée is more â—â—rmnesse and continencie then is in the disloyall Ardemia vnchaste desires and villainie but in vnfitte nine did shée rip open her vnmaidenlike affections for I will publish her shame to euery one and cause her to be lesse estéemed then a knowne offender Palmerin fearing that in her choller she would doo no lesse then she said fell on his knée before her intreating her by signes to forbeare otherwise it would be his death She seeing him so faire and gracious and thus to humble himselfe at her feete quallified her displeasure promising to kéepe it in secret So Palmerin withdrewe himselfe to his Chamber leauing the two Ladies nowe togither but Ardemia agréeued at the dumbe Knights refusall woulde not reueale her wrong to Alchidiana who so soone as Palmerin was out of hearing thus began Why shamelesse Ardemia thinkest thou
and hauing recourse to his onely comforter liâ—ting his eyes to heauen thus priuately inuocated My God deliuer me from this enemie and suffer me not to fall in consent to this temptation for I thinke her a Deuill incarnate and sent to deceiue me Impossible is it that a maiden by nature modest and bashfull would let slip such effronted wordes and audacious The conceit héereof so vexed and offended him as the Princesse feared he would haue dyed not with conceit that like hap might come to Alchidiana as did to Ardemia but because he shuld so wickedly sin against his owne soule and falsefie his loue to his swéetest Mistresse Yet knowing that this sadnesse would not satisfie the Princesse he feigned to swoune his colour changing in such sort as one would haue iudged him past recouerie Alchidiana was so gréeued héereat as wée could not imagine what to saye but séeing that Palmerin séemed nowe not to vnderstand her and before had by signes 〈◊〉 reuealed his meaning saide By our great God it may well beâ— said that this man is a huge lumpe of flesh which the deuil hath enchaunted to torment me withall or else some other shaddowe and resemblaunce for hée refuseth what all men desire yea and often despayre because they cannot 〈◊〉 it But fearing least her ende would imitate her Cozins or that the dumbe Knight should die in her presence shée 〈◊〉 presume no further but threwe her selfe downe vppon a Pallet not able to speake her stomacke was so enraged Which Palmerin perceiuing arose out of his feigned traunce and giuing a great sighe departed the Chamber 〈…〉 owne The Princesse séeing him gone 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 and lament very gréeuouslye and in midst of her nâ—elancholy fell into these spéeches You Gods how can you suffer one so contrary to nature as is this dumbe Knight â—o liue among men Can you behold that he whom I deliuered froÌ„ death brought into yâ— grace of my father and to whom I haue doone more honour then had hée béene mine owne Brother will not regarde me but against all reason disdaineth refuseth maketh no reckoning of my dolours and setteth at nought my earnest intreaties Ah vndiscréete and carelesse Girle thy folly at this time too much ouerruled thée that knowing thine owne estate and high linage wouldest submit thy selfe to loue one vnknowne to thée and of whom thou canst haue no answere more then of a sencelesse stocke or stone If I can now learne to hate thée it will be some comfort to me but the more he iniurieth mee the more am I deuoted to his loue Then againe she contraryed her selfe in this sort Yet séeing it is so ingratefull wretch that thou aâ—t I will cause thée ere it be long to repent thy 〈◊〉 In this anger she continued all the day not 〈◊〉 foorth of her Chamber intending 〈◊〉 vtterly to despise him but the first time shée sawe him againe shee reputed him so louely faire and gracious that to dye shée could not with him any harme but loued him much better then before Yet to couer her owne inconstancie shee sent him no more presents nor did him such 〈◊〉 as she was accustomed which Palmerin well perceiued but hee could dissemble it in such sort as the Princesse hardly might decipher him For hée 〈…〉 had made to his deceased Father to sende his Brethren to Constantinople in whose company hee might trauaile thither and so escape the Turks and Moorish 〈◊〉 Chap. X. How Amarano Prince of Nigrea came to the Soldans court to accuse Aâ—chidiana as causer of the death of the fayre Princesse Ardemia her Cozin DUring the time that the Princeâ—â—â— Aâ—chidiana 〈…〉 the Princesse Ardemia and if hée made such lamentatâ—ons when hée but heard of her death what iudgement may bée set downe of his moâ—â—s béeing nowe at the Sepulchre of his best beloued Ah inconstant Fortune quoth hée why wouldest thou not permit mée to sée her liuing Ah Ardemia accomplished with admirable beautie great was her sinne whâ— enuying thy perfections procured thy cruell death yet this is my comfort that I shall come time inough to reuenge thy vndeserued 〈◊〉 and he that dare gainesay mée with her the authour of thy tragedie shall receyuâ— such condigne punishment as shall remaine for euer in memâ—ri These complaintâ— deliuered with excéeding sorrowe his Brethren perswaded him that such behauiour 〈…〉 〈…〉 I haue left my Countrey and aduentured into your presence to accuse your Daughter Alchidiana whom â—o please you to call before this assemblie I will charge 〈◊〉 she by false and spightfull hatred as a most cruell and disloyall Ladie trayterously murthered her Cozin the Princesse Ardemia And because this vâ—â—lainie hath hitherto béene concealed verie secret in respect it could not easily bée verified I am héere readie to proue in open 〈◊〉 agaynst any of your Knights that dare maintaine her cause howe the treason before rehearsed was committed by her in reueâ—ge whereof she ought to bée rewarded with sharpe and shamefull death 〈…〉 part whereof séeing the pride of the Prince of Nigâ—â—a woâ—ld furiously haue runne vpon him saying that hée should repent his follie but the Soldane offended thereat caused a Herauld presently to proclayme that on paine of death no one should harme or offende the Prince nor anie in his companie and whosoeuer did otherwise shoulde presentlie die for breaking his commaundement then â—raming his speeches to the Prince sayde Amarano nowe maist thou behold my Daughter before thée disburden the greefe of thy minde to her and iustice shall bée doone thée to thine owne desire Imagine quoth the Prince that such as knowe you Madame Aldhidiana will not a little maruaile séeing you accomplished with such gracious beautie that you should so farre forget your selfe as to commit treason But because a matter so vnlikely demaundeth as hard a proofe I will auerre with mine owne person in Combat agaynst any one that dare support your quarell that you are guiltie in the accusation alreadie alleaged and principall cause of the death of the Arminian Princesse your Cozin To reuenge such famous wrong I haue forsaken my countrey trauelling night and day and haue presented my accusation before your Father with this condition that if your Knight shall bee vanquished you are to bee punished as a cause of such weight requireth If it he may fortune to bée foyled and your Champion victor I shall yéeld my selfe as conquered and demaund no better recompence for it can not gréeue mee to remaine with her bodie whose verie remembraunce 〈…〉 in this maner Alchidiana you haue heard the spéeches of the Prince aduise your selfe well of your answerâ— for which of you both shall be sound attainted in the cryme be it Leâ—e Maiestaris or other 〈…〉 Chap. XI Howe Paâ—merin seeing that none of the Soldans Knights would aduenture for Alchidiana against Amarano eaterprised himself her cause in combat And how the Queene of Tharsus sent him a sumptuous helmet ALchidiana hauing heard the 〈◊〉 of Amarano and
that he 〈◊〉 spâ—ken 〈◊〉 of her in the presente of the 〈…〉 with maruailous anger and disdaine returned him this aunswere Amarano the most rash and 〈◊〉 Knight that euer I sawe I wonder howe thy folly could make thée so audacious to come and accuse me of treason against all truth before my Father and his 〈◊〉 But thy spéeches well noted and considerâ—â— shew nothing but carelesse youth 〈◊〉 and too vaâ—nglorious conceit chiefly in this that thou armed 〈◊〉 and accompanied with so many well appoynted Knights commest in this sort to molest a poore maiden who neuer to thée or thine committed any offence but all seruiceable honour especially to her on whose behalfe than offerest the combat As for the valour thou reputest in thy selfe that 〈◊〉 which this slaunder doth encourage thée withall 〈◊〉 thy hartinesse and resolution of heart thou oughtest rather oppose against a Knight able to aunswere thée then a siely Uirgin who hath no weapon but her â—onour wherewith to defende her selfe I confesse I am a Ladie but not traiterous or false as thou auouchest yet of so noble courage as were I of thy sexe thou neuer shouldest depart this Hall before I had that conspyring head from thy shoulders to witnesse thy falshoode and maleuolent spirit Notwithstanding as I am so please my Lorde and Father with a Kitchin cudgell I shall let thée know that thou dotest in thy spéeches and against thine owne conscience chargest me with the murder of my Cozin Examine thy thoughts what likely reason might induce mée to such an offence If shée was fayre thanks to our Gods mine owne talent is so good as I néede not enuie her beautie If shée made account of her rich dowrie I béeing sole heyre to the Signories of the Soldane might iudge my selfe farre beyond her being desired in mariage by many Kings and Princes whereof I am well assured shée neuer had the like I knowe not then what cause should anie way induce me to request her death But what néede I make such prâ—â—estations to thée séeing that by some one of my Fathers 〈◊〉 thy pride will bee abated and I reuenged of the iniurie thou hast doone me Amarano not aunswering her a 〈◊〉 spake to the Soldane in this sort It is not decent my Lord that a Prince or Knight of qualitie should stay on the wordes of a Woman so little considerate who more by anger then vertue thinkes to reprooue and annihilate a 〈◊〉 accusation Wherefore according to the agréement 〈◊〉 determined cal for the knight that dare vndertake the quarrell of your daughter to whom I will manifest in plaine Combat that what I haue said is trueth and if hée bée vanquished your Daughter Alchidiana and he shall bée burned togither as the greatnesse of the offence well deserueth contrariwise if Fortune denie mée successe I will request no other iustice then what shall please you to appoynt for me Maulicus séeing that well he could not denie the Prince though to his gréefe pronouced the sentence that his Daughter that day shoulde present a Knight to sustaine her cause according to his conditions alleaged This hard prescription made neuer a Knight willing to aduenture the Combatte so much they feared Amarano for the great report they heard of his prowesse but stoode all silent as though themselues were condemned to death Alchidiana séeing the courage fayle of so manie Knights whom shée estéemed for men of great account knewe not to whom shée should haue recourse and therefore ouercome with excéeding sorrowe but that her Ladies assisted her had twise or thrise swouned before her Father Palmerin beholding her and knowing that his refusall was greater cause of Ardemiaes â—eath then the iniurious wordes of Alchidiana pityed her estate and hauing before his eyes the loue she bare him the great honours was done him for her sake and the pustillanimitie oâ— the Soldanes Knights was so mooued 〈◊〉 forgetting all daunger and his dissembled dumbnesse which hitherto hée had so cunningly obserued as though he had béene borne in that Countrey hée thus began in the Arabian tongue 〈…〉 vnwoorthie hencefoorth the name of Knights how can your hearts endure that a proude and presumptuous Prince shall come into your 〈…〉 to accuse your Ladie and Mistresse and not one of you daring to defende her right By the celestiall powers 〈◊〉 may you bee accounted heartlesse men and in suffering this wrong to be depriued of all noble titles and to bee solde in the market as slaues and villaines Thinke you the Prince Amarano is come hither for anie other intent then to make tryall of his great hardinesse Can you be destitute of reason and so easily abused as to thinke 〈…〉 Princesse Alchidiana whom nature hath so worthily 〈◊〉 with beautie and with whom no other may make comparison could be prouoked to murther Ardemia for this onely occasion because she was faire And you Lord Amarano for a matter so slender haue you enterprised to blame a Ladie so vertuous as is the Princesse Alchidiana I accept the Combat on her behalfe auouching that shamefully and without reason you haue accused her behold me readie likewise to maintaine in open fielde that falsely and maliciously thou lyest in thy throate in witnesse whereof there is my gage and I beseech your highnesse affoorde vs presently Iudges that may discerne the issue of our Combat I take thy offer quoth the Prince and before the Sun set will giue thée the payment that belongs to such a frollickâ— companion Who can nowe imagine the ioy of Maulicus and his Daughter séeing him whome they reputed 〈◊〉 by nature thus to recouer his spéech assuredly they were all so amazed that they thought Mahomet had come from the 〈◊〉 to performe this myracle The Soldane thus surprised with vnspeakeable comfort forgetting the maiestie of his person 〈◊〉 Palmerin in his armes saying Ah 〈◊〉 Knight hâ—we may this bée dreame I or dooth but my fancie delude me with your spéech O Mahoâ—et for euer bée thou praysed for this great grace By the highest God I am more ioyfull of this good fortune then 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 the fayrest Island in the Mediterâ—â—â—ean Sea Nowe will I dismay â—o longer 〈…〉 Daughters fortune séeing that you take her quarrel in hand and for her sake wil comâ—at with Amarano with all my heart I graunt you the Fielde and thinke that my Daughter will not denie it But tell mée noble Fréend howe you haue so happily recouered your speech Palmerin abashed that hee had so forgotten himselfe knewe not what excuse to make neuerthelesse â—éeing nowe there was no remedie and that the 〈◊〉 throwne could not bée recalled imagineâ— some likely â—â—militude of his suddaine spéech saying I promise you my Lord that the cerâ—itude of your Daughters iâ—â—ocencie and the great griefe I conceyued séeing your Knightes so cowardly and faint in courage mooued mée into such choâ—ler as the Catarrâ— which of long time hath hindâ—red my spéech dissolued it selfe and â—â—th giuen my tongue libertie
foure daies iourney to méete him and entertaining him with excéeding honor offered himselfe his people and substance to his seruice Palmerin verie thankfull for the Princes kindnessâ— woulde nothing but certaine Horsses of him because diuers of his owne had miscaried By this time were the Brethren entred the confines which belonged to the Admirall of Tharsus where they had doone verye much harme by exactions and great misusing of the people This Admirall was a verie gentle Knight and named Alfarano which seeing what iniurie they did him and vnderstanding that they had béene conquered and now flâ—dde without anie place of assuraunce leueyed an hoste of hardie Souldiours wherewith he intended to kéepe a straite through which they must of necessitie passe béeing so narrowe as they could passe but two togither and no way else couldâ— they escape him except they woulde climbe the tops of the Mountaines In this place lay the Admirall ambushed with so manie men as he thought conuenient and within thrée dayes after Paâ—merin with his power came to assist them The Phrygians hauing heard héereof were greatlie amazed at this vnexpected aduenture and had no other helpe but to climbe the Mountaine where in wholes Caues they were glad to hide themselues and there they continued fiue or sixe daies in safetie albeit they were readie to die for want of sustenaunce Palmerin foreséeing the incommoditie of the place and that they could not escape him nor néeded hée anie further to followe them caused the Mountaine to be enuironed on all sides thinking the ende heereof woulde bée such as indéede it afterward prooued to be For these poore distressed menne hauing neyther foode or other prouision came foorth of their Caues and assembled togither on the side of the Mountaine where entering into conference of their estate some gaue counsaile to goe fight it out but other better aduised would not consent thereto for better is it quoth they to yéelde our selues to the mercy of our enemies then to aduenture our fortune where no hope of successe is to be expected Héereuppon they concluded and the two Brethren of Gramiell were the first that vnarmed themselues and comming in this manner to Palmerins Tent thus they began Noble Knight Palmerin more fortunate then any man in the world we Brethren to the renowmed Prince Amarano whom thou hast with thine owne hand slaine and thrée other of our brethren likewise whereof the noble Orinello deserueth spéeche all sonnes to a King and themselues héeretofore worthy accomplished Princes though nowe â—oyled and consorted with the deade we noble Lord more certaine of thy clemencie and courtesie then any successiue ende of a battaile so vnreasonable and desperate come to yéelde our bodies and goods to thy disposing desiring thee to pittie our estate and regarde the works of Fortune so whom thou art Subiect as well as we Beside that the more shall greater persons bée praised for honorable fauour then by vsing rigour and vnnaturall crueltie which maketh them euery where hated and despised When Palmerin sawe them so humble considering his owne estate and how time might frowne on him returned them this aunswere Now my Lords haue you doone wiselie to laye by Armes and submit your selues for otherwise your destruction was at hande Notwithstanding in respect you haue thus yéelded your selues to me I entertaine you into my safe defence assuring you peace with the Soldane so that you sweare your faithfull loue and doo him homage So gaue hée them in kéeping to one of his Knights whome hée especially trusted returning to Alfarano in recompence of his wrongs and losse sustained by the Phrygians gaue him all theyr spoyle and the â—aunâ—â—me of all the Knightes taken prysoners The Admirall humblye kissing his hand desireâ— him to rest himselfe in one of his Citties which was within fiue or sixe miles of the place which gentle offer Palmerin would not refuse because he was sore wearied with trauaile wherefore by the Admiralles appointment the Pallace was prouided for Palmerin and his Fréende Olorico Chap. XX. How the Queene of Tharsus came to see Palmerin in the Citie belonging to Alfarano her Admiral where by the meane of an enchaunted drinke shee accomplished her pleasure with him HHere our History willeth vs to remember how in our former discourse was mentioned that the Quéene of Tharsus sent a rich Helmet to Palmerin and at the Damoselles returne was acquainted with his singular composed feature rare courtesse and Knightly chiualrie the reporte whereof caused her amorously to affeâ—t him and in such vehemeÌ„t maner as she determined her onwn death vnlesse she might enioy his louelie company Which the better to compasse shee discouered her desires to a cunning Magitian hée by whose meanes she 〈◊〉 the Helmet to Palmerin who gaue her such an 〈◊〉 powder as Palmerin drinking it in wine or otherwise should soone after become so forgetfull of himselfe as the Quéene might accomplish whatsoeuer shée desired He likewise did reueale to her the seuerall loues of Palmerin and Olorico which tale made her more earnest in following her intent And vnderstanding his arriuall in the Realme of Paâ—meria concluded in person to goe sée him furnishing her selfe with all things necessary both rich Tapestry and great store of Gold and Siluer plate habillements precious stones rings and vnualuable Iewels With thesâ— shée adorned her Knights Ladies and Gentlewomen to the vttermost and when she had finished her traine to her own liking shée sette forward with such expedition as within thrée dayes shée arriued at the Cittie where hée was but first shée aduertised her Admirall of her comming that hée shoulde imagine nothing by her suddaine presence The Admirall so ioyfull héereof as could be deuised in that by this meane hee shoulde the more honourably entertaine his guestes acquainted Palmerin and the Prince Olorico therwith who likewise were excéeding glad of the newes especially Palmerin desirous to know by her his offspring Therefore in most magnificent order with theyr men at Armes and the Admirall Alfarano they rode to méete the Quéene for her greater honour who by the speciall intelligence was giuen her knewe Palmerin among them all in that hee marched formost with the Prince Olorico and the Admirall of Tharsus Shee regarding in him farre more singularities then sparing report had acquainted her withall after that Palmerin had saluted her with very great reuerâ—nce as he was not to learne courtlyâ— courtesie the Quéene requited him with a swéete kisse and thus began Sir Knight the fayrest beyond all other that euer I sawe well woorthie are you to be esteemed among the most happie béeing able to winne the loue of Ladies that neuer sawe you Aduise your selfe well of this great fauour and what a precious Iewell you receiue of them in requitall of your seruice or acceptaunce of any amorous contentment Then wonder not not Gentle Knight if to sée you I haue left my Country for beside your great valour bountie and loyalâ—ie which neuer can be
pleasaunt Let them speake what please them quoth Brionella should you render them account of your behauiour yet thus I thinke that your discretion is so good when you haue séene the onelye comforts for your cares that you can so wel dissemble your thoughts as the most warie eye can hardly discerne you Well haue you said quoth the Princesse if loue could be gouerned by wisedome but the pleasure which the wisest haue receyued by his rules hath in the ende discouered 〈…〉 and folly Such were the speeche betwéene these two Ladies attending the night in good deuotion when each one thought to sée her Lorde and best beleued that their loâ—y sorrowes might somewhat be qualified The Dwarfe beeing gone on his message as you haue hearde the Knights repeted themselues on the greene 〈◊〉 till Sunne setting that they might the more 〈◊〉 enter the Cittie and the time béeing câ—me that they woulde sette forward Palmerin said to Olorico My Lorde 〈◊〉 will take this by waye which leadeth to the Cittie 〈◊〉 intende before I depart to heare same nâ—wes from my Mistresse Goe which way you please quoth the Prince yet muâ—â— I néedes meruaile at you that you woulde bee so long absent from such an excellent Princesse trust me Alchidiana is fayre yet may not shee be equalled with your lady The gréefes I haue endured said Palmerin by my long absence are not to be spoken off yet could I no way 〈◊〉 my returne sooner By this time they were come to the Cittie and to a lodging appointed them by Vibanillo who béeing now come to his Maister deliuered the message hée was commaunded Palmerin vnderstanding his Mistressâ— pleasure presently vnarmed himselfe and wrapped a scarlet Mantle about him taking his truâ—â—ie Sworde vnder his Arme hée intreated Olorico to staye there till hée returned or heard further tydings from him leauing Vrbanillo in his companie with charge to vse him as his owne person He béeing come to the walles of louelie Paradise sounde the Ladder reatie prepared for him whereby hée made a spéedie passage and finding Brionella there staying his comming embracing her sweetly saide Trust me Ladie the want of Sir Ptolome your Fréende dooth not a little gréeue me but by the grace of God ere it be long I hope to bring him with me Ah my Lord quoth the right happie is your comming for your presence hath béene héere most of all desired But albeit shee sette a good countenaunce on this aunswere yet were her secret sorâ—owes innumerable beeing deceiued of the comfort shée 〈◊〉 Palmerin who thought hée stayed too long from his desire woulde trifle no further time but entred his Ladies Chamber who angerly had throwne her selfe on a Pallet because hée staied to speake with Brionella then falling on his knee before her hée offered to 〈◊〉 her hande which with dissembling disdaine she would not suffer him saying Truelie you shall receiue no fauour of mée before I knowe certainlie who you are for I stand in doubt to bée deceiued and that you arâ— some other then my Palmerin seeing you haue béen so long time from me and which is more would neuer vouchsafe to send to me Then taking a light in her hand and 〈◊〉 beholding him hardlie coulde 〈◊〉 sette it from her againe when welcomming him with an infinite number of swéete kisses 〈◊〉 saide Now knowe I well 〈…〉 is my Palmerin what Countrey might be so 〈◊〉 or fortune so contrarie that could withholde you all this while from me O that it might haue stoode with mine honor for my selfe to séeke you foorth with good will could I haue endured the trauaile yea much more then you haue doone for mée How often considering the daungers of the Sea hath very death surprised meâ— and into how manie sundrie opinions haue I fallen sometime to disguisâ— my selfe into a mans attire to enter the eâ—tate of a Knight errant and begâ—â—ne a search which neuer shoulde bee ended till I founde you For this hath bene receiued as a generall rule that by 〈◊〉 long sufferance and expectation one may endure a thousand deaths and thinke not but the very least of my afflictions haue bene of force to depriue my life Consider that griefe desire remembrance languor sorrow hope suspition teares complaints and other such like passions common in loue continually beate vpon the heart with burning affection and to such inconuenience their issue growes as the vitall spirit is chased from the bodie For Gods sake Madame quoth Palmerin leaue these wounding spéeches and suffer me to take a litle life in bâ—holding that which is no lesse diuinâ— the humane for my offence deserues not these accusations TheÌ„ discouered he all his fortunes passed which droue the Princesse to no litle admiration when she said Beléeue me my Lord séeing that by your meanes my Brother Trineus is lost for my loue and to satisfie your promise to my Lord and Father you must néedes goe finde him againe That shall I Madame quoth Palmerin but before I begin this iourney let me intreate that fauourable regard which is the comfort in loue and vniteth life soule togither which heretofore you haue graunted and I hope will not now deny me What may I iudge quoth she of your constancie since your absence for not long since I was sollicited with a vision which tolde me that you commited breach of loyaltie with a Quéene to my no litle griefe although full often I reprooued you therefore to cause you forsake that sinns when me séemed the Quéene thus answered Be thou assured Polynarda that although Palmerin estéeme thée aboue all other yet shall he leaue some part of his loue with me Hearing these words I brake forth into tears wherewith you séemed to be moued and so forsaking her followed me and herewith I awaked finding indéed my face besprent with teares and my heart ouercome with insupportable griefe Palmerin abashed hereat remembred what entertainment the Quéene of Tharsus made him at the Banquet of her sundry delights and great fauours for his arriuall her piercing amorous and alluring spéeches wherewith incessantly shee did sollicite him and such was conceit as he verely perswaded himselfe that by enchaunted practises she had abused him wherupon he said I swearâ— to you Madame by the religious vowes of our loue that neuer did I commit such wrong against you if the Quéene of Tharsus of whome you haue spoken did not one night deceiue me by an enchaunted drinke which vnwittingly I receiued as I sate at supper causing me to loose both sence and vnderstanding and so acquainted her with his dreame that night likewise Doubtlesse my Lord quoth she considering the extremitie of her affection she practised some meanes to compasse her desire but séeing it fell out in that sort and beléeuing you would not willingly offend me I am contented to pardon that fault In these and such like spéeches they spent that night and foure more afterward all which time Palmerin was kept vnséene in her Chamber till
in your fathers Pallace and which no death can make me falsifie or change vnlesse you please to suffer me take another wise wherein I shall satisfie the importunate requests which daylie thâ— Lords of Macedon make to me for marriage that I might leaue them an heyre of my linage Which is a matter so gréeâ—ous to me in that I failed of you to whom I first gaue my fayth as I resolued neuer to take any other which I knowe not how I shall performe without losse of my life As he thought to haue procéeded further in spéeches and the Quéene hauing not answered one worde vnhappily the King entred which the Quéene beholding swouned with feare But she was immediately recouered by her Ladyes When the King séeing her in such estate and in what secrecie the two Pilgrimâ— talked with her hée gathered some suspition and ouercome likewise with the force of iealousie saide Madame what make you here at this time and in so slender companie of Ladies how dare you stande talking with these Straungers I woulde gladly know the matter and what hath made them so bold to enter your Chamber Florendos séeing his affaires to growe from badde to woorsse and that his Ladie was so threatned entring into choler he drew his Dagger from vnder his Frocke and taking the King by the bosome said Tarisius I will not hyde from thée who I am it is more then twentie yéeres since I promised thy death and nowe I am come in person to performe it With these wordes he stabde the Dagger to his heart and downe fell Tarisius dead at his féete which when the Quéene saw she on the other side fell in swoune again Frenato greatly amazed hereat sayde to Florendos For Gods sake my Lord let vs shift for our selues before this misfortune bée blazed abroade Content thy selfe sayd Florendos neuer shall it bee reported that I left my Ladie to suffer for mine offence or that for the feare of death which is the ende of all mishaps I will endure such intollerable anguishes and torments Now by ill fortune one of the Pages of honour attended on the King and hauing séene this homicide hastiliâ— ranne downe the stayres crying aloude Arme ye Knights arme ye and reuenge the Kings death who by a trayterous Pilgrime is slaine in the Quéenes Chamber Cardino one of the Quéenes Squires her brother that caried yong Palmerin to the mountaine had no leysure to take anie other armes then a Sword and Shéelde wherefore he was the first that came to the Quéenes Chamber where hee found Florendos guarding the entraunce who presentlie knew him saying Depart my good Friend Cardyno vnlesse for the Quéenes loue I shal take thy life from thée And what art thou sayde Cardyno that knowest mee so well I am thy Fréend quoth the Prince the most vnfortunate Florendos Straunge it is my Lord quoth Cardyno that you durst venture into this Court but take héere my Swoorde and Sheelde and defend your selfe for I thinke you will stande in great néede thereof In the means while I wil go aduertise the Duke of Pera of this mishap he is your good fréend and by his meanes you may haue some succour for oftentimes haue I heard him say at Constantinople that he wished you as well as my Lord the Emperour Dispatch then said Florendos that thou be not found héere with me assuring thée if I may escape this daunger I will acknowledge this seruice to thine owne content Florendos armed himselfe with the Sword and Shéeld whereof hée was so glad as if hée had béene backed with manie trustie fréends vowing before he died to make such a spoyle among his enemies as should remaine for an after memorie Cardyno went with all diligence to the Duke and secretly acquainted him with all this misfortune whereat the Duke greatly amazed answered I will do my vttermost for his safetie because full well he hath deserued it And so accompanied with many Grecian Knights he went to yâ— Quéenes Chamber and thrusting through the throng in despight of them that guarded the stayres bée got to the Chamber At the entrance whereof he found Florendos defending himselfe with such manly courage as nine or ten lay slaine at his féete The Duke and his men caused the Hungarians to withdraw themselues saying that himselfe would not suffer the matter so to escape for the offence ought to bee punished by iustice after the truth were knowne and thorowlie vnderstoode Hereupon the kings two Nephewes came in great rage saying to the Duke of Pera that the Quéene and the Pilgrime ought presently to die What quoth the Duke depart you likewise your willes shall not héere stande for Lawe nor is the Quéene to bée intreated with such rigour So drawing his swoorde and his Knights likewise resisted the Hungarians so that manie of them were slaine vntill certaine Gentlemen came who louing and estéeming the Quéene appeased this tumult Then was it agréed vpon that the Duke should take him into his charge who had murthered the King on whom such punishment should bee inflicted as the cause required and héereupon the Duke tooke his oath before all the companie In this sort the Kinges Nephewes were quieted who presentlie departed the Chamber causing the dead and wounded to bee conuayed thence that the people might receiue no further occasion of offence and the Duke comming to the Prince Florendos said Yéeld your selfe to me my Lord and I will promise you on the faith of a Prince that I will maintaine both your right and the Quéenes whatsoeuer daunger I hazard therby If you will not assure your selfe that your bodies cannot suffice the villainous surie of these people for they haue confidently sworne your deathes I know my Lord quoth Florendos that you speake the trueth and I repose my trust on your nobilitie which is such as you will not suffer anie iniury to the man béeing in your guÌ„â—rde I yéelde my selfe to you and earnestly intreate you not to imprison the Quéene for on mine honour she is guiltlesse And if any offence hath béene committed it was by me yet not without iust cause and in defence of mine own life My comming hither-was because I am newly returned from Ierusalem and remembring the manifold honours which sometime I receyued of my Ladie in the Emperour her Fathers Court in my passing by I was destrous to do my dutie to her At the instant time I was saluting her the King came into the Chamber who moued with an auncient hatred which you verie well know would haue slaine me but I preuenting his intent with the ayde of my weapon bestowed that on him which he wished to mee I beléeue well what you haue sayd quoth the Duke yet must you néedes abide triall in this case Frenato perceyuing his Cozin in such daunger sought about the Chamber for some weapon to defende him and finding the Kings Sworde by the Quéenes bed side shewed it to the Duke that he might
giue the better credite to the Princes wordes Yet notwithstanding all their excuses these two Pilgrims were taken into sure custodie and shut vp both togither in a strong Towre which was verie long before they could accomplish because in leading them thither many sought meanes to kill them and they had done it but that the Duke verie strongly defended them Chap. XXVI The sorowfull complaints made by the Queene Griana seeing her Huâ—band dead and her friend taken And howe the Duke of Pera conueyed her to Constantinople causing Florendos and Frenato to be brought thither by fiue hundred armed Knights VErie sorrowfull was the Quéene Griana séeing so manie misfortunes succéede one another as euerie houre her death was expected and saâ—s she woulde haue committed violence on her selfe but that Cardyno with diuerse Knights attended on her that none of the Kinges kindred shoulde offend her while the Duke of Pera led Florendos and Frenato to the Tower At whose return as he thought to comfort her shée fell on her knées before him saying Ah noble Duke of Pera if euer pittie had place within your heart for Gods sake make an end of my vnfortunate life and execute on me without any fauour the sharpest rigour of equall iustice not suffering longer life to a woman so dispised and miserable O God doost thou permit a happie life to enioy so bad an end Thou that onely knowest the inward secrets of the heart séeing I stand suspected in this treason let my spéedie death deliuer mine innocencie Ah inconstant Fortune that in my yonger yéeres was so aduerse to mee how might I credite thy continuall mallice but by this strange and vnexpected accident Ah gentle Prince Florendos it was not for loue that thou camest to sée mée but for a secret hatred more then deadly séeing that by thée and that with great shame I shall remaine for euer defamed Where was that loyaltie and the great feare to offend mée which sometime thou séemedst to haue Knowest thou not that in a royall and noble minde one onely note of infamie is an extreame torment Doubtlesse if thou wouldest well consider the wrong thou hast done me thou shalt finde it to excéede all other worldly iniuries But I may perswade my selfe that my destinie was such for being long since by thée dishonoured it must fall out for a finall conclusion that by thée also I shall receiue death In this maner the Quéene complained with such effuse of teares and bitter sighes as the Duke pitying her case sayd I beséech you Madame to endure this mishap paciently séeing now it cannot be recalled and consider that these teares and lamentations can yéelde yée no amendes but rather threaten daunger and will in the ende not onely weaken your bodie but hazard desperation The King is dead he must be buried Florendos hath offended hée shall be punished your people are wounded they must be cured Offende not then your selfe with these bootlesse regrâ—â—tes but commaund that the proofe of your innocencie be followed Hereupon the Duke caused preparation for the funerall pompe and brought the king to the bed of honor not without many teares and lamentations of his Subiects When the obsequies were finished Promptaleon and Oudin came and exclaimed on the Duke because hée brought not the Quéene and Florendos to open punishment My friends quoth the Duke haue I not heretofore tolde you that wée must not inconsiderateâ—y put such persons to death let the Councell bee called togither and as they determine I will procéede Then were all the Princes and Lordes assembled among whome the Duke was intreated to speake his opinion which hée did in this maner I thinke it conâ—enient vnder correction of you my noble Lords that the Prince Florendos and the Queene ought to bée sent to my Lord the Emperour and there to haue iustice extended on them as well for the sureâ—ie of your owne persons as for the conseruation of the Realme For except iustice and by probable causes you condemne the Prince Florendos hardly may you perswade the Macedonian Princes beside the Lordes may say that without hearing hee was cut off and likewise by his open enemies Againe thinke you that the Emperour will let passe in silence so great a wrong to punish his Daughter and not arquaint him with her offence Considering this indifferently you shall finâ— your selues on eyther side endangered your goods will be spoyled your liues endamaged for hardly can you resist agaynst such power So well coulde the Duke sette foorth his discourse with confirmation of Hystories both auncient and moderne that in despight of the Kings Nephewes it was concluded how the prisoners should be sent to Constantiople If they were hereat offended it is not to bee doubted but hearing the Counsuâ—les resolution prepared themselues to goe to the Emperour determining a sharpe and seuere accusation trusting so much in their strength and prowesse that if the Emperour for proofe of the cause shoulde committe it is the Combat they easily thought to compasse their intent So were the two Pilgryms committed to the Dukes Nephew with an hundred Knights of Greece for their guard and foure hundred Hungarians who would néedes followe for the loue they bare the Quéene she béeing maruellousâ—â—â— fauoured in her countrey for her many vertues and chiefly charitie The Quéene her selfe with the yong Princesse Armida her Daughter and all her Ladyes and Gentlewomen were committed to the Duke of Pera his charge and the rest of the traine that came with him in the Ambassade When the Quéene vnderstoode shée should be caried to the Emperour shée 〈◊〉 further out of pacience then shée was before rather desiring a thousand deaths then is come with this reproach before her Father yet notwithstanding all her intreaties shee was conueyed into a Litter and not so much as a pinne left about her for feare of inconuenience To comfort her her Daughter Armida was placed in the Litter without whose companie such was her gréets to come before her Parents as shée was diuerse times in daunger of death by the way But the yong Princesse béeing twelue or thirtéene yeares of age coulde so well comfort her sorrowfull mother as her talke expelled many bitter imaginations If the Quéene was in heauinesse wée must thinke Florendos griefes nothing inferiour séeing his Ladie led in such sort and accused of a crime wherein none but himselfe was culpable yet made hee no account béeing reuenged of his auncient enemie so the Quéene were deliuered though himselfe endured the death But nowe are they come to Constantinople yet not so soone but the Nephewes of the deceassed King were before them where they had blazed a false and most shamefull reporte And but for the aduise of certaine noble Princesse that fauoured Florendos and the Quéene Griana vpon the trothlesse spéeches of these twaine the Emperour had concluded to burne his Daughter and the Prince so soone as they came such horrible slaunders had these traytours spread of
stéede hée was contented and committing all to the Emperors pleasure was carried backe againe to prison in such pensiuenesse as he was iudged not able to liue til the combat day The Quéene likewise was kept in sure guarde despayring howe she shoulde finde a Knight that would aduenture on her behalfe in fight because the strength and prowesse of the Challenger was so renowmed Leauing thus these two louers in doubts and feares let vs returne where we left before to noble Palmerin that hee may bring them some better comfort Chap. XXVIII How Palmerin hauing staid with his Ladie fiue dayes in so great pleasure as his heart could desire fearing to be discouered to the Emperour tooke his leaue of her promising to begin the search of Trineus and Ptolome POlynarda hauing her Fréend in her custodie would not presume so farre vpon her selfe or the faithfulnesse of her Ladies as shée would suffer him to stay there in the day time and doubting likewise least his comming in the night should be espyed committed the whole matter in such trust to Bryonella as they performed their ioyes without any impeachment During these delights and amourous contentments which these timorous Louers passed togither the Princesse among other talke rehearsed to her Fréend how the King of Fraunce sent his Ambassadours to the Emperour to treate on the marriage betwéene her and his eldest Sonne as also her Brother Trineus with his Daughter Lucemania And howe importunate the Empresse had béene with her discouering what honour and felicitie it should bée to her to bée Quéene of so great a Kingdome as Fraunce is And trust mée my Lord quoth shée I know my Parents are so affected to this alliaunce as if my Brother Trineus were come I know no meane whereby to excuse my selfe Alas Madame quoth Palmerin herein you may consider if the Emperour by violent force constraine you héereto what continuall gréefe it will bée to your Seruaunt Palmerin What torment What tyrannous paines of strange conceit may equall themselues with the verie least of my passions nor can I any way bee able to endure them The doubtfull feares of this misfortune strooke to his heart with such an impression as hee fell in a swoune betwéene his Ladies armes shée embracing him with such ardent affection as the soule of the poore tormented Louer séeling with what equall desire his Ladie requited him receiued fresh strēgth into his languishing bodie and béeing come to his former estate the Princesse said Alas my Lord at the time I supposed to be in assuraunce with you and to thinke on no imaginations but new pleasures and delights forgetting the regarde you haue long continued in expectation of the wished fortunate houre will yée bée nowe the cause of my death Thinke you that if loue bée so violent on your behalfe it excéedeth not a thousand times more in mée Beléeue me you men make your vaunts of the great passions feares and doubts you haue to offende your Ladyes whom to serue loyally you haue especially chosen but in no wise may these oppressions be compared to ours Where is hée among ye who hath experimented howe great the paine of dishonor is and can couer his extreame loue with dissimulation What a death is it to constraine violence agaynst it selfe to containe the piercing eye and subdue an heart so affectionate as bringeth death to the rest of the bodie if shee shewe not some part of her desire by lookes the faithfull and secrete messengers to him she hath chosen loueth and wisheth The torment of the will like wise when one dare not come in presence nor behold her fauoured to languish and yet may séeke no meane of helpe all these insupportable miscries we poore Ladies must endure béeing giuen by nature or forced for a custome Wherefore my Lorde present not me with your passions considering each thing as it ought they may not be compared to the least of mine for loue who hath ouermaistred me reigueth with such resolute authoritie as I must sooner die then offer you anie wrong séeing that as my Lord and Husband I haue elected you and bestowed those fauours on you which are most desired to wit willing obedience and that then which nothing is more precious Hauing then made you soueraigne of my selfe the Prince of Fraunce cannot enioy an other mans right And if my Father vsing his authoritie shall enforce mée although it be gréeuous to mée I will tell him what hath happened and no menaces whatsoeuer shall alter mine opinion Palmerin séeing his Ladie so firme and loyall was not a little ioyfull thus answering Doubtlesse my deare and most gracious Mistresse hitherto I durst presume on my selfe that by my manifolde loyall seruices I shoulde one day deliuer recompence for some part of the honours you haue done mée but nowe I perceiue that abounding in your graces you depriue me of all meanes to acknowledge your bountie which commonly men desire to shew by their obedience nor shall I be able to deserue the inestimable value contained in the simplest worde of your last most honorable promise Nowe the Princesse discerning by the Window that Aurora Phoebus his faire Porter began to let foorth the morning light and prouide way for his Maisters iourney withdrew her selfe to her Chamber and quicklie layde her downe by Brionella who the better to hide her Ladies affayres dissembled that she had a feuer Quotidian by which meaue shée compassed to kéepe her Chamber and entertained Palmerin as her selfe desired All this while Vrbanillo brought newes from the Prince Olorico who was so desirous to sée the Princesse againe as hée vowed not to depart the Cittie before hée accomplished what hée intended Palmerin who loued him as his Brother was in great doubt howe hée shoulde safelye bring it to passe till Bryonella whose deuises were euer readyest sayde My Lord the man béeing no way able to hurt you of the lesse importance néede you make the matter will yée sée howe we will a little iuggle with the Emperour Let it be sayd that the Prince is Cozin to Vrbanillo and the cause of his comming into his Countrey was to séeke you then because he vnderstandes how my Ladie loues the Dwarffe 〈◊〉 Maiestie without anie doubt will suffer the two Cozins to take their leaue of her will not this deuise then shadow his séeing the Princesse Without question quoth Palmerin I shoulde neuer haue inuented such a subtiltie be it then as you haue determined but with great politie that the Emperour misdoubt nothing for if he discouer vs we are shamed for euer Referre it to me sayd Brionella if I discribe not their kindred cunningly neuer beléeue that a Woman can inuent a lie without studie Brinella conferring with the Dwarffe layde downe the platforme in such order as the next day the Prince came before the Emperour when Vrbanillo on his knée desired leaue that hée might depart with his Cozin there present to séeke his Maister in whose search he woulde
sorrow hée conceiued for his Ladie knowing him to bée the same man indéede was so excéeding ioyfull as infinit embracings and kissings woulde not serue to bewraye his comfort for such gracious welcomes reuerence and courtesie he vsed as Palmerin bashfull to bee vsed with such honour said Unseemelie is it my Lord that you should thus much abase your selfe to mee for vnder correction it ill agrees that the Maister should honour the Seruaunt The poore Prince could not but still holde him in his armes and with teares and meruailous affection thus aunswered Ah Palmerin mine onelie hope and comfort in trouble where hast thou beene what fortune hath kept thee so long from mee My déere Fréende howe manie yrkesome thoughts haue I endured expecting thy comming so that when I saw thou didst not returne and I could no way heare what was become of thée the verye conceite of thy absence had néerâ—â—laine me Then carelesse what became of my selfe being depriued of my loue and honour of my life I am fallen into these miseries farre excéeding death which Fortune I sée hath permitted because I am perswaded that thou must deliuer me from all mishappes and by thée shall I attaine my chéefest desires Ah happie and fortunate hower well worthie for euer to be celebrated with tryumphâ—s finding thée the onely cause of my good whome long since I feared was consorted with the dead but séeing thou art now so happilie come acquaint me with the fortunes that â—raied thée thus long for very desirous am I to knowe them Palmerin was so gréeued to sée him in such weake sicklie estate as hée could hardlie make any aunswere yet striuing with himselfe said My noble Lord the time requireth now other occasions héereafter shall I tell you the whole discourse Graunt mée I beséeche you without further intreating that I may enter the Combat in your name against one of those Traitours who haue accused you for such is my hope in God that I shall spéede luckilie and bring him to the end such a villaine deserues With all my heart quoth the Prince I am contented assuring my successe so well in your vertues as if fiue hundred of my Knights did enter the fielde for mée And to the ende that without feare or doubt you maye take my cause in hand I sweare to you by the liuing God that since Tarsius espoused Griana I neuer sawe her till when the King came and found me with her which was so short a time as she had not the leysure to make mée any answer True it is that I kild the King but howe I did it in respect hée was mine enemie and abused my Lady and lawful wife What though they were espoused togither the mariage was not to be allowed in that it was doone against her will she béeing as I haue said my Wife by solemne spéeches before God married to me It suffiseth said Palmerin I haue enough You shall likewise vnderstande my Lord that I haue brought with me another Knight who will gladlie aduenture the Combate on the Quéenes behalfe and such a one he is as the other accuser will scant dare to stande against him wherefore let mée intreate you to comfort your selfe expecting our happy and fortunate successe Florendos falling on his knée gaue thanks to Heauen for this luckie euent and hauing an indifferent while conferred togither after Palmerin had aduertised Frenato of his Sonne Ptolomes health and that in short time hee had good hope to finde him he returned to the Emperour to whome making great reuerence he saide Now my gracious Lorde I come to vnderstand your answer I pray you sir Knight quoth the Emperour holde me excused if I haue not welcommed you as your nobilitie bountie and highe Chiualrie deserueth but after the Combat is ended which for my part I graunt ye what hath wanted now shall bée supplyed so that your selfe shall rest contented I thanke your Maiestie for this extraordinarie fauour said Palmerin and séeing the Prince hath committed his cause to my fortune I beséech you send for the Kings Nephewes that the appointed daye may not bee preuented by any further delayes And if the Quéene your Daughter be not prouided of a Champion this Knight poynting to Frysoll my vowed Fréende and companion shall vndertake her cause in that he came hither for no other businesse and such good experience haue I made of his valour and hardinesse as if by knightlie Chiualrie her right may be defended assure your selfe my Lord this is the man I thinke said the Emperor she is not as yet determined of anie one albeit full manie haue made offer of themselues and for wee will expect no further this Knight shall be preferred before all that come I humbly thanke your Maiestie for this fauour aunswered Frysoll yet would I bee loth to presume too farre before I vnderstand the Quéenes pleasure The Emperour caused him to be conducted to the Quéenes Chamber and his two companions with him who desired to sée the Ladies where béeing entred Frysoll humbly vpon his knée began in this manner Right noble and excellent Quéene so far through Christendome is spread the report of your rare vertuous and integritie of life especially your innocencie in the crime wherewith you are accused as from farre Countreyes I am come to be your Knight if you will vouchsafe me such honour as to accept me Assuring you that vnder your commaundement and in the companie of my noble Fréend who vndertakes the Combat for my Lord Florendos right willing am I to aduenture life and credit Alas Gentle Knight quoth the Quéene this offer procéedeth from your courtesie and bountie not by any vertue on my parte deseruing for too contrarie hath Fortune euermore sette her selfe against me But verie ingratefull might I bee accounted and neuer be reckoned among Ladies of regard if hauing taken such paines for me I shoulde not accept you for my Knight especiallie in so vrgent occasion Therefore I entertaine you into this seruice and I desire of God that you may be as easilie deliuered from the charge you take in hand for me as my conscience is cléere from the faulte wherwith I am accused I hope Madame quoth Frysoll that my Lord your Father shall ere long perceiue your loyall perfect and pure nobilite which neuer can kéepe companie with seruile anâ— detestable treason All this while Palmerin beholding the Quéene séeing her swéete face so stained and blubbered with teares mooued with naturall remorse was constrained to turne his head aside to hide the teares that trickled down his chéekes The Quéene likewise regarded him so earnestlye as when â—he behelde him wéepe she imagined that one gaue a violent pull at her heart which shee dissembled so well as she could determining not to demand the cause thereof vntill such time as the Combatte were finished So taking their leaue of the Quéene and the Princesse Armida they returned to their lodging till the next morning when the Emperour
to the Messenger and withall such an honourable gift for his paynes as well might content a greater personage He returning to Constantinople effectually discharged his aunswere and Palmerin reading his Grandfathers Letters vowed to fulfill his request and afterward to follow the search of Tryâ—eus Now the day béeing come when the Lords of Macedon shoulde set forwarde to Constantinople they came to take theyr leaue of the King who began to them in this manner Ah my good Fréends God is my witnesse with what good will I would beare you companie if my aged yéeres did not forbid me neuerthelesse let mée desire yée to behaue your selues in such sort as if I were in person with ye and honour Prince Palmerin no lesse then my selfe So creating the Duke of Pontus his Lieutenant in this Ambassade because hée was a braue and comely yong Prince bequeathed them to happie Fortune in their iourney commaunding a Knight to poste before them that Palmerin might be first aduertised of their comming On the same day as they should arriue at the Cittie Palmerin accompanied with the yong King of Sparta the most subtill and ingenious Prince of his time as well instructed in the manners and conditions of the auncient Kings his predecessours especially imitating cautelous Vâ—isses and diuerse other yong Princes and Knights rode to méete the Lords of Macedon at the Gates of the Citie There alighted all the Lords to kisse his hand which hée woulde not permit them to doo but casting himselfe likewise from his Horse embraced them all one after another And mounting on horsebacke againe entered the Cittie which was so plentifullie stored with Knights and gentlemen against the tryumph as the Prince Olorico and Frysoll were appoynted by the Emperour to sée the Lords lodged according to their estate and to erect Tents and Pauillions without the Cittie where the rest of their traine might be decently entertained This choyse made the Emperour of these twaine in this matter because in all his Court were not two more courteous Princes beside they were the onely men in the worlde for affable and gracious entertaining straungers All this businesse ended and Palmerin deuising with the Quéene his Mother Frysoll béeing in his companie sawe her enter the Chamber to whom he had vowed his seruiceable deuotions wherfore feigning some occasioÌ„ at the windowe where the Princesse stood he went and stood by her a prettie while and at length entred into these spéeches Madame as yet in all my life I neuer requested any thing of a Ladie and now would I gladly moue one sute to you as to her that is the onely Mistresse of my heart if I should not séeme ouer-bold in this petition assuring you that hauing obtained this fauour of you you shall not commaunde anie thing how difficult so euer it bée but I will gladlie enterprise it for your sake Beléeue me Sir Frysoll aunswered the Princesse you speake but reason demaunde then what you please and you shall obtaine it because I holde this opinion of you that you will not request any thing that shall in ought be preiudiciall to mine honour A thousand thanks good Madame said Frysoll this houre I hope hath boaded mée good fortune and this is my request that you would so much honor me as to permit me enter the Tourney vnder the name of your Knight because I would enterprise nothing but by your commaundement And this in my iudgement is such an especiall â—auour as I durst not presume to solicite you withall without the graunt my Lorde your Brother Palmerin made mée with this addition that according to my deserts in the Tourney if you can so fancie to accept me as your Lord and husband With these wordes the Princesse was touched to the quicke in that her desires were that way addicted and her colour chaunging with her priuate conceâ—te shée shadowed so artificially as shée could and with wordes fearefull and trembling thus aunswered In sooth my Lord neuer was I mooued with any such sute héeretofore but my Brother may so farre commaund mee as what liketh him I would be loth to gain-say As for your demaund to enter the field vnder the name of my Knight with right good will I graunt it assuring you thereof with this Iewell which henceforth so please you to weare shall remaine as a token of my loue to you So taking a goodly Emeralde from her finger kissing it with great courtesie gaue it him Nowe am I sure Madame quoth Frysoll to haue part of the prize séeing I shall aduenture in your seruice nor is this ring of so little value but when in the Combat I shall behold it my forces will be redoubled and newe life enter my fainting spirit Moreouer I dare say that neuer did the Ring of Giges bring him more honour then this will to mée for his could not profite or aduantage him but onely by béeing inuisible On the contrary I haue no pleasure but in your presence nor shall I thinke my selfe at better ease then when among Launces and Swordes I may labour for your loue Then entred the Empresse with other Ladies newlie come to the Court to sée the Iousts which brake of their talke wherefore taking leaue of each other they departed the Chamber Chap. XXXVI Howe the Duke of Mecaena and the Counte of Reifort arriued at Allemaigne at the Emperours Court and after theyr Ambassage dispatched the Emperour sent backe with them to Constantinople the Duke of Lorraine and the Marquesse of Licena as his Ambassadours NOwe is the day come when the Fléete appoynted for the Ambassade to Allemaigne should depart wherefore béeing furnished with all things necessariâ— for their voyage the winde and Sea likewise verie seruiceable came to aduertise Palmerin thereof to knowe if he would commaund them any further seruice Palmerin walked with them to the Hauen and by the way gaue a Letter to the Duke of Mecaena saying Worthy Duke present my humble dutie to my Lady Polynarda and giue her this Letter whereof I pray you bring mee an answere And pleased God that I might go with you neuer could any voyage better please me therefore lette me intreate you returne so soone as possible may be The Duke promised to accomplish his desire and taking leaue of each other they went abroade where hoysing theyr sayles with a merrie wind a way they went and arriued in Allemaigne sooner then expected When they were come on shore they sent a Knight before to the Emperour that hee might bée acquainted with their comming yet could not his Maiestie but maruaile at this Ambassage because in all his time he neuer had the like and therefore thought this strange occasion would sort to as strange an ende At length to doo them the greater honour he sent all his Knights and Gentlemen to receiue them who conducted the Duke of Mecaena and the Counte of Reifort to the Pallace and afterwarde to the presence of the Emperour When the Duke entred the Chamber
â—hee saluted his Maiestie with great reuerence yet not kissing his hande because he came from as great a state as hee was afterwrd he beganne in this manner Mightie and redoubted Monarch of Allemaigne the most high and excellent Emperour of Constantinople my Maister vnderstanding the losse of your Sonne Trineus gréeteth you with health and continuall happinesse Giuing you to vnderstande that within these fewe daies such good fortune hath befallen him as in all his life time hée neuer had the like And albeit in his last warre with the Turkes and Moores he lost both Sonnes Nephewes and many great Lords of his kindred and since that time hath béene troubled with the hard â—ap of his daughter Griana Quéene of Hungaria and the sodaine death of her Husband the King yet hath his Maiestie changed all these gréefes into ioy by knowledge of the good Knight Sir Palmerin whose renowne liues as wel in Heathenesse as in Christendome béeing now found Sonne to my Lord the Emperour and therefore created sole heyre to the Empire And the noble Prince Palmerin on his behalfe humbly saluteth your imperiall maiestie béeing the Lord to whom he is most affected in seruice so that to finde out your Sonne Trineus and the faire Agriola Daughter of England whom two yéeres since and more hee lost in the East Seas he abandoneth all honorable preferments vntill his trauaile shall be finished and he hath brought him hither before your highnesse And hauing alreadie searched in many Kingdomes at length hée vnderstood that they were liuing and in health also that himselfe should in the ende recouer them hée thought it necessarie to acquaint you herewith because he doubted of your extreame sorrow and heauinesse The Emperor astonied to heare the good fortune of Palmerin as also the losse of his Sonne Trineus could not subdue his passions which mooued the teares to trickle downe his chéekes with conceit of ioy and gréefe together yet shadowing his alteration so well as he could thus replyed In truth my Lorde Ambassadour I alwaies imagined by Palmerins woorthie actions that he was discended of noble or royall linage and greatly it contenteth me that he so happily hath founde the house of his discent expelling altogether considering his promise and prowesse what hath béene long imprinted in my heart considering the losse of my Sonne Trineus For so fauourable are the heauens to Palmerin in all his enterprises and admirable aduentures as one may imagine that déeds of honor and account are reserued onely for him chéefely the recouerie of my Sonne which I hope hee will effectually bring to passe And trust me not without great and sufficient reason doth the Emperour your Maister repute himselfe happie this onely good fortune béeing of force enough to discharge his mind of all sorrowes and cares that former occasions mooued him with all Now know I howe to recompence his princely kindnesse honoring me with so good and happy tidings but that it may please him to accept of mee héereafter as his louing Brother and faithfull Friend No other thing my Lord quoth the Duke dooth his Maiestie desire and to beginne this amitie and alliance betwéene you hee requesteth that if his Sonne Palmerin hath héeretofore founde such fauour in your eyes you would now confirme it by giuing him to wife the Princesse Polynarda your Daughter whom he will not marrie vntill he haue brought home your Sonne Trineus As for the other conuentions of the marriage this Letters shall certifie you so kissing them hée deliuered them with very great reuerence And her shall he haue with right good will sayde the Emperour for a fitter husband can shée not haue I thinke likewise her selfe will consent thereto for the good opinion she had of him while he remained in our Court But because I will not displease the King of Fraunce who in like manner requesteth her for his Sonne and heyre I will conferre with the estates of the Empire and then deliuer you certaine answere So the Ambassadours withdrew themselues to their lodgings and the Emperor caused the Letters to bee read before all his Princes and Lordes who could no way mislike of this marriage and therefore great ioy was made through the Empire in hope the Prince Trineus should soone be recouered These ioyfull newes soone spreading through the Court at length were brought to the Princesse Polinarda in her Chamber who not able to conceale her sodaine ioy ranne to Bryonella saying Swéete friende nowe maist thou reioyce with me in that our loues are nowe assured vs whereof before wée vtterly despayred Ah my Brionella Heauen hath now confirmed our fortunate successe in that my Palmerin is founde to bee the Emperours Sonne of Constantinople whereof he hath certified my Lord and Father by his Embassage and howe Palmerin hath heard tydings of my Brother Trineus whom shortly he will bring home againe yet not without thy Ptolome I hope Therefore my onâ—ly copartner in loue and feare let vs abandon all gréefe and sorrow which greatly may preiudice our health and welfare and nowe dispose our selues to a contented resolution of life attending our long desired fortune God graunt it may be so quoth Bryonella yet my minde perswades mee that wée shall not sée them so soone as you wéene The Emperour hauing conferred with the Lorde of Allemaigne who very well allowed the marriage of his daughter with Palmerin determined to send to the Emperor of Constantinople ambassadours for perfect confirmation of the marriage And by generall consent the Duke of Lorrayne and the Marquesse of Licena were chosen for this present Embassage Which being doone the Emperour went to the Empresse Chamber and sent for his Daughter Polynarda who was so ioyfull of these happie newes as she could scant imagine how to dissemble her content when shee should come in her Fathers presence yet shadowing it from any open suspect after shee had saluted her Father with great reuerence the Emperour thus spake Daughter you haue hitherto refused so many noble offers as hardly can I permitte to mooue you with any other yet once more will I trie you againe in hope you will stand vpon no more refusals but ioyne with me in opinion as beyonde all other best beséemes you The man of whom I speake is noble Palmerin of whose honourable behauiour you haue some knowledge and for no other cause hath the Emperour sent his Ambassadours aduise your selfe then what you answere for all our nobilitie allow the match and thereto haue generally subscribed their consent The Princesse couering her inwarde ioy with modest bashfulnesse thus answered If héeretofore my good Lorde I excused my obeysance to your commandement especially for taking a husband it was onely for the promise I made to my Brother Trineus but nowe seeing it is your pleasure and the good lyking of al the estates as also that the marriage shall not be solemnized till my Brothers presence I will not disobey your commaund assuring your Maiestie that more content am
was slaine and Agriola deliuered PAlmerin being vpon a day in his Chamber with his Companions practising some meane for the deliuerance of Agriola the Princesse Laurana of Durace came to them framing her spéeches in this maner Gentlemen if any of you be desirous to deliuer vs from this cruell enemie who holdes vs in this thrall and bondage I haue deuised the best meanes that may be and thus it is The Turke the most luxurious and vnchast man in the worlde not contented with infinite number of Concubines hath many times made loue to me so that to compasse mine intent I haue made him promise within thrée dayes to graunt his request In this time I haue intreated the Princesse Agriola to shewe him the most disdamefull countenaunce that may bée which shée hath faythfully promised and for this cause hath sent mee to you to conuay hence all the riches he hath giuen yée and which shée herselfe will likewise send ye so that when the houre is come for me to fulfill his pleasure one of you béeing priuilie armed shall in my place murther him in reuenge of the ill Christendome hath sustained by the last vnhappie voyage of Olimaell who determineth verie shortly as I vnderstand to goe spoyle to Isle of Rhodes Palmerin very glad of the Princesse notable inuention thus answered Because Madame I lately promised the Turke not to depart his Court but to kéepe him companie when he denied his Admirall that I and my companions shoulde go with him to the Rhodes I cannot be the man to ende this woorthie reuenge therefore one of you my Fréendes must resolue to performe it In meane while you Madame Laurana may returne to the Turke pleasing him with faire and fréendly spéeches for if neeuer so little suspition bée gathered not one of vs can escape with life Feare not sayde the Princesse I will vse the matter so carefully as you can desire right well knowe howe to enflame his heart with â—ueint lookes coy disdaines faint dealings aud other such like ceremonies vsed in loue as feare not you to prosecute the stratageme in that a beginning so good must néedes sort to a successiue ende The yong Duke of Pontus who began to growe affectionate towards the Princesse Laurana sayd In sooth my Lord so please you to commit the charge héereof to me so well hope I to execute the same for her sake that did so woorthily inuent it as I dare warrant to deserue no reproch thereby For my first earnest to gentle Loue shall be so gracious as in qualifying the vnlawfull heate of our enemie I will binde my selfe neuer to loue anie other and her faith receyued if I bring not his head to Madame Laurana let mée bée accounted as one of the most slothfull Knights that euer bare Armes Aduertise mée therefore of the place and houre and doubt not of my faithfull performance At this pleasant answer they all be ganne to smile whereupon Palmerin thus spake Beléeue mee noble Duke considering your youth and braue disposition I knowe no one in this â—â—mpanie more méete for the Princesse Laurana then you are but I thinke when the appoynted houre shall come you will bée a little more angrie with the Turke then her if she haue you in that subiâ—ction as it séemes she hath Yet let vs not nowe trifle the time in vaine when such waightie occasions commaundeth our diligence So returned Laurana to the Princesse Agriola acquainting her with the Knights determination when not long after the great Turke entred the Chamber accompanied with Palmerin and the King of Sparta that he might the better speake to her hée so earnestly desired hée caused Palmorin to sit betwéene him and Agriola then turning to Laurana he began to deuise familiarlie with her Which wheâ— Palmerin and Agriola perceiued the better to beguile him hée made a signe to the King of Sparta that hée should enter into some talke of hunting wherat the Turke presently arose and taking Laurana by the hand led her to the window with these spéeches Mistresse of my heart and the very fairest creature that euer mine eyes behelde will ye graunt the request I made to you yesterday Sée you not what great honour I haue done to Madame Agriola Notwithstanding if you will loue me I will make you my Wife that I may haue issue by you to succéede in my kingdome and your honours shall be nothing inferiour to hers And though she still denie me the fauour which with long and continuall pursuite I haue desired yet doe you consider my gréefe and if in short time you vouchsafe me no pitti the extreame afflictions I endure for your loue are rated at the price of my life God forbid quoth Laurana that so great a losse shoulde come to the Orientall Empyre by me rather will I forget the accustomed regard of mine honour to bée accepted in your grace and fauour And the cause that made me deferre so long from this answere was the feare I haue of Madame Agriola and her Brother to whome I was giuen by your Admirall after my Fathers decease But to the ende my Lorde that none of them may suspect our loue I thinke it conuenient that Hyppolita who alway lyeth in your Chamber remoue her selfe to the Ladies attending on Agriola and her shall you commaunde to giue me the Key of my Ladies Chamber which hitherto shée hath vsed to carrie By this meane may I the more safely and without suspition of any one come in the night to fulfill your desire The Turke imagining he had gayned the Princesse loue indéede was not a little ioyfull wherefore he said Swéete Ladie you shall haue the Key as you request nor shall she longer lodge in my Chamber whom you feare so much Moreouer this night will I perswade Agriola that I féele my selfe not halfe currant and therefore to kéepe her selfe in her owne Chamber and so may you come boldlie to me this night If any man chaunce to méete yée say that I sent for you and if they dare bee so bolde as to hinder your comming in the morning shall my Ianizaries put them to death whatsoeuer they be So taking a King from his finger wherein was a stone of inestimable value hée gaue it to the Princesse saying Holde Madame take this as a pledge of my promise for which Laurana humblie thanking him thus replied My Lord I sée Agriola hath foure or fiue times earnestlie noted you I thinke it good therefore that we breake off talke assuring you that I will not faile at midnight when euerie one is fast a sléepe to kéepe my worde and in the Mantle which you sent mée yesterday I will couertly enter your Chamber conditionallie that you kéepe your promise to mée afterwarde Doubt not thereof said the Turke and so taking his leaue of heâ— went presently to his Chamber where finding Hyppolâ—ta he commaunded her to take thence her bed and â—arrie it to the Ladies Chamber likewise taking the Key from
Palmerins féete so that hée demaunded of the Princesse if shée brought him from the Isle of Malfada for doubtlesse quoth he I thinke it is some Knight transformed by that cruell woman who héeretofore belike hath knowne me At which words the dog howled excéedingly when Paâ—merin tooke an oath that hée would searche all the worlde ouer to finde some meane to bring him to his former shâ—pe that hée might know from whence this loue procéededed The next day the king Tyreno assaulted the Cittie who was slaine in the battaile by Palmerin so afterward was Maulerino crowned king of Nabor and all the Countrey enioyed their former quiet whereupon the Princesse Zephira gaue Palmerin her dogge who requited her with many gracious thanks because he greatlie suspected that it was his fréend Trineus transformed into that shape but now let vs returne to the soldane of Babilon vnderstanding how his Armie was discomfited at Constantinople Chap. XLVI Howe one of the Nephewes to the King of Balisarca brought newes to the Soldane of his vncles death the foyle of his Armie the losse of Palmerin and Olorico And how the Princesse Alchidiana bought Ptolome whom she greatly honored for Palmerins sake THe King of Balisarca as you haue heard before being slaine his Armie discomfited and al his Galleys burnt before Constantinople one of his Nephewes that kept the straight of yâ— Bosphor with two foysts least any succour should come that way to the Christians by one Galley that escaped hearde all this misfortune wherefore making haste backe againe fearing to be taken at length arriued in the Soldans Kingdome where not staying long hée posted to the Courte and to the Soldane reuealed all that had happened When the Soldane heard how his Armie was thus ouerthrowne Palmerin whom he loued so well and the Prince Olorico lost in the storme on the sea vexed with greefe and rage hee called his Lorde Ambassadour Mauce to to him saying Haste thée good Maucâ—â—to to my Brother the Soldane of Persia and desire him to leuâ—y me a strong Armie against the Moneth of March next ensuing to encounter with the Emperour of Greece promising him the spoyle whatsoeuer it bee reseruing for my selfe nothing but the â—â—me of reuenge Maucetto departed presentlie on his iourney and by the way mette sixe Moores leading two Christians to the Soldans Court to sell which were Ptolome and Colmelio of whome hee demaunded why they were so bounde in chaines My Lord quoth one of the Moores they be Christian slaues who not long since were taken at the Sea by Olimaell Admirall to the great Turke And how came you by them said Maucetto The Admirall quoth the Moore gaue them to one of his Cozins who now is deade and his wife béeing loth to kéepe them anie longer sendes them to the Court to be solde for money Maucetto bought Colmelio of them refusing Ptolome because he was somewhat sâ—cklie and so passed on his Embassade The Moores comming to the Court with poore Ptolome and placing him among other slaues that stoode to bee solde there came a deformed Moore farre worsse mishapen then was Thersites yâ— Greek and he would néedes buy Ptolome of the Merchaunt but Ptolome disdaining to be subiect to so vile a creature gaue him such a stroke on the stomacke with his fiste as made him tumble ouer backward saying Thou monstrous Uillaine let me rather die then come into thy subiection At this instant passed by the Princesse Alchidiana smiling is sée the Moore lie along but when shée behelde the good personage of Ptolome shée remembred her louer Palmerin and was therewith mooued thus to speake Nowe durst thou take such hardinesse vpon thee béeing a bondslaue and a captiue thus to strike a Moore frée of this Countrey Ptolome perceiuing by the Ladies attending on her that shee was the Soldanes Daughter falling on his knée thus aunswered Assuredlie Madame rather desire I death then to liâ—â— at such an ill fauoured villaines controll my selfe beeing a Knight at Armes Are you then a knight said the Princesse I am good Madaine quoth he although my seruitude hath very much altered mée Alchidiana withâ—ut any further questions deliuered the Merchant two hundred Seraphes and by two of her Squires caused him to bee conducted to her Chamber where he was presentlie disroabed of his vnséemelie garments and cloathed in such as well became a knight to weare afterwarde she commaunded her attendants to depart the chamber and comming to Ptolome she thus began Nowe Syr Knight I intreate you by the holy faith you owe to your best beloued that you will truelie tell mee by what misfortune you happened first into thraldome Madame quoth he séeing of your owne grace and bountie you haue deliuered mee from these villaines that made sale of my life I will not fable with you in any one point but tell you a Historie repleat with wonderfull sorrowe Hauing reuealed the manner of his taking and all the mishaps hée endured euer since the teares trickling downe his chéekes he said And yet sweete Ladie all these passed miseries and still abiding your slaue gréeues me not so much as the losse of my déerest Fréende the best knight in the worlde who went to sée his Falcon flie when the Pirates came and vnhappilie tooke vs. Tell me good freende quoth the Princesse what may the knight bee called of whom you make such estimation Quoth Ptolome he nameth himselfe Palmerin d'Oliua O soueraigne Gods said Alchidiana haue you béenâ— companion to the noble Palmerin That haue I in truth Madame quoth he and knowe more of his affayres then anie other man doth Unhappie that I am said the Princesse nowe sée I well that I am deceiued in all my hope Saye good knight naie more I coniure thee by thy faith to the soueraigne Creator of all things to tell mee if he bee of our Lawe and hath béene dumbe of long or no By God Madame answered Ptolome your adiuration is such as rather will I make a sacrifice of my selfe then bee found vntrue to you in any thing Hée is a Christian borne in Greece and neuer had defect in his spéech if discréet consideration of following euents eyther to escape captiuitie or death did not inforce him to feigne such a deceite for hée is most expert among all other in dissembling anye matter may turne him aduauntage Then such hath béene my fortune quoth Alchidiana as his vertue bountie wise foresight vsed for the space of a yéere and more in my Fathers Court made me so religiously vowed to him in loue as neuer intend I to make other choise and I sweare by all our Gods that if I heare not the better tydings of him by thée my spirit will forsake this wretched bodye and except better fortune among the soules in Elisium Ah imperious loue how wonderfull is thy strooke My fréende is contrarie to me in lawe and profession a Knight errant vnknowne absent from mee and loues me not for these occasions were I the
defence Zephira with humble thanks requiting the Kâ—â—g Palmerin and all the rest graciously welcommed they rode all to the Pallace where being intertained in choysest sorâ— Muzabelino still accompanied Palmerin who forgot not his woonted kindnes to his louing Dogge Chap. XLIX The talke that the princesse Zephira and Palmerin had with the wise Muzabelino and how Palmerin departed from Romato to the Castell of the ten Rocks THe Princesse Zephira who had not yet talked with Muzabelino in the morning sent for him and Palmerin shée causing them to sit downe by her began in this manner My Lord if your great iudgement haue acquainted you with the cause of my comming and that you will doe anie thing for the loue of Sir Palmerin let pittie perswade you for in you onely consisteth my remedie Madame quoth Muzabelino vse not such speaches for what my studie and practise hath taught me you must make no account of but referre your selfe to the supreame Creator who by the meanes of noble Palmerin will restore your health and him will I acquaint with the manner how it must be compassed Your disease happened by smelling to a flower and by the smell of another it must be recouered The flower appoynted to giue you health groweth in an Arbour in the Castell of the tenne Rocks and kept by the enchauntment of a Ladie more skilfull in all artes then euer was the skilfull Medea This Ladie deceasing an hundred yeares since and more Shée séeing before her death the vertue of this flower and of a Bird which is kept there by the selfe same meanes hauing inchaunted them in a Garden the must sumptuous in the world raysed ten Rocks of Marble without the Castell each one ascending higher then an other and by these Rocks was the Castle named Such enchauntment did the Ladie exorcise on them as when anie one thinketh to passe them presently starteth out of each Rocke an armed Knight who returneth the aduenturer so forciblie as to to this day they haue not béene passed by any Couragious therefore must he be that passeth these Rocks which if Palmerin by his bountie and prowesse doo not accomplish no man liuing can ende the aduenture for by force not cunning must the enchauntment be ended When the Princesse heard that by the daungerous trauaile of noble Palmerin her health must be restored she thus sorâ—owfully complained Ah Gods suffiseth it not that héeretofore this good Knight aduentured his life in the daungerous battell when my Brother was slaine but nowe he must abide the diuellish coniurations where death is dayly and hourelie expeâ—â—â—ed shall I consent to offer him such wrong and bée guiltie of his blood who surpasseth all other in chiualrie rather let my death be a warrant for his safetie then noble Palmerin shoulde endure such perrill for me Lament not Madame quoth Muzabelino before you haue cause hée that slewe Malfada and her Seruaunts is so specially fauoured of the heauenlie powers as no enchauntment whatsoeuer hath power to hurt him Why Madame said Palmerin thinke you my good will is lesse to doo you seruice then when I was first brought to your Court Forbeare these teares I pray you and offend not your selfe for such is my hope in God that what is done by man shall bée destroyed by man besides it will bée great reproach to mée if comming into straunge Countries to séeke aduentures I shall depart without triall of my fortune Muzabelino hearing him speake so couragiouslie tooke him aside saying Noble and hardie Knight whom feare of death cannot dismay happie shall I account my selfe to doo thée anie seruice And to the ende thou mayst with better affection followe this enterprise assure thyselfe to passe the Rockes and enter the Castell with happie victorie where ending all the aduentures therein contained thou shalt finde a part of remedie for recouering thy companions but not all for the rest is in the Tower of Malfada where as yet thou canst not enter but at thy returne shalt easily open and in the ende ioyfully finde all thy Companions and Fréendes For the rest feare not my discouerie of thy secrete loue and parentage which is the most noble in all Christendome for rather will I bée torne in a thousand péeces then so good a Knight shall bée iniuried by mée Séeing you know so much quoth Palmerin I commit all to God and you let me therefore right soone craue leaue of the King for my departure because I long that the Princesse were eased Right sorie was the King to part with him so soone yet the hope of his short returne somewhat pacified him And when the newes were spreade abroade that Palmerin should trauaile to the Castell of the tenne Rockes Tomano Drumino and the Princesse Zephira woulde néedes beare him companie which hée being not able to gaine-say because they were importunate on him gaue his consent So departing from Romata they made such haste in their iourney as within fewe dayes after they arriued at the Castell and comming to the first Rocke they behelde a goodly Sworde encloseâ— therein hp to the crosse The two yong Psinces maruailing thereat allighted from their Horsses and assailed by strength to pull it out Which they were not able to doe wherefore Tomano entreated Palmerin to trie his fortune who after many courteous refusals offered to pull it foorth but a fearefâ—ll flame of fire suddenly issued foorth of the Rocke which compelled them to retyre back wherfore Palmerin said to the Princes This Sword I sée must be none of ours therefore it is in vaine to striue any further Chap. L. Howe Palmerin passed the tenne Rockes vanquished the tenne enchaunted Knightes and entered the Castell where hee finished all the enchauntments Triâ—eus returning to his former shape and what happened to them afterward PAlmerin when hee had failed in drawing the Sworde out of the Rocke hée prepared himselfe to the Combat with the enchaunted Knights whome as yet hée coulde not anie way discerne but first he began his orisons in this manner O soueraigne Creator who euermore hath succâ—ure◠〈…〉 aduersities and fortunes this day giue mée strength to confound these diuelries and enchauntments and let thy name haue the honour of a glorious victorie Then giuing his horse the spurres gallopped onward saying Sweete Mistresse Polynarda if euer your remembraunce gaue mée ayde and fauour now let your diuine regard comfort your seruaunt Béeing then betwéene the two foremost Rocks a mightie Knight mounted on a lustie Courser with a huge Launce in his hande called to him saying Turne Sir Knight you may passe no further then furiouslie encoâ—ntering one another they met so roughlie togither with their bodyes as they were both cast foorth of their saddles The Dog that still followed Palmerin séeing his Fréendâ— horse offered to stray caught the bridle by the raignes with his téeth and would not let him passe anie further In the meane while Palmerin hauing fought with the Knight and after a long and cruell combat smote
honoured with so high a present which I will kéepe so charie as mine owne person but that the name of Muzabelino may for euer be imprinted in my heart giue mée some one of your name or kindred who â—uermore may bée néerest to my person My Lord quoth Muzabelino to you will I giue one of my Sonnes begotten by me on a Christian Ladie agréeing with you in faith and oâ—inion whereof I am not sorie yet feare I that the King should knowe so much least his religion might cause his death Déere fréend said Palmerin for Gods sake giue him me presently and him will I loue as hee were my brother Your request quoth he can I not yet satisfie till wée goe to my Castle where he is kept which because I will no longer deferre to morrow will I perswaâ—e the King to iourney to his great Cittie of Grisca there to take view of his Armie when I shal compasse the meane to giue him you vpon this conclusion they departed to their cambeâ—s Chap. LII How Muzabelino gaue Palmerin his Sonne Bellechino entertaining the King and all his companie royally at his Castle and how the two Armies of the King Abimar and the Soldane of Persia encountred with the successe therof MVzabelino perceiuing by his art that the Soldane of Persia with his power was néere at hand thinking to ruinate the great Cittie of Grisca aduertised the King thereof willing him with all spéede to muster his Armie and preuent the soldanes determination The King not misliking his aduise set forward presently to Grisca and by the way at the earnest intreatie of Muzabelino the King with all his courtly companie lay at his Castle where many rare deuises were showen them by enchauntment which I passe ouer as matter altogether impertinent There did the Magitian giue Palmerin his Sonne Bellechino one of his Daughters likewise to the Quéene and another to the Princesse Zephira Afterward they iourneyed to the Cittie of Grisca where all his armie was ranged in readines béeing numbred an hundred thousand fighting men the auantguarde he committed to the two Princes Palmerin and Trineus consisting of twentie thousand horsemen his two battailes of 30000. Archers on horsebacke the two Princes Tomano and Drumino had in charge and the rereward was gouerned by the two Kinges of Seuata and Garara The Soldanes power béeing ordained in battailewise within few dayes after the fight beganne which continued with such danger on either side as the victorie hung very long in suspence In the ende after a mightie massacre made of the Persians among whom was Donadel Prince of Siconia slaine with many other great Califes and Lords the Soldane himselfe was taken prisoner by Palmerin sent bound with â—etters of Gold to the Princesse Zephira The Messenger comming to the Princesse Chamber declared how Palmerin had sent her that prisoner to entreate him as her selfe liked best In sooth my Lord quoth the Princesse to the Soldane you are right welcome for his sake that sent you héere shall your entertainement be as fittes your calling and miâ—like not your mishap in that the knight who sent you is wont to conquere where himselfe pleaseth The Soldane angrie at his hard fortune yet séeing hée was prisoner to a Lady so beautifull was immediately so surprised with loue as hee was not able to answere the Princesse one word But she perceiuing he was very sore wounded caused him to bée conducted to a goodly Chamber commaunding her Chirurgions to attend him dilligently On the morrow shee came to sée how hee â—ared when Loueouer mastering all his senses made him forgette his hatred to the King Abimar resoluing to become his friend by marriage of the Princesse and vnable longer to suppresse his waighting passions which more troubled him then his dangerous wounds hee thus beganne Fairest among the daughters of men tell me I desire you if you bée the Childe of the King Abimar or els of whence you are to the ende I may one day acknowledge this fauour which your milde nature affoordes your prisoner Heereunto the Princesse answered howe shée was Daughter to the King Onodius of Nabor coupling therewith all her passed fortunes concluding in the ende that in all actions agréeing with honour shée remained his humble Seruant Fortune quoth he neuer constant but in vnconstancie once yesterday was I the greatest Prince in the worlde and now none in my Kingdome so miserable as my selfe béeing brought in subiection to my inferiour and snared in loue with my vassailes Daughter Wisely sayd the Poet That badlie doo loue and Maiestie agree togither for though the height of mine estate forbids my desire yet loue and mine owne lyking are two such seuere enemies as I must not nowe stand to dispute the cause Happie is the Knight in whose power remaines a Ladie so excellent but much more happie is the Ladie that can commaunde so great a person by whom such honours are this day affoorded you fayre Princesse as wel may you vaunt to bée the greatest in Persia. If by a Knight surpassing in prowesse I was conquered in battaile by one in beautie and curtesie incomparable am I againe ouermaistred so that I am enforced to present you my heart and all the signories I possesse to vse at your pleasure vowing for your sake perpetuall peace with Abimar mine enemie The Princesse abashed at this vnexpected offer a swâ—ete blush colourer her daintie chéekes and fearing to be imputed too indiscréete shaped her answere to the last poynt of the Soldanes spéeches as thus In sooth my Lord well could I like that peace were concluded betwéene the King and you though not by any meane in mée but by the omnipotent power of the Goddes who letting you know the weaknesse of your owne strength would not haue any warre betwéene you and the King Abimar And if it like you so much to abase your selfe as to like the simple Daughter of a King who while hée liued was your highnesse Subiect well may I with modestie giue consentâ— for if my Father all his life time obeyed you as his Lorde vnséemely were disobedience in his Daughter By the holâ—e Alcaron of Mahomet aunswered the Soldane your benigne humilitie hath more conquered me then the proudest enemie in the worlâ—e coulde doo doo you therefore appoynt the Articles of our peace and I as vnpartiall will agree thereto Thus began the peace and the promise of mariage betwéene the Soldane and the Princes Zephira which béeing thorowlie agréed vppon the King Abimar Palmerin Tryneus and all the states subscribing thereto the Camps on either side were discharged and the Soldane with his great Seneshall openly in the Citie of Grisca protested peace in this manner That the Soldane shoulde espouse Zephira and Tomano the Princesse Belâ—ina the Soldanes Daughter Beside hee renounced all pretended rights to the Realmes of Grisca and Romata nor would he demaund anie tribute of them afterward or enter his confines with anie violence but assist the King continually against
their health quoth he how are they called The one said the Quéene is named Palmerin the other Trineus And I quoth he am Orzadine King of Galappa to whome fortune hath béene more fauourable in loue then in riches making me Fréende to the faire Oronia Daughter to the Calife of Siconia and Sister to the Prince Donadell who was slaine in the battaile against the King Abimar shée in my iudgement not hauing her second in beautie at whose request I haue trauailed the greatest part of Asia to spread her name and honorable reputation which I haue doone â—o her perpetuall fame and returning to her when my labours were finished in sted of ioy and pleasure I found her sad and pensiue for the death of her Brother These newes were worse to me then death and to comfort her I promised to reuenge her Brothers misfortune and this is the onelie cause of my comming for hauing Combatted with him that slâ—w the Prince her loue to mee will be the greater and mine honour shall be spread with more aduantage I belâ—eue well quoth the Quéene if you escape with life from the Combat but tell me Sir Knight why beare you such ill will to him that slâ—w the Prince considering that it was doon in plaine battaile and he his enemie who would haue doone as much to him if he could Not for this cause alonâ— will I enter the Combat said Orzodine but for I am desirous to let him knowe that I am more fauoured in loue then hee and as I am one of the most happie Louers so am I the best Knight in the world which I will maintaine against anie that dare gain-say it Happy louer Dieu Vous gard said Trineus If the Poets had hetherto spared the discription of Cupid Sonne to the Goddesse of loue now might they iustly haue sette him downe for blind yet is hée worthilie to be condemned that hee would vouchsafe anye fauour to the most foolish among men hée hauing dedicated me to the seruice of a Ladie to whom your gentle Ironia Oronia I should saye dooth not deserue the name of her seruant For the rest where you vaunt your selfe to bée the best Knight in the world your follie is too apparaunt for there are manie Knightes errant in the worlde who can giue you a braue caâ—uazado at the Launce and after they haue foyled you in the Ioust bestowe a little paines to take your gréene head from your grosse shoulders My selfe that flew the Brother to your Goddesse of beautie will doo you so much pleasure as to heale the incurable disease wherewith you are day and night tormented O diuine spirites cryed the Pagan fauour me so much that this Knight may but dare to enter the Fielde with mee Yes I dare sayde Tryneus and before we part I doubt not but to make thée quiet enough Ozodine presentlie threwe his Gauntlet as his gage and Tryneus a Golden bracelet which Aurecinda had giuen him entreating Zephiâ—a to kéepe them which she refused to doo fearing the daunger of the Prince Tryneus Héereupon the Soldane entred the Hall leading Palmerin by the hand but when they sawe the Armed Knight thus contend with Trineus they meruailed greatly what might be the occasion thereof When Orzadine sawe the Soldane was sette he entred into these spéeches Soldane I am hither come to accuse thée of a villainous act which thou hast committed harbouring in thy Court the man that â—lewe the the valiant Donadell whose murther thou canst not so cunningly couer but thy treacherie shall be openly discouered What art thou said the Soldane that darest speake thus presumptuously in our presence Orzodine King of Galappa quoth he of whom thou hast heard heretofore and now haue I presented my gage against this Knight which I will maintaine in despight of the proudest The Soldane abashed at this euent sought to disswade them from the Combatte because hée had heard great spéeches of the Kings prowesse but all was in vaine for Orzodine was so obstinate and Tryneus so earnest to reuenge the Turks proud blasphemie against his Ladie as they would not be pacified till the Fielde was graunted them Let vs haue Iudges presently quoth Orzodine and the Fielde assured for our Combat that I may discipline this glorious straunger Make not such haste sayd Tryneus for I feare thou wilt thinke thy comming too soone Immediately were the the two Combattants Armed the Iudges placed in their Tent when the Soldane and Palmerin with manie Princes went to beholde this exployt But such a mightie man was the King of Galappa as Palmerin feared his fréends successe The Trâ—mpets souâ—â—ding the Knights brake their Launces brauelie and mette togither so furiouslye with their bodies as they were both throwne out of their Saddles but they quickly recouering themselues drâ—we theyr swordes and marched against eache other with lyke courage as did Achilles against noble Hector Long continued the fight with danger on either side but the king of Galappa strooke such peasant strokes béeing a man of equall stature with a Giant as hée wounded Trineus in manie places and such was his ill fortune after long trauersing about hee sette his foote vnwarilye on the Trunchion of a Launce whereby he fell downe backward to the ground Orzodine taking aduauntage of this fall sette his foote on the Princes breast striuing to pull his Helmet from his head but God knowes in what agonie Palmerin was newe when he breathed foorth these spéeches to himselfe Ah Heauens quoth he haue I taken such paine and trauaile to finde my Fréend and must he now die among his enemies Aureeinda likewise readie to yéeld vp her ghost with gréefe seeing Palmerin readie to swoâ—ne as he stood Alas quoth she is it not enough that my Fréend must die but his noble câ—mpanion will beare him companie While this doubtfull feare was among the Courtiers Tryneus had so well scufled with Orzodine as he laye along by him likewise when drawing a pocket dagger he stabbed it through his Helmet into one of his eyes so that he nailed his head to the ground Orzodine féeling himselfe wounded to the death gaue a very loude cry when Tryneus hauing gotten his Helmet off presentlie smote his heade from his shoulders If the Knights of Galappa were now dismaide and the soldane Palmerin Zephira Tomano and all the rest ioyfull I leaue to your iudgements especially Palmerin who reioycing that Trineus had thus conquered his enemie entred the Lystes and embraced him and bringing him foorth of the Fielde â—he was welcommed to the Pallace with wonderfull honor The bodie of the dead King was giuen to them that came with him with meruailous reprehension of theyr Maisters audacious challenge and so with great heauinesse they returned home againe Nor would the Soldane longer stay in his Court the Assirian Ambassadour But excused himselfe to the Babylonian Mysos that he could not giue him anie assistaunce couering this aunswer vnder his vnfortunate battaile against the King Abimar Maucetto
his companion know thereof it may arise to further inconuenience And because Palmerin should not misdoubt this treason all Supper-time the Soldane held him in familiar talke he hoping by this fetch to staie them still in his Courte but it fell out afterward to bâ—e the cause that manie of his best and chéeâ—est Knightes were slaine Not long had the ambushed Knightes waited where they were appointed but the Princesse Aurecinda opened the doore and came foorth with her Fréendes as she was accustomed where they were suddainlie taken Tryneus not hauing the leysure to drawe his sworde so was hee caried prisoner to one of the strongest Towers in the Pallace and Aurecinda at the same time to another Tryneus sâ—eing himselfe thus betraide fell into these lamentable discourses Unfortunate wretch that I am haue I so lately escaped by my fréende the cruell enchauntments of the hellish Malfada wherein I endured so manie paines and torments and am now come to the place where they shall be redoubled Ah Palmerin my good Brother and companion what wilt thou say when thou hearest of my taking but most of all when thou vnderstandest the cause thereof Miserable wretch how often did my Fréend warne mee of this inconuenience yet had not I the grace to credite his Cousaile doubtlesse my very conceit of shame when thou shalt bee acquainted with my soule offence will bee more gréeuous to me then death What dishonour paine torment and punishment shall bee sufficient for my misdéede Forlorne and despised Catife could not the feare of God which hath hitherto so graciously protected thée nor the loyaltie of Agriola who forsooke Parents Fréendes and all for thée haue kept thée from this monstrous acte O eternall God the man that forsaketh thee is vile and abhâ—minable When I had thy feare before mine eyes I was at rest and quiet in conscience estéemed and beloued of all men but when thou gauest mée raynes of libertie I became dissolute and forgetfull of thée as also of them that honoured me so much Ah miserable occasion and those deceits entisements and subtill perswasions howe mightie are they in operation neither men nor diueâ—â— could bring mée into such daunger as you haue plunged mée in vp to the eares Ah villainous Page that first brought mée thither and thou the falsest LadÃe in the world art cause of my euill Nor are they to be accused but my wretched selfe who séeking mine owne hurâ— â—ound it and hauing found it continued in it Thus sorrowfully wayled Tryneus where on the contrarie side Aurecinda reioyced for when shée considered the estate of her Fréende shée perswaded her selfe by this meane that the Soldane her Brother woulde enforce him to marrie her which hope made her as ioyfull Tryneus was sadde and pensiue When the Captaine had imprisoned Tryneus and Aurecinda he came to the Soldan sitting at the Table saying Will your Maiestie commaund me any further seruice I haue enclosed the knight Tryneus in one Tower and your sister Aurecinda in another Why quoth the Soldane did you find them togither I did my Lord quoth the Captaine your sister leading him by the hande out of the Ladies hote-house By Mahâ—met quoth the Soldane but that you speake it hardly coulde I beléeue it what shamefull villainie is this committed in our Pallace by the greatest God the facte shall be so worthiâ—y punished as it shall remaine for a perpetuall memorie At these spéeches Palmerin was not a little amazed and dissembling his anger so well as he could said to the Soldane I cannot be perswaded my Lord that Tryneus would commit so vile an acte without entisement thereto by your sisters treason shée béeing vnder your Maiesties correction the most shamelesse Girle that euer I sawe for twentie and twentie times haue I séene her followe him with gestures farre vnfitting one of her calling Then starting from the Table quoth he Consider what hée is and what thou intendest against him for neuer was imprisonment so dearely bought as this will be and before thou puttest him to death it shall cost mee my life and the liues of an hundreth thousand Knightes beside in reuenge of his wrong Béeing thus enflamed with ire hée could not so giue ouer but thus beganne againe By God Soldane thy treason is so manifest as thou canst not hide it full well doo I vnderstand thy flatteries whereby thou hopest to kéepe vs in thy seruice but farre art thou from thy reckoning for rather will I be torne in a thousande péeces then endure the reproach of such a mans seruice who vnder colour of friendship imprisoneth his Knightes and afterward threatneth them with death Tomano Drumino Corax and many other knights belonging to the King Abimar séeing Palmerin in such a rage as it séemed the fire did sparkle from his eyes endeuoured to perswade him and Tomano thus spake to the Soldane My Lorde vnder my safe conduct and your faith promised are these two Knights come with vs to your Court and yoâ— haue now imprisoned one of them aduise your selfe of spéedie iustice for this shame doone him is against all right and foreuer shall you be noted with breache of faith beside I repute his iniurie as done to my selfe The Soldane séeing the Princes thus mooued although himselfe procured those fifâ—â—e Armed knights to take Tryneus yet with smooth countenance hée thus answered Content your setues my friends Tryneus in right shall be defended and if I finde my Sister culpable shee shall be punished as she were a straunger More I demaund not said Palmerin for I am assured that by her flatteries Tryneus hath bene seduced So departing to his Chamber he met his two Squires Bellechino and Colmelio of whom he demaunded if they at any time perceiued the loue betwéene Tryneus and the Princesse Aurecinda They answered that they did perceiue it and diuers nightes they sawe him goe to the Princesse Chamber And why did you not reueale it to me quoth he worthilye haue you deserued death in concealing the shame of your Maisters Fréende wherein my selfe cannot escape vntouched Héereupon he Armed himselfe and sending for the Prince Tomano said to him I thinke it best my Lord that you kéepe your ordinarie guarde about your person till we knowe how the soldane will deale with Trineus As for my selfe I intende if your Brother Drumino and the Prince Corax will ioyne with mee to keepe the Fielde with the thousand Knightes that came hither with vs that none may enter into the Cittie without our licence In meane while you may sende a Courtier to the King your Father that he presentlye sende vs what helpe he may Sir Palmerin answered Tomano not onelie my Knightes shall enter the Fielde for you but my selfe likewise so please you to commaund mee and what you thinke best for the deliueraunce of your Fréende Tryneus I will bee willing to accomplishe to my vttermost Presentlye will I send a Horseman to Grisca and conferre with my Brother Drumino that his Knights
〈…〉 and they may come to kisse your 〈…〉 Florendos and the Ladies were 〈…〉 Long liue your Maiestie in health and happinesse here may you beholde the man for whom my Lorde Palmerin your Sonne hath endured such paine and trauaile The 〈◊〉 perceiuing by his spéeches that hée was Trineus the Prince of Allemaigne thus aunswered I hope my Lorde that you will beare with mine age and weakenesse which hinders me from entertaining you as fain I would but I beséech you to aryse for it ill beséemes so great a Prince to humble himselfe in such sort Florendos and Griana in this time welcommed their Sonne Arismena the King of Sparta Armida her Frysoll and the olde Emperour and Empresse graciously entertained Agriola and Laurana each absent Fréend so embraced and welcommed as all the day was spent onelie in those ceremonies The next morning Palmerin dispatched his Dwarffe Vrbanillo to the Emperour of Allemaigne that he and Polynarda might vnderstand these long expected newes and afterward comming to Sir Frysoll he sayd to him Brother our Mother hath eâ—riched vs with a Sister since our departure and my Sister Armida me with two Nephewes I pray you let vs go sée them Héereupon the Nurses brought the yong Princes the â—ldest of them being named Dytrius and the yongest Belear the yong Princesse Daughter to Florendos and Griana was called Denisa so faire and comely were the infants as if Nature had studied to make them most exquisite Beléeue me Sir Frysoll quoth Palmerin if my sister continu◠〈◊〉 she begins the Realme of Hungaria shall hardly want 〈◊〉 what two at a blow hir Ladie it is a â—â—gne of good 〈◊〉 And when you are entred the estate of wedlocke answered Frysoll if your linage increase according to the greatnesse of desire Madam Polynarda shall be as well sped 〈◊〉 her neighbors Thus iested the Princes togither attending â—ewes of 〈◊〉 courrier that went with Vrbanillo to the Emperor of Allemaigne 〈◊〉 at that time was at Vienna Chap. LIX How the Duke of Mensa and the Countie of Redona conducted the prince Olorico into Assiria where hee was espoused to the princesse Alchidiana FOr the space of a Moneth and morâ— Palmerin Trineus and Agriola soiourned at Constantinople till all thingâ— were prepared for them to 〈◊〉 towardes Allemaigne during which time Palmerin shewed such signes of loue to the Prince Olorico as he wold seldome be 〈…〉 that more and more his amourous passions encreased hée sayde Déere 〈…〉 Nor doo I this swéete Prince as enuious of your companie or that I stand in feare of the Soldane but onelie to kéepe my promise which was that I would ayde you to my â—ttermost to accomplish the marriage 〈…〉 for whom I see your 〈…〉 troubled My Lorde aunswered Olorico if euer perfect loue might be discerned in a Princes heart doubtlesse it is most amplie 〈◊〉 in yours Where you can finde in anie Historie seâ—blable affection or that a Christian would so fauour his enemie that is contrarie to him in law and 〈…〉 that so great â— Prince would 〈…〉 to accept as his companion in Armes the poore Sonne of the King of Arabia practising for his good not the suretie alone of the Christians but the alliance of the greatest Lord in Asia 〈…〉 Lorde since of your accustomed good 〈…〉 this offer of simple iudgement should I shewe my selfe to refuse it I accept your gracious kindnesse and assure your selfe of his readie seruice whom 〈…〉 to the Prince of Greece 〈…〉 the Soldane of Babylon in 〈…〉 The Letter of Prince Palmerin to the great Soldane of Babylon 〈…〉 〈…〉 against all your enemies Contrariwise if you will follow your former opinion wee must defende our selues so well as we may And for I can no more with 〈◊〉 forsake my Couâ—trey Parents and friendes to returne againe to your seruice I sende you the Prince Olorico a Knight both valiant and hardie as anie in all Turkie without exception of your Court the great Turks or the Soldane of Persia and he to serue you in my 〈◊〉 Desiring your highnes by that affection which you did beare me whâ—Ì„ the Prince 〈…〉 that you accept him as your Sonne and giue him in marriage your Daughter Alchidiana as the man that hath best deserued her if euer Prince might merit â— Ladies loue by bountie and choyse chiualrie So shall you performe an action of 〈◊〉 honour and 〈◊〉 me continually to acknowledge this kindnesse Your Palmerin d'Oliua Another Letter he wrote to the Princesse Alchidiana the tenure whereof was thus The Letter of Prince Palmerin to the Princesse of Assiria TO you Madam Alchidiana daughter to the great Soldane of Babilon Palmerin d'Oliua your knight sendeth health condigne to your magnificence Madame sending to your Father the Duke of Mensa and the Count 〈…〉 to the Crowne of Arabia You know faire Madame that neuer had he come to your Fathers Court had not the perillous battaile against the proude Brother of Amarano prouoked him nor would be haue aduentured the dangers of the Sea but in hope at length to purchase your gracious loue For these considerations good Madame entertaine him into your sober thoughts who hath no more feared to spend his bloud for your sake and thrust his life into infinite dangers then I haue doone to sette my hande and penne to this paper I know that your grace beautie and great 〈◊〉 commandeth the chéefest Prince on the earth for your Husband and to shéelde my selfe from blame I know that I promised you my seruice When I should returne from Constantinople but how hath it fallen out your Palmerin is knowne by them that haue like authoritie ouer him as your loue hath of the Prince Olorico I am a Christian a stranger Sonne to the simple king of Macedon and the Daughter to the Emperour of Greece beside of verie little or no desert at all Hee is of your Lawe your Neighbour sonne to the rich king of Arabia and a Prince of as high vertue as euer was in my companie witnesse whereof he made on the Phrigians and in an hundred places since in my presence Wherefore Madame if noblenesse of hart and loyall loue deserue so great an alliance I know no Prince this day liuing more worthie then he Assuring you withall that more gladly would I die thâ— death then sollicite the cause of him whome I would not imagine vnworthie my person Your Knight Palmerin d'Oliua When he had sealed these Letters hee gene them to to the 〈◊〉 who accompanied with fiftie Grecian 〈…〉 where their shippes was 〈◊〉 after them followed the King Maulerinos hundred Knights the number being supplied with other instead of them that were slaine and after them went the Knights that came with Ptolome then came the Prince Olorico and Palmerin deuising by the way on manie matters My Lord quoth Palmerin I imagine you nowe remember our taking by the Admirall Olimaell and feare that the like mishappe may againe befall you I therfore as your
Emperour said I beseech you my Lord graunt me one request which shall be no way preiudiciall to your Maiestie Arise sir Palmerin quoth the Emperour aske what thou wilt and thou shalt haue it My Lord Tryneus and the Princesse Agriola saide Palmerin are religiously married betweene themselues let me intreate your highnesse to confirme it witâ— open solâ—mnization before the Duke of Mecaena héere present whom I meane to send into England that he may resolue the King howe himselfe was an eye witnesse of their marriage The Emperour liked so well of Palmerins motion as soone after the wedding was solemnized and he comming to Bryonella courteously taking her by the hand said My good friend Brionella I am now to be discharged of the promise I made at my last being here in witnesse whereof I haue brought your knight sir Ptolome and him I commend to your further fauour So highly am I beholding vnto you my Lord quoth shée as neuer shall I bee able to returne sufficient recompence but were we equall in ioy with the Prince Tryneus and faire Agriola then would I think no storme could wrong vs. Palmerin at these words presently left her and perswaded the Emperour so well as Ptolome and Brionella were likewise espoused togither when Palmerin conferring with the Princesse Agriola thus spake to her Now may you iudge Madame whether I deceiued ye or no and if the estate of my Lord Tryneus be any lesse then I told ye Had I not giuen faithfull credit to your spéeches answered Agriola I would not haue forsaken my Parents and friendes so rashly but I hope they will pardon me in that I haue done nothing but to their honour On the morrow with excéeding ioy and rare tryumphs were Palmerin and Polinarda married togither and thus was long and faithfull loue worthily requited Ptolome was now created Duke of Saxon and Dyardo tooke his leaue to goe sée his wife Cordonya whom he had not heard of since the time he was taken by the Pirates Chap. LXI Howe Palmerin sent Ptolome Duke of Saxon as his Ambassador to the King of France and the Duke Eustace of Mecaena to the King of England to treate of the peace betweene them CErtaine dayes before the departure of Dyardo toward Bohemia Palmerin in the presence of the Emperour and all the Princes gaue the charge of his Embassade to the Duke Ptolome which he should deliuer not onely to the most Christian King of France himself but also to his yongest sonne who now had espoused the Duchesse of Buroundie So departed Ptolome from Vienna accompanied with many Lordes and knights and at length arriued at Digeon where the Prince Lâ—wes being acquainted with the cause of his comming thus answered the Ambassadour My Lorde sometime I had acquaintance in Fraunce with the most renowned Palmerin and because hée is the onely man of the worlde to whom I owe all friendly affection I will perswade my Father to ioyne in peace with him Nowe was Ptolome in good hope that his trauaile woulde sorte to successiue ende wherefore they presently iourneyed to the King who as then was with his estates at Paris and hauing hearde Palmerins request who nowe was wedded to the Princesse Polynarda and therefore his intended warre with the Emperour would extende to the hurt of the man he loued thus answered Duke of Saxon I am sufficiently acquainted with the bountie of thy Maister and verie well I doo remember that at his béeing in Fraunce he combatted for his Ladie Polinarda yet was I ignoraunt till nowe of that hath happened But leaste hée should conceiue that I séeke to make a commotion in Christeâ—dome let him enioy his Ladie and Wife in peace although shée was sometime promised to mine eldest Sonne reseruing the conditions of our amitie that our first Nephewes and Néeces may match togither in marriage therby to continue the honour of their predecessours As for the Kings of Spaine and England who moued me to giue them assistaunce on there behalfe I can make you no certaine answere vntill my Messengers be returned home againe Gracious Lord quoth Ptolome I dare assure you in the name of my Maister that hée hath euermore estéemed your fauour among the best Christian Princes and will not refuse the marriage betwéene your Children héereafter And this coniunction of your amitie will cause that neither the Kings of Spaine or England will séeke to molest him but with your highnesse ioyne in loue and friendship With this answer Ptolome returned to Vienna where the Emperour and Palmerin welcommed him with excéeding honour and by this time had the Duke Eustace taken landing in England where deliuering the summe of his charge to the King his highnesse returned him this answere Although my Lord Ambassadour both your Maister and the Prince Tryneus did me manifest dishonor yet not to withstand peace which still ought to bâ—â— preferred before warre I graunt his request and will presently call home my Garrisons shaking hands with him in honourable concord As for the wrong doone to my Daughter I am content to excuse it beléeuing that shée was not conueyed hence but with her will thanking the Prince for the honour he hath done her séeing she would leaue her Parents and friendes so lightly I thinke my gracious Lord answered the Duke that when you consider what your Daughter hath done you will not touch her with want of witte or iudgement for in respect of the long enmitie betwéene the Emperour and you shée desired that her marriage might sort this happie ende Nor would she haue departed hence with the Prince Tryneus without a faithfull and resolued promise of marriage which is performed with as great honour as euer was done to the daughter of a King Thinke you quoth the King that had not the great friendship of Tryneus when against his Fathers will he came with Palmerin to assist me quallified the weight of mine anger against him but I woulde haue pursued the iniurie he did to me yet did I referre his seruice to the iudgements of my Lords of England who perswaded me to reuenge which you well perceiue as yet I haue not done Prince Palmerin quoth the Duke is so vertuous as rather woulde hée haue runne on a thousande deathes then your daughters honour shoulde anie way haue béene impeached but béeing assured of this fortunate issue both hée and Tryneus aduentured as they did And sorrie am not I said the King that all things are come so well to passe but séeing we are entred thus farre in spéeche tell mée I pray you how Palmerin came to the knowledge of his Parents and howe hée finished the aduentures at the Castle of the tenne Rockes and the daungerous Isle of Malfada which neuer any Knight could compasse before Then the Duke rehearsed euerie accident how amourous the great Turke was on the Princesse Agriola and each seuerall occasion as they fell out at which report the Quéene with her Ladies were present who hearing the discourse
of so straunge and variable fortunes said I thought my Daughter had learned more modestie then leauing her Fathers Court to followe a Knight vnknowne to her in straunge Countries but séeing the ende hath fallen out so well hencefoorth I shall remaine in better contentment séeing a Prince of so great renowne hath now espoused her While this conference endured the Duke earnestly beheld the Princesse Sabinda Daughter to the Prince of Sansuega and Néece to the Quéene and of such excellent grace and beautie he estéemed her as forgetting the death of his Father who deceased since his departure from Allemaigne hée became so amourous of her that he demaunded of the Quéene if shée were her Daughter Shée is not my Daughter quoth the Quéene but the Daughter of my Brother the Princes of Sansuega Right glad was the Duke thereof and resolued to request her of the King in marriage who knowing the honourable place he held among the Prince of Greece and what account Palmerin made of him consented thereto so that within fewe dayes after they were espoused togither Herevpon to accompany the Princesse and to confirm the peace the King sent the Duke of Gaule and another great Lorde with them into Allemaigne the Quéen likewise sent twelue English Ladies to attend on her Daughter Thus returned the Duke of Mecaena to Vienna where 〈◊〉 was worthily welcommed by the Emperour Palmerin and Tryneus especially the yong Duchesse and the Ambassadours of England by whom the peace was faithfully ratified and confirmed Chap. LXII How Palmerin and Polinarda departed from Vienna toward Constantinople where after the decease of the aged Emperour Remicius Palmerin was crowned Emperour of Greece and what ioy was made at the byrth of Polinarda her first sonne AFâ—â—er the Ambassadours of England were returned home Palmerin pereciuing the Empire of Allemaigne was in quiet tooke his leaue of the Emperor minding to conduct his Polinarda to Constantinople not without manie sorrowfull lamentations of the mother to forgo her daughter and faire Agriola her new acquainted sister yet the Emperour pacified them well inough by shewing what benefit this contract would be to Christendome and so procéeded to his daughter in this maner Thou goest Polinarda to the séate of a great Empire but more pleaseth mée the péerelesse name of Palmerin d'Oliua thy husbands then the regiment of such a mightie Monarche Farewell faire Daughter continue in faithfull loue and obedience remembring the reuerende honour a Wife oweth to her Husband Polinarda hearing with what earnest affection her Father spake was so ouercome with modest duetie of a Childe to her Father as shée was not able to aunswere one word which Palmerin beholding kissed the Emperours hande embraced Tryneus and tooke a courteous farewell of all the Ladies commaunding the Pages presently to bring away the Princesse 〈◊〉 saying to her Madame the longer you staie héere the greater will be your conceit of sorrow by absence the griefe will be forgotten let vs then merely iourney to the Cittie of Constantinople where they that neuer sawe you wil reioyce more at your comming then all the Allemaignes can sorrow for your departure With like comfortable spéeches Palmerin frequented his Ladie by the way till at length they entred the Realme of Hungaria where Frysoll with his chéefest Lords attended their comming to whom Palmerin in iesting said Brother I haue aduentured to bring your Sister Polinarda into your Kingdome take héede if you laie claime to her now as sometime yée did for I am readie to defende her against whosoeuer dare I perceiue my Lorde quoth Frysoll that you will haue my follie generally knowne I pray 〈◊〉 let no such youthfull pranckes be nowe remembred for as you are the chéefest in chiualrie so haue the destenie giuen you a Ladie whome no one in the whole world may paragon Well may it be said that God and Nature fore-pointed this match nothing inferiour to louelie Paris and faire Helena or puissaunt Hector and wise Andromacha Frysoll accompanied them so farre as Alba where courteously parting from each other Frysoll returned to his Kingdome and Palmerin soone after came to Constantinople where no litle ioy was made for his safe arriual especially for the Princesse Polinarda who was a right welcome Ladie into Greece the olde Emperour prouiding such deuises and tryumphes as the Chronicles to this daye recorde the memorie thereof About tenne or twelue Monethes after Polynarda was deliuered of a goodly Sonne who was named Primaleon whereat the good olde Emperour so inwardly reioyced as his spirit onely comforted in the good fortune of his Sonnes and fearing afterwarde to sée anie sinister chaunce fall to them departed this fraile and transitorie life whose death was signified thrée dayes before by the enchaunted Bird. His Funerall was performed as beséemed so great an estate and faine woulde Palmerin haue had his Father the King Florendos crowned Emperour earnestly labouring the Princes in the cause But he desiring them to holde him excused returned them this answere Great offence were it to God my Friendes that the honour due to him who gaue me libertie defended my renowne and saued my life shoulde bee taken from him and giuen mée for if vertue authoritie and good fortune are the properties whereby to make choyse of an Emperour Palmerin is verie many degrées before me As for his generositie it is so well knowne to you that it were but lost labour to make report thereof For his authoritie the â—arbarous nations among whome hée hath liued and conqueringly controlled deliuer sufficient testimonie And for his high good fortune in all his enterprises where is the man that may bee equalled with him or what hath hée at anie time attempted but he hath finished the same with wonderfull honour I could name Kings and Princes that raign onely by his meanes To speake of the victories he hath obtained either in battell or single Combate your eyes haue beheld and the whole worlde apparantly witnesseth This dare I boldly say and some of you doo know it better then I that his onely name will be more feared in Greece then all your fore-passed Emperours haue bene by their greatest puissance So well did the people like what the King Florendos had sayd as immediately was the Prince Palmerin proclaimed Emperour of Constantinople and the same day he was crowned according to the accustomed rites and ceremonies Not long afterward did the King Florendos stay with his Sonne but returned with his Quéene to Macedon where hée goueâ—ned in loue and iustice among his Subiects daily sending Messengers to Constantinople as well to vnderstand the health of the Emperour and Empresse as also of yong Prymaleon who daily increased in strength and beautie Chap. LXIII How the Prince Olorico and Alchidiana thinking to trauaile to Constantinople to see the Emperour Palmerin and the Empresse Polinarda strayed on the Sea And what sorrowful mone she made and how she was found by Palmerin IN one of the Chapters before you
time on the other side Ptolome had so canuazed the Counties Brother as he sealed him a quittaunce with his sword for his life Then began the Counties Souldiours to dispayre of their successe and Palmerin with his traine to follow them so closelie as they were glad to take themselues to flight leauing theyr Maister ouerthrowne in the Armie where hee was troden to death with the trampling of the Horses Thus did the victorie remaine to the Duke his enemies scattering in flight gladde to saue their liues whom Palmerin commanded to follow no further least gathering themselues togeather againe and espying aduauntage they might so endanger them for oftentimes the vanquished too narrowly pursued recouer courage daunte the pride of the conquerers For this cause he returned with his men into the Citty the Duke vnderstanding the foyle of his enemie which made him with a great number of woorthy Cittizens to goe méet Palmerin and Ptolome whome embracing hee thus entertained Ah good Knights by you is my estate recouered and the death of my Sonnes reuenged on the murderer therefore dispose of me and myne as you shall thinke beste to which words Palmerin thus answered My Lord let heauen haue the honour of our victory as for me I haue doone and will héereafter what I can for the great kindnesse of the King of Macedon your Uncle who hath honored mee in sending me to you and other recompence I neuer did or will séeke As they thus parled togeather the Duke perceiued by the blood on Palmerins Armour that he was wounded in manie places wherefore quoth he I sée you are sore wounded let vs make haste to our Pallace where a Ladye attending on the Duchesse and well séene in chirurgeri◠shall giue attendaunce on you till you are recouered So mounting on horsebacke they rode to the Pallace where Palmerin was lodged Béeing brought into his Chamber the Duchesse and her Daughter holpe to vnarme him when the Ladie dressed his wounds perswading him there was no daunger in them to be feared Thus each one departing Laurana the Duchesse Daughter called Vrbanillo the Dwarsse saying to him My Fréende desire thy Mayster to make bolde of any thing he wants and that for my sake he will dispayre of nothing Madame said y◠Dwarffe you haue good reason to wish my Maister well as well for the good assistaunce he gaue the Duke your Father as also in respecte of his deserts which are as honourable as any that euer came in this Court These words Palmerin verie well hearde hauing his eye continually on her wherefore when shee and all the other were departed hee called Vrbanillo demaunding what talke he had with the Princesse which he reported and his answere also Gramercies said Palmerin I pray thée find the meane to let her knowe that I am her Seruaunt and Knight ready to accomplishe anie thing that she shal commaunde me Referre this matter to me Sir quoth the Dwarffe I knowe what Saint must patronize these affaires and what offering must bee layde on his Altar CHAP. XX. Howe Palmerin became highlie enamoured with the beautie of the Princesse Laurana thinking her to bee the Lady that sollicited him in his visions VRbanillo the Dwarffe not forgetfull of his Maisters commandement the next day when Laurana came with her Mother to visite Palmerin shee tooke the Dwarffe aside demaūding what reste his Maister tooke the night past Madame quoth he indifferent I thanke God and you for in you two consists the disposition of my Maisters health As howe quoth shee Thus Madame said Vrbanillo the first day that he behelde you hee gaue the whole possession of himselfe so firmely to you as day night he meditates on your diuine perfections doubting in requital of his seruice to my Lord your Father and his Countrey whose liues and yours he hath defended him selfe shal be repayed with suddaine and cruel death for had he not come for your safetie well had he escaped this daungerous extreamitie Then séeing fayre Madame that his valour hath béene the meane of your deliueraunce doo not so degenerate from gentle nature as to kill him that gaue you life Why my Freend quoth she what wouldest thou haue me doo To loue him swéete Madame quoth he as hée doth you Alas sayd she thou mayst assure thy selfe y◠none can wysh thy Maister better then I doo béeing my duetie and his desert with which wordes shee chaunged colour with such modest bashfulnes as it might be perceiued shee could hardly master her affectiōs Which when y◠Dwarffe behelde as one not to learne his lesson in this arte perswaded himselfe by the very lookes of Laurana that his Maysters loue would sort to happy ende and thereuppon he followed the matter thus I thinke Madame that you wysh my Maister as well as anie but that is not enough vnlesse your wysh agrée wyth his in this poynt that you graunt your selfe his onely Lady and Mistresse as hee hath vowed himselfe your Knight and Seruant If it may please you to wysh this good to my Maister vouchsafe this fauour as a president of your lyking that so soone as he shall finde himselfe better in health you wyll but consent to speake with him alone in some such conuenient and vnsuspected place as hee may haue liberty to acquaint you with the secrets of his thoughts Alas quoth she how should I so doo without offering too much impeache to mine owne honour Madame saide the Dwarffe the night giues fauour to loues swéete enterprises By this time the Duchesse was ready to depart which Laurana perceiuing sayd to the Dwarffe Assure thy Maister from me that I am more his thē myne owne and I will doo for his welfare what I may with modestie By reason of their departure the Dwarffe coulde not make her answere but shaddowing the matter as hee had doone before went about his Maisters busines till hee came and found him alone when he discoursed all that had past betwéene the Princesse and him which so well contented Palmerin as nothing coulde more because he perswaded himselfe as I haue saide alreadie that this was shee which the thrée Sisters promised him by whom he shoulde receiue the honour that destinie allowed him For thys cause thence forwarde he was verie desirous to knowe her name commaunding Vrbanillo very straightly to enquire it which hee did informing his maister that her name was Laurana whereupon he well sawe that hee was deceiued in that the Sisters had named his Mistresse Polinarda and therefore he resolued to withdraw his affection and to depart thence so soone as he should be able to beare Armor But it may be easilie presumed that when one hath so far ventured in loue that he perceiues himself beloued as the Dwarffe perswaded his Maister hardly can hee giue ouer so faire a beginning yet héere it fell out contrary as you shall well perceiue that the ende was more suddaine then the beginning Palmerin now knowing the Princesse name began to vse other
former promise not to râ—ueale the least matter that may be hurtfull to them Neuerthelesse in regard of the reuerent good will they beare you and that I would not haue you offended with such an abiect creature as I am I would gladly tell you some thing to your content so you will promise me on your princely worde that what I reueale shall neuer be disouered by you Perswade thy selfe thereof sayd the Princesse and looke what thou sayst by my honor shall neuer turne to thy after harme Then know fayre Madame quoth he that the gréene knight is of the most noble and illustrious house in Europe louing a Ladie as his proper life for whom he hath left his Countrey parents friends to come and do her seruice The blacke knight as I haue alreadie tolde you is my maister and further then this I may not tell you What am I the nearer my desire quoth shée by this aunswere eyther thou shouldest haue sayde nothing or else thorowly satisfyed mâ—e for now I can not bée quieted till thou tell me what Ladie it is that the gréene Knight loues so déerely let mée not make so many intreaties for I promise to thée againe by the faith of a Princesse that neuer shall any creature know it by my meanes You vrge me so farre quoth the Dwarffe and haue made mee such great promises as I am constrayned beyond yâ— charge giuen by my maister to acquaint you with the trueth in respect the fault wil be greater in you to make refusal then in yéelding Resolue your selfe therefore good Madame that the braue gréene Knight so rich in Armes but more in minde is the Prince Trineus Sonne to the Emperour of Allemaigne so passionate in loue and so depriued of liberty by deuout seruice to your excellent bountie as against both duetie and nature he hath deceiued his Father feigning to come ayde his Kinsman the King of Norway where contrariwise he hath shewed himselfe his mortall enemie And to no other ende hath he thus offended both Father and Cozin then to make known his long labourous desires to make you Lady and Mistresse of him and his and such is his fearâ— to be refused as he endures more torments then the martired bodye of poore Prometheus Bee not then the cause swéete Ladie that a Prince so famous and a Knight so gentle shall buy his great good seruice to your Father and CouÌ„trey yea the most loyal loue he beares to you with vntimelie vnfortunate and cruell death Thinke with your selfe is it not the highest among all honours to be Wife to such a Lord and Empresse in time of renowned Allemaigne Is it not perpetuall report to be Lady and commaundresse of the principall parte of Europe Let not him beare record that a bodie so adorned and countenaunce so milde and gracious can entertaine tirannie or crueltie yea Madam such crueltie as if you receiue him not into your fauourable conceit you shall procure the death of the truest Knight in loue that euer liued The blacke knight is the renowned Palmerin d'Oliua the wonder of the world for â—alour conquering in Fraunce the Duke of Sauoy in maintenaunce of his Ladies beautie fayre without compare conforming his Shéelde and Armour equall to his mourning thoughts for his absence from her that tryumphes in his loue The third knight so adorned with white Roses is called Ptolome loued by a Ladie well woorthy of him It now remaineth fayre Princesse that you make the Prince Trineus equall with them in felicitie for you haue the mayden heade of his loue which with honor you may entertaine into your chastâ— thoughtes Thus haue I acquainted you with such a secrete as no creature but your selfe could haue got of mée and the danger to fall into your misconceit hath made mée such a blab leauing all you haue heard to your gracious coÌ„struction Agriola méetelie farre enough in loue before but now vtterly denied of longer libertie hearing the wordes of Vrbanillo was surprised with such a strange alteration as a long time she was driuen to silence not able to vtter the secrete conceits of her minde yet al length to shadowe her suddaine change from the Dwarfe shée sayde Ah my Fréende thou acquaintest me with matter altogither incredible is it possible that Trineus Sonne to the Emperor of Allâ—â—â—aigne would venture into this Court considering the mortall enmitie betwéene our Fathers Trust mée my Fréende I cannot credit thée I renounce mine owne soule sâ—ide the Dwarfe if it be not as I haue told you then iudge Madame what acceptaunce shoulde be made of his seruice when loue to you excéedeth nature may it not bee termed loue surpassing all other eyther registred in antiquities or present memorie If it should be quoth she as then sayest it is beyonde my power to returne condigne recompence yet in respect of thy secrecie I dare assure thée mine owne opinion of him hath so ouer-maistered me as in honorable modestie he may commaund and I am not so well nurtured to disagrée But if eyther by my words thou hast gathered or by any chaunge of countenaunce perceiued the suddaine yéelding of a flexible nature interprete it in this good sort that Princes afflictions make each other melt as framed of one mettall which I charge thée conceale from him as thou regardest my word and his safetie Pardon mee Madame quoth the Dwarfe it standeth not with my allegeaunce to obey you héerein what a villaine might I bee accounted and vnworthy the name of a faithfull seruant if I shoulde â—ide these happy tydings from him to ease those torments that euerye houre threaten his death Yea Madame did my maister but thinke I would so abuse him well deserued I to be â—orne in péeces Well quoth she if thou findest time conuenient till him but no other I charge thée on thy life and withall certifie him that I woulde not for my Fathers Crowne he should be knowne Feare you not good Madame sayde the Dwarffe they are alreadie so well aduised as none but your selfe ran any way endaunger them It sufficeth that the Prince vnderstande your pleasure which I will impart to him when the King is returned so kissing her hande hée departed leauing her so highly contented in assurance of the loyall loue of Trineus as she neuer determined any other Husbande yet woulde shée not disclose her minde no not to Eufemia her secret companion thinking herselfe too much bewrayed because the Dwarffe knewe it Soone after the Quéene sent for her to walke in the coole shadowe of the Trées where not long they stayed before the King returned who reported what pastime they had all that morning The Knightes hauing saluted the Quéene and her Ladies Trineus saluting the Princesse Agriola was so transported as hée scant knewe where he was The Princesse likewise fixed with a stedfast eye on him as wounded both him and her selfe togither her complexion so aptly deciphering her sickenesse as the Prince perceyuing it sayd to
himselfe Ah loue hast thou wrought so happily for mée as my Ladie knowes my secrete afflictions shall I be so fortunate as she will 〈◊〉 remorse on my passions swéete hope perswades mee so for the often change of her diuince countenaunce tels me there is some mercie in working The King and Quéene departing into their Pauilion Trineus and Palmerin did the like into theirs the Prince taking Vrbanillo aside demaunded if he had any good newes for him If you will graunt mée one thing said the Dwarffe I will tell you such tydings as cannot but content you Demaunde what thou wilt quoth Trineus and by the faith of a Prince thou shalt not bee denied Then beganne the whole discourse hee had with the Princesse and what deuotion shée had for the recouerie of his health Iudge you in what rare humour the Prince now felt himselfe without question he imagined himselfe in a more beautifull paradise then euer was inuented by Epicurus himselfe and embracing the Dwarfe he said Ah my good fréend what wilt thou yâ— I giue thée tell mée what thou demaundest thou hast my whole life so much at thy command as thou maist liberally share out thine owne recompence but séeing the beginning is so good no doubt much better remaineth behind Why my Lord ê™ the Dwarfe you know I was borne to doo you seruice commaund what you please and I will accomplish it Then shalt thou said the Prince returne to my Mistresse againe and kissing her hande present her from me this Emerald desiring her to weare it for my sake with remembrance to pittie his painfull miseries whose life and death is onely in her hand Vâ—banillo taking the ring Trineus and Palmerin went to passe the time with the King and the Princesse at their entraunce regarding Trineus perceiued by his countenance that he vnderstoode her message for his blood was now risen chéerely in his face which before was suncke downe with too much langushing so that she imagined her selfe more happie in béeing so be loued then to loue and knew not well how to dissemble her ioy Ah poore Trineus the paine thou endurest attending the wished houre to speake with her far surmouneth the torments of Leander awaighting when Phoebus would go bathe himself with Thetis and the Marine Goddesses that he might afterward swim to his affianced Heroe and had not shée giuen thée a better signe by her eye to aduenture I would haue reckoned thée more infortunate then the beâ—râ—thed spouse to the prisoner of Abydos Now had Trineus bashfully taken the Princesse by the hand when vnhappily one came to aduertise the king that the hart he had â—hased the day before was now againe gotten within yâ— toylâ—â— that if it pleased him to hunt in the morning hee should no doubt kill him with little labor These newes were so welcome to the King that because he would the next morning more earlie go to his pastâ—ne hée withdrewe himselfe for that night the Quéene and Agriola likewise departing to their Pauillion so that Trineus encounter was thus preuented and he with Palmerin returned to their Tâ—nt trusting still on the Dwarfes diligence that he should perfect all things to his hearts desire to perswade him the more Palmerin thus began I haue this hope my Lord séeing alreadie so manie good signes that you cannot any way â—ée deceiued in your loue and this I would aduise you Fortune béeing so fauourable assisting you to her very vttermost you should nâ—t hence-foorth shewe your selfe so feminine but in hardie manner reueale to the Princesse when you shall find her at conuenient leysure both howe you loue her and what fauourable grace you expect at her hands I must confesse that Letters and messages are able to doo much but the person béeing present and knowing how to request and how to be answered is more auailable a thousand times and in bréefe no Messenger can bée like himselfe I speake not this as though my Dwarfe were not faithfull but to this ende that shée should receiue no occasion of displeasure In how manie dangers haue Gentlemen béene only by the bad construction of their seruants message the readiest wit that it cannot number them therefore if you find oportunitie attend no other suter but your selfe This councell wel liked the Prince Trineus wherfore he determined to speak to her himselfe so soone as time and leysure woulde permit him and in this resolution they went to take theyr rest but the remembrance of Polinarda would not suffer Palmerin to sléepe comparing his ioy in her presence with his tormeÌ„ting passions nowe in her absence breathed foorth maâ—iâ— sighes â—hed manie teares till at length hee began to slumber wherin he thought he discerned this sight Béeing in coÌ„panie with the King he sawe come foorth of a darke caue a dreadful Lyon who with open throat set vpon him and assayled him in such maner as with his nailes téeth he rent his Armor and put him in verie great daunger of his life so that he stroue in such sort in his sleepe as Trineus béeing in bed with him awaked him deemaunding why he strugled so earnestly Palmerin thus awaked desired God to withstand all his euils and afterward recounted to Trineus the whole effect of his dreame and said It will not bée amisse my Lord that to morrow we ride armed in the Kings companie for such illusions albeit they commonly fall out vntrue yet can presage no good to follow I like your counsell well aunswered Trineus and that Ptolome go armed as well as we In the morning they arose and armed themselues all saue their Helmets and Launces which their Squires caried and in this sort came to bid the King good-morrow who meruailed much to sée them so prepared and doubting they had receiued some occasion of offence demanded what mooued them so to be armed You know my Lord quoth Palmerin that a Knight ought euermore to be ready for all aduentures and not knowing what inconuenience or danger may happen before such time we shall returne againe we haue armed our selues to preuent the worst The King not discontented with this answer mounted on horsebacke comming to the chase had excellent game at Déere Hart Bore and wilde Buffell wherein hée tooke such excéeding pleasure as he determined to stay there fiue or sixe daies longer But in the place where he supposed himselfe safe and frée from all hazard suddainly hée was solicited with the chaunges of fortune for the Quéen and her daughter Agriola were in meruailous danger as you shall reade in the discourse following Chap. LI. How the Queen of England and Agriola her daughter were in danger to be rauished by the giant Franarco and of the succour they had by Trineus Palmerin and Ptolome THe king returning from the chase with his companie little minding any infortunate euent and conferring with Palmerin til they drew néere vnto their Tents at length they heard a great tumult and beheld a Squire making