The first part of the Mirrour of princely deedes and knighthood vvherin is shevved the worthinesse of the Knight of the Sunne, and his brother Rosicleer, sonnes to the great Emperour Trebatio, with the straunge loue of the beautifull Princesse Briana, [and] the valiant actes of other noble princes and knights. Now newly translated out of Spanish into our vulgar English tongue, by M.T. Espejo de principes y cavalleros. Part 1. Book 1. English. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A08542 of text S113508 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 18860). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 805 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 185 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A08542 STC 18860 ESTC S113508 99848742 99848742 13855 2248535853

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A08542) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 13855) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 328:4) The first part of the Mirrour of princely deedes and knighthood vvherin is shevved the worthinesse of the Knight of the Sunne, and his brother Rosicleer, sonnes to the great Emperour Trebatio, with the straunge loue of the beautifull Princesse Briana, [and] the valiant actes of other noble princes and knights. Now newly translated out of Spanish into our vulgar English tongue, by M.T. Espejo de principes y cavalleros. Part 1. Book 1. English. Ortúñez de Calahorra, Diego. aut Tyler, Margaret, fl. 1580. [4], 179, [1] leaves By Thomas East, Imprinted at London : [1580?] A translation of book 1 of part 1 of "Espejo de principes y cavalleros", written by Diego Ortúñez de Calahorra. There are two further books of part 1 (STC 18862-5), and three further parts by other authors (STC 18866-71). Translator's dedication signed: Margaret Tyler. Publication date conjectured by STC. Running title reads: The first part of the mirrour of knighthood. Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. eng eebo The first part of the Mirrour of princely deedes and knighthood: vvherin is shevved the worthinesse of the Knight of the Sunne, and his brother Rosicl [no entry] 1580 370 144417 161 0 0 0 0 1 31.92 C The rate of 31.92 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 2010-09 Assigned for keying and markup 2010-10 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2010-12 Sampled and proofread 2010-12 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

THE FIRST PART of the Mirrour of Princely deedes and Knighthood :

WHERIN IS SHEWED THE WORTHINESSE OF the Knight of the Sunne , and his brother Rosicleer , sonnes to the great Emperour Trebatio , with the straunge loue of the beautifull Princesse Briana , & the valiant actes of other noble Princes and Knights .

Now newly translated out of Spanish into our vulgar English tongue , by M.T.

Imprinted at London by Thomas East .

To the right Honourable , the Lord Thomas Haward .

NOT beeing greatly forward of mine owne inclination ( right Honourable ) but forced by the importunitie of my friends to make some triall of my selfe in this exercise of translation . I haue aduentured vpon a peece of work , not indeed the most profitablest , as intreating of armes , nor yet altogether fruitlesse , if example may serue , as being historicall , but the while , either to be borne withall for the delight , or not to be refused for the strangenesse : farther I meane not to make boast of my trauaile , for the matter was offred , not made choice of , as there appeared likewise little libertie in my first yeelding . The earnestnesse of my friends perswaded me that it was conuenient to laie foorth my talent for increase , or to set my candle on a candlesticke , & the consideration of my sufficiencie droue me to thinke it better for my ease , either quite to burie my talent , thereby to auoide the breaking of thriftlesse debtes , or rather to put my candle cleane out , then that it should bewraie euery vnswept corner in my house , but the opinion of my friends iudgement preuailed aboue mine own reason . So vpon hope to please them , I first vndertooke this labour , & I haue gone through withall , the rather to acquaint my selfe with mine olde reading : whereto since the dispatch therof , I haue made , my friends priuie , & vpon good liking , with request thereto I haue passed my graunt vnto them for the publication , referring for my selfe the order for the dedication , so as I shuld thinke best , either for the defence of my worke or for some perticular merit towards mee . And heerein I tooke no long leasure to finde out a sufficient personage . For the manifold benefites receiued from your honourable parents , my good Lord and Ladie , quickly eased me of that doubt , and presented your honour vnto my view : whome by good right I ought to loue and honour in especiall , as being of them begotten , at whose hands I haue reaped especiall benefit . The which benefit if I should not so gladly professe openly , as I willingly receiued being offered , I might well be challenged of vnkindnesse , but were I as able to make good my part , as I am not ignorant what may bee required at my handes , I would hope not to be found vngratefull . In the meane time this my trauaile I commend vnto your Lordship , beseeching the same so to accept thereof , as a simple testimonie of that good will which I bare to your parents while they liued , then being their seruant , & now doe owe vnto their ofspring after their decease for their demerits . Vnder your honors protection I shall lesse feare the assault of the enuious , & of your honours good acceptation , I haue some hope in the mildnesse of your Lordshippes nature , not doubting but that as your Lordship hath giuen no small signification in this your noble youth of wisdome and courage to so many as know you , it being the onely support of your auncestors line : so the same likewise will maintaine your auncestours glorie , and the hope of your owne vertues with affabilitie & gentlenesse , which was the proper commendation of your parents . The almightie increase this hope with the other vertues before named , to the good hope of your Countries peace , your Princesse safetie , and your owne honour , with the ioy of your kindred & friends , whom not a few your parents good deseruing hath assured vnto you , and of whose earnest praiers you shall not faile , to further your well dooing . Amongst them , though last in worthinesse , yet with the formost in well wishing and desire of well deseruing , your honour shall finde me .

Your honours humblie most assured , Margaret Tyler .
M.T. To the Reader .

THou hast béere gentle Reader , the historie of Trebatio , an Emperour in Greece : The commendation of the storie . whether a true historie of him in déed , or a fained fable , I wot not , neither did I greatlye séeke after it in the translation , but by me it is done into English for thy profit & delight . The chiefe matter therein contained , is of exployts of warres , and the parties therein named , are especially renowmed for their magnanimitie & courage . The authors purpose appeareth to be this , to animate thereby , & to set on fire the lustie courages of young Gentlemen , to the aduauncement of their line , by ensuing such like steps . The first tongue wherein it was penned was the Spanish , in which nation by common report , the inheritaunce of all worldly commendation hath to this day rested . The whole discourse in respect of the ende not vnnecessarie : for the varietie & continuall shifte of fresh matter , verie delightfull : in the speaches short and swéete , wise in sentence , and warie in the prouision of contrarie accidents . For I take the grace thereof to be rather in the reporters deuice , then in the truth of this report , as I wold that I could so well impart with thée that delight , which my selfe findeth in reading the Spanish : but seldome is the tale carried cleane from anothers mouth . Such deliuerie as I haue made I hope thou wilt friendly accept , the rather for that it is a womans worke , though in a storye prophane , and a matter more manlike then becommeth my sexe . But as for the manlinesse of the matter , That a woman may write of warre . thou knowest that it is not necessarie for euery trumpetter or drumslare in the warre to be a good fighter . That a woman may write of warre . They take wages onely to incite others , though themselues haue priuie maymes . and are therby recurelesse . So gentle Reader if my trauell in Englishing this Authour , may bring thée to a liking of the vertues héerein commended , and by example thereof in thy Princes & Countries quarrell to hazard thy person , & purchase good name , as for hope of well deseruing my selfe that way , I neither bend my selfe thereto , nor yet feare the speach of people if I be found backward , I trust euery man holdes not the plough , which would the ground were tilled , and it is no sinne to talke of Robinhood , though you neuer shot in his bowe : Or be it that the attempt were bolde to intermeddle in armes , so as the auncient Amazons did , and in this storie Claridiana doth , and in other stories not a few , yet to report of armes is not so odious , but that it may be borne withall , not onely in you men which your selues are fighters , but in vs women , to whome the benefit in equall part apperteineth of your victories , either for that the matter is so commendable that it carryeth no discredit from the homelynesse of the speaker , or for that it is so generally knowen , that it fitt●th euerie man to speake thereof , or for that it iumpeth with this common feare on all parts of warre and inuasion . The inuention , disposition , trimming , and what else in this storie , is wholy another mans , my part none therein but the translation , as it were onely in giuing enterteinment to a straunger , before this time vnacquainted with our countrie guise . Marie the worst perhaps is this , that among so many straungers as dayly come ouer , some more auncient , That a woman of your yeres may write in this argument . & some but new set forth , some penning matters of great weight and sadnesse in diuinitie , or other studies , the profession wherof more néerely beséemeth my yeres , other some discoursing of matters more easie and ordinary in common talke , wherein a Gentlewoman may honestly imploy her trauaile . I haue notwithstanding made countenance onely to this gentleman , whom neither his personage might sufficiently commend it selfe vnto my sexe , nor his behauiour ( being light & soldier like ) might in good order acquaint it selfe with my yeares . So that the question now ariseth of my choice , not of my labour , wherefore I preferred this storie before matter of more importance . For answere whereto gentle reader , the truth is , that as the first motion to this kind of labour came not from my selfe , so was this peece of worke put vpon me by others , and they which first counsailed me to fall to worke , tooke vpon them also to bée my taskemasters and ouerséers , least I should be idle , and yet because the refusall was in my power , I must stand to answere for my easie yéelding , & may not be vnprouided of excuse , wherin if I should alledge for my selfe , that matters of lesse worthinesse by as aged yeares haue bene taken in hande , & that dayly new deuises are published , in songs , sonets , enterludes , and other discourses , and yet are borne out without reproch , onely to please the humour of some men : I thinke I should make no good plea therin , for besides that I should finde therby so many knowen enimies , as knowen men haue bene authors of such idle conceits , yet woulde my other aduersaries be neuer the rather quieted . For they would say , that as well the one as the other were all naught , and though peraduenture I might passe vnknowen amongest a multitude , and not be the onely gaze or odde partie in my ill doing , yet because there is lesse merit of pardon if the fault be excused as common , I will not make that my defence which cannot helpe me , and doth hinder other men . But my defence is by example of the best , amongst which , many haue dedicated their labours , some stories , some of warre , some Phisicke , some Lawe , some as concerning gouernment , some diuine matters , vnto diuerse Ladyes and Gentlewoman . And if men may and do bestow such of their trauailes vpon Gentlewomen , then may we women read such of their workes as they dedicate vnto vs , and if wée may read them , why not farther wade in them to the search of a truth . And then much more why not deale by translation in such arguments , especially this kinde of exercise , béeing a matter of more héede then of déepe inuention or exquisite learning , and they must néedes leaue this as confessed , that in their dedications , they minde not onely to borrowe names of worthie personages , but the testimonies also for their further credite , which neither the one may demaund without ambition , nor the other graunt with out ouerlightnesse : if women be excluded from the viewe of such workes , as appeare in their name , or if glorie onely be sought in our common inscriptions , it mattereth not whether the partyes be men or women , whether aliue or dead . But to returne whatsomeuer the truth is , whether that women may not at all discourse in learning , for men laie in their claime to be sole possessioners of knowledge , or whether they may in some manner , that is by limitation or appointment in some kinde of learning , my perswasion hath bene thus , that it is all one for a woman to pen a storie , as for a man to addresse his storie to a woman . But amongst all my ill willers , some I hope are not so straight that they would enforce me necessarily either not to write or to write of diuinitie . That you may not write of d●uinitie . Wheras neither durst I trust mine owne iudgment sufficiently , if matter of controuersie were handled , nor yet could I finde any booke in the tongue , which would not bréed offence to some , but I perceiue some may be rather angrie to sée their Spanish delight tourned to an English pastime : That you meant to make a common benefit of your paines . they could well allow the storie in Spanish , but they may not affoord it so cheape , or they woulde haue it proper to themselues . What natures such men bée of , I list not greatly dispute , but my meaning hath bene to make other partners of my liking , as I doubt not gentle Reader , but if it shall please thée after serious matters to sport thy selfe with this Spaniard , that thou shalt finde in him the iust reward of mallice & cowardise , The vse & profit of this Spanish translation with the good spéede of honestie and courage , béeing able to furnish thée with sufficient store of forreine example to both purposes . And as in such matters which haue bene rather deuised to beguile time , then to bréede matter of sad learning , be hath euer borne away the price , which could season such delights with some profitable reading : so shalt thou haue this stranger an honest man when néed serueth , and at other times either a good companion to driue out a wearie night , or a merrie lest at thy boord . And thus much concerning this present storie , that it is neither vnséemely for a woman to deale in , neither greatly requiring a lesse staied age then mine is . But of these two poynts gentle Reader I thought to giue thée warning , The conclusion , least perhaps vnderstanding of my name & yeares , thou mightest be carried into a wrong suspect of my boldnesse & rashnesse , from which I wold gladly frée my selfe by this plaine excuse , and if I may deserue thy good fauour by like labour , when the choyce is mine owne , I will haue a speciall regard of thy liking . So I wish thee well .

Thine to vse M.T.
The first part of the Mirrour of Knighthood .
CAP. 1.

AFter that the great Emperour Constantine , had peopled the Citie of Constantinople , with the race of the noble Citizens of Rome , and had reedified the auncient buildings , founded by Pansanias King of the Parthes . Among all the Emperours which succéeded in that Empire of Greece , none séemed to haue raised his owne name , or to haue made it so famous , as the great & mightie Emperour Trebatio . Whose worthie déeds , with the valiant acts of the Knights of his time , I will report héere , according as Artemidoro the Grecian hath left them written in the great volumes of his Cronicle .

The storie saith thus : That if at anie time Fortune , being alwaies vncertain & variable , shewed hir selfe more friendlie to the Greekes , than to all men besides , & if euer the Grecians were feared in all the world , it was in the time of Trebatio the sonne of Alicante , which man by right line descended from the noble & ancient bloud of Molosso , the second sonne of strong Pyrrhus , and in the third discent from the great Achilles , which was slaine in the warres at Troye . This Trebatio in the xxv . yeare of his age , reigned in Epyrus , where the said Pirrhus and his auncestours had bene Kings . He was strong and valiant in armes , and endowed with so manie graces , that his fame in that time was spred ouer all the world , and that there was neither King nor Emperour , but he was glad to hold him for his friend . Now it happened in his time by the death of the Emperour Theodoro , the state of the Empire to be void , for that Theodoro had no sonne , and the Empire was to bée giuen by election : so that the Electors not finding any whom with se good reason they might choose for Emperor as the great Trebatio , as well for his great valure , as for his discent from so noble a race . They with the willing & ioynt assent of all the Emperialls , named him vnto the Empire , and brought him with great honour to Constantinople .

Where , ( if before for his great fame they had praised and honored him ) now much more they held him déere , hauing in some part seene & knowen him . Because he was of conditions very noble , pleasant , louing to all , liberall , curteous . sufferable , pitifull , and aboue all very desirous to entertein in his Court , valiant and worthy Knights , whom he honored aboue all the Princes of the earth . So that his court flourished with Princes and Knights , as well subiects , as straungers , which much magnified his great estate , & himselfe held continuall excerse in armes with them , as being lyke enclined to nothing . His vertue by the report of such as knew him , was so rare , that it was generally thought none of his predecessors to haue had aduauntage ouer him , but rather he was of greater force then any one of them all . For many men were witnesses of his mightie strokes . He was called the great Trebatio , because he was 8. foote in height , & very strong timbred , so that without proofe of his manhood , they might thereby make coniecture of his force . In his life , customes and conditions he was alway so affable & curteous , that neuer might be noted in him one little fault . Wherefore his Historians saye , that he was the crowne of the Greekes , & the cléere mirrour of all the princes & knights of the world . Whence also this his Chronicle boroweth this title , especially hauing therin to remember the meruailous deeds of the Knight of the Sunne , with Rosicleer , both sons vnto Trabatio . Since whose time , all the aduentures of the ancient & famous knights wer clean forgotten , and since whose time , neither Vlisses , of whome Homer speketh , neither any other songs or sonets , ballads or enterludes , wer heard in Greece , onely with these two Knights , they were familiarly acquainted . Of these they made great volumes , and with a thousand deuises in verse they sang of their loue . They made no building nor painture , without some storie of them , & their memorie therein declared . In such sort , that you might passe by no parte of all Greece , where was not recited , sung or painted the histories & noble déeds of these Knights , as if no other thing but armes or loue were fitting for them . And because that in the time to come so noble things shuld not be put in obliuion , some of the Grecians compiled this noble Historie , to the encouraging of all Nations that shall either heare or read this Historie .

The King of Hungarie pretending a title to the Empire , setteth himselfe against the Emperor Trebatio .

Cap. 2.

IT appeareth by an ancient Greeke Cronicle , that the Emperour Helio the third predecessor in the Empire of Trebatio had two sonnes , the eldest of the which two , the father being deceased , was chosen Emperour , the other was married with a Princesse , inheretrix of the kingdome of Hungarie , wherby he became Lord & ruler of that kingdome . The first sonne which was elected for Emperour departed without issue . For which cause the Grecians chose another , which was the predecessor of Theodoro . This séeing the second sonne of Aelio , which then reigned in Hungary , and iudging that with most reason the Empire was his , as gréeued with the election , he assembled his power against the Grecians , thinking to be Lord ouer them by force . In the ende , as he was not so mightie as they , so he was vanquished and slaine before he might attaine his purpose . Yet from that time forth , all the kings which succéeded in Hungary , pretended alwaye that the right of the Empire rested in them by way of inheritaunce , and there neuer failed warres & dissentions betwéen the Hungarians and the Greekes vpon this occasion . In lyke manner , when the great Trebatio was chosen for Emperour , then reigning in Hungarie the King Tiberio , a verye strong man and of great courage , besides of more might then all his auncestours . For he had in his subiection beside the Kingdome of Hungary , many other Prouinces , as Holland , Zeland , Flaunders , Zweueland , Bauare , Austrich , Almaine , Alba , Denmarke , Marcomandia , Persia , and other Regions , with the which he déemed himselfe one of the mightiest Kings in the world . This Tiberio knowing the election of the Emperour Trebatio , and being more attached with the desire of the Empire then any of his predecessours were , ( as it was to be gotten by warre ) so he assembled by summons the greatest of estate throughout his land , and declaring vnto them his will , he commaunded to gather all the people they might , for to inuade Greece . Besides this , to the ende his power might yet be greater , hée determined to marrie his Daughter vnto such a one , as would and could maintaine his quarrell . This Mayden was called Briana , the most beautifull Princesse that was to be found in all those parts , being by the onely report of hir excellencie , sued vnto by manie worthie Princes , especially by Prince Edward , sonne of Olyuerio , King of great Britaine . This young Knight strong and valiant , & greatly enamoured on the Princesse Briana , through the great fame of hir beautie , had before dispatched his Ambassadors towards the King hir father , to request hir for wife . To the which hir Father because he hadde already vndertooke the battaile against the Emperour Trebatio , easely condescended , vpon condition that the Prince should come into Hungarie with 20000. chosen men of warre , for to aids him in the pursute of his claime against the Emperour .

This when Prince Edward vnderstood , he had so great desire to haue the Princesse Briana , that by and by he granted his request , and so as speedely as he might , he gathered the people that the King Tiberio required of him , and with the consent of his Father , he departed from great Britaine toward Hungarie , giuing intelligence before vnto the King Tiberio of his comming . The King knowing the succours which came vnto him , appointed a daye when all his Hoast should méete together , and finding himselfe of so great power , in the meane while vntil the prince came , he resolued to make a roade into Greece , sacking all the little townes he might , before that the Emperour Trebatio should perceiue it . Afterwardes if the Emperour Trebatio should come to succour his subiects , then to ioyne battayle with him , at such time as the Prince shuld approch , which thing he put in practise diligentlye . For with that power which he had , he entered into Greece , forraging the countrey , taking little townes of no great force , burning & wasting so much as he might , to the intent , that the people of other fenced Cities stroken with feare , might abandon themselues to flight , & enféeble their forces . Howbeit King Tiberio , had not passed in Greece xxx . miles , when the Emperour Trebatio hauing knowledge of it , came agaynst him with an hoast of knights so valiant , that at the first alarme , the Hungarian reculed , & by the chase of his enimies , was forced to retire home into the citie of Belgrado , which is in Hungary . Ther he fortified himselfe , & manned the towne , vnwilling as yet to goe into the field , vntill the Prince of great Britaine should arriue , by whose comming their powers being ioyned , he thought he might giue the battayle vnto the Emperour Trebatio . Albeit he caried about him a mayme incurable in his bodie , not by anie stroke lent him by his enimie , but by the onely conceipt of the Emperours vertue . For he had séene the Emperour demeane himselfe more worthely , then any of those that came with him , & namely in a kinsman of his , a very strong Knight , whom the Emperour at one blowe as it were deuided in two péeces . This , as it might be , made him kéepe his chamber , because he himselfe confessed the valor of the Emperor to be aboue the report of men , notwithstanding he had heard sufficiently of the Emperours prowesse . But because these things are not mentioned , but to giue beginning to this historie , we run them briefly ouer , not rehearsing the great déeds of armes that the Emperor and his people did in besieging the Citie , because we haue other matters more noble in hand , in comparison whereof , these things wer néedlesse . The storie héereof , begins in the chapter following .

The Emperour Trebatio by the hearesay of hir beautie , was surprised with the loue of the Princesse Briana .

ca. 3.

CErtaine daies the Emperour Trebatio lay at the siege of Belgrado , hoping that the King Tiberio would come out to giue them battaile , for that he had great desire to be aduenged of the great harmes which he hadde receyued in Greece , but the King would in no wise leaue the towne , still abiding the comming of Prince Edward & his armie out of England . The Emperor meruailing much at it , commanded a prisoner to be brought before him , whom he had taken in the former battaile , of him he demaunded the cause why the King Tiberio held himselfe so close with so many good knights mewed vp in the citie , & why he came not out to giue the battaile , with promise of life & libertie if he told troth , otherwise the certaintie of most cruell death . The prisoner thus placed before the Emperor , what with feare of death , and hope of libertie , durst not declare other then the truth , and therefore thus made aunswere vnto him .

Prisoners oration . Know you mightie Emperour , that when the King of Hungary my master , first tooke vppon him the entrie into Greece , he wold not haue done it ( although he hath so mightie an hoast as is séene ) but in hope that before he shuld be espied & met withall , there should come to his help Prince Edward sonne to the king of great Britaine , with 20000. knights . This number was promised vpon condition that the Prince should haue the Kings daughter , the Princesse Briana to wife , which Princesse I beléeue is the fairest maid in all the world , & by such fame the prince is become enamored of hir , so as we heare , that he is already departed from great Britaine with the number appointed , and shall take landing very soone in this country , the King Tiberio abideth his comming , and is determined to giue the onset , as soone as their forces shall be vnited .

This sayd the prisoner : but the Emperour minding to knowe more of the matter , demaunded of him , where the Princesse Briana remained , and of what age she might be . The prisoner aunswered him . My Lord , she is with the Quéene Augusta hir mother in the Monestarie of the Riuer , which is néere Buda , a pleasaunt and delectable house , wherin none are lodged but Nunnes , & the Quéenes Gentlewomen . The Princesse is of the age of 14. yeares , & be assured that so many as shall sée hir , will iudge hir rather a goddes then a woman , so much hir beautie doth excel all the gentlewomen of the world . Now so soone as the Prince shall land , he will straight waies take his iourny towards the Monestarie of the riuer , because it is so appoynted by the King hir father , The King himselfe will not be there , because he will not be absent in such a busie time from the Citie . When the prisoner had thus sayd , the Emperour Trebatio commaunded him to be set frée , without speaking other thing to his people , but with a sorrowfull & troubled countenaunce , he withdrew himselfe into a secret chamber of his Imperiall tent . Where tossing in his conceit diuers & sundrie fancies , he endured a wilfull imprisonment with out any baile or maynprise . Thus that force , which neither by till , turney , nor barriers , neither by speare nor sworde , neither by mallice of the enimie , nor pride of the mightie , might at anie time be subdued , was now vanquished by the onely heare-say of a Gentlewomans commendation . Nay , the valiant heart , which he held forcible inough against all the world , failed in his owne defence against a delicate damzell whom he had neuer séene . What force is it that may repulse this euill , sith that with such flattering closes it ouerthroweth so many noble hearts and strong bodies . But to returne , the Emperour Trebatio so much burned in loue with the Princes Briana , that alreadie he hath forgotten the damage receiued in his Countrey , his trauaile out of his Countrey with a huge armie , the consuming of his treasure for to wreake his anger on the King Tiberio , onely he deuised vpon this , how to giue remedie vnto to his amorous passion . For as the fire was great which enflamed him , so was the remedie by all semblaunce farre from him . Because that on the one part he was hindred by the enmitie betwéene him and hir father , so that he durst not require hir for wife , and on the other side , she was alredy promised to the Prince of great Britaine , who had put himselfe on his iourney for the attaining of hir person , so that likewise the King could not take hir from him , to giue vnto his enimie . These things bred such griefe , vnto the Emperour , as that he hoped for nothing but to die . And so turning and ouerturning in his thought a thousand sort of remedies , without finding any which might satisfie him , he conuaied himselfe into his most secret Tent , and there remained three dates , not suffering any of his people to haue accesse vnto him , or speach with him , except some squiers seruitors , from whome likewise he would willinglye haue exempted himselfe , but that he would not die so desperately . Those of the Camp , which saw the sodain change and alteration in the Emperour , as they knew not the cause of it , so wer they much abashed and careful to know what it might be . Some imagined that the delaye of the warre , and the comming of Prince Edward were the occasions of his trouble , and so hoping that he shoulde well ouercome that griefe shortly , they left him to his rest vntill he had resolued vpon the pursute of this which foloweth in the next chapter .

Prince Edward entereth into Belgrado . The Emperour bethinketh himselfe of his remedie .

Cap. 4.

FOure daies after that the Emperor Trebatio was thus wounded with the loue of the Princesse Briana , Prince Edward with xx . M. entred into the citie of Belgrado , wher he was welcomed by the King , who had great desire to sée him , for be thought not onely to depart with the Citie , but also to adde thervnto a great part of the Empire of Greece .

So soone as this newes were spred in the enimies campe , the Emperour was cast into greater melancholy ; as by the shortnesse of time not being able to find an issue for his late deuise , onely this he thought , that for to assure this vncertein hope ( if there might be any ) he had none other way then to cut off prince Edwards enterprise , & so by shortning his life , better & more easie to compasse the obteining of the Princes . Vpon this resolution he made to call into his tent . 12. knights , the most valiant & worthiest of all his hoast , among whom one was Alceo , father of Rodomarte , prince of Sardinia , of whom there is made great account in this history : the second was Alpineo L. of the Iland Lemnos : the third was called Alfonte L. of the Iland Sicile : the 4. was called Alcino king of Thrace : the fift Liberio L. of Nicroponte : the sixt Boristhines whose sonne was Rodopheo Prince of Rhodes : the. 7. was Dardante , Prince of Dalmatia : the. 8. Melides L. of Ithaca , where Vlysses reigned king : the. 9. Argante . L. of Pathmos : the .. 10. Arimont L. of the Ilands Cyclades : the .11. Artedoro prince of Candia : the. 12. & last Nicoleonte L. warden of the streights wher Corinth stood . All knights of great account , young & very strong for to vndertake any enterprise , all subiects vnto the Emperour , and all welbeloued of him , because he was priuie . vnto their great vertues . Now when the Emperour saw al those knights in presence , with some shame fastnesse which the weight of the matter caused , he reueled to them wholy his griefe , giuing them to vnderstand withall , that vnlesse he had some helpe , his lyfe were spilt . Among al the best which he had found , he reckned specially vpon one , which was that secretly they shuld auoide the campe & follow him . The knights hauing great desire to serue him , & esteeming themselues happie that he would communicate with them part of his mind , they freely offered vnto him their persons , for the accomplishing of that which he should command them , & they all agréed to depart with him in such order as he had deuised . Then the Emperour made to call before him the king of Boheme , which was his vnckle , a very wise & expert man in armes , to whom he declared , that he had vrgent occasion to be absent a while from his armie , the circumstances wherof saith he , you shall further know at our returne , in the meane time I commend vnto you the charge of my war , & for your greater credit with the people , I deliuer vnto your hands the Imperiall Scepter . The king meruailing at this that the Emperor did , without more demanding of him whether or wherabout he would go , accepted the charge & promised therein to employ his trauaile . Wel , the night approching with the houre agreed vpon . the Emperour with . 12. knights , armed at all pointes with rich & costly armour , & with Hungarian bases , secretly left the campe , without being heard or knowen of their enimies , wherein they trauailed all night vntill the day appeared , then they alighted to rest their horses , & fed vpon such victuals as they had brought with them , after taking againe their horses , they posted on their iourney till they were in the mid way betwéene Buda & Belgrado , which way prince Edward of force must haue passed when he would go to the monastery of the riuer . There in a thicke wood somewhat aside out of the way , they put themselues hauing prouision & furniture of all things necessarie , where they remained verie close , vntill that Fortune friendly to the Emperour and enimie to the prince , gaue the prince into the Emperours hands , which shall be shewed in the chap. following .

Prince Edward riding toward the monasterie of the riuer , was by the Emperor Trebatio encountred & slaine .

cap. 5.

WHen prince Edward bad once set footing in Belgrado , he had great desire to sée the princes , so that the third day after his comming , he would néeds depart towards the monasterie of the riuer . The king Tiberio vnderstanding his desire ( albeit he himselfe might nat accompanie him , yet ) he set him on his way thether ward ( onely to haue his aide & assistance in the battaile ) with . 4. aged knights in his companie , being best knowen by the queene & the princes . These should bée in the princes retinue , & other 12. knights mo which be had brought out of his country , & by these the king sent letters to the Q. & the princes Briana , the contents whereof wer , that the prince might spéedely be bethrothed vnto her , but more companie would he not send , therby to haue the match kept secret till the war which he held with the Emperour were finisht . For this matter was husht no man almost being priuie vnto it , yet the prisoner which bewraied it vnto the Emperour , had vnderstanding of it by means of the kings seruice . In this time the Quéene and her daughter hauing intelligence of the princes comming , attended his comming in the monastery with preparation for his enterteinment . Prince Edward departing from the king one night the most couertly that he might , went out of the citie with his owne . 12 knights , & . 4. of the kings : with these he tooke his way a whole night & a day with all the hast he might , to end the great desire he had to sée the beautifull princes . This way albeit short , yet it seemed long vnto him , as being ignorant of the sower sauce & wofull wedding which was in prouiding . O marriage , that slender & weake foundation of worldly things , how is it not onely regarded by men , but highly reuerenced ? How seldome was it euer steadfast , and how many thousands hath it beguiled , I meane not the base and common people , but euen kings and Emperours .

O how many impediments be therein left to hinder vs , from enioyeng it : O what a common thing is it to die , and how manie euer sawe happie end in it ? How ioyfull and pleasaunt was to Paris the desired match of Helena , and how sorrowfull and lamentable was the ende , not onely to him , but to his parents and bretheren and the greatest parte of all Asia ? For not onely in Greece , but in all the out Ilandes thereaboutes was bewept his bitter Bridall . With how great care and dilligence doe men hasten on the causes of their care , occasions of their heauinesse , meanes of their paines , and matter for theyr griefe , and doe not content themselues with the continuall affliction wherein Fortune schooleth them ? But by new meanes they inuent new mathers of daunger which crosseth them at euery step , they frame new causes , & as it wore , forge vnto themselues sharpe spurs to pricke forward this wofull life , where they thinke to finde pleasure & rest , there they finde for their losse , trauaile , & trouble for the death which they wold flie from . To escape either nipping colds , or scalding heat , this onely one remedy they haue , to climb vp into the mountaines , where yet the winde hath most force , and the sun doth soonest parch : aboue all this , hath not the vnsatiable couetousnes of man broken through the sturdy waues of the sea , & cut out new passages in the mountaines ? But why do we complaine on fortune , do we not bend her armes to fight with vs , doe we not mainteine her weapons which peraduenture lighteth on our owne neckes . As for example , if Paris had not made a way through the déep waues of the sea Aegean ( which the Gods had placed as a peaceable bound between Europe & Asia ) & if he had not sought . Greece , sith Asia was large inough to haue found a faire wife in , & ( so it may be ) much more honest then Helene was , then the Achians had not transported themselues into Asia , to destroy Troie . And turning againe to our matter , Prince Edward might haue sought him a wife in his own country or more néere home , of whose beautie his owne eies might haue ben witnesses , & not haue sought her in a straunge land by the onely brute of a cunning tale , especially vppon so hard and sore conditions as to bring his owne person and people to the warre . Whosoeuer comes to séeke pleasure and delight for his youth , let him take that he findes , and thinke it not straunge , because that vnkinde . Fortune hath vsed the like vnto at her . The Prince now being on his way , two of the kings knights were dispatched before by some secret by wayes very well knowen vnto them to aduertise the quéene & princesse of the approching of the Prince . These two held on their way , not ascried by the ambush , but so soone as the prince with his knights had entred in the thicket , they wer presently discouered by the Emperour , who was alreadie armed with his rich armour , & mounted vppon a strong & light horse . The Emperor taking a great speare in his hand verie sharpe , & well stéeled for the purpose , went alone aside out of the woode with a softe pace , to encounter with the Prince & his knightes , and being come right before them , said vnto them . Know you knights that this passage is forbidden , except you leaue your shéelds & your names in them . For that a Lady whom I honour & serue hath commaunded me to do it , whose loue I could not otherwise obteine . The Prince Edward was by nature verie stout , & by inclination giuen to somewhat lesse modestie in his talke then behoued such a Prince , howbeit for this and other faults he was a verie valiant & strong knight , such a one as neither in great Britaine , neither in the kingdome of Hungarie , was thought to haue his péere . But as he vnderstood the demaund of the knight , very wroth he answered him . By God knight , if the king Tiberio were as certeine of the victorie against the Emperour Trebatio , as I hope to chastice thy folly , then the Prince of England should not néede to come from so farre a countrie to giue him helpe . Take thou quickly that part of the fielde as shall séeme good vnto thée , and with one onely choise thou shalt sée how déere and bitter thy loue hath bene vnto thée .

As the Prince had said this , and had pronounced with his owne mouth , that cruell dome , not well foreséeing his owne fall , hee tooke a great speare from one of his knights and broched his horse with the spurres to méets the Emperour . ( This he did , not for that his knightes woulde not haue put themselues in the aduenture before him , euerie man claiming to be first , but for that no reason sufficed him . For his stoutnesse and his vnmeasurable pride , made him to forget the force of his enimie , and yet his enimye stoode before him so great and so bigge made , that hée séemed to be a Gyant ) . But this Princes aduerse fortune and vnhappie destinies woulde him to be the formost , so that the mightie Trebatio knewe it , as well by the rithes of his armour as by the talke which had passed betwéene him and his knights , and béeing verie glad to see him the first which he met , he sayd vnto himselfe , O that my Speare were now greater and stronger , & the bead forged by Vulcan , that it might not staye in the armour of this Knight , for that according as I see him great and strong , so I feare hée will escape my handes , and then my trauaile shall bée all in vaine . Thus as he sayde , they by and by did put both their Speares in their restes , and giuing either horse his bridle , they ranne together with such furie , that they made the earth to tremble , and yet the lightnesse of theyr horses was such , that it séemed the grasse yéelded not vnder theyr féete . The Prince hit the Emperour in the middest of the shéelde , and pearcing farther left the head remaining in the fine and well stéeled armour , whereby the staffe broken in many shéeuers made a great whisteling in the ayre . But the Emperours stroke was much more fell , for hée leuelled it with such force that it entered not onely into the shéeld and strong armour of the Prince , but passed through vnto his amorous heart all bedewed with bloud a whole armes length .

Then the Prince fell dead , executing the sentence which hée had giuen in these woordes , that that loue shoulde bee very déere and bitter . When his people sawe him stretched vppon the ground , there might no sorrowe bée compared vnto theirs , and as raging madde they ranne all together vpon the Emperour , thinking to put in practise theyr deadly anger vpon his carcasse . Some with Speares and other with Swoordes strake him on all partes with great rage and hast , so that if his armour had not béene verie good , in short space they had hewed it in péeces . But that most valiaunt Gréeke no lesse strong then anie of his auncetors , bearing his fine and sharpe swoord , turned himselfe among them in such manner , that he sheathed it in their bodies . The first whom he met he cleaued vnto the eyes , the seconds arme he cut off by the elbow , & being sore wounded hée ouerthrewe the thirde at another blowe , neither staied hée héere , but in his rage , he dealt blowes and wounded many , which for feare accounting him rather a Diuell of hell , then a knight , put themselues to flight . Albeit they might haue recouered some courage in that they wer many and chosen knightes , alwaies against one knight onely . But the reason was for that at this time the Emperours knightes shewed themselues out of the woode . So that indéede by the great manhoode of their Lord they found none left on liue saue two knightes of the kings which were knowen by their Hungarian bases . Those the Emperour commaunded to be kept carefully , for the thing before touched .

This béeing done , the knights and other footmen which the Emperour had brought with him to guide his carriage tooke all the dead bodies vpon their horses , without leauing any thing which was theirs , & altogether they caried them into the thicke of the woode , from whence they before came out , there . in the thickest thereof they made a great pit , into the which they threw the Prince and the knights , saue the English bases , & the kings letters which were néedfull for his purpose , they couered them with earth in such sort , that there was neuer memorie of them . At the time that the Prince was entered , the Emperour beeing of conditions pittifull , felt so great dolor in his heart , that the teares issued abundantly from his eyes , ruing the losse of so great a Prnce slaine out of his owne Countrie in the beautie of his age , which also yéelding a great sigh , which séemed to haue come from the bottome of his heart , he saide with a troubled and low voice in this wise .

O vnhappie and vnfortunate Prince , God knoweth how sorrowfull and grieuous thy death is to mée , and howe faine I would haue giuen remedie in some other manner , to that I most desired , and although thou wast mine enimie and come in fauour of the king Tiberio to take from me my land and high estate , yet would I not haue bene so cruell an enimie vnto thée , but the entire loue of the princesse Briana draue me more thereto , then mine owne enmitye . Now I wish that by some other meanes I might haue bene relieued , and not to haue bought my life by thy losse . But as loue is tyrannous , so meruaile not though he want pittie towardes thée , which coulde not otherwise purchase it to himselfe : Pardon me therefore , O mightie and worthy Prince , and iudge if thou wert aliue what thou wouldest doe , if by my death thou mightest finde remedye of thy loue . The Emperours knights which heard these words , and sawe the teares trickling downe his manly chéekes , perceiued well howe much the death of the Prince disquieted him . And they sayde amongest themselues , that by good right the Emperour deserued the prayse of the most noble and worthy Prince of the world . But hauing made an end , the Emperour caused to be brought before him the two knights belonging vnto Tiberio . These two were very fearefull of the death , séeing the things which were already done , & especially when they knew him to be the Emperor Trebatio , whom they held as their mortall enimie . Nowe when they came before him , the Emperour said to them . If you will do that which I command you , & kéepe secret that which I tell you , I will not onely pardon you the death which I haue giuen to your fellowes , but also I wil bring you with me into mine Empire , where you shall bée verye well contented . The knights better satisfied then they wer , because he promised them life , before not hoping but the death , with good will they yéelded themselues to doe all that hée would , with all , swearing into his Emperiall hands their faith & obeisance . Then said the Emperour , that which I wold haue you do is this , I haue great desire to haue the Princesse Briana for wife , & this may not be done , except I go in the name of Prince Edward , to ensure my selfe to her in the monastery of the riuer , for the which it is necessarie that you two being knowen of the queene & the Princesse , shuld go in my company , & say that I am Prince Edward . Now sirs , discouer not my secret to any person , vntill that you be licensed therevnto by me , and in so dooing , you shall doo nought either against your Lorde or Kingdome , sith in this bargaine the Princesse looseth not , and the King with all his subiects win perpetually , for that by this means , the great warres and contentions begun , shall take ende .

After that the Emperor had said these and other things , whereby the Knights vnderstoode his will , it greued them not a whit of this talke , but they wer rather ioyous , weieng the benefit which the King , the kingdome , the Princesse Briana , and all his shoulde reape thereby , and especially the Princesse , by obtaining to husband , the most noble and worthy Prince of all christendome , as well for his person , as for his estate , and so with good will they submitted themselues to doo him pleasure , and what els he commanded them . With this , the Emperour & his Knights tooke the letters which wer directed to the Quéene & the Princesse , and with more hope to atchieue their enquest , they put on the English bases , which made them séeme English men , then taking their way toward the Monestarie of the riuer . In the way , the Kings knights fold the Emperour , how two of their felowes were gone before to giue notice vnto the Princesse , of Prince Edwards comming , and that therefore it were good to goe well aduised , for they should méete them by the way . The Emperour allowed their aduice , & charged his people vntil they approched néere them , not to disclose themselues , least they retiring , their secretes might be layde open . Now fortune iumped so euen with the Emperour , as that all things succéeded on his side , vntill the accomplishment of his desire , which shall be recited in the chapter following .

The Emperour Trebatio was receiued at the Monestarie , by the Archbishop of Belgrado , and there betrothed by the name of Prince Edward .

Cap. 6.

THe Emperour with his Knights departed from the woode , where the vnfortunate Prince was slaine , and tooke their way towards the citie of Buda , vntill they came within vi . miles of the Monestarie , where they saw a farre the two other Knights , which had retourned to bring the Prince on his way . When their fellowes had espied them , they told it to the Emperor , vpon this , the Emperor commaunded his Knights to kéepe together , least they shuld be knowen , and so they kept on till they met . The other two séeing the English bases , thought him to be the Prince of England with his knights . But the Emperours knights , as soone as these were within their reach , laid hold on their bridels , and with curteous words staied them vntill the other two knights of the Kings had talked with them .

These two declared vnto the other that which had happened betwéen Prince Edward and the Emperour Trebatio , and in the ende , made plaine the meaning of the Emperour , both praieng them to kéepe it secrete , and threatning them with death , if they did otherwise . No doubt , they wondred at that which chaunced , but what the Emperour would , that they promised him , and were nothing repentaunt of their exchaunge .

The Emperour being assertained of their faith , went with them towards the Monestary of the riuer , whervnto being come , they found not in the Monestarie , but the Q. the Princesse , and other Gentlewomen being seruitors , to attend vpon them , and the Archbishop of Belgrado , which there taried for to ensure them . This Archbishop receyued the Emperour at the gate , and thinking him assuredlye to be the prince of England , conducted him with his knights , where the Quéene and the Princes were in the companie of beautifull and discréete Ladies , abiding his comming . When they had saluted each other , and that the Emperor had taken a full view of the Princesse , he was greatly abashed to see hir beautie , for he coulde not be perswaded that so great comelinesse had bene in Helene , although dearelye bought by his auncestors , he iudged it more heauenlye or angelicall , then humane or earthly , besides , she was of a goodly stature , excelling the other Gentlewomen , in height a sp●n . The Princesse when she saw the Emperor before hir , she iudged him to be goodliest knight that might be in the world , which his beautiful face & pleasant countenance shewed especially . When thus by the eyes each of them were indifferently satisfied , the Emperor would haue kissed the hande of the Quéene Augusta , but she with great good will imbraced him . By and by turning himselfe again towards the Princesse , he tooke hir by the hand , and sayde in effect thus much .

The fame of your great beautie , excellent Princesse , hath in such sort passed through the world , that the onelye report thereof , hath forced the Prince of England to leaue his natural Kingdome and soyle , to come and serue you in this Countrey , and to beholde with his owne eyes , that which his eares would scarcely beléeue . God hath made me so fortunate that I haue obtained the good wil of the king your father , & of the Quéene your mother for to haue you to wife . Only now I want the consent of your part , which the King by his letters prayeth you to giue me , and I for the desire that I haue to be yours , beséech you not denie it me , for with it I may account my self the happiest knight of all the worlde . And with these wordes , kissing the Kings letters , he deliuered it into hir handes , which the Princesse receyuing , with a graue and sober countenaunce , and after taking it to the Archbishoppe for to read , the meane time made aunswere softly on this wise .

I wold to God most worthy Prince , that I were such a one as with reason might deserue some part of the paines which you haue taken onely to sée me , or that I might in some little respect recompence the great pleasure you haue done to me , & to all this kingdome , in comming to succor vs with your great force and power , but sith desert doth want so much in me , I will accomplish that which the duetie of obedience vnto the King my father forceth me vnto , for that I must subiect my will vnto his commandement , yet I so consider of this your offer and request , as that from this time I will dare to compare with you in like happinesse .

While these words were in speaking , the Archbishop began to read the Kings letters , wherein onely was contained his consent , with the desire of dispatch , that presentlie vpon the Princes comming they should be married .

The Archbishop , with both their consents , taking their hands , married them with all the ceremonies and wordes which the Church ordeineth . After this , the Emperor imbraced the faire Princesse , and with vnspeakable gladnesse kissed hir on the white and red chéekes , and from thence , brought hir into a gorgeous chamber , where they draue forth the rest of the day , with very amorous and delectable talke , which so much the more set his loue on fire , as hée procéeded farther in his pleasaunt daliaunce . Albeit ere night , the most puisant Emperor was not altogether quieted in his thought , for feare least some one which knewe the Prince might haue bewrayed them , at length , béeing certaine that none in the Monestarie , had séene either the one or the other , but onely the Kings foure knights , & his own men , which kept the matter close inough . When the houre of supper approched , he supped with some pleasure , & so held on a great part of the night till it was time to take his rest . Then the Emperour was ledde to one side of the Monestarie , wherein there was a rich and stately lodging , where he lengthened the night with manye fancies , not hauing as yet reached into the very deapth of his enterprise , albeit stilled a lyttle , with that which alreadye had happened . The beautifull Princesse after leaue taken of the Emperour , accompanied the Quéene hir Mother .

Because , vntill that the warre was ended betwéene the King hir Father and the Emperour , she was desirous to kéepe hir selfe vnknown , and so the king hir father , and the Quéene hir mother had commaunded , least if ought should happen amisse to the Prince in those battailes the Princes should haue remained both a maiden and a widdowe : this deuise little auailed , as shall be manifested in the sequele .

The Emperour Trebatio driueth in his conceit , the order how to consummate the marriage , which in the end he bringeth to passe accordingly .

Cap. 7.

THE Emperour Trebatio remained thrée dayes in the Monestarie of the riuer , not hauing opportunitie to talke with the Princesse alone , because she was not willing to giue consent to his desire , vntil the warre with the Emperour should be finished This inconuenience trobled his thought , and increased his melancholy , as nothing more for that the terme which the King had set for his returne was alreadie expired , and béeing afrayde leaste the King would send for him , whereby his fault should be discouered , without giuing remedie to that which had bene the originall of his griefe , in such wise he was tormented that he could neither sléepe nor eate . And in his imagination he did naught els but gaze on the Princesse , expecting time when he might alaie the heate of his amorous passion .

But whether it were Fortune , or the will of God , it fel so out , that there was begotten betwéene them , the fruite of their desire . For one morning walking in his chamber , he espied out of a windowe the Princesse alone in hir night gowne , going towards a fresh and pleasant garden butting vpon his lodging , ( the gardein before he had not séene . ) Into this gardein entered none but the Princesse and hir Gentlewomen . As he saw so good and prosperous a time , the most ioyfull man that euer was , he went towards the pleaseunt gardeine , and finding no entrie , but by the chamber of the Princesse , the doore whereof was shut , he tooke two of those speares which his knights had brought , and rearing them vp against the wall with the blunt end vpwardes , ( as he was verie nimble ) he lifted himselfe vpon them lightly , and easely slidde downe betwixte them into the gardeine , without béeing séene of anie , especially not of the Princesse , who was vnwitting of such a leape .

The Princesse was nigh a Fountane well set about with Roles and Iessamines , kembing and dressing of hir yeolow haire . Now when she sawe hir selfe thus sodeinly taken by the Emperour , with a fearefull starte , shée rose from whence she was , and gently smiling as somwhat ouertaken with shamefastnesse , she beshrowed him in this sort . Assuredly my Lord , néedes must the hurt be great which you haue sustained by your leape , and great is the iniurie which the gardeine hath receiued by your enterie , because that in it none haue come , but either my selfe , or my Gentlewomen : for whose solace it was first plotted out . For this cause God hath shewed me such fauour , answered the Emperour , because I haue lodged my heart in your excellent beautie , and well may the bodie lawfullye enter , where the heart is harboured . Let not therefore my entrie , good madame , séeme straunge vnto you , sith that neither houre nor moment I maie depart from you . And if this my rudenes hath procured you any paine , by the fréedome which you haue giuen me , my heart shall make excuse vnto your beautie , vnder whose safe conduct without demaund of leaue , my bodie hath entred . The good Emperour hauing thus sayd , imbraced and kissed hir , and not leauing any leasure of reply , made hir to sit down by him neere vnto the well . This place was so hedged and compassed about with odoriferous Roses , and swéete smelling Iessamine , that they might not be perceiued by anie . And the gentle mourmure that the running water made vpon the pebble stones , agréeing with the delicate layes which diuers birdes made vpon the gréene boughes , encreased so much the longing desire of the Emperour , that casting howe to winne the fauour of his Lady , already his tounge failed to speake , and his hearing to receiue that which shée spake . She then all trembled , as knowing his purpose , and through feare greatly desired to haue shunned that place , but the Emperour caught hir betwéene his armes , and with such hast to ende his sute , lefte hir vnfurnished of hir aunswere .

At that time as the burning beames of the Sunne began with his golden rayes to looke through the thicke Iessamines , all the fortunate aspects intermedling their forces , at that time , by the grace of the Almightie , were begotten these two noble children the Knight of the Sunne , & Rosicleer , the beames of whose knightly deeds so shined through the world , as that the worthy prowes of their predecessors were thereby eclipsed .

This was the Plaudite of his passion , and the beautifull Princesse now became a wife somewhat against hir will , but when she saw no remedie to that which was past , she comforted hir selfe in that he was hir lawful husband , and therefore she pardoned him his boldnesse in trobling hir . These two louers shortened the time with good agréement , vntill the Emperour at his departure , tooke his leaue of hir to mounte vp the waye he came , and to retourne into his lodging . The Princesse remained alone in the gardeine , vntill hir Gentlewomen came for hir to dinner ,

After this , yet the Emperor soiourned there thrée daies , at the ende whereof , fearing the kings iealousie ouer his tarieng , and the euent of his sending for , he tooke his leaue of the Quéene and the Princesse , not without the curtesie of many teares on each part , and especially of the Princesse whom he lefte verie dolefull , albeit sadder would she haue ben , if she had foreséene the long time of his absence . C. iiij .

The Emperour Trebatio pursuing those which had stolne his Lady , left all his knights , & tooke another waie .

ca. 8.

THe Empereur Trebatio thus hauing departed from the monestarie of the riuer , became very sorowfull in his heart , with the leauing of the Princesse Briana , for that the fire which inflamed him after he had knowen hir , was greter , then the affection which he bare to hir before by the hearing of hir beautie , & that which caused his most gréefe , was , that he knew not how , either to returne spéedely vnto hir , or to salue that sore which he had alreadie chafed .

He thought in himselfe , that if he made peace with the King Tiberio letting him vnderstand of the matter , the king wold not accept of it , either for the great enmitie which was betwixt them , or for the bond wherein he was bound to the Prince of great Britaine . And therfore it would be a thing neither reasonable , nor agréeble with his honour , in lieu of the Princes paines which he had taken , to come from his countrie accompanied with so great a number of knights to serue him , and in regard of the death which he ther receiued in his seruice , now to become a friend to his foe , & to giue his daughter before espoused to the Prince , vnto the deadliest foe which the Prince had , debating these and other things in his minde about the time that they hadde got ouer their heads the thicke woode wherein they hadde bene before , nowe to the ende not to tyre their horses , they lyghted downe , vnbrideled their horses , and tourned them to grasse . They themselues féeding on such victuals as they had brought with them , although the meate whereon the Emperours stomacke tired , was most of all sobs & sighes , as receiuing no plesure in the absence of the princes . Now the night assailed them , and hauing not in them to make resistaunce , they yelded their forces , euerie one taking his rest where it liked them best . But the Emperor somwhat a part from the rest , casting himselfe vpon the gréene grasse , & staieng his backe against a trée , he there remained more then two houres broad awake , staring at the cléerenesse of the aire , & the brightnesse of the stars , when his thoughtes renued , and the amorous passion , if before not cleane buried , now reuiued a fresh by the solitarinesse of his conceit : at length his cares , the wearinesse of his way , & the swéet noise of the pleasant leaues , through the hissing of the wind , brought him to a gentle slumber , wherein he had scarcely bene halfe an houre , but that his fancie presented to him againe his Lady Briana . He dreamed that she was taken by force of two giants , the most fierce and strong that euer he had séene in all his lyfe , and that shée séeing him , cryed for help : Through the griefe wherof he awaked very much afrighted , and indéede this dreame prooued no game vnto him , for by & by he heard a great noise néere vnto him , and listning where it might be , he beheld a faire chariot drawen with foure horses , & in the top of it two great burning torches set in siluer candlesticks , by the light wherof he saw a Lady in the chariot clothed with rich & princely roabes , and resembling so much the Princesse Briana , that he verily beléeued it was she . The gentlewoman leaning on her elbow , and casting downe her countenaunce , passed on still sighing , as one enduring some great force & torment . The Emperour prieng about to sée who were the guides of the chariot , perceiued that she was carried awaie by two strong and huge Gyants , with great battell axes in their hands , being on foote at the fore ende of the chariot . These two had so fell and cruell lookes , that they would haue daunted the courage of any man which should haue beholde them . But the Emperour assured in his thought that this was the Princesse , with great anger start vp , and not remembring to call anie of his knights , with his swoord he paced towards the Gyaunts , where without either good euen or good morrowe , he lent the first whome he approched vnto such a stroke , that the Gyaunt woulde haue morgaged his part in the Ladie to haue made sufficient paiment of that blowe , for lifting vp his battell axe to receiue the blowe , the swoord cut it into the middest of the helme , and from thence gliding downe vpon his armour , hewed it into many péeces . Then the other giant hastning to smite the Emperour , layde at his head with maine force : but the Emperour warded it on his shéelde , in which the Gyants battell axe stacke so fast , that he might no more drawe it out , vntill the Emperour strake him on the right arme , that hée made him forgoe his holde . The two Gyauntes thus being left weaponlesse , with much lightnesse , more then was likely for theyr bignesse , leapt into the Chariot , whereby the Emperour had no time to bestowe another blowe on them . Then a dwarfe beeing in the one ende of the chariot , lasht foorth the horses , so that they ranne with such swiftnesse , as if they had fline . With this noise the knights awaked , and with their swoordes in their hands came to learne what it should bée , in the ende much abashed to sée their Lord in such a heat , as they demaunded of him what befell , hée was so troubled in his heart , the Princesse thus béeing lead away , that he made them no aunswere , but taking his horse , he commaunded them to followe him . The Emperour spurred his horse with such furie that he made him to runne as fast , as the Swallowe flieth in the aire . It could not be that the palfraies which drew the chariot were horses , because his horse was one of the best & most precious in the world , & this Lord hauing desire to ouertake the Princesse , made him gallop more then an indifferent pace , but the other were sprightes of the ayre , and infernall furies I thinke , forced by Arte Magicke both to flye and runne . Yet the Emperour followed the chase , without loosing the sight of them , although it was all in vaine . The knightes which remained in the woode , béeing loth to be farre behinde theyr Lorde , went to catche theyr horses , but were it that naturally they feared the Gyants , or that the wicked spirites had bewitched them , they all brake out of the place , and strayed héere and there , so that the knightes spent more then two houres , ere they might take them . By this the Emperour was so farre from his knightes with the hast he made , that they knew not what way to take , and indéede it was not possible for them to get within the sight of him , albeit they had helde on the beaten way , which they thought that the Emperour had taken . They rode one way , and the Emperour belyke posted another way , for they neuer met , but the Emperour pursued so long , vntill in the ende he came to the brinke of the riuer Danubia , there where it diuideth it selfe into fiue armes , at the shoare whereof there was a goodly and tall shippe , as the Emperour might well sée , béeing a bowe shot behind the giants . In this they put the chariot & withall hoised theyr sailes , and through the middle arme sayled with good spéede . Thus outraged the Emperour so , that with spurring he caused his horse to fall downe dead vnder him . Béeing thus left on foote , notwithstanding hée dispayred not , but helde on to that place from whence the Chariot was taken , where he carefully lookt about him to see if peraduenture on the one side or on the other , hée might trace out a waye to followe : so loath hée was to loose the sight of it . But as all this was deuised by enchauntment , so lykewise it happened him to sée a lyttle Shippe sayling in the riuer with greate swiftnesse : in the which there sate an olde man with a white beard , by his countenaunce séeming to bée a verie honest man . To him the Emperour called with a lowde voyce , desiring him to take towardes the shoare . The olde man which had the same thing in charge , incontinentlye stéered towardes him , and asked what hée woulde haue . That which I would haue , quoth the Emperour , is to be conuaied in thy shippe , to that other ship which rideth before vs . For they haue in it stollen from me the thing which I loue best in all the worlde . This paines if thou wilt take for mée , I will so well content thée , as thou shall thinke thy trauaile well imploied . Assuredly saide the olde man , I am content to doe it , because your courtesie induceth me to a greater hope of your merit . Sailing this , he guided his ship so néere the shore , that the Emperour leaped vp into it , and being on the hatches , tourning himselfe to the olde man to giue him thanks , the old man vanished away : and the Emperour neuer saw him after . The ship kept the same course that it began with , and the Emperour was much astonished at it , the rather for that he wist no man else aboord to rule the ship , not knowing what else to say or think of this great wonder , he then beséeched God so direct his voyage that he might yet obteine his lady : for he verily déemed her to be Briana which was in the chariot . In this order being still within sight of the former ship , & not straieng from the way which he had kept , the Emperour sailed thrée dayes & thrée nightes in the riuer without any lacke of sufficient foode . By reason of this trauaile and thought , the meate which he eate was no more then would suffice nature . In the fourth day by morning , the ship with the chariot was driuen into the great and large Sea called Pontus Euxinus , through the which he yet sailed within the viewe of the other , vntill the forward shippe arriued in a fayre and delectable Ilande , where the Chariot tooke landing . Halfe an houre after the Emperours shippe rushed on the shoare , with such force that the shippe rent in péeces , and with the violence of the rush threwe the Emperour vppon the banke flatlings on his backe , where after hée had stretched himselfe , he began againe to trauaile on foote that way which hée gessed the Chariot had gone . In this waie straunge things befell him , as shall appeare in the Chapter following .

The aduentures of the Emperour in following the inchaunted Chariot .

Cap. 9.

THE Emperour béeing as you heard cast on land , he behelde well how the Ilande was as it were walled about with a faire and fresh water , the fairest that euer hée had seene , then looking further into the land , he marked also how it was furnished with so manie trées , and of so diuerse sortes that it was verye straunge in respect of their vnmeasurable height and greatnesse , vnderneath these the grounde was beautified with swéet roses and other fragrant flowers , amongst the beds whereof there ranne by chanells , a verie cléere and christalline water , able to delight the most weried sences and trauailed minde that might bée . Besides these , to make vp a full messe of disport , there was a swéete and pleasa●●t song of Birdes , which séemed to reioyce in the bright and cléere morning , besides a thousand other pastimes which I let passe , too long to make a tale off . But yet of all these the noble Emperour tooke no care , for the thought of his Lady detained from him , but onely he beat all both knowen and vnknowen wayes , to finde out that wherein the Chariot had gone . At length he winded one , but an vnused waie , which by all likelihoode was the same which hée would haue , in that the grasse séemed new pressed downe . This tract the noble Emperour followed on foote , without that either the heauinesse of his armour , or the length of the way , made him to rest anye whit . From the morning a-full halfe day the Emperour had continued his iourney , not méeting anie person , at whome he might aske newes , of that which hée most desired . But afterwards leauing the thicke and pleasaunt woode , hee came into a faire gréene or medow full of roses , and other swéete hearbes & flowers of all coulours , without anie other shade in all the medow then those trées , which serued for an hedge vnto it . The length of this medowe seemed thrée bowe shotte vnto the middest , where was scituated a good Castle , and in good proportion . It was foure square , hauing at each corner a tower , and on euerie side one in the middest of the side , all of them so high as if they should haus edged with the clouds . This great castle was inclosed and shut in with a high & thicke wall , the siones whereof and the towres , did shine like Christall , or the well polished stéele against the Sunne beames . Round about the wall there was a déepe moat , the water being so broad , as a man might scarce cast a stoue from the one side to the other . Ouer the water ther was a bridge , verie large and well towred so strong according to the depth of the water , that it might haue withstood a thousand men Thrée towres it had in all , one in the entraunce , another in the middle , and the third at the furthest end each of them verie high and great , and wrought with the same stone , that the great castle was builded with . The two vttermost towres of the bridge , as well the entry as that towards the castle , were gated and barred with dores & locks of fine filed stēele , béeing so shéene that it serued for a looking glasse vnto the passengers . The locks were so shut , that vnlesse they were opened on the in-side , it was vnpossible to vndoe them . The good Emperour scanned vpon all this , the like whereof he had not séene in all his life , & concluding fully , that no such building might be made by mans hand , yet he meruailed that of an Iland so faire and delectable , there was no more noise bruted , especially standing as it séemed to him in a sea so saileable . He beléeued that the Princesse was within , because there appeared to him no other building in all the Iland , and therefore taking wide steps , he passed on towards the gate of stéele , where finding it closed , he tooke a great hammer hanging thereby & bounsed at the gate with such force vpon the sounding Stéele , that the furie of the rap was heard through all the Towers , and a great part of the Iland . For all this stone showed themselues to make him aunswere , although hée had stoods more then a whole houre calling and knocking , at length with some trouble he departed from thence to coast the water , if perchaunce he might light vppon anie other way into the Castle . When he had gone a turne about , at one part of the wall he happened vpon at Gentlewoman , which was in a little boate newly taking lande at a posterne doore of yron , when the Gentlewoman had taken footing on the land , she opened the gates making shew as if she would haue entered leauing the vessell in the water . The Emperour strained his voyce to call vnto her that she should stay , but the seining as though she heard him not , made to the wicket , whereas she was to fasten the doore : the Emperour cryed yet lowder , then she turned toward him , and as though she had but then espyed him , she sayd vnto him . What woulde you haue fir knight ? The Emperour prayed her to come néerer , for that he would onely demand a certeine thing of her with this shée tooke her boat again and with a little ower rowed toward the land , where the Emperour was , when she came somewhat néere the banke there staieng , she said vnto him . What is it that you woulde haue sir knight , in that you haue called me so lowde . That which I would faire Gentlewoman answered the Emperour , is , that you would ferrie me ouer in your boate vnto the Castle , for that I haue to do with one of the gyants which are within . If you haue to deale with them said the gentlewoman , they be no people on whom you may winne honour . That is true sayd the Emperour , I haue no desire to trouble them , if they will doe that which I require them . Sith it is so said the gentlewoman , I will do your commandement , because you looke like a knight worthy of this seruice . I giue you great thanks for your curtesie answered the Emporour , & with this he entred the boat , & shouing with the rudder towards the castle , he got thether . The Gentlewoman went in leading the Emperour with her , & closing the doore after her , conducting him through a little court into another priuy dore , which was not the common entry . She opened a wicket with ako● which she had at her girdle , and brought him farther into a garden , the most delight some that art might deuise . The Emperour nowe tooke himselfe to be in a terrestriall Paradise , and gasing a while theron , without remembring the occasion of his thether comming , he was so estranged from himself . Out of this garden by another doore , they came into a large court of the castle , built with bright Alabaster , the excellencie wherof in the imagery & workmanship cannot be declared . For in comparison of this inchanted castle , either the sumptuous building of Mansolus tombe , or the famous Pyramides of Aegypt , or that maze of Daedalus making , found in Crete , may wel be forgotten . And as the Emperour mused on all this , the gentlewoman knowing him to be distraught , caught him by the hand , & brought him to a paire of stayers , the steps whereof were all of Iasper , by them he mounted with her into a chamber foure square , of the largenesse of a stones cast . In this yet she opened another dore , with thrée steps of siluer plate , out of the gold-smiths shop , through which she brought the Emperor into a more stately chamber , foure square as the other was , & very rich , whereof the séeling & roofe were ingrauen gold & embossed with many precious stones , sending foorth such a light as it was meruailous . The Emperour tooke no kéepe of the riches of the place , but of the beautie of a number of faire gentlewomen whom he sawe sitting richly apparelled in euery part of the chamber , among these one séemed to be the principall , stalled in a seat higher then the other , & passing them all so well in beautie as rich apparell . She , as ladie and mistres aboue them all , held in her hand a Lute , whereon she played and sung together with such an harmonie , that it was no lesse daungerous vnto the poore Emperour , then the alluring song of the Mermaides should haue bene vnto Vlysses companie . She sang swéetly , and she with all reached her warbling notes so high & so shrill , that it much pleased the Emperour . Her faire and golden haire hung downe her backe , and couered both her shoulders . And you must pardon the Emperour if by this he was wholy possessed with her loue , and forgot his late wife the Princesse Briana . The enterteinment was great , and yet this chaunge procéeded not through she beautie of the enchauntresse , for his owne wife was much fairer , but rather by the secret vertue of the place , which was thereto deuised , according as shall be recited héereafter . By this time the Emperour had cleane lost the remembraunce of his wife , his Empire , Countrey , and what els pertained to him , onely reioycing in the loue of Lindaraza , ( for so this Ladie was called ) this he estéemed for his principall happe and good fortune . When the Emperour had stoode stone still a while , this Ladie rose from hir seate , and laieng downe hir Lute which she helde in hir hande , with hir Gentlewomen waiting on hir , and with a good grace shée made towards the Emperour to take him by the hande , saieng vnto him : You are welcome most noble and worthy Emperour Trebatio , for whose comming I haue long time wished . The Emperour glad of such a welcome , and making not straunge of his courtesie , albeit he coulde not finde whereby she shoulde knowe his name , he aunswered hir . Madame , my arriuall cannot be but good , sith by it , I may beholde the pricke and price of all the beautie in the world , conspiring as it were in your excellencie , & sith you receiue me with such fauour , I beséech you tell me who you are , least by not knowing you , I might foreslowe that dutie which I owe vnto your person . This account ( replyed the Lady ) shall be made in better time . Now knowe you , that I am all yours , and there shall not be done by me or my Gentlewomen other thing , but to doo you pleasure in my Pallaice . The Emperour was intrapped with hir pleasant speach , and knew not whether he were in heauen or in the earth , and willing to kisse hir hande , for the grace she shewed him , she thought no scorne of a kisse on hir chéeke when it was profered . Then she led him by the hand , vnto the place where hir owne throne was , there the Emperor felt in himselfe a great contentment , by the touching of hir white and delicate hands , imagining with him selfe , that he was transferred into a second heauen . Some of the Ladies helped to vnarme him , and other were not idle , either plaieng on their harpes , or singing and making such musick , as well eased the mindes of the enamoured : some brought rich robes to attire the Emperour withall , other , conserues and comfets very comfortable , with delycate wine in great plates and cups of gold to refresh him , as he had néede , by reason of the trauaile he had taken on foote , although other meate liked him better , which was the sight of the faire Lindaraza and hir company , and shée no lesse enamored with him , behelde him goodly , and with hir knife in one hand , & a napkin in the other , she hir selfe carued vnto him of those plesant conserues . I doo not think that the Emperour refrained vpon strangenesse , but she to quicken his stomacke with many a pleasant deuise and other amorous perswasions made him eate a good , and very swoote were those morsells vnto him . When this collation was ended , with some solempnitie , the faire Lindaraza led him aside into a great bay window , opening vppon the fresh and gladsome gardein through which the Emperour , with the Gentlewomen had before passed . Ther they both beguyled the time with pleasant speach and melody which the Ladies made in a fresh arbour vpon the top of two trées , the Laurell and the Cipres , the Tenor being maintained among them , onely by Nightingales . I denie not , but the sauour also of the swéete smelling flowers , refreshing their spirits , did encrease their appetites , and gaue hope of better ioye to come . When it was time to suppe , the tables being spred , they were serued of exquisite dainties . Supper being done , the two estates fell to their wonted discourses . It was now night , and yet there néeded neither torch nor candle , the brightnesse of the stones enchased in the walls , made the chambers as light as the daye , when it was time to sléepe , the faire Princesse Lindaraza brought the Emperour to hir owne lodging , richly adorned with silke and golde , wherein was a rich and statelye bed , and ther vnclothed by hir Gentlewomen both of them went to bed , and remaining thus , both of them reioyced of their loues to their contentations . As the Emperor had thus liued wantonly many dayes , depriued of his vnderstanding , sauing onely in honouring hir which was before him . In the ende , the beautifull Lindaraza was great with childe , and bare him a daughter of rare beautie called Lindaraza by hir mothers name , from whom issued a great & noble race , which because in his place it shall be largelye declared , I shall ouerpasse now , briefly touching such occurrents as I read of in the meane time .

The Emperours knights finde not their Lord , and the Hungarians misse the Prince of England .

Cap. 10.

WHen the Emperour Trebatio was in his quest of the inchaunted chariot , the storie telleth that his knights might not come néere him , some because they could not take their horses , and some because his horse ran so fast , for hée ouercame in halfe a dayes iourney , the trauayle of eyght dayes ( as I thinke ) for that he was caried both by his own desire , & the diuels driuing , otherwise it had bene impossible to haue endured so great paines . For this cause I say , although the Knightes rode so fast as they might , yet they could not come within the sight of him , nor find which way he was gone , yet with sorrow & griefe , especiallye through the feare which they conceiued by his meddeling with the Giants , they parted companies , euery man taking a seuerall way to séeke the Emperour , & they agréed at the moneths end to méete at one place . The month came , when as yet none of them heard any newes of him , although they sought him in diuers parts . They all meruailed , but not knowing what to say , in the ende , they determined at some other time to méete , & to enter into this quest againe . For this time they altogether tooke towards the campe , which they left before the citie of Belgrado , where they abode not long , but remembring themselues of their promise , they met at the place appointed , & deuided themselues accordingly . The foure Hungarian knights , fearing to be descryed by those which went to séeke Prince Edward , the couertlyest which they might , they went toward the campe of the Emperour and there remained some time , after they followed into Greece , where they tarried till the returne of the Emperour , according as shall be mentioned héereafter . Now by this time , with no lesse care and diligence , Prince Edward was sought by manie Knights in all the kingdome , for that the King had giuen him no longer time to remayne in the Monestary of the riuer then thrée daies . There was already told xx . daies when he came not . First then he sent many of his knights to knowe the cause of his tarrieng , these returned vnto the king with an aunswere that they neither found him in the Minster , nor could beare tidings of him by the waye . Then the King dispatched other messengers to enquire after him & his knights in all the land , but they brought the like answere , yet againe he sent more then 1000. well prepared for warre , with authoritie of search through all his kingdome , that they might bring newes of life or death , but all was one . Last of all , fearing least peraduenture he had bene taken prisoner by his enimies , he wrote vnto the Emperours campe to knowe the truth , to the end he might raunsome him if so it were , but not hearing anie newes , he then bewailed the losse of the prince , & became very sorrowfull , like as contrary wise the Emperials bemoned their Emperour . These things happened so in the necke one of another , that Tiberios iudgment failed to decide the truth , and he pittied him with no lesse griefe then if he had bene his owne sonne , partly for his daughters sake , who must néeds be partner of hir husbands misaduenture , & partly for the Princes parents , who could not without some sorow conceiue of his missing , albeit all this happened more by the misgiuing of his owne minde , then by anie certaintie he found . You haue heard particularly the care of the king Tiberio , now you must consider of the diligence of the king of Boheme by the semblable . Another month had end , and the knights botaries sped them homewards to the campe of the Emperour , without anye newes of their Lord , which no doubt much molested the whole hoast , but in especiall it afflicted the king of Boheme , to sée them come without him . As they made declaration of the whole months trauaile , it little pleased the king , only for the loue he bare to the Emperour , and the want of his presence in a time so daungerous , he wept as sore for him , as if he had séene his little childe giue vp the ghost .

The losse of the Emperour thus published through the armie , there was no one which sorrowed not inwardlye , for he had the loue of all his subiects . Albeit , this was bootlesse , yet his loue beguiled him , for the king yet charged more then 2000. knights with the search of the Emperor in all places , as well by sea as by land , but it naught auailed , for the Ilande of Lindaraza helde him so sure , that hée could not be found , and if he had bene found , yet he was so well garded , that the whole hoast had not ben able to haue deliuered him from the inchanted castle . While these things were in dooing , the king of Boheme himselfe set the remainder on work to assault the Citie , with full purpose not to leaue the siege , till either he knewe where the Emperour was , or had lien a halfe yeare longer , at the end whereof he wold raise the siege , & so depart into Greece againe . In this time , the Hungarians issued out of their Citie against the Grecians , & there was betwéen them many cruell & bloudie skirmishes ▪ the Greeks did nobly , as you may read in their seuerall histories . At this time , because they are not of the substance of my matter , I wil not name them , only I wil recount vnto you the perticular truth of that which followeth .

The Princesse Briana , taketh great sorrowe at the losse of Prince Edward .

Cap. 11.

GReat was the diligence , which the King of Hungarie commaunded his Knightes to make , in séeking the Prince Edward , and as great was his griefe , in not finding him , by the consideration of the towardnesse of the noble Knight , and the dole of his Parents , béeing their deere and onely sonne . But greater must néedes be and inexpressible , the mortall dalour which the Princesse Briana conceiued , when she once heard of the misse of Prince Edward . And as I read , at the thrée moneths ende , when nothing was reported , for very anguish of heart , ( besides hir often sowndings ) after , when the recouered out of that traunce , she seemed to them néerer the death , then the Prince hir husband was , as they thought : for beléeuing that he was dead , she woulde neither eate , drinke , nor sléepe , but became weake and feeble , and wasted hir dayes with sorrowe . She layd a part all hir Princely roabes and precious Iewells , and tired hir selfe in course mourning wéedes of a widdowe . She kept hir selfe in a secret chamber , onely with the comfort of hir Gentlewomen , and comming not foorth one steppe , demeaned rather the life of an Anchresse , or religious woman , then of a Princesse . The Queene mother then abiding at Buda , came oftentimes to visite hir , and in hir companye other great Ladyes , but they coulde not remooue the dulnesse of hir melancholy .

Ere the Princesse had long led this solitary life , she felt hir selfe quicke with childe , whence she tooke some ioy , but yet fearing the disclosing of it vnto hir friends , whom she wold not haue pertakers of it for all Hungarie , before the solempnization of the mariage was openly performed , and being notwithstanding desirous in time to séeke remedye therevnto , she concionated hir secrete onely with one of hir Gentlewomen , named Clandestria , whom she best loued , and with whome she was best acquainted , for the good counsayle she often gaue hir . She , which was wise and discreete , kissed hir Ladyes handes , for the honour she did vnto hir , in reuealing such a secrette , onely a lyttle withstanding hir intent of concealement at the first , and perswading that it was no reason why shée shoulde not bewray hir child-bearing vnto the king hir father , and the Quéene hir mother , for that seeing it pleased God to giue you a childe by a lawfull husbande , it were not amisse if it were knowen abroad , be it sonne or daughter . And saith she moreouer , if God giue you a man childe , Prince Edward thus perishing , as we knowe no other , this your childe is lawfull inheritour of great Britaine in the right of his Father , the King now lyuing , hauing no issue male .

Wherefore me thinkes you should doo him wrong , seeing he hath lost his father , to depriue him also his lawfull succession .

The Princesse aunswered , Perswade me not to this good Clandestria , for though the childe which shall be born of me , should be Lord of the whole world , I wold not tell this secrete to any bodie , but to thée . And if it shall please God that the Prince Edward shall sée vs once againe , it shall suffice , let him discouer it when he sées time . If it fal out otherwise , my sonne may well beare the losse of great Britaine , and it be but to accompanie me in the losse of so worthy an husband . Clandestria wold haue entred farther in this perswasion with the Princesse , but séeing it would not be , she gladly made offer of hir seruice . Then sayde the Princes , What doest thou think is best to be done in this thing . The best which I can aduise you , said the Gentlewoman , is that you madame gouern the child so that it perish not in your wombe , & when the time of your trauaile shall be at hande , that you faine vnto your Gentlewomen a solempne Fast and prayer fortie dayes , without to be séene or visited of your Gentlewomen or any person sauing me , whome you will haue to wayte on you onely for your necessarie repast . The glasse which you shall set on it , shall be this : That you will pray to GOD for Prince Edward your husbande , the shewe will bee credible inough by meanes of your life hetherto . This wold I haue you doo madame , for this cause take your lodging in one part of the house ioyning to the woode , béeing verie good & solitarie for this purpose . If you be deliuered in this time , I will conueigh it to a sister of mine lately married , and dwelling in the Citie of Buda . She bare a sonne about a month past , and will nourse your childe carefully . This counsell lyked well the Princesse , because it was consonant to hir desire . The Princesse now expecting the time of hir lieng down , told hir gentlewomen that she had vndertaken a deuotion of fast and prayer , and before she entred into this obseruaunce , she said she would a little take hir rest , eating and sleeping somewhat more then she was wont , which in deed she did , to preserue that which was in hir belly , albeit it was well coloured by hir continuall sadnesse . In this time the Quéene hir mother was brought to bed of a beautifull boye , which much gladded all the kingdome , his name was Liriamandro , a noble Prince , much aduauncing the honour of the Hungarians , as shall be shewed you in his history . But this childing of the Queene , was very commodious for the Princesse , for that when the Quéene was brought to bed , she could not visit hir daughter at the monestarie , as she was accustomed .

The Princesse Briana was deliuered of two sonnes , Clandestria christeneth them , and causeth them to be nurssed .

Cap. 12.

THe Princesse as you haue heard , liued somewhat contented after that she felt hir selfe to be with childe , but yet not so , but that hir coulour much abated , and impaired hir beautie , & so driuing on hir daies vntill the approch of hir trauaile , she now fained to begin hir voluntarie fast of fortie daies , which she before had signified vnto them , and withdrawing hir selfe into a chamber prouided for hir , she forbad the entrie to all , except onely Clandestria for hir table , this they thought the Princesse had done vpon meere deuotion .

The same night after she was now professed a holye vowesse , Clandestria tooke the ●eyes of the backe Gates , belonging to her lodging , and opening a doore into the woode , shée passed by the fieldes to Buda , standing but a mile off , and entering into her sisters house , secretly declared the cause of her comming , desiring her to be as secret , because the Princesse woulde in no wise haue it manifested , shée willingly promised silence , and withall departed with her towardes the Monestarie , ere it was long , they came before the Princes , whom they found sitting alone , not altogether voyde of breade , as béeing , vnacquainted with those pangs , and heartely wishing for their comming , as without knowledge to be her owne midwise . When shée felt the fittes of her trauaile , she was somewhat comforted with theyr comming , and Clandestria with her sister , enforced theyr dilligence to doe her seruice , giuing themselues to prayer vntill it pleased God to manifest his works in this noble Princes .

She bare two sonnes so straunge and rare for beautie , that the Gentlewomen not a little wondered , and yet they were more mooued to sée the tokens which either of them brought seuerally from their mothers wombe . For they marked well how that the first borne , had vppon his left side a little face figured , shining as bright as if it had bene a little Sunne , and how that the other had in the middest betwéene his breasts a white Rose , fashioned of so perfect making , that it séemed to be gathered from some arbour of Roses .

Before they swadled them , they layde the little boyes betwéene the Princesses armes , comforting her with that that God had giuen her , two so exellent children . The mother full of paine with the trauaile which she had susteined , as well as she could , laieng them to her brests , kissed and imbraced them with such loue and pittie , that the teares trickled downe from her faire eyes , and with a low and soft voice she sayd thus .

O my sonnes , I beséech the Lord who hath made you so excéedingly faire , to blesse you also with good happe , that you may ease your mother of that sorrowe wherein shée remaineth as now plunged , and that you prooue such , as by your valours , you may recouer that which your mother to couer her fault hath made you loose . These and other wordes spake the Princesse , weeping bitter teares , vntill the nurse tooke the children from her bed , to swaddle them in cloth bands , & to giue them her breast . Now least peraduenture they should be heard to crie , Clandestria sayde to the Princesse , that it were good her sister should retourne to her owne house , where she woulde bring vp the young Princes , as carefully as if she were dayly in her presence . The Princesse verie loth to part with her children , badde her do notwithstanding what she would with them , so that she baptised them ere they went , for feare they shoulde perish in the way . Let it be so madame said Clandestria , for you haue said verie well . The nurse then tooke water , and powring it on their heads , she christned them in the name of God , with other formall words of Baptisme , as she could best doe . Clandestria with a very good grace , gaue names to the little boyes , the first shée named Caualiero del Febo , for the figure that she sawe in his left side néere vppon the heart : the younger she called Rosicleer , for the Rose betweene his breasts . Of this the Princesse tooke some ioye , sayeng she had giuen them names as they deserued . The Nurse tooke leaue of the Princesse , and with her husband which came on the waye , and which had not stayed farre off , shée got readily into Buda before broad light , where she fostered these noble babes as carefully as her owne . Clandestria after shée had shut fast the doores went vp again to the Princesse , whome she found discomforted for her children . The Gentlewoman pained her selfe to comfort her , & soberly spake vnto her in this sort .

O madame , how vnthankfull are you to God for the great grace he hath bestowed on you , in giuing you two sonnes of so excellent beautie , and that with so little perill of your person . I beléeue and holde for certaine , that God hath not left you such sonnes , neuer to knowe theyr Father , nor made you such a Princesse , neuer more to sée your husband . The workes of God are wonderfull , and that which wee thinke is set for our griefe and disease , he tourneth to our commoditie , what know you madame , if God willing to preserue your husband , hath by some aduenture brought him where he shall escape the great daungers and perills of death in which hée was hourely like to incurre , in the battaile that the king your Father hath against Trebatio . Good madame quiet your selfe God will bring him vnto you at such time , when you shall be least mindfull of him . And if you can so ill brooke the absence of your sonnes , they are not hence but a mile , the her may you send me , when it pleaseth you to knowe of theyr welfare .

Thus Clandestria discoursed with her Lady the Princesse Briana still beating vpon this one point that she shuld rest her selfe vpon Gods prouidence , and in the and shée so asswaged her griefe , that she after well endured the fortye dayes penance . In the end , being better at ease , and feeling her selfe more pleasauntly disposed withall as fresh as if she had neuer abode any childbed tooke her lodging among her Gentlewomen , who seeing her so well and somewhat more merrie then before , were gladde of that alteration , for they loued her so heartely , that they willingly would haue giuen their liues , to haue redéemed her from that discontentment wherein she liued .

The king of Boheme raised the siege , and the king of Hungarie returned the Princes knights into England .

Cap. 13.

MAny & hot bickerings there were betwéene the Emperours people and the king of Hungarie , while the siege lasted against the citie of Belgrado : but because the historie hath more to intreat of other especiall aduentures , it remembreth not euery particular which happened in the skirmish . It saith in effect , that as those of the citie were many , so they were well prouided of all furniture , that the Greekes might not enter into the citie , albeit many of them had done meruailous déeds in armes . After one yeare was come & gone , the king of Boheme with all the principall of his hoast ; thought it best to raise the siege then lieng before the citie , & with bag & baggage to march homeward to Constantinople , to the ende to giue out a newe order for the finding of the Emperour . So within two dayes they had all charge to packe and prepare themselues for their returne : the souldiers not yet forgetting the losse of theyr Lorde , which they shewed by their chéere . The king of Boheme the Emperours vnckle well perceiuing it , and knowing howe the good Emperour was wont to encourage and comfort them , he tooke some paine in it at that time , and being well setteled in Constantinople , for the better pacifieng of all tumults , the armie as yet not dispearsed , he tooke vpon him the gouernment of the Empire in his Nephewes name , at the humble suite of all the Emperialles , after he prouided the best that he might for a new search of the Emperour , swearing many good knightes vnto this enterprise . Which lykewise the king of Hungarie did sende certaine newes into Englande , and to haue some sufficient guide to conduct the armie homewardes at the end of two yeares , all which time ●ee deteined the Souldiers , vppon hope to finde their Captaine , no newes being heard of him . The King embarked them homewardes to greate Britaine , with giftes and presents vnto the king of Englande , and sufficient rewardes plentifully bestowed vppon the mainie , ouer and aboue the due paiment of their wages . This the liberalitie of the king , profited him not a lyttle in other matters of greate importaunce , as you shall vnderstande in this historie ▪ The knights thus shipped ready to departe , were néere in number . 20000. In fewe dayes they coasted Fraunce , and entering in the narrowe Seas , with a good wind they landed in great Britaine , where soone their hanging countenances , gaue testimonie to the heauie news they brought . Which thing so sore appaled the whole Realme , that of a long time after their comming , there was not vsed any exercise in armes : and the quéene dyed also , adding to this mishape a new corsie . This Quéene left behind her a daughter of young yeares named Oliuia , so renowmed for her beautie , that she well wanne to be loued and serued of the most loyall knight of all the world . She was brought vp , as being inheritrix to the state , with great care by the king her Father .

Clandestria deuiseth with the Princesse Briana how her sonnes might be brought vp in her companie .

Cap , 14.

THE Princesse Briana liued no doubt better contented after her deliuerie of the two faire Boyes , which she thought had béene Prince Edwardes , and yet as I saye , verie religiously , as it had beene in a Cloyster , for the reason so often alleadged . Nowe yet somewhat there was which impaired this contentation , which was the absence of her children . This shée thought to repaire againe by bringing them vp in her owne lodging , and hauing broken it vnto her Gentlewoman Clandestria , whome she desired to finde the meanes for it . Clandestria after conference had with her mistresse , one day sayd vnto her , that she had well foreséene the meane . The Princesse then vrged her to vtter it , which Clandestria deliuered in this speach . Madame , that which I haue thought in this matter , is like . That one day when I shall come from the Citie of Buda , you shall demaunde of me what newes is there . I will aunswere you among other thinges , that a sister of mine hath two sonnes , borne both in one daye , so excellently faire , that all the lookers on do not a little commend so goodly creatures . They are borne moreouer with notable tokens , which they bring from theyr mothers wombe . You madame hearing this , may say that you haue great desire to sée those straunge children , and maye will mée to procure the bringing of them vnto this monasterie with their mother , and héere in your companie they maye he brought vp , for that in such children you maye take some solace , whereby to forget parte of that which sore annoieth you . In this manner neither your Gentlewomen nor anye other person shall vnderstand our secrete . Clandestrias counsayle séemed so good vnto the Princesse , that embrasing her many times , she sayd vnto her . My faithfull and loyall Clandestria , when shall the daye come wherein I shall bée restored vnto the first ioye and estate which I was wont to holde , and in which I may reward the good seruice thou hast done to me ? Goe thy way and put in effect that which thou hast deuised for mine ease . Madame sayd Clandestria , if my seruice may in anie wise ass wage your grife which I so sore pittie , I thinke it sufficiently rewarded , considering the duetie wherein I stande bounde vnto your highnesse , and assuredly no lesse is the pleasure which I receiue by the acceptation of my seruice , then that which you haue by the fruition of it . But sith my counsell liketh you so well , I will make no tarrieng : goe you madame to your Gentlewomen , and I will presently to the citie . Goe in Gods name said the Princesse , and so she toke her to her gentlewomen , Clandestria being in her way towardes the Citie . When Clandestria had perfourmed vnto her sister that which the Princesse had commaunded , not long after shée came to the monestarie , at such time as the Princesse was in the companie of her ▪ Gentlewomen . Clandestria entered into the Chamber , making her obeysaunce . The Princesse espyeng her , sayd vnto her merrely .

Welcome my Clandestria , how is it with the Quéene my mother , and the young Prince Liriamandro my brother . They are all verie well madame sayde Clandestria , and the Quéene your mother commendeth her selfe vnto you by me . Well sayd the Princesse but what newes haue they in the Citie , say they any thing of Prince Edwarde . Of the Prince surely I heard nothing , answered Clandestria , but I haue newes if it so please you to heare them , me thinks the straungest that you haue heard . Tell vs then sayd the Princesse , if it bée such as you speake off , we shall haue pleasure to heare them .

Knowe you then madame sayde Clandestria , that a Sister of mine , which is marryed and dwelleth in the Citie of Buda , hath two sonnes of the age of two yeares , both borne at one houre , in the toppe and pitch of all beautie , so that theyr matches are not to bée had . They haue besides markes on their bodyes such as those which haue séene them , cannot tell what to thinke of them . The first borne of them hath on his left side the forme of a face vorie beautifull , and so bright that I dare liken it to the Sunne , which ouershaddoweth the earth , and for this cause the little boy is called Eldonzel del Febo . The other little boy hath betwéene his breasts a Rose growing in the flesh , so fresh of hiewe , and so perfectlye couloured , that they which sée him saye , he beareth the badge of his mothers bedde , as if hée had bene borne in an arbour : for this token they name him Rosicleer , I tell you madame so excellent is their beautie that the best Painter in Hungarie , néede no other example to drawe out the Picture of beautie . The Princesse making a shew of great meruayle , and as it were mistrusting the report because of the straungenesse , aunswered : Truely Clandestria you haue brought vs matter of some meruayle , but I feare mée the néerenesse of kinne betwéene you maketh you to speake of affection more then knowledge , I would that by sight of them you would proue vnto vs that which you haue spoken , with this the Princesse Gentlewomen , hungrye after noueltyes , importuned Clandestria to deale héerein , so that they all might enioy the sight of those two so rare children . Clandestria tourning toward her Lady sayd , by my faith , if my Ladye the Princesse bée so contented , I will goe to my sister , and cause her to come hether with her little ones . The Gentlewomen then besought the Princesse that shée would commaund them to be brought thether .

The Princesse telling them that she did it more at theyr request , then of her owne good will , sayde to Clandestria , you were best doe this , which your fellowes require you , my lyking you haue , for I my selfe woulde gladlye bée a witnesse of so greate a meruaile . Clandestria tooke her leaue of them , hasting towarde the Citie where her sister dwelt , and declared her message for the bringing of the Princes . Her sisters husband was a verye good Gentleman borne , though verie poore , he & his wife made them ready to come before the Princesse , with the little Princes , which by this time were of some growth , béeing two yeares olde , hauing both goodly lookes , standing as it were vppon a iust temperature of grauitie and pleasaunce . When they were come to the Pallaice , Clandestria first entered into the lodging of the Princesse , being as yet in the companie of her Gentlewomen , there she lead in by the hand the faire and gratious Rosicleer . So soone as he was séene of the Gentlewomen , they beleeued him to be no lesse then an Angell of heauen , and that wherein Clandestria had before instructed them , she had nothing deceiued them . The Princesse not hauing seene her children since her first blessing of them , and now séeing the height of Rosicleer , with his beautie aboue her hope , she made such ioy as might haue well bene discerned by her countenance , but her gentlewomen more attentiue of the beautie wherwith God had indued the young Rosicleer , were not ware of it . Clandestria made the little boye bowe his knées to the Princesse , and whether it were nature , or the beautie of his Mother , or both , so soone as he behelde his mother , he lefte the other Gentlewomen . The mother taking the little boy in hir armes , kissed him many times , shedding vpon his faire chéekes great aboundaunce of teares , for the memorne which the sonne gaue hir of his father , and for the great ioye she had in hauing him so néere vnto hir . Not long after there entred Clandestrias sister with hir husband , leading by the hand , the fayrest among the most faire , Donzel del Febo . At the sight of him , the Gentlewomen repented them of their former iudgment , as concerning Rosicleer , that there might not be his like in all the world , in the end , the question arising of comparison , to parte the strife they agréed , that as the one mooued euery one to loue him tenderly by his gracious behauiour , so the other by his modest iestures , made them to feare him with reuerence . The difference only put in this , that the one had more Maiestie , the other more mirth and delight in his countenance . The Princesse hauing Rosicleer in hir armes , when she sawe hir other sonne before hir vpon his knées to kisse hir hand , with gladnesse she raised him from the ground , and with Rosicleer in one arme , tooke him on the other , kissing him vpon his chéekes , and in déede rather obaieng the loue she bare vnto hir sonnes , then regarding the feare she was wont to haue for béeing discouered , albeit , to say the troth , the Princesse was of the better hande , for all the good will she shewed , hir Gentlewomen imagined to procéede of their beautie . And yet to take all suspect away , she could verie wisely moderate hir passions . Clandestrias sister the supposed mother of those children , and hir husband , by name Armaran , kissed the Princesses hands , where she in token of good liking intertayned them as hir seruaunts , from thence-foorth to remain with hir , as their sister Clandestria did . On this wise the Princes were nourished in their mothers presence , without that any knew the right parentage whereof they came , and they so enticed the Gentlewomen to the lyking of them , that there passed not one houre , without playing and dallyaunce with them . This ioye on the Princesse part was vnspeakable , I dare not say , able to countermaund hir foreconceiued griefe , but the worst was , it was not durable . For fortune euer mutable , chaunged hir copie , and became so contrary , that the date of hir ease being out , there succéeded disease & mishap , so that hir death should not haue bene halfe so yerksome , as hir life was dolorous . This shall you heare of , in the next chapter .

Donzel del Eebo was lost by misaduenture .

Cap. 15.

NOw the creator of all things minded to manifest the worthy déeds of the valiant Donzel del Febo , which as yet lay hidden in the armes of the delicate Gentlewoman his foster mother , and therefore in such sort , he ordered the celestial influences and powers of the planets , that scarcely had the young Gentleman fully reached vnto thrée yeares of his age , when he was carried from the princely Graces of his vnknowen mother ( leauing hir pensiue and sad ) into a large and maine sea , whence , being tossed with waues , and almost weather beaten , at length he escaped .

Such an argument God lefte vs of his prowesse to come , sith in so tender age he enabled him to subdue the most raging element that is . And you which read this history , may be brought by good reason to giue credit to this my report , sith you your selues are witnesses of the euident presence of the Almightie in so certaine a daunger . And as the learned well know , Achilles hath his Pallas in Homere , and Aeneas his Venus in Virgil , Goddesses assistant vnto men in their daungerous conflictes , Homere & Virgil meaning no other thing , then the care of God towards his , why may not we beléeue , that if it pleased God that this infant had the secret direction of Gods mightie hand in all his enterprises . But mine Author willing to entreate somewhat of him , setteth it downe thus . That in the ende of a yeare , these two beautifull boyes b●ing brought vp in the Monestarie of the Riuer , with great pleasure of the Princesse and hir Gentlewomen , one day in the month of May , the comfort of the Sunne ther enforcing them to come abroad and séeke theyr solace vnder gréene boughes . The Princesse and hir Gentlewomen leauing their lodging went into a large and faire orchard , excéedingly well cast , in one part of the Monestarie , there they tooke vp their seates at a wells mouth , ouer-shaddowed with trees , that the heate of the Sunne could not annoye them , and sporting with the little Rosicleer , who was somwhat more giuen to play then his brother Donzel del Febo , they so much delyghted in Rosicleer , that they tooke no héede . of Donzel del Febo , sitting not farre off . The little one being very young , yet greatly discontent to sée the small account they made of him , in a fume rose from the place where he was sette , and by softe paces got from them , without being espied by the Gentlewomen , sauing of his mother so called , which loued him no lesse then hir owne selfe . She rising from the place where she was set , followed him , and looke him by the hand , laughing a good to sée the choler wherein he was , and walking among the trées so long with him , that she came to a large and déepe water , running thorough a parte of the great orcharde , where hard by were great store of trées , and whether the Princesse , because the place was very pleasant , often resorted with hir Gentlewomen to reioyce hir selfe .

When they were there , the little boye seeing the water , was desirous to playe with it . The nourse , though otherwise willing to haue contented him , yet fearing the daunger of the water , went farther to finde some sure place whereby to come vnto the water , and taking a little boate at the banke , which the gardeiner vsed , in comming into the Orcharde , put hir selfe in it , and the childe with hir . The boye leaning his breaste vppon the brimme of the Boate , troubled the water with his handes , and tooke vp some to wash his face , a while after the water béeing calme and plaine , he looked in it againe , and séeing his shaddowe there , he began to playe with it , and stroke it with his hands , now because it would not giue place , but did that which he did , waxing angrie , he prayed his mother to giue him a rod which laye vpon the land to beate the babe withall . It was a good pastime for hir , to sée the displeasure which he had conceiued against his owne shadow , and leauing him thus , shée lept vpon the lande , to reach him the sticke that he required . Being thus on lande , either with the force she put to the side of the boate , in aduauncing hir selfe out of the boat , or els because it was the will of God , that the lyttle boye should then be prest to trye the hazarde of his constellation . So it was , that the boate being vntied , it shoued from the shore , the nourse not perceiuing it before she turned againe : then was it more then two yeards from the land , and not hauing whereby to take holde , it bare so swiftlye downe the streame in a little time , and so farre off , that she lost the sight of it . When she sawe the daunger wherein the little childe was , not hauing power to succour it , shée rent hir garments , and tore hir haire , and fel to the ground making such mone , that the Princesse and hir Gentlewomen sitting about the Well , heard it , and much abashed , rose from the place to know what the noyse meant . When they sawe the pittifull dealings of the nourse vppon the ground , quickening their pace they gate néere hir , and demaunding the cause of hir great lamentation , they founde hir so sorrowfull that she coulde not speake to them , but rather the more she was comforted by them , the more she outraged in crieng , as that they iudged hir to be distraught . So long lasted these hir cryes , that the Princesse disquieted , went towards hir , leauing Rosicleer with one of hir Gentlewomen . As the Princesse came towardes hir , the nourse knewe hir , and not hauing the boldnesse to shew how it fell out , in respect of the griefe the Princesse would take for the losse of hir sonne , before the Princesse came at hir , she ranne and lept into the water , with full intent to drowne hir selfe , that which she had done , had not hir clothes borne hir vp , and the gardeiner hearing the great out cries she made , waded in the water for hir , and brought hir to land all wet and bloudie with the blowes she gaue hir selfe in the face . This caused such pitie and compassion in the Princesse and all hir Gentlewomen , that all astonished , they abode only to see the nourses demeanour . In the end , at the instance of the Princesse , she declared how Donzel del Febo was got from hir , for the which they imparted with hir griefe , and especially the Princesse benummed of all hir senses sunke to the ground with no more colour and breath , then if she had bene quite dead . The gardeiner entring into another boate there , which she had to fish withall , pushed vp the streame amaine with his oare to ouertake the boate in which Donzel del Febo was carried , but all his trauaile was lost , for either by diuine permission , or by Arte Magicke , made by a learned man , as shall be tolde you héereafter , the boate rode faster then the violence of the streame might driue it , and in short time it entered into the great sea , where it followed the mightie waues more then an 100 , miles in a short space , so that neither the gardeiner nor who els followed them might in any wise attaine vnto him or bring newes of him . When the Princesse was reuiued , and remembred the chaunce of Donzel del Febo , she powred out so many salte teares , from hir faire eyes , that lyke as out of fountaines or springs , water gusheth out abundantly , so from hir face , streamed downe floudes of water , issuing with sobbes and sighes as would haue broke hir heart in a manner , such as commonly the fall of the water maketh from the stéepe mountaines . But for that she would not be heard of hir Gentlewomen , shée tourned hir selfe and went towardes hir lodging , where remaining alone with Clandestria , she gaue a fresh onset to hir former complaynts , on this sort .

O mightie and souereigne Lord , wherefore doth thy highnesse suffer the Princesse Briana to lyue this long , séeing she doth roll on this life with such sorrow and care ? O Lord , wherefore gauest thou me a husband in this world so valiant , séeing that so soone as I had lost the name of a maiden , thou madest me an vnfortunate widdow . Wherefore gauest thou me sonnes , with so straunge tokens at their birth , if with so sodaine misfortune I shall loose the one of them , why did I reach to so great estate , in which I must liue with sorow ? And why gauest thou me beautie , not to enioy it ? Alas poore woman that I am , I sée that each thing enforceth my paine , for Fortune the mistresse of mishap , despitefully throwing downe those on whome shée frownes , hath tourned hir back on me , which desire to liue without the compasse of hir whéele . Ah silly woman , the longer I rub out this life , the more my griefe increseth . When I seeke to mollifie my griefe , then my care redoubleth , and one sorow surceasing , there succéedeth another , as one billow followeth on the others necke , in the maine sea . O thou Lord , which hast created me , take me out of this deceiptfull worlde , if by death onely the intollerable misfortunes may take ende which daily awaite me . These , and other wordes spake the Princesse Briana , much agréeuing therewith hir Gentlewoman Clandestria , who a little altering the course of hir aunswere from the platforme of the others complaint , droue with the Princesse vnto these conclusions . First , that there was hope inough to recouer hir losses , the reasons which lead hir ther vnto were these . Albeit , saith she , Gods workes be vnsearchable , yet thus bolde may we be with them , not medling with the causes to compare the euills together , and then surely the whole course of worldly things sufficiently teach vs , that GOD createth not such excellent personages but for excellent purposes , and not as in dumhe shewes vppon a stage , where the players onely present themselues and passe awaye . Againe , saith she , you are altogether vncertaine of their death , and why not in so doubtfull a case , should hope bée as ready as care , or perhappes you thinke as soone happens the worse as the better , yet the auncient prouerb is , that he which naught hopeth for , ought to despaire naught , for hope and misgiuing , are in the same subiect . Therefore saith she , you may well hope . The second was , that she shoulde comfort hir selfe in the beautifull Rosicleer , who was then in hir kéeping , for saith she , he alone sufficeth to counteruaile all the harmes which haue chaunced you . For I dare warrant , if God preserue him , that you maye name your selfe mother of the best knight in the worlde . With these and many other goodly counsailes Clandestria daily laboured the Princesse to giue ouer hir griefe : but for all this , if God with his mightie hand had not held hir vp , it had gone wrong with hir . For he prouided hir of comfort by a man very wise and wel learned in Art Magick , of whom shall be made mention in this history . By him God permitted that the prison of the Emperour with other appurtenaunces shuld be discouered , foreséeing by the sigens , planets , and other naturall operations , that which séemeth impossible vnto vs . Thus the truth is , that this wise man knowing the great sorow and care , wherein the Princesse liued , and well perceiuing that vnlesse she had more succor at his hands , then she had erst by other , because of that which befell héerafter , it shuld be impossible to maintaine hir life , determined in himselfe to comfort hir & , so one day as she sate alone very sorowfull , wéeping with great abundance of teares , néere vnto the well where hir two sonnes were begotten , he appeared to hir in the shape of a Nimph in the cléere and christalline water , with the haire loose , and shedding vpon the greatest part of the body , and with a face so beautifull , that the princesse abashed to see hir , and in some feare , for that she had not seene the like before , wold haue fled from thence . But the Nimph called vnto hir , saieng .

If thou knewest noble princesse who I am , & how wel I know thy great thoughts & passions , thou wouldst not flie from me , but rather stay and talke with me . Now because the time affoords me no leasure to tarrie with thée , and to discourse at large all the loyaltie I beare vnto thée , and the desire I haue to serue thée , in a word I pray thée take good courage vnto thee , to ouercome the great aduersities , which may come , and ere it be long are like to come vnto thee , so that thou shalt be lefte altogether comfortlesse . I giue thée yet to vnderstand , that Prince Edward is not nowe liuing , and that in the time , wherein thy dispaire shall bee highest , thou shalt obtaine thy husband againe , as safe and sound as he departed from thée , and he shall acknowledge thy children , and shall ioye in their vertues , that the ioy which thou shalt haue héereafter , shall surmount the paine wherein thou remainest at this present . Assure thy selfe therefore that as all shall come to passe which I haue foretolde thée , so were it good to kéepe it in memorie , thereby to strengthen thy courage , the better to resist the mallice of thy aduersarie Fortune , whose whéele , as it is round , & in continuall motion , so perswade thy selfe when it is at the lowest , must néedes tourne againe vpwardes , and restore thée thy damages . Farewell , and hope no more to speake with me , till all be accomplished which I haue said . In this sort preparing the Princesse to the conflict with hir aduersitie , the faire Nimph vanished away , diuing downe into the depth of the well , and the Princesse deuising vpon this saieng , was as it were besides hir selfe , not fully knowing whether she had heard those words or dreamed them . For as she vnderstoode of the one parte , that Prince Edward was dead , and of the other , that she should once againe sée hir husbande , she was so confused in hir thought , that she knewe not what to iudge , and sayd to hir selfe , that peraduenture she had mistaken the Nymph .

In the ende , resting vppon the hope which she had made promise off , she was somewhat comforted , not doubting the accomplishment . Yet she remained in the Monestarie , not willing to goe out of hir lodging , and clothed alwaies in blacke mourning apparell , and delighting in nothing so much as in little Rosicleer . Rosicleer as he increased in yeares , so he excéeded also in beautie , goodlynesse of bodie , & excellent qualities , that a man might well prognosticate thereby of his valiauncie . But because the historie shall more specially talke of him , I leaue him for this time to his nurse , there to be instructed , till he shall be called foorth to greater matters . Now it is time to goe to the succour of Donzel del Febo his brother , who is all this time vpon the riuer .

The pedegree of the valiant Prince Florion , and other matters as touching him .

Cap. 16.

BY the most auncient and true recordes of the Assirians , it appeareth , that in that time when Theodoro predecessour of the great Emperour Trebatio , ruled in the Empyre of Greece : there gouerned among the Persians the mightie Orixerges , king of Persia & Souldan of Babylon , for his greate power among the Pagans much renowned and feared . This man after he had liued in great prosperitie , dyed , leauing behinde him thrée sonnes , the eldest king of Persia , the second Souldan of Babylon , the third Lorde of the Crimson Iland which is in the red Sea , whence also it taketh the name , because all the land is dyed with the coulour . This third brother from his youth was verie studious , and giuen aboue all to Astrologie , and other vnknowen sciences . In these hée became so exquisite , that scarce in his time might anie hée compared vnto him . The greatest part of his life time , hée dwelt in that Ilande , choosing that place as most conuenient for his studie . The eldest of the thrée brethren , béeing king of Persia , dyed about 40. yeares after this distribution of their inheritance , hauing for heire a sonne of his . 40. yeares olde called Florion , a valiaunt and strong knight , bigge made , and of a goodly statute . This Florion béeing a young man but of a great courage , putting in his roome a vizeroy for his kingdome , wandered as a knight arrant through the world to séeke aduentures , where he did great and noble déedes of armes . At the ende of thrée yeares , after this his absence from his Countrie , he stroke ouer towardes the Court of the Souldan of Babylon his vnckle . Where he remained sometime verye well welcomed , and beloued of the Souldan , for hée was a good Knight . The Souldan had a little sonne and a meruailous faire daughter , whose name was called Belisea , of her Florion became enamoured , and requiring her to wife of her father , she was graunted him , and the marriage celebrated betwéene them with great solempnitie of feasts and triumphs . While hée was thus within doores sporting , there was worse newes abroad : For a mightie Pagan called Africano , the brauest and boldest knight that euer was in all the coasts of Affricke , had transported ouer into Asia , and by his great force in few dayes subdued the whole Countrie of Media , and two other kingdomes adiacent , belonging to two great Pagan Princes . These thus vanquished , after became tributaries , as subiects and vassalls . The fame wherof was bruted farre and néere , that there were fewe kings in those partes which requested not his amitie , for all accounted him the lustiest warriour in the world : and sooth it is , that in all Asia was neuer borne so proude and fierce a Pagan .

But hée was gainesayde by him , vnto whose courtefie not onely our liues and liuings , but wée our selues stande thrall and subiect , otherwise he had in fewe dayes made himselfe Lorde of the greatest part of all Asia . This Pagan was a huge and mightie man , large lymmed , of the bignesse of a Gyant , and so strong and weightie with all that the strongest horse which was , he coulde make to bow betwéene his legges , any péece of armour how fine so euer it were , he would bend and wreath in his handes , as easily as if it had béene framed of Waxe . This man well knowing his owne forces and estate , and not contented with that he had gotten , in few dayes determined to inuade the kingdome of Persia , to bring that also to his subiection . Into it he entered , and in a little time he conquered many Cities , plaining Townes and Castles , all this while the Prince Florion béeing in Babylon . The Péeres of his kingdome sent messengers vnto him , declaring the whole state of the Countrie , howe vnable it was to make resistaunce , without the leauieng of a new armie , & some forreine succours .

Then the Prince assembled the royallest army that he might in the land of the Souldan , and shipped into Persia , there to giue battayle vnto Africano , and to punish by armes his enimies intrusion . But he reckoned without his host . For he had not rode tenne miles in his owne kingdome , when the mightie Africano came and pitched néere with his whole armie , and in the first fielde discomfited Florion , the most part of his people béeing slaine . The Prince Florion hasted into Babylon , for euer dispayring to be reuested in his segniories , and Africanos power was so great , that he wel knew all the Souldans power to bée of little force to withstand him . The Souldan receiued him gladde of his escape , but yet sorrie againe for his people , and disheriting of his nephewe of so noble a Kingdome .

As they were thus sorrowfull , within a fewe dayes after came into the Court the third brother Lyrgandeo , which as the storie saith , inhabited the Crimson Ilande , at his comming they were much quieted , he bad them be at rest and not take care for the kingdome of Persia , for that there was among the Christians a childe borne in the happyest and most fortunate houre that euer Knight had béene borne in , the which by good aduenture shoulbe bée brought to those partes , and by his noble valour and vertue , shoulde delyuer the Souldan and the Princesse his Daughter from death , or from perpetuall imprisonment , & dispossessing the wicked intruder , shoulde place the Prince Florion in his lawfull enheritaunce , to his owne great glorie and the vtter confusion of his enimies . This done that Florion should enioye his kingdome in peace and tranquilitie all his lyfe , vntill then he requested them to haue patience , sith it is not yet sayth he , when these things shall happen .

Lyrgandeo was helde for a verie wise man , and they all beleeued his sayeng , for that at other times he had denined of many things which came to passe accordinglye : but yet they knew not who that knight might bée , so strong as to resist the force of Africano , for he was reputed the brauest and most valiant knight of the world , & they were verie desirous euerie daie to heare of his arriuall in theyr lande . Now not a moneth after this the wise Lyrgandeo , counsailed with the Prince Florion in secret , willing him immediatly at that houre to take . 20. knights of the best he had in the Court , and himselfe , and to embarke themselues in a warre shippe , as it were to scowre the coastes . Where sailing in the Sea Mediterraneum , Fortune shoulde bring vnto theyr power two little boyes the most beautifull and excellent that euer hée had séene , with these , sayth he , you shall retourne to Babylon , for these are the nurses of your good happe . The Prince gladde to please his vnckle , chose out his knightes , and tooke leaue of the Souldan , departing from Babylon , and passing through Asia the lesse , he came to a hauen in Phrigia , where he put himselfe and his mates in a shippe well puruaied of victualles , and lately rigged and trimmed for some such voyage . In this with a prosperous winde hée sayled till at the end of twelue dayes mounting on the tilbacke of the shippe to looke if perhaps he might beholde the thing , of which the wise man had tolde him . It was so that hée kenned a farre off a little barke in which the Gentleman of the Sunne was driuing towardes them , and the waues rocking it on euerie side . It might be that this boate defended the burthen naturally , as onely following the course of the waues : But I rather beléeue that God which had created him with so wonderfull markes , tooke this care and kéepe of him , vntyll that Florion espieng the barke comming right towardes him , and the Gentleman in it so beautifull and bright as an Angell of heauen , no tongue canne expresse the ioy that nowe hée promised himselfe touching the perfourmaunce of that hope which Lyrgandeo gaue him to repossesse his kingdome . His conceit also as concerning the beautie of Donzel del Febo was , that some one of the celestiall Gods had begotten him on some faire Ladie héere on the earth , and therefore as to a personage , which did participate with the deitie , he bowed himselfe , honouring and imbracing Donzel del Febo , and vpon his knées thanked his Gods for that grace they did him , in deliuering into his hands one with whom they themselues might ioye . The beautifull young gentleman which sawe him so before him embased , feared him not a whit , although the armour glistered , but with a ioyfull and pleasaunt countenaunce colled him and clasped his armes about his necke , as if he had knowen him a long time . I doe not thinke that the desire of safetie made him so to fawne vpon Florion , for they with whom he was earst acquainted wore no armour . But the Prince Florion tooke him vp in his armes , and kissed his white and roseall chéekes as tenderly as if he had bene his owne childe , making him to eate of the most delicate meates which he had then on boord . The little boy which was verie hungrie fed very well , and from that time forth loued the Prince Florion more then any other : as it is naturall in man to prefer those of whom they receiue benefits . When the Gentleman of the Sunne was well satisfied , the Prince Florion entered againe into his owne shippe and hoised saile toward Phrygia with a good winde .

Prince Florion in his way homewardes findeth by aduenture the young Gentleman Claueryndo , sonne to the king Oristeo of Fraunce , and bringeth him with the Gentleman of the Sunne to Babylon .

Cap. 17.

THE second day after the Prince Donzel del Febo , had bene thus taken into Florions Shippe , they tourned about towardes Phrygia whence they first departed , and escried at thrée of the clocke in the morning ryght against their shippe another the tallest and beautifullest ship that euer they had séene , which the faster it sailed , the néerer it approched to their vessell . For the Pilot directed their course straight vpon Florions ship , and in short space they ioyned togethrr . This ship grappeling with the other , by and by a Chiefetaine getting vpon the hatches commaunded all in the other shippe to yéelde as prisoners . Then the strong Florion not knowing who they were , tooke a heauy and well stéeled battell are , and getting vpon the shipboord , made him ans were on this wise . What art thou knight so arrogant , which without knowing who we bée , wouldest make vs thy prisoners . What may you be sayd the knight that you can acquite your selues from the terrible Mambriniano which commeth in this Shippe , now except you doe this that I commaund you , all the worlde is not sufficient to make you a way to escape his handes . Vntill this daye there was neuer borne a man which hath made lyke effusion of humane bloud in this Sea . Then faine woulde I sée this braue knight auns wered the Prince Florion , and scarcely had he spoke these words , when the diuellish rouer armed with a very great and heauie armour , & a battell are of fine stéele in his handes , ioyned to the Prince spéedely , and without God spéede you , layde at him such a blowe vpon the head péece , as might haue clouen his head in péeces . But the Prince was deliuer and quicke , and séeing the battell are descending , the aire beaten before it , he stept aside , and the blowe fell vpon the planks of the ship , which made a great péece therof to fall into the water , quite shutting him from hope of a seconde blowe . Then the bolde Florion closing with him , gaue him a buffet with his swoorde vppon his great and fine helmet , that he made him bowe his knées , and with the greate weight of his bodye scarcely might this rouer arise , but hée tourned himselfe with greate paine to strike the Prince . There beganne a braue and terrible battaile , either of their knightes much amased in beholding them . Now welfare thy heart thou valiant Florion , for thou much disappointedst Mambriniano of his enterprise , & made him confesse that in twentie yeares robbing on the Sea of as many so he might finde , he had neuer met knight which had put him in so greate daunger , nor fought with one of so great force . Thus they fought halfe an houre and no man might iudge who should haue the better . The great rouer strake with all his force at his enimie , ( but the finall houre of his owne lyfe now● edging néere him ) so it was that the couragious Prince anoided it , and as he was alreadie entered into the good successe of his voyage , hauing in his power the Gentleman of the Sunne , so fired all with wrath , his coulour ( as a man might say ) bewraieng his cholar , hée gaue the rouer with both his hands such a blowe vppon the head that he felled him to the ground , and before the rouer might get on his knées , he gaue him another betwéene his helmet and his necke péece , and laide him flat vpon the planks of the ship . There the wretched Mambriniano with his gluttenous desire spit out his stinking and corrupted spirit , and the noble Florion rested not héere , but with a braue & stout courage entered in the ship and laid about him on both sides . The knights of the rouer to reuenge their Lords death wounded him on all parts , but by & by there boorded them twentie knights of the Prince , all chosen men of warre , and helped their Lord in such wise , that in short time the greatest parte of theyr enimyes were slaine , and the rest séeing their fall , yeelded themselues to his mercie . The battayle thus ended , the Prince woulde sée what was in the ship , for he beléeued that there was within great riches , according as the dealings of the rouer had ben . There was much treasure found , but searching euery place of it , they founde in a cabbin a knight of an indifferent age clothed with rich garmentes , and by his graue countenaunce seeming to be of good account , and néere vnto him a young Gentleman of foure or fiue yeres olde , verie beautifull and seemely arayed in cloth of golde , and about his necke a coller of golde set with rich and precious stones . The young Gentleman was so gracious in behauiour , that if Florion had not before seene the Gentleman of the Sunne , hee had beleeued him to be the fairest and proprest Gentleman that euer hée had séene , and desiring to knowe who they were , he saluted them curteouslys , willing the knight to tell him who they were . He which had alreadie knowen Florions greate vertue in the battaile that hée had with the rouer , rose with the young Gentleman from the place where hée was set , and vsing an humble duetie to him , aunswered . Sir knight , I am a prisoner to the rouer Mambriniano , which tooke me and this young Gentleman at a place néere a hauen of the Sea , and sith God by Fortune hath béene so fauourable vnto you that in a righteous battayle you haue slaine him , wée remaine now for yours to doe with vs that which shall séeme best vnto you , and we haue good hope that with a knight of so greate valour , there cannot happen vnto vs so much euill as with him which tooke vs prisoners . The Prince accepted well that which he sayde vnto him , and prayed him to goe on in declaring who hée was , for that by lacke of knowledge hée might forslacke to doe to them the honour that they merited . Albet nowe the knight wished that hée might dissemble it for the daunger that might ensue , yet in the ende , putting his affiaunce in the Prince , he sayde vnto him . Sith it liketh you sir knight to know who we be , onely to please you I will tell it you , though I woulde gladly haue suppressed our names , till Fortune somewhat more friendly vnto vs shoulde haue bewrayed it . But knowe you that this young Gentleman is called Claueryndo , and is the sonne of the king Oristeo , King of Fraunce , onely inheritour and successour of that great kingdome , and I haue to name Armineo , béeing brother to the king Oristeo , and vnkle to this young Gentleman . The whole order of this misfortune , was in this sorte . One daye for to sporte our selues , in the company of many other knights , we rode to a faire forrest néere vnto the Sea , and the Knights which came with vs , the most of them delighting in hunting , seuered themselues for their disport , in such manner , that the young Gentleman and I , with onely ten knights , wer lest in a fresh and faire arbour about a well , neere adioyning vnto the Sea . In this time , while our knights followed their game , this great Rouer Mambriniano , whether espieng vs , or by chaunce taking land for fresh water , wee knowe not , but with more then twentie knights he beset vs , and although we defended our selues some time , in the end , this Gentleman and I were taken prisoners , and our ten knights slaine & sore wounded , before the other knights which hunted in the forrest might vnderstande of it . He caried vs to his ships , where it is more then a month that we haue bene in this manner as you haue séene vs , close pent vp in this cage . For my selfe Sir , as I neuer hope for libertie , so I respect not my imprisonment , but for this faire young Gentleman my heart is sore wounded . I had rather suffer ten deaths , then any such misfortune shoulde happen to him . Because that when such newes shall bée reported to his father , he will beare it more impatientlye than his owne , and that which worst is , to me onely will he attribute this fault , sith , hauing committed his onely sonne to my gouernance , I haue giuen so ill account of him . Vnto these words , the knight lent manie a teare sliding downe his face , which well shewed the griefe he bore in hart . The prince Florion in great compassion comforted him , promising libertie of returne into his country when but by and by remembring the wordes , which the wise man his vnckle had sayd , he called it backe againe , and in steede of his first promise , he tourned his tale to the narration of his owne mishaps , being on this wise . I thancke you heartely for your courtesie , in recounting to mée the whole discourse of your imprisonment , and of this young Gentlemans captiuitie , and I call the high Gods to witnesse , what paine your misfortune hath caused in me , and how ready my power shall be to remedie it when I maye . For I meane to●giue you libertie of returne , and with my men to conduct you homewards into Fraunce , thus much occosioned in me , by the deserts of your estate . But fortune hath bene so contrary to me , that except your retourne bée delayed , I my selfe shall want my necessary help , the whole state of the matter lyeng thus , if it so please you to heare , I am by name Florion , king of Persia , my father deceasing , which was king thereof , and so by iust title , as to his onely sonne and heire , the crowne of the kingdome descended to me . This charge I sustained in mine owne person a good while , but being young and lustie , and in good age to follow armes , I was desirous to wander in the world . So leauing a gouernour in my kingdome , I trauailed through diuers countries , vntill the ende of thrée yeares , at which I tooke ouer into Babylon , where I was matched with the daughter of the Souldan being mine vnckle . Thether came Ambassadors from my subiects , certifieng me , that the king of Media , the stoutest Pagan in all the heathen countrey , with maine force had intruded vpon my kingdome . I , for to remedy it , gathered a great hoast in the Souldans land , and transporting into Persia , at the first battell that I ▪ had with the king of Media , the greater part of my people béeing slaine , my selfe was ouerthrowen , & with great griefe , by secret by-wayes recouered Babylon , where I could willingly haue dyed for paine and anguish● . But one , min● vnckle , a verie wise and learned man in Art Magicke , recomforted me , saieng : that the time shuld come , in which I should be restored to my kingdome with great honour , & that for this it behooued me to awaite on the sea , til I met with two little boyes of excellent beautie , with whome I should returne to Babylon , for that they should be the principal cause of my redresse : & so giuing credit to his word , I thus put my selfe in aray for this aduenture , wher thanks be to the Gods , all hath succéeded as the wise man fore-spoke it , for within this thrée dayes I lighted vpon one being alone in a little boate , hauing in him according to my fancie , the very pride of all beautie : & the other must néeds bée this young Gentleman Clauerindo , the fairest beside him , that euer I knew , so as I haue good hope héerby to reenter into my kingdome . For this cause I haue in charge to bring these two to Babilon , & now sir knight I beseech you to take it in good part , for he shall be as wel entertained in the court of the Souldan , as in the court of the king his father , & when my good fortune will that my seat shal be established , he & you shall returne into Fraunce with my ships & my people , & my self also , if it be so conuenient . When the prince had there staied , Armineo was well contented with his talke , taking him for a knight of great prowesse , & although the long stay that the prince Clauerindo shuld make in this country grieued him , yet with hope to return in the end , séeing it was not in his power to do otherwise , he subiected his will to the princes commaund , & with courteous words rendred him thanks for the storie of his aduentures , & for the offer he had made them , the pith of his aunswere being in few words this . Be it as you haue sayd sir , for I denie not but the Gentleman Clauerindo shall gain verie much by his bringing vp in yours and your vnckles so noble a court . With these profers too & fro , Florion tooke Clauerindo in his armes , & entred in his own ship , Armineo following him . When Armineo had behelde within Florions shippe , the young Donzel del Febo , you must not meruaile though he blessed himselfe , for there was none which had had but a blush of him , within his tender yeares , but tooke him rather to be a celestiall Seraphin , shen an humane creature , and beléeued that this might not bée done without some great misterie , as if the young Gentleman shewing in his infancie the comelinesse of stature , & other excellent qualities wherwith he was endued , besides the straunge finding him alone in the rage of the tempest , did well foreshew his nobilitie in time to come . But when they sawe him naked , and the portraiture of the Sunne , with the brightnesse that it gaue to the beholders , it was so straunge , that they called to minde Phaetons fall out of heauen , comparing this young Gentleman with Phaeton , as if he had bene Phoebus sonne , like as Phaeton was , although somewhat diuers againe in this , for that Phaeton taking his fathers chariot , for his presumption was drenched in the Sea , this young Gentleman was preserued in the Sea , as betokening some greater secrecie in Nature . Armineo was best apayed to haue the companie of so excellent a Gentle man for the Prince Claueryndo . Now by the way , this may you learne , that although they could not tell Donzels name , yet by the tokens he had vppon him , they named him the Gentleman of the Sunne , somewhat in other tearmes in the Persian tongue , but in signification all one , with the name that his mothers Gentlewoman gaue him in Hungarie , being worth the marking that both Persians and Hungarians should so iumpe in naming him . But to make hast homewards , they tooke the waye to Phrigia , and with a good winde ere fitéene dayes they landed there , and comming a shore , they sent harbengers afore hande , as well to aduertise the Souldan and Lyrgandeo of the Princes comming , as to puruaye by the waye , of lodging for the estates . The two young Gentlemen being not a litle welcome vnto Florions two vnckles , as you maye read in the next chapter .

Prince Florion with the two young Gentlemen entered into Babylon , and were there honourably receiued by the Souldan .

Cap. 18.

THe Prince Florion néeded not to haue giuen intellygence to the Souldan of his comming , for the wise Lyrgandeo opened all which had chaunced , as well as if he had bene a partie in the dooing of it . So when the prince was in lesse then an halfe dayes iourney from the Citie , the Souldan and his wise brother Lyrgandeo , issued out with a great traine to receiue him , and comming néere , the wise Lyrgandeo espieng Florion with the Gentleman of the Sunne on his horse before him , in great ioye rode a pace , & taking him in his armes , spake these words . O ye soueraigne Gods , immortall thankes be giuen vnto you for the high fauour you haue shewed vnto vs , in bringing into our power this rare Gentleman , with whom you haue imparted of your most secret graces . O that mine armes coulde once merite such an heauenly burthen . O how well maye Babylon reioyce , sith he is thether brought , whose glorye shall no lesse glister through the earth , then the bright Sun shineth in the world . Who deserueth to haue his biding among the Demigods for his valour and mightinesse . O how he shall race out the memorie of Ninus and Xerxes , & all the pride of the Assyrian Monarches . From hencefoorth Assiria , for béeing onely the cradell of this Gentlemans nourserie , shall be famous throughout the whole world : from hence-foorth men shall haue so much to doo , to put in writing the worthinesse of this Gentleman , that all the monuments of our auncestors shall quite dye ; and this man onely shall be our table-talke . The wise man thus as it were rauisht , and vttering his conceiptes in great gladnesse by inter-breathings , the beautie of the childe sometimes amazing him , and his diuinitie astonishing the hearers , he kissed the young Gentleman & held him in his handes till the Souldan drew néere , as the Souldan approched , he deliuered Donzel del Febo vnto him , and tourned himselfe towards Clauerindo embracing him goodly , but in more modestie of speach or lesse delight he said vnto him : You are welcome noble and ▪ souereigne Prince , I knowing how well knowen your name should be in the world , had great desire to sée you , albeit , it shal be some griefe vnto your parents not to enioy your presence , the time shall come when you shall giue them greater comfort and pleasure . In the meane time , you shall not loose anie thing in being brought vp in the companye of this Gentleman , whom you shall loue so excéedingly , that his loue shall often extinguish the remembraunce of your parents . Armineo which was not farre off , gaue him great thanks in the behalfe of the Prince . Then they two rode together deuising of many things , and many curteous words of good enterteinment passing betwéene them , vntill the Souldan fell in talke with the young Clauerindo & Armineo , to whome he shewed a friendly countenaunce in token of great good loue . These things thus done , they all held on their waye to the Citie , and passing through towardes the Pallaice , there they were receiued by Balisea Princesse and wife to Florion , making semblaunce of great liking to Donzel del Febo , whose excellent beautie and comelinsse she well noted , and already concluded in hir thought for a companion to hir sonne , now of thrée yeares olde , verie large and beautiful called Brandizel . Which in déed after proued a knight so good , as few better , béeing strong made , somwhat higher than his father , and of more puissance . These thrée Gentlemen by the Princesse Baliseas deuise were brought vp altogether in like sutes , and like exercises , and so from theyr youth , their friendship encreased with their yeares , that in the ende , as they themselues were at their full growth , so their friendship waxed so firme , that neither the diuersitie of their professions , nor the distaunce of their countries , might in any wise infringe it .

These young Gentlemen thus brought vp in Babylon , Armineo which in all things was verie wise & well learned , taught Clauerindo the liberall arts , and instructed him in the true and perfect law of God , in such maner , that although his education was among the Pagans , yet the prince was alwaies a good Christian . The wise Lyrgandeo like wise carefull of the Gentleman of the Sunne , & of Brandizel read vnto them diligently what was conuenient , saue that as he was a Pagan , so he acquainted them only with Pagansie in their religion : which error notwithstanding afterward they both renounced . This was the training vp of the young Princes in the court of the Souldan , as heedfully looked vnto , as if it had bene in their parents Courts . But as their yeares multiplied , so they excéeded , all others inferiour in iudgment , wit , discretion , goodlines of stature , actiuitie , and all that which was requisite to such princes , but especially and aboue all his equalls , Donzel del Febo surpassed . For attaining to the age of ten yeares , he séemed to be more then fiftéene , both for wit and strength , courage and pollicie , and by the bignesse of his body ( being withall well featured ) men gathered vndoubtedly of his might .

They made their argument thus . If he be so strongly set in his youth at ten yeares , what will he be at twentie . And truely although , his father the Emperour Trebatio was big of bodye , as the historie hath alreadie specified , being eight foote in height , yet Donzel del Febo ouereached him somewhat , and with all this maintained the prerogatiue of his proportion . So that I thinke our painters as well Grecians as Assyrians , had neuer the perfect knowledge to drawe and finish the true proportion of man , before they had the view of this knight . His picture was sent into sundry parts , as the noblest Painture that ere was wrought . Besides this , ther appeared in his face a maiestie so graue and Prince like , that it stroke a feare of him into mightie Princes . For all this , he was yet of behauiour affable , and some-what familiar , that hée which knewe him well , albeit his mortall enimie could not but highlye commend of it . What shall I say ? As the Adamant stone draweth to it , the harde and sharpe yron by his hidden vertue , so likewise this knight procured the loue as well of foes as of friendes , and of as manie as knewe him , and were conuersaunt with him . And so this young Gentlemen Claueryndo and Brandizel , and other young Gentlemen , which were his play-fellowes were so glad of him , that they could at no time be without him . Now , because we haue more perticularly to descend into this story héerafter , and to describe the manifold graces of this knight , for these matters we will let them passe at this time , and remember you of his age of twelue yeares , at which time , there happened that which shall appeare in the chapter folowing .

The deliuerie of the Souldan , by the Gentleman of the Sunne .

Cap. 19.

MAny times the Souldan and the Prince Florion , with some other Knights for their recreations , rode on hunting into a thicke wood standing in a faire forrest seated somewhat naere the Sea , and plentiful of all kinde of game , especially of wilde Boares and such lyke beastes . Nowe , when the young Gentlemen could sit their horses , and were able to endure some trauaile , they tooke them with them , and furnishing them with boare speares in their hands , they appointed them to the chase . Some game there was killed before them , wherein they tooke great plesure : but especially the Gentleman of the Sun , which by himselfe wearied a wilde Beare & two Bores so fierce , as might haue frayed a right good Knight . His practise was a●wayes to hunt alone , to haue no mans helpe to the encounter with anie wilde beast . And it was so , that one day the Souldan would go to the same forrest to delight himselfe there for certaine daies , taking with him the Princesse Balisea his daughter , and the traine of many Ladyes and Gentlewomen , and the most principall Lordes of his Court , because the place was gallaunt and delectable , and replenished with varietie of game , béeing as I sayde , hard vpon the cliffes of the Sea . For this cause there were reared vp many pauilions there , and there was puruayed of other prouision necessarie for the householde . Hée made his owne tent to be pitched in a flourishing meddow next to a goodly fountaine . There rested he one day solacing himselfe among his knightes , for the first daye they went not out to séeke their game . The next daye early in the morning , the Prince Florion , the young Gentlemen , and the most part of all the knightes tooke theyr way through the forrest , climbing vp a steepe hill , and parted themselues into diuerse companyes , some to raise the game , and others to be at the receipt . The Souldan and the Princesse with her Ladyes , and onely 15. knights remaining in their tents as vnmindefull of any danger if anie should happen . The Sun being almost at the highest , and his beames more direct , the Souldan with the Princesse his daughter and her Gentlewomen left their tent & came to the fountaine , the water being cléere , and the place wel shadowed with trées , there in the quiet shade to abide the comming of the Prince Florion and the young Gentlemen to dinner . In the meane time the Gentlemen sewers prepared the cupboord and the cookes made ready for dinner . The tables being spread vppon the gréene grasse , & euery man attentiue to his function , the officers to their charge , the knights to their game , & the Souldan with the Princesse & Ladies to refresh themselues in the coole aire : there came in place a mightie & wofull gyant , with more then twentie knights after him . The Ladyes scréeched out , but there was no remedie . For the Gyant with his knights tooke the Souldan , the Princesse , and most of the Gentlewomen , and conuaied them into a chariot drawne by strong horses which they brought with them for the same purpose , with the outcryes of the Ladyes the knights which were in the tent iss●●d , and séeing their Lord with the Princesse with her Ladyes so carried away perforce ( albeit this they did more for shame then through hardinesse , yet ) they made towards the Gyaunt . with their swoords ; and began to compasse him about , but they so ill yerformed theyr duetie , that in short time themselues were either wounded , slaine , taken , or put to flight , and theyr Lord for lacke of rescewes was bound and fettered . The Gyaunt hauing his praye , withall the hast he might tooke toward the Sea , where he had a good shippe in readynesse . The lamentable noyse which the Ladyes made was such , that it beat through the aire into the skies , and yet could not penitrate so farre as to Prince Florion or his knights , either that they were so eager in the pursute of their wilde Boares , that they marked it not , or that the crye of the hunters was so lowde that it drowned the other . But the young Gentleman of the Sunne , loosing his companie , and well mounted vppon a light horse with a Boare speare in his hand , béeing also clothed in a hunters wéed of gréene cloth of gold , & a hat to kéep downe his yelow haires , rode roming about the woode to séeke some beast , vpon whom he might try the stéele of his bore speare , and taking this way and that way , without staieng in anye place , he met with a knight sore wounded by the Gyant , which rode pitteously to call the Prince Florion and his knights for succour to the Souldan & the Princes . As Donzel del Febo sawe him thus araied , he asked what he ailed . Alas Gentleman of the Sunne , said the knight , the Souldan , our Lord , and the Princesse , are taken prisoners by an vgly & monstrous gyant , and by that hast he maketh , I gesse he is alredie néere vnto the Sea : The Gentleman of the Sunne much lamented such newes , and with a noble and heroicall courage , which by nature nowe enforced it selfe forward , he praied the knight to guide him on the waye towards the Gyant . The knight thinking it an vnfit match & beside his purpose to turne backe with him ; for he thought him too young for such an enterprise , woulde not staye , but rode on faster . The Gentleman moued with this that the knight set so little by him , yet sayd nothing , but not tarrieng for more companie broched his horse with his spurs , that he made him spinne the same way in which hée had séene the knight before . The hast he made is incredible , for before the Gyaunt had recouered the Sea , he ouertooke him in a plaine amongest his knights , and the Chariot in the middest . The Gyaunt was hindmost on foote , with a great battell axe of stéele in his hand , so that it might haue dismaied one to sée his fierce and cruell demeanour . When the Gentleman of the Sunne had got a sight of him , with greater force then before he spurred his horse , making way through the gréene meddowe as fast as if he had ben driuen by the rage of tempest and thunder , and crieng aloud . Stay , staie . The gyant and his knightes hearing the noise that he made and the sound of the horse féete galopping in such hast , turned their heads aside to sée what it meant , and amongst the rest the Souldan lykewise looked behind him , and espyeng him to bée the Gentleman of the Sunne with onely a Bore speare in his hand , he much pittied his case , for he thought surely Donzel shoulde neuer escape death or durance . The loathsome Gyant wondering at the young Gentleman comming toward him , with great furie lifte vp both his handes to his head , and there stayeng on foote as he was , made a fierce and sterne countenance of disdaine , till the young Gentleman aproched . But the noble and valiaunt Donzel del Febo , borne for the atchiuement of greater aduentures , with a furious moode as it had ben thunder drew néere , and with his boare speare in his hande , being verie strong , sharpe , and well stéeled , with all his force he shoued it into the breast of the gyant , that although he had a breast plate of fine stéele a finger thicke , yet the Speare entered , and issued out at the shoulder all begored with bloud . Thus the Gyaunt fell downe dead on the grounde , to the greate abashment of all those which sawe him , iudging that Donzel del Febo had bene then let downe from heauen to doe this feate , for in theyr fancies , not the thunderbolt which by the renting of the Clowdes driueth the windes before it , might euer giue a more sodeine or more forcible blowe then that which Donzel del Febo gaue the Gyant , especially the knightes of the Gyants retinue , not witting who he was , imagined that their owne Gods had sent him downe from the heauens for the more notable chastisement of theyr Lordes crueltie . Nowe some of the knightes hearing a rushing a farre off in the woode , and thinking it to be the Souldans people , theyr maister thus slaine , without hauing care of Chariot or prisoners , tooke them to theyr héeles with more hast by halfe then good spéede . For one letting the Bridle flippe , and for feare not able to guide his horse , by the stumbling of his horse had so sore a bruse , that his horse rising , he lay still on the ground tormented with the fall . And those which got to the Sea , themselues beeing past daunger , nothing sorrowed at the death of the Gyaunt , for they hated him , and serued more by compulsion , then with good will . This trouble in the Gyauntes men made the Gentleman of the Sunne make no account of them .

Wherefore alighting from his horse , hée went towardes the Chariot where the Souldan was , with the Princesse and Ladyes , and vnbound them . The Ladyes when they saw him , were no lesse glad of the proofe of armes in Donzel del Febo , then of their owne deliuerie . But the Souldan embrasing him and kissing him with great loue , sayd vnto him .

O my sonne , now I knowe assuredly that the mightye Gods highly fauour you , & that onely by miracle you haue ben brought to Babylon , as to giue succours to me & to my children . Now doe I firmely beléeue my brother Lyrgandeo , who long before prophesied of the greate meruayles of your valour , sith that béeing so young and tender and in the maidenhead of your strength , it béeing neuer before tasted vpon an enimie , you haue begun so well as I haue knowne no knight in his perfection matchable . And truely this is the accomplishment of your first aduenture as my brother foreséeing it told me , that you should rescew mée & my daughters from death or imprisonment , and I hope as well in the immortall . Gods that the second shall be likewise finished , that is , the kingdome of Persia se long withheld by a false vsurper , may by you be redeliuered to the Prince Florion . My Lord aunswered Donzel del Febo , I haue not as yet done the thing in your seruice neither in my life may hope to compassie which may counterpaise with my good will in this behalfe , and truely the dutie which I owe to your good grace my Lord , to the Prince Florion , & to my Lady the Princesse your daughter , daily so augmenteth , as more then that duetie I cannot owe vnto my father , to the discharge wherof , notwithstanding I stand bounden to your goodnesse , not onely of curtesie , but in conscience , & so humbled himselfe before the Souldan : but the Souldan againe embraced him , & they two helped the Ladies out of the chariot . The Ladies were desirous to knowe who the gyant was , and what shuld be the cause why he so assailed them . Therfore the Souldan & the Gentleman of the Sun made toward the knight of the Gyants which was falne to the grounde , and as they tooke of his helmet to giue him ayre , they fetcht him out of his sounde , and setting him on his féete , they demaunded of him who the Gyaunt was , and why he came to take them prisoners . The knight séeing it behoued him to say the troth , made answere shortly thus . You shall vnderstand my Lordes that this Gyant was called Brandafileo , Lorde of the towred Ilande , which is in the great Ocean , at the mouth of the redde Sea . This Ilande is so strong and inuinsible , that béeing within , hée néede not feare all the worlde if they had bent their force against him , and béeing proude vpon the safetie of this Ilande , he did much wrong to the nations rounde about him , spoiling and robbing all Arabians , Aethiopians , Aegyptians , and the Garamantes of Inde , and finally so many as he might come by in the great West seas , and so the Ilande of Traprobane , and by long continaunce in this trade of rouing , hée is become so rich of captiues and treasure , that no Iland is comperable with his . Nowe the cause wherefore he came into this your land was , for that in the time that the mightie Orixerges your father reigned in Persia , the father of the Gyant called Briontes then béeing Lorde of the towred Ilande ; by occasion of Briontes euill lyfe , your Father and he fell at variaunce , wherefore the king your Father sent out his whole nauie to subdue this Iland , but being not able to conquere it , he gaue them notwithstanding in charge to lye in the out créekes awaiting when he came forth from the Iland , & so to set vpon them . One time the Gyant making a road out for a lyke cheuisance a farre off from his owne Iland , the king your Father dogged him with his shippes , and as he returned met him in the halfe turne , and ( for all the hauocke he and his made of your fathers souldiers ) in the ende killed him . This Brandafileo his sonne then being a childe of tender age , yet so soone as he was of yeares to be made knight , he greatly longed after the reuenge of his fathers death , & because he could not worke his mischiefe on the king Orixerges , béeing then dead , at the least it would ease his stomacke , if he might wreake himselfe on you his sonne , and for this cause many times hée hath sent spyes into your land , to be aduised by them when he might haue opportunitie of vengeance , & learning of your comming to this forrest for your disport , he hath now laine more then a month in secret expectation of so good lucke as to take your person . This time he had founde to his contentation , had not this Gentleman ben , who now hath made sufficient paye to Brandafileo for his months hire . This is all my Lorde which I can tell you as to your demaund , and it is truth which I haue tolde you , as I certeinly beléeue , that if euer he had cleane carried you from hence , you should not haue escaped from death or bondage , for so hée had determined . The Souldan mused at that which the knight had told him , & waieng the great danger wherein he was like to haue falne , he ceased not to giue thanks to his Gods , & to the gentleman of the Sun for his safety . At this time Prince Florion came with more then . 30. knights running theyr horses , so fast as they might , because alreadie they had hearde the newes , & comming wher the Gyant lay dead , viewing well the wide & mortall wound , they highly commended of it , and ceuld not iudge by whom he had receiued it , but very ioyfull to sée the Souldan & his Princesse out of daunger , leaping from their horses they came towards them . Then Florion excusing his long absence by the ignoraunce of the fact , desired to know who he was which had so gently bailed them from the Gyaunt . The Souldan aunswered on this sort . Ah Florion , Florion , now we knowe your vnckle Lyrgandeos diuinations , as touching this Gentleman of the Sunne , to be sooth and stedfast , for we haue well approued his valour , and knowe that he alone béeing the onely man which came to succour vs , brought to ground the giant Brandafileo by one onely blow with his bore speare , riuetting as you see his coat armour , and ridding vs from so daungerous a foe , making his enteraunce to knighthoode the straungest that euer was heard . Florion giuing backe , either as wondering or not crediting his vnckles speach , was still vrged by the Souldan , who tolde on forward as Brandafileos knight had confessed . Florion yet as it were halfe in a mammering which part to take betwéene the Gentlemans youth and his courage , disputed rather the impossibilitie by meanes of the hugenesse of the Gyant , his strong armour , and the number of his knights , in the end he ouercame himselfe , by remembrance of Lyrgandeos reporte , and thanked the Gentleman on this wise . O my right noble and beloued sonne , I graunt , that that not my force , but the mightie windes and swelling waues by the ordinaunce of my Gods , haue giuen mée power ouer you , for that by your souereigne bountye the wrong which is done to me by the tyraunt shall be reuenged , and I shall recouer mine owne kingdome . O how happie was the daye and the houre fortunate in which I found you , sith my Gods haue reserued you for so great benefiter towardes me , and the release of mine vnckle , with these and many other words Florion wept for great pleasure to thinke of Donzels magnanimitie . And in this time the other young Gentlemen his companions came riding from hunting , and sawe the fierce Gyaunt lye dead by the waye , they enquired after the manner of his death , and hearing it to be as you haue heard , the one tooke great pleasure in it , and the other with an honest emulation of the fact , wishing it to himselfe , according to the diuersitie of the good will they bare vnto the Gentleman of the Sunne . Then they came altogether to theyr tentes , where they made but a hunters breakfast , for ere dinner was halfe done , the Souldan commaunded the horse to retourne to Babylon , and so they all on horsebacke , the Princesse and her Gentlewomen on their palfraies , and the lusty knights on their sturdie Rounceualls tooke the way towardes the citie , laieng the mightie Gyant vpon a horse , his head and féete trailing on the ground .

When they were within the gates of the Citie , all that which had happened beeing published , all the Citizens and other of the court were in contrarie arguments about the hugenesse of the Gyant and the courage of the Gentleman of the Sunne , thinking it an vnpossible matter to be brought about by one of so fewe yeares . But from that time forth , ( although before likewise they loued him ) yet now they made much more of him , and the Souldan with the Princesse and all the Courtiers held him in great account alwaye . Notwithstanding the report of men , and the high extolling of his actes to his owne face , the Gentleman of the Sunne kept the same tenour of life , not bearing himselfe anie thing vpon his good fortune , but rather as the windes increased , which promised him safetie and honour , and as his fame was more blazed , so he stroke his sayles and became more lowlyer . This his humilitie made him much more to be loued , as the sprinkelyng of water , augmenteth the flame in a Smithes forge . Claueryndo , at this time egged on by Donzels good happe , and béeing of riper yeares , sued to be made Knight . But the wise Lyrgandeo fore-séeing some-what , and to haue him keepe company with Donzel del Febo and Brandizel , with-stoode his purpose for that time . Claueryndo was but about fourtéene or fifteene yeares of age , but he was so comelye and nimble in all feates of armes , that there was not a knight in all the court which out-passed him . In this maner were these two Gentlemen brought vp in the Souldans Court , with great magnificence , as if they had ben in their fathers courts , & aboue all , they wer so throughly instructed in lerning , that ther wer none able to come in controuersie with them , all this , equall to both , notwithstanding the difference of beléefes , which shall be a lyke ere it be long . Claueryndo which was guyded by Armineo his vnckle , was a Christian : and the Gentleman of the Sunne beléeued in the lawe of the Gentiles , as the wise Lyrgandeo hadde taught him , Lyrgandeo himselfe , being bred and brought vp in the same errour by his father , for all his great cunning , was not able to finde out , the vanitie of his false Gods .

O the prouidence of God , how much be we bounde to thée , and how ill doo we acknowledge thy great goodnesse , in suffering vs to be become Christians , when thousandes wise men and mightie Monarchs dye in the lawe of the Gentiles , not all their power auailable to saue their soules , & their learning not worth a rush for the displaieng of the falshood of that lawe , wherein their fathers haue nouseled them . And shall we Christians think that our knowledge can pull vs out of hell , if not the wisest of the earth , I meane the learned Gentiles , could once reproue their owne law , and knowe the onely and true God . As for example , this Lyrgandeo was so wise and well learned , that not Artimedoro , nor Rogel , nor Turke , nor Sarasin , nor Iew , nor Christian came euer néere him , and yet because he had lerned that lawe from his cradle , and wanted the gifte of God , for the true vnderstanding of his will , he wallowed still in his errour , as the Sowe doth in the myre , till God hauing a regard of the Gentleman of the Sunne , and minding to make him a true Christian , did by his meanes conuert the wise Lyrgandeo to the knowledge of his will , and poure out his grace abundantly vpon the whole kingdome of Persia , according as more largely shall be recited . But to returne , the two young Gentlemen , albeit contrary in professions , yet in friendship and good will were conformable , as shall be declared in this storie .

An aduenture in the Court of the Souldan , which befell to the young Gentleman of the Sunne .

Cap. 20.

THe Souldan & the Prince Florion , with all the knights of his court , greatly praied their Gods , that the Gentleman of the Sunne might come to his full age to be made knight , for that onely they stayed their voyage into the kingdome of Persia for his cause , as willing to haue him with ●hem , for the great prowesse which rested in him , and 〈◊〉 ●hought their staye not ouer-long , séeing it was 〈◊〉 ●●●●●ely that which the wise Lyrgandeo prophecied of him , that he should be a valiant knight , and that without him their entraunce into Persia were to small effect . For this cause , they employed their care in the aduauncing for●●●● of the Gentleman of the Sunne . This gentleman 〈◊〉 being of the age of sixtéene yeares , was so high & wel 〈◊〉 ●●oued , that he wanted little in stature of any man . One 〈◊〉 , ●●ince Florion with manye other knights being a●●●● at the riuer to flye at a fowle , the young Gentleman staieng in the Pallaice . The Souldan with many of his knights and Gentlewomen tooke their pastime in one part of his great Pallaice , where entred in at the gates six ancient knights with white beards hanging downe to the girdle-stéedes , and all armed saue the head-péeces , compassing on each side a Gentlewoman faire and young , clothed all in mourning apparell , and hauing a crowne of gold vppon hir head . This Lady was led , by a knight great of body , well and strongly proportioned , & armed at all points , with a rich and strong armour . This knight lifting vp the visor of his helmet , shewed himselfe to the Souldan , where they perceiued his face to be very foule and fearfull , of colour more tawnie and Sun-burnt , then cole-blacke , his eyes flaming in his head , his nostrells wide and large , broad lipped , and his sharp fangs issuing out of his mouth , like Boares tuskes , and reaching to his chin , so that there was no man liuing , but might haue bene afrayed of his fierce semblance . But besides this , he was so high , that there was not any in that place , whom this knight exceeded not two spanfulls at the least , and in making of his bodye , hée was so large and well quartered , more then the compasse of two knights . Hauing thus entered and set himselfe to view , those which wer present , had inough to occupie their eyes , either on the vglinesse of the Gyant , or the beautie of the Gentlewoman . But the Gentlewoman knéeled before the Souldan , to haue kissed his handes . But the Souldan taking hir by the hand , raised hir vppe , dooing hir the honour hée thought it conuenient , in that she appeared to be a Lady of great birth . Shée with teares distilling downe from hir beautifull eyes , and watering hir crimson chéekes , spake vnto the Souldan , on this wise .

The heauenly and immortall Gods maintaine and encrease thy high estate , most puissaunt and mightie Souldan of Babylon . Know for certaintie , that vncertaine fortune neuer constant to any , hath in such maner shewed hir selfe cruell and aduerse to me , that she onely not sufficed with the death which my father and mother , and many of their subiectes haue receiued for my sake , she ceaseth not daily to afflict me , and to bring me to so low an ebbe , that being defeated of mine owne inheritaunce , I am yet faine to wander through the Courts of mightie Princes to find some good and pitifull knight , which bewayling my mishap , will ease me of the great trauaile I daily take to saue my honour . For if you wil suffer me to lay open my case , the whole storie is thus . I am right enheretrix of the Iland of Cypres , where my predecessors reigned long time with much ioy , vntill that their good hap was hindred by my beautie . For hauing brought me into this world , with that beautie wherein you sée me , which I woulde to our that beautie wherein you sée me , which I woulde to our Gods had either perished when I first was swaddeled , or els had neuer bene knowen , that none might haue taken delight in it . So soone as my beautie was sounded abroad , this Knight héere present , King of the Zardians , Lorde of the Iland of Zardia , called Raiartes , hearing of it , came to see me , & so soone as he came , he was taken with my loue , and demaunding me for wife , was denied it of my father . Wherefore very angrie returning to his Iland of Zardia , with a great armie of knights , he came against my father , and at the first field killed him , and murthered all his people , and in short time became Lord of Cypres . My mother séeing my Father dead , and hir lande wasted , dyed for griefe . I remained alone without companye , till such time as Raiartes came to the Pallaice where I was . I knew to whose power I was become seruaunt , & fearing that he woulde haue forced me , determined by ending my lyfe , to make my selfe free from his subiection , estéeming it farre better to dye with my Parentes , then alyue to bewayle their deathes . And hauing no better leasure nor meanes to achieue my purpose , I leaped vp to a window , the highest in all the Pallaice , thence to haue throwen my selfe downe , if Raiartes séeing me in his plight had not prayed me not to doo it , promising if I forbeare that , that to doo the thing that I cmmaunded him . I resoluing vpon death , told him , that vnles he granted me one gift , I wold be mine owne executioner : he , to saue my life , promised it , whereby I lefte off from putting that in practise , which I had contriued in my thought . By this meanes , Raiartes had me in his power , and hauing the whole Iland at his commaundement , he carried me contrary to my will into his owne country , with these aged Knights my néere kinsmen , there he requested me of loue , and prayed me to accept of him for husband . What should I doo , he was importunate in his demanund , and I remayned in his daunger , so that to put by the execution of his desire , I had none other remedy but to aunswere him , that so soone as he had perfourmed the promise which he made mee , I woulde satisfie his whole intent . This hearing , he was well content , and so I tolde him that he shoulde carrie me for the space of a twelue month into all places , whether I would , and if in the meane time . I found a knight to defende my right by fighting against him , he should graunt the Battayle , with condition , that if my knight vanquished him , I should be fré from his demaund , and my lande at quiet , otherwise , if he had the vpper hand , I from thence-foorthe , to be at his commaundement , and he doo what euer lyked him . This knight , most noble Souldan , counfailing with his strength , and thinking all mens vertues infertor to his , tooke vpon him the Quest , glad by such meanes to manifest his power , and so he carried me from the Iland Zardia more then halfe a yere past , in which time yet I haue not found a Knight to vndertake my quarrell , and yet I haue bene in the courts of mightie Kings and other great Lords . Now séeing the tearme set betweene vs , is more then halfe expired , for my last refuge hether am I come to thy court to proue , if heere my good fortune should be such , that I should finde in it that which I haue so long sued for in other Courts .

Héere she ended with sighes and sobs out of measure , therby vttering the sorrow she had in hir heart , and the griefe for to loue such a knight , which mooued great compassion in both Souldan and others of his company . But there was no knight which would aunswere for the Princesse Radamira , that was hir name , and yet there were many in the Souldans presence . Then in great pride , and with a fierce looke , this terrible Raiartes spake vnto hir . What knight is there in the world so foole-hardie and presumptious , Radamira , which for thy cause durst enter into lystes with me , yea , be it that both right and iustice were right and cléere on his side ? And art not thou quite deuoyd of reson to liue vndone that which I beséech thée ? Besides , valewing thy beautie with my brauerie , and thy pride with my puissaunce , I shall séeme to set too lowe a price on my selfe , if I enioy thée , and if there be any knight héere , which will saye the contrarye , I will soone make him recant his folly . Raiartes hauing sayd thus , knit his browes , & made such a grim countenance , that all they feared him , which beheld him , and there was not a knight so hardie , as to answere any thing in the Princesse Radamiras behalfe , as if it had bene méere sinne , in a Gentlewoman straungers right , to hazard their person vpon a diuell rather then vppon a humane creature . Euery man was still , to the no little griefe of the Souldan in that his court ●rceiued such disgrace , but the Gentleman of the Sunne sitting by , and mooued with compassion towards the Gentlewoman , arose on his féete , and made aunswere to Raiartes saieng : Sir knight it is a great blasphemie to knighthood , to say , that in the whole world , there is not a knight which dare fight with thée . Thy lye is loud , and thou dost against all reason enforce this Princesse to marrie thée . Be thou sure that if I were a knight , I would suffer a thousand deaths , rather then such reproach should be offered to a Gentlewoman . For thy browne beautie is not fit to be hir play-fellowe , and saieng thus , he set himselfe downe againe .

Raiartes madde angry for these words , fourning towardes him , and rolling his eyes with great rage , aunswered . If thou wert as strong as thou art foolish , thou weake youngling , I would make thy life and thy words ende at one time . But they say commonly , that women & those which are not able to weare armour , are priuiledged for theyr speach , and may talke without controlement , and so Raiartes left him . But the couragious Gentleman not béeing able to heare that contumely ; in his anger rose from where he sate , and comming to the Souldan knéeled before him , beséeching his grace to graunt this one sute , the first which in his lyfe time hée had made . The Souldan lyttle thinking what he would aske , and louing him so well , that what thing he demaunded , it should haue bene graunted willingly , said yea , and bad him say on what it was that he desired .

The Gentleman of the Sun sayd , my Lord , that which I require is , that you make me knight , because it is high time that I receiue it : I doe not thinke my selfe so young as to put vp wrong at anie mannes hande . Those which were present were much troubled at the request of the Gentleman of the Sunne , foreseeing the ende , which was to answere the bolde Raiartes , and the Souldan was greatly sory to haue bene so rash in making promise before he had knowen his suite , wherefore he sate still without speaking , yea , or no , diuising onely howe to satisfie the young Gentleman , and to quite himselfe of his promise . The gentleman of the Sunne doubting least the Souldan woulde linger and delay the time , very angerly said vnto him . If I cannot obteine this at your hands my Lorde , I sweare by the high Gods , that during my lyfe I shall not bée merrie , and I will goe serue some other Lorde which more liberally will consider of my requestes . The great Souldan loth to disquiet the young Gentleman of the Sunne whom he sawe attent vppon this matter , albeit his promise greeued him much , aunswered him thus , sayeng . Assuredly Donzel del Febo , if you had demaunded any other thing of me more profitable for your selfe , doubt you not but you had bene in possession of your desire by this time , yea , had it bene the greatest part of my kingdome . But because I sée you are of tender yeres , & that the time is not yet for you to supporte the burthen of armour , I would wish you to refraine , and let fall your sute for this time , or if you will not otherwise be perswaded , hold you , I yeeld vnto you , watch this night in your armour , and to morrow at day-breake , I will giue you the order .

The Gentleman of the Sunne tooke him at that word , and verie ioyfully kissed the Souldans hande , for his gracious fauour . Then from thence by soft paces comming to Raiartes , he said vnto him . Now that I haue license to parle with thée as a Knight , I will answere thée Raiartes to the words which thou hast said vnto me , and so I tell thée , that if the Princesse Radamira , will put hir quarrell into my handes , I will defend hir right , and take the battayle vpon me , and be it that the Princesse Radamira dare not commit hir right vnto me , yet I say , that to be aduenged on thy reprochfull speaches , which thou hast blowed foorth , I will fight with thee , and make thée to knowe , that thou art more vniust and foolish , then valiaunt and courteous , as knights ought to be . The Gentleman of the Sunne héere ended , and the grimme sier Raiartes began a laughter with these wordes . In déede , if all follie were force , ma●●e knights were couragious and strong , for most of them are too too ventrous , and if thy selfe wert of so great abilitie as thou art of forwardnesse , the princesse Radamira should en●e hir quarrell by to morrowe night , but thou deceiuest thy selfe , and albeit I am halfe ashamed to take the battaile against a knight neuer before acquainted with ar●●●r , yet because thou shalt not want due correction for thy follye , I accept the battaile which thou offerest , as well for the one cause , as for the other . As this talke was at the hottest betwéene them , the Princesse Radamira behelde the Gentleman of the Sunne verye earnestly , noting as well his yeares as his person , and albeit hée was then beardlesse . Yet shée thus conceiued of him , that hée was of noble courage , and verye strong , and besides this , there appeared in his face somewhat which she iudged more then manlike . And as she was wise , so her heart gaue her that this young Gentleman had some diuine bloud in him , which she thought to haue descended from some of her false Gods . So neither lyghtly nor wantonly mouing , but with great discreation and wisedome , standing in the same place , and musing what she ought to doe , in the ende , no other knight answering the challenge for her , not altogether out of hope , shée agreed to put her quarrell into his handes by deliverate counsaile , concluding , if hée were murthered , her selfe to followe after , and so shee spake to the Gyaunt on this wise . Raiartes , sith this Gentleman with so good will proffereth himselfe to maintaine my ryght agaynst thée , I am verie well content to put my quarrell into his handes , and from this time forth I will not séeke other knight . The beautifull Princesse Radamira dooing thus , the fierce Raiartes was sore mooued to sée that shée made so little account of him , and so much trusted the boldnesse of the young Gentleman , and foaming at the mouth like a wilde Boare , he was not able to speake one word for the furie and choler which boiled in him . The Gentleman of the Sunne thanked her goodly for the acceptation of his paines in her name . In this manner the matter was put off till the next day , but the Gentleman of the Sunne was not so glad , to haue occasion offered to bée made knight , as the Souldan and his friendes were sorrowfull , to haue him fall into this daunger , which they imagined to be to too sure , because of the strength of Raiartes , and the youth of the Gentleman of the Sunne . They thought it a desperate case for him to wage this battaile , with the sauegard of his honour . Then the young Gentleman Clauerindo béeing of more yeares then Donzel del Febo was , repented that hée had not aunswered for the Princesse , both because hée thought it a blemish to his honour to haue excused himselfe from such a matter , and his age was more then Donzel del Febos was , and so might better acquite himselfe agaynst the force of Raiartes , and especially fearing the perill of his friend , he would néedes haue taken the battaile out of his handes , but perceiuing the vnwillingnesse of the Gentleman of the Sunne hée would speake no more of it . At Sunne set Florion came from hunting , and hearing of the battaile which was appointed , he was verie sad for Donzel del Febos sake , because of Raiartes force , and Donzels weaknesse , and so he tooke vpon him to perswade Donzel del Febo to giue ouer the battaile , and put it vpon some other in his right , if it so pleased him . But Florion and Clauerindo were both beguiled in Donzel del Febo , albeit eyther of them were such knights , as of the one hath ben rehearsed , and of the other shal be shewed héereafter . Raiartes was strong , and his lyke scarcely among the Pagans , and it might be , it would ill haue proued with them two , as a man would haue sworne it , onely by the tenour of Raiartes countenance , no man beholding him but with the same good will which they beare vnto the Diuell . And if Florion and Clauerindo desired this battaile , it is to be thought it sprang of theyr loue towardes Donzel del Febo , rather then of anie comfort their courage gaue them to winne honour in the battaile . But the daye was spent , and thinges necessarie for the battaile were in prouiding . At night Lyrgandeo the wise comming from the redde Iland , tooke landing at Babylon , and méeting with the Gentleman of the Sunne , hée tolde him that many dayes had passed since he knewe of the conflict betwéene Raiartes and him , and therefore had brought certeine armour for him , and so hée commaunded his Squiers to vntie theyr two packets , out of the one packet Lyrgandeo tooke a white armour wrought with beames of golde descending from his helmet , wherein was grauen a face so fayre and shéene , that it shedded out beames as the Sunne , and scarcely for the brightnesse might a man behold it , and out of the same he tooke out a swoorde all garnished with golde , and embossed with precious stones , the pomell , scabbard , and chape being so rich and curious , that none there was which praised not the workmanshippe . Out of the other packet hée drewe out another white armour pounced with Floure de Luces of golde , and another swoorde , both which he gaue to Clauerindo , bestowing the other vppon Donzel del Febo .

With these good armours the two Gentleman were well apayde , especially the Gentleman of the Sunne , which more estéemed of this gift , then of all the segniories of the earth . And so he continued the charge for the morrow battaile , very confident on his owne part , but to the no little dismay of his friends , chiefly of the Princesse Balisea , which would not his distruction for all her fathers lands . The Princesse Radamira in the meane time not fully setled in her thought , droue out the night , neither merrie nor dumpishly , but verie heauily as abhorring nothing so much as the companie of Raiartes . Her flesh would tremble often & quake for feare , mistrusting Donzel del Febos good fortune for the perfecting of his charge , his yeres béeing cleane contrarie to all good hope .

Donzel del Febo is dubbed knight , and ouercommeth Raiartes .

Cap. 21.

THe next day in the morning the Gentleman of the Sun , with his rich harnesse buckled about him , was brought before the Souldan , & all the knights and Gentlemen in the court . When he was thus brauely armed , he shewed greater & stronger then he did vnarmed , & none of them which sawe him would haue iudged him of so young yeares . And when he came before the Souldan thus accompanied with all the principall knights and Gentlemen of the court , the Gentleman of the Sunne knéeled vowne , and bumbly craned to be made knight . The Souldan with teares flowing from his eyes embraced him , greatly reioycing to sée him so comely in armour , then taking the rich swoord which the young Gentleman helde naked in his hande , he gaue him thrée blowes on the creast of his helmet , and so sheathing it againe , girded it about Donzel del Feboes loynes , and with these wordes blessing him . ( The high Gods defende thee with their mightie hande ) hee had him arise knight , and then made him sweare to the obseruaunce of all the orders of knighthoode , which done , the young Gentleman kissed the Souldans hand , & all the hall rang of the noise . Our Gods defend the Souldan .

This was in the morning , but before dinner was cleane done , and the tables taken vp , the houre was néere wherein they ought to perfourme the battayle , and Raiartes richly armed , and mounted vpon his horse trauersed vp and downe before the Pallaice , where the Ladyes which were bestowed in the windowes to behold the fight were afraid , for in their seeming by the hugenesse of his bodie and his fierce countenaunce he was the brauest knight in the world , & his harnesse couered in him the defermities of nature . The Princesse Radamira in her mourning wéede accompanieng the Princesse Balisea , was in a great bay windowe , and séeing Raiartes so great , strong , and well borsed , she chaunged her coulour without hope to remooue Raiartes loue , and there fullye appointed with her selfe , rather to murther her selfe , then to be in his powor , for his filthie and vgly shape was such , that what Gentlewoman in the worlde coulde haue affoorded him for loue ?

When the Souldan and other knights tooke their seats as Judges of the field , the knight of the Sunne departing from the Pallaice , was conducted by d●vers knightes to his tent , and there sitting vpon a lustie courfer , he praunced a while before the Souldan , his borse was all couered with rich harnesse , in which were enchased sundrie precious stones , all both horse and harnesse of the Souldans gift , himselfe béeing clad with his bright armour his vmberere pulled downe , and a mightie speare in his hande , so bigge as they all meruayled of his good making . When Cheualiero del Febo stayed , Raiartes drewe néere , and with a lowde voyce sayd vnto him . Thou presumptuous knight , what woldst thou now giue me not to be here alone with me ? Doest thou not thinke it no wisdome to aduenture thy bodie , where there is no hope of safetie ? Assuredly Raiartes , aunswered the knight of the Sunne , hetherto I haue not séene the thing wherefore I should repent me of my enterprise , and hetherto I haue had more experience of thy vaine and foolish wordes , then of thy great and valiant prowesse . Raiartes , was fell angrie at this ( the foame staring through his visour ) woulde haue runne vppon the knight , but being awarded by the Iudges to the lists , while the Trumpets sounded , he groned out thus much to himselfe in the cursing of his Fortune . O howe doth Fortune enuie my felicitie in prolonging the time thus , that I cannot so soone as I wold dispatch this wretched knight , sayeng this and somewhat else , the Trumpets stayed , and with greate rage hée ranne towardes the Knight of the Sunne , but the Knight bearing his shéelde before him , with his Speare in his hande , met Raiartes with all his force , with the violence of this course , the ground shooke vnder theyr horses , and this first iourney brast their great Speares into small shéeuers . Raiartes with the strong encountrie of the knight of the Sunne , doubled and fell ouer the arson of the saddle , his horse carryeng him out of the prease to blush without companie , for neuer in his life time he had receiued the lyke blowe . But when hée recouered his seate , and sawe the Knight of the Sunne not stirred in his saddle , and now with his swoord in his hand comming toward him , he drew out his swoord which was broad and heauie , in great choler to receiue him , thinking for a suretie with the edge of his swoorde , to supplie that which had failed in the point of his Speare . Both of them madde angrie , Raiartes to amend that which hée had mard in breaking his Speare , and the Knight of the Sunne to reuenge the proude woordes which Raiartes had spoken , their first blowes were such , that their pauices were hewed a sunder , and fell to the ground , the other part they after threw from them , and griping theyr swoords in both theyr handes , they hit each other such blowes vppon the Helmet , that flakes of fire issued after them . By this time neither of these Knightes were well pleased with the other , and they let driue so each at other , that in short space they made plaine their singular manhoods , and they which saw it iudged it to be the brauest battaile which they had euer séene betwéene two knights . The valiant knights with malicious eies , sorrwing each at others welfare , because their armour was so good that no swoord coulde enter , were much more wood , layeng about them without order , and caring not where they hit , so they might sée the bloud spin as fast as the sparkles increased .

It was not halfe an houre since the battell began , and Raiartes well féeling the courage of the knight of the Sun , in that he had gotten none aduauntge ouer him in all the time . Now with what courage fought he thinke you , béeing besides himself for the desire of the Ladie , at that time he doubted whether this were the Gentleman of the Sun , whom before he had continued , and if it wer not he , yet hée meruailed in himselfe who this valiunt knight might be , in the meane while the Souldan and Florion with all the beholders of the battaile were astonished at the great prowesse and valour which the knight of the Sunne shewed against Raiartes . They thought truly that he would proue the best knight of the world , sith in so tender yeares hée was of great vertue . The Princesse Radamira which looked on this battaile before , halfe against hir will for feare , now viewing how wel the knight had behaued himselfe against her enimie , with greater ioy and hope she gased on him , and often praied her Gods to grant him the victorie . But as I tolde you , Raiartes seeing his aduersarie so valiauntly beare himselfe against him , and not béeing able to gouerne his ill will , he lift himselfe vp in his stirops and lent the Knight of the Sunne a blowe with all his force , that although hée coulde not cut his fine helmet , yet hée made him bowe his head to his horse necke , béeing blinded with the continuall sparkes of fire which came out of his head péece . The worthie knight of the Sunne comming againe to himselfe and sitting surer in his saddle , retourned the lyke blowe to Raiartes , so that Raiartes lost his memorie , and receiued another blowe on his bulke agaynst the saddle bowe , which made the bloud gush out of his mouth and nosethrills , and the knight of the Sunne followed him to haue vnhorsed him . But Raiartes recouered , and ere the Knight of the Sunne coulde hit him , hée gaue him on the lefte shoulder a mightie blowe , that with the weight thereof he had falne to the ground , but for the imbracing of his horse necke . Againe Donzel del Febo repaied him with a plus vltra , the surplusage more then an ordinarie interest , and they wounded each other , mangling themselues pittifully , and the clashing of their armour was so great , that it rang like bells in all the citie .

This was the second houre of the fight , and the match was equall , not béeing knowne who had the better hand . Raiartes not greatlye pawsing , but in his anger reuiling his Gods , sayde vnto himselfe . O immortall Gods , howe little is Raiartes beholding vnto you if a man is able to resist his might ? Why ? If the reporte of my valyaunt déedes and noble prowesse made knowne to the heauens causeth you to maligne my state , come you downe and fight with mée , for I had rather be vanquished by your Deities , then to bée yeelded to mans strength . But what canne I thinke , eyther then that this Knight is one of you , for the loue of Radamira , to take her ryght in hande , or at the least some fiende of Hell in lykenesse of a Knight , minded to quell mée . But séeing this is the issue , that if I loose this daie , I must loose Radamira also , let him winne her and weare her : for bée hée what he may be , he shall get no honour at my handes , and so sayeng , he stroke his aduersarie so sore on the breast , that he brused his carcasse , and put him in great daunger . Cheualiero del Febo not a little abashed at the great force of Raiartes , this being the first battaile that euer he had fought , thought in himselfe that if all the knightes in the worlde were lyke him , he shoulde get but small praise , and therefore to embolden his courage , he rated himselfe on this wise . Am I he of whom the wife Lyrgandeo hath foretold so much ? Am I hée without whome the Babylonians dare not set foot into Persia ? Am I he for whom they haue thus long time waited ? Certainly if this be all which I shal be able to doe , shall not all happen contrarie to that which the wise man hath sayd ? Shall not the Babylonians bée mocked of their hope ? Hath not one onely knight much endamaged me ? what shall the whole multitude of the Persians do , & the puissance of the Gyants which shall come to assist them ? Had it not bene better for my credit not to haue bene borne , with so greate fame as the Astrologers haue forshewed , then in so short a time so much to bée troubled . O Souldan of Babylon , and you others which are Iudges in the fielde , are you not ashamed of mée , that in my first battayle , and the first fruites of my knighthoode , I am at the point to become recreaunt . But recreaunt I will neuer be , and so as it were blowing the coales of his anger , when he was on a light fire , hée set Raiartes in such a heat , with his thicke and mightie strokes , that the vnlacing of his helme , and the vnmailing of his armour could scarce giue him breath inough . Raiartes then thought that his enimyes strength increased , yet not altogether fowndered , he aunswered him as well as he coulde , that the battayle séemed to be more fierce at that time then at the beginning . The houre clock hath smitten thrice , since they entered the lystes , all much meruailyng how they were able to endure so long . The Souldan sayd to Florion and to the wise man which sate by , certainly , if I had not séene it with my eyes , I should hardly haue beléeued , that a knight of so young yeares , as this knight of the Sunne is , might haue had the force so to endaunger a worthy knight , for you know how the houres are passed , since they began the combate , and how yet he abideth manye blowes , and still seemes as fresh as he was when he first came foorth . The wise man aunswered , yea , my Lord , but if you knew with whom he doth fight , you might with more reason meruaile at it . For Raiartes is one of the strongest and worthiest knights that is among the Pagans , and his pride is so great , that he alone would not refuse to ioyne with an C. knights , and would well thinke to haue the masterie of them all , before he would be taken . Thus the bench was not idle , and the Princesse Radamira very busely attended vpon hir knight , and watched euery turne , more then halfe ioyfully , speaking thus vnto the Princesse Balisea standing by . I beléeue for a certaintie Princes Balisea , that our high Gods now at length cloyed with my mishaps , haue prouided this knight for me , for in respect of his beautie & great bountie , he séemeth rather heauenly then terrestriall . Yea , so I thinke , then aunswered the Princesse Balisea , and that not onely for your succour , but to ayde me and my cause , the Gods haue sent him hether , for by him I looke to bée quéene of Persia . Do you so madame sayd Radamira , now I pray our Gods that he well escape this battaile , to fulfill your heartes desire , and truely if he become victour , not only I shall be auenged on him for my fathers death , but I will make account that I am now risen from death to life , for sooner had I purposed to kill my selfe , then to lie in Raiartes armes .

But all this while the good knightes plied the combat , fighting couragiously till they were sore wearied , euerie one misconstruing the euent . For Raiartes seeing that the longer the battaile lasted , the farther he was from the victory , with all the force he might , he stroke the knight of the Sunne such a blow on the helmet , that his sences wer bereft him , & had he not taken hold of the saddle bow , he had kissed the ground . So the fray was renued , but the knight of the Sunne gaue Raiartes another blow as strong , which bewitched his vnderstanding , for his horse carried him about the field , tossing him on the pomell of his saddle , as if he had bene dead . The knight of the Sunne thinking it no glory to smite a man halfe dead , pursued him not , but Raiartes reuiuing , his face all bloudy , with both his hands hit the knight of the Sunne vppon the head péece , that if the helme had not bene the surer , it had riuen him to the belly , but the stroke amased him , and the goare bloud ran out of his month and nostrells , and his horse féeling part of the great blow , carried his master from thence , the good knight lieng vpon the crouper of his horse , in an extasie , as if hée had bene quite dead . Raiartes hasted to haue giuen him another blow , those which saw it , were verie sad , but none were euer so wofully begon , as was the Princesse Radamira , who with great griefe tourning hir selfe from that sight , and fell on wéeping bitterly . But Raiartes had not followed him foure paces with his horse , when the good knight start vp , and féeling his face wet with bloud , in great fury spurred his horse , and met Raiartes with such a blow , that the fine helmet could not denie him passage , but that he cloue Raiartes head in sunder . Heere the shoote of the people , and the Princesse Baliseas calling hir , awaked the Princesse Radamira , as it had bene out of a sound fléep , and little looking for so good newes : and the good Knight , ( Raiartes béeing dead ) put vp his sword into the sheath , & demaunded of the Iudges if there were ought els to doo to make the Princesse frée . The Princesse heard this gladly , and the Iudges aunswered him no , for that had sufficed , which he had done . Then with the noyse of instruments , and much honour , the Iudges led the knight of the Sunne from that place to the Pallaice , where , with great ioy and pleasure of the Souldan and Florion , he was well receiued , they shewing as much good will to him , as if they had neuer inough in making of him . The Gentleman Claueryndo and Brandizel , glad of their friends conquest , holp to vnarme him . Then the Princesse Balisea came , & the Princesse Radamira , dooing hir dutie to the knight of the Sun , and as not able els to requite the courtesie he had showen hir , she offered to him both hir lands and hir person , the better to serue him . Thus they tooke their rest many dayes , & the good knight was much honoured of them all . And ther was a great feast made , and diuers Iustes and Turnayes there proclaimed , for the dubbing of Clauerindo and other Gentlemen Knights . At this feast , the Prince Claueryndo behaued him best , so that all men iudged him to be a valiant knight . And after this , the Princesse Radamira minding to returne , desired a safe-conduct of the Souldan , who sent with hir an hundred knights , and other men of war , which sawe hir safely landed in hir countrey , and in full possession of the crowne . For after they knew that Raiartes was dead , willingly they gaue hir place , and the Princesse remained Ladie of it , although not verye frée o● hir thought from the knight of the Sunne , whom she loued so well , that in long time she forgate him not , and it fell out so that in the ende she pleasured him , wherefore he gaue vnto hir a mightie Prince for husband , as shall be declared héereafter .

Africano king of Media and Persia , inferred warre vpon the Souldan of Babylon .

Cap. 22.

THe historie hath told you before , that the strong & mightie Africano transporting from Africk into Asia , by his force and valiante made himselfe Lord & king of Media , and after entered into the kingdome of Persia , conquered it , and ouerthrew Florion , comming to succour his owne people , after which time the Prince Florion recoiling backe to Babylon , there remained very sorrowfull , & without hope to recouer his kingdome . Now the storie retourneth to the same Africano , and sayth , that when he had appeased the people , and brought these two kingdomes in quiet subiection ( as this is an imbecilitie of mans nature , euer coueting to amplifie and inlarge our possessions , ) so this stout and proud Pagan not content with that which he had alreadie got by disorder and rapine , he aduentured yet farther to winne Babylon , with all the kingdomes of the Assirians , bordering in those parts , reckoning himselfe alreadie in possession of them , for the power of the Souldan was insufficient to repulse his forces , hoping moreouer to adde to his dominions , all those countries lieng in the coast of the middle earth-Sea . For this cause he assembled his power as well Medians , as other his subiects . Hauing this greate armie in a readinesse , yet trusting more in his owne person then in all his people , he tooke the waye toward Babylon , minding not to staie till hée came néere to Babylon . This was some daies after the combat which the Knight had with Raiartes . And as it fell out , it was at the same time as the Souldan and the Prince Florion were deuising of the order which they should take for to recouer the kingdome of Persia , that the newes came how the puissaunt Africano was on his way with a huge armie toward Babylon , for which cause they were cast into double doubts , séeing that the enimie whom they purposed to finde abroad , came to séeke them at theyr owne doores . Well with great care and diligence they began to prepare all thinges necessarie for the welcomming of such a gest , by gathering his people out of all partes of the kingdome , raysing the walies higher , and fortifieng the Towers once builded by Semiramis , all which woulde lyttle haue helped the great Babylon against the power of Africano , if the puissaunt arme of the you●● Gréeke had not defended it . But thus the Assyrians were almost at their wits-end , not knowing how to repell him , for the brute of his fan●● was greatly noysed . The Souldan of Babylon well experimented in warfare , commaunded all which could beare armour to come to Babylon , that his forces béeing vnited , he might be of greater power against his en●mies . Africano stayed not till he came to the very walls of Babilon , where he gladly behelde the Citie , because of the same it had to be so great and so well peopled , he highly commended of the sumptuous edifices , and high walls en●●●ng it ▪ which inflamed his desire to be Lord of it . Presently 〈◊〉 made to pitch his tents in a large field , enuironing ye●als as far as he might , for it was impossible to compasse them rounde about , with two of Xerxes armies . He had in his campe 20000 , knights , and 30000. hors-men , & two strong Giants beside , the one of them called Herbyon , and the other Dardario , through whose force he thought to haue ouercome the Assyrians . So soone as he had trenched round about his campe , and prouided for the sauegarde of his armie , before he would enterprise any father , he sent a messenger with a letter to the Souldan , containing this that followeth .

Africanos letter . I the great and mightie Africano king of Media and Persia , send gréeting vnto thée Souldan of Babilon , sonne of Orixerges . Know , that the report of thy Citie of Babilon , hath procured me to cut the seas , & to arriue in this countrey , rather with desire to haue it as mine owne , then for any pleasure to offend thy person , or molest thy people , for thy father and mine during their liues were great friends , which friendship I would willingly shuld endure betwéen vs , if thou wilt as willingly satisfie my desire , albeit I am content in recompence thereof , to giue thée the kingdome of Persia or Media , chuse thée whether . Now thou knowest my whole meaning , faile not to accomplish my desire , for vnlesse I haue it with thy good will , I wil force thée thervnto maugre thy ill will . Fare-well .

The messenger comming to the gates of the citie , was let in , & being brought into the pallaice , he deliuered the letter to the Souldan , in the presence , of Prince Florion , and the other knights of the Court . The letter was read , and they all said , that in great pride the Pagan had so written , but because Prince Florion , & the most part of those which were there , knew the strength and power of Africano , in the battailes fore-passed , they would not make aunswere , nor speake a worde , vntill they had heard the Souldans minde . Being in this order all husht , the knight of the Sun rose vp , & demaunded license of the Souldan , to giue aunswere to the messenger . The Souldan graunted it him .

Then the Knight of the Sunne aduauncing his voyce , that it might be heard , spake to the messenger thus . Returne to thy Lorde , for it is now too late to answere his letters , but in the morning my Lord shall call his counsell , & shall send thy Lord an answere by one of his knights , to whom he must giue credit in this behalfe . Thus the messenger dispatched from the Souldan went to his Lorde , who little delighted in the fore-flowing of the Souldans answere , for he lesse wayed the Souldans power . Therefore he determined in few dayes to destroy the great citie , burning and wasting all , for all that , that he wished rather to haue bene owner of it by exchange or couenaunt , then by rasing and battering the wals , which wer so goodly . The messenger auoiding the pallaice , the knight of the Sun directed his spech to the Souldan in this wise . Sith your excellencie wel vnderstandeth the arrogancie and high disdaine of Africano , and hath giuen me in commission to deuise the aunswere , I humbly beséech your grace to be content therewith , if to morrow in the morning , I alone take vpon me this message , to satisfie him as shall séeme best vnto me , and according as his pride deserueth . When the knight had so said , the su●● which he made , gréeued the Souldan very much , although the great exployts which he had already done , & which were diuined to be done by him , some-what abated his griefe , yet greatly preferring the valour of Africano aboue that which he had heard of all the Princes Pagans , for ther might none be compared to him , he put of the knight of the Sunne for that time with this aunswere , that hée would not haue him to hazard himselfe in such daunger , vntill he had growen to more ripe yeares . But if the Souldan was in any perplexitie for loue to the knight , much more was prince Florion troubled , which had had experience of Africanos puissaunce , and had séene Africano in his owne person , demeane himselfe so iustely in the battale betwéene them , that he thought him to be vnparagonized for mandhood , & therefore he was more then vnwilling that the knight shuld alone deale in this matter , albeit he had well & worthely acquited himself against Brandafileo , & the strong Raiartes , for it was not a thing conuentent in his iudgment that he being as yet of tender yeres , shuld proue his body vpon Africano . But were it that the Souldan & the Prince Florion wer loth of this , as at the first it appered , yet they thought it best to dissemble their conceits , least the knight should take displesure at their litle account of him ; & therefore in the end , after some consultation had with the wise Lyrgandeo , with a milde countenaunce , the Souldan agréed to the knights request , saieng , That he would put into his hands , both his honor & the cause , to the end that he should ans were Africano as best should like him . The knight of the Sun wold haue kissed the Souldans hand , but the Souldan imbraced him , & there it was solemnly enacted that the next morrow , that the knight of the Sunne shuld be the onely messenger . Clauerindo & the prince . Florion lay at him earnestly to beare them in his company , but be shifted them off with this , that it behoued him to be alone , for the aunswere which he should giue to Africano .

The Knight of the Sunne maketh aunswere to Africano , as , to his letter .

Cap. 23.

AT the day péepe before the gray morning , the valiant & worthy knight of the Sunne got him vp , in the meane time while he ought to execute his charge , he armed himselfe with that armour which the wise Lyrgandeo had bestowed on him , & so stayed a great while vntill it was past broad day , euery minute in this time séeming an houre , & euery houre xi . for his magnanimous stomacke , alwayes coueted to put himself in praise , wher to exercise his valor , and so when it was now time , casting a faire horne about his n●cke tipt with golde , and hauing a horse vnder him , the ●●st that the Souldan had , ( as the night before he had taken his leaue of the Souldan , and the other knights of the Court ) so he priuely put himselfe on his iourney , without being seene of any of the Court , and making those gates of the Citie to be opened , which were shut to Africanos Campe , he rode through , and by softe paces comming with in a bowe shot of Africanos owne Tent , he winded his horn● , so loud , that it was easely heard in both the enimies C●●pe , and the Citie of Babylon . Immediately the Souldan , the Prince Florion Claueryndo , and other knights cried alarme , and issued foorth of the gates in battaile aray to see what the good Knight of the Sunne would doo , and by and by the walls and high towers were full fraught , with as well nobles as communaltie . The king Africano in his Ten● bu●●ed about other matters , hearing the shrilnes of the sou●de , was some-what disquiet , not thinking anie knight to haue had the hardinesse to summon him to the battaile , and desirous to know who he was , he called before him one of the two Giants which came with him na●●●● Herbyon , a strong man , and king of the Camarians , a 〈◊〉 regi●● adioyning to Media , to him he sayd , Take thy ●●●●e and armour and ride to● and that knight which hath ●●●ded his horne , and f●ile not for any entreatie to bring 〈◊〉 before vs , ●éere in our presence to declare his message . ●●●e grant hauing his charge , delayed no time , but hastelye ●●●ing himselfe with fine stéele , he tooke a strong speare in 〈◊〉 hand , & ●ode toward the Knight of the sun , who in the midst way abode his comming , very glad when he sawe so great a Gyaunt : come against him , as desirous to purchase honour vpon his likenesse . But the Gyaunt sayd vnto him . What art thou knight so bolde and venterous , that hast in such wise disturbed our Campe , with the noyse of thy horne . The Knight of the Sunne replyed . I am a Knight of the Souldans which come to the king Africano to make him answere to the letter by him sent vnto the Souldan . Now returne you backe and tell him , I am héere to doe my message , and if he will heare it , bidde him come armed and well horsed , for otherwise I will not make him aunswere . The gyant very scornfully tooke vp a great laughter , and giuing the Knight a lyttle sowce on the helmet with his gauntlet , he sayd vnto him . Now I tell thée , that thou art the maddest Knight in the worlde , to challenge him to battayle , at the onely hearing of whose name , the greatest part of all Asia doth tremble , and if thou wert not a simple , foole thou wouldest not in such sort discouer thine impotencie . If thou hast any message to the King Africano from the Souldan , come with mée and thou shalt be brought to his presence , for hée is not such a one as to come into the field against one sely Knight . The king Afrinano himselfe must heare my message , sayde the Knight of the Sunne , and hée must heare it armed , for otherwise I will not open it . The strong Herbyon was angrie at the knightes words , and thinking him to bée but as other knights were , or amongest the meanest , he offered to haue set the knight beside the saddle , and so to haue drawne him perforce to the king , shewing héerein no lesse pride and disdaine then the gréedie Fawlcon doth in the pursute of the simple Pigeon , to carrie it to the ayre among the young ones . But his lot was farre otherwise , for the knight perceiuing his intent , turned the point of his speare , & strake him so strongly on the chest , that though his armour were good , it entered a lyttle , and left him windlesse for a time . Herbyon thought himselfe nowe not well at ease , and therefore returning to himselfe , hee neuer studyed at the curtesie of the knight in sparing him in this traunce , but taking one parte of the fielde , and broching his horse with the spurs , his Speare béeing in the rest , with deadly rage he ranne against the knight of the Sunne , who was nothing slow in the receipt . Their shockes were such in their méeting , that the heauie speare of the strong Herbyon brake into shiuers in the fine helmet of the knight of the Sun , not diseasing him . But the knight of the Sunne hit the Gyant with such dexteritie that he ouerthrew him , and the great waight of his body made the Gyant weare his necke on the to side lyke a sidler , which was no lyttle paine vnto him . Yet he gate vppon his féete , rising with much a doe . Then the knight of the Sunne finding him vprisen , bad him defend himselfe . The Gyaunt aunswered that hée coulde not , therefore doe , with mée what you will . The Knight of the Sunne sayde no , but retourne to the king Africano thy Lorde , and tell him that a Knight of the Souldans doth awaite him héere , to make aunswere vnto his letter , and if so bée hée bée minded to heare it , will him in his armour to come foorth , for in no other order will I vtter it . The Gyant aunswered he would doe it , and not béeing able to sit on horsbacke , hée was compelled to goe on foote through the campe , driuing in his thought the remembraunce of the Knightes prowesse , so that hée was perswaded that not twentie knights Assyrians could haue done him so much harme as this one knight had done . The Souldan with the Princes Florion and Clauerindo were no lesse amazed in their contemplation to beholde the euent of the first welcome , and they gaue greate thanks to their Gods for sending them so good a Knight . Herbyon came before the king Africano his Lorde , and without failing in anie part , declared to him that which had chaunced with the knight , and the message which was sent by him . Moreouer , telling the king that hée thought that knight to bée the strongest knight in the worlde , for that with these two blowes which he had giuen him , hée had throwen him to the ground , and might haue killed him .

The king Africano not a little sorrie to sée the strong Herbyon so ill intreated & abashed at the force of one onely Knight , woulde therevpon haue put on his armour to haue bene auenged on the knight and to heare his message . But the other Gyaunt then in presence called Dardario , and much about Herbyons pitch , béeing of no lesse value then the first , in his choler menacing the knight , swore a great oath that he would bring the knight bound hand and foote vnto the king , wherefore taking a great horse he passed through the campe , and approching néere the Knight of the Sunne , he would not salute the Knight , but as his anger was throughly kindled , with a greate speare as big almost as a Pine trée , hée prepared himselfe for the carrier . And the worthie Gréeke knowing the Gyants errand , did the lyke , and spurring his horse he came vnto the close . The great speare of the Gyant was thought to haue pearced the harnesse of the knight , by reason of the few shiuers that it made , but it did not so , and contrariwise the knights speare couched with greate dexteritie , entered through the body of the great Dardario , a great part of the staffe appearing at the shoulders .

By this meanes the monstrous Gyant fell dead from his horse with such a grone , as the tall Cedars of Libanus make , béeing rent vp by the roote . The Babylonians reioyced excéedingly at this : but Africano was all enflamed with choler to fée his Gyaunt slaine with one onely blow , and knowing that to himselfe alone this base was bid , in great rage rose from the feate where he sate , without speaking a word , & entering into his tent , armed himselfe with sure armour , and chose him a very strong Speare , not tarrieng for squire or page to helpe him .

In this anger hée was so terrible that none of his people durst come néere him , and so with a most fierce & cruell countenance he armed himselfe . So soone as the Pagan had buckled on his armour , immediatly ther was brought him a horse , such a one as could haue carried tenne armed knights , as I thinke , of the same bredth whereof the horse of Troy was . The trappings of the horse as well golde , as the stirops and all his armour set with precious stones , that hée might well séeme a great Lord which was mayster of such armorie , but this was the straungest sight , that Africano sat vpon so mightie a horse , made him notwithstanding to bow & double vnder him . But to go forwarde , Africano taking the greatest Speare which might be had , rode with a soft pace towardes the knight of the Sunne . The Knight of the Sunne sawe him come from amongst his people , and thought presently that he was the king Africano , as well for his rich armour , and his horse so curiously barbed , as the talenesse of his personage which hée verie well noted , not to bée farre dissonant from the common report : so he beséeched his Gods from his heart to be fauourable vnto him against so strong a Gyant . Africano well viewed the knight of the Sunne , his stature and making , and vpon these premises inferred thus much , that well might he be a man of much force , which so well shewed it in his exteriour countenance , and much more in his déeds and valour . But comming néerer vnto the knight as his custome was little to regarde the whole worlde , so with a proud & disdainfull voice he spake vnto the knight . Thou miserable and wretched knight , thou saist thou art a messenger and bringest a message vnto me , thou hast slaine the Gyant Dardario & almost the strong Herbion , which two had bene sufficient to haue beat downe the walls of Babylon , I sweare vnto thée by my Gods , that if all the world were giuen me for thy ransome , thou shouldest not escape the death . The knight of the Sunne embasing his voice , mildly answered . If I haue had to doe with thy Gyaunts Africano , they were occasioners of it themselues , for I came not hether to other purpose , but to make thée answere in the behalfe of the Souldan , and if I came onely to séeke thée thou ▪ oughtest to haue bene first which should haue presented himselfe to me , and to haue heard what I wold haue sayde , and to haue heard me as a messenger , and not to attempt my death as a knowen enimie . Now that thou art come Africano , I tell thée why I am come , heare it if thou wilt . The Gods which haue preserued mée from thy Gyauntes , haue reserued me to fight with thée . But listen on , &c. Héere the rage of the Pagan stopped the course of his talke , and the mightie Africano smiting his hande on his thigh , for anger lift vp his other hand also to haue buffeted the knight , but a better minde ouertooke him , that bée thought it reason to heare the Souldans aunswrre before he should condempne the messenger , and so ▪ stayeng , he bad him tell on quickly , for I will well punish thy offence what so euer aunswere the Souldan sendeth me .

The knight of the Sunne wishing the battayle with all his heart , sayd . Then know thou Africano that thy letter béeing receiued and read in the presence of my Lorde the Souldan ; after consultation had , my Lord sendeth thée this answere by me . Albeit before this time thou art notoriously defamed for a tyrant , in that thou hast falsely and fraudulently enchroched vp many kingdomes , yet hée neuer thought thou wouldst haue enterprised the vsurpation of the most sacred Assyrian Empire , an Empire consecrated to the Gods , and claimed by them as their right , and in their right , gouerned by my Lordes auncestours as Liefetenaunts to the Gods , and their Fée-farmers , and therefore though peraduenture the open wrongs done vnto men , the Gods doe often pardon and winke at , yet seldome leaue they vnreuenged the iniuryes offered to themselues , and as it is to be thought , so manifest a contempt of their diuine power , shall not escape them . Besides for the Citie of Babylon , he letteth thée to vnderstand , that thy selfe art not ignorant that it is his , and that he hath right to it as heire to the king Orixerges his father on that parte of his liueloode , and that thou hast no title nor coulourable shew to demaund it . Wherefore if it be so that thou wilt take it against all reason from him , he telleth thée that hée can no lesse doe then defend it from thée and the whole world , for hauing right and iustice on his side , hée lyttle feareth the inuasion of man , deliuering his message in this forme of wordes , the knight of the Sunne sayde . This is the Souldans answere , and pausing a while , he began againe thus . And I Africano craued of my Lord to be the messenger , for I would thou shouldest know how dangerously thou offendest the diuine Gods in entering vpon the kingdome of Persia , and disinheriting the Prince Florion , the legittimate and onely Lord of that kingdome . Now therfore thou shouldest well doe to furrender thy claime into his hands , and content thée with the reuenues already receiued , and the vniust deteining of his right so long time . If thou wilt doe this , not for my sake , but for the high Gods , against whom thou hast hainously trespassed , thereby thou shalt parifie the Gods , and léese the name of a tyrant , so odious and so detested amongest men . If thou wilt still perseuer in this thy tyrannicall obstinacie , I vtterly defie thée to the death , and certifie thée that either I will slay a tyrant , or vpon a tyrant I will be slaine . Whilest the knight of the Sunne amplified at large vpon this point . Africano albeit verie angrie , yet marked him from top to toe , waieng with what confidencie he had discharged his charge , sometimes quietly admonishing to amend , and otherwise threatning and defieng with a fierce semblance . But as he cared neither for God nor man , so he swallowed vp the knights words , reputing the knight for a foole , for he thought his name onely able to afray anie knight , thus he replied . Were thy handes foolish knight as good to fight , as thy tongue is fine in preaching , I would not meruaile though thou hadst the hardynésse to defame Africano . But I will curtall thy copie with this currish answere . Prepare thée to the battaile , and take this premise at my hand , that if I be ouercome , I will leaue to Florion not onely the kingdome of Persia , but also all that which I my selfe haue of possessions in Asia , and so sayeng Africano made against the Knight , but the Knight of the ▪ Sunne wisely to order his affayres , aunswered him saieng . Staye a little Africano & heare that which I saie ; Thou knowest that alreadie this daie I haue twice fought with two of thy gyants , and am forewearied , if now I fight with thée , & thou subdue me , what honour shalt thou get therby ? Will not men say that thou tookest mée at the aduantage , when I was hurt before or wearyed as I am ? Appoint that our combat be to morrow , and that assurance : he had of this condition on either parts , and say thou the s●●●e before the principall of thy armie , that if perhaps I shoulde slaie thee in this battaile , the Souldan should not neede to haue a new skirmish with thy people . The deuise of the knight was fore against Africanos minde , for he would willingly haue purged some parte of the choler● which hée brought with him boiling in his stomack , but séeing this auoidance could not bée at this time made with the warrantie of his honour , he graunted to the conditions , and thus aunswered him . Let it be so as thou sayst , foolish knight , I will do thée a pleasure in delaieng the time of reuenge of my knights and thy foolish wordes , but sith I may not refraine my anger hauing thée before me , returne hastely to the citie and I will to my tent , and with this he turned the raines of his horse , and came to his pauilion where he fed vpon melancholy all the day , not speaking to anie one ▪ The knight of the Sun deferred the battaile till the next daie , not for that he was wearie , but to aduertise the Souldan of that which was agréed vpon , now the rather to assure himselfe , returned to the Citie , where hée was receiued with great idye and pleasure of all his friends , and being within the Pallaice , he told the Souldan to what issue he had brought the matter , he was very ioyfull by reason of the wise Lyrgandeos prophesies , which he hoped then to be accomplished , & partly doubtfull of the successe , because Prince Florion knew Africanos strength was such as few were able to resist it , he would haue had him not to deale in this aduenture alone , & requested him to ioyne ▪ vnto him some other companions , namely Prince Florion & Clauerindo , which themselues laboured greātly , but he gaue them thanks and excused himselfe with this , that it was so derréed , but saith he , there may be a time wherin you may imptoy your forces . For he knew the people of Africano to be to hardie , that if perchance their Lord should be slaine or be in daunger , they would either succour their Lord , or work his reuenge vpon the conquerour : therfore he willed them to be in a redinesse . So these two knights gladly accepted that charge , & all that day chose out of the people , those which should the next day kéepe the field with them to be at hand for succors to the knight , if any treason shuld be compassed against him . The knight of the Sun tooke his rest merely till the daie wherein he prospered , as you shall now heare .

A cruell battaile betweene the knight of the Sunne and Africano , with the discomfiture of Africanos hoast .

Cap. 24.

GO soone as the day appeared , the noble Gréeke arose from his bedde , and hée béeing now readie to arme himselfe , the Souldan , the Prince Clauerindo , Florion , and other knightes his friendes came into his chamber , which all helped to arme him . When he was all armed , the wise Lyrgandeo came in also with a helmet in his handes , the richest and most precious that euer was seene , and the strongest also & the best wrought that euer came on knights head , for that the wise man had made it by obseruation of signes and Planets in such aspectes that no Swoord how good so euer , might enter into it , and hée had bene more then twentie yeares in making it , to haue the true coniunction of the celestiall badyes which are apte for the operation of it , besides all which , hée had fetched from farre countries the stuffe whereof it was made , for it was no common mettall . This helmet was for workemanship so excéeding , as for it onely , Lyrgandeo wan his spurres , and was commended aboue all the learnedst and wisest Magicians , for none other hauing not attayned to the like perfection in Astronomie or Arte Magicke coulde haue euer made it . Now as I sayde le●●●●ing into the chamber , where the Knight of the Sunne , the Souldan , & the rest were , and shewing his helmet , be drous them all into a wonder , at the beautie and riches of the helmet , for although they knew not the hidden vertue of it , yet for the brauerie of the stones , they iudged it valuable to a kings delight . He bare in it a field Azour of the likenesse of the Element in most quiet and peaceable manner , not troubled with winde or cloudes , in the chiefe , there was a Sun guilded , spreading his beames all ouer the helmet , as it wer the mantling , somwhat besides good armorie I think , but well fitting for so gorgeous a péere of armour . The Sunne shined so bright , that it almost dazeled the eyes of the beholders . This helmet christening him now by the name of the Knight of the Sunne , as the Sunne in his left side named him the Gentleman of the sunne when he was first founde in the Sea by Florion . The wise man came vnto the knight , and tooke from him the helmet , which he had already laced on , and put on this other , saieng .

My Lord , you goe to fight with one so strong and valiant a Knight , that neither may I report it for the strangnesse , neither can you giue credite vnlosse you haue triall . Now , though the helmet you haue is very good , yet being hacked and brused ▪ with the terrible blewes of the strong Raiartes , it is not such a one as maye resist the waightie strokes of Africano : but this which now I giue you , make much of it , for I knowing , that this battaile ought to be foughten by you , in the right of my Nephewe the Prince Florion , haue this twentie yeares and more busied my selfe about it , and fully finished it , not past a yeare since . The Knight of the Sunne triumphed now to bée made the master of so rare an helmet , and in so néedefull a time , saieng to Lyrgandeo in thankfull wise , that he accepted better of that helmet then of the whole worlde , if it were giuen him . You doo not amisse in so dooing , aunswered the wise man , for I tell you the time will come when you shall make exchaunge of it vnto a Knight straunger , farre borne out of these countries , and I doe not meruaile though you shall then make merchandise of the head-péece which now you so highly regard , for at that time you shall sell the most precious thing that euer you had , for a worse thing , which shall bring you to the ieopardie of death a thousand times , and neither shall wit nor might , cunning nor courage , helpe you to auoide this chaunce . The knight of the Sunne stood looking vpon the wise man , as not witting to what end those words tended , and studieng a long time , he thus gain-sayed it .

Of things to come , I haue nought to say , but to referre such things to the prouidence of our Gods , but of things which are already come , thus much I saye , that I knowe nothing in the world for which I would loose this helmet , giuen me in so good opportunitie . But the morning , béeing farre spent , they lefte off for that time , and departed all from the Pallaice towards the Souldans armie , and setting their people in order , they passed out of the gates , with all things prepared for to kéepe the field . The Knight of the Sunne accompanied with the Souldan , and the other two Princes , Florion and Claueryndo , Armineo , and the wise Lyrgandeo , rode to the place appoynted , for the execution of the conditions concluded vpon . The great Africano was in place before , expecting his aduersarie , whome when the Knight espyed , he rode against with onely two Knights , of the most principall in the Souldans hoast .

The Knight of the Sunne saluted Africano courteouslye , but Africano béeing of a stubborne and discourteous nature , gaue him the resalutation in this manner .

Thou oughtest to haue come earlyer into the fielde , to the ende our Battaile might haue bene sooner dispatched , but tell me now quickly the Articles of agréement to be made . and spende no more time , least we take another day of respite . Nay , there is no more to doo , aunswered the Knight of the Sunne , but that of thy part two of thy Knights bée Iudges , and for my part , these two Knights , Claueryndo Prince of Fraunce , and his vnkle héere present , shall sitte with them , before them take an oath for the performance of that , wherof thou madest me promise béeing alone with thée . I am well contented with this , sayd Africano , and now I sweare the same , that if I be either slaine , or yéelden , the kingdome of Persia , shall be redeliuered to Florion , and this I commaund my Knights to sée auouched . So soone as he had sayd this , he gaue backe , and the Knight of the Sunne did the lyke , the Iudges assiguing a place for the combate .

Now are the two couragiousest Knightes , in all the world lefte the one against the other , with so fierce and manly countenaunces , that it might haue dismayed the spectators . When the sound of the Trumpet had summoned them to the Battaile , the two strong Knights girding their Horses with their spurres , rode the one against the other , with such vyolence , as if the Clowdell had rent asunder , by the out-brasting of the Thimder-ho●te ! Their great speares broken vpon their armour , flewe in small shiuers , and they rode me by the other as quietly , as if no shocke had bene made . Africano the Pagan not acquainted , with such encountries , and alwayes wont to vnhorse all knights ▪ whom he me● , séeing the Knight prepapared for the second iourney , meruailed much wh● this strong warriour might be , whom before this time he had not proued ; nor yet euer hearde off . But lightlye casting these things in his minde , as at a sodaine he drew out his sword● and tourned towards his euemie , which was then readie for him .

They strake each other such heauie blowes , that warding them on their shields , although they were of pure stéele , yet they cleaued them in the middest , and their swords lighted on their helmets driuing out great sparkles of fire before them . The great Africano gaue the Knight of the Sunne vpon his helmet such buffets and with such force , that euery man would haue iudged it had riuen the head-péece . There the cunning of the wise Lyrgandeo well appeared , for it was not possible for yron , stéele , or Adamant stone , but to haue yéelded to that stroke . But what thinke you that the Knight of the Sunne did , when hée thought that he had lost his hearing by it , and said to himselfe , that not without good cause Africano was greatly feared among the Pagans . Nay , to the no lesse meruaile of both hoasts , the Knight of the Sunne let driue at Africano with such force , as it was to the no small admiration of all men , that he hewed him not in péeces . But you must learne , that when Africano passed by Sea from Africke into Asia , it was his chaunce to saile by Lemnos , where Vulcans Forge was . There he heard of Vulcans caue where his store-house was , and entering into it , he atchieued straunge things , not héere to be recounted , and gained Vulcans armour , wrought with his owne handes , the best in all the land . This when Africano tryed oftentimes to be very good , whereof he was well pleased , from that time forrth , he neuer fought with other hut with that . Now , albeit this head-peece was well framed from being cut , yet the knight of the Sunnes blowes were so heauy , that oftentimes Africano wist not where he was , and recouering would say vnto himselfe . What is this ? I beléeue the strength of the whole world conspireth with this Knight against me , and if it be not so , that he is of the off-springs of our Gods , yet am I sure that hée is no man . But among all the great blowes which the Knight of the Sunne lent to Africano there was one at the fore-ende of the battaile , vppon the toppe of Africanos helmet , the sworde not entering , but sliding downe vpon his shoulders , with such force that it made him leane all his body vpon the horse-necke , whereof if he had not taken holde , he had fallen to the ground . Then the Pagan sure inough yet in his saddle , and his force redoubling as his anger increased , smote at the inchaunted helmet , that he made the knight confesse in his thought , that his helmette was his good borrow . The blowe sounded throughout all the field , as if it had bene a bell , and the Knight of the Sun with the waight of the blow , neither bolt vpright , nor full declining , but staieng vpon the arson , drouped as halfe dead . But the bloud gushing out of his nose , fetched him againe quickly , ere that Africano could come within him . Nowe , seeing it time to defenve himselfe from his aduersarie , hée stood vpright in his stirrops , & with both his hands strake at Africano , so that if the worke-man had not bene more to blame , the blow had made peace betwéene them , but for all the work-mans craft , the waight of the blowe brused the helmet , which was the cause of Africanos spéedier death .

Africano benummed of his sences , the bloud straining thorough the ioynts of the helmet , and he sitting in his saddle as halfe dead . The horse sore daunnted with the blowe , stood still till Africano reuiued , and in the gathering of his strength , out-brayed thus much in his thought . O infernall furies , are you not all hired against me ? Or is it credible , that either Iupiter , or Saturne , or Mars , or all the Gods , may haue the like force as this young man . But Africanos heart failed him not , albeit his words out-raged , for he followed the Knight of the Sunne , who attended him spéedely .

Then the Prince Florion sayd to the Souldan his vnkle , We make great account of the trauailes of the auncient Assyrians our fore-fathers , and of the Grecians , with whom our countri-men ioyned , at the expedition of Troy : but I cannot thinke , that euer two so strong warriours haue bene , as Africano and Raiartes .

You maye boldlye iussifie that , aunswered Lyrgandeo , for there was neuer vntill this day a battaile between two knights so valyant and sharpe as this is , nor yet euer two so hardy drew swords against each other , although things before done , carrie a greater burden of authoritie then that which we our selues can testifie . But the iealousie which Claueryndo had ouer the Knight of the Sunne was not a little to be iudge of so valiaunt behauiour , not that he had an ill eye towardes his friendes good Fortune , but either wishing to himselfe the like triall , or desiring to aduenture with his friend , although that many dayes ended , er● he had his fill to his contentment . Africanos people looked euer for the victory , greatly fore-thinking them , that anye one knight should make resistaunce to their Lord , as hauing experience in themselues , which all shooke for feare to sée him angred . Now it was more then two houres since the battaile began , and then Fortune alwayed fickle and vnstable which had of a long time gone euen with African o , now played hir part in hir kinde , and as alreadye wearie of his companie , tourned hir tale , and stroke in another way , desirous to shewe the great swiftnesse of hir euer-turning whéele , and minding the sodaine ouer-throwe of those which too much trust in hir . For Africano desperately determining to breake vp the fight one way or the other : once againe hit the Knight of the Sunne vpon his Magicall helmet , that he tooke quite his memorie from the Knight , the sword and the raynes falling from him . Yet the sword hanging by a long string at the pomell was not out of his reach , but the horse hauing the libertie of the raines , and féeling his parte of the blowe flange vp and downe the field with his master , the strong Pagan following to haue vnhorsed him . But how ▪ deare was this blow to Africano for it cost him no lesse then his lyfe , for the valyant Knight of the Sunne neuer stayned in fight , became woode madde for his hurte , and in great rage tooke his sword in both his handes , and repayed the borrowed blow so surely vpon Africanos head , that not Vulcans wel tempered stéele could forbid the passage , but that it quartered the helmet , and made the braines sprinkle on the grounde . Nowe sounde ye Trumpettes , for in this wise is the great Africano brought to ground , ending his lyfe in such sort , as is fatall to tyrants , whose death commonly is cruell and bloudie . This the Souldan and those of his part séeing ; made such ioye as cannot be told , but on the contrary side , Africanos people made great lamentation , and reckoning little vpon that which their Lord in his life time had commaunded , because they were greater in number than their aduersaries , they ioyned together on heapes sine discretione , and without a guyde made an assault vpon the Knight and his adherents . But they not taken at vnawares , receiued them accordingly . These wer the● Souldan , the Prince Florion , the Prince Claueryndo , and Armineo , with the Knight of the Sunne , in whose company they were the bolder , and comming to the foreward in the formost ranke , they finde of the stoutest and principallest knights that Africano had . These foure encountered them and vnhorsed as manye as they came against , and breaking through to the thickest thronge , they wrought wonders , especially the Prince of Fraunce desirous to get honour in the first head of his knighthood , shooued into the middest , beheading some , and mayming other some , making as it were a lane before him to passe thorough , so that the wise Lyrgandeo sayd openly that now his outwarde fight did well witnesse the selfe same thing which his Arte had shewed him in casting the Constellation of this Knight , for he was a valiaunt Knight , and the slaughter he made , was nigh hand comparable with that of that of the Knight of the Sunne .

Vppon the lefte wing Prince Florion tryed his manhoode , hauing neere vnto him the Souldan . Where ( be it that other-wise to a strong Gyant as Africano was , hée was inferiour , ) yet among the other people , hée was as proud as a rauenous woolfe among a flocke of shéepe . The Souldan and the good knight Armineo did their part , but what woulde all this auaile , vnlesse the knight of the Sunne had beaten the waye before them with his sharpe sword , slaieng so many , as it was easie for the followers to kéepe the troden path . And now at this time , the Souldans armie appointed for the gard of the Knight of the Sunne , came to the battaile , and finding Fortune so courteous at their comming they refused not hir gentlenesse , but following hir commaund , made it a bloudy conflict for the aduersary . But yet a man may rightly say , that the Knight of the Sunne deliuered that day the Babylonians from death or bondage , for if he had not ouercome Africano . not the high walls of the Quéene Semiramis , could haue kept Africano out from enioying the Citie . But their Lord béeing slaine and they lefte without an head , their courage was so quailed , that ere two houres passed , the greater part of them was slaine like-wise , and of those which remained on liue , the most part fled by one and one , the Assyrians pursuing them , till the Souldan commaunded the retreate to be blowen , fearing to be ouer-taken by the night . By this meanes , some escaped to their Countrey , most of them being inhabitants of Media , where also was the abode of Africanos sonne called Brandimardo , not being able for yeares to be made knight , and therfore going not out with his father to the warre . These so soone as they came home crowned Brandimardo , and incensed him to the reuenge of his fathers death , for although he was of yeres young and tender , yet was he very strong and of a lustie bodie ; beeing like vnto his father , as well in stature as in qualyties , and in deede , beeing continually layed at by his Fathers subiectes , passing into Greece , he behaued him-selfe manfullye , as shall be shewed you . Well , the Souldan and those which were with him as you haue hearde , recourned in ioye and pleasure , and highlye magnifieng the noble Knight of the Sunne , so as this discourse as an argument of greate good will canuased betwéene these knights and Princes brought them ere they were well aware before the Pallaice gate , where the Princesse Balisea welcommed them with torch light , the first whom she embraced was the Knight of the Sunne , to whome shee said on this wise . Sir knight we 〈◊〉 great cause to giue thanks to our Gods for your hether ariuall . First you deliuered my Lord the Souldan and me from death , & now you haue set all vs frée from sorrowfull captiuitie . But madame answered the knight of the Sunne , to my Lord the Prince Florion , and to these other knightes , you ought to attribute this , for they are those which haue destroyed Africanos hoast . Then the Princesse tourned vnto Clauerindo and thanked him likewise for his paines in the defence of her fathers Citie , and so to the rest in that order which best liked her . After this they supped in the greate hall , continuing there their sports till bed time , as likewise the citizens well shewed their good liking of the victory by bonfires and other reuelling sport . The next day they ordeined that which followeth .

The knight of the Sunne , the two Princes , Florion and Clauerindo , with a great hoast enter into Persia , and there put Florion in possession of the Crowne .

Cap. 25.

THE next day after dinner , the Souldan himselfe entered into the counsaile chamber , and other affaires being laid a part , the wise Lyrgandeo made this Oration . It is apparantly knowne vnto vs all , how bountifully our high Gods haue dealt with vs as well touching my Lord the Souldan as the Prince Florion , and the whole nation of the Assyrians , in bringing to this Court , the knight of the Sunne and the Prince Clauerindo : who by theyr notable vertues not onely haue kept this citie from sacking , but also as we make account haue left the realme of Persia naked for resistaunce , not one speare remaining to bée tossed against vs . For the attayning of either of these things we are not ignoraunt , how weake and vnable we were , that were it not for these two young Gentlemen , not onely our home bred power , but also thrice as many of forreine succours coulde not haue hindered Africano from his purpose . Wherefore I thinke it conuenient , that sith the Gods haue graunted vs this victorie , and that we haue the winde at our backes , that we followe our good Fortune while we haue her , least by ouerslipping the opportunitie , we to late repent our too much daintinesse . My meaning is , that with such spéed as may be , the Prince Florion and these Lordes depart the realme into Persia , there to make claime of his right by armes , whilest euery man is occupied in complaining on his owne harmes . For although as yet there dare no man stand against vs , yet for a certeintie there is a king of Media , Africanos sonne , which ere it be long will bée our heauie neighbour , he is not yet made Knight , but his destinie foresheweth vs , that if hée once come to boorde in Persia , we shall bée no lesse disquieted with his companie , then we were with Africano his Father . The wise Lyrgandeo made an end of his Oration , knitting vp his matter with this clause ( that it were not out of the way to aduise themselues ) notwithstanding for good resons this was his iudgement .

They which would neuer contrarie him in any point , tooke no further respite , but consenting to the effect of Lyrgandeos Oration concerning the conquest of Persia , tooke this order . The Prince Florion , the Knight of the Sunne , Clauerindo , and Armineo his vnckle , with fiftéene thousand Knightes , and fiftie thousand footemen , within ten dayes shoulde prepare themselues for this aduenture , the Princesse Balisea abiding with the Souldan her Father , till the kingdome were well setteled from tumult , and the Prince in peaceable fruition of the crowne . This they dealt in effectually , for within the compasse of the dayes limitted , they left Babylon , the Souldan , and the Princesse , onely comforted with the hope which Lyrgandeo made promise of .

The fiftéene thousand Knightes with the foote men by long iourneyes entering into Persia , and comming néere vnto one of the chiefest Cities of the Kingdome , there in the plaine vnloaded their carriage to erect theyr tentes there . But the Citizens hauing vnderstanding of Africanos death by the fugitiues in the last discomfiture of Africanos hoast , and thinking it not safetie for themselues to rebell against their liege & naturall Lord Florion , especially he hauing the aide of the whole floure of Babylon set their gates wide open for his armie , and sent of theyr worthiest knightes to Florions tent to inuite him to his owne Citie , and to craue pardon for their former re●●ulting , in that time when they were lefte destitute of mans succour , not béeing able of themselues to withstande the force of Africano . And also excusing themselues that they had neuer a guide to conduct them into the fielde , against so strong an enimie , hauing in his power the greatest part of all Asia .

The Prince lightly excusing their fault , easily condescended vnto theyr requests , and béeing gladde of so good enterteinement of the first , the next daye rode into the Citie , with the ioyfull acclamations of the whole multitude . There he resumed the Crowne and Scepter , and béeing in quiet seyzure , the subiectes of the Realme by the fame of his thether arriuall , came from all partes to doe him homage , so that in halfe a yeares space all the principall Cities of the kingdome submitted themselues , and there was lefte no more memorie of the vsurpers name

The King Florion seyzed of his lande in such a friendly manner , nowe tooke counsayle how to haue the Quéene his wife conuayed thether , and for that it was requisite that the king himselfe should tarrie behinde , for the appeasing of all tumults if anie should arise in so rawe a possession , hée gaue the charge of fetching the Quéene with all reasonable pompe , vnto the knight of the Sunne and the Prince Clauerindo , they to take with them . 200. knightes for their safetie . They tooke it gladly , and frayted their shippes with necessarie prouision and other furniture for warre , determining to trauaile by sea the sooner to come vnto their iourneies end . When euerie thing was in a readinesse , the knights tooke theyr leaue of the king Florion and the wise Lyrgandeo . But the wise man not refraining from teares , and louingly embracing the Knight of the Sunne , burst out into these speaches in such sorte , as the Sibilles in ancient time were wont to read mens destinies . Noble and worthie Knight , you are determined to see Babylon , but you are vncerteyne whether euer to see it , or to retourne to Persia , and as little knowe I what shall befall . For truth it is that all the heauenly sphéeres warrant more vnto you then to to any knight , what that is , it is kept from me , I cannot finde the entrie therevnto , wherefore I am in doubt of your hether retourne . But if the fates , or otherwise the course of the starres which impose a necessitie to man , carrie you beyonde the compasse of your will into a farre Countrie , where there shall bée greater néede of your presence , grudge not at it , but giue thanks to our Gods , for all shall redound to your honour and the magnifieng of your lignage . This I tell for a suretie , that you shall neuer doe the thing in your lyfe whereof you shall take lyke pleasure as in your two first aduentures vndertaken for two Knightes straungers , whome notwithstanding you shall not know till time and place discloseth them vnto you . Of you sign ago I will reporte nothing , for it is ordeined by the Gods , that by the mouth of one of these two Knights of whom I haue spoken , your whole parentage shoulde de layds open , before which time you shall be at mortall de●●ance . For the shutting vp of this speach , the remainder onely is , that I make offer of my seruice vnto you , whereof I hope if shall bee néedlesse to make a profession in words , séeing I am therevnto bounden by your manifolde friendships towards my kindred . In a worde Lyrgandeo shall neuer fayle you in the thing , wherein either his wealth or wisedome maye stand you in stéede ; and the daie shall come wherein you being in the countrie where you were borne , and amongst your owne parents , shall account them all for enimyes , and yet no man shall take your part but onely Lyrgandeo which for that time shall saue your lyfe , and I hope that this seruice shall not be the last in account , or the least in value which I will doe vnto you . The wise man ended , and they all which were present wondered to heare him so diuine of things to come . But the knight of the Sunne not vnderstanding the tenour of this prophesie , wisely referred all things to Gods prouidence , thanking the wise man for his great care ouer him .

Now when on all parts all curtesies were performed , and that the king Florion had commended them to his Gods , they embarked themselues , and spreading theyr sailes followed the way towards Babylon , as the chapter following shall declare .

The Knight of the Sunne and the Prince Clauerindo beeing in their waye towards Babylon , were diuided by a sodeine aduenture .

Cap. 26.

AS alreadie the noble and knightlye déedes of the Knight of the Sunne did bud out and were likely to flourish more héereafter , so now not onely the celestiall influences , but the confluences of the tempestuous windes also , and the sea it selfe became so carefull for his aduancement that there failed nothing of that which might worke his preferment , for so it is , that when anie thing is forced by the starres as to succéede prosperously vnto a man , albeit mountaines of aduersitie impugne & assaile him , yet can they neuer expugne his good Fortune , but in the ende he recouereth his quyet rest , maugre the mallice of misaduenture . And so the issue declared in the Knight of the Sunne . For the ninth day after that the knight of the Sunne , Claueryndo , and those which were with them had sayled in the Persicke sea , the night attached them , ouercast with darke cloudes without anie starres appearing , whereby the marriners construed the roughnesse of the weather on the morrowe , and therefore guided towardes land to cast anchour in some good harberowe till the stormes ceased . Ere the dawning of the day they discouered a docke not farre from the continent , in their séeming verie commodious , but indéede very daungerous , as it proued . Entering the docke , they scarce had leasure to throw out their anchors , but two other ships ioyned with them to séeke some safe roade out of the tempest . These which last gat to the port were verie desirous to know what the other might be , and therefore an armed knight , so huge and great as if he had ben a Gyant , mounting on the ship boord , called aloude vnto them to answere him . Some of the other ship hearing him in this wise crieng , leapt vpon the hatches , saieng . What is it sir Knight that you would haue ? Marie I would knowe aunswered the knight , what you are , and whether you will . One of the companie beeing stoute and of ill behauiour , and supposing this knight to be some Gyant of that Countrie minding to set vpon them , made him answere thus . Returne to thy dwelling , and bée not carefull to know them which knowe not thée , otherwise assure thy selfe héere are Knightes which will chase thée hence , in such sorte as it shall well gréeue thée . The straunge knight stomacking this rudenesse , sayde againe . Assuredly Knight thou art some vilayne borne or of base birth , sith in such order thou rewardest mée , demaunding onely vpon curtesie , but séeing I cannot learne it of thée with thy good will , I will compell thée therevnto with thine ill will , and sayeng no more , hée droue at the knight so strongly that he claue both shéeld , helmet , and head , vnto the eyes . O what a mischiefe doth ill speach bréed vnto man , and how inexcusable was it in this knight , when he redéemed this franke spéech with his owne life , and solde to make a paiment the life of many others . Another knight séeing his fellow slaine , stept into his roome and smote at the straunger , where by the clattering of theyr harnesse , the dinne was so great , that it raised the people on both parts by clusters . And there was a great fray betwixt them , the knight of the Sun nor Claueryndo witting of it , till the great knight had ouerthrowen & put to death fiue or sixe of those knights which came néerest to hand .

The Knight of the Sunne séeing his knightes so destroyed , especially by this greate Knight , leauing the other , bent his force against him , and strake him a blowe ouerthwart the head péece , making him to abate his courage . The great Knight aunswered the loane , and the battayle was verys hotte betwéene them , for though the night was darke , yet they knewe where to hit , as well by the flames which sprang out of theyr helmets , as the clashing of their armour : Claueryndo put himselfe amongst the thickest , and at his first God-morrow slew ten knightes , and then not finding with whome to fight , hée leapt into his enimies Shippe with his vnckle Armineo , where hée felled more then . 30. Knightes , and the skirmish began a fresh , either part willing to helpe theirs , and the foure ships grapled together , so that the fight woulde haue ben dangerous if it had lasted longer , but halfe an hour & a lyttle more ouerpassed , the tempest which before threatned to appeare now outraged , and the porte not verie sure , the foure Shippes were diuided by the storme , euerye one withdrawing himselfe to séeke succour . Now in the Ship wherein the knight of the Sunne and the greate Knight fought , there were no more Knightes but they two , for all followed Clauerindo into the other shippes . The two knights left alone were so earnest that they tooke little keepe either of the tempest or of their danger . The successe of the battaile was doubtfull , sometimes enclining to the one part , sometimes to the other , neither parte quailing , but gathering theyr strengthes to them by the emulation of each other . For the knight of the Sunne verily beléeued that except his enimie had bene some such as Africano was , hée could neuer haue bid those mortall strokes : and the other Knight thought as well that no mans force could be matchable with the knightes , and either of them both had better cause to thank Lyrgandeos kindnesse , especially this strange knight at this time , for had not his armour kept out the edge of the other knights armant sword he could not haue prolonged the battell till day light , yet at that time he was so ouermatched , that if a sodeine aduenture had not broke vp their fight , he had ended his life in that place .

But when it was broad daye , by this the battaile surceased , that the straunge Knight knewe the deuise of the Sunne , vppon the Knight of the Sunnes helmet , which when hée espyed , letting his Swoord fall , and lifting vp his beuere , he cast himselfe at the Knightes féete with this speach . Oh my Lord the Knight of the Sunne , pardon I pray , your friend , who by meere ignoraunce hath made vpon your person , and who acknowledgeth in you such souereigne vertue as may not be in other , but in those to whom our Gods haue imparted of theyr goodnesse . For if the daie had lingered , or that the morning had not bene somewhat cléere , I shoulde haue receiued a full paiment for my rashnesse : and saieng this , he would haue embraced Del Febos knées . Now the Knight of the Sunne so soone as the others visour was pulled vp , knew well that he was the Prince Brandizel , whome his father not willing to make Knight before his yeares were more , had lefte with the Souldan in Babylon . For he was scarcely eightéene yeares of age , yet being in armour , he was as bigge as you haue heard off , and taking courage vppon his stature , in his Fathers absence , he laye at the Souldan his Grandfather to be dubbed Knight , thinking it long till hée were with his father , and his great friends the Knight of the Sunne and the Prince Claueryndo . So after that hee had obtained his sute of his Grand-father , he demaunded license of departure of the Souldan and the Princesse Balisea his mother to passe into Persia , which was graunted him , and two shippes charged with two hundred Knights to conuaye him thether , where after the fourth dayes sailing , that chaunced to him , which the Historye hath recounted .

But to retourne , as soone as the Knight of the Sunne knew his déere friend the Prince Brandizel verye glad to haue found him so valyaunt and hardie , he imbraced him heartely , and so they communed of their owne affaires , and the desire that each had to sée others . But as they began their seuerall stories , by enter-chaunge of speach , first one , & then another , the Marriners cried , that the ship rent in péeces . So some leapte into the water , and other threwe out plankes to saue themselues by , and the Knight of the Sun finding the Cock-boate néere vnto him , let it downe into the water by a cable , and calling the Prince Brandizel , hée lept into it first him-selfe . Thus much is ordinarie in the course of worldlie things , but that which is to come , is beyond the credite of a storie , as it were an extraordinarie miracle . For when the Knight of the Sunne lept into the boate , the cable rent in péeces , and with the force of the iumpe , and the rage of the windes together , the boate lanched into the deapth , that the Prince Brandizel , coulde not followe him , but got into a little boate , which the Gouernour of the shippe had before taken . But by and by after these Princes had thus escaped , the shippe wherein they had bene , tore in péeces with the storme . Some béeing drowned , and other some in no little daunger , as the waues began to swell , so euer prognosticating of their owne deaths .

The Knight of the Sunne sayling alone in the vessell , and in such feare of destruction , was not so stout harted , as to contemne the sencelesse element , but confessing the imbecilitie of mans power subiected vnder these weak things as fire and water , besides casualties infinite more , he commended himselfe vnto his Gods by earnest prayer , not yet onely for himselfe , but also for his friend Brandizel , not being able to diuine of his deliueraunce . Sitting thus in the boate all pensiue , till the windes were somewhat alayed , and the Sea waxed more calme , afterwards he looked about him , and sawe that he was out of daunger , with other two things which made him more to meruayle . The one was the great foyzon and plentie of all victualls , sufficient to a man for many dayes , the other was the swiftenesse of the boate in the sea , hauing neither sayle nor care to rule it , and musing of this in his thought , he couiectured presently , that it should be done by Lyrgandeo , and therefore as very glad of such a mans friendship in so néedefull a time , he gaue him thankes as heartely as if he had séene him there , in this order he was vpon the Sea many daies , without knowing whether the winde would driue him , ●●ll that from out of the Persians Seas he came into the Occean , and so coasting the whole Countrey of Asia lieng vppon that Sea , he was carried into Affricke , which stretcheth vppon the wide West Seas . In which Countrey the Historye leaueth him , till an other winde serueth , nowe it procéedeth with the storie of his friendes Brandizel and Claueryndo , who were on the Seas tossed in lyke manner . Claueryndo , as the storye tolde you , boorded his enimies with fiftie Knights in his companye , and made great hauocke of them , so that he had not lefte anye of them alyue , if the storme had not risen so greatlye . For the windes were so outragious betwéene them , and when they coulde stande no longer on ship-hoorde to trye it out , they lefte not off to aske , who each other was , the one partie sayd , we are Babylonians , and the other , wée are Persians . All this happened in good time , for when they knewe each other , they fell not againe to quarrelling , but they agréed to emptie their ships , thereby to auoyde the daunger . So Claueryndo hauing nowe leasu●e to looke about him , the battaile being ended , and not sinding the Knight of the Sunne nor the Prince Brandizel , with-all , remembring how he had lefte them twaine in fighting , was greatly afrayd least that the Knight of the Sun shuld endaunger the Prince , before the one shoulde knowe the other . Therefore he beséeched God lyke a good Christian to delyuer them both , and to make them knowe each other , thereby to make greater account the one of the other , and it is to be thought , that this his prayer was heard , for the second daye following , the storme flaked ; & the ship wherein they sayled , arriued to a Port , not farre from a place where they were nowly rigged . There they had not stayed an houre , but that they sawe the boate in which the Prince Brandizel was . The marriners in Brandizels boat , not being perfect in the hauen , would not venture to take landing there , but coasting a long they passed by the ships , to finde some more safe place to land in . The Prince was ascried by his men in his shippes , and therefore they made signes vnto the Gouernour to stere towards them , so the Gouernour vnderstanding the fokens , guyded thether . The Prince Claueryndo and his vnckle Armineo , standing on the hatches readie to welcome the Prince Brandizel , betwéene whom there-was shewed tokens of great good wil , and each made much of other as two faithfull friendes .

But questioning about the Knight of the Sunne , the Princes Brandizel declared the manner of their parting , and the daunger wherein he had lefte him . This caused great sorrowe in them , for they loued him as dearely as any father his children , or any wife hir husbande . And to asswage their griefe , Armineo remembered vnto them the wordes , which the wise Lyrgandeo had spoken to the Knight of the Sunne at his departure . Where-by they were perswaded , that his departure by such a chance , was but for the achieuement of things more worthy of him alone , and for whom onely they were reserued . Now , hauing stayed in this Hauen two dayes to repayre theyr shippes , when they were in a readinesse , they sayled towardes Babylon , where they were goodly receiued of the Souldan & of the Queene , both verie ioyfull of the newes , as touching Persia , and the King Florions peaceable possession , and againe , as sorrowfull for the losse of the Knight of the Sunne , and the perill of death wherein Brandizel saw him last . But in short time after , there were letters receiued from Lyrgandeo , containing the certaintie of his safetie , the manner of his escape , and the affaires wherein he was employed . Which last poynt bred a great desire in Claueryndo and Brandizel to stray through the world , and to exercise the feates of armes , And a while after they had rested themselues in Babylon , they brought the Quéene to Persia by lande , for they woulde no more aduenture the Seas , especially hauing the Quéene as part of their burthen , and the historie bringeth them on their way as farre as Persia , whence , it retourneth towards Hungarie , to matters of lyke importaunce , wherein the younger sonne of Trebatio had to deale , whose prowesse is no lesse worthy my paines , then his brothers valour is worthye of your rememebraunce , for he surpassed all other Knights in loyaltie and might , beeing equall to Donzel del Febo in all poynts , as héere-after you shall héere .

The Princesse Briana discouered to Rosicleer secretly , that he was hir sonne .

Cap. 27.

THE storie lefte the Princesse Briana straungely afflicted & tormented with the double losse , both of Prince Edward hir husband , & Donzel del Febo hir sonne , which griefe no doubt had quickly killed hir , had not a Nymph giuen hir comfort at the well in the orchard , as it hath ben shewed . But yet it some-what eased hir melancholy , that she had the fayre and courteous Rosicleer , in whose onelye companie , she was wont to beguile hir mishaps , and by his meanes , to forget hir miseries . For he was so gracious , as that he was beloued not onely of his mother , but of the other Gentlewomen also , which might not one minute spare his companie , as if he had bene childe to euerie one . This Rosicleer , when he attained to the age of twelue yeares , remooued out of the Monestarie to a house hard by , where his nourse Leonardo kept , whom he thought to bée his father . Héere he was diligently instructed in all good literature , and in the exercise of armes , both to be able to be a good counsailour in peace , and as good a warriour in battaile , ouer and besides the knowledge of the tongues , wherein Leonardo was very curious , as hauing trauailed for his knowledge , through the most parts of Europe and Asia , being there-vnto both wise and well learned . Rosicleer was of such pregnaunt wit , and so ripe of capacitie , that he little néeded the helpe of a teacher , & to that which his nourse read , he added by his owne industrie somewhat , that he became so profound in these studies , as if hée had bene studied in them , all his life time at Athens . But remaining thus , vnder the gouernaunce of his supposed Father , till he was fourtéene yeares of age , he then was so high and big made , that few in that countrie were so tall , and being at this age , he was able for strength to doo that , which thrée Knightes together , were vnable to doo . The Princesse knowing of his strength forbad him hir fathers Court , and would not suffer him to forgoe the Monestary , for she feared , least the King hearing of his towardnesse , should enquire after him , and so retaine him in his seruice . For this cause Rosicleer thus kept in at this age , and thus strong , became very sad , for his so straight enclosure , as if he had professed alreadie a vowe in some cloyster , and his minde euer ranne vpon his desire to be made Knight , to the ende he might experiment the aduentures of the world , and learne by proofe , that which he had often heard by ●chearfull . Heere-vnto hauing no hope nor helpe by his restraint , it abated his chéere , and increased his sadnes . Leonardo his nourse marking in what plight he was , often demaunded the occasion of his heauinesse , but coulde by no meanes wring it out of him , and so one daye talking with the Princesse , he tolde hir , that vnlesse she found a remedie for hir sonne , his thought would anoy him . The Princesse very pensiue at that which Leonardo had tolde , commaunded Rosicleer to be brought before hir presence . Rosicleer comming into the presence of the Princesse , knéeled downe , and humbly asked what was hir Graces pleasure . The Princesse bidding him stande vp , spake thus : Rosicleer , thy father Leonardo telleth me , thou arte neuer merrie , nowe therefore open to me , the cause of this thy heauinesse , and if thou wantest ought which thy father can-●ot supply , vtter it fréely , and I will prouide thée of the remedie to haue thée contented . Rosicleer hearing the words of the Princesse , knéeled downe again , and sayde Madame , I kisse your hande , for the soueraigne grace you shewe me , in hauing such compassion on my griefe , and I am well assured , that if it were for anye thing whereof I haue néede , your Ladiship would furnish me of i● , as hetherto you haue done , but if I be sadde or solitar● for anye thing which grieueth me , it is not for néede of any necessary prouision , for I thanke your goodnes●e , I haue had it hethertoo abundauntly considered by your Highnesse , without my speaking . But it is , for that in respect of my age , the lyfe which I now lead , is more lyke a Gentlewoman then a young man , which made me dei●te to be dubbed Knight , and to wander abroad for to seeke aduentures . Nowe , for that I knowe your Ladiships pleasure to be the contrarie , as neither willyng to depart without your license , nor daring to vtter my desire vnto you , I cannot doo lesse but be sorrowfull , for I want the remedie of satisfieng . When Rosicleer had thus sayd , the Princesse féeling alreadie in him , the heroycall stomack of his father Prince Edward ( as she thought ) and callyng to minde , the continuall casualties of knights arrant , burst into feares in great abundaunce , which occasioned great ruth in the young Rosicleer , but that he durst not demand the reason . After a while , the Princesse to with-drawe hir sonne from his thought , or by some meanes to remi● his griefe and to comfort him , stretching hir armes ouer his necke , sayd vnto him . O my sonne Rosicleer , already thy valiant heart doth manifest that , which so long time for mine honestie sake I haue concealed , this it is , that thou art the sonne of my Lord and lawfull husband , the Prince Edward , begotten in wedlock , but my Parents vnwitting there-vnto . Thy fathers lykenesse in other qualities thou dost well resemble , albeit his fauour is cleane out of my remembraunce . Thou canst not be content with the lyfe which thou now leadest voyde of all daunger , but couetest to be made Knight , and to ieoparde thy person , in the search of aduentures as thy father did . This if thou doest so that I may not beholde thée euery daye , from that time make account of me as dead , for my great misfortunes , together , with the double losse both of thy Father and thy Brother , in that order as thou hast knowen , hath by thy onely presence bene borne out and supported , and nowe , depriued of this supporte , must I not yéelde my backe to the burthen of continuall woe and misliking ?

Beholde then my childe , the extreame griefe , where-in thou findest me , and for that as yet thou arte young of yeares , doo away this affection for a time , and héere-after when thou shalte bee of more strength , and better able to vndertake the enterprise of armes , I will so trauaile , with the King my Lord , that he shall dubbe thée Knight , and thou shalt haue Horse and Harnesse at my charges , conformable to thy estate . In the meane while , reste thée héere , for it may so be , that I shall in that time beare some newes of the prince Edward , or of Donzel del Febo , which if it so fall out , then shall thy absence be lesse grieuous vnto me . When Rosicleer heard the secret , which the Princesse his mother bewrayed vnto him , he was well apayed as touching his thought of being made knight , before , the basenesse of his foster-father , hanging in his light , and now he reckned the rather to vnder-take the highest exployts , whereto his heart draue him , and knéeling downe before hir , he kissed hir hand , for the secrecie which she concionated with him touching his true originall . His mother by the outward ioy he made , supposing his former thought to be put out of conceit , was very glad , but the Princes was deceiued in him . For Rosicleer hearing himselfe to be named the sonne of so mightie Princes , if before he wished to be made knight , either of a wanton delight , or for some greater occasion , now he thristed gréedely after knighthood , as thinking himselfe bound in conscience to aduaunce his lignage in the right of his parents , and his care encreased how to steale from thence . This care he couered the best wayes that he might , and stayed with his mother , comforting hir in all that he could , vntill that the Princesse went to hir lodging , and he retourned with Leonardo , who onely heard that which the Princesse had declared . But from that time foorth , as I say , he canuased in his thought too & fro , the secrete meanes of his escape , which hée thought , ( though perhaps at first it might wring some teares from so tender a Princesse , ) yet in processe of time would as wel drie them vp , his valour making amendes for his sodaine departure .

Rosicleer departed from the Monestarie of the Riuer , without the knowledge of the Princesse , his mother .

Cap. 28.

LIght daies after Rosicleer knew himselfe to bée the sonne of the Princesse his Lady , he abode with Leonardo , casting how he might conuay himselfe from thence , without the knowledge of any man . In the end one night all the householde being on sleepe , his lodging standing in one corner , seuered from the Gentlewomens chamber , hee toke a sword which his nurse had giuen him , and out of a window looking into the gardeine , he daulted downe , and comming to the porters lodge , he requested an horse of him , whereon sometimes before he had ridden , saieng vnto him that his Ladie the princesse had sent him on a secret message . The Porter beléeued him , & sadled an horse , commending Rosicleer to God , who from thence rode so fast , that by the morrow he was beyond hiew & crie . Before noone the princesse sent for him , but he could not be found , then the Princesse gessing what it might be , was so sorrowfull that it little failed of her death , which assuredly she had not auoided but that there came to her remembrance then that which the Nymph had fortolde her in the fountaine of her loues as concerning her losses , and so with some little lingering hope for the returne of Fortune , banishing all delyghtes , she shut her selfe vp close in the Monasterie , more like an obseruant vowesse then a stately Princesse , whence also shée neuer departed , vntill that God had permitted her to recouer her husband , as shall be tolde you .

But to returne vnto Rosicleer , being neither sicke nor well at ease , betwéene the concert of his mothers griefe , and the hope of being made knight by some aduenture . He gaue himselfe vnto the quest of séeking Prince Edwarde and Donzel del Febo his brother , and therefore his intent was to passe into great Britaine to sée the king Oliuerio his grandfather as hée had heard , and by some good happe to be made Knight . In this iourney he made to greate hast , that in short space he e●●●●ed into Almaine , & there trauailing by the ignoraunce or the way , one da●e he lost himselfe amongst the mountaines which were thicke of tall woode , and other lower huske , séeming to hée no waye vnto him , and he strayed so long not finding his way that the Sunne was set ere he knew how to get out , wherefore hauing no other remedie , he climbed vp to the toppe thereof to take a view of the place on each side , and hée sawe beneath him a déepe and large valley as it were a mile from thence , enuironed with stéepe and high hills , in which there were some castles and other buildings verie fayre and goodly . Nowe that it was night , and that this was his onely refuge , hée made his horse easily descende the hill , at the foote whereof hée es●yed a sauage Beare , running from the Towne with a childe in his mouth of two yeares olde . The childe cryed so pittifully that Rosicleer tooke greate compassion of it , and seeing it euen at the point to be deuoured , he ranne his horse with greate furie towardes the Beare . The Beare nothing afrighted , at the noyse of the horse , stood still with his praye in his mouth , and hée so glared with his eyes , setting his formost pawes for his defence , that although Rosicleer spurred him , his horse yet would not approch néerer . Then Rosicleer alyghted , and fastening his horse to a trée , with his swoord drawne went towarde the Beare , and the Beare seeing him to make towards him , let the young childe fall vpon the ground , and began to buskle himselfe to the fight with such a loude grone , as hée might haue feared a ryght good Knight , but Rosicleer as it were dedicated to greater purposes then to be murthered by a Beare , was nothing appalled at this , but when the Beare snapped at him to haue griped him betwéen his armes , he gaue the Beare a blow crosse the raines of the backe , that the Beare almost hewen in sunder fell dead to the ground . Rosicleer by and by wiping his swoord in the grasse put it vp●n his sheath , and to the child he went which lay crieng on the ground , being also in his séeming both beautifull and pleasant , and therefore likelye to haue bene taken from some of those castels in the valley . By the time Rosicleer had ridden a mile in the valley , he sawe therin situate many castles and edifices so néere together , as that the valley séemed to bée well people , and taking his waie to the néerest , he sawe two young men and an olde man , with battaile axes in their hands , & in their armonr ride in great hast as somewhat disquieted , as they came néere to Rosicleer , & saw the childe whom they sought for , they were verie glad , and well eyeng his good proportion and beautie sayd . God reward you faire Gentleman , for you haue ridde vs of a great part of trouble which we should haue suffered in seeking the child , and we praye you on your faith howe you come by him . Rosicleer saluting them curteously tolde them , that the childe was carryed by an vgly Beare , and that he was faine to set the childe frée by slaieng the Beare . The men more amazed at this , gaue him great thanks , and certified him that the most ancient in that company was the childs Father , and that the other two were his bretheren , and that they walking on the battlements of the Castle , the childe stoode at the porch , from whence the Beare had carried him , and neighbours espyeng it had tolde which way the Beare ranne , vppon this we prepard our selues , although we are sure that if you had not succoured him before , we shoulde haue come to late for rescewe . Rosicleer then deliuered the childe to the Father , whom the Father kissed with so greate loue as if he had séene him newly raised from the dead .

Then the auncient man making his preface with a great sigh sayd . Beautifull Gentleman , if you knew how plentifully God hath bestowed his blessings vpon vs on the one part , and how iustly he hath scourged vs for our offences on the other part , you would not so highly commend of the fruitfulnesse of the soile , as greatly bewaile the miserie of the inhabitaunts enduring such torments , as were neuer greater in the land of Pharao . What greate visitation is this sayd Rosicleer , you make me muse on it . This plague replied the olde man , is so insupportable , that diuers times the indwellers haue forsaken his Countrie , and abandoned themselues to winde and weather , to auoyde the inconuenience of this place , but for that all my liuing lyeth héere , and in other places I haue nothing whereby to mainetaine my degrée , I driue out my dayes héere in sorrowe . The valley of it selfe is fat , delectable , and wholesome , and so large that it conteineth more then . 2000 Castells , and other houses , all diuided as you see . But I praye God our fulnesse of bread be not our iust vndooing , as it was to the Sodomites . For we had a Prince and Lorde ouer vs in times past good and gratious , but as God hath prouided for our misliuing , in our time verye cruell and vicious , he hath to name Argion , who according as his power by reason of his exceeding wealth which the countrie yéeldeth is not to be contraried , so I beléeue of lyfe he is the most peruerst and wickdest vnder heauen . For among other his diuellish & detestable customes which he ordinarily obserueth , & besides the impouerishing of his poore tenaunts , racking them shamefully to enhaunce his treasorie , and besides the dayly raunsoming of his neighbours liues & goods at his pleasure for euery little displeasure conceiued against vs . This is one the most vngodly of all , that euery wéeke he inioyneth vs to find him a gentle woman for his carnal liking . This vse he hath frequented this foure yeares , so ouer-awing vs and murthering such as make deniall , that now there are none to make resistanuce , and his fact nowe gorwen vnto an habite by our patience perforce , and his force in spighte of our patience , is nothing straunge unto vs , that now all of vs obey his heast in beeing bawdes vnto our children , so that it would riue a mans heart a sunder to heare the faire damsells curse the light into the which their parents brought them , onely to fulfill the shamelesse lust of so tragicall a tirant . And to my share it is falne , that hauing one onelye daughter , the fairest in all this valley , since shée hath béene fiftéene yeares of age , I haue euery day expected her sending for . If I ought could remedie it . I would either murther my daughter or banish her my countrie to release her of so great an infamie : but Argion is so wicked and diuellish , that this will not suffice him , but rather if he be defrauded of his bargaine , we shall all die for hir sake . Héere the ancient man was so ouertaken with griefe that he might not vtter a word more , his name was Balides . Rosicleer angred at the heart to heare of the mallice of the wretch Argion , would haue giuen away the possibilitie of his liuelood to haue ben made knight , onely to haue set the land frée from so intollerable slauerie , and therefore he appointed with himselfe when he were made knight in England , to returne hether , and to wage battaile with Argion . And so till deuising of such things , he came to the castle of Balides , where hée alighted & was friendly enterteined by the auncient mans wife , & the young gentlewoman their daughter named Lyuerba , both greatly praising Rosicleers good fauour and feature of bodie , but much more his courage when they vnderstoode that he had deliuered the childe by killing the Beare . Rosicleer séeing the Gentlewoman faire and proper , and yet verie sad , for that Argion had sent her word that he shortly looked for her , was greatly mooued , and the rather for that he knewe not how to acquite her . Balides at his first comming in , commaunded the supper to be made ready , in the meane while taking Rosicleer a side to a window opening into the valley , and questioning with him of his birth , and of the aduenture which brought him thether . Rosicleer answered , I am borne in Hungarie , and I am to trauaile about my affayres into great Britaine , and béeing on my way this morning I lost my selfe in the wood , which was the occasion of my hether comming . In good time came you this way sayd Balides , for by you I haue recouered my sonne , and talking of such like matters , they passed the time till supper was ready .

Rosicleer in Lyuerbas name slaieth Argion , and remooueth the Iewes .

Cap. 29.

THe supper being readie , Rosicleer , with Balides , his wife and children sate at the table , but there was little discourse at the boord , saue that the beautifull Lyuerba felt so great griefe in the remembrance of Argions message , that in lieu of meate , shee fed on teares , and her parents helped to beare a part with their sighes , which made it a very melancholike supper vnto Rosicleer . And in the necke of this , ere the cloth was taken vp they heard great rapping at the gate , & looking who they were , they sawe more then .20 . knightes & other seruing men , with torches in their hands at the gates . Those of the house demaunded what they wold , one of them answered . Tell Balides that Argion our Lord hath commanded vs to bring Lyuerba by and by , for he tarrieth for her to haue her companie this night . O how vnwelcome was this arrant vnto the parents , & how pittifull vnto the Gentlewoman , which sounded at the hearing of Argions name , & all the householde wept bitterly . Rosicleer for companie moued to great pittie , with the best courage that he might , to giue remedie vnto this outrage , deuised a present shift , & bid some of the seruants to tell those which were without , that they shoulde stay a while vntill the Gentlewoman were in a readinesse , & after that , that shée should be sent vnto them . Then he made the costlyest apparell which Lyuerba had to be brought vnto him , & clothed himselfe withall , making for his head a perwicke of Lyuerbas haire , & binding it with a little chaine of gold , so that being thus readily araied , he was so beautifull as no gentlewoman thereabouts might parage him for grace or fauour . His host & hostesse were amazed in beholding him so well beare out the credit of a gentlewomas , in his disguised habit , neither yet knowing what he meant thereby , nor yet minding to learne it of him vnlesse he first declared it . But so soone as he was throughly arayed in this wise , he softly rounded his host in the eare , saieng . My friend , your mishap and the thraldome of this land hath had such force ouer me , that hauing hope in God which brought me hether , I will take vpon me to be Lyuerba , & will goe with these knights to the castle of Argion . When I am alone in his chamber , I will behaue my selfe , God willing , that I will frée you from this mans tyrannie . Or though I be slaine in the execution of this enterprice , yet it were a small damage in respect of so great a cure . But I would haue you Balides , your sonnes , and your other acquaintaunce and friendes to arme your selues lykewise , and lye couertly a little from the castle , where if you sée that I make you anie tokens by the light at a windowe , make account that Argion is slaine , and be not afraide to come néere the gates which I will set open for you , and so with little ado we will make our selues Lords of his castle . When this is done , we will publish it abroad to the inhabitaunts of the valley , which being certeine of Argions , death will rise to our succour . Balides looked wistly vpon Rosicleer , and wondered at his courage , for he béeing so young , it was in his fancie for the boldest match which he had heard off , yet though it was impossible as he thought to come to their purpose , for that he sawe how willingly Rosicleer had made this offer , he consented to call his friends , estéeming it farre better to die in such a quarrell , then to see & suffer so great a mischiefe . The Gentlewoman Lyuerba béeing made priuie therevnto by her father knéeled downe before Rosicleer , and shedding aboundance of teares said vnto him . The God which created both heauen & earth graunt you faire gentleman so good hap , that both this land may be acquit from this tyrannie , & I deliuered from this villanie . The knights which were without hasted to haue the Gentlewoman with them , & so Rosicleer putting swoord vnder his kirtle closely and surely , that it could neither bée perceiuied , nor fall from him , he tooke his leaue of Balides , his wife , and his daughter . Balides wishing him well and commending him to God , accompanied him to the gates where the knightes were attendaunt , and there poured out so many teares to the outward sight as if it had bene his daughter . The people without hauing a glimps of Rosicleer by the light of the Torches , tooke him to be fayrest Gentlewoman which they had euer séene , and verye gladde to bring so good tidings vnto their master , they set him vppon a palfraie prouided for the purpose , onely they were agréeued at the time which was so short that they could not sufficiently gaze on her . Their whole talke by the waie ranne vpon this , that it were for Argion more conuenient to detaine her for wife , then euerie wéeke to seeke a newe , and laughing at theyr owne deuises they came to Argions Castle , béeing verye greate , and of building the most sumptuous in the valley , as it had bene a kings pallaice . In this they entered , and helping the fained Lyuerba from her horse , they lead her vp a paire of staires into a chamber where Argion awaited her comming . Rosicleer kéeping a demure and sober countenaunce , droue Argion into a great amaze at his beautie , that gréedely beholding him hée arose from the place where hée was set , and embraced him in these tearmes . You are welcome hether my Lyuerba , for you make me ryght gladde to haue your companie , and for that your beautye is more then the rest , I will doe you more honoure then to others . The fained Lyuerba countenaunced out his counterfait with graue behauiour , onely fixing his eyes vpon the grounde , without aunswering a worde , saue that hée thought vppon his purpose , which he knewe woulde bée somewhat daungerous , in that Argion was strong , fowle , and fierce of looke more then euer he had séene anie . Argion tooke him by the hande , and placed him next himselfe , demaunding first how her parents did , and from thence he fell to more amorous delights , still staring on Rosicleers beautie , which throughly kindled his lust , and hée desired her to vncloath hir selfe , and to come vnto him , into the rich bedde . This supposed Lyuerba framing a shamefast and bashfull looke , with a lowde voyce , gently aunswered him , that vnlesse he commaunded his seruaunts to auoyde the chamber and the doores to be fastened , she would not be séene naked in that companie . Argion taking it to be an argument of great honestie , did of his cloathes first , and lept into his bed , commanding his people to goe out , and shut the dores after them . They lighting a great candle set on a candlesticke of siluer went out , and there remained onelye this Lyuerba with Argion , leasurely vncloathing hir-selfe , to delay time , and that the seruants should mistrust naught , by hearing a bustling in the chamber , first she put off hir vpper gowne , then to hir peticoate , and so she staid a while , Argion calling on hir to dispatch quickly , as if the greatest part of his delight had bene to come , Rosicleer thinking it now time to discouer him-selfe , and that the houre was alreadye come , wherein God almightie woulde the wicked Argion to be chastised , cast off his long garment , and tourned him-selfe into his dublet and hose , and hauing his sword drawen , he came to Argions bed side , saying : Come out of thy place where thou art thou foule letcher , and come to reioyce thée of Lyuerbas loue , for very bitter shall this nights rest be vnto thée . Argion which behelde him , rose vp lightly , and taking a sworde which hung at his beddes head , went towards Rosicleer to haue catched him in his armes , but Rosicleer with his naked sworde watched him so , that he smote the necke from the shoulders , the head beating against the wall , and the bodie fallyng headlesse to the ground . This done , Rosicleer quietly sate downe in the same place , and thus remained till the greater part of the night was spent .

Balides now in this time had not forgotten his charge , and hauing talked with more then twentye of his friends as concerning their intent , he easely perswaded them to this enterprise , so hauing them in his companie , with his sonnes , he lodged néere to Argions Castle , onely looking for a signe , which Rosicleer should make them out at a windowe , which when Rosicleer , had for a time neglected , they suspected the vnlikelihoode of the fact , and hadde retourned-closely to their homes , if that Rosicleer had not then taking the light in his hand , opened the dores of the hall , and shewed the torch out of a windowe . Then they knew what had happened , and went ioyfully toward the Castle . Rosicleer comming downe , opened the gates , so that they all entered , and lighting many Torches which they brought with them , they cast themselues into seuerall companies to search euerye corner , and ranging without feare throughout the Castle , when they knew that Argion was slaine , & killing so manie as they found , that in deede , though there were moe then an hundred Knightes and other seruaunts within the Castle , yet all were slaine before they could puruay of armour , or thinke of remedie , in such sort that in the Castle there was not one left to take Argions part . At Argion may the stout Lords and vntamed tyrants , take example of their endes , and make it a benefit of his fall , for although God sometime forbeare the wicked giuing them space of amendement and repentance , yet when they can in no wise be reclaimed , his iustice must of necessitie correct them in the maner that both their bodies repay in this life their trespasses , with cruell death and perpetuall dishonour , and their soules in the other worlde receiue double disgrace and horrour of conscience for their misdeedes . How many great Lords and tyrants haue we read of , to haue bene in the worlde , and how fewe or none haue we heard of vnpunished , which can be no other thing , but that the diuine prouidence hath so ordained it , some to be chastised for the misgouernment of themselues , and other some to amend by the terrour of others destruction . Well , the tyrant Argion thus being slaine with all his people , Balides & those which came with him for his great prowesse in killing Argion , sued vnto Rosicleer , to acknowledge them for his subiects , as they all woulde willingly obey him for their Lord . But he seuerally making semblance of great loue to euerie partie , made them to rise , aduising them on this sort . That for their deliuerance they ought to attribute it vnto God with heartie thankes for it , which by his goodnesse had prouided , that the euill lust of wicked Argion should last no longer . But for that they called him their Lord , he sayd he would be their friend , & neuerthelesse , sith they requested him there-vnto , that hée would not refuse their profer , not for himselfe , but indéed to giue order to that which should succeede , for the quiet gouernment of the segniorie . This done , Balides sent for his wife and his daughter Liuerba , with his house-hold . They comming before Rosicleer , gaue him thankes for this great good turne in procuring their safetie , he receiued them with great pleasure , and they made merrie all that night .

The next daye they deuised for the publication of Argions death , which Balides to be made knowen to the most principall in the Valley . They all , verie desirous of such newes came to the Castle , where knowing the manner of Argions ende , much praising the strength and boldnesse of Rosicleer , with all séeing him so well fauored and of so young yeares , they ceased not to giue him thankes for the good which he had done , so that Rosicleer somewhat blushing at it , forbad them to speake more of it , but to attende their owne affaires , for the Valley béeing so replenished with dwellers all of them were not sound , but for feare or fauour were Argions claw-backes . These they had to doo with all , and in the end subdued them .

After , wanting a Gouernour , they besought Rosicleer to abide with them , and to take oathes or theyr alleagiaunce towardes him , for sith that by him , they haue bene restored to their auncient Liberties , they thought him to be an able mainteiner of their Franschises .

But Rosicleer made them aunswere , that at the suite of Lyuerba Argion was slaine , and that hée mooued with pittie vpon hir , had enterprised if for hir sake , if therefore , he had deserued ought , he wished them in respect thereof , to make Lyuerba mistresse of it , and for the establishment of hir possession , to match hir with the most chiefest inheritour of land and fée amongst them . This , if they did for his sake , he shoulde account it not onely a satisfaction on their partes for the pleasure he had done them , but also a bond for a further good tourne , if it so lye in his power . They debating vpon this matter , were all contented with it , and promised all their abilities to doo his commaunde . So among them , there was a Knight called Brandidonio , the chiefest of all the Valley , a proper and honest Gentleman , Lord of thrée great Castles , and beloued of all the Countrey for his bountie and courtesie , him they chose to marrie with Liuerba their Lady . Rosicleer very wel pleased with this Gentlemans noble disposition , concluded vppon the marriage , so that in foure dayes the Lorde Brandidonio and the faire Liuerba were created Lord and Lady of the valley , and in token of obedience , tooke the oath and assuraunce of their subiectes , where they lyued long time in quietnesse , their subiects as well at ease to haue such Gouernours .

Rosicleer departed from the valley of the mountaines , meeteth with two Princes christened , and by aduenture is carried from them againe .

ROsicleer remained foure daies in the vally of the mountaines , for so it was called , to solempnize the marriage betweene Brandidonio and Lyuerba , whereat the tenaunts of the valley being present , and séeing his personage so tall and goodly , and ioyned with so good grace and gentle behauiour iudged him a person rather celestiall then mortall , & beléeued that God had sent him for their deliuerance , from the miserable subiection wherin Arglon had holden them , so they reuerenced and honoured him , as if they had seene in him some vndoubted image of immortalitie . But Rosicleer , this marriage being finished , hauing no more to doo , made to assemble the greatest of the Country , vnto whom he said , that he had vowed a voyage which might not bée lefte off , and therefore now at his departure , hée prayed them to accept well of his so short tarrieng , and in his absence to doo the honour diligently to Brandidonio and Lyuerba , which was due vnto their liege Lorde and louing Ladie . They ouer-charged with griefe , for the lacke of him whome they loued as their nigh kins-man , layed to stay by gifts and other offens , but when it booted not , they swore faith and obeysaunce towards their Lord , and for a remembraunce of their loue , they forced vpon Rosicleer an horse which was Argions , a verie tall and strong Horse , which he refused not , as being verge commodious to trauaile with , and then after this , tooke his laue of Lyuerba , hir Father and Mother , and Brandidonio hir Husband .

Béeing ready to mount on horse-hacke , a younger brother of Lyuerbas , called Telyo , throwing him-selfe on his knées before Rosicleer , besought him to grant him his sute , which Rosicleer willingly promised , bidding him saye on . Telyo then sayd , Sir , sith you are to , trou●●le alone , and haue none to serue you by the waye , maye it please you to shew me the fauour , as to retaine me for your Squire , Rosicleer well pleased with the good affection , which Telyo bare towards him , imbraced Tielio with much loue , and thus made aunswere . Telyo , thou art before hande with me , for I haue giuen thée thy request , so that I maye not excuse my selfe of my former promise , although I would aduise thée rather to tarrie at home in the delyghts of thine owne nation , then to put thy selfe in daunger in a for●eine and vnknowen count r●y .

Telyo gladder of this , then of a good purchase , prepared all things ready for their iourney , and tooke his leaue of his Father , Mother , and kins-folke , who were nothing miscontent of his choyce , for that the companie was such , as euerie one could haue wished his roome . Rosicleer and Telyo tooke on their waye , neither speaking to other , for the thought of their so louing parting from their frieudes , which as yet stacke fresh and gréene in their rememberaunce .

And sooth it is , that within a while after Rosicleers departure , to the ende the straungenesse of their deliuerie , might be renued by their posteritie , and no age shuld leaue to speak thereof , they founded an House of Roligion , with a faire Temple , wherein , at the one side of the high Alter , they erected a piller of Marble , verie faire and curious , bearing the true counterfaite of Rosicleer , with the Historie of Argion , the fréeing of Lyuerba , and all that consequently followeth in that storie , so that long time after , this monument of restoring the inhabitaunts , was founde by our age , in the pursuite of aduentures in that countrey . Brandidonio and Lyuerba héere ruled long time in peace and tranquilitie , and from them descended all the Lordes , which since haue had the gouernaunce of that Valley .

But from thence to followe Rosicleer on his waye , the Historie saieth , that with his Squire Telyo , he trauailed so long through Almaine , that he came to an Hauen of the Sea , in a manner direct against great Britaine , in Picardie , where there were two great and faire shippes tarieng for the winde , to coast ouer into England . Rosicleer hearing of this in his Inne , went out of his hostrie to the hauens mouth , there to speake with the master of the shippe , for to become a passenger , and comming thether , he sawe manie Knights and seruaunts , by lykelihoode of some worship , passe too and fro , which made him thinke it was no Merchaunts vessell , but yet he entered the ship , and there espieng two Knights young men , richlye apparailed , and placed in two seuerall feates , to whome , the either Knights in the shippe , made their obeysaunce , courned his face to haue gone out againe . But the young Knights séeing Rosicleer , and greatlye delyghted in his beautie and comelinesse of personage , called to him , Rosicleer courning towardes them mande is we reuerence , as vnto so great estates . The Knights receiuing him with as great courtesie , demaunding of him gently what countrieman he was , and what he sought there Rosicleer lookeing vpon them , verie sadly and soberly aunswered . I am come my Lordes from the Valley of the mountaines , and I am desirous to sée great Britaine , for my affaires which lye in that Countrey , whether as I haue learned by others , your shippes are prepared , I am therefore to beséech you , to doo me the pleasure , as to graunt me passage in your companie . They well contented with-all , for that he was a young Gentleman excelling in beautie all those which they had séene , tolde him they were willing therevnto , and that if he needed ought vnto this iournes , they would minister vnto his wants . Rosicleer gaue them many thanks , for this their courtesie : but they demanded farther how he was called , and of what linage he came . To the first , Rosicleer aunswered , that his name was Rosicleer , and minding to cut off the rest , he desired them to spare him for the other at that time , and to content themselues with this , that he now came from the valley of the mountaines , wherefore they beléeued , that he was naturallye borne there .

By this meanes , Rosicleer was entertained with these Lordes , and grewe farther in acquaintaunce with them ▪ that he knewe the one to be Bargandel the Bohemian cousin germane to the Emperour Trebatio , and eldest sonne to the King of Bohemia , the other to be the Prince . Liriamandro brother to the Princesse Briana , both of them of his night kinne .

The Fortune which linked and conioyned these Princes in this amitie , was this . The King of the great Britaine , called Oliuerio , considering that the losse of the Prince Edward his sonne , noysed through his Empire for fiftéene yeares space had so appalled the courages of his Knights , that neither feasts were made , nor turneyes proclaimed , nor anie disportes vsed with Gentlewomen in his Countrey , where-by to fire the hearts of young men to the déedes of armes ▪ But that either all of them ouer-come with griefe , and mourning still for his sonne , forsooke to weare armour , or els , such as their owne good natures pricked forwards to trie aduentures , departed out of his Realme , in other Regions to become famous , so that the Kingdome of England was verie naked of able Knightes to defend it , whereas before it was best knowen in all the world for knighthoode and chiualrie . The King I saye , wisely casting of these things , did not now so much lament the lacke of his sonne , as fearing the inconuenience which might ensue by the want of good Souldiers , if anie enimie shoulde arise , prouided against this mischiefe , on this sort .

First , taking the aduise of his counsaile therein , he caused to be proclaimed through euerie Shiere and Markette Towne , that such Knights his subiectes , as either were alreadie departed , or now were in minde to departe the realme , and to serue in other Princes courtes , shoulde retourne to their homes by a daye prefixed in the schedule , vppon paine of his high displeasure . This Proclamation diuulged abroade by the sound of a Trumpet , as many as hoard of it , eyther by their friendes Letters , or by the rumour spread in other Countries , resoutned spéedely , so that the King in a solempne triumph , taking the muster of his speciall knights founde him-selfe sufficiently furnished .

Now , the second care was , how to detaine them at home , and for this he deuised with his counsell to make a high feast in the Citie of London , with iustes and turneys , for all knights aduenturous both Englishmen and forreiners , and to ordeine such prises as might inuite noble Princes thether . This thus agréed vppon , the king Oliuerio a yeare before that these feasts should beginne , directed his letters to all Princes christened , and other wise as farre as Turkie , certifieng them that he had appointed iustes to be holden at his citie of London , and prises for the best dooers , and that thether it should be frée for all knights to come and trie their forces . The price was a massie crowne of golde all set with pearles and precious stones , valued by all mens déeming at the price of a great Citie . The newes héereof by the kings letters spread ouer all Countries , entised these two Princes lykewise , béeing but of young yeares to craue to be made knights by their parents , and to trauaile to wards England . So hauing obteined their purposes , either of them prepared for his iourney , and met together at one time in this hauen , neither of them knowing other , nor of their intents . Wherafter they had knowledge ●a●h of other , and had concionated about their enterprise , they determined to goe together as friendes , and had stayed thrée dayes for the winde ere Rosicleers comming , whome good fortune droue vnto the same coast , there to make an assurance of perfect friendship betwéene these thrée , lyke as she had earst done betwéen Donzel del Febo , Brandizel , and Claueryndo . This knot betwéene these thrée being the more insonable , as both it hath more hope of succour by the greater number , and represents in my fancie the figure of a triangle in Geometrie , with this Posie . Euery way the same . This amitie by degrées increased as their acquaintance augmented , for Rosicleers conuersation was so good , that they were verie glad to haue his companie , but they lost him , ere they had throughly found him , and as no pleasure in this world may dure , so at the time when these two Princes most ioyed in Rosicleers companie , their pleasure was ouerturned , and their delight conuerted to mourning .

For the next day the wind blowing ▪ very calme , the marriners hoised vp the Sailes , and plied their tackelinges so merily , that with greate liking of them all they rode easily , yet not so as they could attaine to the Hauen , in good speede , but that one euening when the moone shone bright , and the waues of the Sea were still and quyet , the two knightes with Rosicleer betwéene them , leaned ouer the sides of the shippe , reioycing all thrée at the brightnesse of the starres in the firmament , & at the delicate rumbling , which the winde made in the bottome of the water . This was so pleasaunt vnto them , as that in this contemplation they spent the thirde parte of the night , about which time they heard the crie of a Gentlewoman as it might be in some distresse . Then they looked about them , and espyed a lyttle Crayer comming towardes them , in which there was a wilde man , for making a Gyaunt , fierce of countenaunce , and all hairie of bodie , of manners sauage and cruell , hauing in the one hand a knotted clubbe with pikes at the ende of yron , so heauie as a lesse man coulde not lyft it : and in the other hand haling a faire Gentlewoman by the haire , her face all bloudie with the blowes he gaue her , and punches with his féete . The Gyaunt still cryed . Tourne thy Boate thou falfe and traiterous enchauntresse , or I will make thy lyfe to answere it mée , in that thou hast kept me so long from it . The Gentlewoman neuer aunswered him , but continually prayed vnto God for succours . This they both heard and sawe easily by Moone light , for the Boate approched to theyr Shippe , and the two other Gentlemen were much abashed to sée so wilde a Gyaunt so néere vnto them , for they had neuer séene his lyke before . But the noble courage of Rosicleer coulde not bée so countermaunded by the Gyauntes hugenesse , as to suffer such vilany towards any Gentlewoman , and therefore setting his foote vpon the side of the ship , and taking his swoord in his hand , he leaped into the Gentlewomans boate .

Nature as it were willing to manifest her owne works and to discouer the secret graces , which shée before hadde couered in his comely personage . For so as if hée had long time experimented the daunger of conflictes , boldely hee tooke vpon him this aduenture . At his first comming into the boate he strake not the Gyaunt , but with great moderation and more discreation then was néedefull ( but that hée was verye circumspect , and in all things lowly ) hée sayd vnto the Gyaunt . Leaue of Gyaunt to intreate this Gentlewoman in this sorte , and waie well , that it is geeat shame to a man for to laye his handes vppon a woman . The great Geaunt little respecting this courtesie , lefte the Gentlewoman to haue taken vp Rosicleer , and to haue throwen him into the water , but Rosicleer perceiuing him , put his naked swoord poinant before him .

The Gyaunt rashly ranne vpon the swoord that it entered a little , and therefore madde angrie at his wound , hée gaue backe , lyfting vp his greate Bat with both his handes to driue at Rosicleer . But Rosicleer as destyned to greater exploytes , watching the blowe , start aside , and closing with the Gyant thrust his sword into his guts . Rosicleer pulled out the sword hastely to haue giuen him another blowe , but the Gyant fell vpon the plankes gasping for breath : then Rosicleer stept vnto him , and with maine force tumbled him ouer shiphoorde , where he lay drenched in the Sea .

All this the two Princes beheld , and wondered at the great courage of Rosicleer , but not a little diseased in that they coulde not helpe him . For when he leaped into the Gentlewomans Boate , they cryed alowde to theyr Knightes to let downe their Shippe boate into the water , but it could not bée , before that the valyaunt youth had drenched the Gyant in the sea , and that the Gentlewomans boate rode with such swiftnesse as in short time they lost the sight of it , with so much griefe vnto both these Princes , as they might scarce speake the one to the other .

For when they compared together the shortnesse of time in which they inioyed him , and in that short time the great prowesse which hée had shewed before them , they coulde not easilye ascerteine themselues , whether they had dreamed of such thinges , or séene them waking . But if so bée they were not beguiled either by a dreame , or some fantasticall illusion , I dare warrant they thought that in regard of that which God hath wrought by him , he could not bée but of a noble estate . Well , when there was no hope of following , they haled vp their boat again to kéepe their course towardes Britaine , hauing hope to méete him there , otherwise appointing with themselues , if they there failed to go in quest of him .

I may forget to tell you of his Squire Telyo , but you may easilye thinke of his paines by the loue he bare his Lorde , and I will leaue him to your seuerall considerations of your selues in lyke cases , béeing farre from your Countrie , and farther from your friends whom you haue preferred before your Countrie , the rather to accompanie these noble Gentlemen vnto the coast of England , which in their way still kept on their former dittie , euer talking of Rosicleer , either commending his good grace , or bewayling his departure , or blaming their owne misfortunes , or extolling his strength , and euer the foote of his song was , what shoulde the swiftnesse of the boate meane , and our sodeine acquaintaunce ? Vnto the depth whereof because they coulde not reach , thereby to quyet themselues , their sorrowe redoubled by misiudging the worst . In the ende , the Winde was so good that it set them on lande in the great Britaine , not farre from London , where the King was restaunt . Where as soone as they came on shoare , before they presented themselues to the King , they dispatched out one of their shippes with some of their knightes and Telyo Rosicleers Squire to coast the same way which Rosicleer was gone , to the ende if Fortune were so fauourable to bring some tidings of him . Afterwards themselues with the maiestie that doth belong to so great princes , tooke towards the great citie , viewing on euerie side the great assembly of people , all the fields and high wayes besides townes & hamlets taken vp for knightes , as well straungers as naturall , and an infinite number of Ladies and Gentlewomen , comming onely to sée the turnayes . The two Princes sent two of their knightes before hand to giue vnderstanding vnto the king of theyr comming . The king glad to haue the presence of so noble Princes at his high feast , with a great traine of knights met them without the Citie , and comming towards them , embraced them with great loue . The storie leaueth to recount the words of curtesie which passed betwéene them , and sayth that they entered into the Pallaice with the king , & were lodged in one quarter thereof , himselfe kéeping his newe guests companie that night , and talking with Liriamandro as concerning his daughter in lawe . At whom he learned the whole state of Hungarie , with the appendices as touching that matter , which in some respect made him very sorrowfull to heare of the continual affliction wherwith Briana tormented her selfe in the monestarie of the riuer . And he was as greatlye abashed to heare that in Greece they knew as little of the Emperour Trebatio , as in England he heard of the Prince Edward .

Then Liriamandro espyeng the king somewhat inquisitue , procéeded farther with his talke , in declaring the aduenture which had ioyned him and Bargandel , and howe that they two met at the Hauen with a Gentleman called Rosicleer , and so consequently of the battaile with the Gyant , the king hearing of so many vertues in Rosicleer , as Liriamandro did his vttermost to set them forth , greatly wished to haue séene him . Héere the storie leaueth the King and these Princes to the prouiding of things necessarie for the tilt , and goeth on with Rosicleer , whom these Princes left vpon the maine sea .

Certeine accidents which befell Rosicleer after his departure from the two Princes .

Cap. 31.

ROsicleer made an ende of the battaile with the Gyant , and the Gentlewoman so wel reuenged by his meanes , knéeled downe before him to haue kissed his hand , and to giue him hartie thanks for his great friendshippe shewed in working her deliuerie from the terrible Gyaunt . Rosicleer tooke her vp , and demaunded of her what shée was , and by what aduenture she was brought into the Gyaunts hand . The Gentlewoman aunswered . Knowe my Lorde , that I am named Calinda , Daughter to the wise man Artimedoro , of whome peraduenture you haue heard speaking before this time , inhabiting in an Islande not farre from hence in the middest of the sea , which may neuer against his will bée séene of anie bodie . This wise man my Father hauing sent me on a message in this boate to a friend of his , Lord of an Iland not farre hence , my Fortune was such , that when I retourned by this Gyantes Iland , there entering on land for fresh water , I was espied by this Gyant who made to me to haue taken me , but I fled towards my boate , which I could not recouer so soone , but that he entered with me . But as he shoued to land , my boat droue backward into the streame , & had lost the sight of his Iland . The cruell Gyaunt séeing this , and thinking that I had done it by my knowledge , woulde haue killed me , and intreated mée in such sorte as you sawe . Nowe as for the lightnesse of the boat sir , I beléeue sayth the Gentlewoman , that it is guided by my Fathers Arte , and that we are on the waye towarde his Ilande . Whereat Gentleman I beséech you take no thought , although you haue lost your companie , for I doubt not but that by my fathers cunning you shall be ioyned , & then my Father shall serue you loyally , for the mercie you haue shewed me .

Rosicleer much wondered both at the Gentlewomans spéech , and at the Gyants crueltie without good occasion , and especially at the incredible swiftnesse of the boat , sayling in the sea faster then a birde flieth in the aire , which made him iudge Artimedoro to be a verie wise man , in that hée had so greate authoritie ouer the Sea . And therefore hée reioyced himselfe vppon hope to sée the wise man , at whome he might demaunde some newes as touching Prince Edward his Father , and Donzel del Febo his brother . And for that he questioned with the Gentlwoman many things as concerning her Father , of whom he learned many things .

Nowe as they talked of these thinges , the boate stoode still as it had bene sanded . Rosicleer much abashed thereat looked on euery side what it should be that staied it , and gaged the water with a poale , but he perceiued nothing , wherefore he thought the peraduenture vnder the boat in the place there lay some Adamant stone , of the vertue whereof he had read before times that it draweth yron vnto it , and stayeth the Shippes which sayle ouer it . And as he was much perplexed in his thought , not knowing how to remedie it , he sawe before him a little Ilande , the freshest and most delectable that in his lyfe he had séene , and the Boate alreadie fastened to the banke . Then the Gentlewoman bad him not to feare , but to come out on land , for the Ilande which he sawe before him was her fathers Iland .

This was straunge vnto Rosicleer , to sée the lyquide Sea so soone conuerted to selide earth , but he made not straunge to come on land at her bidding . Where by and by the wise man met them , a man by séeming verie aged , his bearde all white and reaching to his wast , with a little white rodde in his hande , as some token eyther of his honour or profession . The wise man for the great pleasure hée had to sée Rosicleer , sayde vnto him on this wise . Right noble and most worthie Rosicleer , you are welcome vnto this my Countrie , for by your comming I haue bene more at my hearts ease , then during my lyfe I haue béene , and many yeares past haue I longed for your presence . For although I knew for a certeintie that hether you should come , yet the time when I knewe not , which hath hetherto bene concealed from mortall men ; and onely made knowne to God himselfe . I knew lykewise so soone as my daughter Calinda was borne , that shée should be set frée from cruell captiuitie and perpetuall dishonour by you onelye , but the manner howe , was not reuealed withall , onely that it shoulde bée when the prouidence of God directed by his will , committed the execution thereof to Fortune . Thus may we men for all our cunning neither alter the course of thinges appointed by destinie , nor yet finde other remedie then is permitted by the foreknowledge of God . As this my Daughter coulde neuer haue béene saued but onely in that same manner as you gaue her succour . The reason was , because my knowledge coulde not wade so déepe as to foresée euerie thing concluded by destynies , the selfe same thing béeing subiect vnder the line of destinie that I shoulde not perceiue it . So my daughter went on land vnto the Gyaunts Iland , which I neither foresawe to preuent , nor could haue preuented if I had foreséene . Yet that which was in my power , I so ruled the boat that it came to your shippe , thereby to haue reléefe at your hands for my care : This haue I told you at large the inhabilitie of our cunning against the influence of the starres , whereby you may perceiue howe much I am beholding vnto you the rather to make bolde vpon my seruice , if in anie respect either my arte or my armour may doe you pleasure .

Rosicleer attentiuely listening vnto the wise mannes discourse , in the ende gaue him greate thankes for his so lyberall offer , promising lykewise the seruice of his bodie , for other thing had he nought , to doe his command in anie matter reasonable . With this the wise man tooke him by the hand , and lead him toward a great and beautifull pallaice seated vpon the shore . Rosicleer with a curious eye gazed on each parte of the Pallaice , so scituate in an vnknowen Iland , and was neuer content , for in déed , the subtiltie of the workmanship surpassed farre the crafte of masonrie in our daies . But héere he abode two daies with Artemidoro , serued of delicate vyandes , and straunge deuises , able to quicken a dead mans stomacke , being héere better pleased with his entertainment , then he was euer otherwise .

One daye sitting at the boord with Rosicleer , the wise man espieng him occupied in his thought , about his iourney to England , sported with him in this sort . Rosicleer , I sée well , this Countrey bréedeth not such things , as maye content your appetite , & I hold you excused , for your desire coueteth after Mars and martiall feates , wherefore as my learning sheweth me , your lust carrieth your stomacke into England , there to be knighted . Truly faire sir , you haue good reason there-vnto , for the time is at hande , where-in your knighthood must be manifested . But for to do you honour , I my selfe will attend you thether , in respect , both of your friendship past towards my daughter Calinda , and other greater matters to come , which I hope shall bée accomplished . I knowe not in déede the time when it shall be , neither the manner howe , but this I knowe , that by your meanes I shall once escape the death . Now as well for your owne sake , being for the very moment of your birth , illumined with more then mortall graces , as I haue already ingrossed the dolorous lyfe of the Princesse Briana , so will I be also the Register of your actes , to inroll your memorye in the Recordes of Fame , that it shall be maintaineable , against all Counter-pleas , and forged Euidences . This will I doo for-you , besides the perpetuitie of my seruice in other matters . And for your Brother Donzel del Febo , hée hath alreadie founde a Chronicler ( meaning this by Lyrgandeo ) such as his worthinesse meriteth .

Rosicleer tickeled at his talk , touching his brother Donzel del Febo , bowed himselfe thankfully , and requested him to goe on , saieng . Right honourable . Sir , seeing you haue entered into this discourse , I pray you continue it , for I knew naught as pertaining to this my brother , saue that he was lost in the Sea béeing verie young , & I haue hethertoo thought that he had ben dead : and sith nothing is hid from your knowledge , I pray you likewise satisfie mée in the same manner , as concerning the Prince Edward my Father , that I may séeke him , if there he hope of finding , on this earth .

Most noble Prince , aunswered the wise man , you draw me vnto a long tale , and in some poynt nothing pertinent to you . But knowe for a truth , that the Gentleman of the Sunne your brother is alyue , alreadie Knighted , and for his first prises , he hath atchieued such meruailous déeds of armes , as that it staudeth you in hand to besturre your ●e●fe if you minde to be matchable , béeing the onely man as yet vnparagonized through the worlde . Hée is nowe in a Countrey , where without knowledge of his Estate , he is notwithstanding , much praised for his personage , the Region farre distant from this our Clymate , that if you put your selfe on the waye to séeke him , your paine should be infinite , and as I can learne , néedelesse , for ere that you passe out of this Countrey , he will come to séeke you heere . Nowe , as to your demaund touching the Prince Edwarde , whome you call your Father ; I doo you to wit , that hee was dead before that you were begotten , and that the royall Princesse your mother , now destitute of an husbande , shall in time recouer hir lawfull husbande , and you shall knowe your Father , for the greatest and myghtiest Prince christened . Furthermore , because it is forbidden me to discouer of the great secrets of God , vntill it be his pleasure that all men shall know it , I may not aunswere you , but the euent shall witnesse with my Prohecie . Now , will I make readye for your passage into Britaine , for there must be shewed the first flower of your manhoode .

Rosicleer was greatly confused in his vnderstanding , at the words which the wise man spake , being yet plaine and easie , and he able to make English of euerie worde , but the cause was , for that he was vnable to finde out the true sence , which this diuinitie carried , béeing repugnaunt to his former beléefe . So hacking and gesting about it to make lykelihoodes of impossibilities , and examining euerie poynt by it selfe , yet could he neuer be setteled , nor make good construction of it . For his Mother tolde him , that Prince Edwarde was his Father , the wise man deliuered the contrarie . And if his Mother knewe his Father , then howe coulde his father be dead ere he was begotten , and howe coulde his Mother recouer hir lawefull . Husbande , béeing dead , and howe coulde his Father become such a Monarch after his decease , and so forth .

Now if he gaue credit to the wise man , yet no man better knoweth the childes Father then the mother . So that for reuerence of the wise man , and to reconcile his mothers wordes with the wise mannes réede , he framed to himselfe for that time a newe article of beléefe , that one thing might bée , and not bée . Yet time founde out a better solution of this Sophisme . For this time séeing it was no reason to importunate the wise man vppon this matter , it contented him to knowe for a trueth that Donzel del Febo his brother was yet aliue , and hée gaue him heartie thankes for the courtesie hée had shewed him héerein . But for his voyage into Englande hée lefte that to his direction , sith hée perceiued his meaning therein . The wise man sayde it shoulde bee so prouided for as best beséemed his honour .

The third day after when all things were in a readinesse , Artemidoro brought out of his armorie a rich armour and gaue it to Rosicleer . The armour was framed so cunningly , as for workmanship , cost , and secret vertue , it excelled all that I haue séene . It was closely wrought , curiouslye engrauen , enchased with precious stones , and aboue all , this efficacie , that it resisted the edge of all mettal , this effect procéeding either from the stones , or the examination of the ascendents in the forging thereof . The coulour of the armour was all white , well fitting for a new Knight . Artemidoro gaue at the same time to Rosicleer , a bay Courser , strong and wyght of lymme , which he had bought for that purpose in the Countrey of Spaine , where the best bréede of such horses were . And after all things set in order thus for their iourney , taking men with them for their necessarie vses , they shipped themselues in a faire Barke , sailing with great swiftnesse , as the wise Artemidoro had by his skill directed it , in which iourney , the historie leaueth them , till their sodaine approach vnto the Listes , within great Britaine .

The great Feastes began in Oliuerios Court.

Cap. 32.

IN the fresh and pleasaunt moneth of May , when the gréene boughes , and swéete smelling flowers renewe ioye and gladnesse in the heartes of young folke , the great Citie of London and wide fieldes there-about , séemed not lesse couered with armed Knights , then if the mightie hoasts of Darius and Alexander had thether assembled , for the great Feasts and Iustes were so diligently publyshed in euerie Region and Countrey , and the prises which the King had set , were of such valour , that there came thether from diuers farre and straunge landes , so manye Knights and Ladies , as that the number of them was infinit . Now that that especially drew young princes & men of great name thether , was this . The king Oliuerio had a daughter named Oliuia , the onely inheretrix of his Kingdome , of the age of fourtéene yeares , a beautifull and delycate damzell , as not hir like might be found in all that quarters . For the fame of hir singular beautie , thether came manie noble Princes and worthye Knights , to win hir liking , each of them wearing so rich and quaint deuises , that their brauerie in short time exiled the long mourning , which had continued in great Britaine . The myrthe which they made , much delighted the King Oliuerio , and it ioyed him much to sée his Court and Countrey so well stored of Knights and Princes , to whom he gaue honourable entertainment and countenaunce of good wil , as well of his owne subiects as straungers , and all were wel content with it , highly commending of his Court , for magnificense and courtefie . The King at this time was a widdower , & therefore he sought much the honor of the Princesse his daughter . But to come to our matter , amongst the Knights straungers , the two Princes Bargandel and Lyriamandro , bare the greatest stroke : next , Don Siluerio Prince of Lusitania , a young Knight & valiant in armes , alredy enamored vpon the faire princes Oliuia , for whom he had ben a long time suter in the Kings Pallaice , presuming vpon his birth and liuelihood , that she should be graunted vnto him , and as it fell out , the Princesse vnderstoode some part of his desire , but she was of an hautie heart and high minde , making no more account of Don Siluerio , in respect of that demaund , then of another ordinarie Knight , or the refuse of other . For amongst all which were alredy come , she thought none merited to be a péere and matche for hir beautie , being ( as my Authour saieth , such in hir owne conceipte , as if no Prince were worthie of it . ) But the truth is , that the blinde Boye shooting at randon , had ouer-reached his marke , as appeared in the seconde shotte , at the comming in of Rosicleer ▪ In the thirde place there came into this Triumph , the Prince of Irelande called Argiles , and Don Orgiles Prince of Scotlande , and Allamades king of Cornewaile , all thrée vassalls and subiectes to the King Oliuerio . The fourth roome was assigned to Don Brynco . Prince of Numidia in Affricke , bringing from his Countrey manie valiant Knights richlie armed , and with them Albalaxes King of Mauritania , a Pagen young and lustie . There came thether also two Gyaunts of an admirable height and fiercenesse , being such a terrour to the poore Communaltie inhabiting the villages néere to London , that the poore mans feare made them the more insolent to commit diuers ryots and other trespasses , before the Feasts began . This was the seuerall countenaunces of the Knights of most account , but to make short , ther came besides , many other knights , both Christians and Pagans , vnder the Kings writ of safe-conduct , which himselfe gaue out ; that neuer England more flourished of Knightes , nor neuer Nation was like to England . But now the first day of the Iustes , before they should ride to the Tilte , the King Oliuerio inuited all the Kings and Princes to dinner in his Pallaics , where they were feasted royally , & with great melodie . After the Tables taken vp , the Knights went to arme themselues , and the King conducted by the auncient Lords and Barons of his Court , tooke vp his seate in a windowe ouer the Tilt-yard , and vpon a scaffolde before him , reared for that purpose , he commaunded the prises to be put , which were diuers : for vnto the Crowne before spoken of , he added a cholar of like valure , and many other iewells , able for the honour of attaining them , and the worthinesse thereof , to animate a dastard Knight to such an enterprise . After this , the Princesse Oliuia comming foorth of the great Pallaice with an hundred Ladies and Gentlewomen , mounted vpon a stately scaffolde verie richlye hanged . Among these Ladies , there was the Princesse Siluerina daughter to the King of Scotland , and Rodosylua Princesse of Lusitania , sister to Don Siluerio , and manie other Ladies , Daughters to the great Lordes of Britayne .

But in the middest of these , the faire Princesse Oliuia shewed not lesse Maiestie then the fresh and fragrant rose doeth among the briers and stinking nettles , which notwithstanding haue their commendation for their gréene and liuely verdure . But the scaffoldé being filde with Ladies and Gentlewomen , there came the Knights in place , most of them young and shining in thou bright armour . The first that pricked himselfe forward to iust , was Allamades king of Cornewaile , a very good and tried knight , against whome there came to encounter , and other abled knight , an Almaine set vpon a strong Courser . In theyr shocke , their speares flew in shiuers , and the king Allamades somewhat staggering in his saddle , vnhoried the Almaine . After him there came ten other knights straungers more bolde then skilfull in feates of armes , all which , the valyaunt Allrmades ▪ ouerthrewe , with great pleasure to the King and all his Court . Their the King called for his Knightes , with this , Allamades to giue them place , voyded the lystes , and there entered . Argiles Prince of Ireland , which with eight seueral courses brake eight speares , and ouerthrew eight knights .

After him , Don Orgiles prince of Scotland came , whom when Argiles espied , not minding to disturbe him , he rode vnto the lystes ende . Orgiles without béeing mooued in his saddle cast downe twelue knights , and then followed his followe ▪ Argiles . By and by Don Siluerio came in with a gylte armour gorgeous to beholde , and his Horse barbed with cloath of golde , cut vppon siluer Imagerie , béeing a lustye and valyaunt Knight , and as the thoughts of the Princesse Oliuia emboldened his courage : so besides , the hautinesse of his stomacke contempned all other Knightes , in respect of himselfe . In his iourney , he dism●unied twentye Knightes , within lesse then halfe an houre , so that manye thought , hée woulde winne the honour of that daye . But straight waye there preased forwarde the two Princes , Bargandel and Lyriamandro , hauing in their company more then two hundred knights , with their Haraldes crieng before them , Bohemia , Bohemia . Hungaria , Hungaria . The two Princes rode vppon faire and strong Coursers , richly armed as became theyr Estates , their lustinesse being inflamed by their loues , for since their comming to the English Court , they were esprised with loue , Bargandel of the Princesse Syluerina , and Lyriamandro of the Princesse Rodasylua , and hauing obtained the good fauours of their Ladies , they pained themselues to be as bolde as the brauest . So finding the Tilte emptie by Siluerios departing , they praunced forwarde till other Knights came against them . And either of them in their turnes before they lefie the lystes , ouer-threwe at the least thirtie Knights a péece , so blazing their prowesse by the force they shewed , that the King and other beholders chaunged their opinion , as touching Don Siluerio . Vpon this , the two Princes glad of that dayes trauayle , and vaunting themselues before their Mistresses , made roome for others to doo their endeauours . After these , the valyaunt and hardie Knightes of the English Court , came in against the straungers of other Countreies , where the English men so behaued themselues , as that dayes honour was theirs .

Nowe , as the King was in talke with his Lordes , about the glorie which his men had gotten , and euerie man was attentiue to that which was before him , sodainlye there was heard a great crye amongst the people , on the backe side of the lystes , no man knowing what it ment . By and by there came foorth a tall Giaunt with a traine of more then twentie Knights vpon a stone horse , which groned in a manner vnder his waight . The Giant commanding his Knights to stand a side , went alone to the windowe where the King was , there raising vp his Beueare , and forcing out a terrible looke , without other reuerence , he spake on this wise . King Oliuerio , I am Brandagedeon , Lord of the Ilands Baleance , and am hether come because , of the prices which thou hast appointed for the best dooers , I am well knowen in all the Heathen Countrie , for by the power which my Gods haue imparted with mée , there is no mortall man that may gainestand my puissaunce , and for that this daye thou shalt haue some tryall of this truth , beholde before the night be shut in , there shall no Knight of all these which are héere kéepe his saddle , vnlesse he kéepe himselfe from mée . And so in greate pride , as you may presume by the course of his speach , hée vttered this , and pulled downe his visour . Then with a greate Speare in his hande , hée tooke the one ende of the pale . This his comming was nothing pleasaunt to the king , for since his ariuall in that kingdome , he had done many outrages to the poore subiectes of the lande . And the king feared least the knights of his Court , should not bée able to mainteine their honour against him . Nowe this monstrous Gyant had not stayed there long , but that a valiant knight a Britaine called Brandaristes made a signe vnto him .

These two ranne together , and in their shocke Brandaristes with his horse fell to the ground : but the Gyant nothing diseased , held on his way toward another Knight , by name Brandidarte , a Britaine too , a braue Knight and as bolde as Gawayne , but the Gyaunt welcommed him like as the other , and thus in short time the Gyaunt proouing himselfe vppon more then an hundred knights , of the hardiest , both straungers and English men , he made them all to descend from their horses , that the king Oliuerio was much disquieted héereat , and would haue bought out the gyants presence if he might , for more then London is worth , euen for the pittie which he had vpon his knightes , not possibly able to withstand this Gyant . The king Allamades beholding the kings countenaunce sadde , and gessing the cause , would néedes aduenture the honour which hée before gayned , vpon the vanquish of such a Gyaunt , and taking a fresh horse with a choyse Speare from the ratier he rode to Brandagedeon , whome the Gyaunt met so forcibly that Allamades laye on the grounde , and Brandagedeon dressing himselfe in his saddle passed on . By and by Orgiles Prince of Ireland set vppon the Gyaunt , which somewhat estonished him : but neuerthelesse Orgiles happe for himselfe was in no other manner then his fellowes . Then came in Don Argiles to take Orgiles parte , and fiercely encountered the Gyaunt , but to the same purpose . Nowe was Don Syluerio ashamed before the Princesse Oliuia to haue tarried behinde so many good knightes , and therefore forcing his courage to please his Ladie , vpon a light courser he ranne against Brandagedeon , and his fortune was so good , that he made Brandagedeon to loose one of his stirops and the raines of his bridle , but Brandagedeon quitted this with more then a tollerable vsurie , for he carried him beyond the crouper almost a speares length , which disgrace before his Ladie Oliuia made him woode angrie , and willingly would hée haue challenged the combat , if both leasure and place had bene conuenient . Not long after the Prince Bargandel gathering his forces at the beholding of the Princesse Syluerina , went to encounter the Gyaunt , either of them being well heated , but diuersly , as arising of diuerse causes , but theyr strengthes encreased by their heartes , made their shockes so terrible , as neither parte had great aduantage . The Gyant fell vpon the crouper of his horse , and rode the length of a carrier ere he might arise againe . Bargandel fel to the ground , with his horse vnder him . This made him hang his head , and stirred vp his friende Liriamandro for his succours , which caused Brandagedeon to embrace the saddle howe , himselfe béeing cleane lifte out of the Saddle by Brandagedeon the Gyaunt , and Liriamandro laye on the ground to complaine him of his mishappe before his mistres Rodasylua . After these there was none left so hardie , as to dare encounter Brandagedeon , which caused the king and other Princes to looke rufully , and the Gyant to beare himselfe as insolently , for when there was none lefte , hée lyfte vp his voyce in these tearmes . Come foorth , come foorth , ye knightes of the greate Britaine , and either knowe what the force of Brandagedeon is , or if you dare not appeare , sende mée the prises presently , for to none of the worlde they doe so rightly apperteine as to mée , and this sayeng , he gallopped vp and downe in the place , expecting either some Knight or the prises . The King séeing none come to aunswere his challenge was verie angrye , and woulde haue giuen his best towne to haue had a Knight which coulde haue quayled the Gyauntes courage , and for verie griefe he tourned himselfe from the windowe , till the sodeine shout of the people , caused him to looke out againe .

Then he espyed the people flocking together towards one corner of the lyst , and in the middest of them an aged man with a long white beard riding softely on a Mule , and bearing the countenaunce of a verie wise man . After him he sawe a Knight well harnessed in white armour , richly beset with precious stones , so that no man in the place had the lyke , his Helmet had a fine plume , and his horse the lyke , the pomell of his Saddle of Golde-smithes caruing , and the seate all imbroudered with golde and siluer . Euery thing belonging to the knight so braue and lustie , that none nowe but gazed on the straunger . After him a good distaunce there rode a Gentlewoman an easie pace vppon a palfraye , driuing before her a sumptuous horse .

The Gentlewoman comming néere vnto the Pallaice alyghted , and vnlacing her male , spread a fayre Tent in the plaine , made all of cloth of golde , with such straunge deuises , as neither king nor Keisar in the world but might haue vouchsafed it for himselfe . But that which was most commendable , was the most excellent and braue conceites with néedle worke , which coulde neuer haue béene wrought but by an exquisite Semster , as indéede the wise Artemidoro was the workeman . Now to make short work , when the pauilion was pight , Artemidoro leading Rosicleer with him vnto the king , spake on this wise .

God increase thy royall estate king of the great Britaine , and aduaunce the credit of thy whole Court . Wit you most puissaunt Prince , that from mine Ilande I am hether come with this young Gentleman , that he may be knighted by your owne hands . And albeit that so greate a curtesie neither hée nor I haue merited of your maiestie , yet vnderstand worthie king , that for his lignage hée is such a one , as not without reason he may craue to be dubbed knight of so mightie a Prince as you are . And I dare warraunt moreouer that it shall not bée ill bestowed on him , as your selfe shall testifie in short time , although you shall not throughly enter into the consideration of his valour , till that his death bée published by reporte of his drowning , and that much bloud shall bée spilte to the greater prayse of his prowesse , to the contentation of your person , and to the profite of your royall estate , and bée it my tale séeme incredible , yet I beséech you to remember it well , for I will auouch the euent as I haue tolde you . Retayne him therefore sir King in your Court , and beléeue that the time shall come wherein you would loose the best parte of your kingdome to haue him néere you . But to the ende , this Storie nowe auerred by mée , maye carrie more authoritie with your worthie person . Knowe that this reporter is Artemidoro , of whose knowledge you haue heard before . For with my skill I haue done seruice to such great Lordes as you are . Artemidoro héere making a reasonable pause , began againe on this wise .

Sir king , with your maiesties leaue , we haue héere pitched a tent in the name of the Gentleman , as a challenge agaynst all commers , after you haue made him Knight , the first , which shall vnhorse him , shall inioye his tent , the value whereof shall content him for his iourney , and héere staieng he sayd . Sir King I haue done . King Oliuerio all this while not lending his eares idlely , as to a fable in a winters night , but wayeng euery point , looked vppon Rosicleer , and well thought that his personage might agrée with Artimedoros commendation , but yet as halfe in a doubt as touching himselfe , he made the wise man this aunswere . Assuredly Artemidoro with this demaund or anie other which you shall require , I am verie glad that you take occasion of comming to my Court , for by the brute of your fame I haue long time wished to sée you : but to send for you indéed I was neuer minded , because as I heare , against your will no man may speake with you . And to make you answere , I am in purpose to satisfie you , as well for your owne sake , as for this Gentlemans , whose behauiour séemeth to be such , as without your report , he commeth sufficiently commended vnto me , I promise you héere to make him knight with mine owne hands , and I beséech God he proue no worse then you foreshew me , Rosicleer and the wise man both bowed humbly on their horse backes .

The king badde Rosicleer to alyght , which dismounting from his horse , ascended by a payre of Stayres to a little scaffolde before the Kings windowe , where knéeling downe in the sight of the whole multitude , hée receiued the order of knighthood at the kings hands . The king demanded where the young Knight should receiue the swoorde , and the wise man aunswered , that he should staie for that till he could conquere it . Then after his duetie done to the king , Rosicleer retourned to horse backe , and with a liuely grace so demeaned himselfe vppon his horse , as that it well pleased the beholders . Now for that which followeth , you must intend that the wise man vttered his speaches to the king in the audience of the whole multitude , many knightes and other compassing him about to heare his arraunt , so that few or none but were partakers of it . Amongest them was Brandagedeon , bearing himselfe within the lists , as proudly as the Cocke of the game doth in the Cocke pit , when the crauen is chased . Then hearing that the tent was put for a rewarde to him which could vnhorse the young knight , when he sawe time he cried aloud to Rosicleer , saieng .

In good sooth new knight , thou bewraiest thy folly and lacke of experience , when thou sawest me stand in this place with my speare in my hand to make that challenge , which shall not be in thy power to maintaine so surely , but that I will be the master of thy pauillion , & yet Gods blessing on thy heart for bringing so faire a Iewell , béeing indéede fitter for me then for thée . Rosicleer whose courage neuer tainted , aunswered as shortly . It shal bée thine Gyant if thou winnest it , and there shall no man forbidde thée the possession of it if thou ouerthrowe mée . And without more words he tooke a great Speare from the ratter , and tourning his horse head , he rode softly to the place where the iustes were kept . In his way thether , Rosicleer lyfting vp his eyes to the Scaffold of the Gentlewomen , he saws the beautifull Oliuia standing directlye against his face , excéeding no lesse the other Gentlewomen in brightnesse , then the Moone excelleth the starres in a frostie night . O poore Rosicleer , what a looke was that which locked thée from thy rest , for with her beautie thou wast wounded at the heart , that albeit in time the skinne ouergrew it and the flesh healed , yet the skarre remained : and neuer knight in the worlde loued more loyally then thou diddest . For though the sight was short and the blowe quicke , yet the wounde was déepe and the smart curelesse . O full many a bolde enterprise diddest thou achieue , ere thou gainedst a reasonable guerdon for thy greate good will . And thou faire Princesse being within the hearing of the wise mans speach , diddest not spare to lend thine eares to another mans tale , and shine eyes to another mannes brauerie , that thy succours béeing farre from thée , thy heart had not the power to repulse thy aduersarie , loue béeing the onely occasion of thy vnrest . But Lord what alteration both of you felt by the enterchaunge of your lookes , which serued likewise for messengers to tell your tales betwixt you .

And yet I cannot déeme but that this loue so enraged his courage against Brandagedeon , as otherwise I maye thinke hée had not done so well . But comming into the place , hée addressed himselfe towardes Brandagedeon , both of them now béeing in a readinesse . The King at this time verie sorrowfull to see the newe Knight in his first bat●aile to endaunger himselfe vpon a Gyaunt , and woulde haue talked with Artemidoro about this matter , but the wise man gaue no answere , and to the end not to discouer more then was behouefull , he conueyed himselfe out of the kings sight . So the king held still his opinion of the young knights weaknesse , till the issue disproued his thought .

For in the carryer when the two knightes met in the middest of the Tilt-yarde , the Gyants Speare burst vpon Rosicleers head peace , no more moouing him with the blowe , then if hée had stroke agaynst a wall . But Rosicleer hurling at the breast of Brandagedeon ouerthrewe him and his horse to the grounde , the horse in the fall , brusing the Gyauntes shoulder , that his Knightes were faine to carrie him out of the preale , whereat all the standers by with great admiration behelde Rosicleer , euerye man being a Prophet as his heart gaue him , that Rosicleer would proue the best knight in the world , séeing that at his first encounter in tilt , hauing neuer had to doe with anie knight , before be had ouerthrowen so mightie a Gyant .

The King nowe thought that Rosicleer had well amended the greate corsie which hée had taken at his Knightes disgrace , and the other Knightes were gladde to haue that huge monster ridde away , bolder and willinger valyauntly to aduenture themselues agaynst Rosicleer then against a Gyaunt , and their courage was the more , for the richnesse of the tent which had inuegled theyr conetous mindes to venture the purchase . But as the knightes entered to iust with him , he ouerthrew them all , béeing more then an 100. knightes , without that anie man was able to sit the second iourney . Then the kings knightes entered , by name Brandaristes , Brandidarte , Allamedes , the Princes Argiles and Orgiles , Don Brunio Prince of Numidia , & other , all which he threw downe so lightly , as that they might not turne one course more that daie . Some held more tacke with him as you shall heare héereafter , but by the way the king turning to his Lords , spake on this wise .

Truely my Lordes , if I had not my selfe séene the valourous déedes of this Knight , I should hardly haue credited another , so incredible the truth is that one shoulde worke such masteries . I would the iusts were ended that I might sée this knight vnarmed , to knowe him , and honour him as is reason . True it is aunswered his nobles , and for his valour there is not so puissaunt a Prince in the world , but that he shall haue cause to be gladde of his seruice . This was a breathing time for Rosicleer , but yet I am perswaded that it was no plaieng time , although no enimie appeared , for he had a greater conflict within his bones , then he professed outwardly , and therefore his heart neither fully assured , nor yet in daunger , gased vpon the beautie of Oliuia . Whereby the fire entering closely by the vaynes , wasted and consumed his flesh , sooner then hée felt the flame or coulde thinke of remedie : but better considering that hée was within the compasse of loues segniorie , and that his matter was to bee tryed at the great assise in loues dominion , he tooke better aduisement , to alter it to an action vpon the case of couenaunt against his mistresse , the matter arising vppon exchaunge of lookes as you haue heard . And for this cause he enterteyned Sergaunt hope to bée his Lawyer , and féeyd diuers others to assist him , but master Despaire an old stager had wonne the day of him , had not the whole Bench , and especially the chiefe Iustice Desert , staied vppon a demurre , which reléeued much Rosicleers courage , and made him looke more freshly , vpon hope to finde out better euidence for recouery of his sute .

But as Rosicleer thus plyed his cause at the Barre , so gentle Cupide attended vpon his Mistresse , faithfully seruing him , and beating into hir head the remembraunce of his actes , and the beautie of his personage , that the windowes of hir desire being set wide open , she viewed hir fill , wishing yet to sée his face , thereby to comfort hir selfe , if his visage were aunswerable to his vertue . Now Don Siluerio with an enuious eye , minding to interrupte this medlea , prouoked Rosicleer to the lystes , which Rosicleer refused not . Rosicleer shaked somewhat in his saddle , but yet without daunger of falling , and Don Siluerio with his Courser tumbled to the grounde , so euill entreated , as that he was fayne to forsake the lystes . The Princes Oliuia remembring his former importunitie , was nothing agréeued , thinking therby his sute to haue slaked , the rather to delight in hir new champion .

By this time , the greater part of the after-noone was spent , and verie fewe remained in that place , which durst ride a course with Rosicleer , albeit the number of Knights were more than thrée thousande . But last of all Bargandel and Lyriamandro willing to proue themselues vppon the new Knight with great courage , which the sight of theyr Mistresses caused in them , ridde both against Rosicleer , and in theyr waye as they two straue who shoulde bée first , Bargandel giuing the spurres to his horse ranne against Rosicleer , Bargandel in his race hit so strongly , that his speare flew in peeces , but Rosicleer knowing Bargandel by a deuise that he had , and mindefull of his former courtesie , when he came néere him , raised vp the ende of his speare , and rode by without touching of Bargandel .

Bargandel not féeling his aduersarie thought that hée had missed his rest , and therefore taking another speare for the re-encounter , he rode againe towards Rosicleer , but Rosicleer did as he did before , whereby he cléerely perceiued the knights entent to be for to spare him , and waxing mad angrie he auoyded the place . Presently stepped in the Prince Lyriamandro , to whome likewise Rosicleer so behaued himselfe as vnto Bargandel , albeit himselfe was well stirred with these shockes . Lyriamandro as mad as Bargandel , to finde a friende without occasion , and not knowing his meaning , rode after Bargandel , where both of them departed to disguise themselues thinking to beguyle the Knight , if peraduenture he had had some knowledge of them . Not long after , the Trumpets blowed the retreate , and the Iustes shoulde haue ended , when these two Knights entered with yeolowe plumes and guylded armour , their horse trappings all of yeolowe , and parting company , the one of them ranne against Rosicleer , whom he met so strongly , that their speares flew in péeces , neither of them being vnhorsed , whereat all the people were dismayed , for no Knight that daye but was ouerthrowen of as many as Rosicleer had encountered . But these two Knightes rode againe the second time , and as with more cholar , so with fiercer stomackes they met , that Rosicleer tourned with his horse more then foure paces backwards , hauing much a doo to bring him forward , and the straunge Knight lost his stirrops and fell to the grounde with his horse ouer him . His companion tooke his roome and ranne twice against Rosicleer , neither of them loosing their seats , but at the thirde encountrie he fell to the grounde as his fellowe did , Rosicleer a little diseased in his saddle , recouered lyghtly . The yeolowe Knights thus ouerthrowen mounted on theyr horses to returne the way which he had come , sore displeasaunt at the little harme they had done vnto Rosicleer , but they beshrewed themselues for the further attempting of his acquaintaunce , and musing who it shoulde be , they remembred themselues of the young Gentleman Rosicleer and of his great prowesse , whereto themselues were priuie , thinking that perhappes it might be he , but yet because of his young yeares , they remooued this thought againe , and coulde not well iudge who hée was .

Then the King commaunded euerye knight to leaue off , at which the noyse of the instruments were hearde so lowde , that the whole place rang of the sounde thereof . Oliuia now minded to descende with the other Ladyes , wherefore the Knightes and other Princes flocked together to giue their attendaunce , among whome , Rosicleer as forwarde as the best in good will , presented himselfe vnto his Mistresse , which pleased hir not a lyttle . Entering into the great Court of the Pallaice , they there alyghted , where the King welcommed them , making seuerall tokens of courtesie to euery one , and comming to Rosicleer he desired him to be at his appointment for that night , for that he had great desire to sée him vnarmed . All the rest gladly obeyed , but Rosicleer with his beuere shut , requested his Maiestie of pardon , for that it behooued him to disarme himselfe in his Tent , till the wise man had permitted the contrarie , and so saieng , he tooke his leaue of the King , entering into his Tent , where he found the wise Artemidoro , which with two Pages abided his comming .

When Rosicleer was within , they drew the curtaines so close , that Rosicleer was not seene of any , and then helped to vnarme him . After the tables were couered and the boord was furnished of al delicacies which Artemidoro had thought on , the wise man himselfe being both Cooke & Cater . Rosicleer sitting downe , gaue him heartie thankes for his good prouision , but in déede his stomacke was full with the Princesse Oliuia , which had so possessed his entrayles , that the daintie dishes did not a whit delight his appetite . During this time , the Princes and the Knightes which supped with the King , highly ertolled Rosicleers worthinesse , each of them being desirous to knowe him , for they all iudged him to be of high parentage . Thus was this night bestowed till the day came , wherein they were to expect fresh matter of discourse and table-talke .

An aduenture which chaunced in King Oliuerios Court.

Cap. 33.

THe next daye after diuine seruice finished , the king inuited to break-feast all the Knightes , and that done tooke his place in that order as you haue heard before , looking that some straunge Knight should iust with the new knight . Now when the place was peopled with both gentle and vngentle , and that the Princesse Oliuia was placed on hir scaffolde , in came Rosicleer , mounted vpon his courser , & vaunted himselfe as ioyously before his mistres as if he had not feared the skirmish with ten Gyants , but that which lyked the Princesse beft , was a conceipt deuised in the pencill of his speare , béeing a burning torch , the ware dropping from it , signifieng thereby the miserie of louers , with this posie vnderneath in Romaine letters .

Extinguo & Extinguor . After Rosicleer was thus entered manie strong and valiant Knights , such as had not iusted the daye before , desired to trye themselues vppon the new Knight , especially Albalaxes King of Mauritania , who vpon hope to be Lord of the rich Tent , tooke a great speare , and with all his force ranne against Rosicleer , but Rosicleer was not taken so tardie in the receipt , but that he met the valiant Pagan with such strength , as horse and man tumbled to the grounde . Rosicler rode on somewhat troubled with this encountrie , and ere he was well set in his sadble , there ran against him another Pagan Lord of Busia , but Rosicleer sinely vnhorsed him , and in the same course ouetthrew foure others , that there was not a knight lefie to dare him . At this time he tarried sometime awayting for newe commers in , but there was none . Onely at a corner of the lystes , he sawe a huge Gyaunt in white armour vpon a great Courser , with a hoarce and disdainfull voyce , commaunding the people to make him roome , and not farre from this Giant , a gentlewoman vpon a palfray in straunge attire much different from ours , hir face was all bedewed with teares as if the Giant had vsed violence towards hir . The Gyant approching to the place where the King stoode , made no reuerence : but the Gentlewoman knéeled downe , saieng . Know most excellent Prince that the renowne of this Court , hath brought me from far Countries hether , chiefly for one cause , which the wickednesse of this Gyaunt hath now made two , the originall of them both you shall heare nowe vnder one . In the farther parte of the East néere vnto the great Cataya , there gouerneth a Princesse named Iulia , as yet but young of peares , but not young for handsomnesse , héeing nowe as it were in the pride of all her beautie . Hir Father was a right cunning Magitian , instructing hir so perfectlye in his skill , as now therein there are fewe comparable . For since his death , she hir selfe diuined by hir knowledge that she shoulde be prisoner to two Giauntes , and should be inlarged by one Knight , which should fight with them both . For the case should stand thus , that if hir Knight were vanquished she should as perpetually captiuate be at theyr commaunde , otherwise to be at lybertie if they were yelden . Hir selfe foreséeing this , and not finding who hée might be , hath prouided by hir knowledge not to bée beguyled : for by hir Arte she made this sworde , which no Knighte maye euer vnsheath , but onely he which must fight with the two Gyants for hir lyhertie , and besides , the sworde is such as without it , it were an harde aduenture , but with it the Knight maye boldelye venture on his foes . The sworde shée made and kept , close till time these two Giannts by night assailing hir , got the Lordship of hir person , after which time by a trustie seruaunt , she caused this sword to be conuayed vnto me with this commaund , to trauaile for hir sake in all Princes Courtes , and to séeke out the Knight , which could & shuld maintain hir quarrell . Three yeares are passed since I vnder tooke this enterprise , and within this thrée moneths landing in an Iland towardes the West , after a long iourney to no purpose , it was my fortune to méete this Giant Candramarte , there making him pertaker of my sute , he requested to prooue the aduenture , which I graunted : but when he coulde not drawe it out , beeing couetous of the sworde , he denied it me againe , saieng . For so much as you go to the King of Englands Court , there to séeke some Knight , which will doo his deuoure in your mistresse behalfe . No man shall attempt the aduenture of the sworde , but he shall first trie his forces vpon me , and if by him , I be vanquisht or slaine , let him take the sword , other wise I will with holde it from all men : with this he promised to beare me companie , and I of two-euills determined to choose the lesse . Albeit at this instaunt I am in greater extremitie , by reason of this Gyaunts wrong done to me , and my mistresse thraldome . This is the necessitie which draue me hether , and I am humbly to beséech your Maiestie , discréetly to weight my cause , and to giue remedie by your subiects as you best may .

Candramarte all this time standing by , in the ende , auerred hir tale to be true , and farther intimated to the Knights and Princes , that seeing he coulde not drawe out the sword , there should no man be master of it , but by the mastrie of him : but saith he , I will defend it against any Knight which shall demaund it . All the Knightes behelde the sword with the rich hangers , as the fairest which they had séene , but the King somewhat angrie at the Gyauntes rudenesse towards the Gentlewoman , said to him in this manner .

Candramarte thou hast done ill to take this sworde from the Gentlewoman , for as it séemes Iulia made it not for thée , and thy pride is ouer great to suppose , that none in the world will demaund it of thée . The Gyaunt angerlye looking vpon the King as though his eyes would haue flien out of his visage , said to the King . Demaund it then thy selfe sir King , or set anie of thy knights to aske it , and I will then make aunswere vnto thée howe rashlie thou hast taken vpon thée to correct me . These speaches were delyuered with so high a voyce by the Giant , that all the knights which were in the compasse heard it , but no man spake a word , so that the Kings choller encreased both against the Giant and his own subiects . And I must beare with them , for the Giant was great and tall , and as hardie as a Lyon , and no man liuing verye néere matchable for so good Fortune : but yet there way within the lystes both a hardier and more fortunate Knight , euen the good Rosicleer , which ouer-hearing his vndiscréete talke vnto the King , comming neere vnto the Giaunt , tooke him vp in this sort .

Candramarte , content thy selfe , and learne to know vnto whome thou speakest , for I tell thée that King Oliuerio hath such Knights in his Court as can make thée amende thy rusticitie , though thou wert more vntaught then thou art , and for that thou shalt not mistrust me , beholde I am the last and the least of them , yet as one which desires to serue him with the most . In his name , and in behalfe of the Gentlewoman , I charge thée surrender the sworde vnto the Gentlewoman , or if thou wilt not that , do thou take that part of the field , which shall best lyke thée , for in this quarrell I will either kill or be killed . With a terrible countenaunce Candramarte stared vpon Rosicleer , as who shuld say , darest thou speake so boldly , and perceiuing him to be but a young Knight , which he noted by his white armor , in great scorn he aunswered thus . I sée well foolish Knight thou hast not bene long acquainted with the burthen of armour , for if thou wert in thy kinde , and hadde well wayed the successe of Combatons , thou wouldest shake euerie ioynt of thée to beholde mée . But thy ignoraunce makes thée leape beyonde thy lash , and thrusteth thée forwarde to thine owne decaye . But séeing thou hast made choyce thy selfe of thy deaths-man , let vs goe to the battaile , for I would not but that thou shouldest repent thée of thy foolishnesse . So Candramarte broched his horse with the spurres , and Rosicleer did the like , which appeased the Kings displeasure , that he knewe not howe to recompence his for wardnesse in dooing him plesure , albeit it may be if he loued Rosicleer , that he somewhat mistrusted the euent because the Gyaunt was bigge and Rosicleer vnexercised in armes , and that which was chiefest without a sword , but for remedie thereto , he caused a sworde of his owne to be fetched , wherewith he charged a Knight to deliuer it to Rosicleer with this commaundement . That séeing in his name he hath so well fitted Candramarte for his aunswere , and for that cause was to take the battaile vppon him , nowe hée prayed him to weare this sworde lykewise for his sake , which he woulde warrant to bee good . The Knight did his message accordingly , but Rosicleer making his excuse gentlye , retourned the sworde with this aunswere , I humbly thanke the Kinges Maiestie for so high a present , the not receiuing whereoff commeth not of any refusal but by a promise which I haue made , as his Maiestie can testifie , neuer to weare sword , but if I winne it , and therefore I craue pardon at his maiesties handes for this discourtesie , otherwise I were greatly to blame , if I thought not my selfe honoured by béeing girte in a Kings weapon . The messenger delyuered Rosicleers aunswere in the same wordes as Rosicleer hadde giuen it out , so the King some-what lamenting the Knightes wilfulnesse , as he thought , weaponlesse to wage battaile with so abled a warriour , mused vppon this and for the rest commended him to God . All the standers by were sory to sée the new knight so couragious as to fight with a Gyaunt without a weapon , and especially the beautifull Princesse Oliuia could not but be an angred at the new knights ieoperdous aduenture , as if she had had no small title or claime to his person .

A daungerous battaile betweene Candramarte and Rosicleer .

Cap. 34.

As they prepared themselues to the carrier , the people gathered together to sée this daungerous fight betwéene the new knight and the Gyant Candramarte , and they as glad to sée the issue , vpon theyr light coursers with their Speares in their restes so violently hurled agaynst the other , that the grounde yéelded vnder theyr féete , the force of their strong armes ioyned with the furie of their horse , in such wise that the Gyaunt made small shieuers of his great Speare , and constrained Rosicleer to take his pillowe on his horse backe , but the newe Knight gaue the Gyaunt so mightie a blowe that he made his stiroppes fall from him , and quickly closing with the Gyaunt he drew him by force from the Saddle , and threwe him to the grounde , so that hée somewhat brused the Gyants shoulder bone , and presently woulde haue tourned agayne vppon Candramarte to haue made a dispatch of all , but that the Gyaunt being of greate courage , and enforcing himselfe to indure the remnaunt , got on his legges , and addressing his shéeld before him , with his Fawlchon in his hande awayted Rosicleer , for so soone as Candramarte was downe , Rosicleer then alyghted and sent his horse to his Tent , Rosicleer now béeing on foote made towardes Candramarte . Candramarte first assayled Rosicleer with these wordes . What knight thinkest thou to fight with mée without a Swoord ? What if thou haddest a better then this which I weare of the Quéene Iulias making , were all the Gods able therby to warrant thee out of my hands ? No , and thou shalt déerelye repaye mée the paine which thou hast put me to in this fall . Rosicleer comming néerer aunswered . Candramarte spare not to do thy vttermost , but cease thy reuilings , for God which gaue me might to ouerthrow thée , will also giue me power and strength without other weapon to subdue thée , and although I bring no swoord with me , yet I hope in the liuing God that thine shall profit me , and serue my turne . Then the Gyant was in such a rage that the furie of his choler with the blustering of his breath issued through the sights of his equimas , in like sort as the smoake issueth out of a furnace . And his second assault was with his Fawlchon with both his handes fetched compasse-wise against Rosicleer , which séeing the blow comming with such force forward , lift vp his shéeld therein to receiue the stroke , but the blow was so mightie , that it hewed the shéeld asunder , and descending vpon the head péece , made Rosicleer abate his lookes & bowe his knées for sauegard to his fall . The Gyant doubled vpon him , but Rosicleer neuer yet daunted , and recouering his courage almost against the hare , stept aside , that the Gyants blow was all in vaine , & being somewhat out of charitie with the first , he determined no more to receiue anie such counterbuffes , so that an halfe houre after the combat had lasted the Gyant might neuer hit him one blowe for all that he could doe , For Rosicleer was so deliuer and quicke that he lightly auoyded them . Candramarte séeing that Rosicleer would not abide by it , chased him vp and downe , and Rosicleer lead the Gyant a course likewise : but so that the king and all the lookers on iudged that if the battaile should endure long , that the new knight might neuer escape the death . Rosicleer assaied many times to couple with the Gyaunt , and to pull the Fawlchon out of his hands , but Candramarte was so wily and so well aduised of the wordes which Rosicleer spake in the beginning of theyr battayle , that he eyther kept himselfe aloofe off , or in his pursute bare the point of his Fawichon before him : but by this meanes the battayle continued to the no little discontentment of Rosicleer . For although his armour was such that no weapon might wounde him on his bodie , yet was he sore brused with trauaile , and his bones were in a manner softened with the wearinesse he had felt for the length of the battaile . As the one gaue lightly , so the other pursued eagerly , but as I say , neuer fastening a right downe blowe , but as he might ouerthwart and end-long , slipping his blows , and in his pride boasting out these and such lyke speaches .

O knight how costly shall the challenge of Quéene Iulias Swoord be vnto thée , if for it thou must exchaunge thy lyfe ? Haddest thou not bene better neuer to haue beene at this mart . But now know what valour Candramarte is oft , for not all the worlde are of that credit with mee as to baile thée out of my handes . For the fitting of his action wherevnto hée would shake his heauie Fawlchon so gallauntly , and roare so terribly , that euerie man tooke Candramarte , rather for a Tyraunt in a Tragedie , then a Iester in a Commedie . And Rosicleers friendes with their pittifull lookes bemoned the poore Rosicleer , as if hée had alreadie tasted of most cruell and bitter death in his gréene youth .

Amongest them the fayre and beautifull Princesse Oliuia , although as yet altogether vnacquainted with Rosicleer , was a spectatour , neither carelesse nor curious , but as one without hope , she onely wished well to Rosicleer , whose bruses were as déepe set in her sides , as they were imprinted in Rosicleers flesh , and euerie wagging of the most huge and monstrous Candramartes weapon , stooke a salt teare from her faire eyes , so was shée estraunged from her selfe & altogether become anothers mans : the new knight eyeng his mistresse became so desperate that he fully resolued either to close with Candramarte and wring his weapon from him , or to die vpon him . And watching the opportunitie , when the Fawlchon was ouer the Gyants head , bending his body stept within the Gyant , that the Gyaunt had no other resistance but to fell him to the ground with his elbowes . This was no greate misfortune to Rosicleer , for albeit hée was faine to bowe his knées by the thrust of the Gyants elbowes , yet couching his bodie closely , his chaunce was so good as to fasten vppon the hilts of Quéene Iulias Swoord , which hée drewe out , the scabberd remaining at the Gyaunts side . Rosicleer now béeing ceased of the swoord stept from Candramarte , and called vpon him on this wise .

Candramarte now thou shalt sée who shall haue the worst bargaine of quéene Iulias swoord , sith on euen handes we shall try this combat , & with this remembring the Gyants former pride , he laid at the gyant so thicke and so sure that in short space the bloud ranne from the Gyaunt in more then tenne places , for the swoord was excéeding sharpe , and Rosicleer as fell and venimous . Nowe maye you thinke that the mayden séeing the Swoorde bared by the Knight , was the gladdest woman in the earth , and that the king with other Princes and knights thanked God heartely , for prouiding Rosicleer of a weapon , the sooner to put ende to the battaile . But the Gyaunt assaulted so sore by Rosicleer and wounded so daungerously , began wholy is mistrust the Prophesie of the Swoord , and to dispayre of the victorie , and as in such cases wan hope is aduenturous : so his armour béeing rent , the habergion vnmayled , and all the riuetring out of order , for that cause the Gyant would néedes put the tryall of the challenge vpon one blowe . When this blowe was reached as farre as the Gyaunt might , to haue descended with more violence vpon Rosicleers head péece , Rosicleer béeing more quicke then he , met the blowe crosse wayes that hée cut off both the Gyauntes armes harde by the elbowes . The Gyant thus maimed , yelling out a loathsome crie , reuiled and railed on Rosicleer as a man distraught , and that which most increased his paine , was not the torment of his disfigured armes : but either the shame of the victorie , or the enuie at Rosicleer , but Rosicleer making little account of him , tooke the Scabbard from his side and so lefte him . Candramarte still followed blaspheming and cursing both God and man , and when he coulde neither bee his owne executioner , nor procure another to take the paines , sware , that for sparing his death , he woulde deuise all the mischiefe he might against Rosicleer , and that he would practise his death also , if possiblie he could inuent the meanes . But truely if I had bene in Rosicleers case , I shoulde not haue béene so straunge : séeing , that both it shoulde haue bene the Gyants last request , and so little encomberaunce to wardes mée . But the king , Princes , and knightes were so toyous of the victorie against the Gyaunt , as they bare countenaunce of more ioy outwardly , then they had earst receiued , euerie one openly desiring to sée him vnarmed : but chiefly Bargandel and Liriamandro , being in some iealousie of the knight whom they had found a friend , ere they looked for , supposing that peraduenture hée was Rosicleer , of whome the sodeine aduenture in the Sea had berefte them . And Quéene Iulias Gentlewoman séeing the combat tryed , and the aduenturer of the Swoord atchieued , concluding thereby that this was he for whom she had made so long a iourney , saluted him curteouslye with his ambassade . Now that it is euident noble Knight , that you are the person , for whose helpe this swoorde was framed by my mistresse , I am to certifie that my Ladie gréeteth you by me , and giueth you warning that for her sake you must mainteine the fight with two braue gyants , ioyntly combattant against you onely . For this she hath sent you this swoord , the commendation wherof , albeit not vnknowen lieth in the continuall proofe , which she requesteth you neuer to forsake , for it will much further you in your enterprises . Whereto I beséech you giue credit & deale effectually as she hath hope in you . But now giue me the sword that I may beare it to the king and the other Princes , that they may iustifie the truth of my former auouch . So Rosicleer deliuered the swoorde into her handes with the sheath , which the Gentlewoman brought before the King and the knights then present , which all attempted the pulling out , but coulde not doe it , as if the scabbard had béene a péece of the same mettall whereof the Swoord was , and not seuered by edge or toole , which made them all confesse , that to the new knight it was proposed , and to him apperteined the fight with the two Gyants for the franchising of quéene Iulia.

The king redeliuered the swoorde into the Gentlewomans handes , and bad her yéelde it againe to Rosicleer , which she did , & taking her leaue of him receiued this for aunswere . That he recommended himselfe vnto her good grace , heartely thanking her for so great care ouer him , as to prouide a sword , whereof he had néed , as her selfe can witnesse , and for the rest he promised not to faile her as he was true knight to God and the worlds . The Gentlewoman with this recommaunde gallopped awaie as fast as her palfraie might carrie her , the whilest Candramartes knightes remooued their Lorde out of that place into his Tent , whence afterwarde with great griefe for his sore maime they conuaied him into his Iland , wherein hauing setled himselfe , as mindfull of his oath , he neuer lefte from imagining of craftie meanes , and coining new pollicies to bring Rosicleer to the death .

When Candramarte was carried into his Tent , Rosicleer mounting vpon his horse , tooke a greate Speare in his hande , and stoode at the lists ende , thinking that some knight would come against him , but they were all so schooled with the sight of this last victorie , that neuer a Knight shewed himselfe . Wherefore the King commaunded to sound the Trumpet to procéede vnto the disposing of the rewardes for theyr trauaile . An Heralde demaunding alowde who had done best , they all referred the prices to Rosicleer . The King woulde not contende with them , but ( sayth be ) I will that my daughter haue the bestowing of them where she best liketh as touching this tourney .

She with much shamefastnesse which her couloured chéekes bewrayed , accepted the charge , and taking the crowne with the choller in her hande , she caused the newe Knight to hée called before her , who burning in loue towardes her , no lesse then shée was seruent in lyking towardes him , dismounted at the first call , and betwéene the two Princes Bargandel and Liriamandro mounted vp the Scaffolde where the beautifull Princesse was , before whome he appeared with greater feare arising of his conceit concerning his indignitie , then earst attached him in the fight with Candramarte without a weapon .

The two Princes comming before Oliuia , made their humble obeysaunce , and Rosicleer knéeled downe . The Princesse with a good grace bending to euery one of them spake to Rosicleer . You knowe new knight what charge the king my Father hath layde vpon mée , although farre more honourable then I am able to susteine , yet by mée assumed , neither to resist his will nor yet against my desire , for it is commendable of it selfe to be a commender of vertue , and neuer too much may I commend it . The charge is , that with mine owne handes I shoulde distribute these prises according as mine owne fancie leadeth mée to déeme of euerie mans trauaile and valiauncie . The deliuerye of these Iewelles , were nothing harde nor doubtfull , but the disposing more then harde , because it pertayneth to iudgement in déedes armes , wherevnto my sexe is not sufficiently abled . Neuerthelesse sir knight as your paines haue bene greatest , thereto witnesseth this whole multitude : so your prowesse in my iudgement , so much assureth on your parte , that without dooing wrong to anie of these Princes and knightes , I maye with good reason conferre them vpon you . For this , if I know to doe right vnto whome I ought , it is méete that you doe awaye your Helmet , and sith your déedes discouer who you are , it is no reason that you couer your selfe anie longer . When the Princesse had thus sayde , Rosicleer not hauing power to excuse himselfe , vnlaced his Helmet , which béeing put off , his face séemed so beautifull by the heate and trauaile of the armour , which raysed a fresh redde in his chéekes , that it stroke them all in amaze , and none of those which sawe him , considering his fairenesse with his age , but rather iudged him an Angell of heauen , then a mortall knight .

When the Princesse Oliuia sawe him so fayre , as already loue had made a wracke in the most secret parte of her heart by the viewe of his Knighthoode , so nowe the same breach being made wider by the second assault in his beautifull lookes , loue entered with banner displayed , and finding no resistance , tooke possession wholy of her heart , and swore all that he found to be his true prisoners . Thus lost she her libertie , and yet with the best courage that a woman might , she framed out a countenaunce of great fréedome in this manner .

You needed not by your fauour sir knight , to haue ben ashamed shamed of your face , and yet such as it is , it is farre inferiour to your manhood , but this is beyond the compasse of my commission , nowe come you néere and receiue at my hands the glory of your worthinesse , which your good fortune yéeldeth you . Rosicleer approching very néere , knéeled downe , & the Princesse put the choler about his necke , and the crowne vpon his head . When the Princesse had so done with a little stay betwéene , Rosicleer tooke the crowne from his owne head , and as he was on his knées , sayde vnto the Princesse Most excellent Princesse , for the souereigne grace you haue shewed me , I will remaine yours hence foorth to serue you loyallye , as a poore recompence for so rich a benefite . And as I deo receiue this chollar as the price of Knighthood in your opinion , so I beséech you to take of me this crowne as a testimonie of your surpassing beautie in my eye . With this he set the rich crowne vppon the golden haires of the Princesse Oliuia , she béeing glad of this gift , although somwhat blushing at the words he spake . The two Princes Bargandel and Li●iamandro standing by , and knowing him to be Rosicleer whom they had lost in the maine sea , when the ceremonies were finished , went to him , imbracing him as goodly , as if he hadde bene their owne brother , yet curteously challenging him for his vnkindnes , in not making himself knowen vnto them .

The King Oliuerio abashed at so great bountie , in a Knight of so young yeres , began to thinke more aduisedly of that which the wise Artemidoro had sayde , from that time he estéemed more highly of the newe Knight , as you shall heare after this .

But now the noise was so great which the vyals made and other instruments , that one might not heare an other speake , at which time , the faire Princesse Oliuia with the rich crowne vpon hir head , and in hir company the Knight Rosicleer with the two Princes , descended from the scaffold , & in great pompe , went to the Kings Pallaice , the Princesse leauing them ther to take hir owne lodging , and they all entering the chamber of presence , where the King stayed for them , and after a generall welcome , by name taking Rosicleer aside , he said vnto him . Sir Knight , hether you are verie welcome , for I haue had great desire to knowe you , and I would to God by your stay I might as well be acquainted with you , for by you the honour of my Courte hath bene well vpholden . Mightie King answered Rosicleer , I am rather to be borne withall , if I desire to bée your seruant , sith for the same cause , and for to sée your court I am come hether . The king kissed the knight vpon the chéeke as tenderly as if he had bene his owne sonne , saieng . Rosicleer , I account more of these words , then of the worth of my best Citie , and aduise thée well of these speaches , for I am to demaund them of thée , if thou wilt not other-wise performe thy promise . So Rosicleer was retayned for the Kings Knight , and all the olde courtiers , both Princes and Knights of great name , ranne to imbrace Rosicleer , with great plesure vnto them to haue his company , except onely Don Siluerio Prince of Lusitania , whom a ielous thought vexed as towards Rosicleer , for that he had vnhorsed him in the presence of his Lady . But after this order Rosicleer remained in the English Court , where he rested himself , till this sodaine aduenture called him foorth , as shall be tolde you .

A Gentlewoman came to the Court from the Princesse Briana , which made him followe Brandagedeon .

Cap. 35.

THe storie recounteth , that Rosicleer abode many daies in King Oliuerios Court , well liked and loued of both King and nobles . In which time , Rosicleer gaue the King the rich Tent , which the wise Artemidoro had wrought for him , wherin the King tooke great delight . For although he had many other , both curious for making and costly for matter , yet had he not seene in his life any either so rich or of so cunning work-manship , so that the Kings good will towards Rosicleer encreased by Rosicleers presence , and in that also for his company manie other great Princes and straunge Knights remained with the King so long time after that these iusts wer ended , which beginning of friendsh●p Rosicleer and some of these Knightes grewe in the ende to such perfection by his gracious and familiar behauiour , that neither fauour of friendes , nor dread of daunger might with their willes sunder them from this amitie . And if Rosicleer had such power ouer Knightes straungers , what had he ouer the Princesse Oliuia béeing surprised with his loue , and hauing engrauen his Image so déepely in hir imagination , that he neuer departed from hir thought , but euermore there renewed in hir rememberaunce his Knightly déedes and great valour , whereby she made an euident demonstration of his linage as if naught els had bene enemie to hir purpose . But this faire Princesse now so languished with the torment of this amorous thought and pleasant liking of hir loue Rosicleer , that now the conuersation of hir Gentlewomen was yerksome , and to be solitarie did most content hir , forbearing withall , both hir rest in sléepe , and hir sustenaunce in feeding . In which melancholye she was so farre gone , without féeling of hir owne disease , as that nothing might ease hir highnesse but Rosicleers presence , which bred hir greater bale in his absence , by the griefe galling hir most to thinke that séeing he was a straunger in that land , he would ere long returne to his owne countrey . One day casting hir selfe vpon hir bed & tossing such like things in hir fancie , she sent out manie a sorowful sigh as the forerunners of this which foloweth . O loue , loue , how well it eased me before times to heare louers mourne , to read their straunge fits , to sée figured before me the variable succes of their attempts , with the fearefull frights of thy subiects and captiues . O how well at ease was I , when being farre from the fire & out of daunger , I might laugh and looke on , and warme me by theyr flame . But now not so frée nor cleane deuoyd of thought , I rue the little pitie I tooke vpon their paine , & am therefore scorched not without desert . O loue , loue , by whome not the féeblest onely , but the sturdiest also and stoutest , are vnable to quench this fire , if it please , thée to kindle it . Alas doo not the wise men séeme fooles , and the hardie cowards , if it be thy pleasure : and dare anie man confesse the truth in this passion , and are not all like sicke men beguyled , call sower swéete , paine pleasure , bale blisse , griefe gladnesse , and the loosing of their late libertie , the inlarging of their newe franchise , to content theyr fancies . And thou vnfortunate Oliuia , arte thou Princesse of great Britaine , the daughter of King Oliuerio , the woman sued vnto by so plyant peticioners , both Princes and Knightes of great courage , whom thou hast all refused . No assuredly , but thou art some base and meane Gentlewoman , if the sight of one onely Knight not knowen vnto thée , hath so dimmed thy vnderstanding , that reason is become no more defensible . Where is thy late pride Oliuia , where is thy auncient pleasure , where are thy hautie lookes , where lyes the charter of thy libertie , where is the estimation of thy beautie , where is the excellencie of thy estate . O the miserable and euer-chaungeable state of man , like vnto the hearbes or flowers , which the mornings deaw refresheth , the noones heate oppresseth , and the night shade encloseth in as the graue doth our bodies : being a liuely morall of our mortalitie . Alas Rosicleer , my father thinkes he hath made a great purchase by thy being héere , but I would to God I might be as sure heire to this purchase , as I am otherwise certaine to repent thy comming hether . And yet what some euer the euent be , my loue commaundes in me the contrarie . For is it not better for me to see Rosicleer , and to acknowledge the goodnesse of God towards man , in in-ablyng of him to the atchieuement of such wonders , whereby , and by the enioying of his sight ▪ I receiue such pleasure , then neuer to haue seene him , though I loose the hope of augmenting my state . And truly befall what may , in spite of Fortunes rancor , I will stay my selfe vpon this choyce , and will not exchange it .

Very wise was the Princesse Oliuia , and as the times affoorded , verye well learned , but yet these speaches procéeded rather of hir passion , then of aduised reason or good reading . And the like combat to this of contrarie thoughts Rosicleer endured , enterteyning in his heart the counterfa●te of the Princesse in secreat contemplation , wherein he was diligentlye occupied , imagining thereof the brauerye of her beautie , and the greate desert in her to be best beloued . But as againe to the Princesse in all this subiection to loue & his lawes , her honestie is chiefly to be noted , which for all that both the remedie was aboue her capacitie , & the paine likely to ouercome her patience : yet bare out the bruntes thereof in such modestie rather by sufferaunce then striuing withall , that neither coulde Rosicleer euer assure himselfe of her liking , nor anie of her seruaunts wring it out by the manner of her disease . Rosicleer was so close , which in him was the occasion of farther trouble , for coueting to bée alone the better to reioyce himselfe , and to enter more narrowly into the search of his owne abilitie with the likelyhoode of his sute , hée stumbled as in a blinde way vpon two blockes , so placed as that if he auoided the one , he must néedes hit his shinne against the other : For this was one . If he reauealed not his griefe or not made her priuie to his estate , there was naught to preferre him before another knight . Againe , the other was , if he laide open his race , his supplication would lacke succour . Now how could he with candle light not hazard a fall vpon the one or the other . For hée was perswaded that Prince Edward , brother to the Princesse Oliuia was his father , wherefore the néere kindred was to be concealed if he looked for helpe , and yet the concealement was the onely debarring of his hope . In this conflict hee did nothing but afflict himselfe , neither daring to discouer his maladie , nor minded to dissemble it altogether , by so much the more in worse case then the Princesse was , as the infirmitie of her sexe did lessen her paine by yeelding at the first , and the magnanimitie of his courage to haue the masterie , did in the end make the déeper impression in his flesh , like as in nature the hardest fight is betwéene the hardiest , and sooner shall the cannon shot deface the high towers , then breake through a rampier of wooll or flaxe , and so the issue prooued in him . But béeing one daye with the king and the other noble Princes in the great pallaice to beguile his solempne conceits which ouercame his nights rest , he sawe entering a Gentlewoman well apparailed , which when she came néere beewing humbly to the king , sayd as followeth . God preserue your maiestie , most noble King of the great Britaine . The Princesse Briana my mistresse and wife vnto the Prince Edward your sonne , with the remembraunce of hir dutie , craueth to be certified by your good grace what you haue heard of hir Lorde and husband , for she neuer saw him since his first arriuall into Hungary . My Lady also by me greeteth the Princesse Oliula your daughter , vnto whom she commaunded me to deliuer a cofer of iewels , but comming to land on the English coast , I was set vpon by a great Giant , named Brandagedeon as I heare , who taking the cofer from me badde me come to this Court , héere to tell a new knight which once vnhorsed him , that he would make aunswere to none but him as concerning the coffer , and that for him he wold stay at the shore , there to make satisfaction according as he was charged , I beseech your good highnesse therefore to send that newe Knight in your daughters quarrell against this Giant . Rosicleer hauing knowen this Gentlewoman amongst those which attended vppon the Princesse Briana his mother in the monestarie of the riuer , and that she had to name Arinda , was glad to haue the opportunitie offered to serue the Princesses Oliuia and Briana , and therefore rising from where hée sate , he came before the king , to whom he said . Sir seeing it is Rosicleer whome this Gentlewoman seeketh , & that Brandagedeon hath sent for mée , I beseech your maiestie to giue me lisence to goe in these affaires , for it is out of reason to withslacke such worthie seruice to two so noble Princes .

The king loth of any occasion at all to be ministred wherby he should forsake the court , least his returne would not be ouer hastie , for he knew well that he was nothing addict to idlenesse , yet seeing his importunitie both to aunswere the challenge , and to employe his trauaile , in the name of these two Princes , would not gainsaie his purpose , but wished him not to goe alone , for that the Gyant was well manned with aboue . 30. knightes , for this cause Bargandel & Liriamandro , & other Princes & knights offered to go in his companie , but they coulde not preuaile , for he excused himselfe with this , that it should redound to his disworship , if he should take more companie then the Gyant looked for . And by and by he craued pardon to departe to his chamber there to arme himselfe . The Gentlewoman Arinda well knowing him , but for that time suppressing it , while Rosicleer buckled on his armour , went to deliuer her message vnto the Princesse Oliuia , vnto whome she tolde that the cofer with iewells was intercepted by a false harratour , a Giant named Brandagedeon , and that the new knight had taken vpon him to fetch them againe , which when the Princesse heard , although she was glad to vnderstand ought from the Princesse Briana , yet was she sorrowfull when she hearde that Rosicleer would leaue the Citie and would goe alone thether where the Gyaunt abid him , for her minde gaue her that she shoulde not see Rosicleer in hast , but turning from this she demaunded of the Gentlewoman many things in perticular touching her Ladie , so that the Gentlewoman stayed with her , till Rosicleer being armed called vpon her . Then the Princesse sayth ; if there be no other remedie you may go with him , albeit tell the knight from me , that I had rather the iewells were lost , then he should put himselfe in so great a ieopardie . Arinda sayde thée would doe her commaund , and went downe to Rosicleer beeing alreadie on horsebacke with his Esquire Telyo , she likewise tooke her palfray , and they thrée rode through the Citie of London , much gased after by the king and all the knights and Ladies which stoode in the windowes and battlements of the pallaice , and with great sorrow pittied him to sée him goe alone , perswading themselues that if Brandagedeon were slaine or in daunger , that his men would rescew him .

A cruell battaile betweene Rosicleer and Brandagedeon with his knights .

Cap. 36.

ROsicleer béeing thus accompanied with Arinda , and Telyo his Squire , willed the Gentlewoman to guide him on the waie to the place where Brandagedon was . Arinda knowing him well inough , sayde . Noble Rosicleer I dare not so doe . The Gyant is fierce and strong and hath with him many knights , which if he haue néede shall helpe him , and then shall I sée you in perill of your life . Better were it Rosicleer that you should leaue this enterprise and take the way towardes Hungarie , there to comfort the sorrowfull Princesse Briana , which since your departure from the monestarie hath neuer ben merrie . Rosicleer perceiuing well that the Gentlewoman knew him , casting his armes about her neck , sayd vnto her . Why how now Arinda , how is it that you know me , and I haue not knowen my selfe since my comming into this land ? But tell me gentle sister how the Princesse Briana doth , my good Ladie , for whose sorrow I am much agréeued , albeit to remedy it there were no reason in forsaking this enterprise , which I haue taken in hand to doe her seruice therein . Besides that , I am determined not to returne into Hungarie , before I canne heare some newes of the Prince Edward , whether hée bée dead or aliue . No sayth the Gentlewoman , but let this matter alone , for it were lesse losse that the two Princesses shoulde want the Cofer of Iewells , then that you shoulde hazarde your lyfe in winning of it , and more acceptable seruice shall you doe my Ladie in going to visit her , then in seeking out the Gyaunt to fight with him . The Gentlewoman with all tooke holde of the Bridle raynes to haue lead Rosicleers horse out of the waie , whereat Rosicleer laughing a good , aunswered her thus . Arinda , I should get a good reporte in the Court of king Oliuerio , if for feare of a battaile with this Gyaunt , I should tourne aside from this iourney , which for the same cause I haue vndertaken . If I were certaine of more then a thousande deaths , I would not follow thy aduise héerein Arinda , and so spurring his horse he kept on his way . The Gentlewoman would not importune him farther , but lead him towards the Gyaunt , where not farre of they met another Gentlewoman on foot wéeping verie pitteously . At her Rosicleer demanded the cause of her griefe , which she vttered streight waies in these words .

O sir knight , Fortune , Fortune hath frowned on mée , so that better welcome should be the death then the daye lyght . Rosicleer yet requested her to speake more plainely , and to tell wherein Fortune had wrought her such despite . I will gladly sayth she , and for truth sir knight I am a Gentlewoman belonging to the Quéeene of Lusitania , which sent mee with a Brother of mine a verie valyaunt Knight hether , to bring certeine Iewells for the Princesse Oliuia , daughter to the King Oliuerio , and for the Princesse Rodasylua her owne Daughter . Now our mishappe was such , that entering the shoare , wee hit vppon a great and diuelish Gyant , who examining vs whether we went and what we carried in our fardle , because my brother made no aunswere flew him , and putting mée from me palfraie , tooke from me my horse and my fardle , ouer and besides with this commaund , to go vnto the king Oliuerio and to the knights of his court , there to record my complaint against him . Thus haue I my Lord satisfied your request , now God be with you , for I will on to craue some remedie .

With this the Gentlewoman parted from them , but Rosicleer calling to her sayde . Gentlewoman , so it is that my arrant is for the same purpose to fight with the Gyant , for the like trespasse by him committed agaynst this Gentlewoman héere with mée . If you will returne with vs , we shall be verie glad thereof , and by Gods helpe I shall well qwell that Gyants insoleucie . What sayde the Gentlewoman , doe you purpose alone to fight with the Gyaunt . I indéede aunswered Rosicleer , and haue hope to reuenge this Gentlewoman and your brother . God mate well giue you power so to do , it it please him said the Gentlewoman , but in respect of the Gyauntes strength it will not sinke into my brest that 100. such knights as you are can chastise him . Well sayd Rosicleer , if you will go with mée , you may at leasure when you see the euent deliverate what to doe . If ye will not fare you well , for lesse shall bée your hope of remedie in kéeping your waye as you nowe doe . Rosicleer helde on , and the Gentlewoman viewing his goodly personage , thereby perswading her selfe that it were but little losse to turne backe with him , determined to proue his good Fortune . And as she was not fully assured in her thought , she spake on this wise .

Be not displeased with me , but for the loue of God faire knight haue some greater regard of your owne safetie , not to cast your-selfe away for the recouerie of my damage , it is no great matter for me to take some paines in going with you : but it will be some griefe to returne againe laden with a fresh complaint of a new murther . And therefore for God sake let the Gyant alone . Rosicleer sayde , I may not , but seeing you haue promised your companie , get vp behinde my Squire , and cast your care vpon God , which will preuaile for your ease , as best shall lyke him . So they foure trauayled towardes the place where the Gyants abiding was , and comming neere vnto the shoare , they sawe him hard by the water , where he sate vppon a great horse , and more then thirtie knightes in a Crayer not farre off , as if they purposed to boord a tall ship . which was on floate in the Sea halfe a mile . Brandagedeon by and by knew Rosicleer to be the new knight , by the rich armour he bare , the selfe same being worne by him in the iusts , wherein he was hurled to grounde , for which cause preuenting Rosicleers salutation , with a lowde and hollow voyce he cried vnto him Now sir knight may I magnifie my Gods for that I haue thée in such a place wher I may be auenged of thée at my pleasure for the despite thou hast done me , and all the world shall not raunsome thée from my hands . God of heauen shall be my borrow aunswered Rosicleer , which also shal correct thy wickednesse and tread vnder foote thy intollerable pride and arragancie . But to tell thée my message , I challenge thée for to make satisfaction vnto these gentlewomen of the wrong thou hast done them , or to prepare thy selfe to mainteine thy miichiefe . Brandagedeon spake no word , but signified his meaning by his demeanour , for be tourned his horse head in great rage and tooke a beauy speare with him , the other vnderstanding his signe , did as much . This first iourney brake their staues , and made them trie the rest of the battaile on foote . The Gyant being cleane vnhorsed , & Rosicleers horse giuing backe , so that he rusht against the ground , but the successe was diuers and vnequall in the riders themselues . For Rosicleer keeping his saddle felt no harme in his body , & the Gyant throwen violently to the earth , was well shaken with the fall .

But the combate is not yet ended , for Brandagedeon béeing strong and mightie helde Rosicleer verie harde , as indéede it could not be otherwise , for betwixt them alone the fight continued two houres , all the meane time neyther part giuing ouer ; nor making anie semblaunce of discomfiture . In the end the knight hauing treble aduantage ouer the Gyaunt , first the Queene Iulias swoord which hit sore : secondly in Artemidoros harnes which held out the force of the Gyants weapon : and thirdly the nimblenesse of his bodie readie both to assaile stronglys and to decline as lightly from the others blow , by which meanes hauing made a wide hole in the Gyants armour he wounded the Gyant at his pleasure .

The execution of this challenge to so little displeasure on Rosicleers parte , made Arinda thinke it long till shee shoulde blase it at home in the monasterys of the Riuer , but her pleasure was soone ouercast , for there was ministered vnto her a cup of colde water in stéede of better lyking to alay her thirst . All this happening beyond her expectation , by that Gyants knights , which séeing their master at such an exigent , although in no euident appearaunce of his ende , in greate furie came to lande , and at once all of them with theyr swoords fell vpon Rosicleer . This was no euen match , thirtie Knights and a Gyant to set vpon one silly knight , before almost tired with two houres battaile against the Gyant . But what thing may resist Gods ordinaunce ? The Gyants knights laide on with such courages , that it reuiued the Gyaunt , for they were all chosen Knightes , but I doubt not but that Rosicleer besturred himselfe , for so many as he met , he either maymed , wounded , flewe , or threwe to grounde . And béeing ouer-awed by number and fresh onsettes , he was fayne for defence to his backe , to withdrawe himselfe into the Sea , there to stand in the water and receiue theyr blowes before him .

Now Telyo his Squire and Arinda the Hungarian séeing him forced to this extremitie were very woe begon , but the Gentlewoman Lusitanian as desperate of all succours by his meanes , gallopped from thence vpon her palfraie which stoode by the shoare , no lesse complaining the daunger wherein shée left this good Knight , then recurelesse lamenting the vniust death of her brother . As she had ridde some part of her way towards Oliuerios court , there were two knights in her iudgement verie lustie and armed at all points which made all the hast they might to get néer● her .

The Gentlewoman comming within the hearing of them , and minding to preuent other questions , cryed vnto them a farre off . For the passion of God my good Lords , if all noblenesse and vertue be not cleane buried in you , make hast to succour a Knight the best in the world , which is now enuiroued with his enimies being about thirtie knights besides a Gyant . The two knightes with these newes posted a maine , & by the same way which the Gentlewoman came , in short time got a sight of Rosicleer , which at that time stoode in the water against . 11. or . 12. of them , for so many were left on liue of thirtie persons , those also which then liued beeing well nurtured by Rosicleers discipline , that they would prease vppon him without good warrantise .

Now by that time that the two knightes came , Rosicleer had killed more then twentie , leauing a passage so well trode as they might easily trace out his foote steppes . At their first breaking in among the Gyants knights , they burst their staues vpon two of them , ouerthrowing them , and then drawing their swoordes strake so lustely that the assaylants were gladde to leaue Rosicleer , and to defend themselues against the two knightes . Rosicleer hauing so good helpe at hande , although he was stirred with the continuall heate of the foote battaile , woulde néedes be a partie player in the last act of this Tragedie , and therefore chose out Brandagedeon to deale withall , and with his sharpe swoord gaue him so fierce a stoccado , that the bowells trayled after the weapon , and the Gyant fell downe . Now béeing thus put in possession of his desire , he came to the two knights , vttering these or such like spéeches .

I beséech you noble knights to let me knowe at whose handes I haue receiued so good maintenaunce , that I may the better giue you thankes according to the state of your degrée , and your demerites towardes mée . One of the knights auns wered . You are not to thanke vs , for your owne hand had wrought your escape before our comming , but neuerthelesse at your request we are content to discouer our selues , & streight way they vnlaced their helmets , whereby Rosicleer knew them , the one to bee Bargendel , and the other Liriamandro , his d●re friendes . Rosicleer after his presupposed thankes so happely stumbling on his friendes helpe , fell to other matters , and first asked of them for what cause they came thether , they made aunswere that the onely feare they had least the Gyants knights should at once inclose him , mooued them to abandon the court for his rescewes . And as this talke was interrupted by the comming of the two Gentlewomen and Telyo Rosicleers squire , to demaund leaue of search in the Gyaunts beate for the coffer and fardle which had bene taken from them , so after the Gentlewoman with leaue obteined , departed for to search : these thrée knightes beganne a déepe consultation of their owne affaires , and what they ought to doe . Bargandel spake first in this wise . We haue this moneth and more leitered verie idlely in king Oliuerios Court , without exercise of armes or armour , therefore it wer not mis-beséeming vs knights , if we shuld for a time forbeare our returne , to practise déedes of armes , that our good name & honour may inlarge our credit in this kingdome , and be a meanes of the sure setling of our memories in this land , and the rather thereto am I lead , for that I will not feare anie disworship or vanquish in your companie . I am content sayth the new knight with this or any other thing which you shall deuise . But what shall we doe with these Gentlewomen . Marie saith Liriamandro , they shall returne to the court with the dead bodie of the Gyaunt , there to present his carcase before the Princesse Oliuia as a token from thée Roficleer , and in parte of payment for the great dishonour which the Gyaunt hath prosfered her in with-holding her iewels . They may lykewise when they be ther , make all our excuses vnto the king for our so sodeine departure .

By this time the Gentlewomen returned with their owne carriage , and what with the length of the battayle , and other accidents , the daye was so farre shutte in , that beeing verie darke they were constrained altogether to tourne into a kéepers house néere at hand , where they were welcome at such warning . For hée knewe the three knightes at the greate feastes , wherefore hée enterteined them as honourably as he might . That night not hauing wherewith otherwise to busie themselues , and the opportunitie of the bearers , putting them in minde of their mistresses , they gaue themselues to enditing euerie man of seuerall letters vnto his loue and Ladie . Bargandel and Liriamandro deliuered theirs vnto the Gentlewoman of Lusitania , but the other not willing to make manifest his choyce for that time , tooke Arinda a letter closely to carrie vnto the Princesse Briana his good Ladie , & afterwards amongest other talke he required to see the coffer of iewells which the Princesse Briana sent to Oliuia , as if it had bene onely to haue seene the riches therof , Arinda gaue him the coffer , which he opened , and tossing vp and downe as if to sée all the iewells , he secretly conuaied his letter to Oliuia , vnder all the papers , and redeliuered the coffer without being suspect .

Well to make an end , the talke had an end , & when the rest went to their rest , Rosicleer fell into his ordinarie humour , driuing in his thought the whole order of the deliuerie , and her receit , with her manner of turning ouer the papers to view euery iewell , this being but the first assay of the humour , but when his fancie brought him to the finding of the Letter , Lord what a fight he susteined , for the better vnderstanding whereof , you must imagine a young scholler but lately entered into schoole points , ouer seeing of his theame , before he bring it to the reuiewe of his Shoolemaister , and beléeue mée in farre greater double hung Rosicleer of his Ladies liking , then the boye doth of his maisters . For in his reading of the blotted Coppie , as distinctly as if hée were to gesse Oliuias coniecture vppon euerie sillable , good God into what a hard censure was the poore payer subiect , as if euerie sentence had bene then arayned before him . For almost at euerie lines ende , hée would say . Either this was too much , eyther this was too little , or this is maimed , or this is too rude and vnlearned . or this was not well and finely penned , or that was not plaine inough , or this is faultie , or this should be amended , and to drawe all into a summe , in euerye péece hée woulde blame either the little wit in inuention , or the lacke of eloquence in the deliuerie of the matter , but chiefly his owne ouer boldnesse in presuming vpon so high a Princesse with so rude a discourse , and yet I dare saye it did him good to beguile the Princesse with this Letter in the coulour of a Iewell , which shée must receiue and read through , ere she should learne the contents thereof , or know the pen-man . And beginning to recken a fresh after this comfort , hée stayed himselfe vppon these two pointes , first , that sith he was diseased , his remedie must begin by making his griefe knowen : second , that his conscience tolde him there was nothing in the letter , the truth whereof hée durst not auouch as concerning either his owne person , or the Princesses , and this was his nightes rest as I suppose .

Rosicleer and the two Princes seeke aduentures in the land of Britaine , and the two Gentlewomen carrie the Gyants bodie to Oliuerios court .

Cap. 37.

NOT much out of the same manner was the other Knights sléepe , dreaming of their delights & other such toyes , but the next day they arose and armed themselues , taking leaue of their hoste and the Gentlewomen . But Rosicleer tarryed behinde to conduct the women a lyttle on their waye , and to haue more secret conference with Arinda about the Princesse Briana , ( the remorse of his conscience stinging him for stealing away so priuely from the Princesse , ) in the course of this talke he woulde sometimes name the Princesse his Ladie , sometimes his foundresse , by which name he requested Arinda to make offer of his humble seruice with the best excuse the might , for his long absence , in that he had alreadie entered the quest of séeking the Prince Edward or Donzel del Febo his brother , and in such speaches he brought them on their waye , afterwarde , taking his leaue with a friendly imbrace , hée posted after his companie whome hée ouertooke in shorte time .

Sire dayes these thrée knights rode together with-out happening vpon any thing worthy the recitall . The seauenth day in their waye they sawe a farre off a Knight very tall and bigge made vppon a faire stéede by séeming a Knight of great account . There followed him two Squiers , the one bearing his launce , the other his helmet , for the heate of the day had made him vayle his head-péece to put on a lyght hat of Taffeta , and comming néere , they sawe that he was of a good countenaunce , somewhat of coulour duskie and blacke , but in making both manlike and of good proportion , his ioynts well knit , and somewhat large withall , which foreshewed great likelihood of strength and courage . This knight straunger first saluting these thrée Knights riding by , spake vnto them thus .

Tell me my Lordes I praye you , whether you be of King Oliuerios Court or no ? Bargandel aunswered him . Truly we are if we list , and so long as our lyking lasteth : but wherefore demaund you this ? I will tell you sayd the Knight . Sooth it is , that I am a Tartarian , borne in that parte of Tartarie which bordereth vppon Europe , and trauayling to séeke aduentures , I was cast by tempest of the Sea , vppon the Countrey of Zealand , where I hearde , that manye Knightes shoulde assemble in this Realme , at a great Feast and Iustes proclaymed by the King , with a safe conduct warraunted out vnder his owne signet , for all Knightes Christians and Pagans or of all Nations else besides whatsoeuer , thether to come and prooue theyr valour . I am as I saye , a wandring Knight , and haue no other erraunt but to sée such good Knightes , and to trye my selfe amongest them . Vppon the reporte héereof , as soone as my shippe was rigged , and trimmed , and that the winde serued for my purpose , I entered in my shippe to arriue in this lande . Nowe , whether that the waye long and daungerous by the ignoraunce of my Pylot shut me from my hope , or that the reporters mistooke the daye , or rather knewe it not . Since my comming to lande , I haue in manie places bene assertained that the Feastes are long agone ended , and that the most parte of the Knightes haue taken shipping , and departed into their Countreyes , notwithstanding , leauing behinde them such a good memorie in the mouthes of euerie man , as much it grieueth me to haue lost my labour . For this cause last remembred , I am in purpose for one monethes space to ride through this lande , and to deale with all Knightes commers , to prooue whether their credite be not aboue theyr desertes : wherevnto I haue sette this condition , that if any of them dismount me or make me yéelde , that then I must faithfully accomplish all that which the vanquisher shall will mée . But if I vnhorse anye of them , or take anye of them prisoners , then the vanquished , shall commende mée to the King Oliuerio , and make offer of his or theyr lyues and goodes , at his courtesie as a simple token of my great good will towards him . Since this determination thrée dayes haue I iourneyed in this lande , and I haue encountered ten knights whome I haue sent accordinglye to King Oliuerio . And my Lordes , whether are you retaining to the English Courte or no , for if you be , I maye not breake my vowe , although by your semblaunce and riding , you shewe to me as the best Knightes , which I haue séene in my lyfe .

This sayde the Knight straunger , and the other thrée Knightes were easelye brought to the allowing of the conditions . Wherefore Bargandel which hadde vndertaken to aunswere , sayde . Syr Knight , wée thanke you for the large recounte you haue made vnto vs of your hether comming , and as to your ouer-late arriuall , and the conditions set to the Tilte , albeit I maye not mislyke them being so equall , yet for my parte , I aunswere , and for these Knightes , that we would not gladlye deale with you vppon so lyght occasion , for rather will we honour straunge Knightes then in anye wise be an incombraunce vnto them , but sith it is your earnest sute , & that therein we shall doo you seruice , we will not refuse you , and by the leaue of these my Lordes and fellowes , my selfe will be the formost . But by God sir Knight , there is the Ladie Syluerina in the English Courte , and if I faile not of my purpose , I will make you kisse hir white handes , ere you bée manye dayes elder . But Bargandel fayled in déede of his purpose , for though hée was a verye valyaunt Knight , yet was hée but young , and the Tartarian was both mightie and well exercised .

After the Tartarian had buckeled on his helme , and Bargandel had obtained leaue of his fellowes to bée the first in this aduenture , either of them clapped their spurs to the Horse sides , and their encountrye was such , that Bargandel brake his speare in small shiuers in the shielde of his enemie , causing the Tartarian to loose the raynes , and to wreathe some-what in his saddle . But the Tartarian ouerthrewe Bargandel horse and man to the grounde , and with the tourne to recouer the raynes , dressed himselfe in his saddle , passing forth gallantly , while Bargandel laye on the ground verie angrie and desirous to haue had the Combat with the sword .

Rosicleer and Lyriamandro much wondred at theyr shockes , Lyriamandro then tooke the nexte tourne , and Rosicleer because the straunger wanted a speare , sent his owne staffe vnto him , which peraduenture if hée coulde haue foreseene the euente , hée woulde not haue done , for by it Liriamandro was hurled to grounde , and the Tartarian almost vnhorsed , his stirroppes béeing broke , and himselfe cast vppon the arson of his saddle . The Tartarian Knight was much abashed at the great force of these two Knights , for he had not thought to haue met two so strong Knightes in all this lande , and when there remayned none but one Knight , and hee lykewise with-out a staffe to iuste with-all , hée came to this one , and bidde the base to the sworde playe in these tearmes .

Sir Knight , sith both of vs want speares to iuste with all , it shall be well to make vp this lack with our swords , that you maye reuenge the shame of your companions , or else goe with them for companie , and all thrée present your selues prisoners to the King your Lord . Whose Court notwithstanding I shall highlye commende of , for the great vertue , whereof my selfe hath had proofe sufficientlye in your fellowes . Assuredlye sir Knight ( sayd this odde man , which was Rosicleer ) were it not for the duetie which I owe to my companions , and for that you should ill acquite their courtesies if you shoulde leaue me scot-frée to scorne at their mishappes , I woulde that this Combatte with swordes shoulde be excused , for that I am not accustomed to fight for so small a cause , but sith that both my companions challenge this at my handes , and that it is a poynt of cowardlynesse to leaue the combatte , and also that you will not haue vs to breake companies , I condiscende to your deuice with this Prouiso , that if by good Fortune I ouercome you , my companions shall be freed from your charge , and you shall goe in their roomes to kisse the King of Englands hande , as I am sure it will doo you good to haue acquaintaunce with his grace . I am well pleased héere-with aunswered the Tartarian , and so saieng , he drewe out a fine sworde , Rosicleer lykewise drawing his .

Thus beganne the braue Combatte in which they continued a long time , no aduauntage béeing espyed on either parte by the beholders , what was within them , themselues best knewe . But Rosicleer rather delighted then afraide at his enimies courage , deuised by himselfe how to winne that valyaunt Knight for friende , and to leaue the Combatte , for vppon so flender a quarrell , hée thought the hazarde would be too great . Marrie for all that he did his best , for when he felt the strong buffettes , hée coulde not but yéelde the like . The Tartarian Knight burning in rage , rather to haue the masterie ouer so valyaunt Knights , rather then for any ill will he bare to Rosicleer , compassed how by maine force to subdue his aduersarie , and in this thought be strake so furiouslye , that with his charge and the others aunswere , the noyse was so confused and great withall , that it was hearde vppon the toppe of hilles , as the shot of Artillerie . When the Tartarian Knight was so well heated as you haue hearde , he draue a blowe with both his handes , full at Rosicleers head , which lighting vpon the fine and inchaunted helmet , notwithstanding depriued Rosicleer of his eye sight , and inféebled his hearing at that time . But Rosicleer coulde not so soone forget it , and therefore while it was fresh in his remembraunce , he restored the like blowe , which in the descending , missed the Tartarians creast otherwise it had put him in daunger , but styding vppon his shoulder , it was so heaue , that it made the Tartarian stoupe to his horse backe . The nexte daungerous blowe which the Tartarian gaue , made Rosicleer boowe vnto his saddle both the sworde and the raynes fallyng from him . Bargandel and Lyriamandro standing by , fell there-with into a straunge admiration of the Tartarian , in that hée not onely kepte Rosicleer playe , but put him to his trumpes , and by this time , I thinke their desire to fight with him , was well abated , séeing they knewe nowe howe well hée coulde handle his weapon . And Rosicleer hauing gotte greater courage through the griefe of his wounde , kepte no more his seate , but rising in his stirroppes and recouering his sworde , which was fastened with a little chain vnto his saddle bowe , he hit the strong Tartarian so great a blowe , that the bloud gushed out both at his eares and nostrells , and he laye for dead vpon the crouper , the horse carieng him about the field til he reuiued . After not without some abashment , as one come out of another worlde : the Tartarian when he felte the bould issuing in such measure , lifte vp his hande , and calling for helpe on his Gods , saieng .

Assist me O my Gods against this fell knight , for if I tarrie more of these blowes , my life shall soone be ended . And when he had so sayd , as purposed to make an end of the fraye , he tooke his sworde with both his handes , and with all his force following the blowe , he smote Rosicleer vppon the helmet , to no great harme on his bodie , but the waight thereof astonished him , as much as if a Tower had fallen vpon him , whereat Rosicleer waxed madde angrie , and not remembring that which before he had premeditated , as to ende the battaile in quietnesse , hée repayed the trespasse , with treble damage to the Tartarian . For albeit the Tartarian might well be reckoned among the most famous Knights of elder time , being couered with a helmet so well tempered as anye Prince might haue , yet liuing in that age , and encountering such Knightes , his roome was but nexte the best . And when hée sawe that terrible blowe ouer his head , hée coulde haue wished a whole Mountayne betwéene him and it .

But there néeded no such impossible meanes to auoyde this misfortune : for it was prouided by the diuine Maiestie of God that this noble Knight should dye a Christian , and that great friendshippe shoulde growe betwéene these thrée Knightes , and therefore God so directed Rosicleers hande , that it fell not right , but glauncing downe vppon the shoulder , it notwithstanding tourned the Tartarian from his Horse , with so great payne on his right shoulder , that he might not rise himselfe vp againe , with this fall his buckles brake , and the naylings rent , and being then halfe vnarmed , he threwe his sworde from him , putting his knée to the grounde , to giue thankes to his immagined Gods for theyr delyuerye from so furious a blowe , and then tourning towarde Rosicleer , hée sayde .

Noble and valyaunt Knight , the strongest and mightiest which I haue euer knowen , or would haue beléeued euer to haue béne in this Courte or others , pardon mée my rashnesse , for I haue bene misaduised when my will first put mee foorth to contende with you , onely your greatnesse of bodie and comelinesse , might haue sufficed to teach me , that you were more valyaunt and stronger than I am , and sith I am nowe vanquished , and rather by great myracle escaped with lyfe , from your handes , than by mine owne cunning , saye on what you commaunde , for I am preast to accomplysh all that , which 〈◊〉 as agréed vppon before our Combatte , and my duetye shall not bee slacked in anye poynt , but I woulde rather fulfill more then all that , for to gayne the societie of your worthye person , and your companions , for I neuer metie with more nobler Knightes , for valour and bounteousnesse : and so saieng , hée yeelded himselfe .

By this speach , the furie and chollar of Rosicleer was well slackte , and being gladde to see the Knight so humbled before him , hée aunswered . Good Knight I accept in good part that which you haue sayde , and it gréeueth me much to haue had the battayle with you , for vnto a Knight straunger and valourous , I had rather bée a meanes for procuring honour and ease , then theyr trouble and incombraunce . And as to the Articles of the couenaunt which you remember mée of : beléeue mée I woulde not haue exacted them at your handes , and it shall be yet in your choyce , whether you will fulfill them or no , and yet I feare not , but that you shall well like of your seruice to the King Oliuerio , himselfe being a good knight , and a great honourer of straungers . Likewise , wée thrée shall take it as a signe of your good liking towardes vs , if you make vs priuie to your name , that héereafter we may know you , and doo vnto you that honour , which so good a knight meriteth .

Sir knight , aunswered the Tartarian , I haue great desire to goe and kisse the hande of King Oliuerio , as well to know him , as to satisfie that which I owe vnto you , and will not faile to depart and take my way towarde the King . But to your last demaund , I am as I tolde you before , a Tartarian , and my name is Zoylo , Prince & heyre of that kingdome , which I would with good will forbeare for some time , if you and these Knights woulde vouchsafe your acquaintaunce and companie , for I haue more desire to trauaile in these partes then in that Countrey from whence I came , because there is no continuall affoorde of Knights and fresh accidents as I finde in this kingdome , and I shoulde more highlye estéeme of the friendship and societie of such noble and worthy knights then of anye riches in the worlde . And nowe for that I haue declared who I am , I shall thinke my selfe farther in your debte if you make your selues farther knowen vnto me .

Rosicleer and his companions , gladlye hearde of his birth and lignage , but much gladder of the friendship wherto he requested them , so they gaue him manie thankes , and tolde him who they were . Diuers speaches of great courtesie passing betweene them , whereby their amitie was so sure confirmed , that it remained vnto the death , euerie one labouring to be founde most friendlye . And this done , they appoynted , that Prince Zoylo shoulde goe to the Court , onely to haue a sight of the King , and that Rosicleer with his companions shoulde abide him thereabout , then they foure to trauaile together whether Fortune would carrie them . This being concluded , the Prince of Tartarie tooke his way toward the court of king Oliuerio , thinking long to finde the time for his returne . They tooke the way towards a forrest , where the historie leaueth them , to intreate of the Gentlewomen in the meane time , which brought the bodie of the great Brandagedeon vnto the court of king Oliuerio .

The Gentlewomen brought the bodie of Brandagedeon to the Court , and the Princesses receiued the Letters of their knightes .

Cap. 38.

GReat was the griefe which the Princesse Oliuia felt by the absence of Rosicleer , that neyther her high estate , nor the courtly disports sufficed to make her forget her care , or helpe her to couer her lyking , but in her lodging , she would be without ●●mpanie in the daie , and in the night without sleepe , euer wishing to sée him againe whom she loued more then her selfe , for her minde prophesied to her that she should not sée him verie quickly , and as it is naturall for the patient to communicate his griefe with the Phisition , iudging this some ease where the principall remedie wanteth . So the faire Princesse as vnacquainted and to begin in such passions , not being able at the first to counsaile her selfe otherwise , thought it best to discouer her griefe to one of her gentlewomen named Fidelia , the faithfullest and most secret of her householde , the which many times had importuned her to knowe the cause of her sorrow , and one night as she was alone with her , the Princesse sayd to her .

Thou knowest my Fidelia how among all the Ladies & Gentlewomen which I haue , I haue chosen thée onely for the faithfull treasorer of my secrets , & I haue not done nor thought the thing which I haue not imparted with thée , which hath come to passe onely by the loiall & good seruice , wherein I haue alwayes found thée plyant and diligent , with the lyke confidence vnto that which I alwayes haue reposed in thée , I will vnfolde vnto thée a secrete , which none in the world my selfe except , and thy selfe shall learne at my hande , in the concealing whereof , vnto this daye I haue a thousand times indured little lesse then death . And the matter is such , that it is vnfitting for anie one to be a dealer therein but my selfe and thy selfe , whome I account as my selfe . At a worde my Fidelia , that tyraunt loue , which spareth neither high nor lowe , hath taken possession of me by the great prowesse and beautie of the new Knight , and I am sure , that but my death , nothing canne set me frée : although I haue studyed all possible meanes of my lybertie , and thereto haue set the defence of my honestie and greate estate to withstande this conceit , yet for all that I canne doe , as long as this Knightes race is vnknowen , I cannot ease my selfe , my former remedies seruing me onely against the temptation of the flesh , and not to driue out the rembraunce of his personage , whence my desire springeth . And truely I cannot perswade my selfe other , then that this knightes of-spring is ryght noble , he being of so courtlyke behaviour and knightly , prowesse , the truth héereof being somewhat more incredible , then the lieng fables of our auncient Poets . Nowe if hée bée a Prince borne , the onely hope to haue him for husband , my father and be being therewith pleased , may yéelde one some comfort , in the meane time while opportanitie serueth for the finall accomplishment . Wherefore mine owne Fidelia seeing that I haue fully laide open the bottome of my heart , that which remaineth on thy part is , to frauile with his Squire or some other to wit of what parentage Rosicleer is .

Fidelia had listned verie attentiuely to that which her Ladie had sayd , and as she , was verie wise , so perceiuing by the drift of the speech , that neither her mistresses maladie could be remoued by counsaile , nor that she would accept of it if it were bestowed , besides that , that her desire was lawfull to match with Rosicleer , if there were no disparage in his stocke . She could not gainesaie her mistresse in ftat-tearmes , but made aunswere , that sith her grace had layde that charge vppon her , shée was consent to receiue , as also readie to offer her sermce in anie other thing for this matter which she now moued , she sayde , that sith her graces purpose was so good , she should not néede to remember her farther in it , for that so soone as Rosicleer should returne , she woulde bée in hande with his Squire to boult out the truth of euerie thing , and yet ( saith shee ) I cannot beleeue by reason of his magnanimitie , but that bée is descended from some noble progenie , which if it so bée , I lyke verie well that your grace is so affectioned towardes him , otherwise I dare not aduise you , but yet I will tell you my fancie , it were better for you to abide some payne , then to make your head of your vnderling . The beautifull Princesse was well apayde at this counsayle , so iumping with her former determination , and it greatly asswaged the mallice of her passion , in that shée had bewrayed it to her trustie seruaunt . The next day the Gentle women entered into the pallaice , driuing a horse before them loved with the Gyants bodie . At their enterance the hurly burly in the court was so great , euery man running to sée the wonder , that the king with all those which were with him and the Princesse Oliuia with her Gentlewomen ranne to their windowes to sée what the matter was , and when they sawe the Gyaunt they knewe him , and as newly abashed at Rosicleers vertues , they began to commend of him as of the best knight in the world . The Gentlewomen presently were brought before the king , which receiued them curteously , and they in order declared vnto him and the rest that which had chanced to Rosicleer since his departure from the citie .

The king lyked verie well of all , saue that when they tolde him that the knightes could not reteurne presentlye , as minding to pursue aduentures . For the King feared least by béeing so much enclined to knightly déedes , theyr good successe should carrie them farther off then shoulde be for his pleasure . But the Gentlewoman departed from the king to do their message vnto the Princesse Oliuia , whom they found in her chamber with the other two Princesses in her companie . Comming before her they delyuered theyr message with commendation from Rosicleer , and the two Princes , which had sent her that Gyant so dead , as a satisfaction in some parte for the detayning her Iewells . The Princesse pleasauntly laughing at that present , caused the Gentlewoman to goe on in that Storie , and to make reporte of all occurrentes in theyr iourney , which they did so faythfully , that the Princesse in the telling was not able to coulour her affection towardes Rosicleer . This tale ended , Arinda gaue into her handes the packet , which the Princesse opened , and tourning ouer the Iewells found a Letter , which shée put in her bosome , taking it to bée Brianas , and in lyke sorte the Gentlewoman of Lusitania made deliuerie of Bargandel and Liriamandros letters vnto their Ladies , with the cofer vnto Rodasilua . The two Princesses Syluerina and Rodasilua béeing great friends , went both together in a closet to reade without interruption their louers Letters so eloquent and so fraught with amorous speaches , which much reioyced the young Ladyes to bée beloued of so good knightes , and not to breake off their seuerall commendations of theyr knightes and Lords , we wil speake of the Princesse Oliuia , who being left alone for the companie of the the two Princesses dispatched her other gentlewomen into diuers parts of the chamber , to haue a more secret suruaye of Brianas letters .

When shée had read on through that which was deliuered with the packet , she tooke that other out of her bosome , which shée had founde in ransacking the packet , and opening it shée sawe in Capitall Letters ROSICLEER subscribed , whereby she knew it to be his , and somewhat troubled she folded it vp quickly againe , minding to learne by what meanes that Letter was hid among the iewells . And therefore calling Arinda she asked if that anie one had vnlocked the coffer , after that her Ladie had deliuered it vnto her . Arinda supposing that the Princesse had wanted some thing , answered . No truly Madame , for I haue alwaies kept the keies , & no bodie euer had them at my hands but Rosicleer , which requested to sée the iewels when we were in the kéepers lodge , and in my presence he shut it , restoring me the keies , and not taking out ought wherof I can accuse him . The Princesse smelling out Rosicleers shift , and somewhat smiling withall , to heare whervnto Arinda had construed her meaning , replyed merily thus . I asked it not gentle friend , for that I thought there wanted anie thing in the cofer , for it was wholy lost when it was in Brandagedeons power , but I asked it for that I meruailed it fell out so well , when Brandagedeon was the kéeper . Arinda waxing bold héereat . Nay marie saith shée , with your fauour noble Princesse , Brandagedeon misgiuing in his minde how little time he should inioy it , tooke little care for the opening .

So this question who opened it was concluded in a laughter , and little talke continued after . The Princesse thinking it long til she might alone read Rosicleers letter , and therefore somewhat earlier then she was wont , shée withdrew her selfe into her bed chamber , with onely Fidelia in her companie to sée her in bed . When the doore was fastned , she drew out Rosicleers letter , & not hauing power her selfe to read it , she gaue it vnto Fidelia , The tenour of the louing letter was this , which héereafter followeth .

Vnto the most excellent Princesse , the Princesse Oliuia .

THat which is appointed by God mightie Princesse , may not by mans power bée altered nor peruerted , as in my selfe I proue it , for since that mine eyes first tolde me of your beautie , and my iudgement gaue consent thereto , and that my will hath procured liking therof in my affection , I haue felt an alteration in me so incurable , that striuing with it both by art and nature , I haue not hetherto found my remedie : which thing good madame I trust cannot séeme more vnlikely to you , than it hath ben to me in the feeling terrible . The clap of thunder is the greater when it méeteth with the thicket able to make more resistance , longer lasts the kinled fire in the builded Oke , then in the parched strawe , and more vehement is the fight betwéene two enimies , then when the one yéeldeth . What force loue hath as I could wel wish your Ladiship to consider in me , or to feele in your selfe , so at least I beséech you to way by others , and to beléeue report , how that with light assaults be beateth downe the stoutest courages , and with gentle cords bindeth the biggest armes , that his force , neither the wisest nor the mightiest were able to resist , that from his subiection not Iulius Caesar the greate Monarche of the worlde coulde frée himselfe : that hée quelled the pride of the mightie Carthagenian in the delightes of Capua : and fettered Mars and Iupiter , two Gods of the Gentiles in chaynes of yron : that he transformeth men into sundrye shapes , and as it were by sodeine inchauntment framed the arme-strong Hercules to the distaffe and spindle : Aristotle to be bridled and saddled : that he climbeth the highest Towres , and stretcheth to the lowest valley : that hee diuideth the harde rockes , and bloweth through the easie passages : to conclude , nothing so stronge and inuincible , but that loue canne ouerthrowe , and doth what him listeth . So that if I confessed my selfe yéelden vnto so mightie a conquerour , I shoulde yet bée blamelesse for my cowardise . Yet what haue I not attempted ? If eyther counsayle of friendes , or mine owne wit , eyther Phisickes cure , or might of companie-might haue warraunted my quietnesse . So God , good madame spéede my writing as I meant not to trouble you with my Letters . But the weake complaine , and the dieased séeke remedie , as what griefe is so greate or wounde so wide , but it hath some redresse or other prouided in nature . To you therefore good madame , thus boldly haue I discouered my vnrest , that by your meanes whence onely I may hope for it , I may receiue comfort . And so attending your highnesse aunswere either of lyfe or death , I humblye kisse your Princely hand .

Thine resolued to loue or not to liue , poore Rosicleer .

Rosicleer penned this letter either not well in his wits , or els greatly perplexed in his thought , so hard it is to find an issue , but I beléeue rather that it came from heart to hand , & was so set downe without farther aduise . Yet in the meane time that Fidelia read the letter , the faire Princesse broad awake to heare those amorous words , & féeling them in her heart with the like loue wherein Rosicleer wrote them . When it was ended , heaping out abundance of sighs vpon the argument of the letter , she said vnto Fidelia . Ah Fidelia , what force may a tender Gentlewoman as I am haue to resist the tyranny of loue , when so many famous & so mightie Princes could neuer conquere him ? How may I ouercome him which hath had the mastrie of so many , tell me Fidelia and counsaile me what I haue to doe in this matter , for I mistrust my owne wisedome , and verie fielde is the passionates iudgement verie sure and requisite . Fidelia nothing wondering at that effect which loue had wrought in the Princesse her Ladie , for she rather wished her selfe worthie of so glorious paine , answered her thus : Madame to counsaile you aright , were to will you to defie loue , and to abandon Rosicleers companie , and yet the words of this letter leaueth in me a doubt thereof , if the matter bée as true as the wordes importeth . Next were to desire you to haue an eye vnto your high estate , which yet mée thinketh is not necessarie , for I knowe you to be so wise , as that you will hazarde death rather then commit a thing so preiudiciall to your honour . Now there remaineth onely to learne out Rosicleers lignage , that if he be such a one as may marrie you without disworshippe , you may then begin the redresse of both your wrongs , otherwise if he faile in that point , the first counsaile will be most conuenient to eschew his presence , which shall in time doe away this affection , as in time all things are forgotten .

Heere the Princesse interrupting Fidelias speach , replyed in this manner . Ah Fidelia , you thinke mée not such a one but that although the loue which I beare to Rosicleer bée such that it procureth me to will his presence , if he fayle in gentrie , I will rather chastise his boldnesse with perpetuall exile out of this land , then giue him comfort to the empayre of my credite , and sooner will I die an hundreth times , then bestowe a countenaunce vpon such a one . But this I iudge of Rosicleer by the pure and loyall loue which hée meaneth towardes mée , that it is lykely he may merite mée for wife , otherwise it is to bée thought that in a knight so vertuous there cannot lye hidden such impudencie as to moue a Ladie vnto her dishonoure . In such like talke after the Letter read , the Princesse and Fidelia passed most parte of the night tyll Fidelia tooke her leaue , the Princesse notwithstanding still canuasing ouer the Letter of Rosicleer , and euerye swéete worde which he had written , and she prayed to God with all hir heart , that he might proue such a one , as was not vnfitting for a Quéenes marriage .

Arinda the Gentlewoman belonging vnto the Princesse Briana , tolde the bringing vp of Rosicleer vnto the Princesse Oliuia .

Cap. 39.

ARinda remained a long time in the Court tarrieng for such things as the Princes Oliuia made readie to send vnto the Princesse Briana , vpon which occasion , as it happened one daye , the Princesse Oliuia , Arinda , and Fidelia to be together , then Arinda not so well aduised as shée ought to haue bene , in the secret affaires of hir mistresse , vnbridled hir tongue , and declared to the Princesse Oliuia all the life and dooings of hir mistresse the Princesse Briana , as farre as she had any knowledge , and it may be , that she added somtime more then truth . Amongst other things in this tale , she tolde of the little boyes which hadde bene brought vp with the Princesse Briana , reciting the meruailous tokens which they brought from their birth , and how that the sorrow of hir Ladie was somewhat comforted by them , till fortune brought one of them into a barke néere a great and déepe riuer , running into the maine sea , as you haue heard before , and that the other of fourtéene yeares ( the Princesse vnwitting of it ) stale away . After , entering farther , she tolde that the same Rosicleer which killed Brandagedeon , was the same which departed without leaue when he was fourtéene yeares olde , whome shée knewe at the first sight , and had intreated to returne into Hungary .

When the Princesse heard this , driuing to the conclusion , she demaunded where the Princesse had those lyttle boyes . Madame ( sayde Arinda ) in this shall you sée the workes of GOD howe meruaylous they bée , which from so base a stocke can rayse so worthye Impes , and you shall vnderstand that they be sonnes to a Knight named Leonardo , not of the most noble , but of the meanest Knighte of the Citie , and for that their Father hath to wife a woman , sister to a Gentlewoman of my Ladyes , named Clandestria , for hir long seruice in great fauour with hir Grace : for hir sake , the Princesse made the parents of these children , to nourse them vp in the Monestarie at hir charges , vntill they were all lost , as I made mention . When the Princesse had heard Arinda in this sort blazing the of-spring of Rosicleer , what sorrow maye be compared vnto hirs , for in that instaunt she could well haue yéelded to death : and why ? For that the onely hope of all hir remedie was in the conceipt of Rosicleers high estate , thereby meriting to be hir mate , which when she sawe to be cleane contrarie , she was in such a case , as if hyr soule had bene taking his leaue of hir bodie . When Fidelia sawe hir colour so soone changed , as vnderstanding from whence this effect procéeded , she rose vp , and desired Arinda with the other Gentlewomen to voyde the chamber , for that hir Ladie was newly entered into hir fit , which oftentimes hath taken hir , and she hath no remedie so present , as to be alone . Arinda and the other Gentlewomen not mistrusting hir speach conuayed themselues into another chamber . Now Fidelia béeing lefte alone with hir mistresse , shut the doore , but Oliuia sanke downe in a sound , whom Fidelia fetched againe . Afterwards , béeing well recouered , and séeing hir selfe without other witnesse , shée sent out a déepe sigh , with the companie of manie teares , as seldome is a stormie winde without a shower of raine : rufullye withall making hir moane vnto Fidelia on this wise ,

Ah my Fidelia didst thou not heare what the Gentlewoman of Hungary hath sayd as touching Rosicleer ? If thou didst heare it , why doest thou not take part with me in my insupportable griefe ? Were it any meruaile at all if my life shuld take end with hir report ? For sith the hope which hethertoo hath maintained my rest , is now ended , I would to God my life would end withall , and rather wold I dye not to heare such newes whereby my hope decayes , then to be priuie to such a trueth , and liue without my comfort . Oh my Fidelia , come , come , and helpe me now either to set forward my mishap with some desperate shifte , or to lende me thy faithfull counsaile and aduise the better to ass wage my griefe , and to forget the same misfortune which now assaileth me . Alas , I sée that it is not for my quietnesse to banish Rosicleer , and if by the excellencie of my estate I am forced to chastise his ouerboldnes , in so dooing , I shall both barre him from the sight & light of his eyes , and make the stripe redound vppon mine owne head , for who shall receiue greater smart by his absence then I shal , What a wicked world is this , wherein men of force must neglect other mens vertues , and magnifie their own Nobilitie without desert : were it not more reson to raise this man to the top of honour , that in him his posteritie maye glorie , then for lacke of auncestours famous for like qualities , to suppresse his vertue , and kéepe vnder the magnanimitie of his courage ? When beganne my Fathers and Grand-fathers to be Nobles , but when with the winges of vertue they soared aboue the vulgar sort , and if by their meanes onely I am aduaunced to be a Princesse , what thanke is there to me of my highnesse ? And thou Rosicleer , if by those rare and souereigne vertues which flowe and flourish in thée , thou dost mount in credite , not onelye aboue the baser sort , from whom thou wast taken , but also aboue Princes and Lords , where-vnto thou arte to make thy assent . Art not thou worthie of greater renown then we and others , which climbing by vertue in like sort , neuer yet came to the possibilitie of lyke worthinesse ?

Is not this a forgerie of the world , and a plaine iuglyng with Nobilitie , when we must make more account of one , which perhappes by disorder of lyfe defaceth the honour of his race , then of one which reacheth vp the ignobilitie of his stocke , wherein consisteth nobilitie in the opinion of men , or in vertue in déede ? and doo men inherite vertue , as the childe entereth vpon the fathers land , béeing lawfull heyre ? No , héere we receiue naught , but what our selues sowe , and he that reapeth not , may be a loute for all his Lordshippe , as in time appeareth , which iudgeth fréely and without affection . And for me , if the eyes of my vnderstanding were not dimmed , I shoulde soone confesse lesse merite in me to deserue Rosicleer , then wanteth in him to be worthie of me . I am a Princesse by my Father , and my glory resteth in the reckoning vp of a bead-role of Princes , some of them dead a thousande yeare agone , which nothing pertaineth to this present age . But he maye be a Prince by his owne vertue , and his Nobilitie ariseth not by kéeping a Tally of names , but by making iust proofe of manhoode in his defence of iustice euerie daye , in such sort likewise , that not any of mine Auncestoures vertues , whereby they became noble , dare approch to be tryed with his in an euen Ballaunce . And is there not manie Gentlewomen in the worlde of as high a calling as I am ? And is there anye Prince or Knight of so high renowne for vertue & knighthoode as Rosicleer is ? Haue not the best Knightes of both Christendome and Pagansie , ioyned with him either at Tilte or Tourney , and doth he not obscure them all , as when the Sunne appeareth , no Starres dare come in presence ? And I silly woman hauing not so much as the refuse in me of my predecessours vertue , am notwithstanding by the iniurie of the times , bonde to so great follie , as that I must not thinke him worthie to equall mée , which is much my better . But sith of force I must yéeld to the time , and rather dye then acknowledge the contrarye , sith my Fortune is such that I must liue by the immagination of other men , and sith my estate maye not bee yoaked with his basenesse , haue at it , I will for euer shut him from my presence for the sauegarde of mine honour . But withall , séeing without his presence , I cannot find ease for this torment , I will make him amends by giuing ouer my lyfe , vnto the enduring of euerlasting sorrowe . And if it be best so to doo , tell me my Fidelia thy minde , for I perhappes am beguyled by my passion , neither in deede haue I either iudgement or séelyng of ought , but of griefe and sorrowe . Fidelia heard the woordes of the Princesse , and taking part with the Princesse , made vp this wofull lamenting with hir sorrowfull speach , in this sort . Alas Madame , howe much better had it bene , that neuer the Knightly déedes of Rosicleer had bene manifested in Britaine , for then without the sight of him , you had neuer receiued this wounde , which nowe festering in you for lacke of looking too will be verie harde to be cured . But the wisest saye , that in such matters as are hard and difficult , a man must especiallye employe his trauayle , and that the succesie is not so vnlykelye , but that labour maye reach vnto it , as for this griefe which nowe distempereth you , is not so great , but that you maye bee soone whole , your selfe béeing there-vnto willyng : For in this , neither Nature worketh , neither Fortune , nor the Starres , nor the celestiall Signes , nor anye supernaturall Influence , as you suppose , but onely the fancie and lyking of man : the selfe same effect with that which in the sicke is to desire to be whole and in the thirstie to drinke . And whosoeuer with the consent of his owne will , attempteth the breaking of these snares , which his fancie layeth to intrappe him in , maye scape scot-frée , and helpe others in like necessitie . Otherwise , if this loue wer naturall to all men , as all men then shoulde loue by Nature , so shoulde they not forbeare it , either for shame or friendes displeasure , and if it procéeded from Forture , or by grace inspired , whereof the cause is not knowen , but the euent is euident , then were our lybertie héerein irrecuparable , and in that the principall sute was without vs , it might excuse the infirmitie of the patient , wheras as both experience prooueth , that loue hath bene remooued by reason , and we dayly chide their impotencie , which are not able to resist the dartes of Cupide . It is therefore requisite madame , that your selfe put too your hand and frame your will to the obaying of that which may bring remedie , not onely for the loue which you presently féele , but for that which you feare will héerafter happen , by your ill brooking of his absence .

And truly I am perswaded , that séeing you haue with your selfe resolued to exclude him from your companie , that the best is to put it in practise faithfully and effectually , least by forbearing of this correction , he take more courage to disturbe your rest , and yet am I not against that which you haue confirmed with good reson , that we ought to reuerence vertue rather than riches , and in my iudgement that Gentlewoman which shal match with Rosicleer , may thinke hir selfe happie , for his rare and maruelous deedes of armes make him to glister more gloriously then all other Princes and Knights whosoeuer . And in times past , when all things went not so ouerthwart as they now doo , he was the best of lignage , whose prowesse was best knowen , and he best esteemed which wanne his estimation by his manhood . And to this purpose , behold the buylder of Rome , by name Romulus , taken from his foster-father a shepheard , and in a manner edified for that erection : although ther were manie buylders in the world both before & after , but the difference of the buyldings , lieth in the excellencie of the workmanship . Againe , was there euer one in such credite for honestie and wisedome as Socrates , the sonne of a base midwife . Euripides one of the rarest men that euer were in tragicall Poems , was borne of meane parentage . Demosthenes the flower of Gréeke eloquence , was a Cutlers sonne : Horatius the Poet , borne of a bond woman , which had bene taken prisoner , and yet all these preferred for their vertuous qualities , before Kings and Princes . Cicero could not dissemble his progenie , and yet was he lifted vnto the Consulship in Rome , & neuer prooued other Consull so commodious for the common welth . Serramus and Cnimatus wise men , and throughly exercised in their enimies land were Consulls in Rome , and delyuered their Countrey from spoyle and pillage . And if for a matter pertaining to a Kingdome , we had rather take example of Kings , let vs sée if meane estate hath bene any let for men to aspire vnto mightie Kingdomes , and by name let vs take a more particular surnaye , of the third , fourth , fifth , and sixt King of Rome .

First Tullus Hostilius had his cradle in a shepheardes cottage , and his bringing vp in the wide field . Then the two Tarquins were sonnes to a Marchant , and exiled their Countrey . Seruius Tullius was sonne to a bond-woman , as his name importeth : all which notwithstanding , in theyr times were Kings of Rome , and if from thence wée take our waye to other Nations rounde about , what a flocke of shepheards , surgeons , labouring men , founders , and such lyke seruile occupations shall we méese , which ●●pyred to the highest place of gouernment in their Countreyes . Alexander a crowned King was a Gardeiners sonne : Pertinax Emperour of Rome , borne of a slaue which lyued by thrashing of graine and fellyng of woode : Seuerus the seauenth Emperour of Rome was bredde and brought vp amongst Surgions , and these of the meanest sort . Agathocles King of Sicile , sonne to a potter : Maximianus and Maximus chiefe men of the Empire , the one of base birth , the other doubtfull , whether a Smith or a Carpenter , and yet neither barrell better Herring . Vespasianus which was called the good Emperour , rose from lord degrée , and by his vertue blotted out the infamie of his progenie . And to haue more notable testimonies , who was father vnto the great Caesar Augustus the ruler of the world ? Virgil in a iest made him a Bakers sonne , but his owne minde misgaue him otherwise . As for a truth farre worse be they , which rife to glorie from the mislyking of their parents , like as Hercules , Perseus , and Iugurtha the King of Numidia , all begotten in adulterye : and lykewise mightie Alexander King of Macedon , as concerning whome his Father Philip on his death bedde denyed him to be his sonne by the report of his mother Olympia , for which cause after his Fathers death , he would needes bée called the sonne of Iupiter Ammon . Constantine the Emperour was borne of a young maide before lawfull espousalles : and Iepthah in the Scriptures , was sonne to a harlot . Or if you will Madame , that for lyke examples , we runne ouer the histories where-vnto my wit can not carrie me in so sodaine speach , yet I remember , that fewe yeares since there dyed in Spayne a stout king of the Goths , called Bamba , which as I haue hearde , was a labouring man , and at that time when he was to be crowned King , was faine to sticke his spade in the ground , to receiue the scepter , beeing neither lesse feared than his predecessoures , and not reserued by me to the last place , as one of least credite among others . Remember your selfe of the great king Arthur your progenitor , of whom ( with your graces leaue ) I doo not thinke that men of mallyce , doubted whose sonne hée was . And we maye boldly speake of these and other things so long agone passed , without suspect of mislyked affection . But why meruaile we at these things ? Doth not the wise man saye , that if our lyfe were long , we should see many Kings become bond-men , and of many bond-men crowned Kings , the reason béeing the same as I haue rebearsed , that in elder age the onely Heraulde to pronounce a man either noble or vnnoble , was his owne good déedes , which aduaunced his good name and renowme aboue the inferiour déedes of Kinges of Princes .

But to paint out the pride of our times let vs cast down our eyes to the first roote , from whence we all toke our beginning , shall we not finde it all one for all men ? Marry in the bodie of this trée there are many braunches , some higher , and some onely water boughes , from whome the toppe boughes kéepe off the comfort both of Sunne and showres , yet no man I trow will be so enuious as to hinder the growth of the inferiour , if they be more faythfull then the superiour , as not alwayes the tallest men doe the best seruice , and the best borne for wealth or myght proue not the best alwayes for manners and worshippe . Witnesse héereto the sonnes of Scipio and Marcus Aurelius , of which two descended two peruerse impes , far more infamous then their parents were famous . And there are infinit mo likewise to improue the succession of vertue , in the succession of inheritaunce . And yet for all this long discourse , I cannot choose but reserue my former purpose towardes you , for I am afraide that the most parte will not bée of my iudgement . In a worde therefore to make an end in that wherewith be first beganne , you must consider both by what meanes and for what causes the times are altered , and therevpon take aduise according to the time . And sith that for our sinnes God hath giuen vs ouer to a wrong iudgement in matters of high estate , rather to preferre wealth then vertue , and sith you are nowe fallen vnto that time , wherein this errour generally hath ouergrowen the truth , and is strengthened by consent of men , I would counsayle you to yéelde vnto the time , that is to take it as you finde it , and to make the best of your chaunce : for it were great folly for you , and no lesse daunger to resist a multitude , and you knowe your friendes will neuer be brought to estéeme so highly of vertue in a base personage , although a precious stone canne neuer be but precious , whether set in Lead or Copper . You must forsake him then , and that is the onely remedie , for according as I haue read and haue hearde the first remedie agaynst a fit of loue , is to exempt our selues from the companye of the beloued , and to shunne and eschewe the thinges which may bring it againe to our remembraunce , the nexte is to driue in our thoughtes the things which be contrarie therevnto : as to thinke with howe many breaches of sléepe , and with what continuall care wée desire a thing eyther stithie , or vnlawfully coueted , or at the least wise transitorie , though neuer so honest , with all to set before our eyes what harmes , what robberies , what murthers , what madnesse it hath caused in the world , whereof there be too many histories : but yet from all this you may well signise your selfe , if you will separate from you your former conceit . And if none of these will suffice , there is another remedie behinde , which is to bestow your lyking vpon such a one as may be matchable to your estate . For as one naile driueth out another , so men say that the new loue dispossesseth the old , which remedie as I haue read was put in practise by Assyrius the king of Persia . And this is my opinion , which it may bée your grace would not mislike , were it not somewhat troublous , but it you haue an eye to your benefit , thereby I doubt not but that you will well ouercome the trouble , and I praie you spéedely take some way or other , but the best I saie still is the former for to alaye the heate . The next is , to take away the wood , and so to forget loue , is to remooue from beloued , for otherwise that which you quench in a moneth will be kindled in an houre .

Now the meanes to atchieue your purpose , is by writing your selfe to Rosicleer to this effect , that hée abandon your presence for euer , my selfe will bée the carryer : although I haue some compassion on his paine . The princesse knowing the wholesome counsaile , which her Fidelia as a faithfull friend had giuen her , answered louingly , but yet with some conscience for her owns smart in these words .

Those which are whole , can easily giue good counsaile to the sicke , & euery remedy séemes to them easte and possible , as in lyke sort thou Fidelia not yet attainted with loue , tellest mee of many remedies which not onely séeme conuenient vnto thée , but also so easie , that thou sayest it lyeth i●● my hands to make my selfe frée from the passion which tormenteth mée , I tell thée truely that I know both that I am not worthie of Rosicleer : and that besides it behoueth me to banish him from my presence . This I know my Fidelia , but alas shall this be easie to me ? Perhappes I may make him auoide the Court and Countrie by the meanes thou hast prescribed : but what then ? I haue a greater aduersitie within my selfe , which makes this match not so euen as thou wéenest . I knowe that when Rosicleer shall haue departed the land , that my lyfe will well néere depart my bodie , and I shall not easily forget mine owne choyce , but yet as thou willest me I will aduenture to put him from his hope , though I beare parte of the smart , and I had rather my bodie shoulde paye for it , then the honour of the Princesse Oliua shoulde bée blemished , nor neuer shall the force of loue be able to disparage her . In this heate she called for pen , inke , and paper , which béeing brought , she wrote to Rosicleer as you shall heare héereafter .

I cannot thinke that for all her greate stomacke to mainetaine her honour agaynst Rosicleers basernesse , that she could drawe those cruell lines with drye eyes , but when she had made and ende and closed vp the Letter , as if she had got some memorable conquest , sayth shée . Now dare I compare with the Romane matrones , which for the preseruation of their honestie sacrificed themselues vnto their Gods , for what haue I done else , but in a manner sacrificed my selfe to God , when for my honour sake I haue bounde and lynked my selfe to such a continuall martyrdome and perpetuall imprisonment , as the absence of Rosicleer will bréede in mée , and neuer more will liue as a Princesse , but rather lyke a vowesse . But holde Fidelia take it , at which worde shée sent out such a sigh , and wept so bitterly as if her heart had rent asunder . Fidelia promised to doe the message , and after she had comforted her Ladie departed spéedely . I thinke fearing lest the Princesse should reclaime her opinion .

Fidelia beeing on her waie to carrie the Letter to Rosicleer , was taken by sixe knights , and from them deliuered by Rosicleer .

Cap. 40.

FIdelia hauing alreadie taken leaue of the Princesse to execute the cruell sentence pronounced vppon poore Rosicleer , was vppon better aduise called backe by her Ladie and made stay till the morrow . The next day comming before her Lady to giue her warning of her departure , scarce might she obteine leaue to goe or tarry . And when shée vrged the necessitie of her going , still the Princesse would staye her with some swéete spéeches . Swéete Fidelia tarrie yet , yet a little longer swéete Fidelia , tarrye till my lyfe leaue this carefull bodye , it will not bée long , my sorrowe prognosticates of my ende , if thou tarrye till I haue ended this my wearie lyfe goe in Gods name then to Rosicleer , it will bée to some purpose to let him vnderstande that though my bodie bée dead , yet I meant mine honour shoulde remaine sure for him . Fidelia payned her selfe to comfort her Ladie , and thinking it not best to enter anie long talke , as if shée had gone of some other erraunt , stale awaye princlye from her mistresse in the companie of other Gentlewomen , the lesse to bée suspected , and mounting vppon her palfraye , shée roade through the Citie of London all disguised , to séeke Rosicleer .

Ere long shée came to the kéepers house where the thrée Princes had lodged , at whome shée learned that they were not farre from thence , so with great dilligence she hasted after them , and as their knightly prowesse lefte behinde them the memorie of their béeing there , so wheresoeuer shée came , shee still hearde of them , and within eight daies after that she had lefte the kéepers lodge , shée came within lesse then one dayes iourney of the place where their abode was . That day passing alone through the thickest of a Forrest , there came out against her sixe knightes , which tooke her horse by the bridle , sayeng that she should goe with them : which when she denied and began to plead for her deliuerie with wordes of curtesie , one of them drew out his swoord and sayd he would stay her , vnlesse she prepared her selfe to their companie , but whether she would or no , they made her palfray goe by force with them towarde the Forrest . Then Fidelia séeing that they meant héerein some dishonour to her personage , leapt from her palfray , and one of the knights perceiuing it , alighted to fetch her vp againe , but she getting from him , ranne thence as fast as shée might , and by her good Fortune it came to passe that when the Knight had ouertaken her , and helde her in his armes to put her vppon her horse , that Rosicleer and the two Princes Bargandel and Lyriamandro then passed through the Forrest to séeke the selfe same Knightes , and to bée auenged vppon all the euills , in which they had wronged that Countrie . These thrée bearing the scréeches and outcryes which Fidelia made , got néere the sound , to know the matter : in the ende , they sawe that the knights would carrie a Gentlewoman ●l●aie against her will . At which ( albeit Fidelia was so w●ll muffeled that none of them knewe her ) they were all displeased , and Rosicleer more angrie then the rest , sayd .

Sir knights what is the cause that you force this Gentle woman to go with you against your will . One of them in great scorne said . If you will néeds be of counsaile with vs , I will prick you the cause vpon my speares point . But Fidelia cried . Ah my Lord deliuer me from these false théeues which will lead me away prisoner I know not wherefore . Rosicleer hearing them both , without more to do , gaue one of them such a blow vpon the breast with his launce , that it pearced him through , & he fell dead to the ground , the two valiant Princes ran against two , & within short time flew them , the thrée which remained set vpon Rosicleer , but he cleft one with his swoord & made the other two to gallop away . The two Princes loth to let any of them escape , followed them in such sort , that they foure were now entred into the thickest of the woode , Rosicleer being alone with the Gentlewoman Fidelia now at libertie and onely the companie of Rosicleer , stoode in a doubt whether after so great curtesie , shée might in her mistresse name declare so vncurteous a message , but remembring her selfe to bée at anothers commaunde , vnto whome shée had promised her faith in this matter : the time also so fit for the accomplishment of her Ladyes charge , she discouered her selfe to Rosicleer , who presently knewe her , and much abashed to sée her in that plyght , alighted from his horse to embrace her , and as it hath béene recounted , his speach was on this manner .

What misfortune faire Gentlewoman hath brought you from that heauenly court , wherein you were once acquainted , to séeke harborowe among such vnciuill hostes as these knights are . Fidelias aunswere was short in these tearms . O noble Rosicleer , the anguish which Fidelia féeles is indeed great , but yet it onely ariseth through the remembrance of that message which she hath in charge vnto Rosicleer , & with that she wept bitterly . Then somwhat amazed he sayd vnto her . Tell on faire Gentlewoman , and if your sorrow be for my sake let me beare part with you , & thanked be God , I am not altogether a straunger to mishaps : yet wist he not whereabout her message was , but he being very earnest to haue the message tolde him , she drew out the letter out of a little bore , and put it into his hand with so much paine that she could not speake a word withall Rosicleer hauing the letter & desirous to knowe what was in it , opened it presently , wherein he soone espyed the set determination of the Princesse as touching his exile , but before he had well weied of the contents , espieng onely Oliuias name in the inscription , as we saie that mennes mindes misgiues them against a mischiefe : so his heart throbbed , all his bodie tremble , and he had much adoe to force himselfe to indure the vttermost . The Letter sayd as followeth .

The high and mightie Princesse , the Princesse Oliuia , Princesse of great Britaine : vnto the most arrogant Rosicleer sendeth perpetuall disgrace for thy lewde attempt .

BEeing no lesse iniured by thy presumption then minding the punishment of thy folly , I haue written vnto thée . And know thou that thy letter hath come not to me in daye light , nor deliuered in thy name least I might iustly haue refused it , but in the night time , and that closely and by strealth conuayed in my cofer that I might first be beguiled , ere I might forethinke mée of the deceit . The receiuing wherof albeit so at vnawares , hath somewhat blemished my honour , and the shame thereof if I thought possible to bée rubde out , I would not spare for Tems water being so néere my fathers pallaice . But to make amendes for my fault , and least thou take some pride in thine impudencie , I am driuen nowe to an other inconueniencie , that is to aunswere thée , whome otherwise I woulde not haue vouchsafed in this respect , the courtesie of a good looke . In thy letter , the first point of thy pride I finde , to bée in bending thy lyking towardes mée . The second and greater , in daring to manifest it vnto mée . The third and especiall , in forcing mée by coppie of wordes , and an olde tale of loues power to giue some reliefe to thy heauinesse . Which thy intollerable pride , as it séemed rare and straunge vnto me , so it made me more narrowly to fist , and examining my selfe throughly and in euerie pointe , if eyther the lyghtnesse of my lookes or my vnchast demeanour , or the lacke of foresight in my speach , or the familiaritie of acquaintance might giue occasion to so base a Knight as to attempt a Princesse . Wherein if I coulde haue called to minde anie little ouersight , whereby thou mightest haue courage of impeaching my honour , I woulde first haue punished it in my selfe , as I am now purposed to amende it in thée . Onely I remember I bestowed vppon thée largely : and what then ? Thou therefore as Lucifer hauing more graces then thy fellowe Angells , wilt pull GOD out of his throne . Note that the staye of true vertue is humilitye , and there is no glorie so cléere but pride may darken it . Because I humbled my selfe so much as to thinke of thy meane vertues , wouldest thou venture this ? Did my beutie cause thée to loue me , and could not my estate with-hold thy penne , but thou must challenge mée for it ? I was aboue thy reach , and why diddest thou not feare thy ouer-strayning , if thou meantest to compasse me ? God neuer punisheth the desire of things allowed by nature , but thou shalt finde occasion of smart by thy disordered affection . What if loue be so great as thou painest thy selfe to proue vnto me ? Did not other Princes sée mée , from whome yet the honest regard of my greatnesse shéeleded me , which thought neuer entered into so abiect an heart as thine is . Yet Caesar forsooth and Hannibal and Mars and Iupiter , were ouercome with lyke passions . What euer good lyking I might haue had to them , I tell thée I lyst not to heare poore Rosicleers tale . Thou wilt haue mee so to vse clemencie towardes thée , as I shall thereby to be cruell to my selfe , otherwise thou diddest my losse . Then must I haue regarde , and for euer cease thou to trouble me in lyke manner . Or if because thou louest mée , I must deale with thée accordingly , I am content , but to thy greater griefe . For marke , the greater loue , deserueth the greater chastisement : and greater is the fault done vppon presumption , then by ignoraunce or infirmitye , as much lesse sufferable is the disgrace wrought by a friend then by a foe , and the louers vnkindnesse is lesse excusable then the straungers . Thou professest thy selfe my friend & louer , and I protest and proclaime my selfe nowe to bée wronged at thy hand . Iudge thy selfe how I can beare it . For this iniurie which thus spiteth me . I charge thee auoyd this Court , forsake the land , and if thou meanest good to me , get thée thether from whence neuer newes of thy name maye be brought to England . This way shalt thou prooue thy loue , and els not , and so she leaueth thée till doomes daye .

Thy mortall enimie Oliuia .

When Rosicleer had read the words of the letter , the contents thereof so galled him at the quicke , that for verye griefe his senses forsooke him , and he fell vpon the ground , there remaining an whole houre without moouing foote or hand , and Fidelia departed : so soone as Fidelia was gone , Telyo Rosicleers esquire came that way to seeke his Lord , for he had departed from him before to fetch fresh water at a Fountaine hard by . Now when Telyo approached and sawe Rosicleer stretched in that manner vppon the ground as if he had bene dead , he made the greatest dole that euer poore creature made , and alyghting from his horse , hée plucked off Rosicleers helmet , casting water in his face , if perhaps he might reuiue . In the ende Rosicleer yéelding foorth a groane , as if his heart strings had burst withall , came wholly to himselfe , and stretching his ioynis vppon the gréene grasse , began to speake in this manner .

O fell Fortune , and euer spightfull , why hast thou not made an ende of my lyfe , with the ende of my ioy , and why lyue I , sith that thereby my lyfe is berefte mée . Leaue mée alone I praye thee and my griefe shall not grieue me without thy compauye , aboue all , welcome death , the vndooer of my care , welcome my death , in what manner I care not , suffer not a Knight so vnfortunate to appeare amongst men , nor to receiue common sepulture . Cato not to beholde the conquerours face , slew himselfe with his sworde : and Sophonisba poysoned hyr selfe to bée frée from bondage . Nowe what reason was there in them by death , to flye common and ordinarye mishaps : if I maintaine my life to the abiding of farre greater torments , then are in death . And whence commeth this mischaunce vnto mée ? from Loue . O Loue , Loue , farre more outragious , then Fire and Water , and farre more daungerous to deale withall , then Chaunce or Fortune . Thou art straunge in all thy purposes , straunger in the execution of them , and in the ende thereof , straungest of all . Howe commonly doo thy practises excéede the working of Fortune , for she neuer giueth payne but in pleasure , neuer griefe but in gladnesse , and she neuer ouerthroweth but at the toppe and pitch , so that there is yet some comforte to haue bene high , but I which in true loue towardes Oliuia , had neuer countenaunce of comforte nor pleasure of any height , am nowe so disgraced and haue fallen so lowe as no aduersitie of Fortune can match it . Artemidoro tolde me , my k●●ited shoulde not let our marriage . But nowe farewell my friendes , by name Oliuerio King of the great Britayne , my louing Lorde , Bargandel and Lytlamandro Princes inheritours , and my louing companions : and farewell Zoylo Prince of Tartarie , as my last acquaintaunce , Fortune did but shewe vs to each other , when we hoped of great acquaintaunce , and farewell all my comforts , for I will hence to some darke and clowdie Countrey , that not so much as the lyght of the Sunne , maye bring tidings of my smart .

This saieng , Rosicleer rose vp , and mounting on his Horse , rode towarde the Forrest which leadeth vnto the Sea , with full determination to leaue the Countrey , presently , his esquire Telyo , which both sawe and heard his complaint , with great griefe followed him , not yet daring to speake a worde , for feare of disquieting him . Rosicleer in this iourney made great hast , and before night got to a huge and hollowe rocke , about tenne miles from the place where he receiued the letter . Thereon he cast himselfe turning his horse loose vpon the cliffes . Now being alone , as his maner was , he renued his complaints , with many a siker sigh .

In the morning when the Sunne cast his beames vppon the large Sea , Rosicleer rose from the ground to looke if he might sée any ship , wherein he might put himselfe . When he espied none , he commaunded Telyo to ride vnto the next hauen about two miles off , ther to prouide a ship , himselfe promised in the meane while-vnder that couert to abide his comming . Telyo presently did as his Lord commaunded him , and made as much spéede as he might , not to leaue his Master comfortlesse : but ere Telyo had got to the towne , it chaunced that Rosicleer hauing great desire to be solitarie , mounted vpon his horse , and rode a contrarie waye . In which way he saw a little ship making towards the land , and out of this ship , from vnderneath the hatches , there appeared a Gentlewoman verie high and big of body , but of a good complection , and straungely attired as was hir Countrey guyse . This Gentlewoman as soone as the anchors were cast , caused the cocke-boate to be let downe , wherein she entred , and comming to lande , she tooke hir Palfraye to gallop vp the sandes , but espieng a knight alone , whome by all semblaunce she tooke to be Rosicleer , she framed a sorrowfull countenaunce , and in great ruth saluted him , to whom he rendred the lyke salutations , demaunding what hir griefe was . The Gentlewoman still counterfaiting a show of great sorow , as not able to speak any thing , till béeing importuned by him with much adoo she as it were forced out these speaches .

Alas sir , tell me if you can , some newes of a newe Knight which hath wonne the prises at the great Feastes in London . Wherefore séeke you him fayde Rosicleer , I séeke him aunswered the Gentlewoman , for that I heare so much of his glorie , as that I am perswaded , that hée onely is like to giue remedie to my trauaile , Rosicleer to make hast away for feare least his esquire should finde them , opened himselfe vnto the Gentlewoman , saieng that he was the newe Knight . The Gentlewoman séeming to be verie gladde for to haue found him , knéeled downe : but he lyfted hyr vp , and desired by r to faye on presentlye what hyr sorrowe was , for he woulde willinglye vndertake hir demaunde : the Gentlewoman sayde on this wise .

Sir knight , not farre hence there is an Iland where my father dwelled , a plentifull land and auncient inheritaunce to our line . This land my father gouerned a great time in peace and ease , till that Fortune loath to preserue things in one estate , chaunged hir coppie , and that which grieueth me most , found meanes by me , to work the discontentment of my friends . For being young and marriagebale , and my Fathers onely childe , it happened that I had many suters , but to be short , my Father thinking it safest for the continuaunce of his line , and the peaceable gouernment of his people which hadde rather haue bene subiect to their naturall Countrey-man , then an Alien , matched me with a lustie Knight , both best beloued for his worthinesse and of greatest possessions in all that Countrey . Now amongst my other suters , there was one of great liuelood , worthye for his wealth to haue bene preferred before all the rest , if himselfe had bene as worthye , but this Lorde was refused by me , and taking it as some parte of disgrace , he kineeled his cholar and wrath , against my Parentes and me , and at a time conuenient , which was not manye nights past , and when we least immagined it , he burst in vpon my parents , where he found but weake resistaunce , but I my selfe in the meane while , stealing by the shore side , recouered this little boate , wherein I was scarcelye entered , when I saw a farre off my Parents and my husbande ledde away prisoners . I thinke they cannot iustlye gesse whether I am gone . But after that I was in the boate , I met with manye which came from the instes at London . They séeing my heauie chéere , demaunded the cause , and when they vnderstood it , they directed me to enquire after a newe Knight in the lande , for he alone saye they , is able to vndoo this iniurie . You heare sir , both the cause of my care , and the occasion of comming into this Country to you sir , now sir knight , if my ruth may work any compassion , or that you thinke I haue cause to complayne , doo your best to amend my harme , you shall doo double iustice in restoring the wronged , and in punishing the wicked dooer . Rosicleer féeling a yerning in his minde , against so vnlawfull a practise , if hir tale were true , badde hir take hir boate againe , for be would hazarde his person in hir quarrell . The Gentlewoman desiring presently no other thing , gaue him manie thankes , so they entered the boate , and the water béeing calme , they passed without any daunger . But still Rosicleer haunted with his auncient thoughtes , nowe séeing himselfe farre distaunt from the Princesse , and without hope to retourne , beganne a fresh to consider of his exile , which thought so ouercame him , that hee wished his soule to departe from his bodye .

But the Historie leaueth him on the Sea , to recount in the meane time of his Esquire , who finding a shippe in the Hauen , retourned to his Paster , but not méeting him , hée was sore abashed , and in great sorrowe coasted ouer the Countrey to finde him out .

After long trauayle by lande to no purpose , hée put himselfe to the Sea in a shippe prepared towardes Almaine , where after continuall wearinesse , and not hearing anye newes of his Master , hée tourned towardes his owne Countrey in the Walley of the Mountaynes , where he was well welcommed by his bretheren . There let vs leaue him , till time carrie him from his Fathers home , to méete with his Master . Now telleth the History , of Zoylo Prince of Tartary , which had trauayled towards the Court of King Oliuerio , as hath bene recited . When he came to the Court , he found in the Pallaice hall , the Princesse Oliuia , with the King hir Father , and diuers noble Princes , deuising and sporting of diuers matters , and especially of Rosicleers worthinesse , which not a little tickled the princesse Oliuia , for all that cruel sentence which she had giuen of him .

The Tartarian Zoylo entering the Hall in goodly maner , to the great amaze of the Knights and Nobles which behelde him , after he had made his humble obeysaunce to the King , he spake as followeth . It maye be , noble and worthy King , that the greatnesse of my estate , forbiddeth me to be so humble , but the great vertue which I haue found in the Knightes of your Maiesties Court , hath enforced me aboue my wont , to doo you that honour , which I woulde denie els , to anye King or Emperour in the worlde : now I beséech your Maiestie to accept of my seruice , and to receiue me into the number of your Knightes , for I haue great desire to belong vnto your Court , if it so lyke you .

The King verye well lyking of the Maiestie which the Knight bare , albeit he knew him not whence he was , of courtesie embraced him gladlye , and raising him from ground , aunswered thus : Sir Knight , you are very welcome , for as your personage and good behauiour is aboue the credite of a meane man : so haue I great opinion of your high estate : and as to your request to be entertayned of my Courte , I receyue you willynglye , and promise you there-in my royall fauour , for I woulde lyue no longer then to make of your lykes , and I praye you sir Knight tell mée who you are , least peraduenture I shoulde fault , in not honouring you according to your callyng .

Zoylo aunswered , Nost puissaunt King , the report of your courtesie assured me your good fauour before I demaunded it , and now sir vnderstand you , that I am called Zoylo , sonne to the King of Tartaria , in that part which bordereth vpon Christendome , and that I haue spent many winters both an sea & lande , till that Fortune cast mée on the English shore , then comming out of Dutchlande . After héere in your Countrey , minding as my vsage was to trye my selfe vpon Knights errants , it chaunced that I met with thrée of your Knightes in a Forrest , their names were as I learned of them , Rosicleer , Bargandel , and Lyriamandro , with these I iusted , and after that I had cast downe the two last at the Tilte , I fought with Rosicleer at the swordes poynt , but in the ende I was vanquished .

Rosicleer , when I was yéelden , hauing some lyking of me , desired me to come and be acquainted with your Maiestie , and to kisse your royall hand in his name . All which I haue done , as well for to offer my seruice to so mightie a Prince , as for to accomplish the charge of so valyaunt a Knight , neither thinke I it any disgrace to be vanquished by him . For besides that his bountie and courtefie meriteth to be beloued rather then enuied , his valour and Knighthoode promiseth the conquest ouer the whole world . He hath receiued me for a perpetuall friende , and his acquaintaunce doo I more set by , then the whole Kingdome of Tartary , my lawfull inheritaunce . Therefore because I hope the longer to inioy this new friendshippe in your feruice , I haue bene bolde to craue the name of your Court , which , shall be as well welcome vnto me as the title which you haue vnto your kingdome . The king was glad to heare some newes of Rosicleer at that time , and much praysed his owne good Fortune to haue lyghted vppon him , for that by him his Court had dayly increased in worshippe , and so tourning towards the Tartarian , he sayde on this manner . Pardon me mightie Prince , in that I haue not done you that honour , which appertaineth to a Kinges sonne , but the little acquaintaunce I haue had with you , and the ignoraunce of your estate , shall excuse me , henceforwardes , if I amende not , let me bée without excuse . And with these same wordes , the King ledde Zoylo to the Princesse , willing hir to welcome the Knight straunger . Zoylo comming before the beautifull Princesse Oliuia , kneeled downe before hir to kisse hir hande , which shée refused , but gently kissing him , she had him welcome . Farther talke had she not , for the often naming of Rosicleer , brought to hir remembraunce , the wrong which shée had done to him , and hir heart was so great , that she had no power to speake a word , but crauing pardon , shée departed to hir chamber : this séemed straunge to hir father , but because hir colour was so pale , it was thought to be by reason of sicknesse .

When she was within hir chamber doores , she let hir teares flowe at lybertie , which before she restrained for feare of béeing espied . And thinking in what maner hir fathers Court was honoured by Rosicleer , and in what estimation he was holden among those Princes & knights , how glad they were of his friendship , and how loth hir father was to loose him , she burst out into aboundaunce of teares , and with the repentaunce of hir former fact , she began in this sort to repent hir rashnesse . Thou hastie and ouer credulous Oliuia , what thing did the poore Rosicleer crane of thée , but the acceptation of his seruice , and that thou wouldest become his Ladie ? why diddest thou not receiue him offered , especially when so manye puissaunt Princes and worthy Knights require to haue , and are refused ? why wouldest thou not be Ladie ouer him , whom the best in the worlde , would be servaunt vnto ? Where was my iudgement , and the eyes of my vnderstanding that I forethought me not of these things , now doe I too much repent that which I hastely willed , as touching the banishment of Rosicleer . Héere she stayed her speach , and in great disease of minde , shut her selfe in her closet . Héere nowe wanted the faithfull counsaile of her seruaunt Fidelia , for had she bene at hand she might haue slaked her mistresses sorrow , which in the end grew so farre , as besides the losse of speach and her often sounding , she fell into a hot burning ague , which left her not of a great while , till more comfort came by meanes of another Letter which shée read of her loues to his mother Briana . Till that time we will helpe the two knightes Bargandel and Liriamandro out of the wood , and bring them from the search of Rosicleer , to the court of king Oliuerio .

The Princes Bargandel and Liriamandro retourning from the Forrest , misse Rosicleer .

Cap. 41.

THe great desire which lead Bargandel and Liriamandro to pursue the knights of the forrest made them to follow on so long , till they ioyned at a great and well towred castle , standing at the one end of the sayd forrest . There before these two knights could enter to saue themselues , the two Princes had ouertaken them , & getting betwéene the castle & them , they put them to so great scath , that the knights vnable to resist , cryed amaine to those which were within the Castle for s●●●cour , yet or they could come they were ouerthrown , fore wounded , and as the Princes alighted downe to make dispatch of them , ten men issued out of the Castle well armed , and comming néere laid at the Princes in great rage , for they weened their Lords to haue bene slaine : but this skirmish lasted not long betwéene them , for the two Princes were valiaunt , and putting themselues in prease amongest the thickest , in short time made riddaunce of the greater part , and those which remained besought the Princes of pardon , which béeing eastyle graunted , the two Princes retourned to the two knightes which had béene felled but late before . These two knightes séeing in what case they were , and pittyeng the destruction of theyr people , yéelded themselues to the will of the conquerour , promising that if they might inioye theyr lyfe and libertie they would amend theyr folly , and make satisfaction to all Gentlewomen , wherof the Princes were glad , and taking their oaths for the perfourmaunce , departed in hast toward Rosicleer , as they thought , but hée was not where they lefte him , wherefore they sought him out in all parts . This daye till night they neuer descended from theyr horses , at night they tooke their bedde vnder a trée vntill the comming of the next daie , and they were verie pensiue , for that they knewe not the cause why he absented himselfe , yet with some hope that the next day they should heare some newes of him , they droue out that night , and on the morrowe mounted vp their horses againe to finde him out , but it was to no boote , for eight whole daies they trauailed thorough the Countrie and heard no newes of him , in the end thinking they should méete with him at the Court , they rode thether in the companie of many knights , whether let them goe , whilest we in the meane time beare the Gentlewoman companie which had carryed Oliuias Letter vnto Rosicleer .

This Gentlewoman Fidelia as I tolke you , perceiuing as well by the witnesse which his eyes gaue of his outward griefe , as also by the sounde wherein she lefte him , as an argument of his inward sorrow that he néeded comfort , and yet not daring to shew him hope contrarie to her Maiesties commaundement , strake her palfraie , and without more stay gallopped on her waye towardes London , whether in short time shée came : but when shée had entered the pallaice , shée would not presently make her comming knowen vnto the Princesse , least her sodeine returne should worke some alteration , whereby the other Gentlewomen might misdéeme of her errant . But when she had learned of the Gentlewomen that her Ladie was sicke , she well wist whence her disease sprang , and therefore wisely comming before her mistresse , she yet spared to name Rosicleer , till she vnderstood how well she would take his heauinesse .

The Princesse now vncerteine in iudgement whether to commend of Fidelias faithfulnesse in executing her deuise , if the Letter were deliuered , or to lyke of her good Fortune if some occasion had hindered the deliuerie , being now alone , stayed yet to heare either yea or naie , as touching the dispatch of her message . But Fidelia as well for her owne compassion ouer Rosicleer , as for sorrowe to see her mistresse in that plight by her owne conceit , vttered neuer a word , but burst out into wéeping , wherby the princesse more troubled then at the first , with a feeble voice spake vnto her .

Tell me Fidelia what thou bast done in thy message , and doubt not but thy trauaile shall well please mée , for although the loue I beare him feareth to heare thine aunswere , yet shall mine honour counteruaile the dreade , in which quarrell I will as I tolde thée earst venture my lyfe rather then yéelde my bodie to anie opprobrie . This sayeng , shée lent her eare vnto Fidelias aunswere , and fastened her eyes vpon Fidelias lookes , as if no word should haue escaped vnmarked or vnaduised of her . Fidelias aunswere was short in these tearmes .

For a truth madame I had sought Rosicleer no little time ere I could finde him , and as it fell out I found him when my selfe was not without daunger , as it were to participate of that crueltie towardes him wherein I was partly a dealer : but that which makes ●●ms especially to repent my paines héerein was , that my deliuerie was wrought by him : For at the same time I met him , sixe knightes outlawes set vpon me in a Forrest , and had lead mée captiue away , there to bée spoiled of my honour : but that by my outcryes , Rosicleer with two other knightes came thether , none of them hauing anie knowldege of me who I was . There in my presence he killed thrée of them , the other flyeng away were followed by the two knightes in Rosicleers companie , by which meanes being alone with him , I there deliuered your Letters . But I beléeue that he had rather haue receiued his deathes wound , then that letter . Ere he opened it , his coulour chaunged , and all his bodie shooke for feare , but after hée had read the superscription , his eyes were filled with teares , and neuer man was so woe begonne as he : yet he read it out , and as I remember , with the last wordes he gaue a great groane , and sanke to the earth . Whether hée euer recouered or no I wot not , for I durst not staye with him , therein to fulfill your graces charge , which was , not to receiue aunswere from him . This vnderstanding the Princesse , and that Fidelia had obeyed euerie iot of her will so well , although shée would that her seruaunt had fayled in some small point of diligence in this matter , yet thinking to learne more at her hands , shée demaunded what thing hée did when she parted from him , and what words shée spake , moreouer what she thought the euent would bée . To all which questions Fidelia aunswered at once , that shée lefte him for dead vpon the ground , and to deuine was not in her skill . With this the Princesse waxed angrie , and blamed her verye sore in not abiding the time of his recouerie , whervnto Fidelia excused her selfe by her commandement , but yet because the Princesse would haue it so , néeds must Fidelia be thought in a great fault or crime , for not dooing so .

Now may you gesse that Fidelias trustinesse was lyke a cuppe of colde wate to her burning ague , the more to enrage it , or lyke drinke to a Dropsie man , whereby his maladie the rather increaseth . For in lyke manner as Rosicleers heauinesse came by reading the letter , so hers grew by Fidelias report of his heauinesse . And albeit that we heare seldome time of man or woman dead for loue , yet is it naturall for ouermuch griefe to abbridge mans dayes as now it was not loue which so much afflicted the Princesse , but the iniurie which she had offered Rosicleer , and the griefe which she conceiued by the dispaire of euer séeing him , and his griefe had almost wrought hir vtter bane .

Rosicleers departure is published in the Court of King Oliuerio , Oliuia after knowledge whose sonne he was , reuerseth iudgement passed by a countermaunde in another Letter , whereof Fidelia lykewise is the bearer .

Cap. 41.

THe Princes Bargandel and Liriamandro in the quest of Rosicleer rode far and néere & could not vnderstand anie thing as touching him , till that hauing trauailed ouer a great part of that Countrie they met with people strangers , which certified that themselues had séene a Knight in that sure of armour , imbarking himselfe with a Gentlewoman , and after that a Squire sore wéeping , entering into a ship to followe them , for the which newes Bargandel and Liriamandro were verie sorrowfull , and for nowe they were sure that he had forsaken the kingdome , wherevpon they agréed to returne vnto the Court , and one day as the King Oliuerio , with the Prince Zoylo and other worthie Princes and knights were gone out of the Citie to solace themselues in the fields , these two Princes came toward the place where the king abode , which had behelde them before verie héedfully , for they séemed vnto him to be two comely and noble knights , and therefore he desired to haue a more perfect view . But valyaunt Zoylo knew them by their deuices vppon theyr armour , and sayde to the king and to the other then in presence , that he greatly meruailed why Rosicleer came not with them , for saith he , when I parted from them they were all thrée together , when the king knewe them to be the two Princes , hée caused his traine to stay till the two Princes came against him , those hée embraced with great loue and thankes for their returne , demanding withal for Rosicleer . They which I dare not say knew the ryght cause , but coniectured some likely cause by the straungenesse it wrought in him , with great griefe made a narration of each perticular as farre as they knew , both what befell him within the Realme , and in what manner he auoided the Realme , as they had heard of others onely in the companie of a Gentlewoman , and they added moreouer perhappes of their owne heads , perhappes as I sayde before , vppon some farther knowledge that it could not otherwise bée , but that he had some great wrong offered vnto him by some person within the Realme . The King excusing himselfe to the Princes for his owne dealing towardes Rosicleer , became verye sad and heauie for him , as also those which were néere with him , not béeing able to gesse of his returne : and indéede if they had béene certeine of his long absence , it would much more haue béene gréeuous vnto them , so rare was the loue they all bare to him . But with some little hope of Rosicleers spéedie retourne , the King with those Princes his friends tarried some dayes in the Pallaice , till that because he was from them so long , the thrée Princes Bargandel , Liriamandro , and the Lartarian Zoylo together , tooke vpon them to séeke him , in which time they aduentured many strange exploits as shall be specified héereafter in this Historie . But in the ende as the greatest parte of these nobles and Princes stayed in England for the loue of Rosicleer , so his presence wanting in that court diminished so fast , that in short time there was not behinde remaining in the Court anie Knight of great account , but the Prince Don Syluerio , vnto whom the losse & absence of Rosicleer bread no small contentation , as it wrought in the king Oliuerio , to the contrarie no lesser displeasure and disquiet , as if the losse of Prince Edward had agayne renued . For there was no one in his kingdome which could and would aduaunce his priuate credit and the honour of his Countrie by worthy prowesse and by valiant déeds of armes .

But when all the kingdome beganne to bewayle the losse of Rosicleer , what did that fayre Oliuia which had abandoned him the Countrie , and loued him more then anye one in the worlde , might shée forget him one instant ? No , but when she wayed well that for the accomplishing of her charge he had forsaken the lande , her good will increased towardes him , and in stéede of the daylye viewe of his personage , in his absence shée gazed at will vppon the counterfayte and portraiture which she had imprinted in her fancie . This did she the oftener because shée founde not in her solitarie contemplation anie other thing to present it selfe . For amorous thoughtes are euer enimies to companie , and béeing alone , as commonly shée was by reason of sicknesse , what was there to remooue this solitarie thought and conuersaunt companion from her .

This companion she still enterteined , which by vse and continuance of time grew to a setteled sentence , and her loue waxed greater then it was before , and then increased the flame which burnt more earnestly then euer before it had bene . But as it chaunced , tossing of these things in her remembraunce , withall shée remembred that Arinda had tolde her how that Rosicleer had written vnto the Princesse Briana , and as the amorous are accustomed to builde themselues Castles of Hope , albeit sometime without foundation or sure grounde whereon they may surely stand : so her loue waxed ielous ouer him , and shee beganne to cast with her selfe why Rosicleer should write to the Princesse Briana being to her no kithe nor kinne to her , and so meane borne , out of which in the ende she picked out this hope , that out of doubt his birth was as good as his bringing vp . In this matter therefore she laboured Fidelia , secretly to steale that Letter from the Gentlewoman Arinda her bedfellowe , and talking about this matter one certayne time with Fidelia , among other thinges , shée sayde . Oh my Fidelia , as I had the power to banish Rosicleer the lande , so woulde I that I coulde banish him from my memory , how profitable had thy counsaile bene then vnto mée , but what shall I doe for that remedie is no more auayleable , since his absence woundes me more then his presence , I graunt thée the fight of the beloued to some increaseth loue , still offering it selfe to be seene , and yet to other some againe the thing dayly séene bringeth little delight but rather lothsomenesse as contrarywise sometimes loue is mooued by discontinuance , and sometimes mens desire increaseth the flame , albeit the beloued appeare not in presence . But this thou takest to bée impossible , for thou art not touched with the like passions , and none knowes the bitternesse thereof but the experienced , as appeareth by thée which hast ministred a medicine not of force against my disease . But make me amends and once againe venture for my sake , I remember that Arinda hath a Letter of Rosicleers to the Princesse Briana , to what purpose I knowe not , but I would gladly sée it , this steale from her and bring it mée that I maye read it , I cannot say what good newes my minde foretells me by it , but sure I long to reade it , as if there were some great secrete conteyned therein , and quiet shall I not be till I haue had it . Héereto Fidelia replied briefly that this matter shoulde bée lefte vnto her to watch her epportunitie , and indéede when Fidelia and Arinda slept together one night , Fidelia espieng Arinda fast on sléepe rose as softlye as shée might , and taking one of the keyes which Arinda had tyed to her girdle , therewith shée opened the casket and pulled out Rosicleers Letter , which she brought to her mistresse lodging , whom she found waiting for some gladde newes . The Princesse her selfe would not open the Letter but gaue it to Fidelia , which vnsealed it and read as followeth .

To his good Mother the high and mightie Princesse Briana .

IF my departure from your presence procureth your iust displeasure , beléeue mée madame , and my good mother , your sonne Rosicleer cannot bée well pleased therwith , fore-séeing the great solytarinesse wherein you remained , and yet because this my iourney hath so prospered with mée , I am the better contented , and I beséech your grace to quyet your selfe vppon Gods ordinaunce , from whom I am perswaded this motion in mée procéeded . Besides the Storie of mine owne good Fortime , which Arinda may safelye reporte , I haue hearde newes as touching your selfe , the redeliuerie of my Father , and the safetie of my Brother . For since my departure I haue gotte acquaintaunce with Artemidoro a great wise of man of Greece , perhappes he is not vnknowen vnto you , of whome I haue learned that your husband my Father shall ere long retourne vnto you . That the Gentleman of the Sunne my brother is aliue and alreadie Knighted , and for prowesse so greatlye approued , as not the Knightes of elder time are thought matchable , that hée and I shall knowe our Father to be the most valiaunt and worthyest Prince on the earth , that wée shall haue a pleasaunt ende of our sorrowfull beginninges , which God graunt . As touching mine owne estate I haue béene brought by this Artemidoro to the Court of king Oliuerio , where by his owne handes I haue béene dubbed Knight , and haue receiued such honour as if I had béene his knowen Nephew , and had it not béene that your grace had commaunded the contrarie , not suffering our progenie to be knowen , I should for this fauour haue bewrayed the truth , at least to haue giuen him some comfort , for the supposed losse of Prince Edward , but I will obey your commaund . And these newes I thought to make you priuie vnto , as not béeing ignoraunt of your heauinesse , which I praye God lessen to your comfort . Farther as touching these matters , Arinda maye tell you of the specialties . The Almightie sende you speedely your desired husband . I take my leaue , kissing your royall handes .

Your obedient sonne . Rosicleer .

When Fidelia had ended the letter , and the Princesse had well vnderstood the secretes thereof , what tongue may expresse the great ioye that entered into hir sorrowfull minde , as if shée had but nowe recouered hir lost hope , and hadde she not nowe counterpaized hir auncient sorrowe with this late sprong ioye , hir life had bene in daunger , for in no other thing excessiue ioy may doo so much harme as in the heartes of true louers . Amongst whome I can compare these two Princes , Rosicleer and the beautifull Oliuia as the chiefest . This Princesse nowe ridde of some parte of hir feare , and as it were brought into a newe world , thought to make amends by punishing hir selfe for hir cruell letter , thus saith she . Oh , how well am I worthy of the paynes which I now sustaine in the repentaunce of my former fact , not onely for that which against Rosicleer I haue committed , but also for the little credite I haue had of his valourous personage . Where were mine eyes and iudgment , when I did not prooue his nobilitie by his vertue , howe great was my pride , in that I woulde in such sorte despise so worthye a Knight , and bannish him , not onelye my presence , but this Kingdome also ?

O inconstant and fraile woman-kinde , for iust cause lyghtly regarded among wise men , sith we are lyght in beléefe , lyght in iudgement , and ouer-hastye in shewing the effect of our conceite . What occasion had Rosicleer giuen me , that I shoulde make exchaunge for the great good will which I bare vnto him , with so cruell a sentence , as to dispatch him from my presence ? What had he in his letter , any dishonest word , any vnlawfull demaunde , or did he mooue me to the thing preiudiciall to my great Estate . This he desired , that I shoulde knowe he loued me : why shoulde I be ashamed that my inferiours loue me , and that he shoulde lyke of me , was the thing I desired . Tell me Fidelia , what is thy counsaile for to amende this faulte , me thinkes we are in worse case then before . Rosicleer is alreadie departed the Countrey , and if I sende to call him backe , he will not regarde mée , or will it not be thought lyghtnesse , after that I had in such earnestnesse refused him , as it were yesterday , this day sodainelye to alter my purpose ? Besides that , when hée retourneth into this Court , his glorye maye encrease to my dis worshippe , and againe , if to beare out my former facte , I let the matter passe as it hath done , what shall then become of mée ? I knowe not howe to lyue , hée being bannished from my presence , whome I loue better than my selfe . But Fidelia , as thy parte was in the first counsayle to bannish Rosicleer , so nowe put too thy helpe that Rosicleer maye retourne againe , without the blemmish of mine honour . Verye ioyfull was Fidelia to heare the Letter , and béeing well content that hyr Mistresse had●● kepte hyr former conclusion in this matter , as touching the marriadge of Rosicleer , if his Parentage were not so farre inferiour , soberly aunswered .

Madame leaue off your complayntes , and be more gladde then euer you were , sith God hath bene so fauourable vnto you as to make Rosicleer of so high estate that he may merite you . For in good sooth I stoode in doubt whether of your paynes were the greater , and I knew no meanes howe to slake them . But sith now this secrete is disclosed , the remedie is in our handes , and not so difficult as you make it . For bée it that you shall send vnto Rosicleer , to demaunde pardon of him for the offence which you haue committed against him , shall you thinke you doe your selfe anie wrong therein in respect of your princely estate . No , for assuredly he loueth you loyally , and because he is of nigh parentage with you , you may therein beguile suspitious eyes , and after his retourne you maye boult it out of him , whether he loue you , yea , or no , if hée doe , without peraduenture you maye acquite him , and loue of all thinges woulde bée rewarded . I dare warraunt that your loue shall detayne him with vs , and to this purpose madame your hande and my head which ioyntly committed the former fact , shall nowe together make the recantation , and crye Pecaui . The effect maye bee onely to will him to resourne to your presence , and my selfe will bée the messenger , and I promise neuer to refourne into this Countrey till such time as I finde him , and haue deliuered your Letter to his handes . Withall sayth shée , this ought prsently to bée put in practise , for by the griefe Rosicleer tooke at the sight of your Letter , I gesse that hée is eyther departed this lyfe or auoided the Countrie . The Princesse was verye well content with her hast , as the thing which she most desired , and so embraced she Fidelia gladly , and spake vnto her .

Fidelia nowe I knowe the good will which thou hast to serue mée , and I confesse that I haue not made thee priuie to my heauinesse without greate hope of comfort at thy handes , therefore I beséech GOD once to rewarde thée as I wish , but bring mée penne , Inke , and paper , for I will straight way followe thy counsayle héerein . Fidelia brought vnto her penne , inke , and paper , wherewith the Princesse , wrought hir reclayme , with as manye sugered woordes , as the other letter had sharpe and sower .

This letter , the sequele will shewe vnto you , when we come to the meeting of Fidelia and Rosicleer : but before that time , the letter written after this manner , was delyuered vnto Fidelia , and it was agréed vppon betwéene themselues , that vppon the nexte daye shée shoulde goe to séeke him . This night they tooke theyr rest , the one , for the better enduring of hir long trauaile , which she shoulde sustayne , the other , to make satisfaction for hir broken sléepes . Ere broade morning Fidelia was vp , and hauing conuayed Rosicleers letter where she founde it , shée went vnto the Princesse , to take hir leaue of hir . When as they were departing : Oh my good Fidelia , sayde the Princesse , doo as much as thou mayst to retourne agayne spéedely , for if thou stayest long , I shall lyue but a small while , there is nothing that may so soone shorten and cutte off my dayes as to hope without successe , and to dreade the worst . I tell thee that till thy comming agayne , my nightes will be tourned to watchinges , and I shall recken the clocke hourelye awayting thy presence . O God , Fidelia , when the daye commeth I will looke for the night , then when as the night is ouer-passed , I will make account of the daye to come , and I will neuer leaue casting of perilles till that I shall heare thée bring some tidings of that good Knight .

Fidelia was verye sorie to thinke of the cares , which hyr Ladye , was lyke to receiue , and principally for that shée shoulde teaue hir alone wanting with whome to communicate hir payne . Where-with , béeing somewhat troubled , and also fore-seeing the long time of hyr absence , so shée departed wéeping in this manner .

Madame , it is néedelesse for you to charge mée farther in the affayres , the paines wherein I leaue you , are sufficient to hasten my iourney , I woulde to God my Fortune were aunswerable to the desire which I haue to serue you in this matter . But be of good courage , and hope for the comming of your Knight , or els looke not for me . With these they broke off , and Fidelia went to hyr fellowes , vnto whome she tolde , that she woulde soiourne with hir parents in the Countrey for a season : after , going to the Sea side , she entered into a shippe prepared towardes Almayne , wherein the History leaueth hyr saylyng , to recount of other things which chaunced in the meane time .

Rosicleer was betrayed into the Ilande of Candramarte that Gyaunt , whose handes hadde bene cut off before , by Rosicleer .

Cap. 43.

YOu haue hearde , howe Rosicleer departed from the great Britaine , in the companie of the straunge Gentlewoman neuer hoping to returne agayne into that land , onely for the accomplishing of the exile , where-vnto hée was bound by his Ladyes appoyntment . Nowe the Historie saith , that the Gentlewoman with whome he was in the boate , was sent by Candramarte , whose handes Rosicleer had cut off before the King Oliuerio for Quéene Iulias rich sworde , and that she was sent vnder coulour of a distressed Gentlewoman to bring him to hyr Fathers Ilande , there to be aduenged of the hurt and shame which hyr Father had receyued . This deuice was thought fittest , both , for that Rosicleer as a noble Knight , pittyed such oppressed Gentlewomen , and that for other cause then to shewe himselfe , Rosicleer coulde not be brought out of Englande . In this Ilande Candramarte had two young Gyauntes to his sonnes , whome for that purpose he hadde knighted , béeing in making no lesse than himselfe . Besides these , Candramarte hadde fortye chosen Knightes , all which hée armed to assaulte Rosicleer , least bée shoulde escape them . By this guyle the Ladye Gyauntesse , Daughter vnto Candramarte , carryed him to hyr Fathers Ilande , wherein , without anye farther aduice , hée aduentured himselfe , for verye griefe of hearts which hée conceyued , to sée himselfe abandoned his Ladyes presence . But nowe sire dayes haue they bene on the Sea , at the ende whereof , the winde was so fauourable , that they came within kenning of the Ilande , to his iudgement verye strong , and to the shewe verye pleasurable .

This béeing discouered by the Gouernour , the Gentlewoman sayde , that that was the place , wherein hyr Parents and Husbande were taken , crieng and tearing of hir hayre , as if the sight of the place hadde redoubled hyr sorrowe . This made Rosicleer to bée more earnest in hyr quarrell , and to thinke if long till hée were landed , which his desire béeing accomplyshed , the Gentlewoman ledde him vp vppon the shoare , where Rosicleer viewed at ease the whole sight of the Ilande . In the first enterye vppon the lande , there were two strong Castles as two Bulwarkes , scituated vpon a stype recke as it were a bowe shotte distaunce ouer agaynst the other .

Before the Castelles , there was a great broade plaine shaddowed with great Dakes , and when they had come néere vnto these great Castelles , the Gentlewoman poynting to the one Castell , sayde to Rosicleer on this manner . If that Sir Knight you will aduenge my quarrell you must goe to that Castell , which is on the right hande , for that is the traytour Knightes Castell , which hath taken my Parents and Husbande as prisoners , and vntill your comming , I will staye héere in this lyttle boate we women are weake hearted and fearefull , and aboue all , I would not come into his power , for then would he for a suretie murther my parents and my husbande , whome nowe perhappes he entertaineth more gentlye , vppon hope to winne me . If you will , be it so aunswered Rosicleer , for your long gownes are not fit to fight withall , and your sexe shall well aunswere the challenge of your cowardise , with this speach Rosicleer departed , and taking his horse , mounted thereon to come to that Castle on the right hande , the Gentlewoman tooke hir shippe againe , and droue from lande amaine . By and by Rosicleer hearde the winding of an horne at the one Castle , and presently he hearde an annswere at the other Castle , whereby suspecting that this token was giuen of his comming , he tourned his head to see the Gentlewoman whom he had lefte on the shoare . The Gentlewoman houering about the banke , nowe sure of his escape , and straining hir voyce , cried . Come foorth , come foorth , sonnes of Candramarte , for héere is the newe Knight , which cut off our Fathers armes . Now wist Rosicleer by this horne , and the Gentlewomans out-cries , that he had bene betraied , but as one carelesse of life , as quietly as he could , hée prepared himselfe , which he certainely looked for , his praier was this . Lorde Iesus haue mercie vppon me , whome thou so dearely hast bought with thy bloud-shed , pardon my sinnes , and receiue me vnto thy Kingdome , as for my carcase , be it as thou hast appoynted me , for death cannot betide me in a better time .

After this , he stayed , not as dismayed , but passing farther to sée in what manner this treason was compassed , he sawe the gates of the one Castle set wide open , and thence issuing a huge Gyant vpon a mightie Courser , with more then twentye Knightes well armed at his tayle . At theyr first comming , they made a great showt , as if they had got some great victorie , & the Giaunt amongest the rest sayd vnto him . Thou miserable and wretched knight wel shalt thou abie the shame which thou diddest to my father Candramarte , when thou diddest cut off his armes at London . Rosicleer as desperate made aunswere : I doubt not but for all your threates you will giue me leaue to dye , but ere that happen , it may bée you shall bée disappointed of your purpose , and with that hée drewe out Quéene Iulias Swoord , with the which hée encountered the tall Gyant which came against him with a great Speare . The Speare hit Rosicleer on the breast , and indéede were it not for the finenesse of the armour , it had pearced him , but the mettall being such as it was , the Greeke made no more for the blowe then if it had béene hit with some delicate young knight , and before that the Gyaunt coulde recouer his horse raine to fetch the second course , Rosicleer gaue him such a blowe with his Swoord that hée cleft him to the bowells , the great gyant fell dead to the ground , the bloud issuing in great abundance . Héere the great bragge was quailed , when he which came to aduenge anothers mans quarrell could not warrant his own safetie .

But truth it is , that those which vnmeasurably doe séeke reuenge , doe oftentimes heape on themselues the greater mischiefe . And what did this tyrannous Candramarte else , which placing himselfe at his windowe to beholde the battayle , and to make more solace at Rosicleers harme , as if the onely report had not béene sufficient , now in stéede of his former wrong he found a greater by the death of his sonnes , but yet this is the beginning onely of his miserie , for the valyaunt Knight not fearing death at all , in greate choler rushed among the other Knightes which lykewise assayled him couragiously , and had within a while with their battaile axes hewen his horse in péeces .

When hée was on foote he layde about him manfullye that in short space the scantling of grounde in which they fought was couered with breast-plates and Targets , and as their number lessened , and that he had more roome , so his courage increased and he did them more scath : but well fare his inchaunted armour , which had serued to more purpose in defending then his swoorde in offending , or else his courage had tyred before the ende of so daungerous a fraie . Now there are fewe aliue , and those eyther striuing for lyfe vpon the grasse , or in weake case vppon foote , readyer to flye then to fight : but presently there came fresh succours from the other Castle . For the other sonne of Candramarte with more then thirtie knightes in great hast came against this good knight , not béeing idlely occupyed among the other Knightes . The Gyaunt for other good morrowe gaue the good knight so strong a blow with his battayle Axe vppon the head péece , that had it not bene rather in the head péece to withstand the blowe , then in himselfe to resist the Gyaunt , Rosicleer had layne brainelesse on the grounde , but all this gréened him not , sauing that the weyght of the blowe made him kisse the earth , whence yet he start vp lightly , and minding to requite courtesie for courtesie , as hée was purposed at the Gyant , there stept in a knight betwéene them , whome Rosicleer diuided to the breast bone , whereat the Gyaunt and those which behelde him were much abashed , notwithstanding this , they béeing many and hée wearied , hée might not defend himselfe long from them , especially from the Gyant , which onely watched opportunitie of aduauntages , yet lengthened he the fight by his noble courage a long time , vntill for verie faintnesse he was faine to giue backe and get his shoulders agaynst a wall , from which afterwarde hée was driuen by maine force , and béeing pursued , he withdrewe himselfe to the Sea , euer as hée warded one blowe bestowing another . After he had got the Sea at his backe he waxed bolder , and aboue all watched Candramartes son which had hurt him , most especially him he hit so sure , that the bloud gushed out in thrée or foure places .

In the meane while Candramarte viewing the battaile to no great liking blasphemed heauen and earth , and leauing the windowe ranne to the Sea side , where the battayle was continued , and with a lowde voyce he called on his knightes , reuiling them as cowardes and dastardes if one Knight might resist them so long , and aboue all to his sonne he spake thus . Thou vile and dastarde shéepe , how lyke thou art to thy miserable mother , I sweare by heauen and earth if thou escapest out of this battayle aliue , my cause and thy brothers death vnreuenged , that I will starue thée in the same place where I starued thy mother .

The Gyaunt and his knights thus railed on , for shame and feare gaue a fresh assault vppon the good Knight , so that as he dispatched some , there stepped in new in theyr roomes : and euer the battaile was as it were newe to beginne to poore Rosicleer , which draue him to séeke farther succour in the water , and to stande vp to the nauell , thinking his death to bée verie night , he prayed to GOD with all his heart for his soules health , as one that altogether detested his lyfe , and determined no longer to defende himselfe then the water would giue him leaue . Then taketh he his swoorde with both his handes and laieth on so thicke , that there are slaine more then tenne knights ere he leaueth , as the Sea gaue witnesse which made the banke séeme as all bedewed with bloud . Nowe beholde and sée howe GOD neuer forsaketh his , and especially those which abide his pleasure : as he did vnto this Knight , and now standing equally betwixt lyfe and death , though neither fearing the one nor hoping the other , and sure of neither , yet hath he remedye besides his hope and is comforted of his owne brother , vnknowen to both .

So may Fortune sometimes vexe and anoye vs : yet at the length she retourneth backe and relenteth agayne . But for this matter which wée intreate off , we are to remember our selues of that valyaunt Grecian sonne to the Emperour Trebatio lefte in the little Boate sayling through the Occean Seas , with the which he had passed the bounds of Africa , and coasting by the Mediterraneum Seas , was driuen along the Spanish shoare , and from thence at length sayled by the Ilande of Candramarte at such time as Rosicleer nowe inforced himselfe to abide the vttermost of the skirmish , with resolute mind presently to receiue the death or to bée conquerour . But this boate guided by a wise man as you heard before , tooke landing almost against Donzel del Feboes will , about a bird bolt● shot from Rosicleer , where he espyed a cruell fight , but that which most amazed him was , that one knight ( though strong timbered and valiaunt ) yet had set himselfe agaynst so manye , and with theyr bodyes had made so greate a slaughter . So with a great admiration , rather amorous then iealous , he sayd vnto himselfe . Who woulde beléeue that in our dayes there might bée founde a Knight furnished with such excellencie of manhoode . Assuredly his fame is as worthie to bée spoken off , as that Greekes which had killed the famous Troyan Hector . Thankes bée to the Gods which haue brought mée hether , for although I shoulde loose my lyfe , I will not leaue him vnsuccoured .

Thus sayeng he waded in the water to come néere him , and séeing the Gyaunt to oppresse him so much and without a shéelde , for hée had lost it in battayle with the first Gyaunt he tooke his swoord with both his hands , and let driue with all his force at the Gyauntes head that he cleaued it vnto the braine , and afterwarde rushed among the rest , killing many of them . When Rosicleer sawe with one blowe the Gyant stroken downe and such vnhoped for succours , the greate wonder that hée receyued may not bée tolde . And as if the enterprise had bene atchieued or his lyfe saued , with a fresh courage hée went out of the water , and valyauntly thrust himselfe among his enimies , where he well gaue them to vnderstand that hée was desirous the battayle shoulde ende . Héere two bretheren albeit vnknowne each to others , gaue brotherlye helpe in time of néede . And there was neuer a one lefte , which eyther cryed not pardon , or fledde his waye , the supplyauntes were pardoned . But let vs thinke of Candramarte which now sawe his other and onely sonne slaine at one blowe , in what plight doe you iudge him to hée , but the worst is good inough , whereas if she had held in his hungrie desire of reuenge with a long delaie , or had dissimuled his choller hée might haue liued quietlye with his sonnes by him , able sufficiently to defend forreine inuasion , and mainteine his . But now childlesse , knightlesse , and armelesse , besides at the mercie of his enimie , he was farre out of charitie with all the world , that cursing heauen and earth , and what was in them , he runne headlong into the sea , there drowning himselfe among the waues , & bequeathing his soule to the diuell , who long ere that expected to be his executor .

Tell mée I praie you gentle readers , howe often you haue séene the vnmeasurable desire of reuenge haue a luckie ende , or not rather to procure a father harme , when as that which might bée pardoned or dissimuled with honour , afterwarde is bewayled with sorrowe and griefe . It is written that he that séeketh reuenge , vengeance will light on him . For why the same God sayth . To me vengeaunce belongeth , and I will reward it . O ye malitious and wicked men which with infinit trauaile beate your heads to ordeine mischiefe for the least displeasure . Take this lesson for your amendement , and make Candramarte your example .

But let vs continue our historie of the two brethren , the Knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer , which nowe the battaile béeing ended and the mis dooers pardoned , had lyttle leysure to learne of each other who hée was . Rosicleer pulled off his visour and spake to the Knight of the Sunne , saieng . Knight the most valiaunt that euer I met withall , I knowe not how to reward you for the greate friendshippe you haue shewed to me , but tell me your name I oraie you , and I shall account my selfe the happiest man this daie liuing , and while I liue will I remember your valour . The knight of the Sunne noting the great slaughter of knights with the mangling of armour in that place where the first battayle had béene fought , besides the monstrous blowe wherewith the first Gyaunt had béene staine , and after viewing his personage , his bearde but now burgening , he pulled off his helmet , and after the manifesting of his beautifull lookes , such as passed all the knightes of his time , he aunswered gently . Right valyaunt Knight , I am to thanke my Gods for that they haue brought me hether in so good a time as to knowe so valyant a knight , and to see with mine eyes the knighthoode which I would scarce haue credited with mine eies : but whereas you demaund of me whom I am , know you that I am called the Knight of the Sunne , for the deuise which I beare in my armour , and for my birth I can shew you no-farther , neither know I more of my estate : but the aduenture which brought mée hether hath béene by occasion of a storme which draue me on this shoare , and this is the first lande whereon I set foote since this tempest tooke my shippe , and courtesie commaunded mée to lend mine aide when I sawe you ouermatched with number . And thus much for aunswere to your demaund : but now agayne that I haue tolde you that which you required , so I praie you tell me your name , and for what cause this cruell battaile hath béene fought betwéene these Gyaunts and you . While the Knight of the Sunne spake thus , Rosicleer beheld him verie sadly , and hearing him say that he was the Knight of the Sunne , and that he knew no more of his estate , hée thought that peraduenture this same might bée his brother of whome Artemidoro had tolde him such meruailes , but leauing this suspition till he might question of it more at large , he satisfied the knight of the Sunne as to his question in short speach after this manner .

Your friendshippe was great , and so I make reckoning of it , otherwise I should not haue happened on so good a time to tell you my name , in which because you would learne of mée , you shall vnderstand that my name is Rosicleer , and that I was of good report in the Court of king Oliuerio , the king of great Britaine , although my mishappe causing it , I doubt me so much that my name is once mentioned amongest them , but that matter I will leaue off as not pertinent , this which you require about our fight sprong vpon this occasion , and so he shewed the whole order both of the receiuing of his Auant Cheualier at the kings hands : the first dayes iusting : the seconds dayes combat with Candramarte : the honour of the iusts : the enuie of Candramarte : & point by point the whole storie as you heard before .

Which tale Rosicleer had searcely finished , when the Gentlewoman which all this while remained in the ship cryed out , whereat they turning their heads , sawe in what manner shée outraged , saieng . O spightfull Fortune doe what thou canst , for the succour which I haue wanted on lande , I hope to finde in the bottome of the Seas , and the God Neptune which hath power ouer the swelling waues , shall kéepe me from farther vengeaunce , wherewith she leaped into the Sea , but being clad in large garmentes , shée could not drowne presently . The knight of the Sunne and Rosicleer séeing her in that estate , pittyed her greatly , but she was too farre off for them to wade néere , so the knight of the Sunne tooke his boat hastely to helpe the Gentlwoman , where otherwise then he looked for , the boate was carried by violence another way , and albeit hée stroue to bring it towardes her , yet preuailed he nothing , for it sayled in the Sea as swiftlye as sometimes the cloudes racke in the aire béeing driuen by the windes , presently Rosicleer with greate griefe lost the sight of the boate , werefore fetching a déepe sigh , as for that his former hope was cleane dashed to haue found his brother , he said as followeth .

Fortune the thing which I most detest , therein thou shewest thy selfe most fauourable vnto me . This is my life which now twice thou hast restored me without my wish , but that which my heart most desired , and with which my lyfe should finde most ease , therein thou shewest thy selfe an aduersarie to me , so that whatsoeuer good happeneth vnto me , thou makest me thinke that it happeneth for the worst , for the longer I liue , the more are my paines increased . Now by that time that he had lamented a while for this sodeine losse of the straunge knight , he sawe the gentlewoman cast vppon the sandes not yet dead , whome he caused those Knightes which were escaped in the battayle to carrye vnto the Castle , and there to finde some remedie for her . Thus the knights did , with whom he went to one of the Castles , where for this time we will leaue him , to follow the knight of the Sunne on his iourney by Sea .

The Knight of the Sunne was carryed to the Ilande of Lindaraza , where hee atchieued manie straunge and fearefull aduentures .

Cap. 44.

WIth great swiftnesse and incredible hast the Boate whereas the Knight sayled was carryed , passing in short time the déepe Atlantike and West Occean , néere the vttermost Cape of the Ponent , till from thence it droue vppon the Pillours of Hercules , where his mightie arme and stéeled forke made place for the Occean to enter , and water the earth . This Sea is called Mediterraneum Sea , and into this Sea the Knight of the Sunne shooued his Boat , where he found well peopled Townes and greater delight then appeared in the winde and West Occean , and he beganne to receiue some ioye of his hether arriuall as if not without cause he were carried in such hast , and that some great thing was thereby hoped for : but as sorie for his sodaine acquaintaunce with Rosicleer , he beséeched his Gods with all his heart , that they might once méete againe , and at more leasure recount each to other of theyr aduentures .

Well on all griefes , whether for his fréendes Brandyzel and Claueryndo , or this vnacquaynted Rosicleer , or the vnskilfulnesse of his waye were extinguished , by that his learned Gouernour guyded theyr Barke whether it was conuenient . So still hoping for the Porte and Hauen , wherein his little boate shoulde ride , he sayled as I sayde in the middle earth Sea , where , on the lefte hande , he sawe Spaine , Portugall , and those Countreyes , where he coulde gladly haue bestowed himselfe , but that he was not to commaund the stéeres-man : but in good time came he thether , as shall be recited in the Historie heereafter . Although by shoare on the right hande he lefte Affricke , Carthage , and Tures , and forwarde as he sayled , he discouered the Ilandes Baleares and Sardinia , with the warlyke Italy , and the fertill Sicily , where the flames of Aetna hill a while stayed him . There might hée sée the ruinous Relyques of olde Syracusia , and many perilious Mermaydes haunting those shoares , much feared by all the Marriners . Then sawe he the fresh water of the riuer Nylus , which entereth the Sea by seauen mouthes . From thence on the other hande might hée sée Greece : where-with hée woulde more willynglye haue fed his eyes , if he had then knowen the right which he hadde theretoo . But from thence he lawnched into the broade Euxino , where the wide Sea conuayed all thinges out of sight , that nought appeared , but clowdes aboue , and waues beneath . Long thus he sayled , meruayling when his Nauigation shoulde take ende .

After this , as it were a faire calme following a stormy tempest there appeared aboue the water a faire Iland vnto the which his boote draue , whereat he was merry and pleasaunt , thinking that there abode him some aduenture , wherein he might trye his manly prowesse , and full fayne he was to leaue the Sea : héere I saye at this Ilande , his Barke stayed , whereby he knewe that his iourney was thetherward .

Then the Knight leaped to lande , vppon the enterie whereof , there was a banke cast of harde stone , and somewhat farther , he sawe a fresh and pleasaunt soyle , full of the-swéetest hearbes that euer he had séene . There was a fence or closure made of tall high Trées , some of them with so loftye toppes , that it wearyed him for to looke vpwardes . Beneath this , there was a Meddowe platte whereon grewe manye flowers and hearbes of all sortes , and it was compassed with a still water , gently rolling vppon the Pummise stones , the water was as cleare as any Christall .

Among the thicke trées , he might haue séene the swift Harte , and the faire Vnicorne , with the little Beueret , and the small Conney banking the gréene boughes , beside the lyght Squirrell clymbing the tall Oake , with the séete chirping layes which the Birdes made , recording so pleasauntly among the tender sprayes , that it would haue made a man vtterly forelorne to receiue comfort , and hée that was surprised with loue or loues daries might haue found a more present remedye , then the Hartes of Creete doo , when they are wounded by the Hunter . This pleasure to haue enioyed , you would haue thought your selfe to haue bene transported into another worlde or into a celestiall Paradise .

When the Knight of the Sunne had both behelde and hearde all those thinges , hée immagined presentlye that the Iland was well stored with people , thether resorting for the desyght there to be founde , but yet he meruayled why their pathes were no more trodden , and gazing on euery part which waye to take best , hée tooke the waye which was most beaten , therein he walked heaufly laden with his armour : but his desire to knowe the end of this aduenture , and the swéete melodie of the birdes continuallye accompanieng him , made him thincke his iourney shorten .

About a mile or more out of this medow , he entred into a plaine pasture so beset with flowers as the meddowes were . In the middle of this pasture , as it were a bow shot from him he sawe the farrest Castle which euer eye hadde séene , as well for the height and largnesse , as for cost and workmanship .

The matter was all of Jasper , which when the Sunne began to cast his beames thereon , shyned so bright , that it dazeled the eyes of the beholder . The forme was quadrangle after an euen proportion , as broad as long . In euery of the corners , there were ten faire Turrets , which reached by mans seeming to the clowdes . The outwarde wall of the Castle was harde Marble hewed but of the Ilande Paros . Round about the Castle there was a déepe ditche , with a deuice , that albeit there was no Spring in it to nourish it , yet was it mayntayned with a fresh flowe , partlye by the fall of waters from the mountaines , partlye by the Riuers we named amongst the meddowes , which at euery spring cleared the channell . Vppon this water there stoode a Bridge with thrée strong Turrets , one in the beginning , the other in the middest , the other in the ende towardes the Castell . Through them a man cannot enter but by plaine force , for the kéepers open not but constrayned , and they néede to be right valyaunt , for the Porters are fell .

The Knight of the Sunne gazed vppon this verge attentiuelye , so amazed at the straungenesse of the worke , that he coulde not thinke it to haue bene buylded by mans hande . And hauing as then no other skill of God , but the Gentiles lawe , he thought that peraduenture this might be the house of his Gods , when they descended from heauen to soiourne amongst vs . So verye desirous to know the ende thereof , he came vnto the bridge , where he stayed a while ere he procéeded farther , for hée indged that according to the greate strength of the arches , the depth of the water , and the height of the wall , that no man might enter without leaue asked . And as be there wanted not matter of meruayle for the wonder of the castle , so meruailed he that nére so rare and magnificent buyldings , so meruailed he that nére so rare and magnificent buyldings , he met no person of whome he might demaunde to whome the fayre Castle did belong . Amid these thoughts it séemed best in his fancie to call to them within , if perhappes any would aunswere him , and therefore comming to the gates of the first Turret which was then néerest to him , he founde a Porch opened , and right before a faire stately Court , enclosed with walles of Jasper , and in the midst before him a payer of staiers of a ten or twelue degrées which ledde vp to a fayre Piller , wherevnto was fastened with a chaine of golde , a faire horne and a rich brawdricke to it . The horne was tipped all with golde , and in the ende were set manye precious stones . The riches thereof , might haue contented a right couetous eye . Vnderneath the horne , vppon the same piller , there were ingrauen letters , which the Knight of the Sunne perceiuing and hoping there to learne some more newes he mounted vp the stayres , and read as héereafter followeth .

This Castle belongeth to the beautifull Lindaraza , the gates may not be opened to any saue to him which windeth the horne . But let him take heede withall , for when they are open there shall not faile him cruell and fierce porters to giue him the death , if it bee possible .

When he had read the letters , and gathered by them that there were Porters to aunswere him , hée feared not a whit for all the threates of the Writing , but with an heroycall heart he vntied his horne , and winded it so shrill , that all the Castle eccowed with the noyse . At the sounde héereof , the inner gates of stéele flewe open , as if they had bene shaken with a tempest , and presently there appeared a fierce Gyaunt , bearing in the one hande a barre of yron , and in the other a chayne , wherein hee ledde tyed a Dragon , the most hydeous that euer man looked on .

This beast was from the breast downewarde , as high as auye man on horse-backe , and the tayle thereof was tenne paces in length , wherewith he swéeped the grounde . Nowe the strong Gyaunt comming out of the gates , let loose the Dragon , and tooke the barre of yron in his handes , paceing towardes the Knight , which was nowe in descending from the Piller . Ere the Knight coulde easely come to the grounde , the Gyaunt mette him with a counterbuffe on the shielde , that he missed two or thrée steppes in comming downe . The monstrous Dragon beneath , was readie to receyue him . But the Nephewe of Alicante lyghtly estéeming all this , and rather tooke courage in this , that there was some thing worthye his paines behinde , when the Castell was kept by suche vglye Porters , and drawing out his sworde , hée stroke at the Serpent a blowe on the toppe of the head , but it did him no more harme , then if it hadde lyghted vppon a Smithes anfielde , but it a little benummed his senses , and beguyled him of his fore-hoped grype . This litle harme which he had done to the Serpent , did much amaze him , and the better to saue him-selfe from the Serpent , hée gotte vnder the Piller , and then hée bestowed another blowe vppon the Serpents head with all his force .

The Serpent so sore striken , wared woode , and brayed out so lowde , that all the Courte rang of the noyse , and fayne woulde it haue gotte betweene the Knight of the Sunne , and the place vnder the Piller where hée stood to haue raught him in his pawes , but the good knight defended himselfe lyghtly from him , and layd at the Dragon still with the sword . The Gyaunt abode still at the staters foote , to wait for the Knights tumbling on the stayers : at length he came downe headlong , where the strong Gyant let driue at him so great a blowe with his Barre , that the barre burst , and the good Knight thought his head had bene brused : with this , as well as he might , hée rose vp , and driuing at the Gyaunt , he cut his legs cleane from his body . The Gyant falling to ground , the Serpent raysing his tayle , grasped at the Knight of the Sunne , but I cannot tell how the Knight escaped it , and withall be tooke vp the greatest péece of the barte of yron which the Gyant had , and hasting towarde the Serpent , he gaue him such a blow therewith vpon the head that he fell downe , and before he could rise , the Knight gaue him such another , that his scull as harde as flint burst into two péeces , yet for all this , the great Serpent was not throughlye dead , but bounded vp into the ayre , and swept the ground with his tayle , séeming more fierce then at the beginning . The Knight of the Sunne purposed to strike no more , but quickly gate vp higher on the staiers to be out of daunger , in the ende , the Dragon stirred no more , whereby he iudged that he was dead , and meruailyng what besides there might be found in the Castle , he hung the faire horne about his necke , and with the barre in his handes , he entered the first Lower , and from thence through the first arch of the Bridge , till he came to the second Tower , which was in the midst of the Bridge , the gates whereof were of stéele , and shut as fast as the gates of the first arche were . Cheualiero del Febo winded his horne , and presently the gates were opened , and there came issuing out a Gyant no lesse strong then the first , hauing in the one hande a club , and in the other a chaine , wherein he ledde a Lyon , the mightiest of lymme and biggest of boane , that euer man sawe . The bodie as bigge as a Bull , and euerie of his clawes was a handefull long , his eyes shyned lyke lampes .

This Lyon the Gyaunt vntyed straight , and set vppon the Knight , which with no little courage , as hée hadde a greater Nuest in hande awayted him , and at the first blowe hée strake him so fell vppon the heade , that the braynes starte out , and the monsterous Lyon fell starke deade , without more sturring . When he had this done , he encountered the Gyaunt , and the Gyaunt let driue at him : But the Knight not minded at that time to assaye or put his trust to the fine mettall of his enchaunted Helmet , starte aside , that the clubbe fell vppon the Bridge : but before the Gyaunt coulde reare his clubbe , the sonne of Trebatio hit him so stronglye beneath the knées , that his shinne boanes were burst withall , and the Gyannt with great clamours fell downe , the Knight of the Sunne leauing him sure inough for making resistaunce , tooke vp his heauie-slubbe to goe farther , and to see what was within .

Thus passed hée through the seconde Tower , till hée came to the third and fast Tower of the Bridge , whereof finding the gates shut as the other , he winded his horne , and with the sheilnesse thereof , the gates burst open , making as great a noyse , as if the bridge had re●it in two , presently stepped foorth a huge Gyant , nine foote in height , all his bodye couered with a tough hyde , so harde and strong , that no sworde coulde enter . At his waste hée hadde a sword , and in his hande a chayne of yron , whereto were fastened two Tygers of wonderfull greatnesse , by the fiercenesse of theyr lookes , able for to haue affrayed anye man .

For all this hardie Grecian was nothing appalled , for he lyfte vp the heauye clubbe so strong , as if the great Hercules shoulde haue come to fight with him , onelye with the show , it might haue made him to tremble .

Those fierce beastes , so soone as the Gyaunt had vnloosed them , opening theyr horrible mouthes , ranne with suche swiftnesse vppon him , that if séemed theyr féete touched not the grounde . At such time as they came both vppon him , he gaue one of them such a blowe vpon the shoulder , that he burst all his boanes in péeces , wherewith the Tyger fell to the grounde . Then came the other , and caught holde of him in the shoulder , so griping him , that he coulde not stirre his arme neither one way nor other , and grasping almost all the head-péece within his sharpe téeth , hée thought to haue crushed it in péeces , but the helmet defended the head , and the Magicke armour kepte off the tearing of his nayles . Nowe the good Knight séeing neyther purpose of his clubbe , nor vse of his sworde , while he was thus entertained by the Tyger , throwing awaye his clubbe , he strugled and wrastled so long with the Tyger , that in the ende , he cast the beast vppon the hard flynte stones , with such a fall , that the braines flewe out of the head . The wylde Gyaunt , when he saw the Tyger thus slaine , with an hellish furie he went towarde the Knight of the Sunne , and taking his long sword , he gaue him such a blowe vpon the toppe of the helmet , that there sparkled out great flakes of fire , and the Knight fell vpon his handes and knées . But as soone as he coulde , the Knight recouering his sworde , requitted him so couragiouslye , the Gyant beeing vnarmed , that had not the strong hyde stood him in stéede of complete armour , the sworde had entred the flesh , whereof at that time it missed . Héereat the wilde Gyant taking vp againe the heauie sword , stroke the Knight of the Sunne vppon the toppe of the head-péece , but he auoyded the blowe lyghtlye . In such sort , that the heauie sword fell vppon the grounds , and brake in péeces the hiltes onely remaining in his handes . Nowe before the Gyant coulde raise vp his sword , the knight of the Sun ranne him through . When the Knight of the Sunne hadde accomplyshed thus much of his purpose , hée thought there had bene no more to be done saue now to know the secretes which abode behinds , and wherefore this straight warding was ordeined . Therefore he went through all the bridge vntill he came to a path way which lead betwéene the outward wall and the great castle . When he had walked this path , about a bowe shot off he sawe a little doore , all engrauen with sundrie kinde of portraiture , the strangnesse whereof with the varietie of the Storie therein portrayed , might haue held a good caruer a long time : the Imagerie was so drawen that it woulde haue troubled the wit of Praxites to haue matched it . The gates were not great , but the chiefe part was of stéele as surely closed as the first .

The Knight of the Sunne thinking that percase they would open at the first push , rushed against them with all his force , but his labour was lost , and hée preuayled no more then if hée woulde haue broken downe the walles with his féete . Therefore he winded his horne , whereat the gates burst open , but no man appeared without , saue that when he was about to enter he sawe two Gyauntes the one on the one side & the other armed from top to toe , with head péeces of fine stéele , and theyr armour a finger thicke in déepnesse , they held in their handes two battayle axes raised vp aloft readie to discharge their blowes vpon the commer in . The fiercenesse of their semblaunce was so straunge that it is harde to beléeue that anye man had the courage to enter against his will , but if it had béene the dogge Cerberus he could not haue defended him the passage .

This valiaunt knight séeing them in such sort prepared for the fight , albeit hee wanted not courage to assaye that fearefull entrie , yet he stayed in doubt how he might enter without daunger , and warde the two first blowes . For to receiue both theyr blowes at once was not possible without great hazarde , and otherwise enter he coulde not , but after long pausing he came néerer , and as if hée would haue passed through hée shewed himselfe , whereat the Gyants as if he had entered indéed let driue their blows , the whilest the knight stept in betwéene them , and taking the next to hande he hit the one Gyaunt ouerthwart the pawnch , but his swoorde entered not . The Gyantes which at their first blowes had broken their heauie clubbes drew out their broade arming Swoordes , and layd at the knight of the Sunne . The one he receiued on the swoord , the other he auoyded lightly by stepping aside . And willing to sée the ende of the aduenture he stroke one of them full vppon the v●sour , wherewith he had thought to haue hewed his face , but he was deceyued , for it did the Gyaunt no more harme then if he had béene smitten with an hasill wand .

The Gyants now laide on loade , but he disappoynted them by the deliuernesse of his bodie . And now consider what thought this good Knight was in to féele himselfe assailed by two fierce enimies , and not able to hurt againe . Neither was it possible to master one of them by wrastling , for both the weaker of them two was too strong for him , and perhappes while hée shoulde deale with the one , the other might displease him . So that neyther of these wayes were conuenient , without some present helpe the daunger certeyne , yet in the ende he beganne to rebuke himselfe , euer sayeng : Sticke to it thou coward , and albeit as yet it séemes impossible for to escape this perillous skirmish , yet stirre not thy foote , either shalt thou soone ouercome or soone loose the victorie , but neuer shalt thou loose thy infamie , if thou die flyeng , many times such harde aduentures haue bene occasion of greater glorie , and if anie bodie but my selfe atchieue it , I shall not lyke my selfe as long as I liue .

So gazing about to séeke aduauntages he marked the wicket standing open somewhat beneath the Porche , where through hée might well passe by lyttle bowing himselfe , but neyther of the Gyauntes , might except they fell on all foure , for they were higher then he by the brest downewarde , when he sawe this doore he bethought himselfe how to be out from the danger of blowes which fell into his braine at a time of néede . Thus it was as the giauntes were desirous to hit him , he euer stooped vnder , & watching one of them , as he was lyfting vp his armes , before the blowe coulde descend , he ranne and closed with him , and taking him by the girdle carryed him by strong hand , and with all his force ranne against the wicket , that the Gyant not béeing able to passe through burst both head and shoulders against the wall , the gyant there dyed in his armour .

This done the strong Knight passed farther , and letting the bodie fall , with as much speede as he myght hée ranne to méete with the other Gyaunt , which then approched with his swoorde in both his handes to haue smitten him . But these Gyaunts little acquainted with feates of armes , and the knight of the Sunne by the dexterity of his bodie defended himselfe lightly from them and obteyned victorie .

For when the Gyaunt had let his swoorde fall out of his handes , he embraced the Gyaunt with both his hands , and tourning himselfe twice about , at the thirde time hée let him fall , that through the waight of his bodie his gall burst in his bodie , and he dyed presently . This meruaylous combat béeing ended , the good Knight was nowe wearie , and therefore tooke his ease vppon a seate of stone which was in the Porch , there to occupie himselfe , hée behelde the strong buldinges of the Castle . After roaming about to finde some other waie to depart thence , he found at one ende another gate all of yron , and the gates shut as all the first , whereby he sawe that he had yet farther tryall to abide .

And therefore he rested himselfe where he sate , after which done he arose , and passing through the first wall to the seconde he founde the Gates shut , and therefore he winded his horne , presently the stéele gates opened , and there came out thereof a flame of fire accompanied with great smoake , as if it had bene some place of hell , vntill the smoake vanished away he could sée nothing . After he sawe before the gate a beast in forme like a Crocodile , but some what more hidious , as it were a mishapen monster , purposed by nature to shew the lothsomenesse of deformitie . Out of his mouth he sent great flakes of fire , in the fangs there sate a tuske without the mouth about halfe a yarde verie sharpe and cutting .

The good knight abashed now to sée so many fierce kéepers in that Castle , as if it had bene nothing but a lodge of warders , ( as he supposed ) to kepe in durance the sonnes of Titan which once rebelled against Iupiter . The which tale he had often heard in the Gentiles lawe , and yet the trauaile of conquering grieued him not alyke to the long looking for of the end , but not minding to debate the matter at this time , he tooke his swoord in his hande , assailing the entrie , but the vglye beast cast out such a flash of fire that the Knight of the Sunne little lyked of it . And not being able to indure it , he gaue backe till the heate should slake .

This may a man saie , that it troubled the Knight more then all that had passed , one cause was for the extremitie of heate , another for that he sawe no waie to come néere the beast , for before he might approch it , the beast woulde be all on a lyght fire , but remembring himselfe of the club which he had left in the first entrie , and thinking that it should be the best weapon he might haue , be ranne to fetch it , and retourning speedely he founde the monster as you heard before spitting out his fire . The Knight of the Sun with his long reach in his hand gaue the beast vppon the forehead such a blowe that the head rent in two , and the terrible beast fell to grounde , beating his feete agaynst the grounde so hard , that it seemed the Castle shooke with all , and the smoake which it sent forth , as at the quenching of a great fire , so blinded the Knight of the Sunne till it was starke dead that hée might not enter : from thence after hée came to a faire Court , the sumptuous building whereof amazed him much , that in comparison the golden statues which Nero the Emperour of Rome erected , might not more delyght him : no , nor yet the wonders of the world , the stately Pyramides of Aegypt , wherein onely their kings are buryed , and wherein they wasted the most part of theyr substaunce might lyke delight them . In beholding the straungenesse of these buildinges , I cannot tell precisely his thought for euerie circumstaunce , but if his thought were as my thought , or if the report bée true which first came from him , surely there was matter inough to gaze vpon , but what thinke you he noted especially ? Nothing but a marble stone , but as it fell out to some good purpose .

In the Marble stone were engrauen the valiaunt actes of all knights aliue or dead , in such order of time as they liued . First the auncienter , then the later , till hée came to the néerest , verie fewe or none omitted . A rare péece of worke , and must néedes haue bene done by other cunning then storie or caruing , for the one the paynes were insinite , for the other no mans reading stretcheth so farre as to knowe euerie Storie . But héerein hée tooke great pleasure , and from the last to the first he ranne them ouer , hée stayed at his owne picture , wherevnto ioyned nexte aboue was Trebatio , and the next beneath was Rosicleer . These thrée pictures were fresher in his fancie then the others , as if they had béene newe made . Remembring by the picture of Rosicleer the countenaunce of that Knight whome bée had founde in the Ilande of Candramarte , hée yéelding forth a great sigh , and blessing the picture from the bottome of his heart , he spake these wordes vnto lyke purpose .

Thou art a right good Knight , and worthely placed among the most famons Knightes of the worlde , for I beléeue not that among so many as are héere painted there is one so valiant as thou art . For albeit commonly we make much of our elders vertues , it is but as commonly many things shew fairer a farre of , whereas when they come to tryall , they are but as ordinarie .

After this he mused in himselfe who that Trebatio might bée , for he neuer hearde of such a man : but by the draught of the picture , hée tooke him to be a comelye personage , of a milde and sadde countenaunce , and it did him good to beholde him : so looking farther he sawe the whole Storie of the Emperour Trebatio drawen vnderneath , from his first landing in Hungarie till the houre of his enchauntment in that Castle . Howe he was in the companye of Lindaraza without knowledge of himselfe , or witting to his friendes . Now did he at length learne the purpose of the strong wardes , which was to holde in the Emperour Trebatio there bewitched for the companie of Lyndaraza , whome before he could reshore to the knowledge of himselfe , hée must bring from that péere of the Castle which was inchaunted to that onely effect . This when hée vnderstoode , it pittyed him much that so good an Emperour shoulde there bée in holde by false meanes , to the great sorrow of his subiects , and principally of his wife the Princesse Briana , whom ve sawe likewise all cladde in blacke lyke a widdowe , and to worke some meanes of his deliuerie , he looked about him which way was best to take , and liking best one of the gallories the which was néerest to the paued court , that he followed , mounting vp a payre of staires all made of Iasper , in the midst whereof he mercomming downe a bigge knight , armed with rich and glistering armour , his face bare and of a fresh coulour , which approching to him drew out his swoord , and without sayeng ought , laide at the knight of the Sunne as fiercely as he could .

The Knight of the Sunne woulde rather haue talked with him to haue learned some newes , but it coulde not be , so it behooued him to drawe his swoorde and to defend himselfe . There began a hot skirmish , that the claftering of their armour and the flashing of theyr Swoordes rang throughout the Pallaice . This furie notwithstanding lasted not long , for the Knight of the Sunne in a cholarike rage hit his aduersarie so sure vppon the toppe of his helmet , that the bigge Knight fell downe and laye for dead .

The Knight of the Sunne stayed not to make dispatch of him , but rather hauing compassion on him ( for hée séemed a noble-knight ) he vnlaced the knightes helmet to giue him ayre , but not being able then to recouer him , hée passed farther , and comming to the gallorie , hée then went vp another payre of stayres so wide and broad , that if two were going vp néere the two endes , scarcelye the one might knowe the other . Nowe in this his waye albeit many things were which might haue stayed eyther an idle gaser or a curious eye , and many thinges besides to haue inuited a wearied man to take his rest , yet the desire of finding the Emperour carryed his féete , and ouercomming the paines of the waye he came to a portall curiouslye wrought , to the entrie whereof there lead thrée steppes of beaten siluer . By them be entered into a great chamber where first the Emperour Trebatio had a sight of the faire and beautifull Lyndaraza , and was bereaued of his wits .

In this chamber he was greatly abashed at the cost and workmanshippe of rich Tapestrie and other oruamentes , and euer though the stuffe were of the costiliest , yet the workmanshippe bettered the matter . Hence must he as I tolde you conuaye the Emperour if hée meane to make himselfe knowne . Now for your farther instruction , knowe that among other thinges which the wise Lyrgandeo gaue vnto the Knight of the Sunne , at his departure from Babylon , hée gaue him a lyt●le stone set in a King of excellent fine golde , the same béeing of so straunge uertue that no inchauntment might preuaile against it , by this he was bolde to enter the chamber , and béeing within was frée from the charme . Out of this chamber he came to the Orchard whervnto this chamber looked , so fresh and delectable , that if euer pleasure might rauish the sences of man , a man might affirme it of that place . In the arbour néere the entrie he sawe a number of faire Gentlewomen clothed with silke , their breasts bare and white as Snow , some played on instrumentes , and other sang swéetly to them .

Such kinde of Mermaides woulde haue beguyled a well stayed Vlysses , or such Musitions as well for theyr cunning song as their companie , woulde haue brought a watchfull Argus to a sléepie head . A good waye off héee sawe the Emperour Trebatio and the fayre Lindaraza alone , set in seueral chaires , all vnmindfull of other things but of theyr loue and wish to other . The Emperour Trebatio leaned his head vppon the white and delicate breasts of Lindaraza , with such shew of pleasure therein , that the young Gréeke féeling thereby in himselfe that which all men haue , coulde haue béene content with the others roome , and for verie loue hée made an inuectiue against nature which had ordeined that kinde to haue such sourreingtie ouer valiaunt knights , with many wordes to the same matter , but this was yet the wantonnesse of his imagination , his necke had not felt the yoake , héereafter perhaps he will speake more earnestly when you shall beléeue him .

Nows , when the Gentlewomen espyed him as all abashed they layde aside theyr Musicke , with the sodeyne staye whereof Trebatio and Lindaraza lyfted vp theyr heades , and séeing a Knight so strongly made to come towardes them , they were ouertaken with feare , especiallye Lindaraza , which gessing at the trouth of the matter that her long loue should nowe take ende , for verie sorrow fell to grounde , Trebatio comforted her in as much as yet no vyolence was offered , but she replied with teares , sayeng . Alas my Lord , I shall dye vnlesse you doo iustice on this Knight , which hath héere entered without my leaue , and which hath interrupted our ioyes by the destroieng of my kéepers . Héerewith the Emperour very angry , spake to the knight , saieng . Sir knight , why haue you come within this place without the license of this Ladie , it being hirs & kept by strong kéepers for hir vse . The Knight of the Sunne gently aunswered . Noble Emperour I confesse I demaunded no leaue , and till now I met with none which woulde aske wherefore I came , but my arrant is for your selfe , which heere liue vnknowen , and haue forgotten your wife and Empire . The Emperour angerly replyed : neither thou nor the whole world may bring me hence , & for thy good zeale to put me from my ioye , stay a while and I will acquite thée thy fée . So hastely he flang to a chamber where he armed himselfe , the while that Lindaraza whom it touched as in especiall , reuiled the Knight of the Sunne for his thether comming . O saith she , thou saucie and vnmannerly Knight , how hast thou had the face to enter my Castle in despite of my Porters , either depart hence quicklye or tarrie to abide the Emperours puissaunce .

And if my minde deceiue me not , I shall soone be satisfied for this disgrace . The Knight of the Sunne knowing how grieuous it would be vnto hir , that the Emperour should leaue hir , layd contrariwise with faire wordes to perswade hir to giue consent to his departure , saieng Worthy Lady , may you not content your selfe with so manye yeares , in which you haue detained this noble and famous Emperour both from wife and kinred , from land and subiect , but will you also for your pleasure , neither lasting nor honest , vndoo a whole Countrey , and take a man from his wife , which hath mourned for him twentie yeares . I beséech you madame content your selfe with that which is past , & let him not wade farther in this errour , which if it maye please you to remoue , to your great honour at my entretie . Héereat Lindaraza all firie could not abide the ende of his sute , but with great outcries to incense the poore Emperor , she put him off The Emperour being armed , in great cholar ran vpon the Knight of the Sunne , and without saieng any thing , laid at him with all his force . The Knight of the Sunne knowing , that what the Emperour did , was but as done in a dreame , would not strike him to doo him harme , but onely to saue himselfe , and to finde the meanes whereby to bring Trebatio from that inchauntment . Therevpon by little and little he gaue backe , that the Emperour following him , he might in the ende bring him from the inchaunted chamber . This came to passe accodingly , for as he made shew of lacke of resistance , so the Emperour thinking to followe the aduauntage , pursued him to the great chamber , where the inchantment first tooke effect . In short , by this fore-saide meanes , there also this Emperour was brought to the poynt of auoyding the chamber , whereat Lindaraza fearing least he might be led , cried with a loud voyce . Stay , stay , my Lord , for this Knight is full of falsehood , and if you go out of this chamber , both you and I shal die . Héereat the Emperour , who was not desirous of anye thing but to please hir , returned backe . The Knight of the Sunne would not follow him , but still kept at the pitch of the entrie , and the Emperour would not come to him for feare of Lindaraza .

Wel , this deuise not succéeding the Knight of the Sun , thought now to trie if he might carrie him by main force . This he knew would be a daungerous matter for the courage which he knewe in the Emperour , but all was well imployed , if he might set him at libertie . So towardes the Emperour he goeth , whom not prepared to fight , he sodainly catcheth in his armes , and with a lustie courage raiseth him from ground to haue carried him away , but before the Knight might get to the doore , the Emperour catching hold likewise , held the knight so short , that for a while they tumbled in therhall , neither part gaining any great scantlyng of ground , but the ods was the Knights , and in the end he quickly lifting vp the Emperor wold he or not , he brought him without the chamber . The Emperour strugled to recouer the doore , but in their strugling , they both tumbled downe the staiers . Now hath the Knight of the Sun plaied the man , for ere they came fully to the ground , the doores of the inchaunted chamber clapt together , wherewith , and with the noyse thereof , a great parte of the edifices sanke withall . The Emperour returned to his former wits , presently saw that hée thought he had not staied there past a daye , and that which passed betwéene him and Lindaraza , had bene but a short and pleasaunt dreame . After calling to minde his wife the faire Princesse Briana , and the great hoast which he had lefte before Belgrado , he became so sorrowfull , that the teares trickeled downe his cheekes in great measure . But of this manner and condition are wée mortall men , that for our pleasures we sometimes forget our ●pouses , the one halfe of our selues : sometimes neglect our children , the more halfe to our selues ( as in whome the hope of posteritie resteth ) and lastly , sometimes we ouertourne our Countrey which ought to be deerer to vs then our selues , neyther mindefull to what vse we are created , namely to the benefite of others , neither carefull what losse ensueth , as in especiall our owne discommoditie , but that which is more then carelesse , is the lyttle thought of chaunge , and the loathing to departe from it .

That when we are at our wayes end , we séeme but as it were now to begin a fresh . It is like a swéete sléepe , but let vs shake off this drousie humour , and let vs open our sléepie eyes . Let vs vse our selues so that sometimes wee haue recourse to matters of more importaunce , & to thinke of heauen , to despise the vaine temporall things of this world , to seperate our selues from the man of flesh , and willingly to heaue him least he leaueth vs against our willer .

Little shall remaine thereof after scores of yeares , and that which remaineth , shall be shame and griefe , for the life passed , be●●des desperate repentance , which is a double torment . 〈◊〉 much after this same manner was this valiant Emperour for his long delights with Lindaraza , now twentye yere was but a Summers daye , and yet there left him not shame of his fact to fret his conscience , albeit he aduised himselfe the best remedy which I haue read of , which is amendment of life , the safest hauen for a wether-beaten pe●●cent . First therefore knowing that this Knight was hée which had as it were awaked him from this dreame , hée pul●ed of his helmet & imbraced him , giuing hartie thanks for his deliueraunce . Withall professing , that he thought himselfe vnable to requit that great curtesie , yea , euen with the bestowing of his Empire , so assuredly be meant not to forget it , if peraduenture God would shewe him the occasion of dooing him seruice . For ( saith he ) you haue not saued my life , heere might I haue liued without daunger of sword , but you haue saued my soule , &c. Extolling the greatnes of the benefit , and in the end , he prayed him of curtefie to tell him his name and Countrey , with the cause of his comming to that Iland . The knight of the Sunne aunswered him geatly : Valiant Emperor , the thing which I haue done in your seruice , is not lyke to that which I wish for , as your valour forceth my will , so my will sueth a deserte on your part , more vnto you , then to all the Knightes of the worlde . But wit you , I am called the Knight of the Sunne , my country I know not , but my bringing vp hath bene in Babylon , where I was told that I was found vppon the sea , being a very childe , my comming to this castle was by chaunce , my boate being driuen by tempest vpon the shore , where seeing it so fresh and faire I had desire to know the owners , and fortune being fauourable , I passed through all killing the kéepers till I came within this court , where I sawe engrauen your whole historie from the time that you were married with the Princesse Briana , till time 〈…〉 There knew I the manner of your bewitching , and albeit your selfe were vnknowen to me , yet I thought I wold set you frée if that I might , from whence this hath procéeded which you haue séene . When he had ended , the Emperour imbraced him many times with great pleasure , as well wondring at his great prowesse , for he could not bée ignorant of Lindarazas power , as also at his boldnesse for a matter not touching him in anie respect , by all appearaunce . For he neither knew countrey nor parents . But as the remembraunce of his wife and Empire caused in the Emperour much griefe , so he besought the Knight of the Sunne that they might depart from thence to goe into Greece , where he might better thank him then he had earst done . The Knight of the Sunne with a good affection to beare him companie , condescended easily , rather yet vppon desire to knowe the Countrey , wherein he had heard to be right valiaunt Knights , then of any hope of rewarde . So when they came neere the outward Court , they found that Knight ( whome the Knight of the Sunne had lefte in a traunce ) nowe retourned to himselfe and vpon his féete safe and sound . The Knight when he saw the Emperour and the Knight of the Sun comming downe , giuing great sighes and wéeping bitterly , began to say . Oh what a dismall daye is this for me , nowe my sister Lindaraza is dead and I haue lost a swéete companion , I would rather that I had bene killed by this straunger , which hath destroyed all our good , then that I should lyue and sustaine such anguish . Little haue the monstrous kéepers preuailed , whom we put in our Castle to defende hir lyfe , and to defend the death which so sodainly hath taken hir away . The Emperour hearing him , and knowing him , ran to imbrace him , saieng .

My deare friend Flamides , how chanceth this heauines in your countenaunce ? Why doo you fetche such déepe sighes , and spill so manye teares with so great sobbes . If it be for my departure , and for the lybertie which I haue receiued by this Knight , you know how long time I haue heere remained out of my remembraunce , and forgetfull of my Empire and kingdome , and shall I not goe to comfort hir , which long time by my absence hath bene comfortles . My Lord sayd Flamides , I can not denie but your reason is good , and that the iniurye hath bene great in detayning you so long from thence , but as your excellencie knoweth , there is no loue more naturall then betwéene brother and sister . O the death of my sister Lindaraza pearceth mée to the heart , and I had rather then my lyfe , haue accompanied hir in death , then thus to bewaile hir lacke after death . For so soone as you came out of the inchaunted roome , my sister dyed presently , so was it appointed by the destenies , that no longer then she should enioye your presence , shée should liue . Blessed man , said the Emperour , and is Lindaraza dead ? yea assuredly quoth he . Nowe on my honour ( said the Emperour ) hir death grieueth me , and during my lyfe shall I be sadde , as ofte as I shall call hir to remembraunce , and although my case is such , as in more néede of comfort , then likely to comfort others , yet me thinkes , I maye tell you , that you ought not to bewaile hir death so much , for belike a long time haue you knowen that hir life should not last after my departure . Nowe , wherefore doo you lament hir so sore , as if it were but now thought on , & not before foreséene . Againe , your ouer-much carefulnesse in fortifieng your Castle , was but néedelesse , for it is giuen to man to haue the mastrie ouer beasts which either by Arte or Nature become tractable . And be it your Castle hadde bene inexpugnable for all men in the world , yet what fence had you to shut out death . A man in no place can warrant himselfe such safetie , as that at euery step he draweth himself néerer vnto death . Whether we be frée or bond , on foot or horsebacke , sléeping or waking , whole or sicke , we daylye draw néere vnto our ende : or if you wil speake more truly , to our perfection , for then man beginneth to liue indéede , when he goeth out of this miserable world .

Lindaraza is dead , and wéeping may not recall hir : if you beare vnto hir any loue , you may shewe it nowe after hir death , in receiuing to her place her daughter Lindaraza , for her prouide that she may depart from hence , & I will carry her to my kingdome , where she shall be in that estate as is due to the daughter of such parents : when the Emperour had thus said , Flamides forced himself so much as he might for to speake , & thus answered him . Your reason satisfieth my vnderstanding , & I confesse it true that we ought not to wéepe when death assaileth vs , neither ought we to make straunge of it , for in the end we must leaue this world , and then is there nothing more certeine , but my conceit builded vpon outward sence béeing contrarie to reason troubleth againe that part where affections are , and maketh it rebellious , and howsoeuer men be prouided for death by continuall thought that they must dye : ordinarily notwithstanding wee thinke our selues immortall till death attacheth vs . And what olde man onely for age is so feeble that he hopeth not for a daie to liue : But as to Lindaraza my sister , I beléeue that although you had staied here many dayes , the secret of this aduenture hadde neuer bene disclosed vnto you , neither doe you knowe the cause why you were brought and put heere . But I will tell you plainely . My sister Lyndaraza and I had both one Father named Palisteo being the second sonne to the king of Phrigia , my Father not beeing borne to the kingdome fell rather to seeke his owne delight without enuie , then to trouble himselfe with the care of gouerning . Aboue all he studied the Arte Magicke , where by his paines at length came to the most absolute perfection of all in Asia , he was matched with a Ladie of high parentage , by whom he had two children , my sister Lindaraza and mee , we were of young yeares when our mother died in labour of the thirde child , so there remained none else but our Father aliue , and louing to be solitarie came and dwelled in this Ilande , bringing with him my sister and those waiting women which you haue séene , by his great skill he buylded this Castle , héere he lyued vntill my sister and I were of some discretion to guide our selues . Héere he drew manie histories of things passed in the worlde , and among other , the pictures of many valiant Knights which were then on lyue , with the rest you were so liuely drawen that it happening my sister to enter one daye where the Imagerye was , by the sight of your picture she was surprised with your loue . Our father Palisteo knowing hir disease , deuised you should be brought by following your owne wife carried from you . For this cause , was this inchauntment made in that quarter of the Castle wherein you abode , without making your selfe priuie to your owne estate that if your Knights came to séeke you , they might not perswade you hence , neither could euer perswasion haue serued , only force which this man hath vsed . When the wise man our father had done all this , he declared vnto vs the secretes of these things , and farther told vs by his Art that the tim●●hould come when you shuld be deliuered from the inchauntment although he knew not when nor in what manner . He told vs , that at such time as you should be at large , my sister Lindaraza should die , either for the griefe that she shoulde conceiue , or for that the fates had so appoynted . Moreouer , that you should haue a daughter by hir , which might not hence depart till there should come a Knight , which shoulde winne the entries once againe , and after marrie hir . Of this Knight he said that ther shuld spring the race , whence issueth the two noble families much spoken off throughout the world , the one house to be called Mongrana , the other Claramonte . Me he charged not to leaue the Castle till my néece Lindaraza should be acquitted . After this , our father Palisteo béeing sore sicke , died : since his death hetherto euerie thing hath fallen out accordinglye . And thus you haue heard the whole processe of my tale , and the cause why your daughter Lindaraza cannot goe from hence at this time .

The Emperour and the knight of the Sunne had verie attentiuely lystened to all that which Flamides had spoken : and albeit the Emperour was desirous to carrie his daughter Lyndaraza with him , he could not yet refuse to leaue her when he coulde not otherwise choose , and hée besought Flamides that at such time as they came both out , that they should take the waie to Greece , there to reioyce with him . After they had thus argued a little , Flamides brought them through the parte of the Castle which was not inchaunted , shewing them many thinges , as well , of halls , of cloysters , as of pictures and painterie , whereat the Emperour and the Knight of the Sunne were greatly amased . And for that that daye the knight of the Sunne had not eaten , Flamides made them sit in a faire parlour , where they had plentie of delicate viandes : when they had eaten , the Emperour béeing desirous to depart , desired Flamides to conueye him through the gates . So ( by the ●●aie ) this péece of the storie as I haue hearde , was afterwarde penned and portrayed in the Court hall of the Emperours Pallaice at Constantinople . But they went through all the gates of the Castle and of the bridge , till they came where the pillours stoode . There Flamides tooke his leaue of the Emperour and of the Knight of the Sunne .

When Flamides had departed from them , and they had passed through the bridges , presently the gates of the Towers clapt together with greate noise , béeing as surely shut as euer they were . The Emperour and the Knight of the Sunne were amased at the straunge thinges which had happened in that Castle , and tooke the way towardes the Sea by the same path in which they had come , reioysing at the swéete harmonie which the Birdes made in those pleasaunt trées , so that although they went a foote , yet it séemed no paine vnto them . And the loue that they bare to each other was so great , that it coulde not haue had bene more if they had knowen each other , especially the Emperour , whom so often as he sawe his face thought vppon the Princesse Briana , whome hée much resembled . In this manner the father and the sonne trauailed , running ouer in their discourse straunge thinges of the inchaunted Castle , till that they approched the maine sea , whereas yet the little boat stoode in which the knight of the Sunne had come thether . Now for that along the shoare there were no more boats , the Emperour was somewhat sorrowfull , séeming to him that he was ill furnished to goe whether he purposed , and telling it to the knight of the Sunne . The knight of the Sunne aunswered . My Lord I pray you be not agréeued with this , for the boate is guided by a wise man a friend of mine , one as I beléeue so carefull to carry me hence , as he hath friendly sent me to worke your deliuerance . Besides , this boat will holde vs both , and if it bée so you will vouchsafe my ship , you shall neuer saile more safe , neither better prouided for victualls . The Emperour was greatly amazed at it that all thinges were so plentifull with the knight of the Sunne . But both verie merrie they entred into the boat , which being driuen from shore so soone as it tooke the shore sailed amaine , neither missed they ought which was then thought necessarie . Quickly they hasted ouer the sea Euxinus , where we wil leaue them vntil another time , to write of other things which chaunced before this time .

The three Princes which went in the quest of Rosicleer , were transported into the Empire of Trabisond , where chaunced to them a faire aduenture .

Cap. 45.

AS the valiaunt déedes of Rosicleer while he was there caused great ioy in the court of king Oliuerio : so no lesse was the griefe there for his sodeine departure amongst his friendes , yet all these sorrowes ioyned in one , might not bée equall to that which the faire Oliuia felt , for she séeing shée had bene the cause thereof , tooke thereat such inwarde griefe , that she became both weake and pale , and her father with the whole court greatly lamented for her . In this generall sorrowe for the losse of Rosicleer , you must thinke that the Princesses Rodasilua and Siluerina were not frée , for the losse of Rosicleer procured the absence of their loues . So as the historie recounteth , that they two together with the valiant Prince Zoylo tooke vpon them the search of him , and therfore let vs leaue the court of king Oliuero to tell you of them .

Thus it is , that after they were all embarked in the Hauen which was néerest to London , they sailed forwards a monthes sayling , not desiring to bend either this waye or that way . At the end of the month rather vpon chaunce then their purpose , they were driuen vpon the coast of Trabisond , where yet glad they were when the Countrie was descried to sée it & to abide there . Comming to land armed with their rich armour and theyr Esquires accompanieng them , they tooke theyr horse , and riding through a beaten path , at the side of a pleasaunt wóode they hearde a noyse , whereat beeing moued they turned backe to sée what it be might be .

Out of the thickest of the woode they sawe a wilde Boare driuing so fast as possiblie it might , and in the pursuite thereof , a young Gentlewoman vppon a mightie courser and a Boare Speare in her right hande , her hunters wéede was all of gréene Veluet , her tresses hanging downe in coulour like the golde of Arabie , in her left hand a wande of golde , and two rich Pearles hanging at her eares . Shée came spurring her horse in such wise and with such courage to ouertake the Boare , that shée much delighted them , and at such time as the Boare crossed the waie betwéene them and her , she strake the Boare on the flanke , that her Speare appeared at the other side of the Boare .

The game was got , and the Ladie not taking héede of the other knightes , perhappes shaddowed by the trées , retourned with softe paces to her companie , but the knights ouertooke her , and as I maie saye , abashed at that which they had séene , at her graces and beautie , they onelye gased one vppon the other , not once making offer to salute her , whereat the Ladie more bolde then the men , as it were to awake them out of their dreames , tooke and winded a fayre horne which hung at hir necke so lowde and shrill , that all the forrest and valleyes rang thereof , and when she had thus done she came to the thrée Princes , in her séeming the proprest knightes that euer she set eye on , whom shée friendly welcommed on this wise . God saue you gentle knightes and send you the comfort of your loues , for by your sad and demure lookes , it séemes you are either strangers or others thrall .

The Knightes tourning towardes her made their curteous obeysaunce , and for them the valyaunt Tartarian spake in this manner . Madame we haue stoode astonished neither for straungenesse , nor for ill successe in loue , which some of vs haue not yet tryed , but onely for the thought of your beautie , béeing a Ladie huntresse as if you were Diana , which in lyke attyre was wont to hunt the Forrestes : but as you saye wée are straungers indéede , and because wée woulde carrye somewhat worth the telling , wée craue your name , and the fashions of the Countrie .

The Ladie delighted in the good behauiour of the thrée knightes , and tickeled with the wordes of the Tartarian , in greate maiestie aunswered him . Assuredly sir knight I knowe no cause you haue to meruayle at me , but rather I at you . For if I séeme to you lyke to Diana the Goddesse of the Gentiles , you lykewise séeme to me the thrée sonnes of Priamus , Hector , Paris , and Troylus , not farre inferiour in renowne to the Gods themselues , whereas you desire mée to make you knowe who I am , I will doe it gladly , but yet conditionally , that afterwardes you tell mée your name and Countrie . This shall bée one for one , and by iust exchaunge wée shall héereafter finde peace .

Wit you now that I am called Claridiana the daughter to Theodoro Lorde of this Empire , and to the Empresse Diana Quéene of the Amazons , which two hauing béene mortall enimies , as by long warres appeareth , continued hotlye in euerie parte , they were after greate frindes , méeting in a pitched field , either being then young and vnmarryed . I am their onely childe which since my young yeares haue bene brought vp in hunting , and I am promised to be made knight , for my mother béeing but young atchieued such enterprises that in her time there was no knight more famous , and I am desirous to bée somewhat like vnto her , especially in that point . And now sir knights tell me who you are , for I would well accompanie such lustie knights .

The Tartarian who had first taken in hand to speake aunswered . Noble Princesse we were sure inough that there wanted not in you the diuinitie we spake off : but yet we fayled in the name , for so many graces which accompanie you could not be in a Ladie of lesse estate , as my Religion béeing ▪ Pagansine woulde rather haue induced mée to take you for the Daughter of Iupiter , then of the Emperour Theodoro . And nowe sith your excellencie hath shewed vs such vndeserued fauour as to tell vs who you are , it is reason that wée obeye in telling who wée are , and where wée were borne . This Knight pointing to Bargandel , sayth hée , is the Prince Bargandel the Kinges sonne of Bohemia , thi● , by Liriamandro , sayth hée , is the Prince of Hungarie called Liriamandro , and I am called Zoylo sonne to the king of Tartarie , wée haue ioyned for aduenture , beginning in the great Britaine to finde a new Knight a friende of outs taken from vs , wée wot not howe . Him wée are determined to looke in the worlde and we haue alreadie sailed a moneth since we left England , so this morning we landed héere verie gladde to haue founde your highnesse . God be praised sayde the Princesse , for the names of so high Princesse ought not to bée concealed , especially héere where the Emperour my Father would bee glad of such knightes for the honour which his court should receiue thereby , and I for my part would thinke it a great curtesie in you , if you would staye héere till I were knighted , for by such noble Princes might I bée honoured . In the meane while , the courtesie which our Court canne affoorde , shall be accomplished to the full , and after that you may tourns you to your purposed iourney . The Princesse had thus sayde , and straight wayes there came from the forrest thirtie Gentlewomen on rich palfrayes , and in long wéedes of gréene Taffata , among them also a troupe of more then thirtie Knightes , all surely armed , with their Speares in their hands , comming to séeke the Princesse , which béeing better horsed then they , had killed the Boare long before theyr approch : The princesse when shee sawe them , sayd to the thrée Princes . My good Lordes , if you thought it not amisse I would sée what my Knightes woulde doe in my defence . Bargandel aunswered . Noble Ladie the thing cannot displease vs which contenteth you , we will endaunger out , persons to serue you ▪ The Princesse then called her knights , and sayd vnto them .

In good time my friendes are you come . These thrée Knightes whome you sée héere woulde haue carried mée away against my will . But I praied them not to offer such wrong to a Gentlewoman , and if they woulde therewith satisfie themselues , I offered them that of my knightes so many as they shoulde hurle downe or vnhorse , they should haue so many of my Gentlewomen for reward , and themselues or anye of them were ouerthrow●n ▪ that then the partie fauiting shoulde forfe● h●rse and harnesse . H●ere● o● they haue agréed , now doe the best you canue to defend the Gentlewomen which are in your companie . Héere the Prince Zoylo which knewe the Princesse meaning , sayde vnto her . Nay madame let vs first knowe whether the Gentlewomen will yeeld to our couenant or no , & let their knights speake for them . Marie answered the knights , we are content . Yea , but so are not we said the gentlewomen , shall we say they , venture imprisonment vpon our knights and they loose nothing , they maie befraie vs if they will , but we feare rather that it will not be in their power . Yea marie answered the knights , you are now wise : but if you be so fearefull , we pray you alter the iusts to the triall of the swoord , and you shall 〈◊〉 presently these knightes both ashamed and vnhorsed .

Nay but yet quoth the Gentlewomen we had néede of better warrants then your wordes , but if you will deale with our knights as we woulde haue you , you must wager your horse & armour to be giuen them with vs if you faile , and héereto wée request these knightes straungers , otherwise to discharge the Princesse of her promise . The thrée Princes fained to mislike the Gentlewomans deuice , and the knightes of the Countrie were angrie to see howe lyttle hope theyr Gentlewomen hadde in them . So comming vnto the three Princes , they sayde vnto them .

Sir knights you may beholde théere that our Gentlewomen are not content with the first ma●ch , therefore wée will vnbinde it and loose as much as you should , therefore take to your selues so much of the field as you shall thinke good , and let vs to the iust , for we will deceiue the women of the little hope they haue in our vertue . Thrée of the knightes at this alarme prepared themselues to iust , and the thrée Princes did as much gladde to shewe there theyr manhoode .

The thrée first knightes were horne downe horse and man to the greate discomfort of the Ladies , whereof one mockt her knight for his courage , crieng . Marie it séemes sir Knight that I myght haue béene safe betwéene your armes , when you knowe not how to sit sure within your saddle . Which words caused as great laughter in the princesse , as shame and confusion to the Knights which were on ground .

Then came thrée other which doing as much as the other were in lyke manner welcommed . So that to make short tale from thrée to thrée the Princes vnhorsed whole thirtie , and no man offered a seconde course : but yet the shame of their falles so egged them on , that they demaunded the combat with the Swoordes . Héereat the knightes which knew well inough the Princesse purpose , made a great staye , as it were to consult with their power , being straungers and but thrée , in the end say they . You knowe that the prise which was ordeined at these iustes were your horse and armour the which you haue lost , if you will therefore néedes vrge vs to the combat with the s●woordes , lay awaie your horse and armour which are ours and come your wayes . Otherwise you must beg the vse of them at these Gentlewomen , to whome we surrender our whole title .

Marie saide one of the Gentlewomen . My Lordes we accept of your courtesie , and heere we else staye the combat , for wée will not giue them leaue the second time to hose both themselues and vs : The Knightes were so ashamed as well for the Princes wordes as for the Gentlewomans rebuke , that altogether with their swoordes drawen they woulde haue rushed vpon the straungers , if the Princesse comming betweene had not stayed them , speaking to the straungers . That this was sufficient , and it greatly liked her that they had thus shewed their valour .

Whereto Prince Zoylo aunswered . Madame wée haue besides to demaunde our prises , which wée will not otherwise remit but to your selfe , whereat smiling , they all vnbuckled their helmettes , Bargandel and Lyriamandro being then of the age of xx . yeres , séeming so beautiful that as well the Gentlewomen as the knights were amazed at them . After them the Tartorian shewed himselfe , who although he was a Morian borne , and somewhat of colour tawnie , yet had he a manly countenaunce , & therewithall pleasaunt , that he pleased them as wel as his companions . With this there are no mo foes to be feared as it appeareth sayd the Princesse , if you challengers vnarme your selues , but if it be no griefe to you , let vs goe together to the Citie of Trabisond , not being farre off , for at your instance , I may the sooner receiue the order . The Princes thanking the Ladie for that fauor , prepared themselues to obey hir commaund , so rid they on with the Princesse towards Trabisond , where they stayed about xv . dayes much increasing their honour at the feasts proclaimed for the knighting of the inheritresse , they béeing made knowen to none but to the Princesse . Héere likewise the great prowesse which the Princesse Claridiana shewed , were such , that euery man was amazed at them , albeit the thrée princes neuer iusted against hir , but héereafter you shall heare sufficiently of hir and them . Nowe to the two Princes Brandizel and Claueryndo , whom we left in the kingdome of Persia , very sad for the losse of their déere friend the worthy knight of the Sunne .

The two Princes , Brandizel and Clauerindo stale secretly out of the kingdome of Persia , to seeke the Knight of the Sunne .

Cap. 46.

NOw you are to remember your selues of the two volyant Princes Brandizel and Clauerindo , which remained in the kingdome of Persia , verie pensiue for the losse of their friend , touching whom the history saith , that after these two Princes were in Persia some dayes , hauing great desire to find out the Knight of the Sunne , & seeke strange aduentures : one day as they were with Armineo , vnckle to Clauerindo , they determined betwéene themselues for to depart closely from them , & to goe by sea whether soeuer fortune would transport them , whereto although Clauerindo and Armineo would haue made the king Florion priuie , yet the Prince Brandizel would in no case consent , beléeuing that if his parents knew of it , they would not giue him leaue to goe from them , so to pleasure him , they kepte that counsel as priuie as they could . And when all things were in readinesse , one night secretly they conuaied themselues out of the citie , and so straight to the sea side , where they entered into a ship prouided for that purpose , and hoising vp sailes , they were carried they neither knew nor cared whether , for the courages of these two Princes , resolued to the search of worthie aduentures wold not let them be quiet , so that any thing might better content their ease at home . But as soone as they were gone , the wise Lirgandeo knew of it , and waieng the great commoditie which might ensue thereof to themselues and others , he woulde not hinder it , not yet make as if he knew it : yet had hée great care to guide their ship wherein they sailed , and they reached thether in fiftéene dayes which to other is an ordinarie moneths sailing , that the marriners were abashed to sée the swiftnesse of the shippe beeing more then vsuall , which when they had discouered to their Lords , the Princes knew presently by whose meanes it so happened , wherfore yet they were the better apayed , for nowe they were sure thether to be carried , which fitted best for their purpose . Well , shortly after these Princes departure , and before it was eyther so noised or suspected , Lyrgandeo declard the truth to the king Floron and the quéene Balisea , willing them withall not to afflict them , for that they thereby should gaine much honour , and should retourne safely , with the knight of the Sunne in their companie . With this the king and quéene were indifferently appeased . Nowe all matters quieted in Persia for the Princesse absence , we may the fréelier beare the knightes companie which are yet sailing on the Sea , so that the. 15. daie after they were departed from Persia , they landed in a hauen of Polonia , where their shippe stood still , and taking land to learne some newes and know the countrie , ere they had long trauailed they sawe before them a little towne , to their iudgement pleasant , and round about great flockes of men and women scattered , and making great cries as if some great mischaunce had happened to them . Armineo demaunded of them the cause of their sorrowe , wherevnto an auncient man amongest them aunswered , that a fierce Giant with more then fiftie knights had come in this morning vpon them to steale awaie the Princesse Clarinea , daughter to the king of Polonia , theyr liege Lord , that he had killed the greater number and spoiled the residue . And as he thought was ere this time on his waie with the Princesse in his carriage , from whome if it so be , not all the world may recouer her : why so sayde Armineo , and where is the king , or where are his knights that they doe not defend their Ladie . The olde man aunswered , they are in a towne foure mile off , not mindfull of anie such matter , and it hath not bene past eight dayes since the Princesse came to this towne , and now this which you haue heard hath happened to her : when the thrée knights heard this of the olde mans relation , without staieng longer they gallopped with their horses so fast as they might , & comming néere to the towne , they sawe issuing out of the gates a great troupe of knights , the one parte driuing the other before it . For so it was that the Gyaunt hauing the Princesse in his power was carrieng her awaye , and the townsmen fought with him , but their power little preuayled , the Gyant was strong , his knightes many , and so they murthered all that came , in such sort that all the Towne dwellers flod : then came the other knightes , which slewe many of them . Twentie of the Gyants knights at once fell upon them laieng at them with all theyr forces , the meane while that the Gyaunt helde in his armes the Princesse Clarinea , and thinking that his knightes would make riddaunce of these thrée , he tooke no more kéepe but rode away softly with the Princesse . The Princesse cried out so loud , that it was great pitie to heare hir , and those which heard hir of hir owne knights , came pitifully crieng to the knights straungers , that for the honour of God they shuld goe helpe hir . When this was spoken Brandizel besought his companions to stay there in the battaile , & to giue him leaue to follow the Giant , which when they granted him , he putting the spurres to his horse followed the trace , the whiles the knights of Fraunce throughly galled their enimies . For the one of them matchable I dare auouch with the auncient Franconio the Troyans sonne of whome hée descended : for he putting himselfe in prease among them , to some he claue their heads , to other some their sheeldes , murdering many and felling manye , that at length there was none so hardie , which durst stand him a blow , but euerie of them did his best to saue one . His vnkle Armineo in the broyle , helped not a litle , for he was a valiant knight , and much estéemed of in Fraunce . But let vs leaue them , & speak of the Prince Brandizel , who pursued the Gyant . He rode so fast , that ere the Giant came within a flight shot of the sea , he ouertooke in a large plaine , and crieng alowde , bad him redeliuer the Princesse false traitour as he was . The Giant looked backe to sée what it was , and séeing but one , though riding in hast , he cared not for him , saue that not to be found vnprouided , he loosed the Princesse from betwéens his armes , and set hir on ground : the Prince comming to him spake neuer a word , but drawing his sword , hit him so great a blowe vpon the helmet , that he made him boow his head to his breast , wherewith the Giant increased in cholar , and gaue him the like : this began the skirmish betweene them , wherein the noyse was so great , that the Princesse Clarinea before in a sound retourned to hir selfe , and séeing the battaile with so little hope as that one onely knight should aduenture hir deliuerance , fell into a sound again , wherein she had died for sorrow , had not God 〈…〉 When they had thus fought an houre , it was a wonder to sée their brused armour with their backed shields , but euer the stéele coate defended the biting of their swords , especially Brandizels , which made by Art Pagicke had this vertue , that no mettall might pearce it . The Gyaunt was hurt in manye places , whereat as at the force of his adnersarie he was greatly estonished & blasphemed his Gods in desperate manner , which had made him staye that good Knightes comming . The Princesse Clarinea séeing the Giants bloud thus couer the ground , was very glad , and by r colour became fresh , which increased hir beautie : whereto also ( Fortune willing to be fauourable ) it was so that the prince Brandizel beholding hir , was enamored of hir beautie , and entirely loued hir . For his heart now set on fire angmented his conrage , and he buffeted the Giant so , that in short time he vnarmed him in many places . In the end the Prince desirous to giue end to the battaile , raysed in his stirroppes , stroke a full blowe at the Gyant vpon the shoulder , that his sword entered a handful , and the Giant fell dead . The Prince seeing him fall , presently leaped from his horse , and pulling off his helmet , went to the Princesse to recomfort bi r , saieng : Madame , I beséech you accept in good part this little seruice at his handes , which destreth to doo you much more . The Princesse verye ioyfull to sée hir enimie on ground , and more glad to sée hir friend so goodly a man , curteously answered . Noble knight you haue done so much for me , that with all that which my father hath , I shall not be able to requite it you , but if you wil that this good which you haue done me doo like me indéede , shew me so much fauour as to carrie me to the king my father , for bether will come the residue of the Gyants knights , & then my libertie is to begin againe : the Prince gently taking bath her hands in his , kissed them & said vnto her . Madame if it please you we may retourne to the town from whence we came , for I beléene that these knights of whom you spake , are but few aliue to put vs in daunger , I left my companions fighting with them , who I am sure hane done their parts , and yet they shall doo vs no wrong though they be many , But in farre greater ieopardie am I of my life by you , if you vouchsafe me not your seruice , wherewith the Princesse was nothing offended , for she liked very well his comely personage , but she answered nothing . The Prince séeing the Princesse without a paltray , tooke hir vp behinde him , and with easse paces rid towards the towne . In which way , the prince with many amorous words feasted the princesse , and manifested to hir his loue , and after disclosing himselfe also , he beséeched hir to kéepe it secret , which she did , resoluing not withstanding if hir father were so content , not to match otherwise . Well , néere the towne they came , where they sawe a great troupe of Knights hasting so fast as they might , and indéed they wer the King and his Knights , more then 500. in number , who by the report excited to succour their Princesse came to the towne , and finding almost all the Giants knights taken or slaine by the prince Clauerindo and Armineo , with such aide as the towne affoorded , they altogether follow on , in the pursute of the Giant which had led hir awaye . Now there were of the companie , which a farre off ascried the princesse behinde Brandizel , and learning that it was the Knight which rode to follow the Giant , they told it to the King , whereat he was very glad , and making much of the thrée straungers , especiallye of Brandizel , he spake on this wise . Sir knight , how shall I be able to requite this friendship which you and your companions haue shewed to me . Assuredly I know not , though I shuld giue you my kingdome , for were it not for you , I should haue lost this daye my daughter Clarinea , and with hir my ioye and pleasure , which béeing lost , what ioye should I haue founde in rulyng ? But tell me I pray you , how dealt you with that Gyant , for he was strong and great . Sir sayth Brandizel , offering to kisse his handes , which the King gentlye refused .

Sir saith he , mightie Prince , my companions & I , think our Fortune to be very good , in that we are thether arriued where we may doo seruice to so courteous a Prince , and it is reward sufficient , your acceptation . As touching the Gyant , his ill purpose was his owne decaye , for bée is already dead , not farre from hence . The King wondered to heare tell that the Giant was dead , for by the report of his bignesse , he thought it impossible that one only Knight should coape with him , and then much more making of the Princes , he imbraced them oftentimes , and desired them to tell him their names , which at length they did . And the King vnderstanding of their birthes , carried them with himselfe towards the towne , where , in the waye hée tolde them who that Giant was , and what the cause was why he had come thether in such sort , saieng : My Lordes this Giant was called Lamberdo , Lord of the Iland of Perda not farre hence , he hath since the time he was first knighted , neuer emploied his time to other aduantage but to robbing and spoyling , and for this , he hath an Iland excéeding strong , but very little , and scarce well peopled . In this he may defend him from any enimie , and bestowing his spies in euery corner to watche for some such cheuisaunce , hée knew that my daughter Clarinea was in this towne with a few knights , so hether he made a voyage and had stolne hir away , but that God be blessed , such valyant Knights as you , came in such a time for hir succour . While the King tolde this tale , they were within the towne walls , and as they entred through the stréetes , the whole towne gathered together to sée the Prince which had staine Lambardo . And then through the towne they came to the Kings pallaice , where they abode a great while .

Rosicleer departeth from the Iland of Candramarte , and meeteth with certaine aduentures on the sea .

Cap. 47.

THe historie left the valiant Rocleer very sad in the Iland of Candramarte , as well for his Ladies letter , as for that the knight of the Sun departed from him so sodeinly that he could not know him . For remembring himselfe of the words which the wise Artemidoro had told him as concerning his brother , his minde gaue him that it might he he , wherefore as without hope euer to sée him , & not hauing to comfort his afflicted spirits , he burst out into feares , sayeng . O Fortune how hast thou bene froward to méee aboue all men . First before I was borne I lost my father , & when I was borne my Mother was in sorrowe and care for mée , and scarcely began I to knowe the world when I was bannished from her whome I loued better then my selfe . And nowe by chaunce haue I bene brought to the companie of a noble knight , with whome I might haue bene more friendlye acquainted , but the waues rose vo against me , and haue carryed him awaie from mée as if I were vnworthie of anie good . When he had wept his fill , he went to one of the Castles , there to set such thinges in ordes as were disquieted by the death of theyr Lorde , and so comfort the woful Gyantesse , whom he afterward matched with one of the best knights of all those whom the Gyant had left , giuing them liuerie and season in that lande , and making others to sweare obedience . Short time after hée would néeds depart , with full purpose to kéepe in the Sea , and not to depart till that he should haue sailed so farre , that no words might be heard of him in those quarters . Therefore he tooke his armour , wherein was drawen the God of lous , in such sort as our auncestours were wont to paint him , with his eyes out , his bowe and arrowes in his hand : The picture béeing so liuely drawen , that Rosicleer kuewe it was done by the wise Artemidoro , and therevppon he tooke his name of that deuice , from which time hée neuer called himselfe other then the Knight of Cupide , vnder which name he atchieued many enterprises , and Rosicleers name came neuer more to the eares of Oliuia .

Hauing put on his armour he tooke his leaue of Candriana , for so was called the Daughter of Candramarte , and for remembraunce onely the shippe wherein hée first sayled when hée lest great Britaine , with two marriners to conduct it , whome he charged not to call by other name then the Knight of Cupide , and to guide the shippe Eastwarde . When hée had so sailed fistéene daies without chancing to him anie thing worthie of recitall . It was so , that one morning by Sunne rising , he sawe a little boate passe by him , out of which he heard many cries , as if it had bene the labour of some woman , and thinking that there might be néede of some helpe , he was desiraus to know what was in the shippe , and therevpon he commaunded to ioyne with them .

Presently there ftept vppon the hatches a sadde auncient man with a white beard all armed saue the head , which demaunded what hée woulde . Rosicleer sayde , I woulde knowe who is in your Shippe , for me thinkes I haue heard some woman complaine , and if it bée so , I will venture my person to doe her good . The auncient Knight behelde Rosicleer , & taking him to be some knight of great bountis , especially in that he had offered himselfe so fréely . When hée had throughly behelde , he opened the matter on this sorte . Assuredly good Knight , I thanke you for your great good will , and as it is not mis beséeming your outward beautie to haue some inwarde vertue lyke thereto .

But know you that in this shippe there abideth a Gentlewoman making towards the great Britaine , there to complaine her to the King Oliuerio and his knightes , of the outrage which is done vnto her . Nowe because our staie is daungerous , I may not tell you farther of this matter , our enimies followe vs , and so rest you with GOD . When the olde man had saide this , Rosicleer hauing desire to know more , staied him , and besought him to discourse more at large , for himselfe was a Knight of that Court , and could tell him what remedie was to bée hoped for there . The olde man was loth to staie longer , yet hearing him say that he was of the same Court , hée tolde him in fewe wordes , that this Gentlewoman was the Princesse Arguirosa , one of the fairest Ladies in the worlde , and a Princesse of Thessalie , onely heire to that kingdome . That her mother béeing dead , the King Arguidoro her father fell in loue with a Gentlewoman of Thessalie , not so honest nor of so high estate , as wanton and of base birth : and louing her affectionately , after marryed her , to the dispossessing of his owne childe . Then in the time of her Fathers life , there was in the court a knight called Rolando , besides his great liuing , one of the strongest knightes in all those partes , but proude , and little respecting the whole worlde . That this Knight during the lyfe of the King was lyked of Ipesca , and so soone as the King Arguidoro dyed of a sodeyne disease , was promoted to the Kinges bedde by matching with the Quéene , and béeing of great reuenewes , that he nowe inioyed the kingdome by force , and excluding the right heyre , none of the kingdome daring to gaine-saie him , for the most able are his night kinsmen , the other learne patience perforce . But that which worst of all was , that to vndoe her rightfull claime , hée mindeth to marrie her with a kinsman of his , and to giue onely some little Towne to dwell in , reseruing the title of the Kingdome after his owne dayes to a sonne the which hée hath begotten on his Quéene Ipesca .

I am kinsman sayth he to the Princesse , béeing her mothers brother , and therefore I haue aduentured to rescewe my néece , but not knowing any remedie at home , because my power is not equall with Rolandos , I haue brought her out from thence , and I determine to goe to the great Britaine , where as I haue heard there are many valyaunt knightes , especially a new Knight , of whom I haue heard especially since the great feasts there holden . If this Knight helpe me not , I know not who may with-stand Rolando . Thrée nightes and dayes haue we bene vppon the Sea : onely I , the Lady , two Gentlewomen , and our Marriners , and I beléeue that there come after vs Rolandos knightes . Nowe haue I tolde you the whole of your desire , and I beséech you tell vs what newes you knowe of that good knight .

Rosicleer nowe hauing heard the whole state of the Princesse Arguirosas matter , was much treubled , and desirous to helpe her , hée aunswered the auncient man , that for his staie he thanked him , and as touching your demaund ( saith he ) of the new knight . Truth it is that in Britaine none can tell you newes of him , wherfore your labour should be lost if you sought him there . But the Princesses affliction so much moueth me , that albeit I was purposed other where , yet would I gladly fight with Rolando in the Princesse behalfe .

The auncient knight was verie sad to heare that the newe Knight was not in Britaine , but well eyeng this knight which had so tolde him , and made profer of helpe , he stoode in doubt whether to take or refuse , by and by he discouered two shippes vnder sayle , and by theyr toppes to be of Thessalie , whereat striking himselfe on the breast hée cryed out . O most vnhappie that wée are , héere commeth Rolandos Knightes which will take vs , and béeing brought againe to Thessalie , we shal there receiue most cruel death , and he wept , cursing the houre of his departure , the Princesse Arguirosa hearing the complaintes which her vnckle made , his greate sorrowe which he susteyned , the extreame daunger they were in , and the cause why hée did it , tooke it as heauie , and wofully bewailed their miserie

When Rosicleer sawe them in this plight , hée much pittyed them , especially Arguirosa , which the Princesse Oliuia not remembred might haue well contented him . Therefore he willed them to get vnder the hatches againe , and to let him shifte for theyr safetie , the olde man thinking that Rosicleer woulde defend them by saieng that they were his people , did so , not ceasing yet to feare the worst and to pray earnestly for their escape . Rosicleer leapt into the Princesse shippe , and sate vpon the brimme therof to sée what would happen , till that the other shippe came néere , and that he which was the Captaine commaunded to grapple , and espyeng Rosicleer , with a proude voice badde him saye both who himselfe was , and what people he had in his ship , and not faile in any point . Whereto Rosicleer by and by aunswered . I am a stranger in these parts , and farther it is not reason that you knowe who they are that are with mée , for we kéepe our way without molesting thée or thine . The Captaine angrye for his short spéech said vnto him .

I will strike thy head into the water , vnlesse thou aunswere me directly to my question , and so saieng he halde and puld Rosicleer to haue forced him . Rosicleer thus rudely intreated rose vp , and with his gauntlet gaue the Captaine such a blow vpon the helmet , that his braines flew aboue his head , and presently he fell into the water , where the weight of his armour kept him downe . Straight waies more then twentie knights well armed and well angered for the death of their captaine , altogether with their swords in their hands smote at him . Rosicleer drawing out quéene Iulias blade , stroke againe with such courage , that at thrée blowes thrée knightes were slaine , and those which presently knewe his great prowesse drew backe , making no great hast to come néere him . Rosicleer knowing his enimies feare , leaped into their shippe , and there laide so about him that in short space he killed halfe of them . The Princesse Arguirosa and the auncient knight nowe beganne to shew themselues aboue boord , and they greatly wondered at his manhoode .

So shortly after Rosicleer was ralone in his enimyes shippe without resistaunce , either all beeing slayne , or all slaine or wounded , or slaine , wounded , or by flight escaped : for Rosicleers owne shippe was lost in the garboyle . Now retourned hée to Arguirosas shippe wherein she with the olde man receiued him , Rosicleers salutation to the Princesse after this exploit was in this wise .

Madame what hath ben done your selfe hath séene , but for a recompence thereof I shall thinke my selfe throughly satissied if you will venture that into my hands , which you dare hazard into the handes of the new Knight . For I promise you I will as willingly ieopard my person as hée shall . Now when Rosicleer had so sayde , the Princesse & the olde man stayed a good while without speaking word , for the consideration of theyr owne daunger with recouerie if this man fayled , made them the more warie , and so betweene the examination of Rolandos valour and Roscleers hardinesse . In the ende Arguirosa her selfe rather vppon loue towardes him , then of assured confidence , would put her matter to no other tryall then Rosicleers , so she commended her quarrell to him on this sort .

The curtesie valiant knightes which you haue offered me , though vnworthie , hath bene so great that I want the holdnesse to accept more , yet because you earst defended mée from death by the vanquishing of Rolandos knights , and now againe you will needes take vppon you a further matter , rather not to refuse you , then willing to trouble you againe , I will returne with you to my Countrey , and commit wholy to your handes the whole ordering both of my selfe and my cause : her vnckle gaue his consent thereto , and Rosicleer thanked them much . So they sailed to Thessalia , where by the waye Rosicleer casting in his thought how to redresse the Princesse wrong , to the least displeasure of her and her vnckle which were loth to be knowen , determined as a straunger to enter the land & to demaunds iustice as it were against a person not knowen . To which deuice after he had made them priuie , and promised that they should not bée disclosed till it so serued for their auaile , they were better comforted , and sailed with so good winde that they tooke landing in a hauen néere the place where the king was , taking lande , he made the Princesse to put on a muster , and the olde knight to couer his head , besides bidding both to counterfaite for the time some straunge behauiour , either in holding downe their heads , or in bisguising their attire . To either of them he gaue his horse , and himselfe mounted vpon a courser the best of all Candramartes stable . In the coole of the euening they fooke their way to the néerest Citie , where then were many knights and Ladies comming out of the citie to disport them in the shadow .

Rosicleer being of a comely personage and so lustelye mounted foorth to bée seene , and was well lyked off and praised amongest them all . And they followed on theyr iourney towarde the gates of the Citie , the king at that time came accompanied with his nobilitie to solace himselfe in the fielde as at other times before he was accustomed . The king rode vpon a mightie horse , with trappings and harnesse most of beaten golde , his horse being so braue , and himselfe so fierce and sterne to looke too , that it woulde haue daunted a right good knight to haue but spoke to him . So soone as the Princesse and her vnckle sawe him , they counterfaited the best that they could , and for feare theyr blond sonke downe into their bellies . The valiant Gréeke knowing that this was Rolando whom he sought for , as nothing afraide of his terrible lookes , but rather glad to haue met with him so conuenienly , and in the companie of so many knights , willed the Princesse and the knight to follow him . So came they all thrée before the king , Rosicleer speaking to him and saieng .

Mightie king , in iustice stay thy horse to heare a poore Ladies complaint , and to right the greatest wrong that euer was offered to a Gentlewoman . Why she complaineth to shée is , for that thou art the king and shouldst aboue all men repuise the wrong doer , ( so further discouering of the kings duetie . ) Now the while Rosicleer spake thus , Rolando behelde him verie well , lyking both his courage & personage , and albeit of his owne nature hée neither feared God nor kept iustice in things which perteyned to himselfe , yet hearing in Rosicleers discourse , himselfe to bée made on now and then as of a right Iudge , and that hée would not consent that other then iustice should be executed in his kingdome , hée was tickeled therewith , and bad Rosicleer tell on , for he woulde heare his matter willingly . Rosicleer strayning his voite , that what hée saide might bée hearde and noysed busoade , spake as followeth .

Knowe you mightie king that the father of this Gentlewoman was Lorde of great possessions , which marryeng with an honourable woman begat on her this Ladie . Few yeares after his wife deceasing , this Lord married also another woman , by whome he had no childe , after that the Lorde himselfe dyed also , the stepdame remayning aliue , and shortly marryeng with another man whome in her husbandes dayes shée had a liking too . This man sir king , matching with the mother in lawe , hath dispossed the true heire of her lawefull inheritaunce , insemuch too , as béeing so disseysed , shée hath in no wise béene considered off as such a mans Daughter . Nowe , séking her redresse abroade , it was my chaunce to méete with her , to whome after shée had declared her case , I made offer for to fight for her with anye which impugned her right . These are therefore to require thée O King , so to tender her suite in the honour of iustice , eyther that she may lawfully inioye her owne , or that you authorise the lystes , that the conquerour maye enter by a lawefull meane .

So Rosicleer ended , expecting the kinges aunswere , who neither warily nor aduisedly waieng and vnderstanding the drifie and purpose of this parable , aunswered . Sir Knight , thy demaunde is iust , and the Knight which hath done this wrong , cannot choose but take the one of the two , therefore tell mée who thou art , and I will send for him to aunswere thy challenge . Bée it as the king hath spoken it sayde Rosicleer . And knowe for truth that the Knight which hath done this iniurie is thy selfe : the Gentlewoman which receiued it is the Princesse Arguirosa which héere standeth by me , the lawefull inheritour as thy selfe knoweth of this kingdome : thou without iust title hast intruded vpon it : therefore doe that which thy mouth hath witnessed to bée iust . When Rosicleer had sayd , Rolando much amased at his great presumption , and not béeing able to bridle his choller , aunswered despirefully .

Thou foolish and vnhappie Knight , howe hath so greate madnesse entered into thée as to appeare before mée with such a demaund , that were it not for the sentence which I haue giuen , I would ere this haue abated thy pride : but I will not kéepe long from thée the rod of due correction , I am content to take the battaile , and with the conditions which thou hast named , harde inough I warrant thée for thy selfe , and that woman , whome I will so cage vp that shée shall no more séeke such knightes as thou art . When the King had thus sayde hée went on his waye , and all those that heard the demaunde of Rosicleer were much abashed at his boldnesse , for though he was bigge , yet séemed he nothing so strong as to resist Rolando , presently it was published throughout the whole Citie , and the battayle was appointed to be on the morraw , where you shuld haue seene most part of the Towne praie to God for the right of their naturall Queene , many scaffolds were erected to sée the lists .

The auncient Knight vnckle to the Princesse was called Alberto , and he had a Nephewe a strong and lustye Knight , dwelling a mile frome the Cittie in a Castle of his own , whence he seldome departed for feare of the king . Thether did the vnckle of the Princesse for that night carrie them , where they were receiued gladly , and tooke their rest .

The battaile which Rolando had with Rosicleer .

Cap. 48.

ROlando made no account that night of the battayle which he was to fight the next daye , for he thought no harme could happen him , though there had bene ten more such Knights as his aduersarie was . The daye being come he arose and armed himselfe , where enquiring whether the Knight his aduersarie were in fielde or no , it was tolde him yea , wherefore he made the more hast , & comming to the lystes with a troupe of armed Knightes for his more honour , he defied the Knight of Cupide , for so was Rosicleer then called , of the deuice which he bare : the Kings wordes were to this effect . Tell me now foolish Knight , doest thou not repent thy yesterdayes challenge , wouldest thou not giue much not to be héere now : whereto Rosicleer . No assuredly I repent me not , for if thou vanquish me I looke for naught but death , which I set so lyght by , as in so right a quarrell , I would venture my life twentye times , but thou oughtest rather to repent thy selfe , and to haue remorce of thy ill dealing . Rolando hearde him saye so , and began to laugh aloude . Art thou ( saith he ) become a Philosopher ? who wanting strength of armes to purchase honour , when they lye striking themselues on theyr couches , can talke gallantly , which they account for as great a glory . Thou trusts more I perceiue in thy tongue Philosophie , than in chinalrie or manhoode , and yet to be spoken off after thy iust punishment , thou wilt dye forsooth in defence of Iustice . But if death in such a quarrell be so acceptable , prepare thy selfe for it , for thou shalt staye no longer , then the proofe of my speare .

So saieng , Rolando tourned the raines of his horse to take the carrier . The meane while that the Iudges were placed on their bench , and that the Quéene with hir Ladyes had taken the windowes to beholde the battaile , the princesse Arguirosa sate vpon hir palfray all heauie , and onely accompanied with Alberto , for none els durst make anye countenaunce of well meaning towardes hir , for feare of the king . But to our matter , these two knightes putting their spurres to their horses , with their speares in theyr restes , ranne together , and with their force the earth shooke , and their speares burst in sunder . The King in the midst of the carrier being borne vpon his crupper , and Rosicleer not moued at all , saue that his horse peantrells burst with the rushing , and both knights lyghted downe , where began a fierce battaile on foote , either laieng at other so thicke , that their shields were burst in péeces , and themselues so wearied , that either followed the other staggering and not tertaine of his gate . The beholders of the battaile wer much amazed at Rosicleer , and at the daunger wherein he put the King , but if any meruailed , much more did Rolando , which both felt it , and could iudge what terrible shakes hée hadde borne both on horse and foote , and he thought in himselfe , neuer to haue met with the like knight , one or other , man or Gyant . Euer Rosicleers nimblenesse helped him much , for he could step easily aside and escape the blow : but Rolando found a want of his horse , for he was so heauie , that he could not auoyd one blowe . At length starke tyred , his bones aking for very paine of trauaile , he woulde haue taken breath , but fearing to make his aduersarie priuie therto , he forced himselfe quickly to kill or be killed , and heaping his blowes vpon Rosicleer , he so galde him , that the lookers on mistrusted Rosicleers partie . But would hée or not ( Rosicleer enduring the vttermost ) Rolando was faine to giue ouer , wherat Rosicleer , though not hauing so much néede , yet not to take so foule on , did the like .

They two leaning their breasts vpon the pomels of theyr swordes , behelde each other a long while , where Rolando thinking it not best so to ende the matter , but take it vp some other way , spake to Rosicleer , saieng . I had not thought Knight , that so much courage had bene in thée , and yet ere the ende it will little further thée against mee : but for that I am giuen to loue and like of such knightes as thou art , I wil vse clemencie towards thée , which I neuer determined to doo towards one , which hath so much offended me . This it is , I will that thou leaue off the battayle which thou hast in hande for the Princesse Arguirosa , and from thencefoorth that thou abide in my Court , where I will doo thée that honour which thy person meriteth , and I will bestow a liuing vppon thée , wherewith thou shalt liue contentedly , Rosicleer héere well perceiuing what hée went about , sayd vnto him : I would willingly Rolando , that as thou hast in shew offered me great honour , for the which I thanke thée , so that thou wuuldest in déede performe another thing , which should be lesse impayre to my present honour then the leauing of the battaile : the battaile as thou sayst would I gladly end , not onely for mine owne daunger which I am like to be in , but for thy sake , whom I rather wish to amend his fault by liuing , and restoring the Ladye to hir owne , then by dying in a wrong cause to hazarde the vtter perdition of thy soule : and for truth take this , that I will choose to dye , than to suffer hyr cause to be lost by my collusion . Take therfore some other meanes to leaue this battaile , for this will not succéede , or let vs fight it out , for I hope in God , that he will defende the innocent . When Rosicleer had sayde this , Rolando thinking that his owne gentle speach had made his enimie more bolde , became mad outright , and forgetting hys wearinesse , tooke his sworde with both his handes , and therwith he strake Rosicleer so hard on the headpéece , that he made him boowe both handes and knées vnto the grounde , the blow being so heauie , as if a Tower had fallen vppon him . Rosicleer rising vp acquited it him , that he made him stagger fiue or sixe paces backward . And betwéene them the combat was renued . Nowe this especiallye refreshed the poore Princesse Arguirosa , that hir Knight troubled his enimie more now then at the beginning . And not long after it was apparant that Rosicleer had the better , for Rolando began to be wearie , and coulde not moue out of his place . Rosicleer knowing the aduauntage , and willing to ende the battaile the sooner both for the contentment of the Princesse , and the safetie of Rolandos life , whome he iudged to be a valiaunt knight , offered againe the conditions before mentioned : but it was not Rolandos good hap , and true it is , that those which liue so wickedly , dye commonly as desperately , least they should repent their faultes , and finde mercie : But Rolando more then madde at the curtesie which was offered him , wold heare naught , but strake at Rosicleer with all his force , Rosicleer stept aside , and the sworde fell vpon the ground sticking vp to the hyltes . The whiles that Rolando haled at his sworde , Rosicleer discharged his blowe with great strength , and cutte the necke in sunder from the bodie . Wherewithall the whole multitude showted , but in diuers tunes , some for sorowe of the Tyraunts death , but most crying : Liue thou Arguirosa , our Quéene and Ladie . Then albeit some of the Kings friendes woulde haue aduenged his death , they durst not signifie it , the people being so bent after the newe Quéene . The Knight of Cupide when the battaile was ended , thanked God , and demannded of the Iudges , whether ought els were to be performed , for the restoring of the Princesse Arguirosa to hir kingdome . To which , all sayde no , and the Trumpetts sounded . Yet sate the Princesse vppon hir Palfraye till there came to hir of the most principall Knightes , and others Citizens , which now all feare set aside , durst discouer their good affection .

The Princesse therewith and the knight of Cupide , with hir vnckle Alberto , rode in great honour to the Pallaice , where , that present day , the princesse was crowned Quéene , the chiefe Lords kissing hir hand , in the name of the Gentlemen and Commons . After this , there was no talke but of the marriage of the Quéene , euery man as he wished , naming the Knight of Cupide , which hir selfe more desired then they all , but knowing that the Knight of Cupide had else where bestowed his liking ( which she gathered by likelihoode of speaches which she had heard in the ship , by the déepe sighes which he hourely fetched , and especially by his deuice , which did not argue in a newe beginner ) she ruled hir passion the best she might , and for this time moued him not therein . Afterwards , she sent for Rolandos wife , hir mother in lawe to kéepe hir companie , but the report was , that for anguish of minde she had slaine hir selfe . Well , yet she commaunded them both to be interred as belonged to the Kings and Quéenes of that land . Rosicleer remained in that Kingdome sixe dayes , at the great intreatie of the Quéene to helpe all things to good order . After feelyng the wound which sate more déeply imprinted in his heart , then the Image thereof in his armour , he departed thence . And so let vs leaue him , to recount of the Emperor Trebatio , and the Knight of the Sunne , who were lefte sayling vpon the Sea .

The Emperour Trebatio and the Knight of the Sunne , are in their waie to the Kingdome of Hungarie .

Cap. 49.

THe Emperour Trebatio and the Knight of the Sunne , departing from the Ilande of Lindaraza , were lefte sayling in the Sea Euxino . Nowe , the shippe wherein he was , hauing so good and skilfull a Gouernour as wée haue tolde you , was carried so swiftlye , that within two dayes they entered the mouth of Danubia , and béeing vppon the riuer thrée dayes and thrée nightes , the fourth day in the morning , they were set on lande ere that they wist . The Emperour looking about him , knew the countrey verye well , since he had followed the Chariot to the selfe same place . And béeing glad to haue arriued to Hungarie so safe and so shortly , he imbraced the Knight of the Sun for ioye , telling him that this was Hungarie , where the Princesse Briana lyued . So he deuised with him in what manner he might best make himselfe knowen to the princesse , and conuaye hir into Greece . The Knight of the Sunne being so friendly asked his aduice , aunswered as faithfully . My Lorde , it is requisite for vs , first of all to knowe where the King Tiberio is , and in what order the Princesse now abideth , which being done , you may the better compasse that which you purpose . You say right well , aunswered the Emperour , let vs kéepe along the shoare , that if perhappes we méete with any one , we maye enquire what newes there are . So on foote they walked thorough a Forrest , leading vppon the Riuer , wherein they trauailed halfe a daye without meeting anye one : after , 〈◊〉 weried , they sate them downe to rest themselues , where they fed on such vyandes as they had brought with them from the boate . An halfe houre after , when they had 〈◊〉 indifferently , they sawe néere at hande a Gentlewoman vpon a palfraye , making as much haste as shée 〈…〉 hir a Knight on foote with a naked sword , 〈…〉 the stayed not , when he ouertooke hir to 〈…〉 through . The Gentlewoman séeing the Emperour 〈◊〉 the Knight of the Sunne , leapt from hir palfray , 〈…〉 good Knights , for this trayterous Knight ●anish me . The Emperour rose vp , and comfor●●●● the Gentlewoman , stayed a while till the Knight 〈…〉 ●●●des on hir , then he sayde , Sir Knight el●●●●● 〈◊〉 this gentlewoman alone , or tell vs why thou wilt carrie hir against hir will . The Knight which was both 〈…〉 peeuish , aunswered him , I will carrie hir away maugre your téeth , and I haue no charge to make you other aunswere , but as to the cause , wit you well , it is formy selfe and for no other , whereof you shall be no let I warrant you . But you carrie hir not away , sayde the Emperour , for sooner shall you dye then touch hir honour . The Knight thus ouer-awed in words , thought to make amendes in déedes , and sodainly he hit the Emperour vnder the ribbes . The Emperour to yéelde it him againe , strake at his head , which he receiued in his shielde , & not daring to abide another , he fledde through the Forrest as fast as he might , neither the Emperour nor the Knight of the Sunne would follow him , but demaunded of the Gentlewoman why that Knight pursued hir .

Alas my Lordes sayde she , my fellowe and I came riding through the Forrest , where we were met with foure Knightes which would haue carried vs away by force , my selfe fledde this waye , my campanion another , and but if you doo helpe hir , these wicked Knights will doo hir villanie . The Emperour ●auing alone begun the battaile , desired the Knight of the Sunne to abide there . The while he tooke the Gentlewomans palfray to succour the other Ladie . The Knight of the Sunne woulde rather haue taken that trauayle vppon him , then to expect the report , but not to importunate the Emperour , he promised to staye his comming , or to followe him . The Emperour tooke vp the gentlewoman behinde him to conduct him on the way , and being brought by hir to the midst of the forrest , about a flight shot , they heard the scriching of some Gentlewoman , and following the sound , they finde foure knights laieng hands vpon a Gentlewoman , whereat she cryed out . The Emperor presently as he saw it dismounted from his horse , and cried to the knights saieng , Knights let this gentlewoman alone , for it is great villany to force a woman . One of them hearing the Emperour , cried againe . Who made you a Iustice , or doo you looke for an Atturneyes fée , and they all thrée layde at the Emperour , but it had bene better for them not to haue bene so hastie , for ere long they receiued iust reward for their insolencie . For the Emperour cleaued one of them to the scull , and another from the shoulders downward , the other as he made hast to escape , was taken shorter by the legges . For the Emperour albeit very inclinable to any reasonable pitie , yet was he in this poynt very rigorous , not to spare the dishonourers of virginitie , his saying was : That it quenched the naturall loue betwéene father and mother , sister and brother , betwéene kithe and kinne : that the bastard borne seldome came to good purpose : that it was partlye the sinne of Sodomy , &c. And for his owne fault , it was in déed méere ignoraunce or rather constraint , and thereby the more pardonable , or perhappes the detesting of it himselfe , made him more seuerely exact the kéeping of chastitie in others . But forward with our matter : The Emperour beholding this Gentlewoman whome he had succoured , knewe hir presentlye to be Clandestria , a Gentlewoman belonging to the Princesse Briana , wherewith he was the gladdeit man in the worlde , as hoping to heare some good nowes at hir handes . Yet to couer himselfe , he made the Gentlewomen sit downe , himselfe sitting by them , and to tell him whether they went , and wherefore they were in those partes . The Gentlewomen glad and faine that they might without daunger tell of what Countrey they were , and what theyr arraunt was thetherwarde , aunswered .

Sir Knight , we are belonging to the Princesse Briana , Daughter to the King of this lande : the cause of our comming , is , that long time agone our Ladie lost hir Husband the prince Edward prince of Britaine , I hath neuer since heard of him . For his sake shée hath remayned a widow in the Monestarie of the riuer , demeaning a verye sorrie lyfe , as pent vp in a religious Cloyster . Hir beléefe was alwayes that he was dead , till within these fiftéene dayes , she dreamed that she sawe him aliue , and that hée came by Sea to this land , verie merrie , of the same age which hée was off when he first lefte her , which dreame she hath dreamed thrée nightes together , the last night of the thrée there appeared to her an auncient man much rebuking her for her distrust , whereat the Princesse , though hardlye perswaded , yet béeing so admonished , the better hath credited that nights vision , and hath sent vs to a religious house , dedicated to our Ladie the blessed virginne , with rich offerings , and many good deuotions for his safe returne . Whence after we were retourning by this Forrest , these Knightes beset vs , and had rauished vs , but that wée cryed so lowde that you hearde vs , and you haue thankes bée to God well eased vs of them , and for your so greate curtesie , if it so please you to ride with vs , I doubt not but our mistresse will well consider you . The Emperour much reioycing at the great constancie of his wife Briana , and desiring to discouer himselfe , asked the Gentlewomen if anie of them had séene the Prince Edward or no. Whereto Clandestria aunswered . Yea sir Knight verie well , and I woulde that God woulde once shew him me , I should knowe him by his louely face , excelling all other knightes which I haue euer séene . I will sée that presently sayde the Emperour , and so sayeng hée put off his helmet : and how now saith hée , whome take you me for . O say they both , your selfe are Prince Edward , & knéeling downe before him would haue kissed his handes , and they earnestly intreated him to goe with them to the monasterie of the riuer . The Emperour consented gladly . For I haue saith he as great desire to sée her , but héere not far hence there is a knight which stayeth for me , him must we séeke and carrie in our companie , for hée is the man next vnto God , to whome I am most beholding , for by him haue I béene deliuered from prison and from inchauntment . The whole storie I will tell you by the waie .

So the Emperour made the Gentlewomen to mount vppon their palfrayes , and himselfe tooke one of the horses perteining to the dead Knight for himselfe , and another for the knight of the Sunne , & by the waie hée discoursed as he promised of his owne estate with Lindaraza , till that they met with the Knight of the Sunne , with whom the Emperour , communicated of his good aduenture to light vppon Brianas maides , and what newes he had heard of them . Whereat the Knight of the Sunne became as ioyous , and they made a merrie iourney towardes Belgrado , which helde them foure dayes trauaile from that place .

The Emperour and the Knight of the Sunne riding towards the monestarie of the riuer , are by an aduenture separated .

Cap. 50.

THE Emperour by the waie declared to the Gentlewomen and to the knight of the : Sunne who he was , not Prince Edward as they thought , but in his name Brianas bridegrome , and so forth of that matter , which you may conceiue by that you heard before . Whereat the Gentlewomen were not a little amazed , but nothing sorrie . And with the knight of the Sunne the Emperour entered into farther counsaile in what order he might make the king Tiberio priuie to his fact , and carrie the Princesse Briana into Greece . Whereto the knight of the Sunne counsailed thus . My Lorde , you knowe the faith of a Prince , a bond verie straight for kings and great Lords , as touching the preseruation of their honour in promise , for which many times many haue preferred the trust laide vpon them before the safetie of their neere kindred . This I say for that peraduenture Tiberio will be right glad to haue matched his daughter with you , yet for the Prince Edwards sake , comming vnder his safe conduct , hée may not take it in good part , or if he did , had not king Oliuerio iust cause to be angrie being so abused , as vnder his word to haue lost his sonne , and subiects withall , my counsaile is therefore , for the better dispatch of your businesse , and auoiding of béeing shent , if you venture rashly vppon an enimie not reconciled , that you go secretly to the monasterie , and carrie awaie the Princesse from thence , scarce letting her selfe know whether she shall goe , saue that behinde you you may leaue a letter which shall signifie the whole effect of that which is passed . By this meanes if the king of England bewaile the death of his sonne , the king Tiberio may complaine of the losse of his daughter , and in time when these fores are skinned ; there maye friendshippe be made on either part . The Emperour liked well this counsaile , and giuing him many thankes tolde him that he would put it in effect . So two daies they kept companie , in the meane time happening nothing worth the telling .

The third daie comming to a crosse ware well trode , they sawe a pauilion pitched , and not farre off twelue Gentlewomen clothed in blacke , and hauing verye sadde countenaunces , at the tent doore they sawe thrée knightes which were theyr kéepers . When the Emperour and the Knight of the Sunne approched , the Gentlewomen cryed out , whereat the knight of the Sunne stayde , and spake vnto them .

Gentlewomen , as well by your countenaunces as by your outeries , we perceiue you are distressed . Shew vs now the cause thereof , and if the thing be such as that we may remedie it , we will doe our best to doe it . One of the chiefest of them aunswered . Sir your curteous words makes vs the bolder to vtter our griefe . Therefore knowe you that I haue a sister called Elisandra , Dutchesse of Pannoma , and marryed to a Knight the most wicked man that was euer borne , for hée hath staundered her with such a misreport , as the lyke hath not bene heard off . So it is that my sister and he haue béene marryed eyght yeares and haue had no children , wherefore he fearing that after his decease the Dukedome shoulde retourne to her kinne , as by right it should , béeing her onely inheritaunce , and minding to establish the state in his owne name , hath subborned a desperate person to challenge her of adulterie . By which meanes she being executed as false to her husband , all her lands and goods are forfayted to the husband , as it were to make him amendes of his wiues wrong . Nowe this slaunder is apparaunt to all men , but because the Duke offereth that the combat shall bée graunted to him which shal gaine-saie the slaunder , the matter is made the lykelyer , and is borne out , though not by strong hand , yet by pollicie , and yet no man dare oppose himselfe to the challenger . For there is a knight in the land called Aridon , Lord of the blacke woode , by reporte the strongest Knight which euer was in these partes , albeit verie like vnto the Duke in his ill liuing , him hath the Duke made his friend and accuser of the Princesse . For a plot of ground adiacent to his segniories , his accusation lyeth thus , that with himselfe shée committed adulterie , whereas though he was a long soiourner in his Court , yet he neither perswaded her to it , or woulde euer moue her in it , for hée knewe his aunswere . But the matter was thus canuased , the while the Duke ▪ kept at the Court of the King Tiberio , thether word is brought of the false packing of the Dutchesse and Aridon . The Duke presently complayneth to the king , and both parties are sent for in all hast . Aridon being first asked confesseth it , and is acquited by his confession . As ( by the waie ) our lawe in this case acquiteth the man once confessing it , though otherwise neuer so greate an offender , and onely stretcheth to the woman , in respect of her faith giuen at marriage . Nowe what coulde the Princesse doe standing before the King , and accuses not of beare saie , but by himselfe , with whome shée is fayde to haue lyen ? yet denyeth shée it . Well , the Duke charging her with it , and shée purging her selfe , shée was faine to require respite for prouiding a sufficient Knight to maintaine her innocencie . Yet was shée commaunded to prison vnder sure kéeping , and there is a daye set for the tryall , Arydon beeing the accuser , agaynst whome I doe not thinke that anie man in her defence , though the cause bée righteous dare shewe himselfe , for we haue tarried héere these . 20. dayes , and haue not founde anie . Now because héere are crosse wayes , in which it is likely that many knightes should passe , we determine to abide the rest of the prefixed time . And this is the cause sir knight why we mourne , and so she ended wéeping bitterly .

The Emperour and the Knight of the Sunne pittyed them much , meruailing so vngodly dealing coulde haue anie place to rust in Hungarie , but God is wise saye they , yea , and séeth his time . So the Knight of the Sunne talking a part with the Emperour , sayde to him . My Lorde you sée good cause binding me to pittie the Dutchesse in her extreame néede , if you bée pleased therewith , I will goe aunswere for her in the Court of king Tiberio . In the meane time it will be best for you to goe to the monasterie of the riuer , the most secretly that you maye , and I will not fayle to certifie you from the Court if I heare ought which might auaile you being knowen . This béeing done , I will with Gods helpe come to Greece , where I looke to finde you verie merry . The Emperour was loth , but séeing the vrgent necessitie he was content , and answered , that he wold not be against his pleasure , although it would grieue him to be so long without his companie , but at Constantinople shall we méete .

Therevppon the Knight of the Sunne tourned to the Gentlewomen , saieng . Gentlewomen , your mourning hath so much gréeued this Knight and mée , that although his affaires lie other where and that he cannot be present , yet for his sake will I goe with you to the Court , there to aunswere for the Dutchesse if she be so content . The gentle women willingly accepted of the knight , and not staying longer but to thanke him , they pulled downe their tent and to horse backe they go . By the way he had much talke with Elisea , for so was the Dutchesse sister named , he comforting her , and she requesting him to make spéede , for we lacke not many daies of our appointed time , when if wée faile we shall loose a good cause for lacke of pittie in knights aduenterous . But let vs leaue this , and turne we to the Emperour in the companie of Brianas Gentlewomen .

The Emperour Trebatio came to the monestarie of the riuer , & there was made knowen to his wife the Princesse .

Cap. 51.

THE Emperour hauing good hope to méete with the Princesse , whom he loued no lesse then before he had , when hée hazarded his person for her sake vppon Prince Edward , made great bast , and he trauayled with the Gentlewomen thrée dayes and thrée nightes . Nowe wée haue tolde you often that the Princesse lodging was in one quarter of the monestarie separate from the other , whereto she had a posterne gate towards the wood , by which Clandestria had carried Donzel del Febo and Rosicleer to nursing , & by this gats no man either entered or went out , but by Clandestrias leaue , thée was groome porter and kept the keie her selfe . And for to recouer this matter which the Emperour would in no wise haue knowen , it was very fit that Clandestria was there in company . For when they approched the monestarie saith Clandestria , my Lord if you wil not be knowne to the Gentlewomen héere belonging to our Ladie , best it were that I should first enter & sée what they do , & that I should cause the Princesse to take her most secret chamber , where as I shall finde her , so will I declare of your comming , otherwise it may hée that your so sedeine approch might worke some alteration in her body to the daunger of her health , shée béeing so sore weakened by continuall mourning , but this night shall passe & the morrowe you shall come vnto her . The Emperour liked well of Clandestrias spéech , and so he stayed in a place which she prouided for him , the whilest that the Gentlewomen went to the Princesse . Some will thinke that the Emperour should be much chaunged , this béeing the 20. yéere of his absence , but it was not so , for when he first entered the Castle of Lyndaraza he was but. 35. yeares in age , and no more was he when he came from the inchantment , neither his age increasing nor his beautie decreasing . When the Emperour left the Princesse Briana , she was but 14. yeares olde , and counting the time that she had liued afterward , she was iust one yeare vnder him , wherin her beautie best appered , and the great sorrow which she before had taken , did not so abate her coulour , but that the ioy of his returne fetched it againe more fresh and liuely then it was before .

But the storie saith that the Gentlewomen found their mistresse alone , praieng deuoutly vpon her knées , and more merrie then she was before , whether by inspiration or by immagination , conceiuing hope in the dreame I tolde you off : but her Gentlewomen were verie glad to be witnesses of her mirth . The Princesse louingly welcommed the Gentlewomen , especially Clandestria which was her sure friend , demannding of them how they had spead in theyr iourney .

Clandestria aunswered : Madame , wée were once in daunger to loose both our honours and our liues , after that wée had done as you commaunded vs . Ah blessed virginne sayde the Princesse , and is it possible that euer you shoulde bée in so greate daunger for my cause . Yea it is most certaine madame aunswered Clandestria , but as after a fowle euening comes a sayre morning , so after this trouble wée had some quietnesse by the means of our flight , for we met with a good knight , which not onely saued vs from greate shame by killing these wicked knights which would haue spoiled vs , but after tolde vs such newes as you haue cause to bée the gladdest woman in the world . He sayd that not many daies before , hée departed from your husbande , which was in good health , and of the same age as he was when you first knew him , for since he was with you he hath bene inchaunted , & being now set at libertie comming to you .

O my good Lorde , and is it possible sayde the Princesse that thou art so fauourable vnto mée as to sende mée my husbande aliue : or is this some dreame the farther to increase my dolour . Tell mée Clandestria in good fayth , is it true which thou saist , for I canne hardly beléeue thée . Yea assuredly said Clandestria , for the Knight which reported it is so credible that he will not tell other then trouth . Ah Clandestria sayde the Princesse , thou hast bene alwayes diligent , discréete , and lyberall in those thinges which hath touched my seruice hetherto , but in this nowe concerning my lyfe , especially thou hast bene neglygent , or hast wanted discreation . For why didst thou not bring him before me , that my selfe might haue heard it of his owne mouth , would it not then haue bene pleasaunt vnto mée to haue séene that knight which so lately sawe my louing husband , and to haue knowen of him in what manner hée met with him , and for what cause he commeth not so soone as the other .

Madame bée not agréeued with this sayde Clandestria , for the knight which tolde it me is not so farre hence , but that within a quarter of an houre you may sée him if you haue desire thereto . Desire sayde the Princesse , I desire nothing so much in the worlde , therefore goe and fetch him before mée , that I may knowe whether that be true which my heart thinketh so incredible , I will goe my wayes sayde Clandestria , and so she went out of the Princesse lodging , and strayght to the Emperour , to whome she tolde all that talke which she had had with hir Ladie , whereat the Emperour was so gladde , that vp the stayers full faine he goeth , and by such priuie wayes , as none but Clandestria knewe , he is brought before Briana , Clandestria first entering , then the Emperour cloathed in rich armour , and his visour pulled downe . The Princesse was somewhat afrayde to sée so bigge a man all armed : but the Emperour pulling off his helmet , quickly shewed his : louely face , the which she had imprinted in hir remembraunce , and with hastie paces he made towards the princesse , whome he kissed on the mouth so sweetely that their tongues this while were slent , not to interrupt the ioye of theyr first méeting . Anone after , the Princesse which indeede , hadde the chiefest wrong , spake to the Emperour thus .

My Lord and onely life , what cruell Fortune hath detained you from this land , and bannished you so long from my presence ? In what straunge and hidden countries haue you bene , that we could neuer beare word of you ? Madanie aunswered the Emperour , you may call that Fortune cruell , for it hath offered you a great wrong , by forcing you to endure a far greater penance , then Penelope did by Vlysses absence : But one thing you may assure your selfe off , that the faulte was not in me , though I am not to be excused , for if I had had lyfe , and lybertye , and iudgement , all the world should not haue stayed me from you .

Since my fréedome , if I haue not had as loyall a regarde of your constancie and my duetie , then blame all mankinde for my sake of vnstedfastnesse and wrong : and for this time , let these things slyppe ▪ with lesse griefe , to entertaine our present ioye .

So he kissed the Princesse againe , and they both satte nowne together kissing and colling each other lyke two young louers . Whaen they were throughly entered this delyght , and that the Emperour was sure of hir good lyking towardes himselfe , whosomeuer he were , he bewrayed to hir the whole matter , first that he was not the Prince Edward as she thought , but the Emperour Trebatio , and so in fewe wordes , he tolde hir the whole storie of his first heate by the Prisoners confession , and from thence in order to thys delyuerance , wrought by the Knyght of the Sunne .

The Princesse for a great whyle stoode héereat amazed , and began to gather more of the wordes which Rosicleer had written to hyr , and not béeing displeased with hyr former errour , in the ende she tolde him , that whosomeuer he was in déede , yet was hée the same to whome she was married , and that vowe which she then made , she sayde she woulde perfourme to him alone .

The Emperour courteouslye thanking hir , badde hir saye on what hadde happened , whereat she graciouslys blushing , tolde him , that she had bene delyuered of two children at one burthen , béeing two goodlye Boyes with straunge markes in their bodyes . Of them she tolde hym farther ( powring downe many a teare ) the manner of their losse , the one called Donzel del Febo , at thrée yeares of his age , the other named Rosicleer , at seuentéene : and for Rosicleer , ( saith she ) he hath prooued a right manlye Knight , and therewith she gaue him the letter which Arinda had brought .

The Emperour read the letter , and was verye gladde to heare of that hope which Artemidoro hadde put hym in , as touching the recouerye of his Brother . And in good time while we haue occasion to intreate of Trebatios children , let vs holde on with the Knight of the Sunne , whom we left in the way trauayling to the court of king Tiberio , which shall be declared in the chapter following .

The Knight of the Sunne riding to the Courte of King Tiberio , iusteth with a Knight for passage .

Cap. 52.

THE Knight of the Sunne and the Gentlewomen with their Knightes ridde towardes the Citie of Ratisbona , where the King Tiberio and his Court for that time lay . Thrée dayes almost they trauayled , hearing of naught that might be tolde you , till towards noone vpon the thirde days they met with a faire Gentlewoman vppon a palfray , which saluted them courteouslye in this manner : God saue you sir knights , I praye you tell mée whether you are going to the Court of King Tiberio or no , for if you goe thether , I haue certaine newes to tell you .

Marrie sayde one of the Knightes , that we doo , what doo you commaunde vs thether faire Gentlewoman ? I will tell you that willynglye sayeth she , if the Knight which hath the deuice of the Sunne , will graunt mee my asking . I graunt it you Gentlewoman ; aunswered the Knight of the Sunne , if it be neyther let to my iourney nor preiudiciall to my person . I am content with these conditions saith she , and so I accepte of your promise .

Nowe Sir Knight , truth it is , that riding this waye , I must of force passe ouer a Bridge , stretching ouer Danubia , not passing two myles from the great Citie of Ratisbona , ouer which you must also passe , if you woulde goe to the Citie , This Bridge sayth she , is kepte by a Knight called Florinaldes , for the loue of a Ladie named Albamyra , equally beloued of two Knights , the one is this Florinaldes , the other is an Earle named Orfeo , and they two haue bene at long strife for hir loue . She to bée ridde of the one , she careth not whether , hath commaunded that in hir presence , they should seuerally kéepe this passage fifteene dayes space , promising that he which doth best shall be hir Knight . Florinaldes hath bene the first , and hath kepte this Bridge twelue dayes in Albamyras presence , where are many Knights and Gentlewomen . Nowe , it béeing so néere the Courte , there come daylye manye good Knightes to prooue themselues , but he hath the masterye of them all , and his prayse is spredde farre abroade .

This morning , my selfe riding towardes Ratisbona for certayne businesse I haue there , woulde haue passed the Bridge , but I coulde not be suffered , except I woulde haue confessed Albamyra to be the fayrest Ladye in all Hungarie . This if I woulde not doo , they bad me bring some Knight that shoulde winne the passage for me . When I hearde this , I called to sée the beautie of Albamyra , that I might iudge whether it were so or no. Then was I ledde into a rich Tent , wherein Albamyra satte accompanyed with manye Gentlewomen , and I behelde hir at the full : but truely , if my Glasse at home lye not , wherein I was woont to sée mine owne beautye , hyrs is nothing equall to mine . So I tolde them that for ought I hadde séene , I must bee fayne to retourne backe , and to finde a Knight , which woulde breake the passage .

Now the gift which I demaund of you sir Knight is , that heerevpon you iust with Florinaldes , and in the maintenaunce of my beautie against hirs , be you assured of the victorie .

When the gentlewoman had said thus , those that were present , laughed a good , and the Knight of the Sunne to shifte hyr off , aunswered .

Gentlewoman , if your businesse had bene so great to the Court , as you would haue vs thinke , you would not haue stayed for so small a matter . The Gentlewoman very angrie , replied shortly . Call you it so small a matter ? marke what I saye , you are not so curteous as I tooke you for , if you so little estéeme womens sutes , you béeing a Knight . Now know you , that a woman estéemeth hir beautie aboue all , and that there is no iniurie so great for a woman , as to say that another is fairer then she : I tell you that I had rather be called any other name of reproch , then not a well fauoured woman , and being as I am , I account my selfe much fayrer then Albamyra , or rather would I al my great businesse vndone , then to confesse that which the Knight of the Bridge doth will me too . Now sith you haue giuen me this graunt , performe it , or otherwise during my lyfe I will complayne me of you . The Knight of the Sun & those which wer with him , laughed to sée the Gentlewoman so hotte , for the lyght regarding of hir beautie : and they sayd : Sith we must passe the Bridge , wée will sée the beautie of Albamira , and if it bee lesse then yours , then will we doo our best , that you shall passe vncontrolled .

Of the one part be you sure quoth the Gentlewoman , that my beautie is more , and if I had the maintenaunce which Albamyra hath , Florinaldes or the Earle Orfeo would rather quarrell for my beautie than for hyrs . At thys and other like things they laughed till they came to the Bridge , where they sawe a bigge Knight armed , and a fayre riche Tente pitched , with certayne Knightes and Gentlewomen walking by the Ryuer side , who so soone as they sawe these Knightes come , gathered vnto the Tent.

The Knight of the Sunne and his company offered to ride ouer the Bridge , but there came a Gentlewoman out against him , saying : Sir Knight this Bridge is defended you by Florinaldes , ouer may you not passe , vnles you iuste with him , or confesse that Albamira is the fairest gentlewoman in this Kingdome , and that Florinaldes is the Knight which best deserueth hir , the which also must these Gentlewomen saye which are in your companie , or bring Knightes to aunswere for them .

We could be content aunswered the Knnight of the Sunne , to agrée to these conditions which you speake off , but the Gentlewomen in our companie make such account of theyr beautyes , that they will rather retourne backe , then confesse that which you woulde . Nowe that they are in our companye , we must aunswere for them .

Determine what to doo , and for your choyce , it must bée one of these two , sayde the Gentlewoman , and so shée departed .

Florinaldes and Albamyra heard all this , and presently they caused the Tent dore to be set open , wher these strangers sawe Albamyra amongest the Gentlewomen , much excelling them all , which made them take vp a fresh laughter at th●ir merrie Gentlewoman . Florinaldes issued forth of the Tent taking a speare in his hande , and comming towardes the Knight , he spake saieng . You haue knowen alreadye knightes , that this Bridge is kept by me , if you saye not that which I demaund of you , or els presently iuste with me . The Knightes answered , We will doo what we lyke best , and therwith they required the knight of the Sunne that they might iuste first , which he graunted them , and so the one taking a speare in his hande , ranne to encounter Florinaldes , but hée was vnhorsed : and so the seconde , and the thyrde : all of them as easily , and with no more a dooe , then I haue had in tellyng you .

The Knight of the Sunne séeing these thrée Knightes thus cast downe , spake vnto the Gentlewoman which had brought them thether . Gentlewoman , this Knight is no babe you sée , were it not better for vs to saye as he saith , then might we go frée . And the rather , for that I haue séene Albamyra , which in my eyes is much fairer then you .

Blessed Marie , saith the Gentlewoman , if Albamira be saiter then I , it is for hir apparell onely , but sith you haue promised this , you must performe it , and although I gaine nothing héerein , yet shall it doo me good to sée you flye from your saddle , for the litle skill you haue in discerning beauties . Albamira heard this , and the other Gentlewomen , and knowing that this was the Gentlewoman which had bene there before , they laughed much at hir , whereat shée waxed angry .

The Knight of the Sunne then tooke a speare from the ratler , and called for Florinaldes . Then ranne they together with such force , that they made the Bridge to shake . Florinaldes onely burst his speare vppon the Knight of the Sunne , but the Knight of the Sunne bare Florinaldes ouer and ouer so strongly , that he had a sore bruse and might not rise , his Knygtes tooke him in theyr armes into his Tent , where he was heauie : and it is vncertaine whether more grieued with the sore of his bruse , then the shame of his fall , so to be foyled before his Mistresse : but if I may meddle in schoole poyntes , I thinke he had rather burst an arme , then so to haue cracked his credite with both Ladie and friendes , such as manye resort thether from Tiberios Court to sée him iuste .

And the Knight of the Sunne séeing Florinaldes so vnhorsed before his Ladye , was as sorrie for him , and presentlye departed . The Gentlewomen and theyr Knights in whose companie he trauailed , were glad of the hope giuen them of a farther triall , but aboue all , the gentlewoman which had required him to these Iustes , tryumphed nowe , as if rather in hir quarrell , then by the Knightes strength , Florinaldes hadde bene ouerthrowen , and she bad them aloude , to remember the comparison of Albamyras beautie and hyrs , from this time she lyked much better of hir selfe , but age comming vpon hyr , hyr beautie decayed , as there is nothing more vncertaine , eyther empayred by sicknesse , or withered by age , or by sundry accidents in mans lyfe corrupted and depraued , & what shoulde I talke of the harme that thence issueth .

It is at home a bréeder of vnrest , a robber of ease abroade , a continuall care , a cause of many daungers , a sea of trauayles , and an euerlasting griefe , whether comming or going : But what néedeth this so long a digression , the rest let vs leaue to those that are idle , to discourse at leasure : now , more at large of our necessarie matter . The Knight of the Sunne with his company rydeth to Ratisbona , whether they came ere full Sunne set , and lodged for that night at a friendes house of Elisea . The storie sayth also , that Florinaldes and his companie dislodged theyr Tent , and came that night to Ratisbona also , all greatlye amazed at the Knight of the Sunne , to whome Florinaldes bare such an euill will , that it had almost cost him his lyfe , as the next booke shall tell you héereafter .

The Knight of the Sunne aunswered before the King Tiberio for the Dutchesse Elisandra , and the battaile was appointed betweene him , and Arydon of the blacke woode .

Cap. 53.

THe next daye being come the Knight of the Sunne ●emed himselfe , and béeing readye , onely with Eli●●a went towardes the Pallaice , whether when he came he founde the King amongst his Nobles , and w●●h t●em the Duke of Pannonia , and Arydon of the blacke ●●●de , either of them not a lyttle puffed vp with vaine glorie , that the time prefixed was now spent almost , and no man daring to aunswere the Dutchesse . Now at the comming of this knight with the deuice of the Sunne , there was sodeinely a greate silence , belike by occasion of some in the company which had séene his valour proued vpon Florinaldes . And the knight of the Sunne glad of such conuenient time of hearing , after he had humblie bowed to the king spake as followeth . Mightie king , I am a Knight and a straunger neither of your Court , Countrie , nor religion : but fortune casting me vpon this coast , it was my chance to méete with this Gentlewoman , sister to the Dutchesse of Pannonia , whom you hold prisoner . This Gentlewoman trauailed to séeke a knight whith would answere the accusation that the Duke her husband layeth against her , and lighting vpon me she hath opened to me the whole trecherie and packing of the Duke her husband , with the periured Aridon of the blacke woode . In the iustifieng of which words spoken by the Gentlewoman , and the improuing of Aridons false and shamelesse slaunder , I am hether come to proue that he belieth the Dutchesse vpon his bodie . The king now and all which were present beheld the Knight of the Sunne verie earnestly , and were abashed to sée him being so young speake so couragiouslie . Aridon verie angrie rose vp , and to the knight of the Sunne spake on this wise .

Sir Knight , it appeares thou art both young and a straunger in this Countrie , for if thou wert of yeares , or knewest Arydon which nowe talketh with thée , thou wouldest not bée so hardie as to defie him in presence , and were it not for the King my Lorde , I woulde in some wise tell thée of thy rudenesse , but there néedeth no such hast , I hope I shall haue time inough , sith thou canst not betract the battayle , whereto thy selfe hast first made offer , but let vs goe to it presently , and ende it in this place . Aridons high disdaine sore displeased the Knight of the Sunne as appeared by his looke , but hée refrayned for honour to the King , and for the rest hée desired the king to authorise the lists . The king aunswered him gentlye , that daye it might not bee , both for that it was néedfull the Dutchesse of Pannonia should appeare openly to put her quarrell into his handes , and for that also Iudges must be ordained of the field , and the lists erected : which could not be prouided in so short warning . The knight of the Sunne yéelded to the kings pleasure , and after that he had witnessed his forwardnesse to defende the Dutchesse , he tooke his leaue of the king , and to his host he goeth . The king as soone as he was gone , by occasion of this young knight , calling to minde his sonne Liriamandro whom he had not heard of in long time , wept bitterly and sayd aloude that diuerse heard it . If my sonne Liriamandro be like to this lustie knight , and haue a care to be notable , no doubt he will excell all his auncestours . Whereat those which were there by declared to the king what themselues had séene of this knight , and howe stronglye he had ouerthrowen Florinaldes : which report did in a manner discomfit Aridon , that he would haue wished his stake out at that dealing with all his heart , but indéede a very desperate contempt both of God and the world , brought him to his end .

The battaile betweene the knight of the Sunne and the strong Aridon .

Cap. 54.

THe next daie the king rose earlier then hée was wont to doe , because of the battaile which was to be made betwéene Aridon and the Knight straunger . And Aridon likewise made more hast , nor the knight of the Sunne falled for his parte . When all were in the fielde , the king caused the Dutchesse to be brought , which came thether in a mourning wéede , and with so sorrowfull a countenaunce , that no heart so stonie but woulde haue pittyed her , for shée had béene verie faire , alwayes accounted as wise and honest , the king demaunded of her whether shée would referre the tryall of her cause to the successe of her knight , whether good or bad , whereto she aunswered yea , and that she had no other helpe but in God and the innocencie of her cause . So was shée lead to a scaffolde prouided for her & other Gentlewomen . The Iudges next were called for , which were named by the king , the Duke of Austrich , and the Duke of Saxonie , two auncient Knights , and then restaunt in that Court . The Iudges thus placed , Aridon and the knight of the Sunne tooke their Speares in their handes , forcing themselues against each other . Now sounded a Trumpet and a Heralde cried . Goe too knights , and God defend the right . With this they ranne together with all the force they coulde : their encountrie was such that Aridon burst his Speare and diseased not his enimie , but the knight of the Sunne both hurst his speare and vnhorsed Aridon , and with the fall hée gaue him , almost burst his backe while he pained himselfe to kéepe the Saddl .

Aridon thus brused lifte vp his eies to heauen , and in despaire of conscience murmured to himselfe some lyke thing . Thou O God as I beléeue hast sent this younge man from heauen to reuenge my misreporte , otherwise who is hee in this worlde which might haue sate so quiet in his Saddle after so violent a push as I haue giuen him , or who might haue annoyed Aridon so , and with a desperate rage he drew out his sword to haue sheathed it in the knights horse belly , but the knight descended , and with his sworde before him went toward Aridon , that betwéene them the battaile beginneth . The king and the Princesse ther present were verie glad to sée so good a beginning of the Dutchesse deliueraunce . And Aridon failed not to doe his best , that the knight of the Sunne coulde not but take him for a strong knight , the battel endured a great while no man being able to iudge who had the better , till that the knight of the Sunnes courage grew as his honour increased , for hée was not angered at the first . The ende of this battaile ( for it was not long neither verie equall ) was in this manner , Aridon hit the Knight of the Sunne on the head-peece , that he bowed his knees to the grounde . Then the knight of the Sunne gaue him another that hée staggered with it , the second time Aridon hit the Knight of the Sunne a blowe vppon the head peece , where at the last time the knight of the Sunne stretching himselfe and following his blowe , with all his might hit Aridon so sure , that Aridon fell vppon the ground , moouing neither hande nor foote . The Knight of the Sunne thinking it to bée but an amaze , stoode still while Arydon might recouer againe .

The whilest all the beholders much praised the Knight of the Sunne for the best Knight liuing , as well commending his courage as his actiuitie . The Dutchesse Elisandra likewise hauing now some hope by her knight , gate her coulour againe , and her ioye was as much as her husbands sorrowe . But you haue not yet hearde the worst of the wicked Duke , for Aridon reuiued : whome when the knight of the Sunne sawe raising himselfe vp , he came hastely , and holding the point of the swoorde against Arydons throate hée spake saieng . Thou shalt dye false Arydon vnlesse thou confesse the treason that thou hast deuised against the Dutchesse , and if thou doest dye in this obstinate minde of concealing so greate outrage , thou hazardest thy soules health . Aridon as it were halfe awake , and yet not so loth to die as stroken with terrour of his owne conscience , aunswered . Thy wordes haue abashed me more then the death which thou threatenest , the fault which I haue committed , hath bread a greater horrour in my flesh , but make the Iudges come néere and I wil declare the whole .

The Knight of the Sunne called the Iudges , they comming néere heard these wordes of his owne mouth , the substaunce of the Dukes shifting to wring his wiues inheritaunce to himselfe , in such manner as you haue heard in Eliseas reporte . The Iudges straight wayes declared it to the king , who detesting their fact , caused the Duke to be apprehended , and both to be executed in that place .

For albeit many of his nobles intreated for their pardon , yet the king so abhorred the villanie that naught auailed : and at this time was the lawe first enacted in Hungarie , that the lawe of punishment for whoordome , shoulde stretch as wel to the man as to the woman , and that equal penaltie shoulde bee assigned to lyke offendours , whereas before the men escaped , the women only were in daunger . Now after this execution , the Dutchesse Elisandra was set at large , and the Quéene Augusta receiued her with great honour into her companie . The Knight of the Sun was verie desirous to leaue the Citie : but the king desired much to knowe him , and to haue him abide for some time in his Court. In the time of his abode , the Knight of the Sunne grew in more familiar acquaintaunce with the king , and was much lyked of him , because he séemed to resemble the Princesse Briana , but one daie the king importuning the young Knight to knowe his kindred , vsed such lyke wordes .

Sir Knight , we thanke you heartely for the paines that you haue taken in the Dutchesse of Pannonias behalfe , and for the maintaining of her honour , wherby if she haue receiued commoditie of liuing and auoiding shame : so haue I receiued some quietnesse in my Realme by the open detecting of such malefactours , and their punishment will be occasion of feare in others : for this cause I haue willed you to staie héere , as thereto I praye you heartely , but I praie you let me know your name and where you were borne , for I knowe not how to call you . The Knight of the Sunne well nurtured in the Souldans Court , after his humble thankes for his Maiesties most gratious proffer and the promise of acceptaunce , béeing a thing in déede verie conuenient for the certifieng of the Emperour , began as followeth . For your maiesties fauour I shall most willingly do your highnesse seruice , and for the Dutchesse , I am gladde that the equitie of her cause furthered my attempt , and for my name and Countrie , I can better tell you the storie of my life since I came to yeares , then declare that . Yet am I called the Knight of the Sunne by my deuice , and my education hath bene in the Souldans Court at Babylon , thether I being brought by the kings sonne in lawe , the king of Persia , when I was but a child , and as it hath bene tolde me , found in a little boate vpon the Sea , for my life hetherto it hath bene in armes , and that doe I meane to pursue . The king and those which were with him were greatly amazed that hée had come from so farre a Countrie , and had bene found vppon the Sea , and that he knew no more of his estate , but they thought that he was of some noble birth . The king thanked him , and in this order the Knight of the Sunne stayed with the king Tiberio for certeine dayes , where he gained many friends , & one onely enimie , by name Florinaldes , which could not forget the shame receiued before his mistresse , although it had done him no scath : for in the ende Albamira preferred him before the Earle Orfeo . So as I saye , yet Florinaldes séeing the honour of the Knight of the Sunne daily to increase , to the discredit of the borne Hungarian , his stomacke rose against him , and one day he set vppon the Knight of the Sunne at vnawares , but to his owne losse , had not the knight of the Sunne bene more mercifull , after they were made friends . But let vs breake off this storie to dispatch the Prince of Lusitania out of England .

Don Siluerio demaunded the Princesse Oliuia for wife of the King Oliuerio .

Cap. 55.

THe great sorrow which the losse of Rosicleer caused in the court of king Oliuerio , hath ere this bene declared to you , for all the good knightes his friendes went to séeke him , leauing the Court bare and naked for noble men , and aboue all the Princesse Oliuia was worst wringed , albeit her griefe was not so manifest . Nowe is there stayed in the Court the Prince Don Siluerio straungelye surprised with the loue of Oliuia , and vsing the helpe of his sister Rodasylua to the perswading of Oliuia . One day the last I take it he vnfolded his griefe vnto her , telling her , that vnlesse she found the meanes , hée shoulde héere leaue his life in a farre Countrie . The matter is mine olde sute that you wot off , my desire is , that at least I maye bée assured of her good will . Sure I am if I moue the king in it I shall obteine it . The Princesse Rodasylua mooued indéed with her brothers affliction , promised the vttermost of her paines , and within a while after she had some talke with the Princesse about that matter , her wordes tending to like effect .

Madame , you knowe right well the great loue which since I came to this Court I haue borne vnto you , and how I haue done you seruice in all that I was able , that which more is , in what manner I haue absented my selfe from my parents onely to be in your companie , which if you knowe and confesse to be true , you must likewise beléeue that , that which I shall saie nowe , rather procéedeth of good zeale towardes your honour , then of anie purpose to worke mine owne contentment , though I cannot denie but that if I obtaine , it will content me highly . But I doe not besire the thing which standeth not with your honour , and for my paines reward séeke I none , but that I may be heard .

If I erre in ought wherein I shall counsaile you , then may you blame mee , and yet I doubt not but when you shall haue throughly examined the whole , you shall rather impute the fault to lacke of skill , than to anie lacke of good meaning , and as I am certeine that you haue this same opinion of mée without anye farther suspect , so will I tell you my minde flatly . You knowe that you are the onely inheritrixe of this kingdome , that your Father the king , my Lorde , must néeds marrie you with such a one as may equall your estate , both for the naturall care which he hath ouer you in respect that you are his daughter , and for the profit which shall thereby redounde to his subiectes , which cannot be well gouerned , the seate wanting a●rightfull heire : you are withall at this time marriageable , my suite therefore is , that héerein you will haue a more regarde of the Prince Don Siluerio my brother , a worthie knight of personage and valour , of an high birth , a kings sonne and heire , besides louing you so entirely as he can nothing more , long hath he endured this torment , and neuer would bewraie it to anie but to me , and I haue hetherto suppressed it not to molest you , nowe for compassion towardes him whome I must loue and honour , mine owne brother , I require this , that at least you shew him some good countenaunce , whereby he may bée encouraged to demaund you of the King your Father , which suite shall not bee impossible , if onely your liking may bée wonne .

The Princesse angrie at the heart with this spéech , for it was the thing most contrarie to her wish , replied shortly . Madame Rodasilua , if I had thought that the zeale and loue which hou haue professed and I doe confesse had tended to this issue , I should lesse haue lyked your companie , and I cannot thinke well of it , that either you shoulde breake with me of such matters , or shoulde haue communication thereaboutes with your brother , who as you saie lacketh boldnesse to discouer his affection , which cannot bée , doth he loue so earnestly when he vouchsafeth not to speak vnto me but by a messenger . I suspect your wordes , perhappes if I had heard the man speake , I might haue iudged in his countenaunce whether hée had lyed , yea , or no.

But for truth you knowe I am of young yeares at this instant , neither haue I will to marriage , I pray you therefore name it no more vnto me , and yet when I am of yeares I may not choose my husband , and I am at the Kings commaundement whom I must obey . The Princesse Rodasylua so sharply rebuked by the Princesse Oliuia , and thereby gathering the lystle good will she bare vnto hir brother , demaunded pardon of hir speach , and returned to hir lodging , whether she sent for the Prince Don Siluerio , and to him she tolde the whole talke , with the Princesse aunswere , willing him notwithstanding not to giue ouer , but to make a better shewe , as if hir aunswere misliked him not , and couertly to labour to the King for his consent . This can he not denie you , and after you may winne the Princesse : for as yet hir excuse is but of yeares .

The Prince liking hir counsayle , departed from the Princesse his sister , and the nexte daye finding the King at leasure , he required his Maiestie of a secret matter . The King commaunded those in presence to auoyde , and tooke him to a windowe , where the Prince after his duetye done , beganne on this sort . With your graces fauour ( I trust ) I haue this long time ben a welwiller to your daughter the Princesse Oliuia , and to haue hir to wife , whereto if it might please your highnesse to condiscende , I knowe my parents would well agrée thereto , for the great loue which they beare to your Maiestie , & to me their sonne , & thereby should I take my selfe to be the best rewarded for my long tarrieng , that euer Prince was : I humbly beséech your highnesse to let me knowe your minde héerein . The demaund of the Prince was nothing straunge to the king Oliuerio , for he suspected this matter long before , & therfore his answere was short , that he was content to accept him for sonne in lawe , as well for his owne worthinesse , as for his birth , and for the friendship betwixt their parents : yet saith he , you shall giue me leaue to thinke thereon , & you shal haue a more resolute answere : the prince hoping that his desire woulde take effect . Nowe the King to knowe the Princesse minde therein , went himselfe to the princesse lodging , where finding hir alone , he counsayled hir in this sorte . It hath pleased God that the Prince Edwarde thy brother shuld be lost in the realme of Hungarie , I hauing none other childe but thee , thinke it conuenient both for mine owne liking , and the common profitte of my subiectes , to haue thée maried with some Prince of lyke estate . This haue I thought on a long time , and now vpon mature deliberation had with some speciall of my counsaile , I haue founde one : a Prince which both for his power may , and for his courage will , and for his nobilitie is worthie to beare swaye in so great an estate as this is : him am I content to take for sonne in lawe , and to commend my title vnto you . This Prince is Don Siluerio Prince of Lusitania , whom you know right well , a comly knight of personage , valiant in armes , of a couragious spirite : aboue all , vertuous , and in his dealings circumspect , courteous of speach , and of high estate , as I knowe fewe lyke . There are besides to commend this march , the entercourse of trafficke betwéene our subiects , and the friendship betwéene his parents and me . Heerein therefore saye your fancie , for so farre as reason will , I am content to heare you . Thus said the King . But the Princesse whom these woords more galled , then either sworde or speare , not knowing how to shifte off the King hir father , and not to answere his demaund , stood in a maze for feare . The King seeing hir so silent , asked the cause why ? she aunswered nothing yet a while . In the ende forced to saye somewhat , she rather excused hir silence then resolued the doubt : My Lorde and father saith she , I haue not aunswered you heth●r●●● , because I knowe not howe to doo , neither may you nowe looke for a full aunswere . The matter is so strange vnto ●ée , as that I neuer thought of it before , and your Highnesse knoweth that I am of young yeares , and as yet I haue no desire to marrie , the time groweth on when I shall be of more age , end then perhaps shall I haue more desire , which when souer it falles out , shall be of your choyce more then of mine owne . The king thinking that she had spoke as she ment , and that hir young age hadde bene hir onely staye , tooke in good parte this excuse , willyng hir notwithstanding to remember what he had sayd . So the King departed and the Princesse remayned somewhat better apayed by the Kings liking of hir aunswere , but hir hope was , that Rosicleer would come , and that he being present , the Kings minde might be altered as touching Don Siluerio , and for this cause she made many a secret vowe for his spéedie retourne , but aboue all she looked for Fidelia . The King at his retourne , caused Don Siluerio to be called , to whome he declared his talke with his daughter , and hir aunswere , adding moreouer , that héereafter he thought the matter possible inough , for hir good liking , besides his , whereof he might be assured . Don Siluerio was the gladdest man aliue and thanking the King for so high fauor , for that time he departed from the King , but the Princesse grew to be more melancholick then before , for she espyed what courage he had taken by the comfort which the king had giuen him . After Don Siluerio thinking the matter sure inough departed the realme with his sister Rodasilua , where let vs leaue him , and tourne to the Emperour Trebatio .

The Emperour Trebatio carried awaye the Princesse Briana from the Monestarie of the Riuer .

Cap. 56.

IN great pleasure and contentation did the Emperour Trebatio remayne with the Princesse Briana , at the monestarie of the Riuer , where , by their continuaunce together , their loues increased so towardes each other , that either of them delyghted in the other , and eyther of them thought themselues happie when they were in the others companie .

This loue betwéene them was in other manner , then that which ariseth by a blast of beautie : and it endured so long betwéene them , that neither yeares nor sicknesse , nor death scarcely could once impaire it , and for this loues sake could the Emperour Trebatio willingly haue forborn both kithe and kindred , and acquaintaunce in his owne countrey : and for his loue , durst the Princesse aduenture to flye hir fathers Realme , and to abandonne hir selfe to vnknowen passages , and to trauayle with Trebatio into Greece , As the Emperour Trebatio finding opportunitie tolde hir that he hadde counsailed with the Knight of the Sunne as touching their departure , by whom hée vnderstood that both for themselues and for the King Tiberio it was méetest to depart , otherwise saith he , maye the King your father be blamed for the death of the Prince Edward , and our ioye might finde ende if I were discouered , but for the dispatch of this whole matter , he said that he would leaue a letter in hir chamber , wherein should be shewed both how and in what manner all things had bene done which you haue heard of . The Princes yéelded there to gladly , and betwéene themselues they prouided things necessarie for their departure , none being priuie thereto , but Clandestria and the other Gentlewoman . The daye before the Princesse should depart , she tolde hir Gentlewomen , that she had vowed nine dayes fast in hir lodging , charging that for that time none should trouble hir , saue that she would haue Clandestria as she was wont and this Gentlewoman for necessarie occasion . The Princesse was thus woont to doo very often , which made it probable . The next daye when all were readye and hadde voyded the Princesse lodging , the Emperour threwe in his letter , and Clandestria shutte the doore : So by the secrette posterne , they all departed . This was a good while before daye , and they tooke such horse as hadde bene prouided by the Princesse . By the opening of the morning they had ridden a pretie waie , and the Princesse being wearie turned out of the way to rest her selfe in a shade , as euerie thing made her afraide and wearie , till that Clandestria hastned her on , by saieng that she thought her businesse would be suspected , in that she fetched not the broths as she was wont . So vp to horse they goe , and héere breaketh of the first booke , what happened by the waie the second booke declareth . Now let vs remember by the waie where we left our worthie princes , that when we haue néede of them , we may there finde them . The Emperour in his waie to Greece : the knight of the Sunne abideth in Tiberios court : Don Siluerio is vppon the Sea towards Lusitania : Rosicleer now departeth from Thessalie after the establishing of the kingdome to the Quéene Arguirosa : Brandizel and Clauerindo stay in the king of Polonias Court , where the Prince Brandizel maketh loue to the Princesse Clarinea : Zoylo Prince of Tartarie , Bargandel Prince of Bohemia , and Liriamandro Prince of Hungarie , all thrée together soiourne at the Emperours Court of Trabisond , with the Princesse Claridiana , a woman knight , of whome this whole storie specially intreateth , but more at large héereafter . And thus endeth the first booke .

FINIS .
A TABLE CONTAINING ALL THE Chapters which are in this booke . CAPVT . 1. The description of the kindred and choosing of the Emperour Trebatio . Fol. 1. Cap. 2. The king of Hungarie pretending a title to the Empire , setteth himselfe against the Emperour Trebatio . 3. Cap. 3. The Emperour Trebatio by the hearesaie of her beautie was surprised with the loue of the Princesse Briana . 5. Cap. 4. Prince Edward entereth into Belgrado : the Emperour bethinketh himselfe of his remedie . 7. Cap. 5. Prince Edward riding towards the monestarie of the riuer , was by the Emperour Trebatio encountred and slaine . 8. Cap. 6. The Emperour Trebatio was receiued at the Monestarie by the Archbishop of Belgrado , & there betrothed by the name of Prince Edward . 9. Cap. 7. The Emperour Trebatio driueth in his conceit the order how to consummate the marriage , which in the end he bringeth to passe accordingly . 11. Ca. 8. The Emperour Trebatio pursuing those which had stolne his Ladie , left all his knights , and tooke another waie . 1● . Cap. 9. The aduentures of the Emperour in following the inchaunted chariot . 14. Cap. 10. The Emperours knightes finde not their Lord , and the Hungarians misse the prince of England . 18. Cap. 11. The Princesse Briana taketh great sorrow at the losse of Prince Edward . 19. Cap. 12. The Princesse Briana was deliuered of two sonnes ▪ Clandestria christneth them , & causeth them to be nursed . 20. Cap. 13. The king of Boheme raised the siege , and the king of Hungarie returned the Princes knights into England . 22. Cap. 14. Clandestria deuiseth with the princesse Briana how her sons might be brought vp in her companie . 23. Cap. 15. Donzel del Febo was lost by misaduenture . 25. Cap. 16. The pedegree of the valiant Prince Florion , and other matters as touching him . 29. Cap. 17. Prince Florion in his waie homewardes , findeth by aduenture the young Gentleman Clauerindo , sonne to the king Oristeo king of Fraunce , and bringeth him with the Gentleman of the Sunne to Babylon . 31. Cap. 18. Prince Florion with the two young Gentlemen entereth Babylon , and were there honourably receiued by the Souldan . 35. Cap. 19. The deliuerie of the Souldan by the Gentleman of the Sun . 36. Cap. 20. An aduenture in the court of the Souldan , which befell to the young Gentleman of the Sunne . 41. Cap. 21. Donzel del Febo is dubbed knight , and ouercommeth Raiartes . 46. Cap. 22. Africano king of Media & Persia , inferred war vpon the Souldan of Babylon . 50. Cap. 23. The knight of the Sunne maketh answere to Africano , as to his letter . 52. Cap. 24. A cruell battell betweene the knight of the Sunne and Africano : with the discomfiture of Africanos host . 56. Cap. 25. The knight of the Sunne , the two Princes , Florion and Claueryndo , with a great hoast entered into Persia and there put Florion in possession of the crowne . 61. Cap. 26. The knight of the Sunne and the Prince Claueryndo beeing in their way towards Babylon , were diuided by a sodeine aduenture . 63. Cap. 27. The Princesse Briana discouered to Rosicleer secretly that he was her sonne . 66. Cap. 28. Rosicleer departed from the monestarie of the riuer , without the knowledge of the Princesse his mother . 68. Cap. 29. Rosicleer in Liuerbas name slaieth Argion and remooueth the lawes . 71. Cap. 30. Rosicleer departed from the valley of the mountaines , meeteth with two Princes christned , & by aduenture is carried from them againe . 74. Cap. 31. Certaine accidents which befell Rosicleer after his departure ●●m the two Princes . 79. Cap. 32. The great feasts began in Oliuerios Court. 82. Cap. 33. An aduenture which chanced in king Oliuerios court . 90. Cap. 34. A daungerous battaile betweene Candramarte and Rosicleer . 93. Cap. 35. A Gentlewoman came to the court from the Princesse Briana , which made him follow Brandagedeon . 97. Cap. 36. A cruell battaile betweene Rosicleer and Brandagedeon , with his knights . 100. Cap. 37. Rosicleer and the two princes seeke aduentures in the land of Britaine , and the two Gentlewomen carrie the Gyants bodie to Oliuerios court . 104. Ca. 38. The Gentlewomen brought the bodie of Brandagedeon to the Court , & the Princesses receiue the letters of their knights . 160 Cap. 39. Arinda the Gentlewo●●● belonging vnto the Princess● P●na , tolde the bringi 〈◊〉 ●●sicleer vnto the Princesse Oliuia . Fol. 113. Cap. 40. Fidelia being on her waie to carrie the letter to Rosicleer , was taken by sixe knights , & from them deliuered by Rosicleer . 118. Cap. 41. The Princes , Bargandel & Liriamandro retourning from the Forrest , misse Rosicleer . 125. Ca. 42. Rosicleers departure is published in the Court of king Oli●●rio , Oliuia after knowledge whose sonne he was , reuerseth iudgement , passed by a countermaund in another letter , whereof Fidelia likewise is the bearer . 127. Cap. 43. Rosicleer was betrayed into the Iland of Candramarte , that Gyant , whose hands had ben cut off before by Rosicleer . 131. Cap. 44. The knight of the Sunne was carried to the Iland of Lindaraza , where hee atchieued manie straunge and fearefull aduentures . Fol. 135. Cap. 45. The three Princes which went in the quest of Rosicleer were transported into the Empire of Trabisond , where chaunced to them a faire aduenture 149. Cap. 46. The two Princes , Brandizel and Clauerindo , stale secretly out of the kingdome of Persia , to finde the knight of the Sunne . 153. Cap. 47. Rosicleer departeth from the Iland of Candramarte , and meeteth with certaine aduentures on the Sea . 156. Cap. 48. The battaile which Rosicleer had with Rolando . 161. Cap. 49. The Emperour Trebatio and the knight of the Sunne are in their way to the kingdome of Hungarie 163. Cap. 50. The Emperour and the knight of the Sunne riding towards the Monestarie of the riuer , are by an aduenture separated . 165. Cap. 51. The Emperour came to the monestarie of the riuer & there was made knowne to his wife the Princesse . 169. Cap. 52. The Knight of the Sunne riding to the Court of king Tiberio , iusteth with a knight for passage . 179. Cap. 53. The knight of the Sunne aunswered before the king Tiberio for the Dutchesse Elisandra , & the battaile was appointed between him & Arydon of the black wood . Fol. 172. Cap. 54. The battaile betweene the knight of the Sunne and the strong Arydon . 173. Cap. 55. Don Siluerio demaunded the Princesse Oliuia for wife of the king Oliuerio . 174. Cap. 56. The Emperour Trebatio carried awaie the Princesse Briana from the Monestarie of the riuer . Fol. 178. FINIS TABVLAE .