THE Imaginary thoughts of swift desire , warring twixt Hope and Victorie , within the aspyring resolution of those aduenturous youths of Greece , plowing the furious Ocean in a well rigg'd Shippe towards the Cholchian Isle , to immortalize their Fames , and with eternall glorie , to guild the Trophes of their Conquests , with the laborious winning of the golden fleece , posted thither with lesse celeritie , then the inchanted barke of Don Eleno guided by the wise Nabato , furrowed the inhospitable Regions of Neptunes watrie Kingdome , who at what time hée assayled the inchaunted Portrature of selfe murthered Brutus , was by his learned friend commanded straight to Sea , on whose shoare he should find his Boate prouided for his voyage . The which he obaying , no sooner had entred it , but with such a tempestuous furie it rent from the land , as doth a mighty rocke , oreturn'd with boysterous winds , tumble from aloft into the deepest seas , kéeping so admirable spéede , that in fewe days he past more waters then did Vlisses ( toste on the angrie waues ) in all his tenne yeares pilgrimage , which made him think he neuer should anchor in any harbor . For as the great Magician Lirgandeo doth recorde , he first out-stript the Italian Seas , entring into the Affrican , and leauing on the one side the Cateonian Promontorie he tooke his course , through the Caspian and Percian Seas , and in the end of eyght days , he fell into the nauigable Indian Ocean , coasting along the Famous Isle of Tylos , celebrated of all men for her great temperature , whose Sommer neuer knewe extremitie of heate , nor Winter any excesse of cold , but kéeping a moderate meane of both , her fields were neuer disrobed of their flowered greene , nor springing trées of growing fruit : for scarse were some rype readye for the gathering ( such was their spéede in growth ) when others gloryed with coloured blossomes , & the rest bragd of their verdure liueries . Great and incredible was the pleasure that the Dacian Prince conceaued , beholding from the hatches the delightfull prospect of this soule-pleasing Countrey , where willingly he would haue strucke his sayles , accepting the kinde welcome of the chirping byrdes , whose chéerefull notes according with the soft bubbling of the running streames of litle Riuerets , passing twixt the trées , made such a melodious consort of a naturall Musicke , that it had almost rauished his senses , and drowned his intended voyage in obliuion . But wrapt in contemplation of these wonders , he past along , & shortly discouered the Christaline waters of Thermodons cleere Ryuer , vpon whose borders the war-like Amazons sometime held their memorable Empyre . He also in this nauigation sawe the fruitful contrey of Beotia famosed by the Thespian land , onely mentioned through her bordering on the Helliconian Mount , the habitation of those sacred tryple Trinity of Sisters , the diuine Muses , Ioues-brayne-bred daughters , Mothers of all learned Arts. To be short , with incredible spéede & delight , he compassed the most part of the orbed earth : for being acquited of Loues tributarie dueties , his quiet mind had the more scope to subiugate his thoughts to admiration of these things . So that now wearie of ease , he wished an end vnto his trauaile , that he might agayne exercise his often tryed forces , to augment the perpetuitie of his glories , which he thought were ecclipsed in the obscure cabbin of his honor-smothering bark , yet he stil perswaded himselfe some great aduenture could not but awayt the end of this Nauigable toyle . At length passing the Ilands Sygares , in auncient times called Sydromades , ( whose coastes to vnskilfull passengers is pitilesse death ) some fiue dayes after , he sayled through the Mediterranean Sea , where vpon a morne , when glittering Phaebus mounted his fierie Carre , the boate ran ashoare to the Princes great contentment , who was almost tyred with this long nauigation . Wherefore arming himselfe in his rich armour , he leaped on land , and mounting on his swift Tyrio , accompanied onely with his good squier Fabio , he tooke a narrow beaten path , through which he went with great desire , to know in what ayre he breathed . So with an easie pace they trauailed not long that way , but it brought them into a great wood , whose vnknowen passage somewhat amazed the Dacian Lord . Yet was it no part to expell the great delight he did conceaue with the soft whistling murmure of the pleasant windes , that seemed to daunce vpon the mouing of the shaken leaues , on whome the whistling byrdes warbled their ditties in such accordant manner , that agreeing in one consort of an inartificiall harmonie , it arrested the amazed conceipt of the wandring Prince , that continued his iourney along a Christal Riueret whose bending turnings brought him at last vnto his springing head , whose purling brooke from a rockie quarie traced his continuall currant through a pibble paued channell , that gathering in one a many runnings , that from the naturall rocke did issue , seemed so many spouts proceeding from an artificiall fount , making the streame more great , whose sweete noyse could not but remoue the Mellancholiest heart ( though neuer so much tormented with loue-oppressing passions ) euen from his deepest dispairing thoughts . This pleasant spring was all incompassed with high cressend trees , proud Cedars , and loftie Pynes , whose height seemed to controll the firmament aloft , and scorne the lower plants beneath ; whose humble growth was accompanied with greene Palmes , fresh Oliues , and odoriferous Orange trees , that euer flourisheth with springing habits . Through these ( vpon the dyaperd ground , with flowered tapestrie ) ranne the sportful wanton yong Deare , that in aboundance increased the pleasure of this wooddie fount : for some scudded along to out-strip the others in running : others , nibled the tender growing sapplings , and others togither butted in wrangling pastime their horned foreheads . The Dacian wrapt in a suddein admiration with the vnhoped sight of such miracles , rested confounded in pleasant imaginations that perswaded him in a land so wonderfull of Natures wonders he should not but expect some vnlooked , vnconceaued , and unmerited happinesse . Here to ease himselfe awhile , he alighted , and washed his sweatie face & hands in those coole refreshing waters , and then sitting on the grasse , satisfied his hungrie stomack with such prouision as Fabio his page had brought with him from his ship . The collation ended , they discoursed of many matters ( to beguyle the time withall ) especially , touching the Romane Ladies , whose affection towards him shewen by the Princesse Roselia , was not of meane respect : wherevpon Fabio tooke occasion thus to beginne .

I cannot ( deare Lord ) sufficiently conceaue the hidden reasons of your strange proceedings in Loue . For when I remember your extreame passions for the first robber of your heart Florisdama , your second doting on Lidea , & your last affection towards Roselia , with the maner of your sudden departure from her without a farewell in recompence of her many fauors , which her accepting you for hers , condemnes you in the highest degree of ingratitude in Loue besides her many other merites ( which I list not now memorate ) deserued no such sleight esteeme . The consideration of which things drownes my witts in vncertaine thoughts . Do you thinke when shee shall record her courtesies and your discourtesies , she will not call you a dissembling Dacian ? a flattering friend ? & a wauering changing Louer ? Wil she not complaine of her ill aboading starres ? exclame on fortune ? and banne your remembrance ? Nay , how can shee otherwise hauing so great cause thereto . For shame ( my Lord ) awake your slumbring sences , and rayze vp againe the broken ruynes of your decaying credit , let not the honor of your byrth be tainted ? nor the royall blood of Dacia stayned with an infamous blott of thanklesse ingratitude ? Let not Roomes quarrell begunne in the fathers , continue in the children , and be ended ( God knowes ) in what posteritie . But pardon me ( my Lord ) for thus passing the limits of duety and the duetie of a seruant , which only loue and zeale to your reputation hath moued me vnto . In deede Fabio ( replied the Prince , ) first thanking thee for thy care , I must confesse in some respect I stand guiltie in Roselias sight , for departing without her consent . But yet God knowes it was not either by negligent forgetting , or vnthankfully reiecting her deserued merits , or the sleight regarde of her kindnesse , for which , and for her infinite fauors , I euer shall rest debtor . But leauing this , I am perswaded , the heauens in their iust doome haue not allotted her to me ( although her perfection a greater Monarche do deserue then me ) which I do the more beleeue because my trusty friend Nabato did assure me , it touched me as neare as my life , not to speake to her at my departure : which I ( with some vnwillingnesse ) agreed vnto , hoping the Princesse ( knowing my power to be yoked vnder her commaund ) would not take any serious conceipt at so sleight a trespas . Yea but ( quoth Fabio ) women are so grieued by euery small occasion , that little offences wayghed in their feminine scales , are found to be excuses of inconstancie and selfe wauering affection , and therefore are taken in the worste part : For commonly women conceiue whatsoeuer is done for them , must ( for so reason requireth ) proceede of duetie : chiefely if moued by any amorous inclination : & hers was not little , if I may beleeue her exterior motions , when you were fiercest in your combate . For by no better meanes doth a louer expresse his loue towardes the thing loued , then when it is seene in any perill , how small soeuer , which things adde such credit to my doubt , that I certainly beleeue shee hath vttered a thousand complaints against you , moued with that inward and entyre affection shee beares you . And to conclude , her rare beawtie deserueth more then I can or am able to expresse .

This conference was here abruptly broke off with the pleasant crie ( that stopped the Dacian lords reply ) of a kenell of wel-mouthed hounds , whose noise ecchoing through the wood , gaue him warning of some hunting sport , whose game should already be on foote . As he was thus harkening , he sawe comming towards him with impetous fury , a mighty white Hart , with the whole troope of his pursuing enemies at his heeles , who wearie and faint with chase , came to refresh him in that brooke . This course highly pleasing the Prince ( hauing bene in his youth brought vp with such exersise , snatched his launce , and as the Hart passed by , threwe it at him , and pierced his bodie side through side , and yet not brake his speare , and as a cunning huntsman he harted the hounds vpon their praie , expecting for the hunters comming . But from these dumps he was quickly put with the sudden viewe of a most beauteous Ladie , that mounted on a gallant courser , galloped after the Hart : her habit was of greene cut vpon white , imbrodered with so many Pearles & stones , that it dazled the beholders eyes when the bright beames of Apollos face reuerberated thereon , her amber haire in golden tramels hung about her shoulders , and on her head she wore a corronet of Roses that defended her against the offending heat of Phaebus rayes . And as she came in hast , her dangling tresses wauered in the ayre , that he assured him selfe that this was Cupids warre , seing his ensigne of her haire borne by such beautie , and defended with a Boar-speare , which she carried in her hand : who in this manner approched our Dacian Knight , that with this first and sole sight became the little blind triumphing gods sighes-tributary subiect , and by immagination lost the pleasure of his former libertie by gazing on so gallant a Ladie , that he acknowledged himselfe Loues captiue thrall , vowing in his hart such firmenesse , that his thoughts drouned in conceipts , strucke him with such a fearefull hope , that he almost lost his breathing senses , whereby the vnextinguishing flames of true loues fire so penetrated his free hart , that none but death could be the Phisicke to cure so deepe a wound . The engyne of his speach so ceast his motion , that in steed therof , he wisht all his moouing powers , were then transformed to so many piercing instruments of sight throughly to viewe her rarities , and yet did he thinke them insufficient to note all her perfections , because something would still remaine vnseen . Gladly would he haue changed his present state for hundred eied Argos fortunes ( though he should pay as dearly for his watching ) if hee mought at his contented leysure , suruay all the excellencies , that glorious Nature in her prodigalitie had bestowed on her . For in his pensiue cogitations , he iudged this was shee the iust heauens had ordained to predominate his heart , his life , soule and will , & to whom he should acknowledge all soueraignetie ouer his due obeysance , alreadie esteeming his nauigable toiles well imployed , since they brought him to so rich a land , to anchorage his wearie minde within the harbour of so braue a Road. To be short , the haughtie inuincible courage of his free thoughts , were so amazed with this admirable gallantnesse , that it could by no meanes resist so strong incounter , but without farther combate , ( for Fortitude is too weake to withstand the dartes of beautie ) presently yeelded her his soule as a trophie of her victorie , and yet rested sorrowfull , he had no richer pryzes to glorifie her triumphs , because her merits deserued a greater conquest . So much amazed rested this valiant Dacian , as if altogither he were conuerted to the Ladie , on whome his gazing eyes were fixed , & so greatly , that being nigh her , he could neither moue the organs of his voice , nor ought else , but by signes signifie , his awfull dutie at her commaund , being all in all hers . With no lesse admiration did the valiant Ladie with her eyes coate his wonders , because her troubled thoughts told her ( that from her infancie ) shee had neuer seene a more brauer Knight . And as Ladies comonly in such accidents of amorous traunces haue a freer power of their speech : so shee perceiuing the suddeine alteration of his colour-changing countenance , faining some displeasure ( that in like cases followeth all Ladies of her beautie and valour ) shee awaked him with these words .

I know not ( Knight ) what moued you so rashly to kill this Hart , bereauing me of the pleasure that awayted my comming : and he expected by receiuing his death at my hands : whereof your presumption by doing it , hath dispossest vs both of . Don Eleno , drawing strength from his vanquisht soule , replyed : My poore hart ( most excellent Lady ) doth alreadie suffer his deserued penaunce , for so sinning against your content . Yet do I hope this offence , confessing the fault , shal be absolued of your displeasure , hauing been through a wel-meaning ignorance committed . For supposing none would except against mee , or take displeasure at it , incitated me thereto . But good hath bene his exchange : for in steede of the death he receiued ( being ordained therto ) with no lesse a wound haue your ( deuine excellencies ) pierced my soule bycause the impartiall fates ( I feare ) will sooner cut my thréed of life , then you will daygne the cure , to salue the wound wounded by your selfe . Farre more haue you now aggrauated my discontent ( answered the Lady ) receauing greater displeasure at your bolde wordes , then did the poore Hart with death by your Launce . Answere would the amorous Dacian , but that he saw a Knight well armed and mounted on a mighty horse , issue from among the trees , who hauing ouer heard part of Don Elenos speech , cryed out vnto him .

Knight more bold then valiant , take vp thy weapons , for so great a presumption may not passe vnpunished . The valiant Dacian was so captiuated with the beautie of that Ladie , that his deepe affection ( seeing that Knight in so gallant armour and so brauely Horst ) made him thinke he was his Loues competitor . Whereat a sudden thought of Ielousie rapt at his breast , that without any word , taking vp his shield , he laced on his healme : and with more speede then the Hart came thether , he drew his Launce out of his dead body , leaping therewith into his Tyrios saddle , & in his hand brandishing the speare , he turned to his aduersary with these words : Discourteous Knight , coragious in nothing but in words : nowe shalt thou see how I vse to thanke those that with like pride entertaine others as you haue me . Sorrowfull became the beauteous Lady , to see them so eager against each other , greatly fearing the successe of the fight , because she thought the stranger would haue the better : but seeing them so fierce , withdrew her selfe , praying for both their victories : For if she affects the one as her brother , the other she loues , as her liues commander . And as she was a nouice new admitted in Cupids Schoole , with such willingnesse shee yeilded to his deceipts , that with one and the like feare he forst her to be Iudge of that combate . Couragious was the Knight of the forrest , but hee hath before him the Dacian Prince with such haughtie thoughts , that Mars himselfe would haue feared him . With furie at length they mette in middle of their course with most strong incounters : But the Dacians Horse being the best in the world , meeting with his aduersaries , tumbled him on the ground , and with a mighty fall made his Maister measure his length on the earth , himselfe stumbling at a speares struchon . Whereat the Prince fearing some mischance , seeing him so stagger , leapte from him with such nimblenesse , that his gallantnesse as much delighted the Lady , as it grieued her to see her brothers disgrace , who fearing a sudden death , with his sword drawne , and his shield wel buckled about his arme , made towards our Knight , that in like manner expected him , desirous to prooue the cutting of his Romaine blade , wherewith he laide vpon the toppe of his enemies shield entring it with such might , that al that quarter with a pece of his helme he threwe to the ground . He seconded another not so dangerous , yet more fearfull , because lighting on his breast , it gaue him a wide wound . Trembling stood the Lady at her brothers chance , though he like a valiant warriour setting his right foote forward so struck him on the leggs , that had his sword been like the Dacians , he hadd greatly hazarded his victorie . Forward he stept with his other foote , to make a stronger blowe , and so thrusting at him with his point , it chanced between the buckles of his skirts , that had he not turn'd aside , he had there been slaine out-right , notwithstanding it made him a little wounde , whereout issued some blood .

The Dacian thinking it to be greater , like a furious Lyon , before he was able to withdraw him , vpon the little left him of his shield gaue him such a blow , that parting it from one end to the other , and the point slycing all the armour of his arme , he threw his shield on the ground leauing all that side without defence . With the feare of death rested the Knight amazed , but incouraging himselfe , with his sword in both hands , he made against his aduersarie discharging on his shield so braue a blow , that falling on his head , he forst him to retire backe , with staggering stepps , which séeing , he followed the aduantage , & with a point had almost ouerthrowne him . But our new Louer firmely staied himselfe , raysing aloft his Romain murthering sword , at such time as the Ladie getting to her Horse cried out . Knights withdraw your selues , for this is no combate , any farther to proceede ? But she came too late , for ere shee mounted , her brother groaned his last falling on the earth with his head parted in two , which sudden death grieued euen the very soule of the vanguisht victorious Dacian : But what the sorowfull Lady did , admits no comparison : for casting her selfe from her Horse , all the moouing motions of her breathing senses left her so disposest of Life , as they hadde the Prince with this vnlook'd for accident . He vnlaced his helme , and sitting on the blood-dewd grasse , he tooke the amazed Ladies head betweene his hands , ( which he durst doe bycause the weapons of her excellencies through a pale ashie trance had left her beautie without defensiue armes ) and began to vse those meanes for her recouerie , that his braue heart did neuer study , and with bitter exclaimes he saide . Oh cruell fortune may it be , thou shouldest so soon temper with so sower a chance , the first time thou wouldest a little fauor me ? Oh wise Nabato my professed friend , why didst thou tell me thy care should alwaies be to cure my woes , if all things now conspire against me to ouerthrowe my content ? In his owne helme hee caused some water to bee brought him , and sprinckled it vpon the Ladies faire face , till with a sighe proceeding from her oppressed soule she return'd vnto her selfe : yet for all this did she remember the pitifull lamentes that the Knight hadde vttered , and that the force of Loue did onely force him to : But séeing the brother that she most affected , lye before her besmeared with his owne blood , so cruelly slaine , she stepte from the Prince saying . Let mee goe ( rude and discourteous Knight ) for the wronges you haue gainst me committed , cannot be satisfied with lesse then the heart blood of your dearest life . And casting her selfe on the dead carcase with such pitifull compassion , that it would haue drawne teares from a Tygers eies , she wailed her brothers losse , and drowning his head and face , with a pearled shower of water distilling from her two clowdie founts , she thus began her plaintes . May it be ( deare brother ) that the angrye Heauens should so oppose their happie reuolutions against our youth , suffering the cruell fates to persecute thee and me with so lamentable a chaunce kept in store by that constant Lady of inconstancie , giuing the world so great a losse thorow thy vntimely death ? who shall dare carye the vnlucky newes of thy vnhappie end vnto our Parents ? Oh Princes of Callidonia , now must you take new weapons , and put on armour of reuenge , and build an alter to Rhamnusia , offering thereon the cruell sacrifizes of Nemesis bloodie rites , that she maye further your reuenging thoughts to take so iust a vengance . For you haue this day lost a Prince of the best , the brauest . Ah tender youth so suddenly bereaft , and ill enioyed ? Oh pittilesse inhumane death , with what extreames dost thou performe thy cruelties ? hauing without mercie or respect of innocencie , with such barbarous sauagenesse snacht from hence my poore Larsyno , on whome the enuious worlde had placed all her hopes ? And if impartiall destinies , inexorable Sisters , you had determined this partiall doome , within the consistorie of your counsell house , why suffred you not ( sterne goddesses ) my brothers mortall wound , also to fall on me and end in my hart , and not leaue mee thus with life to feele so many deathes ? Thus did that beauteous Ladie poure forth her sorowes , for her deare Larsyno . But the inraged passions that did possesse Don Eleno , when he vnderstood that he had slaine her brother , whom he loued more then his owne soule , had almost forced him with his owne dagger to drawe his owne harts blood , to pacifie her rage , if he had not feared eternall damnacion , for so great a sinne , yet esteemed he that a profitable death , where nothing was hoped but what should be more cruell . For all this he animated his drooping heart , and turning to the weepyng Lady , sayde . Seing my more then vnhappie fortune ( deuine Lady ) hath permitted he should displease you , and in this sort , that was only borne to adore you , soly desiring life to please you , bethinke what satisfaction you will haue , ( though it be with the dearest blood chambred in my soule ) and at your command , these hands shall sluce it forth , bycause with such a death , my life will end with ioy , if something it may extenuate part of your discontent conceaued . Any reuenge ( most cruell Knight , replied the sorowfull Lady ) will be but little , in recompence of the highe wronge I haue receiued by those murthering handes , guiltie of my proper blood . But for this time I will no other reuenge but your departure from my company , leauing me sufficiently assured of your cruelty to my cost : and I will liue ( for my misfortune will haue it so ) with the only desire of a more full reuenge . Wherefore from hencefoorth I straight doe banish you my sight , for I will haue it so . If I shall depart in your disgrace ( most beauteous Lady ) I will not haue my life with your disfauour to torment me ( replied the Prince ) but since you desire to be reuenged on him that only would liue to admire you , take it with this sword cawser of your woes , and my misfortune , and therewith strike of my sacrifized head to appease your wrath , for I willingly offer it on your pities altar , with all I else possesse already subiect to your will , and only this doe praie that after you haue done it , you would rent forth my harte ( for none shall witnesse your crueltie but your selfe ) and there shall you see your selfe engrauen , though not so naturally , yet with rarer perfections : reasons suffcient to force me to elect you sole patronesse thereof : The which remaining in your handes , ( being loues thrall ) may moue clemencie towardes his Lord , to sturre your anger to pitie your captiue , euen with his owne reliques .

Wherewith prostrated on his knees before her , with his eies closed with water , holding the sword by the point , againe thus said . If only in my death ( great Ladie ) there rests any small comforte , for mee it will bee the greatest that I may imagine , receiuing it with this blade by your hands , for Guerdon of my rashe attempts : although , if I had knowne what this dead increaser of your griefes did concerne you , my selfe had only been the procurer of his life with farr greater care , then for my owne , which wil be hatefull to mee , if still you will insist in your conceaued wrath . Knight ( said she ) more barbarous , then the Sauages of Hircania , and the cruellest that ere my eies beheld , thus I will not execute my reuenge , for it will not be so cal'd , performed with the offenders liking : and bycause you said , it is life and the sweetest , to bereaue you thereof with my handes , neither will I therin so much content you , but expect and sollicite the heauens , to order my reuenge after some other sorte . The afflicted Prince hearing so sower and bitter answere conceaued such extreame griefe , which with sobbes and sighes so besieged his harte , that it berest him of his senses , falling at his Ladies feete , which was another new kind of torment to afflict her , for abandoning all crueltie , she tooke him in her armes , and sitting on the ground she laid his head on her lappe ( which had the grieued Dacian felt , he would not so soone recouer himselfe ) and bewailed this lamentable spectacle with new laments , that moued the tender Ladye to breake into these exclaymes .

Oh blind despightfull Fortune , enemy to my rest , how well hast thou manifested thy mutabilities , hauing so well pleaded for the greatest enemie I had , that I am forst to commiserate his woes , and pitie his distresse ? Oh Goddesse , who might certenly knowe if with my death she would end her rigorous changing courses ? execute at once against my tendernesse the whole power of thy despight ? for the wrongs past hauing been the greatest that might befall mee , or thou do mee , will I with ioy accept , bycause I know they come from thee , for she that was borne to no good , can receaue no harme to hurt her , and with this deceipt may she passe her life , that in the beginning hath felt the vtmost of thy cruell power ? Oh cruell Goddesse vnworthie of a better name , because in all thy actions thou performest the deedes of an Hircanian Tyger . And being vnable to doe otherwise , she commanded Fabio to bring her some water , wherewith the distressed youth obtained his loste senses , and with a sighe that seemed to burst his weake harte , he saide .

Vnhappy stars that gouern'd my natiuitie , and more vnhappie I to liue to see my woes to conquer death , that dares not approche where he is onely wished , with his crueltie to end a life oppressed with cares ? Oh vnfortunate hap who would haue thought so long and tedious a nauigation should anchor in so vnluckie a Port ? Oh valiant friends , now must I for euer in absence with ayrie words take my latest leaue , for my fates saye , he shall neuer see you more that onely liued with your deare sights . Oh valiant Princes of Grecia , what balefull newes will it be , when you shall heare of my death , whose life alwaies and content , soly delighted yee ? And seeing himselfe in the Ladies lappe , a little lifting vp his eyes ( with so many sighes , and throbbing sobbs , that might haue mooued a Lions fiercenes to relent , but to the extreamest point was this Ladies furie come , that it would admit no Impression of any mercy , vnlesse it should altogether yeeld to pittie , which she thought was yet too soone to doe ) he sayd . Since no pietie , noe pittie , nor no mercie , ( that are the vertues which glorifies all your sexe ) maye sturr a litle compassion in your obdurate breast , then at once ( cruell Lady ) end the tormenting of my poore soule , with so long prolonging a despised life , and take what reuenge you will on this weeping hart subiect to your Imanitie . Knight ( answered the Lady ) ill would it beseeme me , if by yeelding to your request , and in that maner to worke your content , I should become cruell against my selfe : I wil not take any reuenge that may rather redowne to my dishonour , then honour : But for this time , only I will haue you grant me two things .

Being all in all yours ( replied he ) there is no cause why by promise you should séeke to winne my will , which so truely doth acknowiedge your souerainetie .

Why then ( said she ) my first demaund is , you giue mee the order of Chiualry and as for my other request you shall after know it . I doe ( sayd he ) esteeme my happinesse farre greater now , then a little afore I esteemed my selfe vnhappie , in that ( deare Soueraign of my soule ) you haue deygned to imploye me , and in affayres more difficult farre , would I haue had you hazarded my life : but séeing this is your will , I am content to obaie , and bycause I perceaue you want armour , I do beseech you to accept these , which were giuen me for good , and I shall be more glad thereof bycause they shall obtaine a worthier owner . I thanke you for your offer ( replied she . ) But these of Semyramis nothing inferiour to those , I had not long since on yonder vallie giuen me , and that with them I should end the greatest aduenture of the world .

And so casting off her hunting garments , she discouered the rarest armes that the whole earth could afford , for they were all of Pearles and Dyamonds , with such arte vnited , that it made them farre stronger then if they were of fine tempered steele : on one side they bare a painted harte , but made of inestimable orient Rubies , whose glister alyenated the beholders fight , and vntying a slender vnder garment , like to a paire of Bases , she remained the best accomplished , and in armor the absolutest that could bee desired . In hys sight she seemed the haughtie Knight of the Sunne , when he withdrew him from his Country rusticke life . Hee gazed on her , with a pensiue admiration , and thought the longest time too short for his contemplation , altogether forgetting his promise past . Well did the Ladye perceaue his amazement , ( for shee of no lesse rare excellencie did accompt him ) wherewith , a new motion with her little experience learned at that time , ingendred a firme loue with more glories to dignifie her eternitie , but dissembling her inward passions , she put him out of his dumps with these words .