you So haue you got your armor which you had lost answered Arfileo for which you are beholding to the knight of the golden Image I haue no reason to thank him for it replyed hee for he did it more to keepe his owne that are so excellent then because I should not loose mine Then were it good said don Bellianis since you wil not thanke me for them that you restore them backe to me We shall not so soone ende this quarrell as you did the other replied Don Bryanell for the knights looking for yours would to haue them willingly let me haue mine Let this passe saide Don Gallaneo for had you lost these your gallant dispositions you would haue gotten others In this manner at length they arriued at the Cittie euen at the dayes departing giuing place vnto the mighty glistering stars twinckling in the firmament where they founde the people attending for their comming with lights and torches who in troupes filled vp the stréetes that they had no way to passe for the newes being spread that one knight had vanquished the keepers of the vnhappie Bridge they all flocked to sée him as a wonder demaunding one of another which was hée neuer inough satisfied with his sight that all this while talked with Don Gallaneo till they all came to the pallace gate where they alighted The beatious Persiana was dismoūted by don Bellianis that said to don Brianell I haue at this time Sir aduenturous knight deceiued you of the reward of your labour hauing on foote obtayned more thē you in all this iourney You are all against me replyed hee but I may haue a time to crye quittance with you for it Don Gallaneo taking the Princesse Aurora in his armes they all entred the royall Hall whence all their companye departed The Souldan importuned the three knights to stay within the pallace which hee could not obtaine For they answered they would in no wise leaue the Duke till the triumphes were ended so said the Princesse Aurora that neuer woulde disassociate her knights so with leaue of the Souldan and his daughter they also departed Well did don Bellianis note when they were taking their leaue how the Duke Alfiron shewed no good will towardes Gallaneo wherefore hee was desirous to bee certified therof and beeing come to the Dukes Pallace that was one of the best and greatest in the citie Don Bellianis would not stay for supper but finding himselfe weake through the much bloode hee had lost cast himselfe on a bed that was made for him where his damzels did againe dresse his woundes whyle the Duke and the rest satte to supper where they were so well serued as they had beene in Constantinople and after went to visit Don Bellianis whence departing they went to repose their wearied bodies CHAP. XIIII The conference betweene the Princesse Persiana and the Duke Alfyron with the knight of the golden image THe next morning scarce had the sonne mounted on his fierie wayne to make his orbed course about the world but the Duke Alfyron went to visit the Knight of the Golden image for by no other name would hee bee knowne to them vnlesse it were to the Princesse and ladies and entring his chamber he found him rising though his wounds were great The Duke with a kinde congye gaue him the goodmorrow and said Trouble not your self to ryse sir knight for your wounds may put you in great pain Thinking you went to the tourney aunswered the Prince I would make me readie What shall wee doo there to daye replyed the Duke but I beléeue if the Souldane knewe you were so weake he would come to visit you Then were it not amisse sayde the Prince that I did rise to saue him that labour With this entred the Ladies also to visit him bidding him in no case rise till they further aduised him wherewith hée lay still and so the Ladies left him with the Duke But he hauing great desire to be auenged on don Gallaneo by reason of the promise he had made his father and perceiuing the Duke had like intent and desiring to knowe it said to him Tell me sir which of all those knightes was the Prince don Gallaneo of Antioch That was he replyed the Duke that led the Princesse Aurora by the raynes of her palfray borne to rob mee of my earthly ioyes What is the cause thereof demaunded he for so great a Lorde as you shoulde easily bee reuenged on any person whatsoeuer being mooued therto That is not the thing that may remedie my gréefe said the Duke yet I pray you let me know it sayde Don Belliani◠Then thus beganne the duke I was a long time captiuated in the loue of the beatious Princesse Persiana and of her so highly fauoured that with little labour I might haue obtained her for my wife if my reuoluing fates had not opposed themselues against my happinesse◠and so declared to him the whole processe of his loue with such sorrow that Don Bellianis could not restraine his teares taking great compassion of him though glad in that this might be a meanes to effect his owne intent and thus answered De not thinke your matter so happelesse but imagine you may by some meanes attaine the Princesse Persiana to your wife I cannot perswade my selfe replied the Duke there may bée any remedie for my gréefe For to morrow after dinner the iousts beginnes and the same morning the Princesse is married to Don Gallaneo wherby I sée no hope but death for anchorage and end of all my paines or to depriue my life of my vitall senses before my eies do view it Do not so afflict your soule sayd Don Bellianis for I haue thought vpon a meane which if you agrée thereto is that to morrow we all méet at the Tourney where if Don Gallaneo thinking himselfe the best Knight within this Court doth enter there also I meane to bee in an vnknowne armour and méeting with him will disappoint him of his new betrothed loue For I haue no lesse desire then you to sende him out of the world And to the end with more secrecie wee may do it you shall giue out I am so sore wounded that I rest vnable to rise and so Don Gallaneo shall not scape my handes and your intent shalbe at full accomplished If this faile you haue such knights that with thē maugre all the court I will conduct her where you will The duke hearing this knew not where he was with ioy imbrasing him said Not without great cause renowmed knight of the golden image did I from the first houre I saw you comprize such loue of you was so suddenly affected as the man in whom might consisted the remedie of my torments although we know not fully howe wee shall accomplish it by reason at this present there is aboue fiftie thousand knights in the court that I doubt we shall not so easily scape with our liues for all I little regard my
brest and so redoubled his most furious courage that if there had beene â—oure such Knights as the Persian Prince before him hee thought that in short time to reduce them all to the mercie of his mortall Blade With which betwixt both hands he wâ—nt against his louâ—-crossing aduersarie which did the like also and raysing his Median Sworde aloft to descend it with a more furie there appeared before him a Lady altogither like to her whose Picture had with cruell yoake subiugated his commaunding heart which said vnto him What doo you hâ—â—re renowmed Prince of Greece knewe you not your loue that is towards mee cannot take any effect if first you free mee not from this danger And therewith hee thought hee sawe foure monstrous Gyants like a whyrle-winde snatch her thence and that one dragged her amber guided hayre with such barbarous sauagenesse that his vnconquered heart resolu'd to liquid blood at the cruel yet a pittiful â—ight and moreouer an other following theÌ„ cried out let me alone with that vilde wretch for she must dye by my hand Which that valiant Prince Don Bellianis seeing not respecting the fight pursued that illusion that he sawe which tooke the way downe the Valley Héereupon his fine Armor with deuise of the imperiall Crownes lost their hewe becomming like those that the Prince Perianeo did weare at the Jousts in Bollera The Persian Prince that nothing of that had séen thinking his aduersary had left the battel for some other reason began to follow him but sodainly his raines were taken out of his haÌ„ds and looking about to sée who should do so sawe before him the dearest fréend he had the Sage Fristone who thus saide vnto him What is the matter deare Prince of Persia that you follow whom you know not nor whether it bee your aduantage so to doo Take my counsaile returne to Ballero for I haue laide such a snare for him that you shall be fully reuenged on your enemies and therefore follow not that knight So this said he vanished away The Persian Prince was greatly amazed hereat and so great was his hate against the valiant knight of the imperiall Crownes that he was about to follow him yet notwithstanding resoluing the contrary returned to his fathers Campe where arriuing he found the battell still to indure very fierce through which he thrust himselfe to helpe his men Where we leaue him till we haue exprest what happened to Don Bellianis pursuing those inchantments CHAP. XXXVII How Don Bellianis following the Sage Fristones inchantments Combatted with the Emperour his father in the Valley of three Fountaines and how Don Bellianis was led away by the wise Bellona to ende a certaine aduenture THe Prince Don Bellianis as is said pursued those Gyants whom he thought carried prisoner the Princesse Florisbella in which pursuite he had remained inchanted by the sage Fristone had it not béene for his sword yet was hee by him deceiued seeming otherwise theÌ„ he was which was all the Magician could do And thus going aloÌ„g he espied before him a knight armed as he thought in the Persian Princes armor with whom he not long before fought with And so soone as they approached togither all those inchantments vanished away wherat like one amazed wakened out of some dreame stood still But the knight that came vp the valley was his father had by Fristones deuice his Armour also chaÌ„ged For that of Don Bellianis séemed like the knights of Fortune and the Emperors nothing differed from the same Who séeing him come with such haste and without Launce left his owne and drawing forth his sword went to méete him with it raised aloft Don Bellianis doing the like there began betwéen them the cruellest fight that in al that day was fought making their heads bowe to the saddle pummell with their terrible strokes so fast redoubling blow vpon blow that the mightinesse of them strooke fire out of their armour and made them often loose the sight of one another Don Bellianis at this time thinking his aduersaries strength increased more and more more furious then a furious Beare hauing lost none of former rage strooke at him so huge a blowe that cutting his shield in two it tumbled to y e ground with a péece of his helme But the Emperour strooke at him below his shield that cutting his armor it also pierced his coate of male wounding him two fingers déepe in his right side and entring within him with a furious thrust penetrated all his armor to the flesh forcing him to giue backe two or thrée steppes and séeing that was the time wherin he should shew the vtmost of his mightie forces letting fall the remnant of his shield would haue with both his hands strooke him on the head But Don Bellianis séeing the cutting sword descend with such furie spurred his horse forwards and closing with him ere he could discharge his blowe tooke him twixt his strong armes and lifting him out of his saddle shaking the stirropes from his owne feete he lept with him on the ground where he opened both armour and flesh with one mightie blow But ouercome with rage both at one time raysed their slicing swords which falling with such strength the Emperour had the buckles of his helme cut which fell on the earth and the sword descending on his left arme it made him there a gréeuous wound But don Bellianis was so ouerladen with the Emperours blow that he was forced to set both knées and hands on the ground And the Emperour séeing himselfe without the helme strooke his aduersary so suddeinly againe with such strength that he sorely wounded him on y e left shoulder and the sword ran thrée handfuls into the earth But Don Bellianis neuer loosing any sparke of his admirable courage at any sinister accident raised himselfe vpon his féete and turned vpon the Emperour ere he had time to drawe his sword from the ground At this instant was y e Emperors life in wondrous daunger being without shield and helme and not able to helpe himselfe with his sword so quickly as hee should And Don Bellianis being on foote with his sword raised with both hands and readie to discharge it did suddeinly knowe him and with the greatest wonder that euer before hée was in cried out Oh Almightie God in whome I doo beléeue is it possible my handes should commit so hainous treachery And therewith staied his hand The Emperour hearing these words said Know you me knight Or what is the reason you end not your fight Whervnto Don Bellianis replied I doo most humbly beséech you my verie deare Lord and Emperour euen by that Lord that hath permitted we should not die by so great deceits that you omit and pardon this my errour wherein I am guiltie of no fault committed against you And hauing saide so vnlaced his helme whereat the Emperour straight knewe him which strooke him into so great an anguish to sée his deare sonne so cruelly wounded by his
are you that knowes me in a strange land The Knight not replying vnlaced his helme whom straight Don Bryanell did so too demanding for his deare Brother Don Bellianis He is very farre from hence replyed Don Bryanell But what is that valiant knight that comes with you It is my Brother Don Clarineo of Spaine answered he and I doe greatly ioy to haue met with you for else we knâ—we not what to do By this Don Clarineo was thither come and with great loue imbraced him and said To the great wonder of Damartyno and Palineo to sée their good agréement it had almoste coste vs deare to knowe of you against your will what we required and I assure you if you longer conceale your selfe I will no more séeke you Wée are in a strange Land replyed Don Bryanell therefore can I doo no otherwise though more danger it should cost me But what shall we doo for thinking to finde you in necessitie the Emperor and vs shipt our selues with one hundred thousand men which are not farre from hence For knowing you were come to restore the Princesse Aurora to her kingdome we departed to aid you Where left you my Lord the Emperour demaunded Don Bryanell He is not with vs I assure you answere Lucidamore for he and Sauian of Trebento were separated from vs by a certaine aduenture All this talked they that Damartyno and Palineo did not vnderstand though they thought they knew one another Wherefore don Brianell said to the Princes it behooueth you to say that the Souldan of Babilon hath sent this armie to plant the Princesse Aurora in her kingdome that these knights may more willingly further vs for in these affaires they are very forward Is my brother here demanded Don Clarianeo and my Cousin the Prince Arfileo I left them in Persia replied Don Brianell in a bloodie controuersie against the Souldane about the death of Don Galfeo of Antioch Is it possible said Don Clarianeo I assure you you haue greatly gladded me with the death of that traytor but tell me did my brother Don Bellianis kill him He did answered Don Brianell and hereafter I will informe you al the manner how And now aduertise your Pages to say you all now come away from Babylon So they shall sayde Don Claryaneo Whereupon Don Brianell called to him Palineo that was much abashed at his fall and said to him and Damartyno You are sir knights to giue the immortal gods great thanks for directing our affaires better then wee wished for these knights are my néere kinsmen and for whome I would vndertake any danger in the world I speake this Syr Palineo because you should not vex your selfe at your chance nor diminish your good will towards me for what is past And besides all this they are come about the same matter we haue in hand landing a strong army sent to this end froÌ„ the Soldan of Babilon which wil not a litle help vs being here hard by Wherefore consider what best we may doo for in this nor in any thing else none of vs will in no manner contradict your counsaile Whereunto Palineo somewhat comforted made this answere I could not haue receiued greater comfort for my ouerthrowe then this being done by such a knight and your Allye for which cause he onely deserueth to gain the honor of all aduentures in the world therfore do I remain no lesse bound to his seruice though I beleeue he little néedes it then heretofore I was to yours I doo greatly thanke you Sir knight said Don Clarineo thinking my selfe happie to haue met you and do reioyce we came not to handy blowes being sure to haue béene vanquished by you as your courteous words sufficiently do shewe And therefore I do surrender all the honour of the victorie to you as your due and resting yours for euer as my future déedes shall approoue And so imbracing one another expeld all enuious rancor from their valiant hearts This done Damartyno said he thought good they all returned to the Castle whence that morning they were returned where they might conclude what should be performed and that in the meane while one of the Pages should goe and charge the Armie to stay where they had left it till they receiued farther order This counsaile being alowed they sent two of theyr pages with this coÌ„mand and themselues returned to the Castle where hauing rested that day they resolued that the prince Don Lucidamore and Damartyno should that night goe vnto the army and before the morning light they shuld coÌ„duct close to the walles of Antioch which they alreadie knew to be in armes with aboue one hundred thousand fighting men because by their spyes they were aduertised of their power and the vsurping king accounting them to bee enemies determined to méete them in field yet commanding the Cittie gates to be fast shut least vnwares it shuld be surprised leauing within 40. thousand men to defend it And he with the County Gariano prepared to set forth Moreouer it was resolued that don Clarianeo and don Brianel with his fréend Palineo should passe through the myne into the Citie procure to open one of her gates that they might enter to them and by that meanes win it which was so strongly fortified with munition and men that they within feared nothing for the space of two yeares So Damartyno his companion departed to the armie where arriuing hee greatly reioyced to sée the good order thereof Don Lucidamore notwithstanding his pages had deliuered his message did himself gaue coÌ„mandement they should say they were sent by the great Soldan of Babylon CHAP. XLIX The great danger the Princesse don Clarianeo don Brianel sustained in the citie of Antioch how they were succoâ—ed by the knight of the sse Balâ—â—ks The winning of the Cittie and the death of the Tyrant Tramolcano THe appointed houre being come which made euery one think it a year so much they dâ—uÌ„red to be within Antioch hauing séene the signall of the approach of the Emperors arme the valiant knights don Clarianeo don Brianel and the politick Palineo opening the doore of the mine went through it to the Pallace but they were scarce at the pallace side when they heard a great noise and harkening what it might be they vnderstood it was because the army of strangers had so sodainly appeared before the walles whither the king Tramalcano with the couÌ„ty Gariano were going with an infinit companie to sée if they would assault the Cittie before the morne whereto there lacked not two houres All which indéede was so for Don Lucidamore and Damartyno hauing coÌ„manded all their meÌ„ to hang scarses vpon their armor to be known from their enemies did at that time conduct their troupes hard by the gate which should be opened for their entrance Be in quiet said Palineo and lette mee go forth to see what we were 〈◊〉 doo Doo what you will answered Don Brianell for heere weeâ—â— stay for
don Bellianis so sawe him hee suddainely alighted from his horse so did many of don Gallaneos Knights to helpe theyr maister Then arriued the Duke Alfiron with foure thousand knights and sette so furiously vppon them that maugre their force hee made them retyre back In which time Don Bellianis wounded him againe wherewith the sword fell out of his hand And the duke séeing him on foot that to be the time for his reuenge ranne against his horse and ouerturned him flatte on the ground trampled twise or thrise on him with his horses féete making him breath his last Which the Souldane séeing cryed out commanding him he shuld not hurt him but the Duke made as though he heard him not Whereupon the Souldane séeing the little account was made of him like to burst with extreame gréefe descended still more and more renewing his laments for Don Gallaneos death crying kill kill the traytors that so villainously in my presence murthered my sonne All the people at the Souldanes commaund set on the Duke and don Belliani whence the Jouâ—â—s beganne for tryumphe and pleasure were turned to death and distruction that the fieldes flowed with bloud The kings of Armenia and Persia that sawe the battell so hot and cruell went to the Souldane and said to him Suffer not dread Souereign all this company to perish séeing you know the Duke hath as much power to defend as you to offend him Therefore commaund the fight to cease for if the Duke be guiltie of Don Gallaneos death you may by lawe conuict him The Souldane knowing it to be so and that before the Duke dyed by that meanes none would remaine with life tooke this counsaile and commaunding the battell there to end said thus to the Duke Get you out of my Persepolis Duke vnlesse you will heere dye vnhearde and vnexcused The Prince Don Bellianis beeing with him bad him obey the Souldanes commaunde assuring himselfe their purpose could not but haue a good end The Duke taking his counsaile very ioyfully commaunded the retrayt to be sounded whereat the knights as well of the one as of the other partie left their fight returning euery one to their Captaine attending his commaund Who were here able to expresse what great gladnesse the Princesse Persiana conceiued with Don Gallaneos death which least it might be discerned called out vpon all the knights of her garâ— to imprison and bring before her y e Duke and the Knight that committed that trecherie The guarde replyed they might not because the Souldane was there who returned extreame sorrowfull and so furious with rage that very fire séemed to sparkle from his eyes that all which behold were astonied at his sterne lookes And although the Kings of Tessiffanty intreated him to returne to his pallace yet hee could like no counsaile saue what sauoured of reuenge But turning to the dead bodye sawe his Daughter bewayle his vntimely death and knowing she alwaies refused willingly to marry him and now seeing her gréeuous laments for his decease suspected it was done by her appointment and not regarding his Fathers loue but gouerned with rage tooke her from the ground and said It bootes thée not nowe Princesse to dissemble for I am sure don Gallaneo was slaine with your consent and since you would not obeye mee when I would I will now punish you as you deserue Whereuppon hee commaunded her to bee shut vppe in a Tower and surelye guarded not hearing her speak And going thence commaunded all the people of the Cittie to arme them intending to imprison the Duke in his house imagining don Gallaneos death had bin with his consent greatly gréeued because hee coulde not knowe that Knight that so indaungered him in the battell not thinking on don Bellianis hauing left him sore wouuded CHAP. XVIII What happened to don Bellianis without Persepolis How he deliuered two damsels from certain knights wheÌ„ce they were and how he slew the dragon of the Riphean wood THe Duke séeing his purpose thitherto sort as he wished with don Gallaneos death resolued altogither to follow the counsaile of the knight of the golden image Wherupon he returned to his pallace and the night hauing darkened the world don Bellianis left him in the plaine fielde faining to goe out of the Citie though all the knights there indured to stay him desiring to know him ere he went But getting from them all escaped out of the Citie the better in that obscuritie to returne vnknowne to his lodging and he had not gone far but his wounds began extreamely to gréeue him insomuch he could not stay himselfe on horsebacke for with their new bléeding they opened making him séeme a fountain with so many springs seeing himself so ill he thought he shuld not be able to return to Persepolis vnlesse his wouÌ„ds were bound vp And so alighting from his horse hee sawe two damsels come towards him ryding in such haste as he thought they did rather fly then on their palfrayes swiftly runne Don Bellianis putting himselfe afore them said What is the cause fayre Ladies that maketh you ryde so fast Oh for Gods sake staye vs not but if you will saue your life followe vs and by the waye wee will declare the whole circumstance vnto you Heere will it be better said he and among these trées you may hide your selues So they taking his counsaile followed his aduice beginning to discouer their adueÌ„ture loe they perceiued through those trees a terrible Dragon so fearfull in sight that it struck amazement in the beholders and although the night were very dark yet such light issued froÌ„ him through the great abundance of fire procéeding from his iawes that it seemed hâ—ls mouth opened to swallow them at that instant The Ladies being ouercome with feare betooke theÌ„selues about the knight of the golden Image hauing lost the power of their pretended flight But he séeing it was no time to be idle rose froÌ„ the grouÌ„d with his sword in hand and made against that hellish monster at that time wishing rather to haue his armor giueÌ„ him by Bellona buckled about his body theÌ„ be inuested Emperor of a larger Empyre then his fathers At this instant the dragoÌ„ with an infernal fury flying against him ouerthrâ—w him with his brest returning to catch him with his taleÌ„ts to pluck him in péeces He whoÌ„ feare neuer could blind lept aside but with great difficulty for being ouerreached the cruel beast w t one of his pawes drew him to him pearst both armor and flesh euen to y e bones with his deadly claws but the knight forsaking his sword stabd his dagger 4. or 5. times into his heart vnder his wings The fearful beast through extremitie of pain left him stretching himselfe labouring in the pangs of death He was of such a wonderful greatnes that he was aboue 25. foot loÌ„g in bignes biger then a great bull whose like was neuer séene by any After the knight
Burgonet that none but I deserue the fruition of such thoughtes though hee more largely do possesse the fauour of time smiling chance which I will obtaine vnlesse my tributarie death denie me passage to effect my will that hardly will bee maintained with these oppressing tormentors where with manie grones and sighes drowned in a flood of teares wetted all his bed Oh God sayde Floriana did you euer heare such a complaint of a Knight in so short a time not hauiug séene her whome hée loues And I beleeue vnlesse hee bee remedied hée will hardly scape with his life béeing thus déepelie wounded I knowe not what to say replied her fellow Periana for it is the straungest thing I haue séene that the loue of a Ladie should so wound the heart of a Knight agaynst whome neither the furie of hell-bred beasts nor the strength of mightie Giants can preuaile and whome wee haue séene do such déedes that scarce our selues can beléeue and this is the greatest of all that so strong a Competitor in Loue is offered at this present to the Persian Prince The Knight of the golden Image is not so great as you estéeme him sayde Floriana for I well knowe the high déedes and great state of the other and though he be nowe disgraced by the Soldan he may be reconciled All this knowe I sayde the other yet is not hée like to this if hée should bée compared And this Knight may bee some great Prince since knowing the other sueth for her hee determineth the like And as for his beautie you sée the worlde cannot equall it and also for his valour we our selues are good witnesses And for my part though I were sure to die I woulde procure all meanes to effect his desire seeing the daunger hée freed vs from and the loue wée bare him and hee vs deserueth all our endeuour in this case In this they continued while they fell a sléepe till the next morning that they againe dressed him And trulie the great desire he had to see himselfe out of that Cittie greatly helped his woundes that the Damzels sayde he would bee well within ten dayes and able to trauell which greatly ioyed him hoping to be quickly in the great Citie of Babylon there to possesse the sight of his heauenly Princesse CHAP. XXVIII Howe betweene the Princes Don Bryanell and Arfileo with the two kings it was determined in what maner the Duke Alfiron and the Knight of the golden Image should be set at libertic And howe the Princesse Aurora spake with about it him by whose counsell she departed from the Soldans Court. THe prince Arfileo knowing how the Soldan gouerned himselfe with a distâ—mpered passion of an vnbrideled rage resolued with the two kings his friends whoÌ„ this matter also concerned because the Sophi had with them broken promise to procure the end of these affaires and therevpon coucluded that séeing the Soldan would not frée the Knight of the golden Image and the Duke by intreatiue meanes to make it knowne vnto Don Bellianis and to this ende the Princesse Aurora shoulde visite him in Prison and béeing there found him conuersing with the Damzelles about the Princesse Florisbella who knowing his passion alwayes deuised discorsiue matter vpon theyr Ladie which some time both pleased and displeased him as the spéeches accorded with his humour or delighted his waxe-mollified heart apt for any impression of that qualitie Nowe when the Princesse entered the Ladies rose to receyue her with that obeysaunce that befitted her state and the Prince Don Bellianis about to doo the lyke was stayed by her who so soone stepped to him that hee could not doo it to whome shée woulde haue knéeled but hee not permitting it embraced her betweene his armes with more affection then thitherto hée had because of his conceyued loue of the Princesse Florisbella that so dearely loued this Ladie hoping by her meanes through the helpe hée shoulde imploy in her seruice to obtaine his Mistresse fauour The Princesse Aurora sitting by him demaunded how he felt himselfe of his daungerous wounds Well deare Ladie replied he that séeing I am in such companie there is no cause to demaund of me that for if that fortune should lend her force to my harme her power is so weakened hereby that she cannot I gladly â—â—y therein answered she and yet you are not content to haue hitherto yéelded no satisfaction for your cure but that you will with words ieast at vs. Then were it good we require it said Persiana least he thinke to pay vs with conceyts I can not satisfie you replied the Prince according to your merits or the great fauour I haue receiued for if I coulde you should not kéep me in prison for it as you do What prison said they if the Soldan would set you at libertie you should not be staied by vs. If I could so soone frée my selfe of that gaole I meane replied Don Bellianis as I can of this the Soldanes the griefe I sustaine should not thus torment me Let vs leaue this talke said the Princesse for the time will come that you shall be frée of all your prisons and these Ladies also satisfied to their content wherein if you shall disagrée I as vmpere will moderate the strife betwéene you though I now it will not be requisite But to the purpose I will tell you the effect of my comming You alreadie know how the Soldan hauing béene intreated and importuned about it hath alwayes refused to graunt you libertie with the Duke Alfiron denying it also to the Kings of Armenia and Tessifantie that greatly laboured your deliuerie And the last answere he gaue them was they should no more immortune him therein for if they did it should not a little disadauntage them that if they became of your faction he would also apprehend them as traytors to his state and person New they haue determined to end this matter one way or other forthwith because the venturous knight may not stay within the Citie beeing commaunded to the contrarie by the Soldan who knoweth no otherwise but that hee is come yet will not they conclude any thing without your aduise What power haue they said Don Bellianis They haue replyed shée eyght thousand men well appointed and heere they gaue me your sword to bring you which I did as secretely as I could tying it vnder my gowne and so gaue it him Don Bellianis tooke it and more reioyced therewith then if hee had beene presented with a kingdome The Damzells greatly wondred to sée the great riches therof which was vnualuable Tell those knights most excellent Princesse that sixe dayes hence they prepare and haue then in readinesse al their men and that in the euening they suddenly assault the Soldans pallace procuring nought else but the libertie of the Duke Alsiron and in any case they take with them the Princesse Persiana for it must néeds bee so and you deare Lady shall take your leaue of the Soldan saying
neuer satisfying himself with asking al that had befallen them in that Kingdome The Prince Don Bellianis discoursed vnto him euery thing at large telling him hée greatly wondred that hée had vndertaken so great toyle as to come to seeke them To discharge the debt I was in replyed the Emperour for the succour I receiued at the vnknowne Castle both of you and of your Cosin for our manner as you knowe is to make satisfaction in the same Coyne And yet your dutie was net to go awâ—i not making your selues knowne But letting it passe What was the reason you did so Wée could do no otherwise replyed Arfileo hauing promised so to do They had thus chatted till the next morrowe if the Emperour had not sent them to bedde Which they did lying in that chamber and slept til the Sun had the following morning dryed the could deawe on the moyst earth And rysing out of their beddes made them ready and went altogether into the field where the ioustes were kept whose pryze the good Knight Sabian of Trebento obtained with immortall honor by his braue deedes In this manner rested they a moneth vnmolested of any by reason of the boysterous colde winter which kept the Soldane from incamping his Hoaste In which time the Prince Don Bellianis though hée greatly delighted in the Empereur his Fathers presence whom all the rest called the Knight of the Crownes sustained such gréeuous passions and torments of weart for the absence of his deare Ladie that hée often sounned to the death nothing with him preuailing the consolating wordes of his Damzels nor the Princesse Aurora to whome he made knowen his griefe But euery day grewe worse and worse which the Emperour his Father séeing armed himself vppon a day though hée could hardly doe it béeing not altogether well walked with him out of the Cittie and inquired of him very earnestly the cause of his melancholie gréefes charging him not to conceale if by any meanes The Prince don Bellianis tolde him he knewe not whence procéeded his gréefe but that he felt extreame anguish of minde and coulde not conceiue the cause thereof The Emperour perceiuing some loue passion tormented him hauing many times séene him sighe without cause ouerpaste that talke and saide Tel me where abouts is the valley of the thrée fountaines for I must néedes go thither It is some thrée myles hence said Don Bellianis whither wée may make an easie walke Whereuppon the Emperour tooke his launce from his sonnes Dwarffe and sending him with his owne Page backe to the Cittie they went towards the valley The Prince demaunded of his Father why hée went thither You shall knowe replyed hee I haue ingaged my selfe to the Combatte there with the Persian Prince this day and I am determined to méete him there alone without any company for so wée agreed and therefore here wée must part for wée must not go together Don Bellianis gréeued that the Emperour had vndertaken so dangerous a fight and the more because he might not go to ayde him if any sinister chaunce should befall But seeming to feare nothing said I will obey your commauede deare Lord séeing you will haue it so and will returne vnto the Cittie and excuse you till you come backe And so shewed him the valley and departed something better satisfied to see what little account the Emperour made of the battell yet he resolued to frustrate it as hereafter shall be shewen But here we leaue them till wée haue sette downe the matter contained in the ensuing Chapter which greatly auaileth this Historie CHAP. XXXV Who the sage Fristone was and what hee did that the battell betweene those Princes might not bee effected IN the Kingdome of Persia where then al those knights were dwelt a Wiseman which was hée that writte this great Historie called Fristone whose equall in the Magicke-art the world contained not excelling therein all those of his time for they procured to learne of him This rare Magician was so greate a friend to the Persian Prince Perianco that all his labour and studie was to no â—ther office but for the good successe of his affaires consunting the greatest part of his time to that end For which purpose hée had giuen him a most excellent rich and wel tempered sword that the like was not within y e earthly continent except that of Don Bellianis which before times appertained vnto that valorous Knight Iason the which that excellent Inchauntresse Medea had giuen him when they enioyed their Loues which she forged vnder the constillation and predominance of such Plannets that no iuchauntment might against it preuaill This sword procured the sage Fristone for the vse of the Prince Perianeo but he neuer could obtaine it because Medea by her Prophecies had bequeathd it to the successiue heires of the House of Greece placing it where Don Bellianis woon it by the meanes of the sage Bellona But this wise Fristone béeing in the desart of death where he made his habitation hee there calling to minde his friend the Persian Prince came to know that for all his valour was so excellent and very felve that might equall him in strength he notwithstanding might incurre wonderous danger And casting about with his Arte to know the end of that battell the almightie God would not suffer him to finde out the successe thereof reseruing to his diuine Maiestie the knowledge of the euent of thinges which to none others might bee permitted and the more hee sought to know it the farther he was from it Which thing so confounded him in his imagination that hée could not thinke what it might bée Wherefore he resolued by all meanes to disturbe the fight iudging that afterwards the Persian Prince might better reuenge himselfe vpon the Duke Alfiron for the iniurie he had done his Father and therefore deuised what you shall know in the next Chapter CHAP. XXXVI What Don Bellianis did beeing gone from the Emperour and how hee combatted with the Persian Prince and were parted by the means of the sage Fristone And how the Soldanes Hoste besieged the Cittie of Bollera DOn Bellianis béeing departed from the Emperour his Father so spurred his Horse that quickly he returned to the cittie wherein he entred very quict shewing no manner of alteration but telling euery one that by the way inquired of him for he Knight of theÌ„ Crownes y t he stayed not farre thence for Sabian of Trebento his companion Hée entred the Pallace where méeting with Sabian requested him to lend him his armour to supply his present néede May not I accompanie you said hee No replied Don Bellianis besides I will presently returne Where left you my Lord the Emperour demaunded hee Hard by replyed the Prince staying for me Which said he buckled on Sabians armour which nothing differed from his fathers and mounting a horsebacke he tooke his way to the valley of the thrée fountaines to méete with the Persian Prince and comming to a large plaine â—he spied
more like a dead then a liuing creature The Damzell in the entring drew forth of a little boxe certaine Oyntments that she brought with her wherewith she Emperour lying in a traunce receyued his vitall senses and with a faint voyce said Ho mightie sauiour of the worlde I do beséech thée if so it may please thy high omnipotencie not to take this transitorie life from mee before I haue séene my deare deare sonne that in the end of my pilgrimage I may with comfort die You shall not yet die said the Damzell therefore strengthen your selfe for you must ere you die suffer manie perils ordained by the diuine power of the highest Lord. And if your heart will serue to drinke this potion I bring you shall presently bee restored â—o your former health and feare not to drinke it for I come from those knights that ayded you So drawing forth a litle Glasse wherin was a certaine composition so odoriferous that the Emperour and all that were present were greatly comforted with the smell the Emperour taking it in his hand fearelesse drunke it off And at that instant hee felt himselfe so well as hee had neuer béene wounded or ill at all And rising to thanke her shee went the way she came and commaunded the King of Hungarie to kill her who astonished at the Emperours suddaine recouerie knewe not whether he slept or waked but following her shée stayed him and sayde Tire not your selfe renowmed King of Hungarie in séeking me for all the worlde is not sufficient to finde me But know thou the Emperour was ayded by the néerest kinsman he and you haue wherewith shée flang away so swiftly that she séemed to outstrip the winde and suddenlie vanished out of sight And here the Historie declareth this was the sage Bellona who greatly tendering the loue of Don Bellianis did for his sake so cure the Emperour for otherwise his death had bin sorer then his life The king of Hungary amazed with these thingeâ— as also knowing in what danger the Emperour had beene in to see him now come foorth of his chamber demanded him what was become of the Lady To whom he told all that had passed what she said I caÌ„not thinke theÌ„ replyed the Emperour whome those so vailant Knights may bee hauing my selfe knighted them Trust me not answered the king if they were not cur loste Sonnes for wee haue no nigher kinsmen and your knighting them assureth it to bee true as also the newes themselues told you Who can beleeue said the Emperour that if they were them they would so departe from me wherefore I will haue all these men seperate themselues to seeke them about the forrest for being wounded they cannot be farre gone and somewhere they may be alighted to binde their woundes So commaunding all the Knights to doe it they went to visit the Prince don Brianell hauing heard hee was in no lesse danger then the Emperour and going into his chamber they neither found him nor any signe of him but vpon his Beds head they found a letter written in Gréeke to this effect This is meant by the Prophecie in the 2. booke 7. Chap. In the time to come that the braue Lyon of the house of Grecia shall bee put in greater danger by the vnknowne Lyon defendor of his royall blood shall also by the Orientall haâ—â—s through the meanes of their vniust Prince be put in greater perill then the last whereof by him hee was deliuered wherein all the power of my knowledge shall bee tryed the most parte of them beeing absent And thou great Emperour that this readest desiste from the demand of thy sonne and Knights and by no meanes put thy selfe in their quest for thy Emperie will greatly need thee though not so soone This I write thee that thou mayst knowe the fame of thy glorious deedes will bee extinguished by the light of the new knight to thy greater eternitie Therefore doe no otherwise then this my letter requireth thee for I wish all thine affaires may succeede according to thy owne desires which goodwill the present remedie thou didst receiue by my damzell well doth approoue The Emperour hauing read the letter rested greatly confused therewith and turning to the King said What thinke you we may doe concerning this letters commande I thinke answered the king since you know the writers wisedeme zeale towardes you you ought to erecnte the same Let vs awaight the returae of our knights replyed the Emperour and then wee will departe for I greatly desire to haue the Empresse knowe these newes and looking out of a window of the Castle they saw comming from the Cittie great multitudes of knights secming aboue 30000. What shall wee doe said the Emperour if wee should haue a greater conflict then that which is pasâ— I thinke those bee your ensignes replyed the knight and looking more earnestly to theÌ„ percciued plainclye they were the same For when it was bruted about the Cittie not knowing the number of the assaileants that had beset the Emperour all the knights there with Eittizens Souldiours and their Leaders armed themselues and came to rescue their Emperour With them came the olde Prince of Macedon then arriued in the Cittie and also the Empresse Clarinda that would by no meanes staye though by the way she vnderstood the whole successe of the fight but would goe to visit the Emperour who then descended to receiue them to whom the Leaders and the rest humbled themselues with vnspeakeable ioy to see him safe And when he knew the Empresse was there without further stay went to her where she was to recounte their glad gréetings What hath become of you my most deare Lord said the Empresse for I perceiue you haue not beene at no great passetime so many sluggarde knights lying in field for all I see your person woundlesse and tel me where is the Prince Don Bryanell Things haue befallen me answered he that requireth long time to dylate Therefore alight and weele enter the Castle where I will tell you all So while they were at supper the Knights Jousted and tilted about the field one with another for ioy of the Emperours safetie and the tables being taken vp after some discourses the Empresse vnderstanding their successe with the Damsels and how they thought that those knights were Don Bellianis and Arsileo she scarce could containe her selfe with ioy though somewhat moderated it with feare of their great and daungerous wounds Day it not by some meanes be known said she if they were them We know no more replyed the king of HuÌ„gary then what is said But the Emperor remembring the two olde knights that with them came and seeing at their departure they went not with them said to the King sawe you not when you remained to see the wounded cured amoÌ„g them two olde knights They be in this other lodging said the king and because they were so greeuously wounded I durst not send them to Constantinople Let vs
not enter for the Knight of the golden Image is a sléepe and so sicke that I feare he will hardly escape the danger of these wounds and I come to tell these knights that for a fewe daies they should suffer none to visit him for it woulde be very troublesome to him and now I will go to know what the Duke determineth about his cause The Kings hearing this would goe no further but charging the guarde to let none enter his Chamber returned back leading Don Bellianis with them whom they knewe not through the obscuritie of the night and had it not béene his pensiue sullen melancholie they could not but haue knowne him by the tallnesse of his body although he stooped as much as he could and being all without the pallace the Kings would accompanie him to the Dukes Tower but he thanking them for that courtesie would not suffer them and so parted going alone and being nigh the Dukes Pallace hee espied his companions talking with many knights and because hee would not be knowne he tooke an other by way which led him without the Cittie gate through which hee went till hee came to a fayre groue of trees somewhat out of the high waye where vnder a spreading beech hee lay till the Moone began with her light to shewe her selfe there washe surprised with the remembraunce of the beautie of the most honourable Princesse Florisbella which he so contemplated that hee was caryed away with the déepe imaginations of her diuine persections that hee knewe not whether hee was in Heauen or in earth and drawing foorth the picture that the Damzells hadde giuen him with heart-breaking sighes he vttered these words procéeding from the bottome of his loue sicke soule Oh diuine and most Angelicall beautie of the absolutest Princesse liuing on this mossey orbe vnhappie was the houre wherein I heard thée named and more vnfortunate when my eyes were captiuated in the admyred sight of thy pictured beautie for séeing the sole shaddawe of thy nominated rarenesse hath the power to drowne mee in heauie soule-tormented passions what then will the substance of thy immortall deitie doo when the fruition of that sight shall robbe mee of my ioying sences Then must I onely call and continually crie for death as chéefest anchorage and remedie of my wound and with my life to end these my extreame and intollerable sorrewes But foole that I am where may I obtaine more glorie then to norish such conceits or what happie fortune then possessing this sight burthening torment if I do not altogither dispaire of y ◠curing salue for my mortall wound Oh wise Bellona not without cause didst thou bid me come to the Soldanes Court and remember me I should not there in my greatest affections loose the reignes of my high courage But who is he that is able to do so hauing no strength to counterpoyz◠my greefes nor cure for my oppressed heart being so far remooued from the causer of my torments whose supreme thoughts cannot deigne to bēd their fauors on so mean a knight if they did how shuld I merit deserue them by conioyning both desires in one when the large continents of the spacious world doth not containe two greater enemies then hers and my father or where is there a greater difference of lawes and religion then betwixt them whereby I maye not onely dispayre of remedie but liue perpetually the disgracest Knight that in this age suruiueth Oh Floriana when or wherein did I so much iniurie thee that thou shouldest on mee so cruelly be reuenged and herewith fixing his eees on his imaginary sorrowes and vnable to resist the violence of the suddain pasion fell in a trance Wherin he continued till a knight arriued there which trauailed that way by the light of the then shyning Moone who séeing that Lady lye with the picture in manner rehearsed alighted and tyed his horse to a trée and going to her tooke her in his armes vsing those remedies that he knewe to recouer her if she were not dead which he feared séeing her stur neither hand nor foote Don Bellianis with what was done vnto him returned to himselfe greatly amazed to see that Knight there thinking he had heard his complaint But the Knight rested no lesse astonished to see his excellent beantie that he could not vtter one word yet with a trembling voice caused by the suddaine fyēt of loue that burnt his heart said What great misfortune hath befallen you most fayre Ladye that in this sollitarie place should put you in such extreame And I sweare by the order of knighthood I receiued that with the vttermost of my power euen with my death to procure your present remedie Therefore I beseech you courteous damsel to tell it me for I shall account my selfe more happie to be imployed in your seruice then to bee created Emperour of Constantinople séeing your rare beautie bindes all the world to your seruice no more being therein to desire then to liue and dye at your command The Prince Don Bellianis hearde his spéech to the end and smiled in himselfe to sée the Knights deceit although those words added a greater flame to his burning fier with remembrance of his mistresse And he determined to answere him according to his opinion that his owne purpose might not bee discouered though he should thereby more torment the knight greatly delighting with such discourses hoping himselfe to vse them if at any time he saw the Princesse Florisbella and therfore replyed thus Truly sir knight although my misfortune were not for no other cause then now to ioy your presence I should haue taken it for my greatest consolation And I think my self most happie that the Gods haue permitted me to arriue in this place to inioy the promise which you of your méere bountie and courtesie haue so liberallie made For my chaunce is the strangest that euer you heard and therefore it behooues me that you graunt me a boone nothing disaduantaging your selfe thereby The Knight ioying more thereat then at any thing in all his life answered Command me what you will faire Ladie for you néede not demaund any thing by intreatie Then before wée procéede any thing further said Don Bellianis vnclaspe your helme and after you shall know what I require The knight straight did it and sitting down hauing thitherto stood discoursed togiter of diuerse things chiefly touching amourous matters Don Bellianis was greatly pleased with his talke and the more to ease his owne gréefe It is néedlesse to describe the features of the Knight béeing of a gallant disposition and yong not aboue fiue and twentie yeares of age of whom don Bellianis demaunded his name whereto he said he would do it if she would accept him for hers Don Bellianis said I will if that will please you and so forwarde with your discourse Then my deare Ladie know my name is Don Contumeliano of Phenicia sonne and heyre vnto the King of that countrey and by
Florisbella DOn Bellianis béeing departed from the Prince of Phenicia arriued in the Citie when two partes of the night was past and went till hee came to the Soldanes Palace not staying any where though hée greatly desired to know of his Companions And thinking to finde all the people quiet hée founde them otherwise busied and the Pallace guarded with tenne thousande men with manie light Torches But hée closely passing betwéene them had nothing sayde to him thinking that hée was some of the Princesse Auroraes or Perfianaes Gentlewomen and going vp the Tower required the watch to let him in to visite the Knight of the golden Image they thinking hée was a a woman let him in demaunding why shee had béene all daye abroade the knight béeing so sore wounded I coulde doo no otherwise replied Don Bellianis and thereupon entred his Chamber where Floriana and her fellowe stayed for him who séeing him come Persiana ranne to embrace him so did Floriana who casting a Mantie ouer her did rise out of the bed Don Bellianis seeing it sayde It behooues not fayre Ladies you shoulde bestowe such fauours on so meane a knight speciallie in so suspicious a place There is no place to be suspected where such a knight is deseruing greater fauours then these euen at thâ— hands of the faâ—â—est Princesse liuing But leauing this let vs cure you nowe that you may tell vs all that befell you abroade and so making him vnreadie layde him in a bed and by their handes dressed him Which done they gaue him his Supper who eate it with a good stomacke hauing tasted no foode in a day and a halfe before and when they woulde haue left him hee woulde not let them go because hee coulde not sléepe and so tolde them all his aduenture from his departing And when hee spake of Don Contumeliano they coulde not stande for laughter I am much glad of your successe sayde Floriana because you shall not thinke vs fooles in what wée haue sayde of your beautie whereby you may imagine the greatnesse of our Ladie the Princesse Florisbella and nowe you maye render to vs her counterfeite for you no more néede it Let mee yet kéepe it gracious Damozell forthat I haue not coated it with that I haue in my Shéelde to sée which is more naturall for the meaning I knowe is all one And tell mée the reason why the Soldane did commaunde the Prince Perianeo to depart his Dominions which the Princesse Aurora was the other day telling mée but she was interrupted by a suddaine occasion and since I haue had no time to knowe it Wee haue not effectually learned it sayde shée but it is thought the Souldane imagined that hée was in loue with the Princesse and least hée shoulde attempt anie thing agaynst her honour commaunded him to leaue his Kingdome beeing the valiantest knight then knowen in the whole vniuersall world What losse had there béene sayde Don Bellianis if hée had béene married to her béeing so good a knight and so great a Prince In faith none replied shée if for possessions or anie thing else shée shoulde haue béene giuen to anie he well deserued her But we thought that according to her excellencie and beautie some of our Gods would descende the heauens to enioy her on earth And if hee had demaunded her of the Soldane our Lorde wée thinke hee woulde not haue denied her him but he neuer woulde declare his name which was knowen after the warres of Antioch This they tolde Don Bellianis who was greatly discomforted to heare of the loue betwixt the Knight and the Princesse as also to heare that euerie where the wonders of the knight of the Images sounded in his eares béeing so highly estéemed in his Ladies Countrey and so purposed neuer to rest till hée met with him supposing he should neuer be fauoured of his Mistresse vnlesse hee should remooue that knight out of her sight and so said to the Damzels Hath there béene no newes of him since his departing or did he so soone forget the Princesse No said they for it was said he euerie day came into the court with seuerall horse and armour and then writ diuerse letters to her beseeching her to receiue him as her knight letting her knowe he was Prince of this land The letter was deliuered to vs and we fearing some euill to insue thereby durst not giue it her But what answer made you said Don Bellianis to him that gaue you the letter None other answered the Damzell saue that the Princesse would not answere it Yet might you haue giuen her it There is none for their liues that durst haue done so for besides that she doth iniurie herselfe being but seldome séene and abhorring such matters extreamly shee hateth this Prince greatly because he was the cause that the Princesse Aurora lost her kingdome with her fathers life which was Uncle to our Ladie Princesse and brother to her mother With that Don Bellianis rested somewhat comforted and to giue place to his thoughts praied the Damzels to go to bed because he would sléepe which they did and being withdrawne they reasoned that the knight of the golden Image should bée in loue with their Ladie Beléeue not said Beriana if since you named the Princesse Florisbella he hath not béene captiuated with her prayses else why should hee so particularly inquire for her Will you know it certainly said Floriana Let vs rise softly and hearken what he sayes for it is not possible but hée shoulde vtter the aboundance of his heart and so rose in their smocks to heare him who to himself complained and now and then groned and sighed so bitterly as if his heart would break But at last with a soft voyce he burst into these passions Ay mée vnfortunate Knight of the golden Image and moste vnhappie Prince what accursed Starres voyde of all pitie haue conducted thée to Persepolis to receiue so distastrous a death Ah wretch that I am whome the power of hearts-penetrating loue contenteth not with such crueltie to torment thée but telleth thée thou art not woorthie to serue whome thou desyrest But thrise happie art thou Knight of the Images for if thou doost suffer anie passions and heartes languishment for the diuined beautie of the excellentest Princesse that euer was borne yet are thy thoughts made knowne to her where thou mayest immortallize thy selfe and call thée the onelie blessed of all mortall men But aye me more vnhappie farre then thou art happie that muste heare the intollerable burthen of my greeuaunces without comforte without helpe and without hope For though my soules true paine were knowne where are the merittes to reape the benefite of so large a guerdon But let Fortune doo her woorst yet will not I leaue till I see howe long my despised life will labour in the Laborinth of misfortune And if I do méete with the Knight of the Images I doo protest by the sacred order I haue receiued to make it knowen vppon his stéeled
those parts For within one moneth there were arrided in that Cittie aboue thrée hundreth thousand valiant horsmen and well appointed The Souldane sent to many places as well abroad as at home to seeke for his sonne the Prince Perianeo to leade those troupes against his aduersaries with whose comming he so assured himselfe to be reuenged as if it were alreadie executed For he not only thought to destroy the Duke Alfiron and the Prince of Phenicia but also thought to subuert the kingdom and King of Rasia whom he imagined to be father vnto Arfilio and if those warres happily succéeded to passe against the Grecian Emperour whom he knew to be frée of the daunger that Don Galaneo of Antioch had put him in So that these imaginations made him longerstaie then he had purposed preparing all necessaries for those warres CHAP. XXXII How don Brianell required by the Prince don Bellianis departed towards the Kingdome of Antioch How the duke Alfiron married the Princes Persiana and what straunge things happened in the Iousts vnto the Princes Contumeliano Arfileo and Florispiano THe Knight as is said being within the Citie of Bollera made famous by their being there were within fiftéene dayes throughly whole of their woundes though not of that which the amorous Prince don Bellianis had in his hart for the loue of the bewteous Princesse Florisbella which had so penetrated his tender breast that he determined vpon the good successe of those affaires neuer to cease till his eyes might enioy her happie sight thinking therewith to mitigate the crueil passions of his tormented heart Thus continuing there vpon a day taking apart the Princesse Persiana told her that he thought it not amisse if she desired the accomplishing of her desires she should forthwith wed the Duke Alfiron lest the chaunges of Fortune might héereafter disturbe it and that the Souldan her father would not be so cruell that hearing it would not reioyce to sée her marryed to her content Shée that nothing else desired said she would in euery thing accord to his will derogating in no respect from it Wherefore thanking her for that honour he conferred of it with the Duke who thereto agreed appoynting the nuptialls to be solemnized tenne dayes after which was the time they celebrated a feast dedicated to their Mahomet All the Knights greatly reioyced at that don Bellianis had done preparing themselues very sumpteously against the mariage day ordering a most stately Tourney in honour of the nuptialls And in the meane time hearing of the Souldanes preparations and innumerable multitudes neglected not to demaund the aide of all her friends and Allies And the kings sent to their kingdomes that all their help might there with speede be vnited And so these great enemies béeing thus nigh one to the other were by their spyalls still aduertised of eythers dooings The knight of the Golden Image much gréeued to see these delayes because they hindred and kept him there from prosecuting his attended iourney dispayring of hoped ioyes wanting the presence of the causer of his gréefe which he somewhat lightned by daily conuersing with the damsels of his mistresse else otherwise he hardly could haue staied there all that while which he beguiled with pleasant discourses with those Princes and Ladies and one day talking with the Princesse Aurora about her affayres in Antioch she said to him it wold not bee vnnecessarie shee should write vnto the Gouernour of that kingdome placed by the Prince Don Gallaneo on whom she reposed great trust I thinke it not amisse answered Don Bellianis if you suppose it will not disaduantage you But who shall carrie it when it is made I shall want no knight to doo it replied shee or if I doo one of my Damzels shall vndertake the troublesome toyle Whereupon Don Bellianis taking pen yncke and paper writ the letter and when it was done called the Prince Don Brianell whom as is said greatly desired to be imploied in that Princesse seruice said to him hee should bee the bearer of that letter being a matter to be trusted on none but he There is no reason my good Lord said the Princesse that you should vndergo such trouble hauing alreadie hitherto taken so much for my sake you neede not now farther indanger your self in these new such seldom seen toiles hauing at my hands receiued no fauour for any It is no trouble déere lady said he which is vndertakeÌ„ in your behalf especially in y e aduancing of your glory and therefore I am incouraged straight to depart heÌ„ce I gladly wold haue accompanied you replied she if this present war did not hinder me wher don Bellianis is also necessarily staied It is better that you remaine here said Don Bellianis for the Prince Don Brianell will quickely returne with answere And thus they agreed that the next day he should depart telling those knights that he went about an earnest matter of his owne which forced him so to leaue them assuring them his returne shoulde bee with spéede And so taking his parting leaue the insuing morning he went forwards on his voyage continuing his dayly iourneyes till hee arriued at Antioch where there be fell him great aduentures as shall be set downe in his due place So leauing him and returning to our former purpose the day was at length come wherein the royall nuptials of the Princesse Persiana with the Duke Alfiron should be celebrated against which time euery one prouided theÌ„selues according to their estate in such tumultuous times wherein they dayly expected the arriuall of their enemies for which cause least they should suddenly be surprised they kept in armour aboue eight thousand men which they had within the Cittie besides their campe they had without the walles intrencht about the furthest place of the citie because one should not trouble the other in their salue Which multitudes were equally diuided in squadrons and battalions as they were readie to fight some pitched battell The day come the Princesse Persiana issued foorth the contentedst Ladie liuing shee was ledde by the arme by Don Bellianis going all a foote because they would be the better seene with a soft pace When they were seene by their armed troopes they all showted out aloud saying It is a iust thing that we all spend our dearest liues for the safetie of such Lords or impall their heads with the imperiall Diaâ—â—m which they so well deserue and therewith discharged so many peeces of Ordinance and sounded so manie Instruments of all sorts as it seemed the totall subuersion of the vniuersall world in which maner they arriued in the temple where they were married which done they returned with like triumph to the Pallace where the Tables being couered they diâ—ed the Bride and Bridegroome at one Table with the two Kings and the thrée Princes at another dined many of their Nobisitie The dinner done they daunced according to theyr maner while the knights maintainers of the iousts entred the lystes
handes that hee was faine to set him downe not being able to stand on his legges looking like a man readie to breathe his last Don Bellianis thinking his woundes were the cause of it sat him downe lamenting that vnhappie chaunce loosing their blood so fast that it had made two Chanells as if they proceeded from two rising springs and ouertaken by the darksome night were put into so great feare that they dispaired of remedie Especially Don Bellianis doubting thereby his fathers life who because the suddaine amazement more troubled him then the daunger of his woundes quickly recouered himselfe and imbracing the Prince his sonne said Oh deare sonne tell me I pray you why come you armed in the Armour of the Knight of Fortune Did he peraduenture diâ— by your hands or how is it for I cannot expresse the alteration I suffer till I know it I weare the Armes of Sabian of Trebento and no others for those of the Persian Prince your selfe weares I haue not chaunged mine said the Emperour But tel me what hath befallen you since you lest me for surely we haue bn wondrously deceiued Don Bellianis tolde it him Whereupon the Emperour spake Surely Prince we haue bene inchaunted and yet cannot deuise by what meanes but this is the straungest case I euer heard of that both should séeme to weare one kinde of armour and not perceiue it each of vs imagining the other to be the Persian Prince And it may bee that Lady that cryed to you for helpe was she that so deceiued vs. But let vs part from hence for we loose much blood When they were vppon going they espied comming towards them an auncient Matrone conducted by foure monstrous Gyants before them was carried a Piller of fire which lighted them their way they came with such haste that ere they could rise she was vpon them whom presently the Gyants tooke from her Palfray and knéeling before the Emperour she required his royall hands to kisse them The Emperour refusing to do it tooke her vp and she vnmasking her selfe was straight knowne of Don Bellianis to be the sage Bellona his deare friend Whereat conceiuing as much pleasure as before displeasure and accounting all his daunger none imbracing her said What chaunce hath brought you hither my good friend at such a time which is not without some speciall cause The great loue I beare you and the Emperour your father replied she is the cause thereof But for you incurre great perill through your wounds eate this which I will giue you for with the like medicine you were afore cured They did so and were therewith presently so well as if they had had no ill at all and their armour returned vnto their former colour and deuises The Emperour imbracing her said For Gods sake Ladie tell me this aduenture for it doth more amaze me then any thing in all my life I will replyed shée and hardly shall you know it of any but of me You well remember the Combatte you had agreed with the Persian Prince now know he hath to his friend a great Magician in that Art the skilfullest in all the world this man knowing the great daunger his friend should passe with the Prince your sonne did ordaine all that which you haue séene changing both your armours that you might staie one another each of you thinking you fought with the valourous Prince Perianeo And trust me his desire had taken effect had it not bene for Don Bellianis sword which for that purpose the wise Medea many yeares before kept in the Caue where Don Bellianis woune it being the man she wished might haue it alwayes desiring to benefit the house of Greece as often heretofore she hath done For so was it written where your sonne found the sword if he doth remember the words I doo well remember them replied Don Bellianis for thus they said This Prophecie is mentioned in the seeond Chapter and here explained with effect That with this Sword the liuing should be lost and the dead put in possession of the recouered and they restored to their royall blood with knowledge of their possessors You see now how it hath come to passe and moreouer they said this should be At the time when the fiercenesse of the couragious Lyons which are you two by the greatnesse of his skill which is that of the wise man called Fristone that in knowledge equals her because he hath all her â—ookes should be put in greater feare but this know not he for he did not looke whether thâ— Sword were wonne or no or whether the valorous Prince your sonne did weare it Then the liuing which were lost that arâ— you two that being liuing were lost by the alteration of your Armour and supposing you alreadie dead which would haue happened if the fight had bene ended with the blowe of this Sword that cut the laces of your Helme were put in possession of your recouered selues being restored to your royall bloods which was at the point vtterly to haue bene lost And the true possessors knowne which are both you taking one another for the Persian Prince Now I hope you vnderstand the aduenture you haue past which not without cause you haue accounted straunge Greatly wondred the knights at these Ladies words who againe said But for another cause hath my comming bene which is to haue with me the Prince Don Bellianis your deare sonne whome I must presently vse in a deare imploy that ne lesse concernes him then his life Take vs both with you saide the Emperour I would willingly doo it replied shée but that the braue Duke Alsiron greatly néedeth your helpe and therefore it is no reason to leaue him alone and your sonne shall quickly returne againe And here doo as I counsell you for I well knew this woulde happen which made me write vnto you that you should by no meanes depart from the Cittie of Constantinople but you would not do it wherein it had not bene much if you had lost your life I will not go against your counsell replied the Emperour but tell me if my sonne shall quickly returne He shal said she and therefore go to the Citie the soonest that you may and so making Don Bellianis mount on horseback who had taken the Emperours blessing which with many teares did giue it him departed as swift as the winde leauing the Emperour so occupied with imaginations whither his sonne might be carried that he knew not how to resolue himselfe CHAP. XXXVIII How the Emperour returned to the Cittie of Bollera and what happened him in the Souldanes Campe before hee entred into the Citie THe Emperour remembring the Sages words tooke his Launce and mounted on horsbacke approching the Cittie of Bollera almost by breake of day which he founde begyt with so many multitudes that he greatly wondred at their suddaine arriuall and not knowing on which side the Duke laie intrenched because the Citie was round about besieged he rushed among those Tentes
being too young was not determined yet to marrie therefore he craued his pardon Which answer highly vexing Herodiano that they being the nezt day in the ordained Joustes there appeared on the one side of the field these foure Knights that here you sée who rushing within the Tourney in short space ouerthrew aboue one hundred Knights with such déepe woundes that most of them could no more rise And they like furious Dragons ranne vp and downe the fielde that none durst abide their furie Which the King séeing encountred them with tenne knights against whom onely thrée went and the other imbraced the King in such cruell manner that both fell downe and the rest left his Knights deadly wounded Then on the suddaine appeared the Tent you yonder sée in which the king was set with his Daughter and these foure knights remained as their kéepers whome no humaine power is able to ouerrome because they are inchannted and within the space of foure dayes they vanquished aboue foure thousand knights that came to liberate their king which not a little gréeued vs. But in the ende sending for the counsaile of a wise man a great fréend vnto our king wee receined this aunswere that the imprisonment of the king and his daughter could not be remedied but by a Ladie whose beautie should excell the honourable Princesse Meridianaes and that finding her she should prooue the aduenture of the Tent in which the Princesse would giue her a sworde which in her hand she holdeth with which those knights should be vanquished and the inchantment ended Hnd for this effect he would worke that the Tent shoulde bee brought where we would wishe to haue it wherein wee foure might very safelye goe for onely these same knights shoulde bee our chéefe defenders In this manner haue we in short time trauailed through most part of Paganisme but neuer could finde any that did surpasse the beautie of our Princesse Meridiana And by the way hearing the fame propogated through this Easterne world of the rare and soly excellent beautie of the Princesse thy deare Daughter we are hither come to intreat thée to suffer this aduenture tryed in thy court which will no little enternize thy great glorie setting an end to our many toiles which we haue and else shall sustaine And this is the boone which you and your excellent Daughter the princesse Florisbella haue granted vs. The Souldane rested highly astonished at the Ladyes tale greatly pittying the misaduenture happened to the King Gorriano his kinesman desiring to vndergoe any perrill for his libertie and answering the Lady said It greatly gréeueth me gracious Ladies that this mischance hath befallen your King and his Daughter and it would highly content me that you may finde remedie in my Court But tell mée the Lady that proouing it and not ending it doth shée incurre any danger None replied she for she that doth not excell the Princesse in beautie may not enter therein and from the doore may you see what is within I am contented said the Souldane that the aduenture bée tâ—yeâ— But I will first sée the Combatting of the Knights for I beleeue in my Court there are such that think to saue the Ladies that labour Your will be done repliâ—d the damzel though it be better that your Knights doo not so indanger themselues for their toyle will be in vaine Yet for all this will I haue it so said the Souldane And thereuppon coÌ„manded all his knights to try the aduenture and the Damzels with their knights returned to the sent in the entring whereof it seemed to open in the middest where straight was séene a throane with thyrtie sâ—eppes which seemed made of pure Christall in the middle thereof sat the King Gorgiano armed with all his Armour he leand his hand vppon his Chayre and on his hand his head séeming very mellancholy at his right hand sat the beauteous and gallant Princesse Meredian in like manner as her Father On the toppe of all the Throâ—ne appeared Cupid the blinde GOD of loue with his bowe and arrowes whose making was so artificiall and naturall that euery one thought him aliue At his féete lay a Knight sore wounded with an arrow in his brest who seemed with one hand to craue mercie but with the other hee held a scrowlâ— very fairâ—ly written with plaine Caldean letters expressing for what reason the King Gorgiano was imprisoned Héere then arriued all the Souldanes Knights in number aboue three thousand and were the valiantest in all his whole Empyre The first that would prooue the aduenture was a Cousen of his called Baltasano of Nu 〈…〉 idia who as it seemed was chiefe ouer the rest he was armed in a rose colour Armour and taking with him two knights would haue entred the tent but the inchaunted knights that defended it leauing one to kéepe it made against them and at the first incounters ended the strife casting the Soldans knightes on the ground This done the inchaunted knightes began to range about the field that within a whyle they left none to withstand them and hauing no more to do returned so quietlie to their tent as if they had done nothing The Soldan greatly amazed at this suddaine exployte had farre more desire then before to haue the aduenture ended wherefore first commanded the dead and wounded knights to bée carryed away and then willed the Ladies to trye their Fortunes highlie praising the knightes valour thinking them inuincible Many Ladies tryed their chaunce but none coulde enter the Tent who returned as shamefaste as the Knightes had beene dishonoured by their falles Which the Princesse Florisbella seeing tooke by the hand the beauteous Mattarosa her Cousen béeing one of the gallantest Ladies in all her Fathers Empiers and said to her Shall wée faire Cousen prooue this aduenture although for my parte I knowe where so many haue failed I shall do but little Euen as please you replyed the faire Mattarosa though I perceiue you mocke vs all but I will trye it first because I will not rest with imagination that you ended it by first proouing it which then will be said you did béeing the fairest which I will not yéeld vnto the contrarie beeing so well knowne It pleaseth you â—oâ—east said the Princessâ— but for the trying of this aduenture I would bée glad that you might end it to saue me from that daunger and feare and wee shall after trye the aduantage you haue in that other Thâ—n belike replyed the excellent Mattarosa you will not graunt mee to bee the faâ—râ—st though I end the aduenture which séeing it is so I promise you to finde out a Knight that shall defend it against all the world You promise much replyed the Princesse for I know not what knight will bée so hardie as to attempt so haughtie an interpryze vnlesse it bée the knight of the Images of whom I beleeue you shall obtaine nothing against me Al this know I answered the Infante But I haue a knight in these partes
depart for so Bellona would haue him do but perceiuing the Souldane comming towards him he thought it discurtesie to part without speaking staid and séeing he was come nigh him setting his hand on his saddle alighted with admirable lightnesse and prostrating himselfe demanded his hands to 〈…〉 sse them The Soldan against all intreaties did also dismount shewing the like curtesie that the knight did for he was a prince absolute in all Courtly behauiour had not Don Bellianis staied to whom the Souldan thus saide I cannot comprehend the cause excellent knight that hauing broght to end the greatest and no lesse strange aduenture hitherio seene liberating vs from such daunger you should depart bereauing vs of your defined conuersatioÌ„ by so sedain departure from our court which I would vnwillingly haue you do though you were newly put in as great daunger as the last you vndertooke in our behalfes which notwithstanding the Gods defend And farther I say if at my request you deny to do it withstanding my authoritie you shal be conuicted by her for whose remedie our immortall Gods I thinke brought you hither Where he imbraced him with loue as the benefit receiued bound him to Don Bellianis was strooke into such an amaze that he knew not how to be resolued thinking if he did not obey the Souldan the vnkindnesse would be greater then the seruice he had done him And on the other side he considered that he might incurre no lesse daunger by discouering himself not knowing Bellonaes intent in so concealing him But to salue all the best he might made this reply It doth not a litle gréeue me most mightie Lord that I cannot do you the seruice my heart desires because it lyeth not in my power being hither brought by yonder Lady that you sée without whose leaue I may dispose of nothing but binding my dutie to your seruice for euer as the person that most honour on the earth deserueth While they were thus talking the Sage Bellona came to them and with her the two sole excellencies of beautie the Princesses Florisbella and Matarosa with such rare brightnesse that it would obscure the midday Sun in all his pride shining in the middle heauen where he dwelles The aboue all fairest the faire Princesse Florisbella sole diuine perfection of an earthly obiect came with such a gallant semblance that no humane heart could haue bene so obdurate but would haue melted at her sight she was cladde in a white sattiâ— gowne with a peticoate of the same all cut vppon most rich cleth of Golde and euery cut tacked with a great Orient Pearle which were so many and so well set that they made so straunge a worke that the curiousnesse thereof could not be discerned the sléeues were long and large hanging to the ground closed with wyer of massiue gold set with the same Pearles and lyned with the same cloth of golde hung out with many vnualuable Jewels her Amber haire disheuelled ouer her shoulders hung backwards gathered togither behinde her eares vppon which shée had a Coronet garnished with Dyamonds Rubies Saffyres and pearles of more woorth then that whole Cittie before on her Carkanet pended a Carbunckle as bigge as two Walnuttes that yeelded so much light as foure great Torches burning in the darke Her Gorget was so open that plainly might be discerned the rare excellency of the Creator of all thinges in the pure wonder of the Sunne-out clearing whitenesse of her brest adorned with inâ—stimable Gemmes And although she thus came attired more beautie did glorifie her garments from the diuine naturall of her face then was hir beautie graced by the brightnesse of those stones such sole supremacie did make her absolute for no artificiall woorke could diminish nor augment her fauour The stately passage of her féete no more séemed to moue then the gentle blast of the milde blowing winde The Princesse Matarosa was attired in that maner whose perfection had no equall in the absence of her faire Cosin In this maner arriued they where the Souldan was talking with the Princesse don Bellianis who seeing the excellency of his Lady that farre excelled the portrayture of his shield rested so confounded with admiration that his braue heart vnable to resist so fierce an assault all couered with a cold sweat as if that were the last moment of his life lost his sences that had not the Souldane who thought some mortall wounde had caused it held him fast about the necke he had fallen to the ground yet notwithstanding he was in such a traunce that he felt nothing that was done vnto him Whereat the Princesse Florisbella being verie sorrowfull stepped to him to vnlace his helme But the Sage Bellona quickly running thither cryed out she should not doo it and imbracing the Prince said that euery one heard What is the matter knight that in time that we most néede your helpe you shewe such weaknesse The Prince at her words recouered himselfe and greatly ashamed at the accident replied You know deare Lady that I came no otherwise seeing the hand of cruell death knocked at my heart vnlesse I be succoured with present remedie Our immortall Gods will not permit it Sir Knight said Florisbella that we hauing receiued so absolute remedie by the helpe of your vallourous arme your life should be bereâ—t you to depart vngratified for your deare merits Whereto he answered In all humble dutie lower then lowly earth I kisse your beauteous handes sole excellent Princesse for the vndeserued fauour of your words whose power hath only power to cure my decaying life dispairing of â—ll remedie and deare comfort in the whole vniuerse but by this While they were thus talking the Soldan knew Bellona whom with great ioy he imbraced she would haue kissed his and the Empresse hands but the Soldan wold not suffer it saying Why haue your deare friend kept your selfe away so long time not visiting vs for I know no cause you had for it but now shal you pay for al not departing so easily as you thinke And I pray you tell who is this valorous knight y t comes with you for I am sure you knew of our distresse séeing you came in so great time of need The wise woman made this reply You say true dread Lord for knowing your danger and that surely you had lost the princesse your daughter I vndertooke this iourny imposing so great a danger vpon this knight as he vnderwent by our comming And beléeue me his equall liues not this day in the world and without him my comming had bene in vaine and hitherto I did not visit you because you had no néed of me I beléeue it replied the Souldane and now that our ioy may be compleat I pray you make this knight vnlace his helme and remaine here some fewe dayes for it would greatly vex me if such a knight shuld go from my Court vnknowne This must be pardoned said she for he must depart vnknown and therfore I pray you
buisinesse nor néede more seruice then I can doe being not so déepely wounded that we should require any such helpe You saye well aunswered don Bryanell but vnlesse I be deceiued you are sore wounded and my selfe am in like case and before we loose more blood let vs set Damartyno at libertie Be it so replyed Palineo and so tooke the keyes of the Prison from the Porters side and opened it where they found him ouerladen with boultes and Irons pale megre and weake for want of sustenance tasting no foode sometime in two nor three dayes whom the knights séeing could not stay the teares in their eyes knawing him to be one of the loyalest Knights liuing in those dayes Damarâ—yno séeing those Knightes enter in that manner said What would you with mee Knightes is your Lord now contented to end my life which would bee no little comforte to my many torments Palineo no longer able to conceale himselfe vnlacing his helme with great ioy to sée him aliue said thus You haue no cause to feare vs most loyall Knight being now at length set at libertie by the handes of this valiant Knight to whome you are no lesse bopnd then for your life And by yours said Don Brianel for without you mine had little auailed Wheruppon taking away his irons with great gladnesse he imbraced Palineo saying I did assure my selfe my mesâ— deare fréend you would not faile me in my necessitie for in such times true friends are knowne more then in prosperitie and humbling himselfe to Don Brianell craued to kisse his hands seeing his person that good deede required his dutie Don Brianel shewed him the like courtesie and taking him vp saying Thaâ— for that litle hee had don he deserued no such thanks being bound to more theÌ„ that for him for her sake that sent him Sir knights said Damartyno I haue certaine seruants in prison some where about this Castle for I know they were brought in with me them I pray you let vs frée so they went to séeke them and Damartyno greatly woondred to sée so great slaughter by two Knights And after they had found the seruants Don Brianel and Palineo they were laid in two beds in the Castle and were cured by one of Damartynos seruants that were very skilfull in that science and there they continued certaine daies till they were wel giuing order that if any came from the king they should be admitted to them But Don Bryanell the first day required one of the seruants secretly to fetch their horses where they had left them which so soone as it was darke was done that not a little contented Don Bryanel for he highly prysed his horse being neuer a better in that whole kingdome and through the hurly burly in that Cittie none remembred they within the castle But after they were through well Don Bryanell said to Damartyno and Palineo being altotogither Hitherto sir knight you haue not knowne the occasion of my comming nor knowne what I am hauing neuer séene mee before but to assure you of both read this letter from the honourable Princesse Aurora by which you shall know the beginning and the ende of my trauaile Damartyno taking it opened it and read it to this effect THe disinherited Queene of Antioch Aurora Princesse of Miriana to thee the most loyalest of all creatures her louing Knight Damartyno of the Valley gouernour of our Kingdome by our will though by a strangers hand health I knowe the vnhappie chances ouerthrowes and vnfortunate misaduentures haue not beene vnknowne to thee as the man that hath sustained the like which haue by the prouision of our immortall Gods befallen the King Pompeiano thy Lord and my deare Father as also the feared absence of my person so necessarie to escape the furie of the Prince Perianeo of Persia and Dou Gallaneo of Antioch And now reposing my confidence on the high estate of thy descent in the great loyalty I haue known in thee by the loue my father bare thee whose death partly on some of them is reuenged as this knight will more at large tell thee I hope the like shall also be seene in thy presence through thy meanes and order eyther by my comming in person to these or with an hoast of men sufficient to regaine our rights for which cause I send thee this valourous knight excellent not onely in armes but in al things else required in a noble maÌ„ With him shalt thou determine the best and the speediest meanes for these assaires we mooue but the Gods protect thee and preserue thee in that state of loialtie which thou euer gloriest in So soone as Damartino had read this letter did again imbrace Don Brianell saying I could not haue or desire better newes theÌ„ these sir knight to comfort my afflicted hart ioying to know of the welfare of my soueragne But how shal we do for this tyrant and vsurping king Tramoscano is so mightie and strongly fortified in this land that we may hardly oppose our selues against his forces I am of opinion said Palineo seeing we are to begin so great an enterprise we make it knowne vnto the Duke of Siluania to whom hauing Don Gallanco granted all his liuings the vsurper hath now for some causes disconsented hee I am assured séeing you at libertie will not denie all his aid assisting you to reobtaine that which he hath lost or else loose what he hath new I doo very well like what you haue said replied Damartyno and therefore you and I will to morrow go to him leauing this Knight in the castle to answere any that comes from the Cittie It were better we all goe togither said Palineo and if any come we will leaue order with these seruants what they shall do Be it so said don Brianell and I thinke best we goe ere it be day that we be not séen putting on some of the armor of the giants knights So resolued on this went to rest themselues and about midnight they rose and changed their armonr Damartyno and Palineo taking the best horses in the Castle departed commanding their seruants if any came from the Cittie they should tell them the Gyant had commanded none should enter to speak with him because he was not well And that they should make them answer according to their demand in the Gyants behalfe CHAP XLVIII What befell Don Brianell and his companions with the Knights of the Lions and how knowing one another they all returned to the Castle TWo parts of the night were ouerpast wheÌ„ the dazeling light of pale shyning Dyana would giue place vnto the easterne rising of the mornings sunne whose clear approach excelleth from the heauens the obscure darknesse of the gloomie night when these thrée knights issued forth of the castle vpon mighty câ—ursers with strong and knotty lances in their hands and onely with two pages to carry their shéelds taking the right way to the citie of Siluania where they thought to finde the duke Now