IT is most necessary for the understanding of this our history , that you should know who this Alcander was , of whom we spake before , for that thereupon depends one of the foundations of our worke : he came into the world in the time of Don Belianis , Emperour of Greece , and from his childehood gave himselfe to the knowledge of letters , particularly to the secrets of Magicke , but with such earnestnesse of affection , that having bestowed certaine yeares therein , he became so perfect an Artist , as he surpassed all those that had travelled in those studies before him , aswell as those that came after him : yet was it not his purpose to make use thereof , as many doe , to the hurt or ruine of any , but for the glory of Christendome , which he so tooke to heart , that all his actions had no other ayme , but the preservation of those , whose worth was able to mayntayne it at the due heigth , as you may well judge by the sequele of this History . Seeing then that Don Belianis , a Prince as vertuous and valiant as could be named , was somewhat enfeebled by the battell that he had fought before Constantinople , with Perineo , Soldan of Persia , the most valiant of all the Pagans that then lived , the Empresse of Almayne , Claristea , who might also bee termed the mirrour of Armes , and Ariobarcan Emperour of Tartary , he wrought so powerfully upon the mindes of that brave Pagan , and of that valorous Lady , as admiring the vertue of so gallant a man , they determined to turne Christians , and become his friends , upon condition , that the Persian should marry the Infanta of Greece , named Sirenna : which was accomplished presently after his Baptisme . In which holy Sacrament he was accompanied with Salinterne , without Farre , his sonne , and the bastard of Don Belianis , Polistor of Nubia , and Polistea de la Selva , whom he had by the Queene of the Garamantes , and had followed the Pagan colours before they knew Don Belianis for their Father . This peace and this marriage cheered all Greece , and particularly our Alcander , who then thought it well and sufficiently supported . But being continually carefull for the quiet of these Princes , he had one day a curious desire to understand what good fortune was to attend their designes and life ; withdrawing therefore himselfe from all resort of company , hee began to make his ordinary invocations , and found onely by the motion and aspect of the starres , that the house of Greece was to suffer a totall ruine ; and that these Princes were threatned with an eminent death . The knowledge heereof did mightily afflict him ; but carrying a greater minde then to yeeld to this calamity , hee made new conjurations : the spirits were invoked , and all the powers of Hell were summoned to appeare : neverthelesse he saw nothing but signes of death , and presages of misfortune . Let the starres , sayd hee , bee froward , let all the Divels in Hell conspire together , to subvert the Empire of the Christians , yet will I change their influences , and overturne their designes . For having sometimes restored life to those which breathed no more , I may be permitted to preserve such as are yet in the world . Thus speaking , hee enfolded himselfe in a cloud , and transported himselfe into the dangerous forrests of the great kingdom of Martan , neere to the Empire of Mexico , where long before he had built a Castle of wondrous workmanship . But doubting that the charms which he had set upon it , were not powerfull enough for the great purpose he had in hand , hee emploied all his skill , which surpassed that of all other men , layd such strong enchantments upon three divisions of lodgings , that hee had built in a triangular forme , as those which should be inclosed therein , should not grow old , or bee impayred in any sort whatsoever ; yet not desiring that this his worke should last till the end of the world ; for hee well foresaw that the necessity of Christendome , would one day oblige him to suffer it to be dissolved , ordayned that the enchantment should be defeated by the valour of sixe the bravest Knights , accompanied with as many the fayrest Ladyes of the world . Thinking then that he had done enough , hee presently transported himselfe to Constantinople : and having talked a while in private with Don Belianis , hee desired him to goe into his Chariot , and with him his Sonne Belforan , Fortiman of Greece , his grandchilde Polistor of Nubia , Polistea de la Selva , Policentes sonne to Perineo , Don Clarinell Don Astrides his sonne , Perineo , Furibond the brave Giant , Salintern without feare , Hermiliana , the Amazon , wife to Don Clarinel , Florisbella , wife to Don Bel●anis , the Princesse Belianisa , wife to Belforan , Sirenna wife to Perineo , and the fayre Bergeline her daughter . This done , having touched the Griffons with a rod that he had in his hand , they cut the ayre , with incredible swiftnesse , and carried him to the house , which hee would have called by the name of the Castle of Treasure . Where with some teares , hee enclosed these Princes in one quarter of the Lodgings , assuring them that they should bee enlarged after certayne ages , and at such time as Christendome should have extreame need of their assistance . These things being done , his minde might wel have beene contented , but the exceeding care that he had to effect his designes , not suffering him to be quiet , hee againe turned over his bookes : And finding , that before the time these Princes should be disinchanted , certayne most excellent Knights should be borne , which yet should not arrive to the perfection necessary for the putting an end to his enchantments , hee resolved also to preserve them in the same Castle with the Emperour Don Belianis . For which cause therefore , as soone as the incomparable warriour , the Knight of the Sun was borne , he was infinitely carefull of his safety , assisted him with his Arte without his privity , and knowing that after certayne yeeres , hee was threatned with a disastrous end , by the practise of some traytors , who should murther him one night in his bed , he carried him also away , as he had done Don Belianis , and with him all the principall Knights of his Court , who were to run no lesse hazard ; and placing them in the second division of the lodgings , hee reserved them for that furious encounter , wherein the glory of all Christendome , or the ruine of the Pagans was to be disputed . The names of those enchanted with him , were , his sonne Claridiano of the Spheare , Rosiclere , Claramant , Poliphebo , Don Eleno of Dacia , Rosabell sonne to Rosiclere , Clarabel bastard to Rosabel , and Leobant his brother , Besson , Bramidor the brave Giant , the Empresse Claridiana , and the Princesse Olivia , wife to Rosicleere . Their life was pleasant , and the contentment of Alcander infinite . For as often as hee considered , that Christendome should one day triumph over her enemies , by his assistance , he esteemed himselfe blessed , to be so favoured by heaven , and determining not to neglect such grace hee persevered in his good desire , whence it came that after certayne ages were past , being in the castle of Treasure , he understood the lamentable losse , which the Christians were to sustayne , and the death of those great Monarchs , Amadis of Gaule and of Greece , with many others of their blood . Which , for the reasons before alledged , being desirous to remedy , hee transported himselfe , the same night as that great battell was fought in the fields of the Soldan of Aleppo , to the place where so many bodies lay extended ; gave an honourable sepulture to those Christian Princes which were dead , as you have heard in the first Chapter ; and carryed away those , in whom he found any hope of life , to that wonderfull Castle , appointing them the third division of lodgings ; the names of whom were ; The great King Amadis of Gaule , Amadis of Greece , enchanted as you have heard , Don Silves de la Selva , Agesilan , Amadis d' Astre , Astropolo , Fortiman , Anaxartes , Penthesilea , Argantes , Florartan , Lucentio , Falanges d' Astre , Arlantes , his sonne Arlanges of Spayne , Lucidamor of Boetia , Floreni Emperour of Rome , Filisel of Montespin , Zayr , Flores of Greece , second sonne to Esplandian , Filon King of Sibila , Artaur his Brother , King of Mount Libanus , and Lindamart of Rhodes . But because there may arise a doubt in this Discourse , for that all these which I now have named , were inclosed in the Monument , that appeared in the field of the battell after the darkenesse was past , the Reader may remember , if he please , that these , of whom I now speake , were in a posture there , di●●ering from theirs , who were fully and really dead ; and that the wise man did so order it , to comfort those great Knights , after so heavy a losse . These Princes then being enchanted with Don Belianis , and the Knight of the Sunne , though they knew it not , Alcander , who would not doe a curtesie to halfes , first healed them of their wounds . And then desiring , they should not be lesse happy then the rest , presented them a little while after , with some of the Princesses they loved , whom he had brought from Constantinople , to the extreame discontent of those that remayned behinde . There was the Queene Oriana , the Empresse Niquea , delivered not long before of a sonne , whose birth was celebrated by an infinity of fires appearing in the ayre ; and whom at his Baptisme shee named Amadis of Trebisond , Diana , Axiana , the Princesse Oriana , wife of Anaxartes , Cleosila , Sestiliana , Radiana , Oristila , Anaxarea , Theodorina , Belisaura , Claire estoille , Sclarimena , and Timbria . Having then prepared soveraigne baths for them , made with a million of rare simples , gathered at such time as they were in most vertue , he bathed them eight dayes together ; at the end whereof King Amadis and his wife seemed to bee but forty yeeres old ; and every man as fresh and lovely , as they were at that age ; the Emperour Amadis of Greece , and the Princesse Niquea , but thirty five : Don Silves Agesilan , and the rest , not above thirty .

This done , he carried them all into a fayre chamber , and thus spake unto them : Mighty Princes , you perceive by the helpe that you have already received at my hands , the desire I have to doe you service : I will not therefore excuse my selfe unto you , for holding you restrayned in this maner , since I have no other end for it , but the augmentation of your glory : All things must have their course , and the malignant influences of the starres , must have time to passe over . The day will come , when you will see your off-spring with more contentment then ever ; expect it with so much the more patience . In the meane time I will go from hence to take care for the affayres of those which concerne you neerely . Saying thus , hee went out of the doore , which shut of it selfe with a strange violence , leaving those Princes and Princesses so inchanted , as they did not remember any thing without that place whatsoever .

THE newes of the death of so many Kings , Princes , and Emperours , and the carrying away of the Queene Oriana , with the rest , which were enchanted in the Castle of Treasure , was the cause of so much griefe to those Ladyes that remayned at Constantinople , expecting what would be the issue of that warre , as not able to withstand the violence thereof , they yeelded to the necessity of death , leaving Christendome a world of sorrow for so great a losse . The Empresse Leonine was the first that payd that tribute of nature , but followed so close by the yong Princesse of Sardamyra , the wife of Sistra , that the funerals of the one served also for the other . After them died almost at the same time , the Empresse Arbra , Briolania , the Queene of France wife to Lucidor , the Queene of Traramate and Mesopotamia , Melicia wife to Bruneo of the good Sea , Lardenia , Laciana , Gricelarie , Olinde , the Queenes of Corinth , Saba , Bohemia , the wife of Guillan the pensive , the Queenes of the Garamantes , of Pentapoly , Galacia and Ireland , the wives of Girafer , of Vaillades , of Don Frisus of Lusitania , the Queene of Dacia , the Empresse Brisenne , Darayde Queene of Cores , the wife of Stilpon , and the Queene of Rhodes : who were all interred in the Emperours great Chapell , with so many complaynts and teares , that nothing was heard in any part of the City but cries and lamentatio●s . Now whilest the ceremonies of so many obsequies were performing , Alcander , who had no care more pressing , then the preservation of those Princes , went in his Chariot of the Griffons , to the unknowne Island , wh●re the wise Alquif was , with Vrganda , Zirzea , and Zirenna ; but not desiring to present himselfe unto them without some demonstration of his skill , he in a moment raysed such horrible flashes of lightning in the aire , so great an earthquake , as those reverend old folkes seeing so furious a tempest beyond the order of nature , beleeved that those thunders were presages of their deaths . So that disposing themselves to seeke the mercy of heaven , which never refuseth grace to us , when with humility we seeke it , they fell upon the earth , and lifting up their eyes they met with a new terrour when as they espied the fearefull Chariot in which Alcander appeared , seated with such a majesty , that if they had not beene instructed by the light of fayth , that one only God was to be acknowledged , they had adored him : never so much as dreaming that it was done by art Magicke , or that this incounter could proceed from the skill of any mortall man . For beleeving that none in the world was more expert in that art then they , they could never imagine that any man could finde them out in their Island , unlesse they pleased to permit it . Alcander reading their amazement in their lookes and motions , would not keepe them any longer in payne : Most venerable persons , sayd he , be not dismayd to see me heere at this present , and in this maner : That almighty God who hath endued you with the knowledge of things above nature for the good of his people , hath imparted to mee the same favours which he hath bestowed upon you , and made me no lesse zealous of his glory and service : I am not come hither now to trouble you , as you imagine , but indeed to conferre with you about certayne things , which shall be necessary for the welfare of the Princes of Greece , whose vertue hath begotten such an affection in me towards them , as I will not entertayne a thought but for the augmentation of their glory . I know that you have alwayes infinitely loved them ; that your assistance was never wanting to them ; and that without your ayd they could not so easily have endured those labours they have passed thorow . Wherefore I will endevour to recompence you for it ; imparting to you certayne secrets , that as yet are not come to your knowledge , and that I know you will not a little esteeme : But because your preservation is no lesse deare to me then their quiet , I doe desire you all to goe with me to a Palace that I have , whither wee will carry with us your Bookes , and such instruments as are fit for those of our profession ; to the end , that my sabour being added to your learning , wee may the more easily finde out what shall most conduce to our designe . I cannot doubt but you may have some cause to feare the undertaking of this voyage in the company of a man , whom you never heard spoken of , and that you may finde reason to decline it in the incommodity of your age ; but the good service I have done to Christendome , which hath not undergone so great a losse as you beleeve , and that also I intend to you in your owne particular , may oblige you not to suspect any malice in me : I love vertue too well to be a traytor , and your lives are with mee no lesse considerable then mine owne . Resolve with your selves then , my deare friends , and make no difficulty in following my advice : Time will make you know mee better , and experience ; assure you of my zeale to that , which concernes the affaire I have in hand . How pleasing is rest after labour , and how sweet is assurance after feare ? These good folkes , who expected nothing lesse then so gentle a language , and that made no great account of their lives , judging by Alcanders courage , that he had no bad disposition , gave him as many thanks as the favour he did in visiting them seemed great . It is most true , sayd Alquif , that we would never have thought any other could have outgone us in the knowledge of the secrets of Magicke . But your comming hither hath freed us of that error : for this our Island being indivisible to all the world , and so easily discovered by you , our selves also in a maner bereft of our judgement in beholding you , we cannot doubt but your knowledge is farre beyond ours . Wherefore without any maner of distrust of you , wee doe withall acknowledgement accept the honour of your company , and the offer that you make of acquainting us with such secrets , as have beene hitherto concealed from us . And to testifie unto you that I speake ingenuously and freely , I protest henceforth to depend wholly upon you , so that if wee doe heereafter undertake any thing , it shall not bee but by your advice : and if our weake indevours may be of use to the greatnesse of your intentions , we will joine them to yours , without expecting of any part in the glory of your actions , but that which shall redound from having been your servants . Let us goe then , when you please , wee will carry with us what shall bee requisite ; and if you thinke good , leave nothing behinde us in this Island . No , no , answered Alcander , that shall not need : The best of your bookes will be sufficient . Vrganda then having made up a bundle of them , they all went into the Chariot of the Griffons , that is to say , Alquif , Vrganda , Zirza , Zirenna , Alquifa , and the yong Cassandra , who afterwards by the ayde of Alcander , became so perfect in that art , as she much excelled her parents . The beasts having their load , began to cut the ayre with an incredible swiftnesse , and in a little time arrived at the Castle of Treasure , which appeared to these Magicians so magnificent , that they had never seene building equal to it . As soone as they were come thither , Alcander not to lose time , desired them to put off their clothes , and made them goe into those pretious baths , which hee had formerly prepared to restore the Princes of Greece to the most flourishing estate of their age ; where after hee had kept them eyght dayes , the wrinkles which covered their faces , were cleane defaced ; their limbes enfeebled by a troublesome old age , became firme ; their backes bending under the weight of yeeres , were straightned ; their hayre whited with time , changed colour ; in briefe , they found themselves wholly altered from what they were in the unknowne Island . Behold , sayd then this great Prince of Philosophers , the first favour I will doe to you , that to me seemes of no meane importance : But because wee are not assembled heere onely for our selves , let us take a little paynes , and see how wee may hinder the mischiefe which is yet to fall upon the house of Greece , by the losse of some certayne yong Princes , who are one day to be the strongest pillars of Christendome . I propound this unto you , though I thinke it unprofitable , for the ordinances of heaven are inevitable ; howbeit our labour shall not bee without fruit ; and though wee cannot keepe them from imprisonment , yet shall wee doe somewhat to helpe and preserve them among their enemies . This sayd , they began to make their conjurations apart , which were not altogether unusefull , as you shall know by the sequel of this Discourse . That done , Alcander thought good to returne his friends to their Island , not discovering to them the enchantment of the Princes of Greece . And having desired them to watch as till then they had done , for the benefit of Christendome , hee went away , carrying Cassandra along with him , to shew her all the secrets of Magicke , and to render her perfect in that Art .

FLorisel of Niquea , approoving of the wise Alcanders advice , did wholly desist from the purpose he had of ravaging the estate of the Pagans , thereby to render his revenge the more memorable ; and resolved by break of day to depart for Greece : ordering Alastraxerea to goe unto Trebisond , Don Rogell into Persia , Spheramond into the Empire of Parthia , Lucendus into France , Dorigell into the Fortunate Islands , the King Gadart into the Island Megera , Anaxander , Florador , Melindo , Olidor , Ginoldan , Amanio d'Astre , for their kingdomes , and the rest whither fortune called them . But fearing lest some new warre might breake foorth after his departure , he left the moiety of his troopes with those , whose Provinces were surrounded with the Pagans estates , that they might not be surprised with any new garboyle , and also might preserve the Countreys they had gotten . Matters being thus disposed , they attended the next rising Sunne , which presented to them no lesse wonder then the day before had done : for that vast and stately edifice , wherein all those Kings , Princes , and Emperours , were enclosed , appeared no more , nor was there any thing seene in the place thereof , but onely the playne ground , as it was before the battell . This second losse had afflicted them , for they receyved no meane consolation in seeing their parents interred with so much glory , but straightway considered that this was some new device of that Magician , who had written unto them , they were no whit dismayed ; and taking it for a good testimony of his love to them in that he had not left those bodies in the middest of so many enemies , they prepared for their departure with the lesse griefe . The time then of their remoove being come , all those troopes began to march severall wayes . For Spheramond , Dorigell , Sylvan , Amanio d'Astre , and the fayre Savage , tooke a way farre different from that , which the others had , determining to spend some time in seeking adventures abroad . The beauteous Savage seeing her self alone , renewed her sorrow for the losse of her husband , whilest Silvan travelled with no lesse discontent for that of his fayre Licinia , of whose death he had heard ; and that Spheramond , Amanio d'Astre , and Dorigell lamented so great a disaster , although the glorious death of their kinsmen did yeeld them some comfort . Having thus passed two or three dayes without meeting any adventure worthy their undertaking , Spheramond about the time that the Sunne was in the middest of his course , felt himselfe so drowsie , that he was constrayned to lie downe to sleepe , commanding his Squire to let their horses graze . The extreame paines that before he had taken , and the delicacy of the place , made his rest so pleasing unto him , as he did not wake till night , nor would peradventure have done till the next day , if the noyse of a Chariot passing by him , had not made him to rise in all haste ; he was about to have called his Squire for to bridle his horse , but the voyce of one that lamented , stayd him for to learne the cause thereof . Listening then attentively , and looking that way the voyce came , he saw a Chariot passe by him drawne with sixe great horses , wherin sate three dreadfull Giants , every one of them holding a Lady in his armes ; two of the which seemed to be rather dead then alive ; and the third was she that made those cries and lamentations which hee had heard . Iust Heaven , sayd she , will you not send some succour to these great though miserable Princesses ? Or will you permit them to remayne in the hands of these villayns , who questionlesse will without respect of their quality strive by force to robbe them of what is most deare unto them ? O God! what a losse will Christendome receyve ? And you , brave Princes , how much will it grieve you to heare of this disaster ? I lament your misfortune asmuch as the death they are going to suffer . This voyce being lost in the ayre , left nodesse pity then anger in the minde of this Prince : For finding by this speech that they were Christians of eminent quality , and thinking also that he had beene acquaynted with the sound of that voyce , he was moved with an extreame desire to succour them : So calling his Squire , hee made his horse to be brought him ; and quickly mounting upon him , he galloped the same way that he saw the Chariot take , hoping to reach those Giants in a little time , and to fight with them at any rate whatsoever . But the night was so darke , that not knowing which way he tooke , hee entred into a Forrest , where the first that he met with , was a reverend old man , holding a torch in his hand , who taking his horse by the bridle , sayde unto him : Valiant Prince , be not offended if I take the liberty to stay you at this present ; For desiring your safety , as much as my owne welfare , I cannot let you passe without advertising you , that you are infallibly lost , if you ob●●inately pursue the designe you have in hand , and light upon those this night whom you now are following : The day will bee more fit for your purpose , then this darkenesse : and patience alone is that must procure you what you now so earnestly wish for : Enquire not what I am , nor why I meddle thus with youraffayres . It is not yet time that you should know mee , nor that you should thorowly understand my intentions , as I doe your thoughts . Onely alight , and goe into this Tent , that you see heere ; and tarry for day light to finish your enterprise , which is of more importance then yet you conceive . I do not know , answered Spheramond , ( somewhat wondring to meet that man in such a place , and at so unseasonable an howre ) how you can bee obliged to wish and seeke my good , with so much demonstration of friendship , since I doe not remember that ever I saw you before : But happen what may , I will gladly obey you , my necessity and the time also advising mee therunto : Thus speaking he alighted , leaving his horse with a little Dwarfe who was there as of purpose , and entred the Tent , which hee thought was the fayrest that ever he had seene . Without doubt , sayd hee then , you love me not a little , that have provided me so magnificent a lodging : for I did not expect to be so well accommodated to night : But beleeve it , you shall not find me ungratefull , if you please to make use of me . Saying so , he went to embrace this man , but he was no more to be seene : wherat he was somewhat amazed , yet supposing all this to bee done by inchantment , hee began to survey the Tent , and found in one of the corners of it , a Table covered with plenty of delicate meat , which so whetted his stomacke , that hee sate him downe to supper ; where having well asswaged his hunger , hee walked about the Tent , and finding a bed ready made hee layd him downe upon it , and fell into so sound a sleepe , that the sunne was of a good height before he awaked ; and then being much amazed to find himselfe armed with new and excellent Armes , his Squire snoring at his feet , and neyther Wood nor Tent to be seene , but a playne , so large as it could not limit his view : howbeit his wonder ceasing by the remembrance of such like encounters , when as hee was a Knight errant , hee jogd his Squire to waken him . And having not forgotten the adventure that he met with the night before , nor the discourse of the old man , he quickly got to horse , and tooke the first way hee lighted upon , wherein he rode till Sunne setting , when as hee perceived a Castle before him garnished with twelve towres , so fayre and strong that it was impossible to better them : this curiosity inviting him to view this building neerer hand he approached to it , and going about it he was so attentive in observing it , as hee could hardly give over . But seeing night now come on , he tooke the hammer of the gate , and knocked very hard : At the noyse whereof a Giant appeared upon the Battlements , who with a hoarse and dreadfull voyce sayd unto him : Withdraw thy selfe , wretched creature , and come not hither to seeke that which all men else are afrayd to find : the gate may not be opened this night , for so are wee commanded , what ever occasion shall fall out ; but if thou wilt tarry till tomorrow , I will bee content to heare what thou hast to say : Therewith he retyred himselfe leaving Spheramond ill satisfied with that his arrogant behaviour . Neverthelesse , not being able to quit his longing to know what was within the Castle , hee fell off to certayne trees , that were not farre off from it : and commanding his Squire to discharge the part of a carefull Sentinell , with much adoe he fell on sleepe .