THe auncient Histories , of the famous Emperours of Constantinople doo record , that the eight Emperor succeeding Constantine , the founder of that auncient and famous Cittie , was named Remicius , who gouerned so iustlie , and with such excéeding honour : as not onelie his Subiectes intirelie looued him , but of the kingdoms about him he was so feared and reuerenced , that his Empire increased more large then in the time of his Predecessors . This Remicius was of such a princely and munificent minde , that no Knight whatsoeuer came into his Court , without verie honourable receite and bountifull rewardes : expressing the good nature of a vertuous Prince , whose déedes were helde of no small reckoning amongst his verie enemies . He maried with the King of Hungarias Daughter , a Princesse for witte and beautie , equall with any of her time , which caused her to be so especiallie loued of her Lord the Emperour , as hee altogeather gaue ouer the exercise of Armes : notwithstanding , his Court did not diminishe one lote of the former glorie for good and hardle Knights , but dailie increased in such sort , as he tooke great delight to haue yong Princes , Knights and Gentlemen , nurtured and educated from their verie infancie in his Pallace , especiallie after the Empresse had brought him a Sonne , which was named Caniano , at whose birth was no little reioycing through the whole Empire . Within two yéeres after , she was likewise deliuered of a goodlie Daughter , named Griana , who growing to fourtéene yéeres of age , was of such rare beautie and singuler good grace , as those that behelde her , estéemed her for the chiefest péece of workmanshippe that euer nature framed .

Héereupon it chaunced , that Tarisius Sonne to the King of Hungaria ( who had béene brought vp in company with the yonge Prince Caniano ) fell into such amorous conceite of the yong Princesse , as hee deuoted him selfe onelie to her seruice , béeing vnable to conceale the obiect of his affections , but that time made her acquainted with the cause of his alteration . Manie meanes he founde to entise her good opinion towards him , but she carrying a religious zeale to loue in some other climate , made no reckoning of his imporunate and dilligent seruice , which drewe a Hell of tormentinge thoughts vppon Tarisius , séeing his sute and seruice so déeplie despised . Neuerthelesse , ( to compasse his intent ) he desired his Cozin Caniano , to cause a Tryumphe bee published , whereunto all Knights might be summoned , as well straungers as others : not doubting but hee should spéede so well in déedes of Armes , as thereby hee might deserue the loue of the faire Griana , and so afterwardes make meanes by the Empresse to demaunde her in mariage , all which hée concealed from his Cozin Caniano : who verie gladlie didde consent to what Tarisius had requested , watching oportunitie to finde the Emperour his Father at leysure , when he made his highnesse acquainted with the whole enterprise , of himselfe and his Cozin Tarisius , desiring him that all Knights might haue warning for preparation , against a day the next Moneth appointed for the purpose . The Emperour was verie well pleased with his Sonnes requeste , accounting himselfe highlie honoured by his demaunde : whereuppon he caused Heraulds of Armes presentlie to bée dispatched , to signifie his intended Tournament through al Countries farre and néere . In the meane while Tarisius coulde not rest daie nor night , but still endeuoured to doo what he iudged might please the Princesse Griana , to whom as yet he had not vttered the effect of his longing desire , albeit , by exteriour actions he dailie made shewe sufficient of his tormenting passions . But it so fell out not long after , that one daie in her walking he had sorted her alone from al the other Ladies & Gentlewomen , in a place commodious for a Louers discourses , where falling from one argument to another , the furie of his oppressions imboldened him so far , that at length he brake with her in manner folowing .

Madame , you are not ignoraunt of the honourable assembly , that is appointed at the feaste ensuing , when I hope to receiue the order of Knighthoode , and if it shall like you to thinke so well of mee , as to graunt mee one request , easie enough for you to affoorde me , perswade your selfe that I shal imagine my fortune equall with the happiest Knights that euer liued , in that it may be the onelie meane , whereby I shall enioy the prize and honour of the Triumphe . Griana knowing assuredlie that Tarisius bare her great affection , as I haue before rehearsed , returned him this aunswere . In sooth Cozin , it would please me meruailous well , to bee the meane of so good fortune as you promise your selfe . Neuerthelesse , I haue not learned so little modestie , as to grant anie thing , before I knowe what is desired . When Tarisius vnderstoode her modest excuse , he perswaded himself that he should nowe obtaine that of her , whereof vntill that instant he had liued in despaire : whereuppon , the teares standing in his eyes , he began in this manner . I humblie beséech you good Madame , to take in worth what I am to acquaint you with , for when I determined to smoother my gréefe in secrete , the extremitie of my affection grew to such a surplusage , as it brake the stringes of my thoughts almost vowed for euer silent , to reueale that to you which my selfe dare but reuerentlie thinke , such is my feare to displease you : otherwise , I knowe no meane canne warrant me from suddaine and cruell death , so setled is the vnspotted loue I bare you , which when I striue to ouercome ; and my selfe also , the more I would decrease it , the more it augmenteth , and that so strangelie , as while you are in presence , my spirite forsaketh euerie part of mée , to liue in you onelie . For which cause I haue determined ( if you thinke it good ) to request you of the Emperour your Father for my Wife , and if he regarde me with so much honour : the Realme of Hungaria may well challenge , and my selfe likewise , the highest roome in earthlie felicitie , hauing a Mistresse of such vnspeakable qualitie . In the meane time , if you please to bestowe on me anie Iewell or fauoure , commaunding mee to weare it as your Knight and Seruaunt : you shall wel perceiue how aduenturous loue will be in defence of my right , by the aduantage I shall recouer in the vertue of a gifte so acceptable .

Griana , who made but slender account of his passions , and béeing not well pleased that he held her with such vaine discourses : modestlie returned him this aunswere . If you had such regarde of me as I well deserue , you woulde not attempt me with spéeches so vnfitting my hearing : for if your desire be such as you giue me to vnderstand , you ought to make it knowne to the Emperor or Empresse , who haue greater authoritie ouer me then I haue my selfe . Therfore I desire you hencefoorth not to aduenture the like on perill of your life , otherwise I shall let you knowe howe highlie you offend me : on which condition I am content for this time to pardon your want of discretion , in that I perceiue my selfe to be the onelie cause thereof , in graunting you time and leysure thus priuatlie to assaile me , for which ouersight I repent mee at the verie harte . With which wordes shee floong away and left him alone , declaring by her countenaunce to be offended with his request , in that shee desired rather to die then accept him for her Husband , or to allowe him the name of her fréende . If then Tarisius was driuen into a quandarie , wee néede not meruaile : wherefore troubled as he was , and not caring greatlie whether hee went , he entred the Empresse Chamber , where shee and her Son Caniano stoode conferring togeather , without saluting the one or other , he satte downe in a Chaire , and gaue such bitter sighes , as the Empresse hearing , was somewhat mooued therewith , doubting he had either receiued some greate iniurie , or els coulde not prouide himselfe so sufficientlie as he would for the Triumphe , wherupon she left her Sonne , and calling Tarisius aside , thus began with him . Nephewe , I sée you verie melancholie , which makes me to iudge , that you want some néedefull thing for the Tournament , which my Sonne hath caused to be published . With which words she beheld Tarisius more wishlie then she had doone before , and perceiued the teares to trickle down his chéekes , which made her more desirous to knowe the cause of his gréefe , but his hart was so confounded and shut vppe in anguish , as hée could not speake one word to her . Neuerthelesse , the Empresse , who loued him as her owne Sonne , founde so manie meanes to perswade him , as in the ende he disclosed the loue he bare to Griana , and the aunswere likewise which shee made him : whereby I am assured ( quoth he ) that nothing but death can cease my torments . The Empresse ( who of her selfe did manie times determine to make that marriage ) perceiuing nowe howe fitlie the occasion offred it selfe , began to resolue on the consumation thereof : and to content her Nephewe , in excusing the Princesse Griana , spake as followeth . Doo you Nephewe mislike the aunswere of my Daughter ? beléeue me therein she didde but her dutie : for she cannot dispose of her selfe béeing yong and vnder controule , but the Emperour and I , whom you ought firste to make acquainted with your request . But since I perceiue how you are affected , I promise you I will confer with my Lorde the Emperour , and hope to preuaile so well in the cause , as you shall spéede of that you moste desire . As they continued these discourses , they were giuen to vnderstande by a Messenger , that the Prince Florendos the Kinges son of Macedon was newlie arriued , with a braue companie of Knights . But his comming to the Emperour was not as his vassaile or Subiect , because the kingdome of Macedon was at that time no way beholding to the Empire , but onelie to sée the faire yong Princesse Griana , the renowne of whose beautie and vertues had so peirced his thoughtes , as before he sawe her , he loued and honoured her , so that for this cause onlie he iournied to Constantinople , where he was verie honourablie entertained bothe of the Emperour and his Sonne Caniano as also of the Empresse and faire Griana , who oftentimes hearde him reckoned and estéemed amongst the most honourable and gracious Princes , that liued at that daie .

IMmediatlie was this huge Armie on the Sea , discouered by the Sent●rnelles of the Cittie , whereupon the rumour arose so greate , as the people ranne on heapes to defende the Hauen , where the Moores thought to haue made their first entrie . In the meane while , Caniano , Tarisius , and the other principall Knights , with their men of Armes , put themselues in equipage , doraynning their Armie in such warlike maner , as nowe they marche forth of the Cittie , to succour those places where the Moores gaue most eager assault . The Prince Florendos béeing left behinde , made no little haste to gather his companie , and as he galloped with them by the Emperours Pallace , hee espied the Princesse Griana standing at her Chamber windowe , casting manie a ruefull looke towardes the 〈◊〉 of the Cittie , which so déepelie peirced the gentle Princes harte , as immediatlie hee saide within himselfe . By Heauen ( swéete Ladie ) either will I die this day , or remooue the gréefe that séemeth so néere to touche you . And with this resolution he gaue the spurres to hys Horse , when it was not long before hee got among the thickest of the Moores , where he behelde the enemie so strong , and the Christians so weake , as the day was like to prooue dangerous and dismall . For the Prince Gamezio , was estéemed one of the best Knights through all Asia , and that daie hee behaued himselfe so roughlie amongst the Christians : as sooth to say , they were enforced to retire towardes the Cittie . Which when the Emperour behelde , who remained with no great strength to defend the Cittie , he was not a little gréeued to sée his men turne their backs on their enemies , and disperse themselues in such fearefull and dysmaying sorte . But Florendos , and the Prince Caniano vsed such meanes , as they got them soone in aray againe , and returned on the enemie with a fresh and hardie charge . Tarisius shewed himselfe verie valiaunt & aduenturous , stryuing by all the meanes he could to equall the Prince Florendos , who that daie gaue testimonie of most rare exploits so these thrée noble Gentlemen past from rancke to ranck , sending all to the earth that durst withstande them . Gamezio séeing his menne so bloodilie slaughtered on euerie side , méeting with Tarisius woulde take reuenge on him , deliue●ring him such a cruell stroke on the heade with his sword , as downe he fell to the grounde so astonished , as his enemie might euen then haue slaine him : and so hee had doone but for the Prince Florendos , who séeing the Moore auauncing himselfe on his Styrrops , to reach a full stroke at Tarisius on the ground , lifted him quite out of his saddle with his Launce , and bare him so rudelie therewith to the earth , as breaking his necke with the fal , he gaue vppe the ghost . When the Moores behelde Gamez●o their General slaine , and the Christians make such 〈…〉 harts fayling them to make further resist , 〈…〉 towards their Ships , when had not the 〈…〉 them , not one had escaped death or taken 〈◊〉 ▪ notwithstanding , the greatest part were put to the sworde , diuers making hast to get awaie by boates , were drowned in the Sea , and manie of account brought backe prisoners , thus with victorie returned the Emperours power to the Cittie . So manie of the Moores as escaped to theyr shyps , béeing not a little glad they were so farre from their enemies : sette sayle and returned towardes the Soldane , to whom they declared the summe of theyr mis-fortune , as also the death of his Sonne Gamezio , which tidinges made him well nye mad with rage and anger . But béeing old and crazed with sicknesse , he could not goe in person to reuenge his death , which made him vowe and sweare , that so soone as his other Sonne came to yéeres to beare Armes , he wold sende him with such a puissant strength , as easilie he should destroy the Emperour & his Countrie : in the meane time , he sent the raunsome to redéeme them that were taken prisoners , where we will leaue the Soldane , and returne to Caniano and the other Princes , who béeing nowe come againe to the Cittie , the Emperour hauing hearde the worthie seruice Florendos had doone that same day ( and how he had receiued some fewe daungerous woundes in the battaile ) sent for him in all haste that might bee to his Pallace , because his owne Chirurgions and Phisitions shoulde haue care of him . So was Florendos brought very honourablie to the Pallace , and conducted to a Chamber beséeming hys estate , where the Empresse and Griana came presentlie to visite him . to whom the Prince Caniano recounted , howe Tarisius had béene slaine by Gamezio , but that Florendos stepped betwéene his death and him , but ( quoth hee ) the Moore excused Tarisius , for in my presence he gaue his laste farewell to this world , so that nowe we may saie the victorie is ours , albeit before it hunge in hard suspence . While Caniano continued these and such like spéeches , Griana cast manie a swéete looke on the Prince Florendos , and hee aunswered his obiect with the selfe same messengers of hys hart : thus contented they their seuerall passions with such modest and vertuous regarde , as none present could suspect their secrete meaning . The Empresse and her Daughter courteouslie taking their leaue , Florendos and his Chirurgions we leaue a while togeather , they to apply medicines to his woundes , and he the remembraunce of his Mistresse to his hart . On the morrowe the Emperour with his nobilitie rode foorth of the Cittie , to sée the slaughtered bodies , among whom they founde Gamezio , who was easily known by the richnes of his Armour , which Caniano caused to bée taken from the deade bodie , and brought to Florendos as the deserte of his trauaile : when the Emperour himselfe , ( the more to honour him ) made present thereof to Florendos at his returne , with these spéeches . My noble Cozin , by your valour and Knightlie prowesse , haue I had the vpper hand of nune enemies , may I but liue to requite thy good desarts , I shall account my selfe happie and fortunate : notwithstanding , account of me as thy Kinsman and continual fréende , and bee there ought in my power shall like thée to demaunde , on the faith of a King I vowe to giue it thee .

Florendos most humblie thanked the Emperor , as well for the great honour he did him , as also for his large & bountifull promise , wheron he builded so assuredlie , as he almost accounted faire Griana for his owne : who with the Empresse her Mother came dailie to visite him , by which meanes theyr mutuall loue encreased more and more , and Florendos recouered his health in the shorter time , when he solicited the Emperour with this sute following .