the Fauno should discouer the shippe and before that we could doe anie thing for to saile from him he would ouertake vs and giue vs all cruell deathes as he hath done to manie others heretofore In conclusion at these words the knights consented not to â—â—aie but to departe and according vnto the great feare which they receued they thought they tarried to long but the two squires when they saw that they departed and caryed them in their companie leauing their Lord in so great perill it cannot be declared the great complaints that they made requesting y â— knights and pylot for to carrie them vnto the Ilande wherewith they should receiue great contentment and be ioyfull but all their requestes were in vaine for that they would not consent that they should dye so desperate a death as also for the great peâ—ill which should be vnto them all they would not consent therevnto wherewith these good squires were so desperate that if time had serued them therevnto they would haue throwen themselues into the sea and by swimming as well as they could they would haue gon to the Iland of the Fauno but the knights caused them to be kept in the shippe and put into a cabin and locked the dore and caryed them in their companie till in the ende of certaine daies they ariued at Transiluania whereas they did disembarke themselues and went a â—and but the Squires were so leane so féeble for that they would not eate anie thing and againe by shedding of so manie teares that they could scarce stand vpon their féete And now to returne to the knight of the Sunne the Historie maketh no more mencion of them but when they came vnto Transiluania after that they had remained there two daies for to refresh and strengthen themselues they sought an other shippe where in they returned to seeke the Ilande of the diuelish Fauno with determined good will there to dye with their Lorde in which iourney they were taken prisoners so that they could not accomplish their desire as shal be declared vnto you in the processe of this Historie ¶ How the knight of the Sunne ariued at the Iland of the possessed Fauno and of the wonderfull and perillous battaile that he had with him Chap. 15. SO when the knight of the Sunne was departed from the knights of Candia he made such hast in rowing w t his great mightie strength that small bote that in a short space he ariued at the solitarie Iland and surelie it was a thing of great meruaile worthie to be put in memorie all that happened with this valiant and happie knight for one way the water stode in his eies and his heart was reâ—die to breake with soâ—â—w griefe and pittie to sée his Squirâ—s remaine so sorowâ—ull and without all comfort an other waie acknowledging in what peril he was of his life in that iourney and how he went to put himselfe in the greatest perplexitie that euer was man he remâ—mbred and armed himselfe with so great hardinesse courage that he thought the time long till he did sée that diuelish Fauno When that he came a lande he sawe that all the Iland was plaine and verie fragarant and fresh replenished with greene Trées although there appeared manie buildings the which were destroyed and fallen downe to the ground in such sorte that it well appeared that the people that there dwelled to be diuelish and abhoiminable And as he was beholding y e countrie which séemed to be verie good and fertill he straight waies discouered where the diuelish Fauno was yet was he not nigh him but a great waye of neither did he sée him but that which proceeded from him which was an infernall fier which seemed to reach vp vnto the Skies with so great a noyse as though it had thundred and as y â— wise Lirgandeo saith that there was no humane heart of so sufficient courage for to séeke out so terrible and wonderfull attempt as was this of that worthie valiant knight in whose heart neuer entred any feare but with so valiant and couragious a stomacke determined to seeke that mishapen and infernall beast â—ull of so manie legions of diuells And for that he would not that there should remaine any thing that might carrie him out from that Ilande hée drew the bâ—te that brought him thether a lande and with one of the oares with the which he rowed he broke it all to peeces and scattered them abroade alongst the water syde that the force of the waues might carrie awaie the péeces But before he departed from that place where he ariued he fell downe vppon his knées and with manie sorowful sighes triikling teares which ranne downe his chéekes in signe that he was a true and faithfull Christian he sayde as followeth OH soueraigne creator both of heauen and earth without whose good will there is no diuell that hath any power neither without it can men fowles nor brute beastes liue vpon the face of the earth nor be sustained nor gouerned without it the Elements would be confounded the heauens lose their course and naturall mouings The earth would quake and the high and mightie mountaines would fall The waters of the Seas would ouer flow the lande and no liuing thing should finde where to be sustained but thou by thy infinit goodnesse and mercie doest ordaine and sustaine all not for that it is to thée necessarie but for the profit of man Therefore séeing that thou doest vse so great pittie and mercie with them here Lorde I doe desire thée that in this perillous danger thou wouldest not leaue me and if I haue anie desire herein to gette the victory it is not for anie honor nor vaine glorie that I hope to maintaine thereby but onely to haue a little more time for to liue in this dispeopled and solitarie Ilande whereas I may fully repent mée for the life which hetherto I haue lead and for to doe some penance for the euills which I haue committed against thy diuine magestie But if it be thy will that I dye in this trance I doe most hartely desire thée not to looke vpon my sinnes and wickednesse but to haue mercie vpon this my soule which is immortal and by thée created to thy similitude and likenesse for eternal liâ—e and diddest redéeme it with thy most precious bloud the which I pray thée to pardon and to receiue at such time as it doth depart out of this wretched bodie my death doth not greue mée so much as that I haue not time enough to serue thée When this good kâ—â—ght had saide these wordes he arose vp vpon his féete and looking towards that part the which was toward Grecia with deepe profound sighes he saide OH Empresse Claridiana how ioyfull would it be vnto my heart if y â— I did know of certaintie that thou wert acquainted with this my daungerous attempt with the which I am bestead for that seeing that my
valiant knights who with great furie and shouts began to laie vpon their aduersaries and saying Upon them vpon them for they be ouercome But wheÌ„ Rosicleer hearâ— those wordes and sawe no other thing but perdition he began greater to lament y â— death of his friends more than his owne but that which did grieue him most was that after so many troubles sorrows the which he had passed for the Princesse Oliuia and had her in his power alwaiâ—s hoping at her hands to receiue reward for the same he should now be constrained therefore to die and to leaue her in the power of another hauing this in his remembraunce lifting vp his eies vnto heauen to aske mercie of God for his sinnes he sawe his welbeloued mistres in a sound in the armes of Fidelia as she which made no other reckoning but to die the which did cause vnto him so great dolour griefe that it kindled in him mortall wrath and ire determined to sell his life verie déere vnto them that so much desired his death wherewith hée tooke his sword in both his handes and stroke so terrible a blowe at the Captaine Bramides vppon the wast that cutting him in two péeces he ouerthrew him dead to the ground and therewith at other sixe blowes he slew other sixe knightes behauing himselfe so amongest them that they fled from him as from the death But hée as one that had his death certaine without anie care of his life all alone he maintained the battaile against the knightes of Don Siluerio for that his friends could not doe anie thing in his defence they weare so wearie And although the knights of Lusitania were valiant and did charge him with many heauie blowes that had bene sufficient to haue cloue amanfield in péeces yet did he defend the entrie of the ship alone for the space of halfe an houre against all the companie and had about him on euery side a great number of dead bodies shewing so great wonders among his aduersaries that it was scarce credible to the beholders Whereat Don Siluerio receiued great griefe to sée so many of his knights slain but yet he durst not come nigh him himselfe but forced his knights forwards with reproch that it was a shame to him that one alone knight shoulde make his defence so long against so many Who hearing those wordes made no more a doe but put their liues in aduenture for to accomplish that which was their deaths and therewith they leaped into the ship of Rosicleer and charged him so much with so many terrible and heauie blowes that it had not bene possible for him to haue indured long if that by the wonderfull myracle of God he had not bene succoured You shall vnderstand that fortune did serue him so wel that the ship wherein was that valiant and worthie knight of the Sunne and that stout Oristedes was constrained by the force of the storme and tempest past to enter into thâ— same port of Cerdenia and entering in thereat they straight waies did sée the execution of that cruell battaile and were greatlie amased to sée all the water so stained with bloud and how that one alone ship did make his defence against all the rest but when they sawe so few knightes did maintaine themselues against so great a multitude of their enimies their meruaile was the more and remained astonied for a great space to sée the incredible acts that Rosicleer dyd as one that was desperate of his own life which was with so great courage that if he had séene it with his owne eyes he could not haue beléeued that any humane creature could haue done it And as he was with great attention beholding them with great good will for to aide and helpe them The knight of the Sunne did know him by the deuice of his armour although that they were all to be raiâ—d with bloud as also by the comelie proportion of his bodie therewith vpon a sodaine with a loude voice he said O good God it séemeth vnto me that yonder knight should be Rosicleer my brother or els my sight doth deceiue me Oh my good friend now shew forth your great bountie to defend and saue the life of the person of him that I loue best in all the worlde Come on let vs go sayd Oristedes forâ—with verie good will I wil offer my selfe in anie thing that doth appertaine vnto you or to your brother And inâ—saying these words these two good friends did cause their ship to be grapled vnto the ship of Rosicleer and with their swordes drawen in their hands they leapt into the sayd ship and sayd Courage courage good knight and take a good heart héere is come vnto thée thy brother the knight of the Sunne And therewithall turned against his aduersaries and made so great a slaughter amongst them that in a short space al the hatches of the ship laie full of dead bodies and the knights of Lusitania béeing greatlie amased at such sodaine and strâ—â—ge succour they fled before them with all the speede they could into their owne ships and in making such hast many of them leaped short fell into the water so that by this meanes their shippe was quicklie ridde of their enimies But when that Rosicleer heard those comfortable words of his worthie brother and knew him as well by his wonderfull blowes giuen as by the deuice of his armour what ioy and pleasure might bée equall vnto his I saie vnto you it was much more than it was at that time when that he was succoured by him in the Iland of Canâ—â—marte for that his death at that time shoulde not haue béene so grieuous vnto him as at this presâ—nt the death of his good and perfect friends and hauing in his power the fayre Princesse Oliuia And as one who by the aide and succour of his Brother was in good hope to be set frée and at libertie of so rigorous and cruell a traunce with a new and vnlooked for ioye did so hearter and incourage himselfe recouering so great force and strength that hée began to make so great a destruction among his enimies as though the battaile were but as then begun and comming nigh vnto the knight of the Sunne he sayde Oh my Lorde and welbeloued brother what great benefit is this that God hath shewed vnto me that it hath pleased him that I am succoured by your great power and strength and now that I find my selfe in your companie if that all the whole world were against me I should not haue anie feare At this time the knight of the Sunne could not make him anie answere for that he was so occupied amongst his enimies where hée did so great slaughter that there was none that durst tarrieâ— before him Likewise the Troian did so defend his partie that it was wonderfull to beholde at whom Rosicleer was greatlie amazed not knowing who that valiant and worthie knight should be Then the king Sacridoro and the
parents shew their due duties vnto them with reuerence and not doing the same it is a iust sentence that rebellious sonnes doth suffer And this punishment is not so small but vnto him that suffereth it séemeth verie much for that there is nothing that doth so much afflict and torment the minde of man as an iniurious word spoken by a rebellious childe And as by these two worthie knights all children may take an ensample so lykewise there is to be noted the great parte that is their fathers as appeareth by this Emperour that deserued to be so estéemed and beloued with so great reuerence of his sonnes considering his excellent vertues and the great loue that he bare vnto them did constraine them for to loue him and shew him humble reuerence Also when that their sons doe not proue to be good then ought their Fathers to suffer and beare with them til such time as their childhood is past then after as they doe increase to correct their vnbrideled nature forcing them to leaue their vice wherto they are inclined and to learne to embrace vertue which is the badge of all Christians Dauid Methridates king of Pontus and Seuerus Emperour of Rome did suffer and beare with their rebellyous sonnes Affricano dyd heartelie loue his sonne although in nothing he did resemble him but cleane contrarie to him in his vertues Héere we will leaue these admonitions vnto auncient and olde men who hath greater authoritie to giue them Returning to our Hystorie which saith that the Emperour Trebatio and the Empresse Briana receiued meruailous great ioy contentment and pleasure to sée in their companie their two so valiant and obedient sonnes accompanied with so high and 〈◊〉 â—ompanie Likewise they were ioyfull that the Prince Clauerindo was so desirous to marrie with the faire Lindaraza and thereto asked the good wil oâ— the Emperour and the Empresse who at the request and desire of the knight of the Sunne dyd graunt it vnto him whereat Clauerindo receiued great ioye and pleasure and shewed himselfe verie pleasant and gallant for the same and wrote vnto the king Oristedes his father that he would thinke well thereof and to request the Emperour Trebatio to thinke well of the same Thus as the Court of that mightie Emperour was in great ioy and pleasure with this gallant companie came thether at that present the wise Artemidoro and béeing knowen who he was he was meruailouslie well receiued of the Emperour and of those Princes and Knights there present but in especiall of Rosicleer who calling to remembrance what he had sayd and done for him did beare him so great loue as vnto his naturall brother Héere did the wise Artemidoro aske the Empresse Briana if shée did remember at such time as she was first troubled with passions how that a Nymph out of the Fountaine of water dyd giue her comfort and consolation giuing her to vnderstand that it was done by his arte and how if shee dyd call it well to remembrance that next vnto God shée was by that consolation comforted at that present who séeing that al that which the wise man had sayde was alreadie fulfilled and come to passe shée knew not how for to gratifie him for so greate a benefite done vnto her but hée was meruailouslie honoured of her the Emperour his sonnes and of all that were there present Then did Artemidoro as one that dyd knowe it verie well make manifest all that had passed with Rosicleer from the time of his first birth vnto that present ioyntlie with all that which had passed by the Emperour with the Empresse Briana collected into one booke which did declare all things perticularlie as though he had béene present at the doing whereat the Emperour was meruailouslie ioyfull gaue vnto the wise man great thankes â—or the same So that the Emperour and all the 〈◊〉 Princes and knightes that dyd reade those wonders meruailed greatlie at the strange thinges which Rosicleer had passed and were verie glad that all his trauailes troubles for loue were brought to so good an end And for that there was not written nor anie mencion made of the wonderful acts done by the knight of the Sunne the Emperour dyd aske of the wise man wherfore they were forgotten Who answered him in the presence of all the nobles in the Court that hée dyd leaue off the writing of them for that there was another greate wise man who had better intelligence thereof than hée and had the charge for to write and put in memorie all things that toucheth the knight of the Sunne and how that before long time doe passe they shall sée him in that Court who will discouer by writing so many wonderfull and straunge acts that neuer shall bée forgotten so long as the worlde endureth And although the mightie Emperour Trebatio and all that were with him did not vnderstand who that wise man should be of whom he spake of yet did the knight of the Sunne know that it was the wise Lyrgandeo and was verie gladde to heare him saie that he would come vnto that Court for that hée desired much to sée him with his nephew king Florion and did not forget that which for him hée had done and was verie desirous to haue opportunitie to gratifie him for the same But when the Prince Clauerindo had tolde vnto him the misfortune at sea that happened vnto the Prince Brandizel his sorrow was so great that many daies after hée verie heauie and saddâ— thinking verilie that his verie friend Brandizel had béene lost But the wise Artemidoro who knew it to the contrarie to put remedie to his sorrowe tolde him that hée was safe and sound and in a place greatlie to his contentment and how that he shoulde sée him verie shortlie The knight of the Sunne gaue him great thankes for the same and the wise man in the meane time that he was in the Court dyd write with his owne hand in the fore front of that mightie Pallace in greate Letters that all men might reade it a Prophesie which sayd as followeth At such time as the mightie shepheard hath best kept gathered together his â—locke shall come the braue and stout Lions with rauenous and hungrie wrath and betwéene her and the most stout Lion shall passe a verie cruell and perillous contention and being put a sunder by the mightie shepheard the stout Lion shall fall at the roaring of the furious Lions and for a long time shal loose his name till such time as the roaring of the sayd Lions doth awake him and with her strong armes raise him vp againe At that time shal the mightie shepheard be verie heauie and there shall come vppon him the great she Beare verie irefull and in her companie so many Wolues and dreadfull Tygers that shall make all the worldâ— to wonder and the â—locke of the mightie shepheard by them shall be scattered abrode and the gréene and flowred fields shall be turned into red
coulour and the earth shal séeme as though it had rained much bloud The huge and mightie riuers shall burst out of their course and the wide and broade seas shall chaunge the coulour of their profound waters shewing the great earthquake that shall come Then afterward the daie shall come that the Sunne at noone tide shal be 〈◊〉 loosing the greater part of his light and brightnesse aâ— which verie instant the migâ—tie shepheard shall be in great care and perplexitie and all his slock dispearsed abroade and at the point to be lost but straight waies the San shal 〈◊〉 his whole brightnes the Lion brought by the stout Lions by her immortat déeds shall recouer his lost name and by his comming the mightie shopheard shall gather together his good â—locke and with â—o great courage shall returne vpon those hungrie Waluâ—s 〈◊〉 Tygers that they 〈◊〉 kil the most part of them and those withshall remaine shall slie and leauâ— the Countrie desolate And héere the Griffins that came 〈◊〉 the new world against the mightie shepheard shal lose their furious wrath and betwixt them and those of his â—lock shal be made great friendship and very profitable The she beare with the mightie he beare shal be taken prisoners by new enimies being deliuered by the stout Lion shal be made friends with the mightie shepheard And at the request of the Lyon and Lionesse they shall come together and of that societie shall proceede one that the deedes past shall make all mortalitie â—e forgotten Beare this in your minde for as I haue saide so it shall come to passe This Prophesie béeing written by the wise Artemidoro the Emperour and all those worthie Princes and Knights did behold it And as they vnderstoode verie little what it did signifie they were greatly amazed at the great vnderstanding of the wise man and desired him to declare somewhat the meaning thereof but he excused himselfe saying that it was not giuen vnto him for to declare that which was to come but to make manifest vnto them by figures for that if it should fall out to proue to the contrarie it would be the occasion of great daunger harme perill But yet notwithstanding all shal come to passe in such sort that the time shal declare it and make it most manifest These many other things did this wise Artemidoro declare vnto them that if they had not bene of noble courage his prophesies had put them in great wonder feare So they being in great ioye pastimes and pleasures in the mightie Citie of Constantinople although to the contrarie great sorow griefe vnto the knight of the Sunne for that the Empresse Claridiana his mistresse was not there present this Historie doth leaue them till time doe serue for to tell you what Don Siluerio dyd that returned vnto great Britaine How the Prince Don Siluerio without all hope of the recouery of the Princes Oliuia her returne vnto great Britaine and of all that was determined in the court of the King Oliuerio Chap. 8. THE wrath and anger was very great that Don Siluerio receued in that he was past all hope of recouerie of the princesse Oliuia by reason that the most part of his knights were slaine and she remaining in the power of Rosicleer the thing that he most loued in all the world without any hope of recouerie And againe séeing that the princes his friends with the king Alamades that went in his companie became his enimies and likewise remembring the great furie and stoutnesse of them with whome he had the battaile with great complaints wepings and lamentations he bewayled his misfortune which was vnto him so contrarie and so fauourable vnto his enimies So in the ende of certaine daies after his departure he ariued in great Britaine and going a land he sent the king word of his ariuall appareling himselfe and all such knights as came with him in black and mourning apparell and so entered into the mightie Citie of London whereas the king did receue him to whome with great sorow and griefe he gaue the King to vnderstande of all that had happened vnto him at the sea And because at that present the rancour and mallice which he had against the Emperour Trebatio was great in him for the death of prince Edward his sonne he was very glad that he had so good occasion and oportunitie to arme himselfe against him therefore did not onely comfort y â— prince Don Siluerio to folow his poysoned enterprise to take reuengement against him but did rather procure to kindle his wrath the more in saying that vnto them both it should be a perpetuall dishonour if they did not procure the reuengement the iniurie offered was so great and that it were better for them to dye in the quarrell then to liue in so great dishonour for euer Then the Prince who desired no other thing but verie ioyfull to see that the king was wholly of his minde and determination made a great Othe that he would neuer take to him wife in marriage till such time as that great iniurie done by Rosicleer were reuenged So that straight 〈◊〉 it was agréed betwixt them both that it should be 〈◊〉 praâ—â—ise to take reuengement The King commaunded all the nobles of his Court to come together to a parle being come together he put them in remembraunce of the death of his sonne prince Edward how he was slaine by the Emperour Trebaâ—â—o and then of the spoyling and carying away of the Princesse Oliuia donâ— by his sonne Rosicleer shewing and perswading them by many reasons how much they were bound to procure reuengement of that great iniurie And although that there were some to whome the determination of the king semed nothing good yet in the ende they all concluded and agréed that all should be done as he thought best and that out of hand they should begin to muster and procure souldiers and men of war to be made in a readinesse for to passe the seas and to enter into Grecia And although Don Siluerio had there with him manie knights of Lusitania yet did he promise to retourne into his countrie and to bring from that kingedome and also oâ—t of Spaine a great number for that he that was Kingâ— of Spaine at that present was a verie great friend vnto his father and he was verie certaine that he would not denie to helpe and ayde him with all the force and strength he could possible He béeing willing to put all things in effect tooke his leaue of the King and departed straightwaies from great Britaine and put himselfe vnto the rough and boysterous Seas taking his voyage towards Lusitania In the meane time King Oliuerio did ordaine and made in a redinesse all the people that possible he could and writ his letters vnto all kinges that were his friends as well Christians as Pagans geuing them to vnderstande of the great iniurie and wrong done vnto him in murthering his
of the worlde because that in liuing I shoulde not bée odious vnto her nor cause her anie more anger and of one thing she shall bée sure that so long as shée liueth shée shall neuer haue anie newes of mée When the knight of the Sunne had sayd these wordes these two his good Squires did weepe so bitterlie that they had no power to speak in a good space in the end they caught him by the armour and held him fast saying Oh our good Lord wherefore is it you pleasure for to leaue vs in so great sorrow and care and to cause your father and mother brethren and friendes alwaies to liue in great heauinesse and griefe What great griefe is this that you haue conceiued which is the occasion that you doe desire the death What greater euill may happen vnto the world than to haue the lacke sustaine the losse of such a knight as thou art Consider our good Lord that if you doe performe this which you saie you will you doe not alonelie loose your life but also your soule for in conclusion it is a desperate death For the loue of God our good Lord let not such things passe once into your thought for that no man in all the world can imagine a thing of a worser determination and héerein you shall also loose both bodie and soule and shall be the occasion of the death of the Emperour Trebatio your father and of the Empresse Briana your mother for as they doe loue you more than themselues they will die with verie anger and griefe when they shall heare of your perdition vnto none it wil be so griouous as vnto the Empresse Claridiana who is the occasion of all this your sorrow What shall we doe vnhappie as we are when that wée shall finde our selues all alone without your companie How can we returne vnto Grecia when that the subiects doth lacke their so greatâ— estéemed Prince With what semblance or countenance can we come in the presence of your Father not daring to declare the losse and death of his sonne Ought not we greatlie to be sorrowfull to thinke how our hearts must be hardned that when your brother and friends shall demaund of newes of you and we knowing the conclusion dare not be so hardie as to vtter it What is he that can suffer so great griefe or dissemble so great sorrow God forbid that euer anie such thing shoulde bée permitted wée will first consent to bée drowned in this déep sea than to returne into Grecia without your companie And if you doe still contend to goe a land on that Iland of the diuellish Fauno we will goe with you and beare you companie for that wée shall thinke our deaths happie to loose them with yours and had rather ioyntly to die with you than to liue one moment in this worlde for to lament and feele the griefe of your death These and many other thinges in effect sayd these good Squires shedding many salt teares for to withdrawe their Lord the knight of the Sunne from his determination but all did profit nothing for although it was great anguish and mortall griefe vnto him for to depart from them yet was he so firme in his determination to accomplish that which he had said that if all the whole world had bene there present for to disswade him yet had they not ben sufficient for to withdrawe him from the doing thereof And therewithall he requested the Mariners to launch out their skiffe on the water But when the Mariners and all those knightes of Candia did vnderstand his determination and sawe how pittiâ—ullie his Squires did wéepe for him they were greatly amazed thereat and thought him to be a desperate knight and one that was wearie of his life that wold giue attempt to so strange aduenture hauing heard the wonderfull thing that the olde Pilot had tolde them of that Iland who beeing there present saw with what determination he wold goe vnto the Iland and with what efficacie he dyd demand the skiffe for to goe a land before them all hée sayde these wordes I greatlie meruaile at you Sir knight hauing heard the wonderfull things that I haue tolde vnto you of this Iland of the diuell and yet you haue so great will to go thether of truth I cannot iudge that it doth procéede of anie strength or couragious heart but of some desperation that you haue with you whereby you doe abhorre your owne life for that stout and couragious Barons doe neuer put their liues in aduenture but whereas they haue hope to get honour and victorie but that man which doth put himselfe there wheras he doth aduenture no other honour but to die the death it may be wel said y â— it is more of desperatioÌ„ than of force or courage What account doe you make of your owne strength I saie if it be equall with that of Hercules that of Thebano yet were it not sufficient to escape from the hands of that possessed Fauno if once you goe a land and it is well knowen that all the people of the Iland coulde not make anie defence against him although there were amongst theÌ„ more than thrée thousand knights besides other common people verie stout and clubbish and yet will you take vpon you alone the enterprise surelie it is a plaine thing to vnderstand that you will kill your selfe for that you will put your selfe in that aduenture whereas it is impossible to saue your life the which is a thing most abhorred before God and this proceedeth onelie of the lacke of wisedome weaknesse and want of patience and to the contrarie each one where wisedome remaineth with equal hart and valiant courage doth suffer all humane troubles not for euerie little trouble doth straight waies abhorre themselues and so from a little euill fall into another far greater What other thing haue you in al this world that maketh a man more to abhore and hate himselfe and his owne life than afflictions and troubles And it is manifest vnto vs as it is spoken by the wise that troubles appertaineth onelie vnto men Likewise that holie and afflicted Iob saith that for trauailes and troubles man was borne but those which haue no patience nor strength for to suffer aduersities thinketh that al things that doth not fal out according vnto their desire and appetite that they haue iust occasion to desire and procure the death and vpon the sodaine they are in such a rage that for euerie light thing they doe not onelie anger themselues against fortune but also against themselues and that which is worst of all they are out of patience with God that dyd create them vsing against him wordes of greate abhomination as though that if God did not all things vnto their willes then doth he them great iniurie but vnto them that bée wise what state so euer God doth send them they accept it in good part if it bée with prosperitie and ioy they
thing â—he which he cannot obtain to put from him that which is impossible to leaue All creatures borne as wel as those that are to be borne although there be a great 〈◊〉 of liuing of their deaths yet to die is naturall vnto them all What do you thinke to flie from that which your fathers grandfathers their predecessors yâ—â— Emperours kings could neuer escape let vs turne our backes all that euer we can froÌ„ death auoide the perils thereof yet in the end it shall happen vnto vs as vnto hint thâ—â— sâ—utteth his â—ies at the blow of his enimie suffering the griefe thereof because hée would not sée it And whereas you saie that it is good for mée to liue longer and not to procure my death before my time I 〈◊〉 vnto you that there is none that dieth before his time for that all men dieth not at one time and as wise men saie euerie one hath his time appointed the which béeing accomplished hée concludeth his fine and for that wée haue not so much lisence to call time backe againe neither to staie of necessitie wée must procéede forwards No man ran die but at his time appointed sauing 〈◊〉 hee take the time for him that himselfe hath assigned and not by him that dooth assigne nature and fortune It is a small matter touching the immortalitie of the soule some to liue foure score â—éeres and other to liâ—e eight yéeres the time being past it séemeth the one to bée no 〈◊〉 than the other Men do deceiue themselues in many thinges but in especiall concerning their death not for that all men doe thinke to die but because they hope the time will bée long séeming to be farre of that which one waie by the briefnesse of life and swiftnesse of time and another waie by the force of fortune and by the diuersities of humane chaunces béeing alwaies at hand Death vnto a young man should neuer seeme grieuous although he made reckoning of no other goodnesse for abiding the time of auncient yéeres there procéedeth thereof nothing but sadnesse and miseries The young man doth well-knowe what he hath passed in his time but yet he knoweth not what he shall passe if that he endure long In this cruell and inconstant kingdome of Fortune hée that first dyeth doeth deceiue and mocke his fellowe You will now saie vnto me that séeing that death is necessarie and of force it were better to abide the time of naturall death than to goe and receiue it of that diuellish Fauno Then you might well saie if that I were certaine thereof that the death that I shoulde die shoulde bée more happie than fortunate but whosoeuer doth knowe it for that many a one haue hoped to die in their beddes when that afterward they were hanged and some throwne from the toppe of a mountaine some torne with Lions and some eaten with wilde Bores yea that Euripides the light of al great pollicy next vnto Homer was cruellie â—â—rne in péeces with dogges Likewise Luâ—recio Prince of Poets by drinkes that were giuen him by his concubine did raue in such sort that he thought it the best remedie to kill himselfe with a knife with what great good will would the Emperour Adriano suffered himselfe to haue bene torne in péeces of a furious Lion if his people would haue suffered him rather then haue abidden that terrible sicknesse whereof he dyed Many other mo as is well knowen did hope to die of their naturall deathes and yet in the ende they died of verie desperate and cruell deathes and possible before they eschewed farre worse And you who doth giue couÌ„sell for to flie from death I would you would tell mée how farre you are from it your selfe of trueth if you doe consider verie well you shall finde that there is but a thin borde betwixt you and death and not yet two daies past when that you thought the houre was come Oh false and folish world of men that flyeth with great diligence from one little perill on the land in resisting wherof there is no honour to be gotten yet putteth not doubt to put themselues vnto these déepe seas wheras their liues is at the courtesie of the windes to ouerthrow them and of the terrible waues to drowne them they flie from one follie on the land and putteth their liues in foure farre worse vppon the seas in a shippe that is alwaies mouing the mariners neuer in one accord the water that neuer staÌ„deth still and the winde that neuer resteth What Dragon or furie is vpon the land that doth feare vs more then vpon the â—ea whereas it is well knowen an innumerable sort of men hath bene drowned There is no furie nor wilde beast vpon the lande but that it is possible by the force and strength of man to make defence and resistance but vpon y â— sea if you ioyne together all y â— strengthes of the most valiantest men in all the worlde yet are they not able to make any resistaÌ„ce against one storme or teÌ„pest but if they please they may make thrusts with their speares into the water and strike with their swordes against the windes And now séeing that ther is all these perills on the sea wherefore my good friend doe you not take the counsel for your selfe the which you doe giue vnto mée What doe you thinke that it is not more possible for mée for to ouercome the diuelish Eauno then you to haue y â— victorie of two so terrible Elements as is the water and winde Finallie to conclude when that man thinketh himselfe most farthest from death it is then nighest at hande therefore barons that be stout and couragious in nothing they should feare the death wheras they doe venter themselues to get honor and not to apart themselues from perills and dangers for that they be alwaies readie at hand and in the ende when that it shal please God that they shal die it is no other thing but a cléering of the soule out of this miserable captiuitieâ— prison and to leaue this troublesome wearie world where in I doe sée that there is no pleasure without sodaine misthiâ—ousnesse no peace without discord no loue without suspition no ease without feare no aboundance without lacke nor no estate without complaints all doth wéepe all doeth sigh all doth complaine all doth shrike and sobbe and all things doth ende I sée none that liueth content I sée nothing that is firme and stable I sée all in confusion tossed vpside downe as wel in things liuing as insensible as wel the brute beastes as reasonable creatures the high mightie towers be torne and rent with thunderboults walles be ouerthrowen with Canon shot great flouds doth carrie away Cities and townes Trées be eaten with wormes the gréene corne with the Grassehoppers Timber doth rot and moulder away the brute and wilde beastes doth fight 〈◊〉 with an other betwéene the Ownce and the Lion there is great
contencion and the Rinoceront with the Crocadil the Egle with the Estridge the Elephant with the Minotauro and one man with an other and that which is worst women against men besides all these the continual wars and contencions that is amongst vs for that we haue the perills of death continuallie before our eyes What a number of things there is that doth put vs in great ieperdie threaten vs euerie moment vnto death the earth doeth open against vs the water doth drown vs y â— fier doth burne vs the aire doth disteÌ„per vs the winter doth runne through vs the suÌ„mer doth trouble vs with heate dogges doth bite vs Spiders doth poison vs Gnats doth pricke vs Flies doth ouerpresse vs Serpents doth â—eare vs and aboue all trauailes and cares doth ouer watch vs none can goe with securitie vpon y â— earth for y t euery pace men doth fiue stones to stumble at bridges wherof they fall brookâ—s wheras they are drowned hills froÌ„ whence they tuÌ„ble be ouerthrowne thunder cracks y â— maketh them afraide déepe 〈◊〉 that doth stay their passage thundeâ— bolts that both kill them And now séeing that both land and sea be all full of perâ—lls and whether so euer we doe flie death will ouertake 〈◊〉 I will say no more vnto you but that I am determined to goe a land on the Iland of the Fauno â—or I had rather die wheras I doe aduenture to get honor making my defence with my sword in my hand like a knight then to be drowned in the Sea or to kéepe my bed with sicknesse therefore my good friends I doe desire you to hoyse out your bote on y e water and procure no further to disturbe mée in this my pretence for that I will not let to accomplish this my desire â—or any thing that is in all the world and these my squires I pray you to carrie them with you and not to let them to folow mée neither to giue theÌ„ any ship or bote for y t their deathes shal be vnto mée much more greuous then mine owne Uerie autentiue were all the knights of Candia and the olde pilot vnto all that which the knight of the Sunne had said by the which they iudged him to be discreete wise by the vttering of his words as also in his semblance they iudged him to be valiant wherein he shewed so great grauitie of his person that ther was not one amongst them all that durst speak any more vnto him in y â— matter neither to disturbe him of his will determined purpose for that ther was not any that could say any thing vnto him but that he vnderstode it better thâ—n they yet they sâ—â—ing the perill he put himselfe in they all greued verie much thereat in such sorte that with their wéepings they coâ—ld scare speake but in especiall his two Squires who hauing heard all his speache and sawe the resolute determination of theyr Lord did beate their heads against the shippes sides and gaue such shrickes and cries as though they had bene cut of their wits and although the knight of the Sunne did comfort them with many swéete louing words yet all would not serue for the more he spake vnto them the more did increase their sorow and griefe Then he séeing that all which he did did little profit to goe with their good wills how y â— the longer he staied the worse it was he desired the mariners to hoise the boate into the sea who were not willing therevnto the which being by him perceiued as one which had as great forcâ— strength as anie man in all the world he tooke the boate in both his hands and without the helpe of anie other he hoised it into the sea and caused his horse to be put therein the which being done he would haue taken his leaue of theÌ„ all but his squires when they saw that he would depart they gaue such shrickes and cries that it séemed the noyse to reach vnto the heauens and fell downe at his féete shedding so manie teares that it was great compassion to behold theÌ„ desiring him that he would not leaue them in so great heauinesse and for that it was so manifest that he went to loose his life that he would take theÌ„ in his companie for to dye with him for y â— his life was no longer then he abode in their companie They complained verie much of him for paying theÌ„ with such reward after so long time that they had serued him but the griefe of this good knight was such for his two squires that with the great aboundance of teares that fell from his eyes he could scant speake vnto them one worde especiallie considering with what intencion he departed which was neuer to sée them againe in all his life neither returne anie more into Grecia for that he was determined if God did giue him victorie against the Fauno to remaine in that solitarie Ilande and there to ende his daies But for that he loued his squires verie well and likewise knowing the great loue that they bare vnto him his heart was readie to burst in péeces for to apart himselfe from them Likewise all those knights of Candia and y e olde pilot did labour all that euer they could for to breake him of his purpose but all would not serue and he séeing that his tarrying did him no profit he went vnto the shippes side and with a light heart he leapt into the boate and taking the oares in his handes he began to rowe towards the Ilande leauing so great sorow griefe amongst all them that were in the shippe that there was not one of them but wept bitterlie to see him depart in that sorte as one desperate to receiue a cruell death and being a knight that seemed vnto them all not to haue his lyke in all the world yet all the griefe which they receiued was nothing vnto that of his squires when they sawe their lorde depart who like desperate men would haue throwne themselues into the sea if those knights had not lette them and seemed vnto them to be true and loyal vnto their lord and of a good disposition so with the great care that they had of them they did kéepe them from destroying theÌ„selues After this good knight was departed within a shorte space he ariued at the Iland and those of the ship lost sight of him but there were some of the shippe that saide that it were good to tarrie ther a few daies for to sée what should become of him to whome the pilot saide that it was great follie so to doe for two causes the one for that he was certaine so soone as the knight should come a land with a trice he should be torne all to péeces by that diuelish Fauno so that it were lost labour to abyde anie more newes of him and the other for that all they should be in great perill of their liues if that
likewise charged them with so terrible blowes with his knotted club that in a smal space he made them to shrike 〈…〉 dog when they are hurt and not being able to suffer 〈…〉 force and strength of the knight euen as the other did they returned in great hast vnto the place from whence they came and altogether they threw themselues into the mouth of that diuellish Fauno who at this tune as one that did awake out of his sléepe turned about and stretched himselfe gnashing and grinding his vnmercifull teeth stretching out his cruell nailes both on handes and féetâ—e and bristâ—ed vp his haire wherewith he was couered as doth the wilde Boare when that he is chased with dogges he did also increate the fire that procéeded from his mouth making it to fume vp into the Clowdes whose sparkles scattered abroade as doth in the Smithes forge at such time as blowing he throweth sand into his fire and after a while that he had thus roused himselfe hée arose from the ground whereas he was laide and looked towards the place whereas the knight of the Sunne was with such terrible eies that at noone daies they did shew as much light as doth two torches in the night there was not to bée seene in all 〈◊〉 world a thing of greater meruaile and fiercenesse and the wise Lyrgandeo who did see this monster after that he was slain saith that he supposeth that there was no humane creature that had so much courage as once to beholde and looke vpon this infernall monster who laie on a gréene place which was betwixt aâ— mountaine and a water brooke that ranne 〈◊〉 him but when that hée had séene the knight of the Sunne hee gaue a mightie leape into the aire and passed therewith ouer the brooke with so terrible a noise that it séemed all the whâ—le Ilanâ—e woulde haue sunke and therewith hee went towardes the knight and bare his head verie lowe for to strike him with his horne as dooth the Bull against the furious 〈◊〉 thinking therewith for to wound him if he had fastned that blow he had stroke him all to péeces but this couragious knight who was as light and nimble as hardie bold with a light leape cléered himselfe of that perilious encounter without doing him anie other harme but that he thought he shoulde haue ben burnt with that 〈◊〉 fire that he threw out of his mouth and as this infernall Fauno did passe forwards with the hastinesse of his running the knight of the Sunne had no time for to strike him who was not scarce well 〈◊〉 when that with another impetuous course he returned vppon him and the fire and smoake that he cast out before him was of so great abundaunce as also the great furie of the beast that this valiant Knight had no time nor space for to cléere himselfe from that encounter but it fell out verie well with him that his horne chaunced betwixt his arme and his left side and dyd him no other harme but with his head hée gaue him so strong an encounter that hauing no power to sustaine himselfe hée fell backwardes vnto the earth and passing ouer him hée was meruailouslie tormented as well with the blow of the fall as with the fire which dyd secalde him verie much And suâ—elie till that time this good knight neuer sawe himselfe in so great perplexitie but by reason that hée was of so greate magnanimitie in all thinges his courage dyd increase so that without anie whit of feare and dreade he arose vp againe with great lyghtnesse being verie furious and angrie with himselfe for that hée could neuer fasten one blowe vpon the Fauno hee then firmed himselfe verie stronglie and tooke his clubbe fast in both his handes abiding when that he shoulde retourne againe vpon him with his accustomed furie hée putting him selfe with great pollicie on the one side at such time as hée should passe by the beast missing his purpose he stroke him such a blowe with his clubbe vpon his horne with so great furie force and strength that he brakâ— it from the scull and it fell downe to the ground Great was the paine and griefe that this infernall Fauno felt by that terrible blowe and it could not bée imagined the fiercenesse that hée as then vsed and roared and houled with so great noise that in ten miles compasse it might be heard but little profit was this vnto the knight for when the Fauno found himselfe without his horne he vsed a new meanes and no lesse perillous than the other to assault the knight and procured by all meanes for to catch him betwixt his 〈◊〉 and strong armes and sharpe nailes throwing out at 〈◊〉 mouth greate flames of fire as though his bodie had 〈◊〉 â—ull of gunpouder wherewith this good knight had ben burnt to ashes with that infernal fire if it had not ben for that good armour which was of Meridian the which had a meruailous propertie and it was this y â— those great small bones wherof it was made were extreame cold made great resistance against the fire Likewise his helme was garnished ful of verie fine rubies and those as saith the wise Lirgandeo doth resist the ouermuch force and strength of the fire in such sort that he was not much troubled therwith yet for all y â— the soultring heat was such y â— if it had ben anie other knight of lesse strength he could not haue suffered it so as this diuellish Fauno laboured by al meanes possible to get this knight betwixt his armes euen so did he with all lightnesse y â— might be procure to defend kéepe himselfe out of his clawes many â—â—mes striking him with his mightie club vpon y â— deformed bodie but it did him no more harme than if he had stroke vpon a rock yet had he a great aduantage of him for out of his forehead from whence he stroke his horne there issued great abundance of bloud which ran downe ouer his eies troubled him very much but by reason y â— hée had within him so many legions of dâ—uels the which did aide helpe him that this good knight could not make his defence in so good order but that he was caught betwixt his big and hairie armes which was of so great strength that he could not imagine â— thing of greater force meruailed much how that with his nailes he was not rent torne all to peeces but héere at this present might the knight of the Sunne estéeme his good armour of great price as of the best that were to be found in all the whole world for although the force strength of that inâ—ernall Fauno was sufficient to destroie a whole armie of souldiours yet lacked he strength for to break or buckle one péece of all that armour his strong and sharpe nailes that could teare in péeces a stith of stéele could not enter into this armour so that this Fauno carried him from one place vnto
another and did him no more harme but that which he receiued by the heat of the fire for as he carried him nigh vnto his mouth he thought verilie to haue bene burned but y â— which the knight of y â— Sun was most grieued at was that he helde him so fast betwixt his armes that he had no power to put forth his armes neither to vse his own strength In this sort the monster caried him vp down a good while till at the last the knight felt that he might firme his féet on the ground at which time he stretched his legs made so strong resistance against the Fauno that he made him somwhat to recoile whereat giuing a hastie strong turne hée wrong himselfe out of his clawes with great lightnesse tooke againe his club the which was fallen from him as the Fauno with great impetuositie returned vpon him hée was in a readinenesse with his bat in both his hands abiding his coÌ„ming but before he approched nigh him he stroke him so terrible a blow with his club vpon his head that although his scull was more harder than a stith yet he made him to tumble on the earth more than halfe amazed before he could recouer himselfe for to rise vp he redoubled another blow and stroke him in the same place that he made him to ioyne both head breast vnto the ground cleane out of remembrance at which time there was so timerous a noise of shrikings howlings which those infernall diuells made comming forth of his mouth shewing such ill fauoured figures mishapen visions that no humane creature y â— shuld behold it but would haue receiued great feare dreade but this knight the flower of all other if all hel had risen against him with the fauour of almightie God vpon whom he did call would not haue feared them so that he was not onelie without dreade but also with a greater force and strength than before he lift vp his heauie knotted club and at such time as this infernall Fauno would haue risen vp he with all his force dyd strike him such a blow vpon the head that by reason that before his scull was crazed he now did beate it into his braines and made them to runne abrode wherewith this diuellish Fauno fell altogether to the ground and shaked with all his bodie and scrawling with hands féetâ— he made the earth to flie from him a great waie with the pangs of death This monster was not so soone fallen down but all that infernall crue that were within his bellie began to come forth at his mouth with so great quantitie of fire that they séemed all to burne therewith and vpon a sodaine the Sunne which shined as then verie cléere was as though it had ben couered with a cloude and all the heauen was so darkned that throughout all that Iland it séemed as though it had ben night and therewithall it thundred and lightned in such terrible sort as though heauen and earth would haue sunke and ther appeared vnto this good knight many infernal visions in as horrible maner as might be all full of fire in such sort y â— although it was as darke as night yet there appeared a meruailous and an innumerable number of theÌ„ so light as firebrands that he thought verily that all the diuels of hell had ben there ioyned together In this sort they continued a while and then vpon a sodaine he saw together a mightie legion of diuells in a bushment who brought in the midst amoÌ„gst them a naked woman whom they tormented in as cruell sort as might bée imagined she gaue great and pittifull shrikes and complained in such sort that the knight well vnderstood she should be the wise Artimaga who was brought thether by those diuells whereas her sonne laie dead and as they carried her round about the place some of them did strike her with sâ—rebrandes that euerie blowe séemed to burne her vnto the guts and other some dyd whip her so cruellie that euerie gyrke dyd make the bloud to spring out of her bodie and she with greate shrikes and cryes that seemed to bée heard vnto the heauens sayd Oh Artimaga cursed be the daie hour that thy father 〈◊〉 begot thée and the day wherein thou wert borne cursed be that day wherein the diuel did deceiue thee and the day that first thou didst put thy trust and confideÌ„ce in him these be his promises and this infernal fruite is that which he promised thée this is he that I so much desired by whom I and all this Iland should be so much spoken of all hath fallen out to be true for that the sonne which was borne of mée did proue to be such that the remembraunce of him shall not be forgotten so long as the world endureth These and other such words vttered this Artimaga in the time that these diuells carryed her round about where as her sonne lay with continual torments of her that it moued the good knight that did beholde all this vnto great compassion So after a while that this endured it began to lighten and thunder much more then before in which terrible noyse all this infernal companie began to vanish away and all those diuells that brought Artimaga likewise returned neuer ceasing in tormenting hir one minute of an houre So when they were all vanished and departed the day began to cléere vp the Sunne to shine as bright as before and was nothing séene in all the Iland but this good knight standing by the Fauno who was altogether starke dead but Cornerino his good horse being scared with that great noyse of thunder ranne and put himselfe into the sea wheras he remained swimming vp and downe till all was past and gon and then he came a land againe after that all this was finished the knight of the Sunne knéeled downe vpon the ground and gaue great thankes vnto almightie God for the 〈◊〉 which he had giuen vnto him and finding himselfe all sowltering hot with the fire of the Fauno he pulled of his armour and with the water of the brooke he did refresh himselfe in drinking thereof and washing his bodie this being done he returned to behold the Fauno whereas he lay dead and in séeing him he began a new to meruaile at his wonderful and mishapen forme thought it a thing impossible that nature should bring foorth to monstrous a creature Then after that he had vewed him a while he went and vewed all the Iland and founde it to be solitarie and not one left in all the whole compasse wheras before it was meruailously replenished with all maner of beastes and as then not one remaining for that this infernall Fauno had eaten destroied them Likewise he found y â— all the edifices and buildings were ouâ—â—throwen with weather and broken downe which seemed before time to be meruailously well peopled where at he receiued great griefe and moued vnto great
she had left y â— knight of the Sunne this thought was not 〈◊〉 considered of but straight waies she put it in vre and departed from thence and tooke her iourney towards â—ropisionda comming 〈…〉 sea side she with her Damsells embarked themselues in a good shippe and made saile towards her owne Empire not without great sorrow and griefe to sée that her knight was departed fâ—om the court of the Emperour Trebatio there was no newes heard of him since the time that he made the battaile with her which gaue her to vnderstande that that should be the â—ust occasion of his departing as one desperate for that vnknowne he made that combat he would departe thether whereas they should neuer thâ—re heare any newes of him at this time was abated y â— great anger that she had against him and her selfe was determined to goe and séeke him if that her damsell Arcania did not fullie satisfie her of that confused hope that she had With these other like thoughts they sayled foure daies with faire winde and wether in the ende whereof there arose a gâ—eat and furious tempest by 〈◊〉 whereof the good ship was put in great hazard to be lost if God for his infinit mercie and goodnesse had not deliuered theiâ— and hauing no gouernement in the shippe by forâ—e of that great tempest they were driuen to sea a great 〈◊〉 distant from the place whereas they desired to goe and the storme endured thrée daies and thrée nights without any 〈◊〉 but caùsed the seas to arise vp in so furious sort that the marriners could doe no good therein but yéelded themselues and the shippe vnto the mercie of the wyndes seas and fortune who in the ende séemed to shew her selfe fauourable The fourth day théy were launched into the great and sure port of the kingedome of 〈◊〉 wherein they saw other two shippes y â— were driuon thâ—ther by force on the same storme and by the 〈◊〉 of the sanguine water she saw the conclusion of a great battaile that was béetwixt the people of the saide two shippes likewise she sawe in the shippes that there was dead knights and heard the shrikes and 〈…〉 of Ladies and Damsels the which being heard by Claridiana she commaunded her ship to be grapled vnto those two where by she might be fullie certified what it should be and she found that there was a knight of a verie bigge bodie and well armed and in his companie other tenne which séemed to be his vassalls subiects that came in one of the two shippes and by force made a conquest of the other shippe slew diuers that came therin and toke prisoner the principal that was amongst them with a very faire damsell other thrée ladies that were in her companie whome they had in their armes for to put them into their owne shippe And these ladies séeing themselues to be carryed in that forcible sort began to giue great shrikes and cryes lamenting in such sort shedding manie teares that it moued the Princesse Claridiana vnto great compassion And as she would haue demanded of that bigge knight who séemed to be the chiefest amongst them what should be the occasion of that their great lamentation he straight waies came against her putting him to the shippes side and willed her to yelde her selfe prisoner soft said the we are not yet come vnto that but tell mée wherefore dost thou apprehend them as thy prisoners Then the great knight aunswered with great wrath and anger the mightie Cleonidas should séeme to haue great space leasure if that at euery ones demaund he should staye for to giue him an accompt wherefore he doth apprehend and take his pray Thou shalt vnderstand that I am a sea â—ouer and I neuer as yet met with shippe that I could ouercome but I did take it and dyd apprehend all that were therein and if they be Christians I doe sell them vnto the Pagans and make them slaues and if they be Pagans I doe sell them vnto the Christians make them likewise slaues so that I am friend to none of them both and in all the ports and hauens of the Mediterraneo sea they are in confederasie league and friendship with mée and doe suffer mée in great quietnesse to make sale and the best of my marchandise And I doe tell thée that I doe more exteme and haue in greater price this damsell which this daye I haue taken then any prise that euer I made in all the dayes of my life for that I hope to make a present of her vnto a mightie pagan Lord who will giue me for her all that euer I wil demaund And now séeing I haue told thée that which thou diddest request to know doe now out of hand that which is my pleasure for that the ritchnesse of thy armour and thy gentle disposition doth giue mée to vnderstande that thou wilt be vnto mée as precious a prisoner as euer came to mée since I vsed the sea You shal vnderstand that all was trueth which in this Historie hath bene declared for that this â—ouer was called Cleonidas and with great reason he tooke to himselfe this name for that he was no lesse a rouer then that famous Cleonidas which was in the time of king Tolomeo who did take the king and commaunded him to be glystred or boxed with bagges of scalding oyle for that he dyd the lyke vnto all such as he dyd take This was called the second Cleonidas he continued more then fiftene yéeres vpon the Seas and neuer went a land but tooke and robbed all that euer he met with all and vsed no other office but as afore is declared He went not alone with one shippe as he was at that present but alwaies had with him more then twentie that were verie good and fortified with all necessaries and people but by fortune of a great tempest they were scattered abroade and seperated the one from the other into diuers parts and his ship alone chaunced into that porte whereas he met with the other shippe and made his prise as before hath bene tolde vnto you Then Claridiana when she heard of the euill lyfe of this rouer and how without all shame he did boast and aduance him selfe of his ill doing she was very glad and ioyfull for that it was her fortune to come thether at that time and drawing out her sword she sayde these words following CALL to remembraunce Cleonides that an other of thy name and aunswerable vnto thy conditions who had a greater power at the Sea then thou hast with a cruell and desperate death he receiued his paiment a lande for all his euill déedes done likewise that Dionides who was also a rouer in the Leuant seas of great power in the time of Alexander and Darius yet in the ende was taken prisoner and punished for his euill deedes by Alexander Also Eâ—tilcon was a famous rouer yet was he taken and put to death by king Demetrius But
vpon verie gallant and well dressed palfries and mounted himselfe vppon a mightie great horseâ— and put himselfe in the middest betwéene them And béeing in this maner in the great and wide court whereas the Emperour and the Empresse with all those valiant kings Princes and knights did behold them and a new they began to meruaile to behold their great beauties and gallant dispositions And as it hath bene declared vnto you before in this Historie that Rosicleer was of a high stature and well proporcioned of his bodie according vnto his height for that continually vnto that time he did encrease daylie more more as well in the one as in the other and ioyntly with this his face was perfect and well proporcioned verie white and faire and of a merrie couutenaunce and there was none that did behold him but had a great delight to sée him he was at that time apparailed in a Iacket of cloth of golde garnished round about with a great number of precious stones and a hat vpon his head after the Gréeke fashion full of verie fine Rubies and Diamonds and carryed no other weapon with him but that precious sworde of the Quéene Iulia at his girdle which was suteable vnto the apparell he ware for that the scabbert was garnished with gold and precious stones he was mounted vpon a big and lustie horse all baye sauing he was full of black spots which became him verie well and being in this maner on horse 〈…〉 to be a Gyant and in beautie and fairenesse Narcissus On the other part was the Princesse Oliuiâ— with Arquirosa so faire and richlie apparailed that it was verie strange to behold and Rosicleer being in the middest betwixt them there could not a more gallanter sight be séeâ—e of thrée persons So in this order they tooke their leave of the Emperour of the Empresse and departed out of that mightie pallas being accompanied with all those mightie and valiqnt Princes and Knights till such time as they came into the fielde out of the Citie whereas at the request of Rosicler they all retourned back againe and they thrée alone wont toward the compe of the king Oliuerio being verie much looked at of at the people of the citie and with no lesse admiration they were looked at by them of the campe when they came nigh vnto them and not knowing the pretence of their comming they could doe nothing but behold them and abyde the time to vnderstand the effect of their comming When they were come vnto the camp they asked which was the tent of the king Oliuerio and being shewed by a knight that was there they neuer rested nor staied till they came vnto it at which time the king shas within accompanied with the prince of Lusitania and with the other princes of Scotland and Ireland consulting whaâ— were best to be done in their affaires but when they saw them knew Rosicleer and the Princesse Oliuia all apparailed after so gallant a sort they were wonderfully amazed and were silent to heare what should be their demand There was no mouing amongst them till such time as Rosicleer descended from his horse who straight waies alighted y â— princesse Oliuia and the quéene Arquirosa and taking them both by the hands they entred into the tent then the king and all that were with him did arise from their seates and dyd salute the one the other with such courtesie as appertained vnto so high persons and although that Don Siluerio was greatly amazed and his bloud did rise when that he saw the princesse Oliuia yet when that he saw her in the power of Rosicleer and considering the great reason she had therevnto he dyd not let to haue a great regard vnto the Quéene Arquirosa and liked very well of her and said with in himselfe that next vnto the princesse Oliuia she was the fairest gentlewoman that euer he saw in all his life and greatlie desired to know what she should be His desire was quickly accomplished for that Rosicleer putting himselfe before the king hauing the princes the Quéene by their hands said HIgh king of great Britaine I will not call you mightie for that according vnto the opinion of wise men there is none amongst mortall men can attaine to so glorious a name sauing alonely he may call himselfe mightie that is Lorde and gouernour ouer men and hath the power of all fortunes he at whose will the Heauens doth moue the windes doth blow the waters of the sea doth arise and rage and by him the earth with all beasts plants are sustained Here I doe giue you the name of high for that séeing your selfe in what estate you are in you may know how perilous and slipper it is and how readie you are and open vnto the thundering blowes of fortune Many things doth men begin and put in vre who cannot bring it to passe as they would and according vnto their mindes but in the ende it finisheth cleane contrarie vnto their expectation and this procedeth onely for that it is in theyr hands to begin them and in the power of God to giue the conclusion vnto his pleasure Our hearts he valiant and couragious for to attempt against all the whole world and doe not consider and sée that humaine force is so féeble and weake that one little and hidden euill doth ouercome it and whatsoeuer blow of fortune doth ouerthrow it This we ought to haue alwaies in our remembraunce because we should not put our selues in difficult things for that if afterwards it doth not fall out according vnto our mindes then should we not haue any occasion for to be angrie neither reason for to complaine vs of fortune for that the whole fault is in our selues and with more reason we may be angery with our selues You doe well vnderstand how that the Prince Edward your sonne with fortie thousand good knights of great Britaine came into Hungaria with what intent I doe not iudge but according as it was notorious and manifest vnto all he came for to destroy the Emperour my father for to make the king of Hungaria Lord ouer all Grecia and for that this was an attempt as vniust as difficult it was in his hands to begin the same but in the hands of him that hath power ouer all to conclude the ende according vnto his will If the Emperour my father was to be blamed herein iudge you and then sée if there be anie reason for him to make restitutioÌ„ to whome fortune would seme fauourable but now let that goe for that I doe beléeue you are certified And touching the marriage which I made with the princesse Oliuiâ— without your lisence I will giue you to vnderstand that if you doe well consider and looke into all these things passed then should you verie manifestlie and cléerelie sée that it is not for anie iniurie towards you but that the diuine prouidence hath ordained the same for to euitate and cut off the
great griefe and innumerable euils that were looked for betwéene my father and you for séeing that the harme was committed there was no other meanes for to recouer and make friendship againe but onelie by this marriage betwixt vs by the which my father doth claime of you kindred and you may receiue mée as your owne naturall sonne and séeing that this hath ben ordained by the diuine prouidence who is he that shoulde grant me this inclination to haue so great a desire as I had for to goe into great Britaine being in such delightes ioye and pleasure vnder the wings of the Empresse my mother Consider with how much honour you nâ—t knowing mee I receiued the order of knighthood at your hands and how fauourable Fortune did alwaies shew her selfe vnto mee in your Court What force could be so great that did constraine my will and the will of this precious Princesse so perfectlie to loue the one other in such sort that there is nothing in all the world that may bee compared therevnto In what heart may be comprehended so great singularitie no that although there were heere present those three worthie and famous Captaines Iosue Dauid and Iudas Machabeus and with them thâ—se thrée Pagans Hector Iulius Caesar and Alexander if it doth not come of the diuine prouidence neither without it could there be anie such force comprehended in me and in my companion for to giue the enterprise of such an attempt with so great boldnesse for to take away ouâ— of your power the Princesse Oliuia and what wée passed at the sea to deliuer and defend her Heere is the Prince of Lusitania who found himselfe present at the sport and can saie that the resistance was not made by anie humane force and strength for that being but fiue knights we alone did defend our selues so long time against so great a fléete of ships and men Likewise hée can declare of the great miserie in the aide and succour that came vnto vs in that great extremitie I will not héere inlarge nor procéede anie farther in these matters neither wold I haue said so much but onelie because you shall vnderstand that all doth procéede from aboue and that it is Gods will that this marriage betwixt me and the Princesse shall be the occasion for to euitate and take awaie all these inconueniences which are looked for and likewise to remedie and make attonement for all that is past do you not thinke that this wil bée an euil meane for things past besides as now the doing thereof cannot be restrained and many times as héeretofore hath fallen out their sonnes in lawe to be as profitable to their Fathers in lawe as are their owne naturall sonnes As to aske the question of Caesar Augustus and hée will saie that there was neuer sonne to true and trustie vnto his Father as was vnto him Marcus Agrippa his sonne in law Likewise consider of Antonius Pius who had for his sonne in lawe Marcus Aurelius who vsed so great fidelitie with him all the daies of his life which was for the space of twentie and thrée yéeres that for his great fidelitie and continuall diligence hée did not alonelie deserue to bée beloued of him and to haue his Daughter but as his owne naturall sonne hée dyd succéede him in the Empire So that by these and many other examples that might bée declared you maye plainelie sée what a swéete spice of friendshippe and perfect kindred is that which commeth by the Sunne in lawe and in especiall this that from the beginning vnto the end it appeareth to bée goueâ—ned by the diuine prouidence so that thereby there is no other thing to be looked for but vnto you great good and â—â—rie profitable for all your kingdomâ— And that whic◠〈◊〉 I will desire of you is no other thing but your plesure 〈◊〉 â—â—â—sider how that al these things are ordained by him who â—ath the rule gouernment of al and being fullie perswaded therein for to ioyne confirme your will vnto his will and to procure doe no other thing but that which is agréeable vnto his pleasure which is to confirme a peace betwixt you and my Father for that you be both Christians and it is the thing that our sauiour Iesus Christ dyd leaue most in charge vnto his Disciples And if there séemeth vnto you anie fault to bée in the Emperour my Father or that I and the Princesse Oliuia haue offended your Maiestie in anie thing apart and put awaâ—e from your heart all anger and wrath for that you doe vnderstand that the most noblest manner of reuengement is to forgiue and how that there is nothing so inconuenient and hurtfull vnto man as is wrath and anger for that it doth properlie appertaine vnto furious beastes and not vnto men but vnto such as bée most cruell and furious and to the contrarie there is nothing more conuenient vnto man than is méeknesse and mercie and much better and more honour it is to forget iniuries than to reuenge them and there is not a more nobler and generous forgetting than is in the offence which was attributed vnto the prince of Captaines for that he did praise himselfe that hée did neuer forget anie thing but offences done The pleasure in taking reuengement doth passe awaie in a moment and the ioy pleasure in shewing mercie endureth for euer There is nothing so necessarie amongest men nor ought to bée more common than to forgiue for that there is none but hath néede of mercie séeing that the Sunne must shine vpon him the earth sustaine him and all creatures must bring forth The winde must haue his course the clowdes must poure out their waters the Sâ—ars must haue their influence the heauens must moue and the waues of the sea must bée in quiet and not to ouerwhelme the earth when they are in a rage and higher than it and to conclude all things of the gouernment of this worlde doth vse Mercie and be necessariâ— for the conseruation of humane life and mercie cannot be lacking in him or at least waies may not that cannot sustaine himselfe one iote without it and that which is more there is not one but that hée sinneth so that hée cannot but hée néedes must desire mercie for his sinnes and offences What is hée that can salue and make whole the wounded consciences of humane creatures if the wrath of God doth perseuer then shall you neuer haue end of contentions and troubles armour shall neuer cease on the land neither lightnings and thunders with cruell shaking of the heauens therefore it is necessarie most worthie King that you doe forgiue and refraine the ire of your heart for otherwise with iust reason you cannot aske of God pardon when that you will not vse pardon with your daughter and sonne in lawe Beware take héede and helpe your selfe from that which is written That man doth kéepe wrath and ire a-against man and both doth séeke vnto God for