meruailed at the other knight that câ—…me with y e three princes for that they saw the great slaughter which hee made amongst his enimies with his sword in his hand and wheÌ„ these soure Knights saw the gates of the Citie opened they did retire by little little vpon the bridge vntill such time as their enimies dyd leaue off following them as well for the mortall blowes they gaue them as for the great harme they receiued by them which were vppon the walles of the Citie so that they had time at their pleasure to enter into the Cittie and when they were within they shut the gates and receiued them with great ioye and carried them beefore the Queene whose ioy was so great for the returne of these three Princes that I am not able to expresse it for that hir comfort and hope that shee had in them was very much and theyr imprisonment was a grieuous corsie vnto hir heart So there they did repose rest themselues all that day and all the next following with a great deale more ioy then at any time beefore The next day béeing come the knight of Cupide and the thrée Princes commaunded that all such people as they thought could doe any thing to arme themselues vnto the battaile and so in very good order they went forth into the field against their enimies and ouercame and brake the Campe and slew the King and the most part of those that were with him and the rest ranne theyr way so that those of Lusitania remained with the victorie and pursued theyr enimies till such time as the night dyd withdraw them backe and made them to retire and it was a thing to be wondered at to see the great feates and deeds of armes that the knight of Cupide did that day for it may bee sayde that hee alone was the occasion of breaking vp of the Camp of their enimies and the destruction of all the whole armie of the king of Balachia so that on the one part as wâ—… as one the other they verie much meruayled of the incridyble déedes which they saw done in that battaile Noâ—… when the night was come the knight of Cupide seeing that there was no more néede of his help hée determined to depart very secretlie for that hée saw by the determination of the thrée Princes that it was a thing imposible to kéepe himselfe close long but that hee must bee knowen by them Therefore hee called a knight of the Citie a side and sayde vnto him that at such time as the people were gathered together and entered into the Citie hée shuld tel the Quéene and those thrée strange knightâ—… that hee was departed and gone about certaine businesse that dyd importune him verie much and that they should not by any meanes follow him neither hope of his returne for that hee knew not whether hee should euer returne againe or no and so hée departed ont of the Camp and with a trotting pace trauayled all that euer he could that night very sorrowfull in his hart for that hée could not reioyce himselfe in the company of his verie friends who with so louing and perfect friendship went to seeke him With these sorrowfull thoughts that night hée trauailed so long that hée came vnto the sea the next day in the morning hée entered into a Ship of merchandise which ariued at that place to refresh themselues with fresh water and were bound vnto Alexandria Now to returne vnto the thrée Princes the Historie saith that at such time as they had gathered theyr people together and would haue entered into the Citie they found wanting the knight of Cupide and béeing very sorrowfull for his absence they went séeking him and asking for him of all that they met till such time as they came to the knight with whom the knight of Cupide had talked and he tolde vnto them his â—…mbassage and all that hee had sayd vnto him And when the â—…hree Princes vnderstoode of his departure they were verie â—…orrowfull for the same and remembring the valiant déedes â—…at they saw him doo and the great boud in the which they â—…ere bound vnto him they were verie desirous to haue â—…owen him and to haue had him in their companie and â—…ery one of them thought in his minde that hée should bée â—…osicleer for that they were fully resolued amongest themâ—…ues that there was not a knight in all the world y t was â—…le to doo for them that which hee did but onely Rosicleer but straight way they put this thought from them in saying that if it were Rosicleer there was no occasion wherfore he should keepe himself from them not be knowen seeing that hée vnderstood that they went in his demaund Thus with a great desire which they had to know who this knight shuld bee all y t night they would not enter into the citie but sent vnto the quéene requesting hir to pardon them they straight way departed to go seeke out the knight of Cupid the next day in the morning they came vnto the sea side vnto the Port whereas hée did ship himselfe there they had newes of him by the tokens that they gaue So from thence they departed in his demaund in an other ship that the Quéens Lauinia commanded to bée giuen them and héere the history doth leaue them trauailing by sea and returneth vnto the knight of Cupide who departed and went béefore them How the knight of Cupid ariued in the kingdome of Phenicia whereas hee deliuered from the death a knight who afterward was a very great friend of his Chap. 18. THE great sorrow and griefe which the worthie knight of Cupide sustained in his hart cannot bée héere expressed as well for the louing of his déere friends in those couÌ„tries not making himselfe knowen vnto them as for the newes which was giuen him to vnderstand in the caue of the wise Artydon concerning the princesse Oliuia and béeing sore afflicted with thâ—… thoughts they sailed sixe daies with a prosperous winde but the seuenth day they were taken with a mightie great anâ—… perillous torment which made them loose their way werâ—… constrained by the furious force thereof to take port in thâ—… kingdome of Phenicia whereas the merchants determinâ—… to goe a land and there to rest themselues certaine dayeâ—… for that they were verie wearie and Sea sick by reason â—… the great storme the which they had past When the knighâ—… of Cupid was a land and saw that the countrie séemed but him to bée very fruitfull fresh and pleasant hée determined with himself to see the countrie in the meane time that the marriners did trim their ship make prouision of all that was necessarie and so hée tooke his horse went alone from the port taking the way which led him vnto a mighty great Citie that was but sixe miles from that port And when he had trauailed two miles froÌ„ the port hee saw a far of from him in
vnto himselfe did arise out of his bed imagining whether it should be a dreame or some other fantasie which had entred into his thought and he had such great desire to haue the day come that he might returne comfort himselfe with the Angelicall vision that he thought euery houre to be a whole night But it was not the knight of the Sun alone that was troubled in thought but also the princesse Lindabrides tumbled tossed in hir bed as one to whom such amorous thoughts passions was very rare for she had hir hart out of quiet could not sléepe one houre in all the night but alwaies had in hir remembrance hir new gest which was lodged in hir Chariot his straunge meruailous countenance was so printed in hir mind that she did verilie beléeue the Gods had sent him vnto hir as a thing of their owne choice for that he was in all points agréeable vnto his valour strength In this sort did the one the other passe away that night till the next day was come then they did as shall be told you in this next Chapter following How the Knight of the Sunne and the princesse Lindabrides trauailed towards Constantinople sent messengers to the Emperour Trebatio to giue him to vnderstand of their comming Chap. 24. WHen the next day was come the knight of the Sun did arise from his bed his Pages did help to arme himselfe with that gallant and strong armour of the prince Meridian likewise did gird about him his rich sword and when he was armed it was straunge to bée séene how well it did become him And when he vnderstoode that the Princesse Lindabrides was vp ready and that she would come forth he went towardes hir chamber doore but when he should come before hir presence his flesh trembled as though a whole armie of knights would assalt him And when he was entered into hir chamber he found the faire Princesse accompanied with hir damsells ready to come forth shewing vnto him great curtesie whom the Princesse was not a little ioyfull to see she spake vnto him said Sir Knight how hath it ben with you all this night in your new lodging Uery well faire Ladie answered he I could well haue slept in that rich soft bed which I had if other occasions had not troubled my mind caused me to watch thē according vnto your saying sayd the princesse you haue not slept well No forsooth Lady sayde the Knight for that cares be enemies to rest sléepe doe bannish away all ease especially when they be new conceiued The Princesse did very well vnderstand to what intent their words were spoken and it did nothing grieue hir to heare them rehearsed yet because she would not make any outward shew that she vnderstoode them she saide Unto all sorts of men it is naturall to be carefull ther is none that can liue with so great felicitie in this life but at one time or other he shall be troubled with carrs therfore let vs goe vnto our seates and commaund that the chariot may goe forwards on our iourney for that it is time And in saying these words she went forth of hir chamber and the knight of the Sun did take hir by the hand they went together till such time as they came vnto their seates wheras they sate downe vnder the arks of that triumphant chariot straight waies the Damsells mounted on their Unicornes the gyants did put themselues in order in the same maner as when the knight of the Sun did see them the day before straight way they began to take their way towards Constantinople So when this Alphoebo did sée himselfe set downe by that precious faire Princesse he was as one in an extasie with the great ioy pleasure that he receiued it séemed vnto him that his ioy was equall to the celestiall glorie which the faithfull inioy after their departure out of this world And this faire Princesse did as greatlie reioyce to haue by hir him whom she loued with all hir heart but hir great maiestie that she shewed in outward appearance was such that the knight of the Sunne durst not be so bold as to make manifest vnto hir his loue but rather had hir in estimation as though there had ben present Iuno his principall Goddesse In this order they trauailed certaine dayes till such time as they came within one daies iourney of Constantinople and then the knight of the Sunne said vnto the Princesse that it should bée good to send some messengers vnto the Emperour Trebatio to giue him vnderstanding of their comming for that hée was a Prince that would very much reioyce and haue great pleasure therein Which thing séemed good vnto the Princesse and she called straight way béefore hir foure of those Gyaunts which were on Horsebacke who were Kings and had crownes of siluer vpon their heads and dyd informe them what they should say and sent them vnto the Emperour Trebatio So these foure kings went vnto Constantinople and they entered into the great Court at such time as it was full of diuerse armed knights for to celebrate the Feastes and triumphes which were there ordained And at such time as the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Briana were at the windowes of the pallace beholding the great feasts and Iourneyes which were there made And when these foure Gyants did enter into the great Court all people dyd very well beehould them and made them way that they might passe whether they would So they demaunded for the Emperour who beeing certified what they were they went vnto the Pallace gate and did alight from their Horsses and went vp whereas the Emperour was and much people followed them to know wherefore their comming was béeing so sodaine And when they came béefore the Emperour one of the Gyants saide these words following Most high and mightie Emperour you shall vnderstand that in the Orientall regions of Scythia the diuine Gods dyd create a Damsell who is endued with so great grace and beautie that shée is had in no lesse estimation then a celestiall creature who is daughter vnto the mightie Emperour of the Tartarians King of kings and Lord ouer all the Lords in the Orient This Damsell is called Lyndabrides and shée hath a brother called Meridian of so great bountie and strength that it is to bée béeléeued in all the whole world his equall is not to be found and by reason that both these Princes were borne together at one birth there hath growen a great controuersie as well béetwixt the Emperour Alicandro and the Empresse as amongst all his subiects which of these two should bée sworne for Prince successor of all those kingdomes And in the ende of many and diuerse iudgements of prognostications and deuination it was concluded that these two Princes should come into this thy Empire of Grecia in such triumphaunt
wherein to exercise themselues for to appeare valianter then others Therefore séeing that God hath made you more valyaunter then any in the world you ought for to put your person in aduenture to put remedie in this matter with reproach and perill vnto your â—…erson such as neuer hath béene séene in Knight séeing that â—…he Princesse Oliuia is so fast locked in that to take hir out from thence it is a thing impossible and it is now requisit that you doo pacifie your altered minde that you may the better abide time and season to worke oùr feate And my iudgement is this that wée doo waight the time that the king shall command the Princesse to bée taken out of the Tower to carrie hir vnto the pallace for to celebrate the Marriage with Don Siluerio at which time there will bée little memorie of armour but all occupied in apparayling themselues and to seeke out new inuentions then wée to enter in and to take the princesse from them and paying with your rigorous arme him who shall withstand vs for that at that time they shal not haue so great strentgh for to cause vs to stay and if once wée get well out of the Citie wée haue the sea at hand wheras wée cannot lack a ship all furnished and readie for to make Sayle wée béeing once within and betwixt this and that place our horse be so good that I béeleeue there is not any that can ouertake vs of all remedies impossible this is one amongst them that is possible to bée done therefore now my Lord consider with your sâ—…lfe what is best to bée done in this extremitie Then Rosicleer who was meruaylous attentiue vnto these words which the King Sacridoro had sayde hauing his hart so valiant and couragious for such like attempts and likeing the counsaile of that inuention very well béefore that the King had fully ended his iudgement when that hée would haue put himselfe in that enterprise and finding this to bée the best remedy they concluded and straight wayes therewith they all thrée departed to the sea side which was not far of and when they came thether they procured to seeke out and to prouide for to serue theyr turne a good Ship and amongst a great number of strangers that were come thethey with people for to sée theyr feasts they chaunced to enter into one which séemed vnto them to bée the strongest and the best sayler amongst them all And talking with the master or patron thereof they found him to bee of the Empire of Greece and Rosicleer knowing him by hiâ—… speech to bée of Greece hee tooke him a part and dyd discouer vnto him who hée was and tolde him what great necessity hee had of him and of his shéep promising him excellent payment with the aduantage if so bée that they did well escape with their enterprise and without reproch Then the Maister of the Ship béeing a Grecian and hauing heard of Rosicleer was very glad and ioyfull for that hée had so good opportunitie to serue him would haue kissed his hands as the hands of his Lord and Prince and offered him not onely his ship but also his lyfe to serue him at that and all other times Then Rosicleer with great loue embraced him and gaue him great thankes and all the rest of the day that remayned they were in the Ship with him putting in order all things necessary as vnto so perilâ—…ous an enterprise was requisit So the next day drew on of the marriage as it was agréede which should bee the third day in the which time these two perfect friends did peruse and mend their armour and fortified theyr ship for it séemed according vnto the great necessitie into the which they were driuen that it was all néedefull So the next day béeing come Fidelia tookâ—… hir leaue of them and went vnto the citie straight waies vnto the king who commaunded that the Tower should bee opened willing hir to doo his hearty commendations vnto his daughter and to tell hir that shée should make hir selfe in a readinesse for the next day shée should come foorth to see the great feasts triumphs which the Prince Don Siluerio hath ordayned for hir sake With this Fidelia tooke hir leaue of the king and departed and the gates of the Tower béeing opened shee entered in therat the gates were shut againe â—…s beefore When shée came vnto the Princesse they two toâ—…ether entred into hir closet all alone and there Fidilia deâ—…lared vnto the Princesse all that euer shée had passed with â—…he King hir Father and what was concluded with the two â—…ights And when the Princesse vnderstood the great perill â—…nd daunger in the which shee should put hir selfe hir heart 〈◊〉 hir to think thereof and waxing pale of coulour shée 〈◊〉 as though shee had béen dead not knowing wheâ—…her shée were in Heauen or in the earth At which time Fidelia dyd comfort hir saying What is this my Lady and mistresse at such time as his death was most published and you enuironed with most mortall anguish at that time you had a good hart for to suffer all courage for to discemble And now you that haue your knight so nigh at hand with hope quickly for to sée him you doo lacke force for to suffer and your hart doo faile you for to enioy him that more then your owne lyfe you haue desired For Gods loue doo it not my Lady but rather animate your salfe and do you reioyse for that in such great necessitie the great valour of noble courage is knowen and in especiall whereas no euill may chance vnto you but rather a further benefit and contentment of minde more then hetherto it hath béene vnto you And if once Rosicleer haue got you into his power then is there nothing that can bée hurtfull vnto you for to â—…ourne you to any griefe for that you haue recouered for your husband the most high and worthiest Prince in all the world as well in his estate as of his person Then the Princessâ—… sayde with a great sigh ah Fidelia I haue no dread nor perill of my owne part for that I dyd choose rather to kill my selfe then to doo any other thing to the contrarie So that I haue little feare in any other thing touching my selfe but my feare is onely for Rosicleer for that this his enterprise the which hée dooth take in hand is great his life must needs bée in great perill if God for his 〈◊〉 mersie do not maruaylously delyuer him For this cause sayde Fidelia hath God made him of such force aboue all other for thaâ—… hee hath deliuered and cleered himselfe in greater daungers then this is so if God permit hée will cléere himselfe oâ—… this And I doo béeleeue that God hath not forgot you buâ—… will deliuer you with your honour out of this rebuke anâ—… will not permit that your father the king shuld do so greaâ—… outrage in forcing you to marrie against your
not moue one iot from the place whereas he was but cried out vnto the knights that they should come forth against him all thrée But when hée saw his words did little profit him with great fury infernall courage he made his course against the valiant Tartarian who with a worthy courage as one that was both stout strong of hart broched his horse with the spurs and went forth to méet him in the middest of their course they met so strongly together y t their great speares were broken into small shiuers this stout Tartarian did double with his body backwards in such sort that his head strike diâ—… vpon y â— Horse crouper being somewhat astonied with that strong incounter he passed forwards on his Horse straight waies did settle himselfe agayne in the saddle but the strong deformed Gyant Horse all fell downe vnto the ground with which fall they made a meruaylous great noise he had his saddle fast betwixt his legges When the King Balachia saw his Gyant on the earth he was very heauy in his hart and commaunded that no more Knights should come forth to the iust but that the three Princes should be brought before him at which time the monstrous giant did arise from the ground and drew out a great mighty fauchon which he had at his girdle went towards the Princes said that they all thrée together should make battaile with him The thrée Princes not making any reckoning of his wordes on horsebacke as they were went before the King and asked him if he were content to pay them theyr bargaine that was made betwixt them if not they would depart vnto some other place whereas they thought best Then the King who was meruaylous angrye and offended with them aunswered and sayd I will that you serue me in this my warres and afterward it shall be at my pleasure to pay you for your seruice and if you will graunt vnto this with a good will doe it if not I will make you perforce Then these three Princes who had no desire to tary ther although the King would giue them all the treasure that hee had but onely intended to serue and helpe the Quéene Lauinia for that it seemed vnto them that shée had most right without speaking any word vnto the King tourned about their horses and tooke their way towardes a great bridge of stone which passed ouer the riuer and at the farther end therof was the gate of the Citie and vpon the said brige and walâ—… of the Citie there were many people and because the campe was very nigh the citie they might well discerne all that had passed with the thrée Princes and what they had done and very much meruailed to what purpose it was done and could not imagine who those thrée valiant knights should be Now when the King Balachia saw that the thrée Princes went their way with great wrath anger he began to cry out with a loude voice vnto his knights commaunding them to take them perforce At which commandement many of his Knightes did follow them with as great speâ—…d as their horses could run but before they could ouertake them these three Princes were entred vpon the bridge And when they saw so many people following theÌ„ they drew out their swords turned backe vpon them And wounded many of them But by reason of the great company that assualted them they were put to great extremitie forced to retire backewards towards the citie And by reason that the bridge was somwhat narow it did profit them very much in that their enimies could not assault them but all before to whom they did very great harme This battaile indured betwixt them more then halfe an houre in which time they slew of their enemies more then twentie Knights And when those which were within the citie saw all that passed they thought it best to open the gates vnto those Knights that so valiantly with great strength defended themselues determined to retaine them on their part to help them to make defence against their enimies for that they did withdraw themselues towards the Citie This determination they performed for as these thrée Princes did by little and little retire towards the gates of the citie so when they came nigh them they that were vpon the walles and battilments of the citie did shoote many arrowes and threw stones and other things at their enimies with the which they did them very great harme and made them to retire backwards by reason whereof they had space for to open a 〈◊〉 doore of the Gates by the which the thrée Princes entered in and the Posterâ—…e being 〈◊〉 againe they of the citie receiued them very wâ—…l and gaue them good intertainment and much meruailed at their great valour strength the Princes with like curtesie did returne them thankes for that which they had done and that in their defence they would doe all that euer was in their powers There was amongst these people a knight who was principall of them had the charge ouer that gate and this Knight carryed the three Princes before the Quéene Lauinia accompanied with many other knights Gentlemen and when they came before hir they gaue hir to vnderstand of all that they had seene those three knights doe how they came of their owne good will to serue hir in hir wars The Quéene when she heard that which the knight had told hir receiued great ioy in their gentle disposition good proportion receiuing them very curteously and doing them all the honour she could offering hir selfe wholy vnto them like did aduertise them of the small reason that the King had to besiege them These Princes answered hir with wonted curtesie and did offer themselues vnto the Quéene so liberally that she was almost satisfied of the sauegard of hir citie Then they remayned ther all that day without doing any other thing and the King of Balachia remayned in his campâ—… with great anger and sorrowfull heauinesse that those thrée Knights were gone from him in that order and did sweare a mightie oath that he would make them die an euill death if he might get them into his power And although hée had at this present great wrath against them ther did not passe very long time after but that they did grieue him much more and made him repent himself for that he did not giue them better intertainment when they first entred into his campe as in this chapter following shall be told you ¶ How the three Princes Bargandell Lyriamandro and the Tartarian Zoylo issued forth with such people as were in the citie vnto the camp of their enimies and of the mighty deed of armes that they did there Chap. 13. WHen the next day was come these thrée princes were very desirous to go forth of the citie against their enimies and to raise vp the sege that was against the citie and set
enimies come forth of the citie thou all these knights shall haue no other charge but to take the three knights which went from hence and bring them prisoners before mee for that I doe sée that in those three onely resteth the force strength of our enimies The Gyant who was no lesse wrathfull then the King with a very good will did promise to accomplish all that he had commaunded And so he departed from the king began to choose out the knights that should serue his turne for that attempt and vnto euery one perticularly he gaue his charge what he should doe So they were all in a readinesse tarying the time when their enemies should come forth And all the rest of the souldiers were continually in very good order verye destrous to be reuenged of the harme which they had before receiued When the next morning was come these thrée Princes had great desire to finish that which they had béegunne for that they would follow proserute their enterprise wherfore they determined to goe forth of the citie as they did the day before And for the same purpose they gathered together the best souldiers that were in all the citie and commaunded the gates to be open they issued out in very good order Now when they were passed the bridge they set vppon their enimes whom they found not vnprouidâ—…d as the day béefore but in a readinesse tarrying their comming so that beetwixt them there beegan a very stout and well foughtâ—…n battaile and there these three princes went all together béefore working wonders wounding killing and ouerthrowing all that euer they met in such sort that they made large way whereas they went In this sort indured the battaile more then one houre and all things went well with them of the Citie but sodeinly came vpon them the Gyaunt Fulgoso with his thousand knights and for that they hadde no other charge but to take these thrée Princes they straight waies compassed theÌ„ about in such sort that not one of their companie could come nigh them by a great space Then this mightie Gyaunt béegan the battayle alone with these three knights for that according vnto his force and strength they had mough to doe with him in the meane time that they were in battaile with the Gyaunt the knights of the Gyaunt did kill their horses and in falling vnto the ground they all together charged themselues vpon them and with the help of the Gyaunt they were not able to make any resistance neither was theyr great prowesse and strength sufficient to defend themselues but that they must néedes bée taken prisoners When they tooke away theyr swords and pulled of their Helmes and carried them béefore the king who was in his Tent very ioyfull when hee saw them brought prisoners And by reason that the three princes did lack in the battaile those of the Citie could not make any farther resistance against their aduersaries and therefore they did retire in the best wise they could into the Citie and when they found missing in their companie the thrée knights and vnderstoode that they were prisoners I am not able to declare their great sorrow and griefe which they receiued for that béesides the loue they bare them they hoped also by their help to make defence against theyr foes and if theyr absence and lacke was left amongst the common people much more was the griefe that the Quéene Laâ—…ima and hir Daughter receiued when they heard that sorâ—…owful newes so that it seemed that they were past all hope of remedie for that they had lost those thrée knights which caused them to bée verie heauie and could dooe nothing but weepe And now to returne to them that were in the camp the Historie sayth that the King and all the rest were very ioyâ—…ull for that hée had in his power the thrée knights and thought that hée could not reuenge himselfe vppon them to commaund them straight wayes to bée put to death but would vse some other straunger reuengement intending to kéepe them prisoners in such cruell prisons whereas they should by little and little bee consumed and die and to giue them euery day torments béecause their ende should continue long and would not suffer that at once they should bée slaine and therewith hee commaunded the Gyaunt Fulgoso that hée should take vnto him twentie knights and carriâ—… them vnto the castle of stone which hée had taken that was but thrée miles from that place and straight way the giant put all things in a readinesse and bound fast the hands oâ—… the Princes and so put them vpon their Horsses and with twentie Knightes they tooke the way towards the Castle whereas the king had commaunded to carrie them When these thrée Princes saw themselues so carried with their hands bound like vnto malefactors they were very heauie and sad with themselues knew not what to do but to haue patience at that sodaine chance and mis fortune not hauing any other comfort but to receiue their death with a verie good courage in what sort so euer they would giue it them The loue of these Princes was so much the one vnto the other and their great valour and bountie was so apparant amongst them that they receiued as great griefe the one for the other as though it had béene perticularly to each of theÌ„ and either of them desired to dye for to saue the other two of his companions So when they had trauailed from the campe the space of two miles they passed by the foote of a smal mountaine and when these thrée Princes lift vp their eyes for to béehould that Mountayne they saw descending from the top thereof a knight of a mighty stature of his bodie and of a good disposition verie well armed and mounted vpon a good Horse who séemed by his demeanour to bee a knight of estimation who descended the mountaine a resonable pace and came towards them and for that this History héer after will declare vnto you who this knight was hée doth leaue all at this present till time doe serue to tell of other matters How the Knight of the Sunne going towards the Empire of Grecia should haue been taken by treason at a Bridge and of all that passed therein Chapter 15. THE Historie sayth that the knight of the Sunne remained eight daies in the Castle of Onorio at such time as he found himselfe whole and sound and felt no griefe of his great trauaile which hée receiued with the Gyant his knights so hée tooke his leaue of the Lord of the Castle and of his daughter Oliria carried with him his two sonnes Aurelio and Bynano whom hée gaue vnto him for to bée his Pages and after hée had a long time trauailed it happened vpon a day somewhat late towards the euening they came vnto a Bridge which was vpon the riuer Danubia vpon the which there was a mightie great and well towred Castell one of the most
they came before hir arose from hir chaire did make vnto them great reuerence they likewise did vnto hir their obedience then the Prince Meridian laid Lady sister receiue vnto you this knight that héere commeth vnto me for this is he whom the diuine Gods haue promised ordained for you he that aboue all knights in the world doth deserue to bee Lord ouer the great Empire of Tartaria before the Prince Meridian the knight of the Sun came vnto the princes Lindabrides she was wounded with his loue those wordes which were spoken vnto hir did open the wound more yet for all that in hir behauiour she made on outward shew therof but with great grauity sobrietie she answered them and said My Lord and brother I do giue to the Gods great thanks for that you haue escaped from the furie of the battaile past being so cruell rigorous I would not see you againe in it for all the empire of the mighty Emperour our Father no although I should possesse the whole world it would profit me little when that it should returne vnto your damage and this knight I receiue not for that the gods hath promiâ—…ed him vnto me but for that he is giuen me by you heere â—… certifie you that ther is not in me so much discurtesie as to â—…efuse him When the Princesse had made an end of saying â—…hese words the knight of the Sunne receiued so great ioy that he knew not whether it was in heauen or earth but kneeling downe before the Princesse he asked hir hands to kisse them which she would not consent vnto but toke him by the hands caused him to arise after that ther had passed betwixt them many words of great curtesie loue they all three together entred into the chariot vnder that rich tent in a very faire rich quadran they sate downe whereas they were serued with many precious conserues other delicates with the which they did comfort themselues for the great trauaile which they had passed the excéeding pleasure which the knight of the Sun the Princesse Lindabrides did receiue in beholding one another to see themselues together was such as they seemed to bée transported into another world Now when the banket was ended the Prince Meridian the knight of the sun walked vp downe in that quadran the Prince desired the knight of the Sun to tell him who he was and of what country And there he did declare vnto him how he was called as much as he knew beside of himselfe At which the Prince meruailed thinking within himselfe that this knight should be borne by great mistery and that he was sonne vnto some of his Gods for that so straunge meruailous beautie with that soueraigne and mightie force could not be comprehended in any so amplie except he were some diuine creature After that they had largely talked together of all his estate the Prince Meridian discouered vnto the knight of the Sunne the entire loue which he bare vnto the Princesse Floralidia daughter vnto the mightie king of Macedonia And more he told him that he was determined to returne vnto the court of the king of Macedonia to remaine ther certaine daies vnknowen the better to accomplish the same he desired him to let him haue his armour Horse he would leaue him his with the which hée might likewise goe vnto the court of the Emperour Trebatio be ther in those triumphs vnknowen foâ—… the space of two months which he must accomplish in defending the beautie of the princesse Lindabrides my sister And before that time were accomplished if it pleased God to send him health he would come thether that all thrée together they would returne vnto the gran Tartaria Then the knight of the Sun agreed that all should be done as he had deuised saying that any thing which vnto him séemed good should please him that he should receiue great delight therby With this determination they passed away all the rest of y e day that remained vntill it was time to goe to supper And ther within the Chariot they supped all thrée together with so great maiestie as though they had ben in the court of the Emperour Alicandro ¶ How the Prince Meridian did leaue the Chariot of the princes Lindabrides his sister and how he went with the armour and horse of the Knight of the Sunne vnto the Court of the King of Macedonia Chapter 23. WHen the night was come the prince Meridian talked with his sister told hir that he was determined to goe vnto the court of the king of Macedonia in secret wise not to be knowen the better for to accomplish the same hée would arme himself with the armour of the knight of the Sun promised her that before the two moneths were finished that he would méet hir againe at Constantinople then all they thrée would returne vnto y e gran Tartaria And although the princesse did shew hir selfe to bee very sorrowfull for the same yet in the end she yéelded vnto all that he pleased to command So straight way he armed himselfe with the armour of the knight of the sun which did fit him very well for that they were almost both of one stature Likewise he toke vnto him his sword his horse toke his leaue of the knight of the Sun of the Princesse Lindabrides his sister and with onely two Pages he entered the way which lead him vnto the citie of Macedonia for that it was then time to rest this fatre Princesse did take hir leaue of the knight of the sun being accompanied with all hir Damsels she entred into a closet which was appointed for hir selfe in which she lay and the Damsells that had the crownes of gold vpon their heads which were all Quéenes and great gentlewomen all the other damsells did lye in another chamber nighâ—…adioyning vnto that of the Princesse And all those giants had the gard keeping of them in this order following Sixe of them without round about the chariot other sixe within at the chamber dore of the Princesse all hir Damsells the other twelue giants did slâ—…pe till it was midnight at which time they did arise then the other twelue slept till it was morning so that they did watch equallie in order Likewise at that present they caried the knight of the Sun vnto the prince Meridians chamber which was a good way from the chamber of the Princesse wher he was serued with two damsells till such time as he was vnready laid into a verie rich bed wheras he passed all that night with so profound thoughts that hée could not sleepe one whit for that ther was represented in his hart that Angelicall force of the faire Princesse Lindabrides which made him as one astonied amazed with contemplating therein many times he did talk
out of their wittes not knowing what to say but looking the one vpon the other and séemed vnto them as though it had ben a dreame But when these newes came to the hearing of the Empresse hir sorrowfull greefe was so great that as one dead shée fell down into the lap of the princes Claridiana who sat next vnto hir procured with all hir force to bring hir to hir selfe againe and did comfort hir saying that she had no reason so much to set vnto hyr hart the imprisonment of Rosicleer how that she was fully perswaded that it was a thing impossible except it wer by treason requested hir to pacifie hir selfe for that there remained such knightes behind who very quickly would discouer the secret therof when that this will not serue Rodaran is still in your country out of the which you néed not let them to depart and carry away their prise At which time the knight of the Sun without any more tarrying arose out of the place whereas hée was with so great anger that his faire and white coulour was turned into sanguine and black And asking licence of the emperour he departed out of the great hall went vnto his lodging armed himselfe with his strong and bright armour mounting vpon his strange light horse he departed out of Constantinople toke his way towards the bridge of the Iaspe with as great desire to sée himself with Rodaran as to returne wheras he might comfort and reioyce himselfe with the sight of his Ladies without whose sight in such like passions it séemed that it was not possible that he could liue who at this present this History doth leaue for to tell you of other things that passed in the meane time in England ¶ How the Prince Don Siluerio returned and demaunded of the king his daughter the Princesse Oliuia to wife and because she would not marrye with him shee returned with hir knights and of all that chanced therin Chap. 43. YOu haue heard what great sorrow griefe the newes of the death of Rosicleer did cause in the Court of the King Oliuerio likewise how ioyfull the prince Don Siluerio was for that the king had giuen him his word promise that the princesse Oliuia should marrye with him but he did not so much desire it as the princes did hate him For although that the heauy newes of the death of Rosicleer did touch hir very neere yet she repented hir selfe so much for that crueltie which she had vsed vnto him the great loue that the remembrance of him did cause in hir that rather she would consent to death then agree vnto that which the king hir father had requested of hir diuers and sundry times And for that the prince Don Siluerio dyd many times importune the king to performe his promise which was the thing he most desired Who answered him that till such time as he had ended the wars which hée had with the emperour Trebatio hee could not by any meanes conclude with the princes which was the occasion that continually he passed the time in grieuous passions supposing that it was for no other thing but a pollisie to cause the princesse to giue hir father such an answere as should be contrary to his will desire And because the time to giue case and remedy vnto his desire was so long and he not able to endure his sorrow and griefe was such the delay thereof Upon a day at such time as he found the princesse Rodasilua all alone he did verye earnestly desire hir that by all wayes and meanes possible she should learne to know of the Princesse Oliuia the truth of the aunswere which shée made vnto the king hir father at such time as he tolde hir that he would marry hir with him whether it was with good will and determined purpose to accomplish the same at the time appointed or whether she did it to prolong the time being moued by some hatred towards him for that according vnto hir answere he would determine what were best for him to doe Then the princesse Rodasilua who had great desire to vse remedy and to case the sorrowfull passions of hir brother did promise him to doe all that euer in hir power was possible to be done so tooke hir leaue departed from him waited hir time It chanced afterward vpon a day at such time as the princesse Oliuia was alone in hir closet she went knocked at the doore being knowen who she was the doore was opened straight waies she went in found the princesse with hir countenance very heauy sorrowfull and hir eyes swollen with continuall wéeping hir faire chéekes which before were wont to be rudy full was now so leane wan as though she had ben new risin out of some great sicknesse or infirmity And finding hir in this order being moued thereby vnto great compassion she said What is this my lady mistres is it not sufficient the time wherin I serued you for maid of honor the great good will that continully I had in any thing that did appertaine vnto your seruice in the which I was alwaies faithfull true do I not now deserue to know the occasion wherefore and from whence doth procéede that wheras at other times you were wont to be very merry ioyfull giuen to pleasure pastimes now vpon the sodaine to be so sorrowfull sad for that I haue séene your great beauty fairenesse to snrmoūt all other damsels gentlewomen in the world now I doe sée all lost in a mortall hew Tell me the occasion for gods sake wherfore it should grow that I might do my good will and therin shew the great loue that I doe beare vnto you in séeking remedy for the same And héere I do protest that if you will not giue me to vnderstand the occasion héereof that forth with I wil depart from hence vnto mine own country for that I do not determine to serue any more those that so euill doe reward them that doe trauaile in their seruice At which words of the princesse Rodasilua the princesse Oliuia receiued no ioy nor pleasure but rather did the more increase hir paine griefe for that she knew not what to answere vnto such an importunat demaund although after a while that she held hir peace with great desire that she had to turne hir of to send hir away shée said Lady it is very doubtfull and hard to thinke that any person in the world can perseuer in their great pleasure contentment neuer to receiue any sadnesse nor griefes in their liues no for sure it is a thing that onely is receiued for those happy creatures who doe reioyce themselues in the celestiall glory if at this present that I am so sad discontented as you do sée me it is not a thing to be meruailed at for y t it
arise a great storme at the sea and at midnight the winde began to blow so terrible and the Sea to worke so far out of all order that sometimes they thought that the waues carryed the ship vp into the cloudes and other tymes they thought the Ship to fall downe to the deapth thereof and the Ship receiued such a leake that whatsoeuer the marriners could doo with the Pompe and otherwise yet might they goe vp to the knees in water aboue the balest for the which cause these two good knights made no other reckoning but to bée lost which caused them with all theyr harts to praye vnto God to haue mercie on them and to forgiue them theyr sinnes and also if it were his diuine pleasure to delyuer them out of that great torment When the day was come those boysterous windes dyd so beate the Ship tumbling and tossing it from one part to another in such fort that it could no longer indure but opened a sunder in the midest so that these two Knights had no other refuge but eyther of them to take holde of the first planke that came vnto theyr hands Then God who dyd reserue them for a greater effect did deliuer them that they were not drowned in that torment for that they had not fully halfe an houre sustained themselues vpon their planks in the water when that those mightie high and great waues dyd carrye them vpon the shoare The Prince Brandizel in Polonia and the Prince Clauerindo vpon an Iland that séemed to bée full of thick and gréene trées who when hée was vpon the shoare and saw himself cléere of that great torment he gaue great thanckes vnto almightie God for his wonderfull benefits shewed vnto him in that his deliuerance dyd very much lament the losse of his friend Brandizel not knowing what was béecome of him And béeing very desirous to know in what Countrie hée was finding a narrow and small vsed way hée followed the same and trauayling therein a mile hée meruayled very much that hée could sée no people neyther anie towne or inhabitaunce the Countrie béeing so fresh and full of Trées that it séemed vnto him neuer in all his lyfe to haue séene a Countrie so delightsome So after a great while that hée had trauayled by that narrow path at such time as the Sun béegan to waxe hot and found himselfe out from amongst those trées hee entered into a great and wide plaine in the midst of the which hée saw a mightie high and well towred Castle the which was of Lyndaraza the sight wherof put him in great admiration and it séemed vnto him y t it could not bee wrought by any humane hands and beeing very desirous to know who it shuld be that was Lord of that meruaylous Castle hée hasted his pace more then béefore and went towards the same and the nigher hee came to it the more hée meruayled So when hée came and saw that wide and déepe ditch and that there was no other entrie into the Castell but onelie by the bridge hée went thether and found that the gate was shut and hauing at the ring thereof a very fayre and rich horne of Iuorie with a scroule vpon it which sayde Thou Knight whose fortune hath brought thée hether if thou art determined to know anie thing of this great and strong Castle blow this horne and thou shalt not lacke one to make thee aunswere and haue a great care in defending thy selfe from the Porter for that hee will put thy lyfe in great perill The Prince heereat was very much amazed and could not imagine what it should bee but hauing a great desire to know what should bée within without any longer tarrying and with a valiant courage hée tooke the horne and put it to his mouth béegan to sound it with so great strength that the sound was heard throughout all the Castell and hée had not scarce pulled the Horne from his mouth when that with a great rushing and noyse the gates were open and there issued out at the gate a furious beast called Brama and the most horrible and euill fauouredst that euer was séene formed by nature for that his body was as big as two good horses and his legges more bigger then a buls legge and each legge had fiue clawes and the least of them was a span long and as bigge as a mans finger and his mouth so bigge that a man might well goe in thereat and was all furnished with very big tuskes and as sharp as a rasour and hée threw out at his mouth great abundaunce of fire and smoake in such sort that it séemed to bée Hell mouth and hée came foorth with so great brauenesse that there was no man but onely at the sight of hir would haue receiued great feare And as soone as this Brama was come foorth it went strayght wayes towards the Prince and in his hastynesse hée would haue gored him with his sharp tuskes but the Prince who was polytike and very lyght gaue a leape on the one side and cléered himselfe from the fury thereof and passing by him with his swoord hée thrust so terrible a foyne at that monster that chancing béetwéene two ribs it entered into his body vp to the hilts and pulling the sword out there followed great abundance of blood out at the wound Then when the furious Brama felt himselfe hurt with as great fury as euer was séene he returned vnto the Prince who bearing his head very lowe in such sort that by no meanes hee could defende himselfe but must of force abide his fury who stroke him with his tuskes so terrible a blow that hee threw him from the ground tenne paces from him backwards so that if his armour had not béene made by that wise man Lyrgandeo at that blow hée had parted him a sunder in the midst yet for all that the Prince was so euill intreated with the mightie fall that if hée had not béene of so valiant a courage it had not béene possible for him to haue risen agayne from the ground but by reason that hée was one of the most valiantest Knights in all the world with a trise hée arose vp agayne and at such time as this furious Brama camē towards him againe for to claspe him béetwixt his cruell and sharp clawes hée firmed himselfe sure vpon his féete and tooke his sword in both his hands and determined to put his lyfe in aduenture in striking of one blow and so hee dyd for at such time as this Brama came vnto him hée stroke him so stronge a blow with both his hands vppon his monstrous head and for that his Swoord was very good and sharpe and stroke with so good a will of the Prince that it cloue it cleane asunder and the sword entered into the ground a good span so that the monstrous beast fell downe dead to the ground beefore the Prince who praysed God greatly for that victorie which hee had and remayned a good
haue parted and made peace betwixt them but the tumult was such and so farre out of order that by no meanes they could reforme it till such time as the King Tiberio heard that great rumour and noyse in the hall he came forth out of his closet and tooke his royall Septer in his hand and pressed in amongst the thickest of them very furiously and with great anger And when he came where as the Knight of the Sunne was and saw round about him so many dead persons and amongst them the Troyan Earle with great anger hée layde hold on him and sayd what is this O Knight that in such order thou dâ—…st disquiâ—…t my court and hast slaine my Knights so all the rest when they saw the King they immediatly dyd retyre backe and were in quiet Then when the valyaunt Knight of the Sunne knew him to be the King and heard what hee sayd hée forthwith dyd moderate his anger all that euer hee could and sayde it is your Knights that doth disquiet your Court and not I and if I haue slaine any it is in defending my self from the death which they doe procure to giue me Of this sayde the King I will informe my selfe punish them that hath bene the occasion héereof And in saying these words he demaunded of him his sword which he gaue him more for curtesies sake then for any other thing hauing it he also tooke the sword of Florinaldus and of all the rest that he suspected to be on his partye and straight wayes called beefore him all his Knights gard commaunded them to take the knight of the Sunne prisoner to carry him into a strong Tower which was on the one side of the Pallace likewise to take Florinaldus all those that were on his side to carry them vnto another Tower that was on the other side of his Pallace so that both the one the other were put in good kéeping but if the Knight of the Sunne had bene armed before he would haue ben taken prisoner he would haue made the King to haue giuen eare to hearkeâ—… vnto that hée would haue said in discharging himself but by reason that he was as it were naked he yeelded and had patience with all that which the King commaunded so they lead them vnto the Tower which was very high well walled And when hée was therin they made fast a very great chaine to his leg and for to kéepe him there was put thirty armed Knights and as many mo other men Then the Dutchesse of Panonia did send vnto him a very good Surgion to heale him of his woundes At this time the death of the Troyan Earle was published throughout all the Court and there was made for him great lamentacion for that the most noblest Princes and Knights that were there were of his kinsfolks So both the one the other complayned very much vnto the King of the Knight of the Sunne in such sort that hée was verye much inflamed agaynst him At this time there entered into the pallace the Countesse Lady and wife vnto the Troyan Earle in mourning appareâ—…l bringing with hir two young sonnes who entering into the Hall whereas the King was beeganne to powre foorth sorrowful complaynts destring iustice agaynst them that had slayne hir Husband and seeing him lye dead vppon the floore shee threw hir selfe vpon him and made such lamentation that it was a heauie thing to béehold at which sight if the King béefore were inflamed against the Knight of the Sunne his indignation dyd the more increase against him in béeholding the great sorrow of the Countesse and determyned in himselfe to doo iustice vpon the death of the Earle and hée ioyned vnto his indignation the great authoritie that hée had to bée called an executer of iustice which vnto manie yea very mightie Monarches oftentimes is very hurtfull the ende of those extremities obtaine them the infamous names of Tyrants Then the King commaunded that the dead bodyes should bee carryed out of the hall and buryed and the Troyan Earle was buryed with great honour and accompanyed with the most noble and principall Knights of the Court. Now hee béeing very sorrowfull for the death of the Earle many Knights that had affection vnto the Knight of the Sunne dyd labour with him for his discharge of béeing in any fault of that tumult and dyd informe him of the great cause that he had to do that which he did in his owne defence but there was nothing that dyd profit at all with the King but rather hée dyd shew himselfe very angry and wrathfull against them that dyd speake vnto him in the Knights béehalfe which was a great griefe vnto many which dyd know the valure and desert of the Knight of the Sunne for it séemed vnto them no reason that hée should bée intreated in that sort And béecause that the King Tiberio was daylie and hourely vrged on all parts the one crying and asking iustice and the other gayne-saying the same hée was for certaine daies very doubtfull not knowing how co determine what was best to bee done but aunswered them all to their little delyght By this tyme the â—…night of the Sunne was healed of his wounds and the Dutchesse of Panonia prouided for him all things necessarie in the prison performing it with as great care and diligence as myght bée But when hée knew the King was doubtfull of his determination and of the great iudignation hee shewed against him it dyd repent him that hée suffered himselfe so to be taken And hée immagined with himselfe what meanes might best be wrought sor to cléere himselfe of that imprisonment for that the nobilitie of his valyant courage could not abide to bée so shut vp and abyde the curtesie and pleasure of the King So in this order the storie doth leaue him till the tyme serue How the Knight of Cupido dyd take his leaue of the Queene Arguirosa and entred into the kingdome of Rusia where he found a strange aduenture Chap. 4. THE mightie déedes of the Emperour Trebatio and the worthy knighthood of the valiant Alphebo hath put almost in obliuion that excellent and worthy Knight Rosicleer whose amorous loue and inuincible deedes doo deserue a more eloquenter writer then my vnskilfull pen can performe Now if you doo remember in the Historie past how that one way Fortune caused him to be the most saddest and sorrowful Knight that euer was seene so full of bitter heauinesse that whatsoeuer thing hée dyd accomplish and bring to passe was not sufficient to make him merry And on the other side Fortune dyd show him very 〈◊〉 in putting beefore him marueilous and wonderfull things and aduentures of so great strangenesse that ouer comming them by his surmounted valoâ—…r in all the world was spred a broad the fame of the Knight of Cupido So after that hée had slaine that valyant 〈◊〉 from all the parts of Thesalia and the confines
a small mountaine he saw a castle which seemed vnto him to be very fayre and hauing great desire to repose himselfe and to eate some thing hée determined to goe thether And before hée came to it as far as a man might throw a stone he saw come forth of the castell gate a Gentlewoman running giuing great shrikes and after hir followed two knights armed with their swords drawen in their handes threatning hir that if she would not tarry they would kill hir In this sort they all thrée came running towards the place wheras the Knight of the Sun was by reason that the knights wer armed they could not ouertake hir till such time as she came wheras he was And when the Gentlewoman saw him so mighty so well proportioned she lyft vp hir voice said Succour me gentle Knight deliuer me from these traitours who pretend to rauish mée The Gentlewoman had no soner said these wordes but that the Knight of the Sunne alyghted from his horse put himselfe before theÌ„ with his sword drawen in his hand and sayd what meane you gentle Knights that you both follow one alone Gentlewoman They who were full of mallice very proud without answering one word they assalted him and stroke each of them a blow at him with their swords but hard was their happe for that they knew not what they did neyther did they know him which with so great meekenesse spake vnto them He then seeing their great discourtesie and little respect which they had he stroke the one of them such a blow vppon the head that hée cloue it in two peeces and hée fell downe dead vnto the ground and finding the other on his right side he stroke at him an ouerthwart blow that he cut of his sword arme hard by the shoulder and when he saw his companion dead and himselfe with out an arme making very dolorous and greeuous complaints he ran about the field and had all his life time after to repent himselfe for that wrong which he would haue done vnto that gentlewoman Who when she saw hir selfe at libertie from those two knights and in so short a space being very much amased at the might of that Knight She came vnto him and with wéeping said Oh good and gentle Knight séeing that God had giuen you so much bounty strength succour and help my father and two brotheren which are in that castell which you sée before you are at the poynt to be slayne by certain traâ—…terous knights that do pretend to kill them And when the knight of the Sun heard this with a trise he went vnto the Castell as he entred in therat he heard great rushing of armour in the galleries about the court And going vp hee saw y t it was foure armed Knighâ—…s at the entrie of a dore who did striue to come in therat and in the inside ther was an ancient man with two well proportioned yâ—…ng men vnarmed hauing but onely their swords in their hands who did defend the entrie And when the Knight of the Sun came where as the foure Knights was the first that he met with all he stroke him so terrible a blow that he ouerthrew him dead at the féete of his companions Who being verye much amazed at that sodaine mischiefe tourned themselues about to see who it should be that had done that harme And when they saw the Knight of the Sunne all alone with his sword in his hand they left them with whom they had the battaile at the dore went against him and with great fury began to lay vppon him but this their brauery did not indure long for that in a short time with very few blowes he gaue them to vnderstand who he was for that hée ouerthrew one of them to the ground and the other two béeing very sore wounded ranne away and left him alone till such time as the ancient man and the two yong men that were with in the dore came forth who when they saw what the Knight of the Sunne had done in so short a space they greatly meruailed although they straight way knew him by the deuise hée had of the Sunne for that they were present at such time as hée had battaile with Aridon of the blacke woode and no lesse musing at his ariuall thether they went towards him and demaunded his hands to kisse them for the great friendship which hée shewed vnto them And hée receiued them with great courtesie and said My friendes I pray you tell mee what was the occasion that these Knights would haue slayne you and other two Knights which followed a Gentlewoman out of this castellwâ—…o I haue also deliuered from them and she will be héere straight way Then the auncient old man who seemed by his grauitie to bee honourable beeing very ioyfull for that hee heard his daughter was at libertie answered him and sayd as followeth Oh worthy knight I doe verely béeléeue that thou art sent of God to defend and maintayne the feeble and weake persons to chastise the proude and arrogaâ—…t For that I was present at such time as thou wert brought vnto the citie of Ratisbona for to make battaile with Aridon of the blacke woode and now at this present art come for to set mée at liberty from this great outrage which these knights would haue done vnto me so that I verely beléeue that by great mistery thou art sent for our aid help therfore gentle Knight thou shalt vnderstand that the occasion wherfore these traiterous Knights would haue slaine vs was for that the one of them many dayes past dyd demaund of mée for wife my daughter whom you haue deliuered out of their power And for that I did know he was an euill malicious a traiterous knight a very coward I would neuer graunt vnto the same neyther wold my daughter consent ther vnto And for to reuenge themselues thereof this morning at such time as the gate of the Castell was open wée béeing without all feare suspection vppon a sodaine the sixe Knights which you haue séene entred in amongst them came the same Knights which I haue tolde you of And because I did perceiue their determination was to kill vs to carry away my daughter with violence and parforce which certainly without all doubt had happened in this order if it had not pleased God that thou shouldest haue come hether to giue vs aide and succour So at such time as this auncient man hadde made an end in saying these wordes the Gentlewoman his daughter whom the Knight of the Sunne had deliuered from the two Knights came whereas they were For whose comming the father and hir bretheren receiued double ioy the no lesse ioyfull for that she found them cleere from the outrage which they would haue done vnto them So that neyther of them dyd know in what sort they might gratifie the Knight of the Sunne for the great benefit which
answere saw that they séemed to be Knights of estimatioÌ„ as wel by their rich armor which they had as by their good gentle dispositions determined to conduct them before the king their Lord for that he might determine with them at his plesure and so they brought them before their Lord who was king of Balachia which pretended to take the kingdome oâ—… Lufitania for that it bordered vpon him and entred into that countrie with a mightie armie and shée that was Lady gouernour at that time was widow woman called Lauinia who had a daughter whose name was Olimpa a verie fayre Damsell and by reason that shee had no husband neither power to bee compared vnto the King of Balachia was béesiged in the same Citie defending hir selfe within with such people as she had in the best maner y t shée might All this was told vnto these princes in y e way as they went before the king When they came before the king of Balachia they found him in his tent accompanied with many knights and on the one side of him there was a Gyant of a meruailous huge big stature and of so horrible and fierce a countenance that it would make one afraide to looke vpon him and wheÌ„ the king saw those three knights he asked of them of whence they were likewise if it pleased them to serue him in his wars The Tartarian Zoylo who could speake the language was requested of the rest of his companions to answere for them who sayde You shall vnderstand O king of Balachia that wée are trauailing knights of the countrie of Tartaria and do trauell into the world to séeke our aduentures and although we be exercised in the wars yet wée are accustomed to serue none in them except first wée know what our wages shal bée and it is in this order as I will tell you and therof there is not to be diminished or taken away any thing so that we thrée will iust with all such knights as will come foorth against vs till such time as wée bée ouerthrowen and if so fall out y t wee at the first encounter bée ouerthrowen then we thrée will serue thée one whole yéere for nothing and if it bée our fortune to ouerthrow any theÌ„ either of vs so many knights as is ouer throwen by vs looke how much wages all they together haue so much must either of vs haue according to the number that hée doth ouerthrow This is our vse and custome of seruice in the wars therfore O king looke if that this our manner of seruice content thée and if not giue vs lysence to depart that wée may goe to some other place to séeke our aduenture When the Tartarian Zoylo had made an end of this his spéech the king and all that were in his Tent laughed very much at that which was spoken not for that they did think much in the wages which they did aske but for that ther sée med to be amongst them Knights y t if they might come forth to the iust with them at the first should remaine and serue a whole yeare without any wages and for that they knew this for a certaintie the king did straight way graunt vnto all that which the Tartarian Zoylo had demanded and sayd that hée was verie well content to stand vnto that should happen and the matter being by all them agréed vppon these thrée Princes went out of the Campe into the plaine field wheras they might iust at their pleasure Likewise the King went foorth with his principall Knights such as did serue him for wages to sée what should happen Now the king commanded straight way perticularly the best and most valyauntest Knights that were in all the Camp should come forth to iust with the thrée Princes who were in a redinesse a horseback with their speares in their handes abiding the comming of those who should iust with them The first which came foorth to iust with them were thrée valiant Knights of a mightie proportion and stature such as in all the camp could not bée found the lyke and béeing in their places one agaynst another they made themselues ready vnto the iust but whosoeuer had séene them at that time would haue iudged the thrée Princes at the first encounter should haue remayned without any wages and especially the King who laughed at the accord which was made beetwixt them but it fell out cleane contrarie vnto their thought for that all sixe together mette in the middest of their course and the three Knights of the Campe broke their speares vpon the Princes without moouing of them in their Saddles but the Princes made their encounter with so great force that they hoised them out of their saddles in such sort that they tumbled vpon the ground and passed forwards so stiffe and vpright in their course that they put the King and all those that dyd beehold them in great admiration but not long after there came forth other thrée Knights to the iust which were also thrée of the best and most estéemed amongst all the rest and looke as these Princes dyd serue the first so dyd they serue those thrée and ouerthrew them to the ground and finally in the space of one houre they had ouerthrowen to the number of fiftéene Knights of the most valiantest worthiest amongst them all Then the King found himselfe halfe ashamed mocked with the bargaine he had made with them it seemed vnto him that according vnto their great valiantnes strength they would haue ouerthrowen all the knights that were in the campe the one after the other so that according vnto the bargaine all his treasure should not be sufficient to pay their wages When that mightie monstrous Gyant that was with the King saw him that he was somewhat sad heauy for that which the Knights had done he commaunded straight way to be brought vnto him a horse which was very great conformable vnto his bignesse straight way he leaped vppon him chose one of the bigest speares that he could finde amongst all the rest said vnto the king that he would iust with those Knights bad them come all thrée against him and that he hoped so to intreat them in the iust that afterward they should neyther bee able to take wages nor to weare armour The King receiued great delight when hée saw the Gyant on horsbacke was very certaine that his power and strength was to performe all that which hée had said yea if they had béene ten such knights together as they were And when this proud furtous Gyant was in a readines to the iust these valtant Princes who were very desirous to get honour either of them did procure to proue their aduenture with him but this mighty Tartarian with many requests vnto his companions did begin to iust with this mightie Gyant when the Gyant saw that alone knight did put himselfe before him he would
strongest that euer hée saw in all his life and this Castell did béelong vnto the king Tiberio and it was edified there very strong for that it was in the vttermost partes of all Hungaria and was scituated ther for that his enemies could not enter into his Countrie with any armie but onely that way by reason that the Riuer there was verie great and hée that was Liefetenaunt and had the kéeping of the Castell was the Troyan Earle béefore the Knight of the Sunne slew him and after his death the King dyd commit the charge and kéeping thereof vnto his Brother Florinaldus for that hée was a knight of great estimatian and one of the principallest of his Court who not forgetting the â—…uill will which he had conceiued against the knight of the Sunne hee determined to take him prisoner in that Castell and when by force hee could not doo it hée would doo it by treason For vnderstanding of a certaintie that hee could not passe by any other way but that onely as it in déede fell out that at such time as the Knight of the Sun should come thether Florinaldus was within the Castell with more then twentie knights abiding his comming So when the knight came thether hée â—…ound the gates of the bridge shut which was vnder that mightie Castle and hée tooke the ring of the gate in his hand and gaue great strokes at which noyse there appeared at a window a very faire Gentlewoman and well apparayled and when shée saw the Knight of the Sunne shee straight waies knew him by the tokens shee had of him and speaking vnto him shée sayd What is it that you would haue gentle Knight that you knocke so hard at the gates When the Knight of the Sunne saw the Gentlewoman saluting hir very curteously hée replyed That which I would haue fayre Gentlewoman is that you would commaund the gates to be opened that wée may passe and goe forwards on our iourney for that according as it hath béene tould mée there is no other way to passe but by this Bridge I am very well content to dooâ—… this which thou dost demaunde saide the Gentlewoman but yet first thou must doe that which other Knights doe when they come to passe this way What is that which I must doe sayd the Knight of the Sunne for it may bee such a thing that I shall haue great pleasure and delight to dooâ—… it That which thou must doe said the Gentlewoman is to iust with a knight if it so fall out that hée doo ouerthrow thee from thy horse to the ground thou shalt leaue héere thy name written and then passe forwardes on thy iourney and if so â—…ée that you doo ouerthrow the Knight you must â—…arrie heere all night and receiue the honour that shall bée done vnto you and in the morning you may depart whether your pleasure is All this I am very well content to doo sayd the Knight of the Sunne therefore commaund that the gates may bée opened Tarrie a while sayd the Gentlewoman and therewith shee withdrew hir selfe from the window and within a small while after the gates were opened and there came foorth a verie big and well proportioned knight mounted vpon a good horse well armed séeming to bee of a good disposition and without speaking any word vnto the Knight of the Sunne hée went and put himselâ—…e in the field with his speare in his hand readie vnto the iust Then the Knight of the Sunne tooke his speare and prepared himselfe and beeing both in a readinesse they broched their horses with their spurs and with great fury and force they made their incouÌ„ter which was in such sort that the Knight of the Sunne encountered with the Knight of the Bridge with so great force that hée bare him ouer the horse crouper with the saddle béetwixt his legs and hée fell downe to the ground and the Knight of the Sunne passed his course forwards without receiuing any harme Then the Knight who was throwen downe arose vp and without speaking euer a word went into the Castle This Knight was Florinaldus who as yet did not acknowledge himselfe but would prooue his good fortune the third time with the Knight of the Sunne Then the Gentlewoman which spake vnto him at the window came downe vnto the gate accompanied with other two Gentlewomen and when shée came vnto the Knight of the Sunne shée sayde Of a truth gentle knight thy great bountie is such that vnto thee more then to any other with great reason wée ought to giue thée seruice and honour which in this Castell wée bée accustomed to doe vnto valiaunt Knights and seeing it is now late and you cannot goe farre this night alight from your horse and goe wee vp into the Castle rest your selfe whereas wée wil doo you all the honour that possiblie wée may The Knight of the Sunne would verie faine haue procéeded on his iourney and not haue stayed there but considering his promise and againe that it was verie late hée determined to accomplish that which séemed vnto him with a 〈◊〉 good will the Gentlewoman had desired And therewith hée dyd alight from his Horse and his Pages did the like and it was commaunded that their Horses should bée kept in good order and the Gentlewoman went vnto the Knight of the 〈◊〉 and tooke him by the hand and lead him vp into the castle whereas he was serued and banketted with 〈◊〉 and diuers sorts of fruits other things till such time as supper was made readie so they sat downe and were serued with diuers kindes of meates in as ample manner as could be at the table of King Tiberio And all this while there appeared not in the castle one knight but Gentlewomen and householde seruaunts at which the knight of the Sunne was greatly amazed and asked of that faire Gentlewoman what was become of the knight with whom hée did iust And the Gentlewoman answered that at such time as hée is ouerthrowne by any knight hée neuer dare come in hir presence againe till such time as he hath ouerthrowen some other knight And in talking of this and other things wherein they most delighted they passed the time away till it was time to goe to take their rest then ther came two Gentlewomen with two siluer candlestickes and candles therein whereby the Knight of the Sun perceiued that it was for his departure to bed and taking leaue of that faire gentlewoman hee went with the other two who brought him vnto a chamber which was very faire and richly hanged in the which was a rich bed wherefore hee greatly meruayled at the honour which they did vnto him So when hee came into the chamber the Gentlewomen left the Candles and departed and his Pages did vnarme their Lord and hée went into the bedde one of the Pages who was called Bynnano was of a verie prompt wit and vnderstanding and verie craftie in all his beings and hee seeing the great honour
manifest your high and mightie power wherfore did you not onely make mée and no other to bée the deseruer of him that onely doth deserue to inioye my great beautie and fayrenesse Wherfore did you make another so equall vnto mée which is the occasion that I doo sustaine this great griefe I would it were your diuine pleasure that séeing alone I doo deserue the Knight of the Sunne that the Princesse Claridiana might hée shée for that shée beeing the onely deseruer of him will bée the occasion to excuse béetwixt vs a great iealousie and cruell contention for that I had rather to account my selfe vnworthie of such a Knight then to inioy him with so equall a companion for that neither of vs in this sort can liue in any securitie but will rather bée a continuall dying for béeing vnto one alone the remembraunce of the other will bée the occasion of great daunger and shée which should bée forgotten in remembring the victorie of the other would cause in hir a cruell and mortall griefe Oh I am without all good Fortune what shall I dooe considering that I am none but my selfe whether shall I goe béeing a prisoner What comfort shall I take séeing that I am whithout all remedy What counsaile shall I take hauing no vnderstanding neither is there any power to perswade mée to reason but will rather the more increase my sorrow and griefe What shall I doo if I doo remaine héere I shall lack reson to sustaine my selfe considering my high estate will cause a farther griefe againe the sight of the knight of the Sunne cannot bee so ioyfull vnto mée as the presence of Claridiana will bée hurtfull And if I depart out of this Countrie and returned vnto mine owne it will be no other thing but to separate the life and soule from the body And to liue without the presence of the Knight of the Sunne will bée a life vnto mée as vnto those who are in the darke and see no light But alasse what do I say although they receiue nor sée no light yet the paine doth not trouble them but it I do finde my selfe banished out of the presence of the knight of the Sunne there can bée no paine in the world compared vnto that which I shall suffer Oh Knight of the Sunne how mightie and straunge is your Fortune that onely in your haÌ„ds doth remaine the whole remedie of the Princesse Lindabrides shee who in beautie and fairenesse is excellent and doth excéede and amongst all Ladies is the most highest and yet will let to giue hir remedie but rather condempne hir vnto cruell death Wherefore haue I so many Lordshippes and kingdoms with so many thousaads of people which the diuine Gods hath giuen vnto mee when that with all those ioyntly with my straunge exquisite beautie I cannot subiect the will of one alone Knight The sorrowfull Princesse Lindabrides had scarce made an ende of saying these words when that voyde of all memorie and vnderstanding shée remayned vpon hir bed as one that were dead whereas shée remained all that night without comming againe to hir selfe With no lesse sorrow and griefe the worthie Knight of the Sunne passed away the night without sléepe calling to minde all that had passed béetwixt him and the Princesse Lindabrides and the great loue which vnto that day he bare vnto hir ioyntlye with his meruailous surpassing beautie which was in such sort figuâ—…ed in his hart that it made great resistance against the loue which he had vnto the princesse Claridiana in especiall when she was not in presence But being both present y e great liking he had of the royall Princes did almost ouer come him who at that time neither more nor lesse did take as little caÌ„se as the others did sléepe For that the great loue which she had vnto the knight of the Sun did not let but put some doubt in that which hir wounded hart so much desired And although the highnesse of hir estate the excellency of hir beauty did almost wholy perswade hir of securitie that the knight of the Sun would not forget hir Yet the sight of the princes Lindabrides and hir remaining in the court did cause in hir some Ielosie not knowing what would bee the end of that hir demaund Likewise she had great doubt in hir hope For that at such time as the princesse should returne into hir owne country the knight of the Sun could not doe â—…o the contrary but to beare hir company so that the continuall conuersation of them two together would be the occasion of that which being in hir presence might be excused So with these such like thoughts they passed away the night â—…n the which the good knight of Cupid neither more nor lesse did not sléepe very much whose passions are not to be accouÌ„ed nor compared with the rest For if I should héere declare â—…ll that euer he passed for his lady mistresse the faire prinâ—…es Oliuia all this history were not sufficient to hold it alâ—…hough it were very much bigger It is sufficient that he pasâ—…ed away the night with no lesse care then the others that â—… haue told you of although his passions were not so strauÌ„ge â—…nto him as it was vnto the other their griefes But the fuâ—…e of his sorow was somewhat apeased with the hope that â—…e had for to be reuenged on him who was the occasion of â—…ll his euill mortall paine So at that time it was â—…oysed 〈◊〉 the great Citie of Constantinople and in all the whole Empire of Greece the great army that was making in a redinesse in england the occasion wherfore they did ordaine the same Which was the occasion that the sorowfull knight of Cupid did thinke euery day a whole yeare with the great desire he had to sée himselfe with the prince don Siluerio not for that he would haue any recompence at his hands for that it séemed vnto him that he was in no fault but onely to giue to vnderstand vnto the princes Oliuia the small reason that she had so for to cast him off So in this sort they passed away all that night very conformable in their sléeping rests but very different in their variable and pensiue thoughts Who the valiant Rodaran was and the Damsell and the occasion wherefore they came vnto the Court of the Emperour Trebatio Cap. 28. THe comming of this valiant knight Rodaran vnto the court of the Emperour Trebatio was not so voide of occasion but that there was comprehended there in great discâ—…ipt mischiefe treason an euill preiudiciall vnto all Christendome hurtfull vnto the best princes Knights therin All the which came in such order knit put together that it lacked but little all to be lost if it had not ben by the diâ—…ine prouidence who forgetting the offences 〈◊〉 his people did by his infinit mercy goodnesse prouide a remedy although many times for the sins of the
Countrie And that which now doeth most grieue mée gentle Knight is that it is now fortie dayes since my departure out of Lydia and by reason of a great storme and foule weather which happenyd vnto vs at the Sea wée could not ariue héere in this Countrie any sooner So that there resteth vnto mée no more but twentie daies of the time that I set with my Knights for to returne who cannot by any meanes doo otherwise after that time be expired but to yéeld vp the Citie for they haue no victualleâ—… for any longer time and although at that instaunt I 〈◊〉 finde out the Knight of the Sunne yet shall wée haue inougâ—… to doo to come thether in time So gentle knight this is alâ—… that I can aduertise you of that you haue saked and demaunded of mée therefore I pray you now to tel mée wheâ—… I may finde this knight of the Sunne for that accordinâ—… vnto the great excellencie and vertue which is spoken 〈◊〉 him throughout all the world I béeléeue that there will bâ—… nothing to the contrarie to disturbe him but that hée 〈◊〉 haue pittie and compassyon vppon mée for that God 〈◊〉 not created a knight of so great estimation but onely to 〈◊〉 mend such great wrongs done in this world When the Knight of the Sunne had vnderstâ—… the demaund of the King Lyeso in all his life hée dyd 〈◊〉 finde himselfe in so great confusion and trouble for that 〈◊〉 the one part the demaund which hee made against Rodâ—…ran and the imprisonment of his great friends dyd cauâ—… and binde him not to leaue off his enterprise béegun and 〈◊〉 the other part the great and extreame necessitie of 〈◊〉 King and of that sorrowfull quéene who in the meane tiâ—… that the King dyd declare vnto the Knight of the Sunne 〈◊〉 you haue heard did wéepe verie pitteouslie the which 〈◊〉 ued him vnto great pittie in such sort that for any thiâ—… as hée thought hée could with no reason leaue hir but gâ—… them sucâ—…our and help and séeing that the time was short that the King Lyseo should returne vnto the Citie Lidia it séemed vnto him a thing impossible first to concluâ—… the demaund of the Pagan Rodaran the which hée detâ—…mined and afterward to giue them aide and succour whâ—… was the occasion that hée was in great doubt and for a good space hée could not speake one woord till such time as the king asked him wherfore hée did not answere him Whereto the Knight of the Sunne answered and sayd Mightie King and Lord doo not you muse nor meruayle that vntill this time I haue not aunswered you for that at this instant hath happened vnto mée two things of great importaunce and if I leaue eyther of them vndone it will bée vnto mee as grieuos as death The one of them is that Rodaran king of Arabia is at the bridge of Iaspe which is â—…n the confines of this Empire of Greece and I am going â—…hether to combat with him for that he hath prisoner a broâ—…her of mine and many other Knights of the Emperour Trebatios court And the other is your demaund and great â—…ecessitie the which doth grieue mée as much as though it â—…ere vnto my selfe béecase you shall vnderstand that I am â—…he knight of the Sunne whom you doo come to séeke and â—…lthough there bée not in mée that bountie which you haue â—…oken of yet there shall not lack good wil for to put my life 〈◊〉 aduenture in your seruice And because this my demaund 〈◊〉 Rodaran hath chaunced at this instant and likâ—…wise your â—…reat necessitie which dooth not requyre any delay hath 〈◊〉 the occasion that I am thus troubled and in this great 〈◊〉 for that I cannot accomplish them both according 〈◊〉 my desire but now séeing it is so fallen out and that 〈◊〉 in the confidence the which you haue had in mée you 〈◊〉 left to seeke and procure aide and succour in other plaâ—… And now the time is very short and you cannot otherâ—…ise procure for your selues hap what hap shall and come â—…hat shall come I am determined to goe out of hand with 〈◊〉 And in the meane time that wée shall with the fauour 〈◊〉 God cléere our selues and set our selues at libertie from 〈◊〉 war I doo béeléeue that Rodaran will not depart out of 〈◊〉 for that in the Court of the Emperour there doo reâ—… many valiaunt knights with whom hée will haue iâ—… to doo béefore hée canne ouercome them all But wheÌ„ the king Liseo vnderstood that hée was the knight of the Sunne and with what determination hée dyd offer himselfe in their aide and succour in all his life hée did not receiue greater ioye and pleasure and went vnto him and embraced him saying Great and infinit thankes dooe I giue vnto my Lord God for that it hath pleased him to let mée sée so high and worthie a Knight and I may well perswade my selfe that you béeing a knight of so strange and gentle disposition can bée no other but hée whose fame is in all the world and not a little amazed at your straunge and excelleâ—…t bountie And now séeing that it is my fortune to come into this great extremitie and that you of necessitiâ—… must make an ende of this your pretendâ—…d enterprise God forbid that euer you should leaue this your determined pretence for to accomhlish my necesâ—…itie it were much better that I loose my whole Kingdome then to hazard the liueâ—… of so precious and valyaunt knights Therefore I will returne againe into Lidia and procure to bée with my knightâ—… béefore my time bée expired and there offer my selfe vnto death with them for to accomplish performe that which I haue promised Then the Knight of the Sunne who waâ—… wholie determined to goe with the King sayde I am fullie determined to accomplish all that which I haue sayde and if it bée so that you are not content therewith héere 〈◊〉 dooe sweare vnto you by the order of Knighthood that 〈◊〉 am purposed to goe thether all alone for that your necessâ—… tie dooth not requyre anie delay And for this my demauâ—… which I haue beegunne I shall haue time inough for thâ—… Rodaran cannot depart towards any place but I shall find him to execute my fury on him And likewise there 〈◊〉 remayne in Greece many valyaunt Knights who will 〈◊〉 taine him for the time and I am very sure that it was 〈◊〉 possible for him to apprehend those knights whom hée 〈◊〉 prisoners in his power except it were by some treasonâ—… falsehood At which time the King Lyseo would with a verie 〈◊〉 will haue stayed with the knight of the Sunne from 〈◊〉 determined pretence all onely for that he would not that he should haue left his first demaund but by any meanes hée would not be perswaded thervnto so that in the best waies he could he did gratifie his great courtesie good will offered vnto him still perswading to the contrary in
with pretence good wil when I haue prisoners the best most estéemed knights of all the court to depart vnto the sea returne againe vnto Tartaria ther to make a present before the emperour of all the prisoners that I shall cary that he man doe with them all that his will pleasure is and according vnto the euill will which he doth beare vnto the christians he will cause them all to die an cruell death so 〈◊〉 as they shall be presented before him Therfore emperour Trebatio looke well vnto tâ—…y selfe for that I doe desire more to cary thee prisoner then to enioy the kingdome of Carmania although it were more greater then the whole Empire of Tartaria God will doo better with vs then thou doost think for said the emperour béeing very angry wrathfull at the euill pretence of Rodaran he went vnto him in such sort beegan to charge him with his strong heauy blowes brusing both his bones and flesh that he was constrained to bestur himselfe more for the defence of the blowes â—…ée receiuid then for to procure to strike any At this time was more then sixe houres past since the beginning of the battaile at which time the worthy emperour with new force strength did double his blowes in such sort did intreat Rodaran that he was without all hope of victory of that battaile which caused him to retire backwards vpon the bridge for to séeke remedy for the sauegard of his life although it was a great griefe vnto 〈◊〉 for to doo it was the occasion that this good emperour was brought subiect vnto the cruell blow of fortune as the others were there he was taken prisoner in the yron net wheras he vnderstood all the treason whereby all the other knights were taken prisoners straight waies they pulled off his helme tooke away his rich precious swoord and bound his hands made fast to his féet a great long chain caryed him wheras the other knights were but when they saw him brought thether he them prisoners either of them receiued so great sorrow griefe that they thought verilye to burst with anger ther were knights amongst them that would gladly haue yeelded themselues vnto death out of haÌ„d vpon condition to be but one houre at liberty but especially the worthy Rosicleer who when he saw the emperour his father prisoner his sorow griefe was so much that he could not speake one word Then Rodaran when he saw that hée had prisoners the most principalâ—…est Knights of all Greece with the counsaile and consent of the Quéene Carmania his wife he put himselfe presently into his ship which was at an anâ—…er in the riuer hard by the bridge of the Iaspe Likewise all the prisoners in verye good order with the Quéene Carmania and all their people they commaunded to hoyse sayle and béeing very glad and ioyfull of theyr noble pray and the winde prosperous in short time they were put into the mayne Sea whereas they shaped theyr course the nighest way they could for to goe vnto the Emperour of Tartaria Rodaran receiued the greatest contentment that euer man could receiue for that he very well knew by experience that the present which hée carried was the most worthiest and valyauntest knights that were in all the woorld Also hee thought that the Emperour of Tartaria and all his nobles would haue him in great reputation for that pollycie which hée vsed heerein Let this now remaine for an example vnto all kings and mightie Lords wherin they may sée the small securitie which they haue in their high estate and how subiect they are vnto mutable Fortune for that at such time as they are exalted all aloft with great pride and presumption they forget God who is the author of all goodnesse and hée once leauing them they are straight waies ouerthrowen and brought into such perils and dangers that none but god alone is sufficient to deliuer them froÌ„ whence doth procéede the myrrour to see how little their own power and strength is when they thincke they are exalted in the most highest estate as it hath happened vnto the good Emperour Trebatio who at such time as hée thought to bée so puissant and strong to conquer the whole world mounted so high that neuer Emperour nor king atchieued the like in a short time he was taken prisoner with his son other valiant Princes onely by one Pagan Whom at this present the Historie doth leaue to declare vnto you what chanced in Constantinople after the Emperour departed How it was knowen in Constantinople the imprisonment of the Emperour and what was done in consideration thereof Chapter 47. AT such time as the squier which was with the Emperour saw his Lord prisoner and the great treason which was vsed to take him without any more tarrieng he returned vnto CoÌ„stantinople as fast as his horse could run and at such time as ther was ioined together in the great hall of the pallace many princes worthy knights he entered in at the doore with a loud voice â—…e said Oâ—… princes knights of Greece what doo you hare so without care or consideration and doo not procure to go and help the Emperor our Lord who by the greatest treason that euer was seene or heard of is taken prisoner by Rodaran At which time all the princes and knights were amazed at the words and there grew a great vproâ—…re amongst them and demanded of him how and in what sort it happened who in breefe did declare it vnto theÌ„ the which was presently published in the great pallace and throughout all the citie And when it came vnto the eares of the Empresse in hir estate wheras she sat she fell in a sound was in the armes of hir Ladies more theÌ„ an hoâ—…re as one that were dead in all the pallace was made such sorow lamentatioâ—… as though the Emperour had beene slayne and with a trise therewere many princes and knights armed and ioyned together a companie of more then two hundreth who departed out of the citie all together as fast as their horses could run and they tooke theyr way towards the Bridge of the Iaspe but all did 〈◊〉 little for that when they came vnto the Bridge they found that Rodaran with hiâ—… rich pray was gone and they could finde no signe which way so that they knew not whether to follow them In this time the great valour of the Princesse Claridiana was not absent for that aseer shée had verie wiselie and curteously comforted the Empresse shée promised hir and gaue hir hir woord neuer to returne any more vnto the Empire of Greece without the Emperour and straight way she was armed with strong and rich 〈◊〉 and mounted vpon a light horse onely accompanied with hir Damsels shée departed out of the Citie and when shee came vnto the bridge of the Iaspe shée found the knights that went out
Prince I doe most hartelye desire you to tell me who these valiant knights be and from whence so excellent a companye should come Then presentlie the knight of the Sunne who did esteeme verye much of him declared vnto him who they were and by what aduenture he had found them there At this time the Emperour and all the rest of the Princes and knights had taken off their â—…elmes and the king Liseo was the gladdest man in all the world and went to kisse the emperours hands saying May it please your soueraigne highnesse to giue your handes to kisse them for that through you I am restored vnto my lost kingdome This high and worthy Emperour did embrace him with great loue so likewise did all the other Princes knights ther passed betwixt theÌ„ many curtâ—…ous words yet for all this was not the royall princesse Claridiana knowen And being desired by the emperour all the other princes knights to giue them vnderstanding who what hée was she straight way pulled off hir helme wheras he dyd discouer hir yeolow haire which was bound vp with a net of gold very richly wonderfullye wrought by reason of hir great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which she receiued in the passed battaile hir colour was somewhat mooued wherwith she shewed so perfect singuler beauty that verily she séemed vnto them all to be rather some diuine creature then any humane person ther was neuer a one there but she séemed vnto them to bee some celestiall thing Then the Emperour and all the rest of the knights that did know hir being as much amazed at hir beauty as to see hir ther at that instant went all vnto hir did welcome hir with great curtesie And the emperour said My Lady mistres this liberty the which I and all these princes knights haue receiued it cannot bee but by the hands of so high a damsell as you are I pray God that we may be able to gratifie you for the same Unto the knight of the Sunne said the Princesse ought you to surrender and giue these thankes for that for him is ordayned and kept the atchiuing of all good aduentures and to giue the finall conclusion of y â— same What might heere be thought of the great ioy and pleasure which this amorous and valiant knight conceiued when that in that time and place hée found himselfe in the presencé of his Lady and mistres hauing seene what shee had done for him beefore hee knew hir Truely this mirth and gladnesse was so much that hée thought all his vnderstanding to bee transported into a celestiall glory whereas the chosen doth remaine and going towards hir he said Your soueraigne beauty may please to giue vnto mee your seâ—…re hands that I may kisse them in acknowledging of the great curtesie which all wee haue receyued by your soueraigne aide and succour and for that all enterprises which I doe take in hand may haue credit it shall be done in your seruice and prayse as I am bound and likewise all good and valyaunt Knights in the world Then the Princesse who receiued great contentment at his words layd hir armes vpon his shoulders and sayd Worthie Prince your politike dealings and excellent bountie sooth so far excell that it is not needefull for mée to expresse the same neyther any other but onely to béehold what is done by your valiant hands heere in this Camp and vnto this there is good witnesse who is the king Liseo and all his knights And passing beetwixt them many other amorous words the Knight of the Sunne dyd tell them all how and by what aduenture hée came thether and all that happened with him after hee departed out of Greece The like dyd the Princesse Claridiana so that all the whole companie vnderstood by what order they were there assembled and ioyned In the meane time that they were in this acknowledging one another those of Lidia were not idle for they minded no other thing but to robbe and destroy all that were in the Tents and Campe of the King of Arcadia and finding there great store of riches and treasure which the king had brought euery one of them did so lade themselues that euer after they remayned very rich and thought their long and great trauaile to bee well employed the end fell out so prosperous vnto them Then the Emperour Trebatio out of hand commaunded that the Quéene Carmania should bée brought béefore him for there should bée no harme done vnto hir who when shée thought verily that Rodaran had béene slayne tare hir haire and dyd such iustice on hir selfe that they thought verily it would bee hir death And asking of them whether the king of Arcadia and Rodaran were aliue or dead they went straight wayes vnto the place whereas they lay a long vppon the ground and commaunded that theyr Healmes should bée pulled off and fresh water to bee throwen vpon their face to refresh them straight wayes they came agayne vnto themselues and when they vnderstood in what estate and perplexity they were all this time their sorrow and griefe was such that they thought it had béene better for them to haue beene slaine then to suffer so great misfortune but when the King of Arcadia dyd lookâ—… about him for his armie and could sée neuer a Knight on his part but those that were slayne and lay in the field with very sorrow and griefe hée thought verely his heart would haue burst Likewise when Rodaran saw all his prisoners at libertie and hée ouercome by one alone Knight the great sorrow and griefe which he receiued could not bée héere expressed and if hee had had his helme and his swoord and on horsebacke hee would haue tarryed there no longer Then strayght wayes the King Lyseo dyd desire all these worthie warriers to repaire vnto the Citie for to refresh themselues and to take their ease who consented vnto his request and went towards the citie and carryed with them theyr prisoners whereas they were receiued of all the Citizens and nobles of all the kingdome that were there present with so great ioy and triumphes that the whole Citie seemed to bée on 〈◊〉 with the great bonefiers other lights which were made in euery streete of the Citie not remembring any of their troubles past So when they came vnto the Queenes pallace who was very wyse and discréete shée receiued them with such courtesie as was requisit to so noble persons whereas they were all vnarmed and recreated with verie swéet waters and oyntments requisit for such hurts and bruses as they had receiued For although theyr armour dyd defend them from wounding yet could not their flesh bée free from bruses by the force of such terrible blowes as they receiued And in especiall the knight of the Sunne in the battaile which hée had with Rodaran and the King of Arcadia although hee estéemed it in nothing with the great contentment and pleasure which hee receiued in seeing
pray you whether I doo sléepe or dreame and whether it bee true this which I doo sée The King did not meruayle much at all this which passed béecause hée dyd very well vnderstand the operation of loue but embracing him he tooke him by the hand and sayde Oh my Lord Rosicleer and perfect friend now I doo sée the great wonders of God and how great his mercie is for that hée dooth forget none that doth put their trust in him for when I was very prosperous in riches high 〈◊〉 estate and accompanied with all my vassalls and subiects and in soueraigne hope for to ouercome and haue that which I most desired straight waies I found my selfe very far from the easement of my griefe and the ende of al my desire separated for that I was ouerthrowen from my estate and all my kingdome destroyed my people ouercome and left desolate without my vassalls and bannished out of mine owne Countrie and throwen out into the world sunke into a lake whereas I found all that which I desire remedie for my sorrow and recouered againe my Kingdome and restored vnto mine owne estate and aboue all things I recouered a good perfect friend of you therefore all affâ—…iction and tribulation in the world God dooth permit it vnto them that hée doth not forget and when they dooe thincke themselues most afflicted and troubled ouerthrowen and brought most low and most without all hope and voyde of all goodnesse at such time with a trise and in a moment they are brought into more higher estate then they were béefore with ioy and prosperitie giuing them occasion for to estéeme and haue in more honour the thing that they most desire and so hath it happened vnto you my good friend Rosicleer for that at such time as thou didst abhorre thy owne lyfe and when thy sorrow and griefe had most gouernement ouer thée and when that all hope of remedie was past and farthest off from thee vppon a sodaine hath come vnto you remedie for all things and in so high order that you your selfe cannot bée léeue it and you doo thinke your selfe vnworthie of that which God hath ordained for you therefore surrender vnto god thanks for the same and gratifie this Damsell for hir great trauaile which shee hath taken for you and doo not â—…ay that it is a dreame or mockage that which wée doo all sée with our eyes At which words of the King Rosicleer came wholie to himselfe and hauing no hart to speake with the great ioy hée receiued hée embraced the King and Fidilia many times and by exteriour tokens and signes hée dyd communicate his pleasure and ioye vnto them Then afterwards Rosicleer demaunded of Fidelia all what had 〈◊〉 by whome hée vnderstoode all that euer shee dyd know of the Princesse Oliuia for there shee made manifest vnto him hir lyfe hir passions and hir cares and all that euer had passed in the Letters and how by them shee vnderstood him to bée Sonne vnto the Princesse Briana and afterward it was published that hée was sonne vnto the Emperour Trebatio Likewise shee toulde him the occasion of the writing of the first Letter and the great repentance which she had for the same the great anguish and griefe shee had for Don Siluerio the great good will of the king hir father and the great importance hee vsed also the great 〈◊〉 of the Princesse Oliuia all which when Rosicleer heard hee was as you may iudge of all them that faitfully and truely dooe loue at such time as they are giuen to vnderstand any thing of their best beeloued the which things vnto such as are free from all loue are counted but trâ—…fles and childrens toyes whereas to the contrarie vnto them they are pearles and precious stones Then the King séeing them in this profound and déepe rehearsall tooke him by the hands and sayd My good Lord let all these matters passe for this time and let vs vnderstand that which dooth most accomplish you which is to goe into England whereas you shall vnderstand and know all these matters of the Princesse Oliuia for that I doo perceiue by the long trauayle in the which Fidelia hath gone in seeking of you that you delay the time very long Then Rosicleer as thouâ—…h hée did awake out of a sound sléepe came vnto himselfe and savd Oâ—… high and soueraine Lord and God héere I doo giue infinite thanckes vnto thy holy name for that it hath pleased you to put remedy in the life of this your Knight with this vnlooked for remedie And vnto you my very good friend Fidelia I doo giue great thanks for the great trauaile the which you haue passed and taken in seeking of mée that I may goe comfort and recreate my selfe in the sight and countenance of my Lady and Mistresse And I doo desire of God to graunt mée lyfe that I may gratifie your large pilgrimage which you haue passed â—…n seeking mee And tourning himselfe vnto the King hee sayde Pardon mee I pray you my good Lord these my amorous passions and let vs goe whether your pleasure is to command vs without tarrying any longer So straight wayes they commaunded the knâ—…ghts of Fulmineo to bring before them all the Ladies and damsels that were in all the Castels And béeing brought béefore them they were more then thirtie all very faire and full of sorrow All the which Rosicleer dyd commaund that they should goe and present â—…hemselues béefore the Emperour of Russia in saying that â—…wo 〈◊〉 Knights hath slaine Fulmineo and that they doo â—…urrender and yeeâ—…d vnto him all his Countrie and lands â—…or that Fulmineo hath left no heire And vnto the Damsels â—…ée did giue all such riches as hee found within the Castells â—…nd for to set order in this and in all 〈◊〉 things they tarâ—…ed there that day and that night and for that his desire â—…as so great for to goe into England the night séemed so 〈◊〉 that hee thought the day would neuer haue apeared So the next day at such time as the Sunne did scarce appeare when they were armed with their rich bright armour and mounted vpon their good horses these two valyant knights and perfect friends went forth of the castle and in their company the damsell Fidelia leauing a good Knight which was Fulmineos in the gard and kéeping of the Castle and all the rest till such time as the Emperour of Russia dyd commaund his pleasure to bée done with them So all they together tooke their right way towards the sea whereas they might embarke themselues for England where the historie dooth leaue them til time dooth serue So the Ladies and damsels of Fulmineo went béefore the Emperour declared vnto him the embassage of the knights of all that euer had passed for the which hée receiued great ioy pleasure meruailed greatly that one alone knight had slayne Fulmineo was very sorrowfull for the departure of those two knights
will Sâ—… with these other such words in effect did Fidelia perswadâ—… the princesse Oliuia in such sort that shée did not estéeme anâ—… perill that should happen vnto hir with the great hope thaâ—… shée had for to sée Rosicleer although other wayes the greaâ—… loue which she did beare vnto him did make hir to fear more then his great bounty did make hir securitie So all that same day they passed with great confusion tarrying till the next day did come that the great triumphs feasts shuld be made that the prinâ—…sse should be taken out of the tower for that the next day following should be the day of the marriage How the great triumphs and feasts of the marriage of the Princesse Oliuia were celebrated and of all that happened therein Chapter 59. WHen the day was come that the marriage of the Princesse Oliuia with the prince don Siluerio should bée celebrated the great Citie of London was so ful of people as well straungers as those borne in the Countrie that the streets could scarce hold them all the streets were full with the military knighthood of Lusitania y e which did publish set foorth the great power mightinesse of the prince don Siluerio who was that day apparailed with very â—…ich apparelâ—… of cloth of Affrica full of meruailous precious â—…tones of the Indias Orientals accompanied with many vaâ—…iant knights of his owne and also borne in the countrie of â—…ngland and in company with the king they went vnto the â—…hurch and in the midst amongst them the thrée precious â—…nd estéemed Princes Bargandel Liriamandro and 〈◊〉 Zoylo vnto whom the Prince Don Siluerio dyd offer 〈◊〉 friendship Then when seruice was done the King 〈◊〉 inuite to dinner with him all the most estéemed â—…nights that were in the Court as well straungers as â—…ose of the Countrie and there was so great a number of 〈◊〉 that they could scarce be placed in the mightie pallace And after that with great maiestie pomp they had ended their dinner they together did accompany the king vnto the tower for to take out the princesse Oliuia who being aduertised by Fidelia what shée should doo was meruaylous richly apparayled abiding they time that the should come to take hir out of the tower and dissembling with hir selfe cleane contrarie vnto that which was in hir stomacke So when the gates of the tower were opened shée descended downe from hir closet accompanied with hir damsells and Brandizel Lyriamandro did take hir and set hir vppon a white Palfraye which was ordayned for hir meruaylous richly traped and béeing accompanied with the most principallest Knights in all the court they carried hir vnto hir pallace and put hir in a royall estate that was appoynted whereas shée might sée all the feasts and triumphs When don Siluerio saw hir to bee so fayre and of so great beauty that in all the whole world was not hir péere at that presenâ—… hée was as ioyfull as euer hee was in all his lyfe and was so gallant and mercie as though they had giuen vnto him all the whole world and did pretend to doo such things that day that the Princesse should haue him in estimation for a very valyant Knight Their triumphs and feasts they had ordayned in this sort fiftie of those knights and oâ—… the principallest that hee brought with him out of Lusitania dyd hang theyr shéeldes round about the Tents which were pitched in the midst of the great court of the pallace and theyr names written vppon theyr shéeldes and all thâ—… knights were within their tents abiding all other Knightâ—… that would come and combat with them as well with theiâ—… swords as with theyr speares and whatsoeuer Knight dyâ—… come and touch any of those sheelds presenâ—…ly should com-foorth hee whose nâ—…me was written therevpon to combâ—… with him and on the other part of the great court was doâ—… Siluerio in another Tent very richly wrought with gold and silke anâ—… was ordayned that all such ventrous Knight as had in Iust or combat ouercome any of his Knights should afterwards Combat with him one after another and he had his shield likewise hanged vpon his tent as the others had setting himself in a chaire at the tent doore wheras he might very well at his pleasure sée all that euer was done by his knights And the king was set in his roiall place appointed hauing in his company those three worthy princes Bargandell Lyriamandro the tartarian Zoylo who because they were so great friends vnto the prince Don Siluerio they would not as that day iust but did beare the king company Likewise many other princes and knights which came thether to see the triumphs feasts being all set in order the â—…usts began for ther was come forth into the court an english knight called Amberto very valiant couragious famous in all that country who straight waies at his cuâ—…ring in she wing a valiant mind he went vnto the tents and with his speare he touched the shields of the knights of Lusitania whose owner straight waies came foorth who was one of the stoutest that was amongst them all whose name was Bramides being mounted vppon a strong and great horse with his speare in his hand he put himselfe into the field Amberto doing the like with so great fury and force as their horses could run they made their encounter which was in such sort that the english knight was pushed out of his saddle downe to the ground Bramides of Lusitauia procéeded forwards on his course without any mouing and as though he had done nothing for the which he was estéemed of the king Oliuerio of all those that beeheld him to bée a worthy knight presently after the foile of Amberto came foorth into y e court a strange knight who was very desirous to get honor but at the first encounter Bramides of Lusitania â—…uerthrew him without staying he ouerthrew sixe or seaâ—…en that came forth to iust with him this being done hée went into his tent wher the prince Don Siluerio receiued so great pleasure that he did not let but say vnto the king who was in his roiall estate hard by wheras he was how doth â—…our maiestie like the knight of Lusitania that can so wel behaue themselues and maintaine the field It séemeth vnto mée said the king that if all they be conformeble vnto this knight they ought to be had in great estimation At this time entred another valiant knight into the field and was naturally borne in Fraunce called Reno who touching with his speare one of the shéelds ther came straight waies another knight of Lusitania who although he was a very valiant knight yet the French knight was of so great force that at the first encounter he ouerthrew him to the ground passed on his course as though he had done nothing at all presently taking another speare in his hand he
we may well dessemble the great loyalty that it told of other knights for that it is to tell of things surmounting nature or els it is so â—…ar to extoll knights for to make them to beare off to be men So that if the knight of the Sun with the presence of the princesse had forgot himselfe to the contrary the princes with the presence of him was the pleasantest lady in all the world receiued great contentment onely in thinking that at their comming vnto the court of the emperour hir father their marriage should straight wayes be celebrated So after that they had trauailed one mooneth in the mighty Asia they entred into the second Scithia wheras they saw so many so strange formes of people and customes that the Knight of the Sun went very much amazed and although many things worthy of telling hapned vnto them in this iourny yet this history doth leaue them for that if he should detaine himselfe in telling of them he shuld leaue off to declare the principall for that the greater part is vntold To conclude in the end they entred into the country oâ—… the gran Cataia Then the emperour when he vnderstood that they were within a daies iourney of Neptaia whereas hée was hée went foorth to méet them accompanied with morâ—… then fiftie kings lords his subiects euery one a crowne 〈◊〉 gold vpon his head and more then a thousand knights thaâ—… went in gard And when they came whereas they met thâ—… triumphant chariot they alighted from their horses wenâ—… kissed the hands of the princes Lindabrides embraced thâ—… knight of the Sun hée receiued them with great ioy coâ—…tentment when the emperour drew nigh the knight of thâ—… Sun knéeled downe before him for to kisse his hands but thâ—… emperor with great pleasure meruailed at his mightie prâ—…portion gallant semblance would not consent therevntâ—… but embraced him with great loue kissed him saying dooe desire the high mighty gods my sonne to graunt you health that you may enioy many yéeres your youthfulnesse for that your comming into this country hath made me very glad ioyfull And I doo desire them my good lord said the knight of the Sun to preserue your person emperiall estat for that all we your subiects may doo our duties in your seruice Then Oristedes the troyan came vnto him as one that had a great desire to see him the knight of the Sun embraced him with great loue all those kings knights meruailed much at his mightie proportion musing how that 〈◊〉 knight of so few yéeres should consist so great force streÌ„gth So after that all had giuen him entertainment the emperour went vnto the triumphaÌ„t chariot ascended vp into it the faire princes did fall downe vpon hir knees kissed his hands the emperour likewise kissed hir receiued hir with great loue passing béetwéene them many words of great pleasure he set himself downe in the triumphant chariot in the midst betwéene the princes the knight of the Sun all the other kings lords mounted vpon their horses compassed the Chariot round about taking their iourney towards the mightie Citie of Neptaya whereas of an infinit number of people as well women as men with great solempnitie they were receiued being all much amazed at his gentle and gallant disposition Likewise the knight of the Sun did very much meruaile at the mighty greatnes of that citie and of the great abundance of people that were therin and saide vnto himselfe that not without great reason the Emperour was estéemed for the mightiest Prince in all the world So likewise when they came vnto the mightie pallace he was no lesse amazed to sée the great sumptuousnes and riches thereof for that in all his life hée neuer saw the like no not by a great deale for that it seemed â—…o bée a citie compassed about with verye strong walles and high towers When they came thether they all alighted from their horses entred into that mighty pallace whereas they passed away the rest of the day that remained all that night in great solempne feasts And it was concluded amongst theÌ„ all that within fifteene daies they should begin to make the great triumphs feasts for the mariage of the knight of the Sun the princes Lindabrides at the which triumph shal be present the most strongest king and knights in all the pagan country for to see by experience the great bounty that hath ben published of the knight of the Sun who all this time receiued great ioy contentment for the time drew on to finish his great desire although the loue of the princes hir great desert were the principall occasion that he should bée desirous to marry with hir Likewise considered he might thinke himselfe happye to haue to wife the daughter of so mightie an emperour heire vnto so high estate With this determination firme loue he passed away that time verie much honored of the emperour respected of all those lords kings his vassailes for that they all had a great delight pleasure in him Whom the historye doth leaue at the present to tell of other things that hapned in the meane time ¶ How the two Princes Brandizel and Clauerindo departed from the Court of the Emperour Trebatio what happened vnto them being at the sea Chapter 62. AFter the departure of the knight of the Sun the two princes Brandizel Clauerindo did a bide certaine daies in the court of the emperour Trebatio of whom likewise of all his knights they were honoured esteemed by reason of the great loue which the Prince Brandizel bare vnto the princesse Clarinea she could not take any rest nor be at quiet Sâ—… vpon aÌ„ day béeing in conuersation with his friend Claueryndo hee sayd That for so much as the Knight of the Sunne was not there with them mée thinckes it should bée good in the meane time till hée returned agayne to fly from this idlenesse in the which wee are and to go and seeke some aduentures for to increase our honour and to exercise militarie Knighthood The which counsayle lyked the Prince very well and vnderstanding the will of Brandizell hée strayght wayes sayde that hee should dooe all that his pleasure was for that hee should receyue great contentment therein So both of them asked lisence of the Emperour for to depart promising him to returne againe so soone as they heard that the Knight of the Sunne was returned agayne So the Emperor although very much against his will and by theyr great importunancie did grant leaue vnto them So these two perfect friends departed from Constantinople and when they came vnto the waters side they entered into a ship which they found readie to depart towards the kingdome of Polonia After that they were departed had sayled on theyr voyage foure dayes there beegan to