AT the time when Romes foundation was 1164. years standing , and after she had been governed by an Emperour 25. years , under the name of Honorius ; It happened , that Alaricke , King of the Goths , infested Romes Territories with a better Army then good Cause , having no pretence for what he did , but the daily promptings of a bad Genius : For when Isidorus the Hermite ( a man of great authority amongst the Religious , and of highest estimation with the Vulgar , exemplary both in life and conversation ) met with this Enthusiastick Tyrant , and disswaded him from drinking the blood of Innocents , whilst there was not the least thirst , occasioned by excitation of any heat that was between them ; he was answered by the same Alaricke , that there was a man that came daily to him , and would not let him rest , but uncessantly perswaded him to march to Rome , destroy her Inhabitants , and rase her walls , whom he could not in any way resist : Which so astonished the poore Hermite , that he departed from him , with these ( onely ) words in his mouth , Vereor , heu vereor .

Two yeeres the Capitoll ecchoed to the Gottish Drummes , before it answered to the word Yeeld : Which when Necessity had once taught it how to speak so strange a language , amongst the miserable , Honoria , Romes glory , and her Sexes wonder , ( having lost her aged Grandfather under the walls of Rome , and two younger brothers , Nephews to the Emperour , who having not strength enough to fight against the Enemie , wanted not Piety in attempting to bring their father off , but were both mowed downe by the same Sithe , which knew no difference betweene the tallest Bent , and the most tender Flowers ) followes Bertaldo her elder brother , who was fled before through a sea ( which though stormy , yet ) lesse raging then the Tyrants fury : thus forsaking the Calabrian for the Carthaginian shore ; where like the Sunne ( appearing to a heathen people ) she found many Adorers , amongst the rest , Lorenzo , Prince of Carthage , and all the Territories round about , who requited the captivity of her beauty with captivating her Person : which he performing with a passion more impulsive then that of Love , attended with Civility , she thus spake unto him :

SIR ,

I am nothing , more or lesse , then a leafe which is falne from the tree that made Lawrels for the Roman Emperours ; and tost by a wind that hath blown me upon your coast : I perceive you are a man of some authority in these parts ; exercise that power , which may make you worthy of renowne : ( and not in sullying a vertue , which belongs to Princes , which is , to defend and relieve the distressed , and chiefly , Ladies in distresse ; the true point of Masculine Nobility . ) Sir , you should take me by the Minds Intellect , and not thus hold a Lady by the wrist , overcome a Romane Dame by the Soules Dialect . I have a Mind as much above your reach , as is your state above my misery . You may force flesh and blood , but no more enjoy me , then if you should commit a Rape upon Repentance ; and what pleasure can you take in the fruition , when you shall find me as cold to your desires , as is a Corps that 's new digg'd up out of its grave . Sir , I dare tell you thus much , Though my locks are gray'd with hoary frosts , and my garments blaucht throughout with these favours of the Ship ; and though these eyes , within mine head , vie Controversies with the shooes upon my feet , which should be filled with the saltest waters ; that there is a greater Partition between you , and Honour , then all the water that the Earth's Globe hath received into its bosome , hath made a separation betwixt me , and Rome : if you intend , that , which I feare , as little , as you shall find Contentment in the prosecution .

Lorenzo having before let goe his hold , now begins to let fall his courage ; and ( as if he had been Planet-strucken by some She-constellated Deitie ) to aske her pardon , and to assure her , that she was not so low in her condition , as he was high in his Resolves , to perform all acts of grace and favour in her behalfe , that should seeme most agreeable to her owne liking , calling to witnesse all that was sacred , that he rendred himselfe at her disposall , as true a Convert , as the greatest friend on earth , had cause to boast a merit . Honoria joy'd with the good successe of her own ( so well bestowed ) language , bids him be constant in his resolution , and be happy . Whereupon he discovers himselfe a Prince of all the Territories round about , and causing his most sumptuous Chariot to be sent for , he seats her in it , and kneeling at the lowest step , he begs the favour of his admittance : she bends both her body , and discourse , to lay hold upon all the Civilities that might helpe him up ; applauding the exuberance of so great humanity , shewed to a person , who sate there , as a meere object of his clemencie . The commanded haste , which the Charioteere soone made , to the Royall Palace ( together with the many Questions and Answers which the King and Queene of Love made to one another ) shortned the way , that brought them to so glorious a structure , as if one of Jupiters birds had built his nest in the Sun ; which dazled the eyes of its beholders .

The Palace was seated on the side of a hill , whereby though there were many buildings , yet not any one obscur'd the rest , but all like so many yearly children of a right Architectist , stood in so many several degrees one above another . Before the house there glided a soft streame , smiling upon the flowery Bankes , whose depth rather received Bargemen then Navigators . All along which River there was a fruitfull Valley , that yeelded a most pleasant prospect , which a man might easily behold without losing his owne eyes . Above the Palace , a Hill , almost compassed the Seate , in forme of a Moone Cressant , opening to receive the benefit of the pleasing Zephirs , and a Grove betweene , answerable to the shape and manner of the Hill . Adjoyning whereunto , in proportion , was a goodly Orchard , and next unto the House , a faire Garden , whose Platt was contrived upon such a hanging Levell , whose proclivitie was so insensible , that you might walke upwards upon plaine ground , and downe againe , without descent . Upon the midst whereof , was a liberall Fountaine , which was no lesse servient to the Grotts for Water-works , then to the House for use . No tunnells of any Chimney were to be seene above the house , but the Chimneys of every Square were so contrived all back to back , that they sent up their conveyance so close drawne up together , that over so many severall places of the Palace , there was nothing more to be seen then so many tripartited walls , with Benches for to sit upon , either opening to the Sunne , or affording shade , from what part of the Firmament soever the Sunne should cast his Beames , as favours , or persecutions . Upon the side of every wall , there attended the Suns motion , Dials , that took constant notes of all the progresse . At the corner of each wall , were Pendents , and in the midst , higher then all the rest , a larger Pendent , having the Princes Armes cut through , whose thorough light made the Chardge Sables , and the Field , Azure , or Skie-colour ; serving as well for ornament as use . Neither was the Contrivement lesse beneficiall , respecting the three walls sheltridge from the foure winds . The comming up to the Palace , was over a faire River , and along a two-arched stately Bridge , between which and the Palace , was a stately Launt , five hundred and fifty paces , with a double row of trees on both sides ; in each double row a Foot-walk , wherein three might goe abreast ; and in the middle a faire gravell rise for the Chariot and the Horse ; which led through a faire Parke , no lesse enamell'd with store of Deere , then shadowed with the goodliest trees ; which brought you to a Building , whose contrivements were all sonnes and daughters of Uniformity and Beauty .

The Prince ( having shewed her all that is described , and having brought her with all his Attendant Lords and Ladies to the top of the Palace ) tells her ( before them all ) that all that she had seene within those walls , and all that her eyes beheld without , should be hers , upon no other condition , but that she should be his .

Honoria ( perceiving that she was now put to act the two parts both of Modesty and Discretion ) answered him in these words :

WORTHY SIR ,

In my weake opinion , you doe not deale so kindly with me , as if you would have me live : You cannot be ignorant of the danger that is in taking a poore hunger-starv'd wretch , and tempting her owne appetite to be her ruine , in setting before her so many dishes , and plentifull varieties . I have beene fed with sorrow a long time , and have had no moisture wherewith I might quench my thirsting after comfort , but my owne teares ; and now you cram me with delights : what can be expected , but that I should soone surfet with the joyes wherewith you fill a heart that is too narrow to containe the moitie of your bounty and goodnesse ? I see here in your presence , choice of faire and honourable Ladies , daughters to Felicity , and right heires to Happinesse : Tell me but which you like , and my needle shall worke her such a wedding garment , as it may be Carthage never saw the like ; and this is all the favour I shall beg , or thinke my selfe worthy of . —

She ( seeing him stand amazed ) urged him farther with these words ( so modestly spoken ) I pray Sir , let it be so , it may be I may be thought worthy for to wait upon her .

No , ( said the Prince ) they shall all attend on thee , and thinke themselves no more or lesse happy then according to the degrees of favour that thou shalt ranke them in , and their merits , at thy hands , shall purchase estimation . For ( by all that 's sacred ) before the morrowes Sunne shall reach to its Meridian , thou shalt be mine . Doe not you stand so much upon refusall , lest you make us thinke , that you Romanes have an art beyond us , to make your selves more acceptable by crowning your Perfections with Humility . Come , let 's goe , and what thou hast not seen , that shall be thine ; I le shew thee farther . — Whereupon leading her by the arme , he delighted himselfe ( in supposing how much he delighted her ) in shewing her all his Rarities and Treasures .

All his attendants ( especially they of the Female Sexe ) were not ( as yet ) more affected with envie of her happinesse , then they were pleased with the humble manner of her behaviour , untill their second thoughts had placed their envies right against her : construing that Modestie , as a piece of cunning , to attract Honour ( the more ) by flying it ; and to draw his love more and more towards her , by seeming to refuse it . This night , the honourable women , by commandement from the Prince , attended Honoria ; who the next day , as their Princesse , was to command their attendance . Which day being come , the time of that day allotted for the solemnization of so great a Marriage was at hand : when they were both made one , with the greatest pompe and ceremony that could be devised , which I leave to your owne imaginations to supply the place of a description . But one thing I must not omit , because it was so ominous to that , which after happened : For at the same time whilst the Priest was joyning the Hands of those whose Hearts were one already , Blood gusht from his nostrils , and at once stain'd the two maine preservers both of Knowledge and Devotion , the sacred Directory , and the Priests lips ; and made the very word which ensured the Prince his love unto Honoria , Rubrick in the Lyturgie . Which though the standers by interpreted it as a bad Omen , yet the parties themselves , guarded with Innocence , and Thoughts as noble as their Resolutions towards each other , disdain'd to understand it a presage of evill .

No lesse prodigious was that of the Dishes being serv'd up to the Bridall Board with a noise of the Cloud-cleaving thunder of the Almighty , and with Lightnings from the severall windowes crossing the meat : Which was not construed , as a benediction , by those who did observe it ; and they who were least superstitious , were ( notwithstanding ) somewhat out of countenance to behold such sad Pottents : which the Princely Bride perceiving , thus spake unto her better part :

MY LORD ,

Why should you and I be troubled at these accidents , seeing it lies within our power to make them nothing ? If you should once speak harsh to me , that thunder would be terrible in mine eares ; neither can I feare the blasting of any Lightning , but what may ( unhappily ) have its procedure from your eyes ; and when I deserve either , may I meet with both . The Priests blood dropt not upon our hands , but upon his booke ; whilst these are pure and innocent , we need not feare . Though the blood fell upon the Letter , it did not fall upon the meaning that was between us . Be you but constant to these vowes which you have made , and it shall not lie within the power of Fate to work our prejudice .

My deare Honoria , ( reply'd the Prince ) I am glad that these things have happened thus , since they have given thee occasion to make Superstition such a foole . Look , my Deare , it cleares up already , thy breath hath rais'd the Siege that had so close begirt the inclosed fires , that sallied forth in thunder ; and thy smiles have already dispell'd the Clouds that sate on every countenance . Come , let us sit downe , and better our Commons with exceedings both of mirth and jollity . —

It happened ( whilst these affaires were in agitation ) that Bertaldo Brother to Honoria , and Nephew to the Emperour Honorius , sometimes Governour of Cilicia , ( a man of admirable Prowesse , and much Gallantry ) one who had expressed it sufficiently against the Goths , ( having slaine with his owne hands Amboyolus , Brother to Alarick , King of the Goths ) escaped the Gottish Inquisition , and conceal'd himselfe for some time heretofore in that Country ) came to heare of the good fortune which his sister met withall by flying from so sad a fate , ( where finding her fixed amongst the highest Constellations of that Firmament , and hearing that there were Justs and Tournaments to be performed in the after-noone in honour of the day ) he engaged a rich Jewel , which he had brought over with him , and slipt himselfe into the most compleat Armour that the time would give him leave , and mounted himselfe upon the bravest horse that money could buy . When the Prince and Princesse were seated , with all the Lords and Ladies of the Court , he entred the Lists amongst the other Tilters ( disguis'd as the rest were ) who therefore could not wonder at any other strangenesse , but that their number should exceed by one , they knew not who , and come amongst them , they knew not how : wherefore he was soone accosted by the Herauld , who demanded of him what he was , and upon what Accompt he entred the Lists : to whom Bertaldo gave this Answer :

Sir , I am a Stranger , that seek renowne in Forraigne parts , and oppotunity offers me a purchase at your hands : I require my Match if if he be to be found amongst the Carthaginians . Amongst the Carthaginians ? ( said the Herauld ) that you shall soone find . And so left him , declaring to the rest , the contents , of what had passed betweene him and the strange Knight : the newes of so bold a Challenge was soon brought into the eares of the highest Spectators , who fraught with wonder , summon'd all their intellectualls ; out of which they chose a Committee of Divining thoughts to make enquiries who it should be , but could not draw up a report : the Combatants disdaining , that such a bold expostulation should proceed from a stranger , to the disparagement of the Carthaginian Chivalry , if not chastised for his presumption : they all strove who should undertake him first : and not agreeing otherwise , they all resolved to cast Lots to whose turn the Enterprize should fall ; but the Prince fearing that the Lot might fall to the most unskilfull , and weakest , to undertake so high a piece of Confidence ; and so the glory of the Carthaginians might happen to be eclipsed , commanded Cosdruball , Captain of his Guard , a man of highest eminence and esteeme in all that Country , and one that never had been foil'd in point of Chivalry , to undertake the Challenger , which was obeyed , and thus performed .

Cosdruball mounted upon a Milk-white Steed , having a silver Mane , that reacht ( curling ) downe to his knees , with his Launce in his hand , and Sword by his side , in gilded Armour , enters the Lists , ( his horse out-noising all the Trumpets with his neighings ) and prepares himselfe for the Encounter , against whom was brought Bertaldo upon a bright Bay , with black Spots over all his body , and a white Star in his Fore-head , having a goodly Mane mingled with black and brown Haires : Drake-neckt , mouse-ear'd , full-ey'd , and open nostrils , pawing with one Foot upon the ground , and pricking up his Eares , as if he delighted rather to hear , then mar the musick of the Trumpets : Blowing , as if he stomackt the delay , and waving his body up and downe , as if idlenesse were a greater burden to him then action : All which signes of goodnesse in his Horse put Bertaldo in good hopes , that he should make his words good , which he promised to his late Master in his behalf : who hearing his late Master speak by way of commendation of his Horse , ( he was then selling to Bertaldo ) viz. That he was a Lambe in the Stable , and a Peacock upon the Road ; answered , that he would teach him how to be a Lyon in the Field .

Thus all in Armour silver'd ore , with a mourning Ribbond a crosse his Armour ; and a black plume of Feathers in his Helmet , with a Launce in his hand , and Sword by his side : He sate his Horse in such a comely posture , that his Princely Sister could not but think of him , who was the Man she thought of , her own Brother : the signall was thrown down on the rush , like lightning upon one another ; and he that was never worsted in all his life , was now unhors'd upon the first Encounter : Which Cosdruball , not knowing how to brook , requested that he might run againe , and trie his fortune once more ; which being against the Lawes of Chivalry for him that was Unhors'd to trie a second Combate , was denyed it by the Herauld : and his fellow Tilters ( hoping to re-gaine immortall Honour , by repairing that mis-fortune with a better ) stickled so much against him , that he ( scorning nothing more then that the glory of vindicating the Carthaginian honour should fall to anothers share ) therewith was so outed of all moderation and reason , both at once , ( by a strong passion that too often had been his enemie ) that he struck at one of them , and the other foure vindicated the first : so that they all five fell upon him . Which Bertaldo perceiving , takes part with his Antagonist ; by whose assistance , Cosdruball held long play with all the five , and two of them were dismounted , and sore wounded in the face , and between the joynts of their armour , and both of them , by the brave Bertaldo ; whose sword at the last breaking , he took one of their horses by one of the cheeks of the bit , whose horse being tender mouth'd , rear'd so up an end , that it gave occasion for a lesser strength , then what Bertaldo had , to throw horse and man backward over and over : Whereupon the Prince threw down his Warder , commanding his Guard to part them , which was done accordingly . But Cosdruball by this time having turned his Envie against Bertaldo into Admiration , and his Choller into Complement , thus spake unto him :