The first Chapter.

THOSE whiche haue been curi­ous in readyng of auncient Hi­stories, are nothing ignoraunte howe, amongest those Realmes, whiche for their fertilitie and worthinesse haue in tymes paste merited any Commendations, Brittaine the Greate hath not only matched, but also farre sur­passed them all: As well because of naturall beauty & good­nes therof, as in that it is the country vnder heauen, which of all Antiquity hath bene more populous, & better stoared of strong and valiaunt Knightes, then any other, whatsoe­uer: thether drawen and allured, partlie by the excellent and deuine beautie of the Ladies there inhabityng: partly by the merueilous and straunge aduentures there accusto­mably [Page]found. In so much that for this occasion it hath béen often called the Lande aduenturous. Neither might any one of forraine Coastes or Countries name hym selfe a true and valiaunt knight, if in it hee had not made proofe of his worthines, there atchiuyng some straunge aduentu­res. But especially in the tyme of the moste Puissaunt and vertuous king Brandismel, whiche hauyng by his prowesse and valiauncy conquered many Realmes and Prouinces, as Norwaie, Swethlande, and Denmarke, instituted also the order of the twelue couragious knightes of greate Bri­taine, beyng suche, and endued with so greate force and va­liauncie, that fewe their likes were as then to bee founde in the whole worlde. Amonge whom, for moste valiaunt was the kinge Ferrande of Norwaie, Dom Grandilaor and Dom Murcibel king of Denmarke. The rest also because of their bounty, dexteritie and bouldnesse in matters of Ar­mes were greate praise worthy. For this occasion was king Brandismel much feared and redoubted of his neigh­boures and borderers, yet no lesse beloued of them for his courtesie, liberalitie, lenitie, and humanitie, with other ver­tues infinite, whiche were resplendisaunt in hym. And in suche forte, that there was not hee whiche (doyng hym the most toylesome and agreable seruice hee coulde) did not yet estéeme himself most happy to be insinuated into his good grace and fauour, so to gaine his gratious amitie. But the fatall Sisters (most impious, and enuious of the good suc­cesse and felicitie of humaine kinde, and of those especially whiche retaine a singular contentment and pleasure to bee in the fellowship and acquaintaunce of a Prince so vertu­ous and debonaire) bereft them the shinyng gleames of no­blenesse and myrour of Chiualry out of this worlde, shrea­ding a sonder the last thréede of this so vertuous a king, the yere of grace after the death of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, 418. the 66. yere of his age, and 32. of his raigne. Wher­vppon I can not rightly expresse the dolour & sorrow that [Page 2]the couragious knightes his Subiectes receiued with his most priuate and best frendes. In so muche that (as recoun­teth vs the Historie) there were suche of them as remained twoo or three Monethes, without power to refraine them­selues from weeping and lamenting most bitterlie, when as it came to them in minde of the Bountie and Vertue of that noble Prince. And chieflye the worthy olde Candior Duke of Normandy, a Prince surelie amongest the Sage and hardy, muche commendable. Neuerthelesse as there is noe griefe so greate, whiche in course of tyme (a quite con­sumer of all thinges) is not put foorthe of remembraunce: So for iuste cause this good Lorde of Normandy, together with the reste whiche were moste dolefull for the losse of a King so debonaire and vertuous, at laste made ende of their plaintes and lamentations. And for iuste cause saye I, in that he lefte them for successour, a Sonne of his, begotten by his deere and loyall Spouse and Wife Florixe (whiche not many yeres before had departed this life) whiche saide sonne after the death of his Father was Heire, not onely of his terreine Dominions and Possessions, but also of his most rare and singuler vertues. For besides that he was a good knight, prudent and hardy past measure, beeyng of a large stature, his members well made, formed and propor­tioned in equality, the one with the others, of sixe or seauen and twentie yeres of age▪ or there aboutes: he was also had in reputation for the most sage, modest & courteous Prince of his tyme. In so much that (to make briefe) no man could require or wish any thing proper or conuenient for so great a personage as his, whereof his valiauncie and inuincible prowesse was not beautified and adorned. This same was called Floridamant, the which did neuer finde man (of what force or puissaūce soeuer he were) who daring to Iust with hym, hadde not geuen plainly to feele and vnderstande, that he was peerelesse and not matcheable. For this cause there was no knight in all Brittaigne the Greate, whiche at his [Page]newe arriuall to the Crowne, did not deliberate and deter­mine to conuerte and tourne the lamentations and wee­pinges of his Fathers death into ioyes and gladnesse, for hauing after the losse of a good Lorde and Master, recoue­red and receaued a better kyng. To whom there lacked so litle, that he should degenerate from the bountie and good­nes of his predecessour, that by his vertue (whiche rather more then lesse did hym illustrate) he did in suche sort striue and endeuour in equalitie of valiauncie, and good behaui­our to imitate and counteruale hym, that his Knightes, Princes and Barons, with other of his Vassailes and Seruauntes, thought in no wise to haue chaunged their Maister: who vnwillyng to omit anye iote of his greate magnificence, a while after his Coronemente, made and gaue so many faire and Godly Giftes and Presentes, not onely to the couragious knightes his Subiectes, but also to such straungers as were come to visite him, and to make offer to hym of their seruice (beeyng nothyng ignoraunt that liberalitie rendreth men subiect and bounde towardes those whiche vse it:) that there was not he, whiche pricked and prouoked with a desire to doe him agreable seruice, (so muche his lenity and liberality had charmed and enchaun­ted their affections,) would not willinglie haue put his life in hazarde, for the maintenaunce & conseruation of his ho­nour. And for that, that a little afore the decease of the good king Brandismel his Father, he had espoused the daughter of king Barrachen of Scotlande, named Bellizenne, a Prin­cesse as sage and vertuous, as faire and gracious (for fewe there were) who then for beauty & good grace, durste com­pare with her:) There were come to visite hym, the twoo valiaunt Princes, Hubert of Scotlande, Brother to the Queene Bellizenne, and Dorian, Sonne to the kinge of Spaine, whiche had aforetymes beene Compagnions of Armes, and atchiued many Exploites and haughtie enter­prises with hym. He determined to addresse and make rea­die [Page 3]all sortes of recreations and pastimes, the more honou­rablie to feaste and entertaine them, as to appoint Ius [...] ­ges and Tourneis for the loue of Noble Dames and La­dies, and to conducte them to the Chace of wilde Boares, Hartes, Roebuckes, and other suche like beastes. But as he enforced hymselfe to showe them suche, and all other like pleasaunt recreations and pastimes, whereof he coulde bee aduised: Fortune, which by her mobility & inconstancie, ne­uer suffreth thinges in one esse, nor abiding, but (like to the immutatiō of the Sunne, which sometymes lendeth vs his Raies and Beames moste resplendent, cleare and brighte, and his pleasaunt smilyng visage, sometymes againe coue­red and ouerwhelmed with an infinite number of thicke and darke Cloudes or Mistes, to vs appearyng obscure and darke, causeth to fall vpon vs a multitude of waterishe and rainy showers) straight waies is to vs frendly and fa­uourable, lettyng vs sauour and smell the sweete taste of an infinite number of delightes and pleasures, by and by contrariwise tournyng vpsidedoune the order of humaine affaires by a chaunge and alteration of dolours and sorro­wes, which she mingleth & produceth amongest her volup­tuos entisementes, & bringeth vs most often, of anguishes and dolours, a multitude innumerable: making vs feele as muche bitternesse in the ende, as she hath in the beginnyng brought pleasure) ne permitteth lōg these Princes (which as then had none other care, but to make good cheare, and too entertaine eache one (of the Queenes Dames and Damozelles which were full faire and gratious, whom he bare most affection vnto) to enioye these delightes & pasti­mes, without depriuyng them thereof, shortly, and that by the moste straunge aduenture whereof euer was made men­tion. For so it chaunced that the newe king Floridamant beyng in his Pallaice at London in estate and forme aboue recoūted, accōpagnied with the Princes Hubart of Scot­lande, and Dorian of Spaine, purposing at after dinner to [Page]goe to course an Harte whiche hee had seene that mornyng in a Wood neere to Miranaol, which was a Castell of one miles distaunce from the Towne, geuen by the king to his newe espoused wife, at certaine seasons there to recreate, and refreshe her selfe when she should thinke good. The whiche, besides the Architecture and magnificent buildin­ges, with diuersities of woorkes, whereof it was framed and wrought, the moste pleasaunt and riche of all others, as then to be séen, was in like maner so delectable and plea­saunt, because of the said wood wherwith it was enuironed, more then a myles compasse aboute, that it was vnpossible to ioyne ought thereunto, to geue enlargement to the per­fection thereof, in all that which one could desire or wishe to a place of like pleasaunce, there entered into the Hal a Da­mosell of meane beauty, whose countenaūce, to sée to, séemed so bedewed with teares & dolefulnes, that one would haue thought that of long tyme she had done nothyng but weapt and lamented, in that as yet appeared along her face the trickling Teares, distilling by grosse and greate droppes. This same Damsell apperceiuyng the king, whom she see­med well to knowe, came to prostrate and fall doune on her knees before hym, and sighyng bitterly (eache one hauyng pursued her to vnderstande that whiche she would saye) she spake on this sorte. ‘Most puissaunt king, in whom al boun­tie and worthines of Chiualry and vertue aboundes, more then in any other vnder Heaven, the same of your prowesse, humanitie, courtesie and value (which so often hath flowed from the one till the other side of the worlde) hath caused mee to come from farre euen to these Coastes, to requeste and beseech youre Royall highnesse (the whiche I truste is not dispuruaied of mercy ne pittie) that taking compassion of the most vnfortunate and miserable Damsell that liueth, it may please you, in respecte of the order of knighthoode, whiche you haue taken, not to denie me your succour and ayde, against the most presumptuous & wicked wight that [Page 4]liueth on the Earthe.’ For (saide she drawyng a sorrowfull sigh from the bottome of her hearte) ‘I am of opinion, that none (my Lord) but you, hath power to succour mee in this case, so fierce and puissaunt is the disloyall wight, whiche hath wrought mee this wrong. But I hauyng so greate confidence and affiaunce in your bounty and prowesse, sup­pose that you onely may matche hym and geue hym the o­uerthrowe, whiche hath bene cause, that reiectyng all feare and shame through the necessitie which oppressed mée, thus ouerboldly and vnreuerently I haue dared to beseech your Royall highnesse, to bee so fauourable to mee in this my so vrgent affaire, assuryng my self that not forgettyng in any pointe the duetie of a wise and valiaunt knight (suche a one as you are accompted) which is to succour Ladies & Dam­selles afflicted as I am, you will not gainesaie ne denie mee of the request whiche I pretende to make to you: for that no man euer heard say, that for cowardise or slacknesse (vi­ces whiche lodge not in you) you euer disdained, or dis­courteously denied any other, who (as I now do) requested you to geue them, aide and succour.’ After that she had made an ende of her tale, y^e king (which had seen her in speaking, weepe so bitterlye, and three or fower tymes to breake of with suche continuall and hartie sighes and sobs, that there was no harte so harde, cruell and vnpitifull, whiche she would not haue moued to cōpassion) tooke such pity of her, that hauyng caused her to stande vp, where afore she knee­led, he made her this aunswere. ‘Damsell tell mee hardly in what affaires my succour may serue and be fauourable vn­to you: promisyng you that nothyng forgetting my duetie, I will hazard my life to sustaine your right, or at the least­wise I will knowe what therin you haue.’ Then the Dam­sell greatly appeased & satisfied, with so good and gracious an aunswere, thankyng hym for the same with a lowe reue­rence, coloured her visage with somewhat more ioye then she brought, therein painted a while afore, and ceassyng her [Page]teares saide vnto hym: Than I desire you Sir, to geue mée audience, while I make you a recitall of my ill lucke and misfortune, and attentiuely to vnderstande the forme of myne aduenture more vnhappie then anye other, where­of euer mention was made since the memorie of man. Wherin it is meete you knowe, that I am by birthe of the Lande of Thrace, and Daughter of a Noble and vertuous Kynge, named Minoberis, who in hys tyme hath beene as strongt and valiaunte in Armes, as anye other whatsoe­uer, but so smallye fauoured of Fortune, that nowe she suffereth hym to consume the reste of his age, so misera­bly as is possible to imagine: for that he liueth in a Prison made cruell and tirannous, with a torment tenne hundreth tymes more sharpe then the horrour of death it selfe. And thus it chaunced that one daie, as hee was in the queste and pursuite of straunge aduētures to make proofe of his force and valure, & also to get praise and honour (the only Guer­don of Illustrious and gentle hartes, as all wanderyng knightes accustomably doe) passing by chaunce through a certaine Forrest, he encountred a wilde Boare, whiche be­yng striken and wounded through the bodie with a Darte, came and fell doune not farre from hym starke dead, which he apperceiuyng, tooke and charged vppon his horse to ca­ry it away: but as hee beganne to departe, there came to­wardes hym another knight of so small stature, that hee ex­ceeded not the height of two or three cubites, but therwith so strong and puissaunt, that no knight nor Giaunte what­soeuer, might endure his force, and for this cause so fearce and presumptuous, that if he sawe any thing to hym not a­greable, were it wrong or right, he would haue it. This fel­lowe seeing the praie whiche my Lorde and Father caried, said to him very stoutly, that he either should deliuer & geue to hym the wild Boare out right, or otherwise he would let hym vnderstande that it was not for suche a one as hym to gainsaie any thyng to hym agreable, My father, which had [Page 5]his Hearte so fixed and settled, and who was of so greate courage, that he could in no wise suffer so presumptuous a bragge: to hym answered, that he shoulde not haue it with­out conquest made by the pointe of the Swerde. Whereon the litle knight whiche had to name Nabot, was so chaffed and enraged, that putting without more wordes his hande vpon his Swerde, he stroake my miserable father so rude­ly vppon the head, that at the firste blowe hee brought hym doune all astonished from his Horse to the grounde: where­on after he had laied the wilde Boare, he tooke my Father betwixt his armes and caried hym into the moste straunge and Butcherous Prison, that euer was hearde spoken of. For besides that, he hath clogged his feete with greate and weightie Giues of Y [...]on, hee ne geueth hym all the day to eate ought elles, but a Morsell of most salt Bacon, with­out drinking more then once in twoo daies, of the moste o­dious and corrupte Water that is to be founde: and when as hee purposeth to take his iourney anye where on Horse­backe, he causeth hym to bee brought foorth to crouche to the grounde, that he setting his foote vpon his backe, may make hym serue for a Stirrope to mounte on Horsebacke: then sendyng him backe to his Prison againe, causeth hym to bee scourged and tormented moste cruelly. I knowyng this (my Lorde) haue been often before hym, to entreate hym to haue my Father raunsomed, at what he woulde re­quire. But hee therein hath alwaies gainsaide mee, mana­fyng mee with like crueltie, if in fixe Monethes I coulde not prepare and present a knight whiche should bee able in iustyng, to bryng hym from of his Horse. Whiche thyng I endeuouryng to doe, haue brought hym already, full many: parte whereof he hath slaine, and parte whereof he hath put in a prison farre more miserable then that of my poore Fa­ther. In so muche that now ignoraunte, of what woodde to frame myne Arrowes, I haue enterprised to make this rashe request whiche you haue harde. So muche hopyng in [Page]that bountie and prowes whiche aboue all others, maketh you esteemed through eache coast of the vniuersall worlde, that it shall bée you onely, who shall haue power by puttyng to death the cruell and disloyall Nabot, to deliuer me from the mortall and languishyng dolour, whiche for long space hath made in me residence, geuyng to hym libertie whiche hath begotten me.

The kyng hauing well heard the purpose of the Damo­fell: and supposing her to haue said true, deliberated to suc­cour her aswell for the necessitie whiche she seemed to haue of ayde and assistaunce, as to proue hymselfe againste that Nabot, of whom hee had often hearde speake, and for whom he had searched in many Countries to doe the same, with­out euer findyng hym at all. And seeyng than, when he least thought thereof, the occasion too bee ministred so to fit his purpose, to make proofe of the force and valiauncie of hys person, by encountring with that mightie Nabot, he would not lette it slippe so. Yea chiefly for so iuste an occasion as that of the Damoselles. In suche wise, that it was not pos­sible what pithy reasons socuer one alledged to distourne and staye hym from going alone into Thrace, there to com­bate for so iuste a Quarell. Whereof the Queene Bellizen­ne was much grieued and discomforted, praiyng moste in­stauntlie the valiaunt and hardie Prince, Hubert of Scot­lande her brother to beare hym company, whiche thing hee promised her to doe. Yet y^e king in no wise would suffer nor permit it: but deepely vowed and sware to trauell solelie with the Damsell, to geue accomplishment to his promise, whereof she was much inyous, who instauntlie putting her selfe in waie, spurryng her Palfrey in the flancke with all diligence possible: And the kyng whiche was furnished of all Armour, necessarie for the Combate, and eke well Hor­sed, pursued her as fast as his Horse would runne a grande gallop. After whose departure al the Worthies whiche as then were resident in his Court retired home, abandoning [Page 6]the same in suche sort, that of the xij. couragious Péeres of the said Britaine the Greate, there remained but the kyng Ferrande of Norwaye onely, whiche because of his faithful­nes and bountie, was appointed Gouernour of the Realme in the absence of king Floridamant: and the prudent prince Candior Duke of Normandie, the whiche, because of the so­daine absence of their kyng were greatly sorrowfull and a­stonished. Notwithstanding takyng it paciently, they made of necessitie a vertue, for lettyng ceasse their late dolours, they betooke themselues to cōforte in best wise they could, the desolate Princes Bellizenne, whiche for sorrowe and yrksomnes tare her haires, & cōmitted many suche foolishe actes of a frāticke woman, & one w^tout sense. Which thyng the prudent Prince Ferrande of Norwaye seeyng, counsai­led her (thereby the better to forget her griefe) to goe sport her selfe at Myrandol, as she did, where chaunced to her that which you may perceaue in the Chapters followyng. For we there muste now leaue her to make recount of that whiche hapened too the kinge after his departure with the Damosell.

¶ The seconde Chapter.

WHEN once the desire of venge­aunce hath taken roote in a ma­licious harte, full of furie and rage, There is no meane, waie, nor thing, in humaine puissaūce, nether, as I beléeue, in the eni­mie of Nature, that he (whiche hath conceaued thys foresayde hate against another) doeth not inuente, or dare not attempte to satisfie his will and wishe, as maye let vs vnsterstande the example of the Necromancian, whom I doe meane to men­tionate in this Chapter. Therefore it is to be vnderstan­ded, that in greate Britaigne there was an Itande adioy­ning to the saied Realme, which men called the gréene Ile. Whereof a knight named Mynofol was Lorde and ruler, who from his infancie had so bestowed his tyme in the arte of Necromancie and supernaturall Magicque, that by the same he atchiued many marueilous Matters, and impossi­ble to many others who dealed there with to be lesse expert then he in his arte. In maner that by his enchauntmentes and diabolicall charmes hee had builded in his Ile a Ca­stell, the most sumptuous and magnificent that with mans eyes was euer seen. For the Sonne thereon gleamyng his bright Rayes and Beames from morning till euening, one would verily iudge (so great was the force of his enchaunt­mentes) that in stead of Stones, there were placed greate Rubies the moste faire and beautifull of the worlde. And with reuerberatiō of the same, the Aire & Trées of the Ile appeared as red as Fire, for a Miles compasse aboute. And it was to bee marueiled greatly, how the knight Mynofol could build any so sumptuous and stately an Edifice, as the red Castell (so did the vulgar sorte cōmonly name it) seyng [Page 7]that it was not in puissaunce of the greatest Monarque of the whole earth, to reare and constructe another, whiche in perfection and sumptuositie of matter exquisite, miracu­lous, or artificiall, was thereto comparable. And for what occasion he made the same, full many also were ignoraunt, but it is to bee presupposed that it was not without cause why. For it behoueth you to vnderstande, that the predeces­sour of Minofoll, whiche was somewhat akinne and of al­liaunce to the vertuous and mightie kyng Brandismel, pre­tendyng some right to the Realme of greate Britaine (out of the whiche by his auncetours he had been repudiate and reiected, for takyng to wife the sister of Grandowine kyng of Cornewalle and Irelande, whiche then as yet helde the Pagan lawes and beleued on Mahounde, had wrought and before had tended many meanes and treasons againste the Father of valiaunt King Floridamant, whiche neuer laye in his power to execute as he pretended, without daunger of the totall ruine both of hym and his, whiche was the cause, that his Sonne Minofol beyng as then yong, and of ten­der age, he caused him to learne with greate heede and dili­gence, the Artes of Necromancy, by studiyng the bookes of Medea, Circe, Morgue, and other suche. To the intente to reuenge hymselfe of king Brandismel, by suche meanes as Medea tooke vengeaunce of the iniurie doen to her, by her vnfaithfull and periured freende Iason. But God whiche by his bountifulnesse, doth still regarde those whiche followe the right waies and Pathes, whiche he hath appointed for them, with a piteous and mercifull eye, to take awaie all meanes and waies from the traitour Lorde of the greene Ile of annoiyng the kyng of great Britaine, suffered that death should sende hynt doune to helle, there to serue in the boatman Charons Barge, afore he euer sawe his sonne Mi­nofol well experimented in his arte, to bryng to an ende his peruerse pretence and wicked wil. This same Minofol not­withstandyng, beeyng once acertained by his Mother, for [Page]what occasion his father had caused hym frō his tender ye­res so curiously to be endoctrined, & taught in this diuelishe Arte (in the whiche, since hee was arriued to good age) hee was so skilfull and experte, that fewe like to hym were as then to be founde. As one that was of his Fathers nature and disposition, that is to wit, a Traitour, wicked, and re­uengeatiue, hee imagined in his fantasie too put in execu­tion the purposed pretence of his predecessour. And for to bring to passe the same, he still had taried till after the death of the good kyng Brandismel (seyng no meanes duryng his life to finishe his conspiracie, and vengeable falshodde) that hauyng builte the redde Castle, whereof I haue afore spo­ken, he addressed the Damosell towarde the Kyng Florida­mant, to require hym of that you haue harde aboue recited, knowyng hym prompt and hardie to giue succour, and aide to Dames and Ladies wronged and offended. And for that he knewe, he had often tymes, searched for Nabot to com­bate with hym, to the ende to entrappe and withdrawe hym more easely to hym, he appointed hym the message, whiche you haue fully seen in the Chapiter precedent. For that the Damzell, doughter to the knight Minoberis, whiche Nabot had in prison, had sone perceiued hym to put in practise, to deliuer her Father, whiche thyng he denied her: And so ma­kyng his profite of her request, instructed the Damosell his cousin of the Plot before specified: who plaied so well her part that she brought the Kyng alone after her, which pur­sued her, so as is afore saied, as faste as his horse could ga­loppe, without euer atteinyng to her. For she had a palfrey possessed with a Deuill, whiche the Magician there had by his enchauntmentes put: for that he went so swifte, that of all that daie nought did he but trot, without ceassyng, or re­styng: and the Damosell rapped hym excessiuely, feinyng to haue greate haste, vntill suche tyme as the nocturnall darcknesse, had chased farre into the Weste, the shinyng chariot of Phaeton: then she ariued in a Foreste thicke. [Page 8]and darcke, beyng obscured by the manifolde braunches of mightie Dakes, which there were innumerable, in so much that one could see there no more (I thinke) then within the moste darcksome denne of the profounde and infernall hell. Wherein beeyng entered farre afore, the Kyng who still pursuyng her as nere as possiblie he could, at laste lost sight of her: and not knowyng where she was become, he staied somewhat his horse, to harken if he could any whit vnder­stand the tramplyng of her Palfreis féete, therby to follow her trace: but that was in vaine. For he heard nothyng els, but an infinite noyse and yellyng of sauage beastes, as Bea­res, wilde Bores, Lyons, and suche like, whiche made so greate a yelling, that there scarce one could haue heard the bounsing clapps of soundyng Thunder. Whereof I leaue you, to thinke if the kynge had occasion or no, to bee astoni­shed, and greatly abashed. In that I déeme none so sure and stable, whiche would not haue been afraied at that tyme, to approache and enter a place so daungerous. Notwitstan­dyng he was of so magnanimious and haughtie a courage, that, that seemed to hymself lesse then nothing: sauing that he could no more finde out his guide and conductresse. But endeuouring hymselfe to searche for her, it was vnpossible to make his horse either to go forward or backward, what blowes or spurres soeuer he could vse. And whether it was for the wearines and feeblenes of his limmes, or for feare that hee had to see himselfe in a place so hydeous, after hee had beene long tyme pricked and spurred: hee on a sodaine fell groueling to the earth, whereof the good king Florida­mant beyng aduised, and wightly forsaking the Saddle, set foote on ground, and leanyng his Elbowe against a Tree, with his head againste his hande, remained a long space in that forte, astonished muche and merueilously: so ill stoode his case, vntill such season as hee heard farre before him in the Forrest a voyce Feminine, which complained most bit­terly. Then plucking vp his harte, he thought to haue béen, [Page]in no daūger at all, and blamyng himself for hauyng remai­ned sadde and pensiue so long, was somewhat eased in that he had heard a humaine voyce, in a place so roughe and sa­uage, wherein he deemed nothyng els to haue béen, but out­ragious and cruell beastes. And deliberated (supposyng that to be his Damsell, which some one had offended) to go to that place were he deemed her to bee. And to succour her the better: hee cooke his naked Sworde in his hande, and his Shilde vpon his Arme: wherewith marching through the Forrest, he encountred a Knight throughly armed, and horsed as well as was possible, whiche in appearaunce see­med to be fraught with hardinesse. To whom he saied with greate anger Syr Knight, wherfore is it that you haue so outragiously and cowardlike misused a Damosell whiche came in my companie, whom not long since I haue heard cōplaine here abo [...]tes. It well appeareth, that you care not for that order of knighthood whiche you haue taken, when in liew of defending Dames wronged, and outragioussye dalt withall, you enforce your selfe to damage and iniurie them thus. But by my headde I sweare, I will geue you to knowe, that it is right ill doen of you, to haue com­mitted so greate wickednesse and villanie. During whiche wordes the knight which doubted little, that after his hoat and many wordes, he would haue vsed suche sharpe deedes as he did, for feare lest the King should kill his Horse: sette foote on earth saiyng. By GOD, vassall, you haue falselie lyed, for I knowe not of what Damosell you spake, rather I beleeue it is your selfe, whiche haue misused one whom I haue hearde complaine. But for feare least I should accuse you of that villanie, whereof you speake, you are come to preuent me: pursuing with your sworde to kill my horse, by that meanes to make me fal, and to flea me more easely: but yet you are further out of your accompt, then you are ware of. Notwithstandyng, seeyng you are so well prepared to Combate, I will geue you thereof your fill. Then beganne [Page 9]he to preasse full bouldly vpon the king, who receiuing him with marueilous hardines, after the receite of some of his aduersaries blowes vpon his Shielde, which through the first weight & violence thereof, was pearced in diuers pla­ces, entreated hym at laste (after a long Combating, with­out hauyng aduauntage the one of the other) in suche and so rude a maner, that the knight whiche thought hymselfe not matcheable, wished in minde that hee had not met with suche a mate. Alwaies (notwitstanding) defending himselfe the beste that hee could, made in a maner that the medling was so harde and sharpe as euer was seen of twoo knigh­tes onely. Whereof the king greatly maruailyng, hauing neuer found knight that made hym so long resistaunce, en­tered into so deepe choler, that yrked with the longe du­raunce of the Combate, he tooke his Swerde in both han­des, and with the same discharged with al his force, a stroke so violent vppon the creast of his aduersaries Helmet, that neither the Shielde which he cast before it, nether the good workemanshippe of his Harnesse could warde or warrante it: without beeing battered and crushed together, and the Swerde passing further, well néere cut his head in twaine. By this meanes he was constrained to fall doune all blou­die dead thereby. Wherof the king was excéedyng ioyous, as well for hauyng ended a Combate so daungerous, wher­of hee neuer hoped to haue had so good a dispatchall, as in that hee had recouered an Horse to cary hym foorth in quest of his Damozell: But hee kept hym not long after, as ye shall heare in the Chapter followyng.

¶ The third Chapiter.

AFter that the noble Kyng Floridamant, was seised of the knightes horse whom he had slaine, he mounted on hym, to as­saie if by trauellyng now this, now that waie, he could finde any path, whiche might conducte hym out of the Foreste, entendyng to seeke some lodgyng, to passe with reste the small remnaunte of the night that was to come: but seeyng that where so euer he went, he founde nought but grasse for his pillowe, and grounde for his bed; and trauailed in vaine to departe thence, hee was constrai­ned, hauing tied his horse to the braūche of a tree, to couch himself vnder the couerture of the cleare dewy night, with­in an hollowe Daken Tree whiche was in the Forrest, where al night (which seemed to him longer then y^e Siege of Troy) it was not possible for him to sleape any whit at all, whiche brought to passe that he arose in the mornyng, foure howers before his wōted vse, at any euer here afore. For scarce began the reddish and firie messenger of the day, to driue out frō the Skie the dareksom shade of the night to procure place, to the brightnesse of the cleare shinyng Sonne beames, but he was alreadie horsed, and had in ma­ny places, searched the Damozell whiche had caused hym come thether, entendyng to finishe his voyage.

But as he tourned from one side to the other of the For­rest, he ariued by chaunce in place where the night afore he had tyed his horse, whiche he coueted greatly, as beyng far better then that whiche he had gotten: and looked on eache side if he could see or aperceiue hym. But not espiyng hym, he proceeded somewhat further, where as it were in thicke of the Forrest, hee hearde a certaine neighing, whiche soun­ded to the eare, as proceedyng properly from some Horse, whiche caused that thinking, that that was his, he alighted to assaie to take hym, because the place where he thought he had hearde him, was so thicke and full of little Shrubbes, that it was vnpossible for any man to traueli there, but on foote. Then goinge thus through the Forreste, thither­warde where hee hearde the neighynge (the whiche the more hee wente forwarde, the further of was it) hee was brought into suche extremitie, that after long and vaine toylyng through hedges and bushes, hee loste and dismissed hymselfe from the Pathe, by the whiche he was come into the most thicke of the Forrest. Notwithstandyng hee did so muche at laste by goinge and comminge from one place to another, that within twoo howers after, he began to finde a Pathe whiche conducted hym straight to the place, where hee had lefte his horse tyed to a little Tree. Whereof hee was somwhat ioyous, but his ioye endured smal time. For when he was ariued, he founde hym not there. Whereof he became farre more astonied and sorowfull then afore, for he had bounde hym so well, that in no wise he coulde escape to flee awaie, as in deede he was not fledde, but (as writeth the Historian Gallarx) he was taken and stolne by the sub­till shift and craft of a good fellowe, which was commonly called the wily outlawe, remainyng in that Forreste. And wyly outlawe might hee well bee called, in that verie fewe passed that waie, of what disposition or qualitie soeuer hee were, whom hee had not by some meanes robbed of some­what alwaies: as he now did these twoo Horses of the kin­ges. [Page]For the euenyng before duryng the tyme hee fought with the knight, whom hee slewe, this Thiefe had filched and stolne hym, whiche in followyng the Damozelles Pal­freie all the daie before, was laide doune on the grounde for fainte and feeblenesse: and that mornyng beyng deter­mined to gette somewhat by suche as passed by, accordyng to his custome, aperceiuyng the king passing that waye, be­yng mounted on an other Horse, had greate desire of hym to beare hym compaignye, to the intent to gette that other horse also. And to bryng the thyng he purposed to passe, hee went neighing through the Forrest like an horse, feigning so well the matter, that the king hearyng hym, beleued sted­fastly that it was his Horse, whom to pursue he was aligh­ted. But duryng the while he was in the rough Forrest in quest of the same, the Royster was come to take awaie the other, by an other bypath whiche he well knewe.

Whereof the kyng was so vexed and wearie, in that (as a Lackie) it behoued hym to goe a foote, that he beganne to curse and banne the Damosell, whiche was wandered and straied from hym, repentyng hym (but to late) of his follie. Notwithstandyng, he trauailed so farre a foote (for fal­lyng) here and there, that about Middaie he beganne to a­bandon the Forest: a mile from the whiche, he mette an He­remite in a fower cornered pathe, who kneelyng deuoutely afore the Crosse, read busilie his Mattens, with spectacles on his nose: for he was so old and feble, that he sawe but lit­tle, in so muche that the Kyng was full nere, afore he could discrie hym. But seeyng hym armed as he was, the visier of his healme being let doune, he had of him so great feare, that thinkyng he was some euill Spirite, or Phantasme, began straightewaies to marke hym selfe with the signe of the Crosse, one while hym self, an other while the Kyng, mum­blyng with his mouthe many suffrages, and holie Praiers in Latine to coniure him. Which the kyng seyng, & know­yng his feare, to assure hym [...] better, toke his hedde péece [Page 11]of, & hauing humbly saluted hym, reasoned with him in this sorte: For Gods sake Father, (saied he) bee you nothyng a­stonied of me, for I am nought els but as you are: also tell me where I might finde a place to repose my self, and take some refection: for since yester daie Mornyng, haue I nei­ther eaten nor dronken, whereby I féele my self so feble and weake, that w^t paine I can vneth sustaine my self. The good manne Heremite hearyng hym speake of God, hauyng ta­ken courage to hym, aunswered hym in Latine with like woordes: Manne, I knowe not what thou demaundest, but if thou wilte vouchsafe to repose thy self in my little Celle, I will giue thee to drinke water of the cleare Fountaine, whiche is there nere vnto vs, and also I haue some Cheste­nuttes, and rootes of Hearbes boiled since yester night, whereof if thou wilte thou maiest eate. The Kyng whiche vnderstoode Latine, knewe well that he could speake no o­ther waies: wherefore he aunswered hym in the same lan­guage, that he was thereof content.

In so muche beeyng come into the Heremites Cell, hee eate with a reasonable good appetite certain Chestnuttes, the whiche the old man gaue hym verie daintely, deemyng by hym self that fewe would suffice hym: after whiche ha­uyng dronken a good cuppe of the fore saied Fountain wa­ter he departed, (not without greate thankes to the Here­mite giuen) reasonably well satisfied, with the sustenaunce of that sumptuous banket.

Then did he nothyng but trauaill till it was nere night. that he ariued on the Sea coste, where he founde a boate, in whiche was a man slepyng full soundly, whom, first hauyng awaked hym, he required if he could transporte hym into a­ny hauen, where he might embarke hym self, to goe to the Realme of Thrace: and the manne aunswered hym, yea: and that he was thereof right well contente: and that same euenyng he would bryng hym, where he should bee lodged, in the moste magnificent Castell that euer he sawe. The [Page]Kyng being ioyous, and right well apaid of so good an hap, entryng the boate, nothyng knowing how to take the wor­des of his Ferie man: but to sone (alas) he knewe them to his great damage. For scarce was hee a mile frō the shore, when he sawe not his man within the boate, well might he perceiue the Oares to moue, and traile forward the boate, vpon tke waues of the Sea, with so greate celeritie and swiftnesse, as though some one had moued theim: whereof he was more astonied and abashed, then euer he was of any other thing, that euer had chaūced in his life. Notwithstan­dyng he yet reioysed somewhat, that the sea was calme, and quiet, hauyng none other winde to tosse or trouble it but a sweete and pleasaunt Zephyrus. And hauyng remained in this forte, wandering solely vpon the sea, without trouble of any Tempest, hauing nought to eate but certaine course bread, peeces whereof hee founde in the Boate, till suche tyme as hee might discouer and perceiue, in the mornyng when the Sunne began to shine vpon that parte, where his vessell pretended to take Lande, a faire Ilande garnished and munited with a multitude of faire leauie Trees, and grassie greene Meadowes, and in the midst therof, approa­ching nearer and nearer, the hautie Towers, of an excee­ding faire Castell whiche there was pight. And issuyng foorth into the Ile, to finde some one which might tell hym what Countrey that was, he saw moreouer in one coaste of the same, the aire as red as flamyng fire. Then muche mar­ueiling what aduenture that might bee, determined so still to walke, till he might finde one that might tell him the no­uelties thereof. But hee had not gone paste a Myle, but hee met with twelue knightes armed at all pointes frō head to foote, and with them a mighty band of villaines, with Bat­tes and Staues, armed with greate Iackes and oulde ru­stie Halbertes, whom hauyng courteyously saluted, he was so hardie as to enquire why the aire was so red in that part of the Ile wherto he drewe neere: but they aunswered him, [Page 12]that they were thereof ignoraunte, and that goyng some­what further he should knowe the certaintie thereof. They scarce had passed hym a bowshoote, but y^t they came sodain­ly and encompassed him on al partes: and so manie as were there already afore embushed, assailed & assaulted the mise­rable Prince on all sides. Who willing to defende himself, flewe the twoo firste, which were ouer hastie to laie handes vpon hym. Neuerthelesse the rest leaping altogether vpon hym with one blowe tooke hym, and depriuyng him of all defence, bounde him straitly with greate Cheanes of Yron. Then leadyng hym towardes the Castle, whiche hee had seene, put hym into a moste straunge and wretched Prison, where we leaue hym to leade a long and miserable life, vn­till occasion serue to shewe you the meane of his deliuerie. To the ende that I maye sette foorthe to you, that whiche chaunced to the Noble Quéene Bellizenne, his wife, whom he had lefte great with childe at his departure.

¶ The fourth Chapter.

NEVER Dido after the departure of the fugitiue Troian Aeneas, felte suche griefe in her minde, neither more was the sorowe of Phyllis, after the long expectation of her deare frende Demophoon: then the noble Quéene Bellizen­ne, felte of greeuous and vudura­ble assaultes, beeyng ministred dailye too her on all sides, by the violence of a multitude of mortall and vnsupportable anguishes & griefes, than, whē she chaunced too thinke of the horrible and boystrous bla­stes of winde whiche sometimes she hearde beate againste the Windowes of the pleasaunt Castle of Mirandol, the showers and Tempestes, the mutation of tymes, perilous Shipwrackes, and innumerable daungers, whiche her loyall spowse Floridamant endured. She coulde hee in no place, but (loosing all countenaunce and coulour, were she in her Chamber or in her Garden, were she in the pre­sence or absence of anye one too driue awaie her dolour and sadnes) but she did sheéde and let fall an infinite number of teares, whiche gushyng from out her eyes, bedewed with great droppes along, the delicacie and pleasauntnes of the coulour, wherewith her ruddye and Vermilion Chéekes were polished and adorned. So that in full shorte space, she became so leane and difformed, as well for not hauyng gar­ded her selfe at the beginnyng, from geuyng place to these griefes and anguishes, as also by fee ling the vnaccustoma­ble anoyes and gryping griefes wherwith the fruite which she had couceiued in her woumbe daily encreasyng, did op­presse her, that there was none of her Barōs nor knightes, whiche thereof was not greatly abashed and sory, but espe­specially the sage Prince Ferrand of Norwaie, who greatlie [Page 13]forcyng hym selfe, with many good reasons and comfor­table admonitions, to appease the vehemencie of her Pas­sions, seeing in the end that he but lost time, left that trade, & deuised to study & employe his care wholy to y^e gouerne­ment, of the Realme of great Britaine, as to his charge be­longed: leauing the olde Grandilaor Duke of Normandie, for garde to the Queene and her Damoselles, who neuer after the departure of the king, had remoued from My­randoll. Where vpon a daie as she walked alone in the For­rest, wanderyng from the companie of her Ladies and Da­moselles, as accustomably she did, to commence her wonted Plaintes and Lamentations in a little Cabinet of White Thorne, whiche with greate Artificie and industrie she had purposely caused to be builded, by the most expert craf­tes men she could finde, there chaunced her this pitious ad­uenture, whiche you shall heare. It is to be noted, that as the Quéene went so wanderyng by the Forrest, the tearme naturally prefixed and ordeined to humaine Creatures, to abandon and forsake the entrailes of their Mother, to en­ioye the light of this world, was expired and consummate, assone as she was ariued in her Cabinet, (so as, before that she began her complaint, she was intentiue of heare the de­lectable and pleasaunt murmuringes, and hushing noises of sweete running Brookes, whiche were there, whiche a while before were beecome mute, their Waters stayed of they course, by the heate and rigour of the little heauenly Dogge, whiche hauing remoued and geuen place to the Starre most moyst, had that daie, as it were deuinely recei­ued their flotyng voyce, and of Birdes whiche than bee­ing assembled in greate number, did marueilously discloase the naturall and melodious Harmonie of their Sysuan Braunchye Songes, accordynge so well, that they see­med of purpose to recreate and bryng ioye to the instaunte byrthe, of the noble Infaunt Royall, or rather if it were possible, to rauishe her harte with so greate gladnes, that [Page]her Sense of hearing, remaining rauished & attached with the Echo and resoundyng of their voyces, she should feele lesse trauell in her Childing. She began to feele so gree­uous a paine, that pressing her belly, with her twoo handes, homely restyng her self againste the braunches of a Tree, supposing her entrailes to be plucked out of her bellie, she made the most merueilous dule and lamentation that could bee thought, and betooke her selfe after a while to crie so shrilly, that one of her Damozelles named Antiziliane, daughter to the kyng of Swethelande, so curioussy tooke regarde vnto her, fearing that whiche had chaunced, that whither soeuer she went, she neuer forsooke her, and hauing heard her crie, she ranne diligently thether. But she could not so soone ariue, but that she founde her rather dead than aliue, & stretched along vpon the grene Grasse, whereat she was much displeased, & yet also ioyous, seeing her deliuered of a little Babe so faire, large and well featured, that he see­med not to haue come into the world but to be highly set by. Whiche she taking in her Armes, after she had washed and made him cleane in a Riuer, there ueere at hand, she kissed & rekissed more then a hundred and a hundred tymes. Then presentyng hym to his Mother, which tooke hym sweetely betweene her two Armes, she gaue herself to consolate and recomfort her the best that she could. But she hauing left & let passe the late & painfull trauaile of her childing, saide to her with a softe and milde voyce. That she should with all spéede go to bespeake an Horse Litter to transport her to y^e Castell, whereto the Damozell sone obeyed, leauyng her sole & alone in the compagnie of her little Infaunt, whō she began to busse & beholde with a Million & more, of amiable and motherly lookes. And euen as shee earnestlie behelde hym in euerie parte, she perceined in him a thing most mer­ueilous. That is to wit, a little place in his backe drawyng towarde the right side, full of heare, and like in purtrature to a fierce and fell Lion, hauyng his Tongue out of his [Page 14]mouthe, whereby she had hope that hee shoulde in tyme bee­come an hardie and valiaunte Knight. Seeyng that there was none other reason but that nature had brought foorth, signed and marked it in suche forme for some such purpose.

But duryng this thought of hers, beholde there ariued a troupe of Knightes and Damoselles, whiche brought thither a faire horse litter, all wrought within with Blewe veluet, who went with greate haste toward the place where the Queene was: and findyng her in the same takyng, that the Damosell Antiziliane had lefte her, liftyng her vp soft­ly, laied her in a good bedde whiche was in the Litter, with the litle baby by her, whom her Damosell wrapped & coue­red with riche clothynges, brought redie for that purpose: which doen, thei quickly conuaied her to the Castell of Mi­randol. Where thei no soner ariued, but the Prince Ferrand of Norwaie, whiche was in the Citie of London, without further delaye, with a greate troupe of illustrious and va­liaunt knightes, came to visite her, muche ioyous and plea­sed of so good an aduenture, trustyng that now the Queene would for euer after, leaue of her griefes and complaintes: who gaue hym in charge to cause the Infant to be baptized whom she would haue to bee-named GERILEON, with the greatest ioy and sumptuous preparation, that she could pre­pare: not lettyng passe, either Iustes, Turneis, or any other pastymes, whiche could bee inuented. And expressely com­maunded that those, who for the losse of their Kyng, were cladde in Blacke attire, should exchaunge of theim, for o­thers of diuerse coulours more gaie, and pleasaunt: where­to thei with all diligence obeyed.

For after the Baptisme of the Infaunte (the whiche in greate pompe and magnificence, the Kynge Ferrande of Norwaie, hym self had holden ouer the Fonte, with the maide Antiziliane: the one in the name of the Kyng Belli­gent of Fraunce, who was a greate frende to the Kyng Flo­ridamant: The other representynge the Persone of the [Page]Quene of Scotland) they caused to be made ready y^e Listes win the City of London, in the great place of the Pallaice, & the next day to make Proclamatiō of the publike Iustyn­ges, on the behalfe of the Prince Ferrande of Norwaie, and his couragious cousin Grādilaor, who in Iusting chalēged all goers & comers for the price: wherof he prescribed two gaie Genettes of Spaine, white as Swannes, trapped and harnessed with Ueluet of the same coulour, all embroy­dred and wrought with fine golde of Ciprus, wholie to re­maine to theim, whiche were not dishorsed at the Iustes. And thei proclaimed that whosoeuer should take in hande this matche, should giue to the victours one of the fairest, and moste riche tokens, that euer thei had receiued of their Mistresses: and if perchaunce there were founde any, who hauyng fixed and sette his affection, in a place too haultie and difficile, were so vnfortunate in his Loues, that he ne­uer har receiued any, he should bee bounde, and holden to faste wholie three daies, without either meate or drinke, sa­uyng breade and water, and he should fulfill his promisse.

Moreouer it was also said, that all those whiche should protest that thei were frée, & exempte frō the flames of loue, should goe knele doune before the Damosels of the Quene Bellizenne, kissyng their feete, and the stones in their Ryn­ges, whiche thei had on their fingers with all humilitie. Which thing being knowē, euery one of the knightes, who hearde these Iustes proclaimed in so straunge and vnvsu­all condition, saied to the Heraulde, who had to name Gelia­ste the Ioily: What is that (saieth hee) that maie bee doen in lieu of kissyng the Rynges of their fingers, if by chaunce some of the Dames want them. It shall bee expedient, Sir knight, no displeasure (saied the Heraulde) that if you be of the vanquished side, and want a Mistres with Rynges, that you maye go kisse thē, Mum: ye wot where. At this cloked knauishe aunswere, was greate laughter moued, not onely to the bystanders, but also to the knight to whom he spake, [Page 15]who (although he sawe hym self mocked) was little or no­thyng thereat displeased.

But (to come to the matter againe) the Iustynges bee­yng openly Proclaimed, as is afore saied, one might haue seen knightes of all partes, to prepare theim selues to the same, on the one side of the Listes: and on the other side the twoo braue warriers Dom Ferrande of Norwaie, and Dom Grandilaor his Cosine, fully determined to make that daie, suche a proofe of their knightly prowesse, that worthe ly thei should bee iudged valiaunt at those Iustes aboue all o­thers. And especially the yoūge Grandilaor, who so felte his force and strengthe to redouble and encrease, because of a certaine white Plume of Feathers, whiche he caried vpon the creste of his Helmet, giuen hym that daie by the Da­mosell Antiziliane his Ladie and Mistresse, (for whose Loue he felte greate tormentes) that vnder her fauour, he should behaue hym self so well at the Iustes, that he might become victorious, he entred firste into the fielde, mounted vpon a braue courser of Arabie, so well trained and paced, that to se hym mannadge, carrire, and braue it in the ayre, one would haue iudged hym of no lesse desire to the matter. then his maister: who giuyng hym the spurre fiuely (as wel he could) remained so sure and vnmoueable in the saddle, yea, and with suche a grace, that to viewe hym, there was none of the lookers on, whiche thought not verely that for his parte, the Pryce of that Tournay should not bee loste. And the like, saied thei of that valiaunt prince of Norwaie, who pursued hym full nere: for in prowesse and Chiualrie, he surpassed eche other knight of greate Britaine. But as thei were entred within the Barriers to combate, beholde, the heauen beganne in lesse then an hower, to waxe so darcke, and too become so troubled with thicke and stin­king smoke, whiche remained in the ayre, more then a quar­ter of an howre, that the knightes could not see from the one eude of the Listes to the other: in suche sorte that there [Page]was none so hardie and valiaunt, whiche was not greatly astonished and abashed at this sodaine & straunge mutation of tyme: for neuer any of them that were in that companie, had seen the like chaunee. But yet thei had more cause of maruaile, when after hauyng a while beholden through the the ayre, whiche waxed yet more darcke, especially aboute the Castell, a multitude of hideous flames of fire, as redde as bloud, thei heard suche a terrible and vnaccustomed thū ­derclappe, that one would haue saied, that Sathan with all the wicked spirites of the infernall Mansion, had been as­sembled to ruinate and plucke doune the Castell, vnto the verie foundation: whiche straightewaies after, hauyng brought there a terrible-feare vpon them all, vanished. And beeyng ceassed, the ayre became in lesse then an howre; as cleare and bright as afore. But those that were assembled in a troupe, foūd thē selues farre dispersed eche frō others, raunged & scattered here & there more then a Bow shoote: because their horses beeyng afraied of the greate brute, whiche thei had heard, did separate theim selues the one frō the other on euery parte. But seyng an olde Towre, whiche was at the ende of the old walles of the Castel parke, ouer­couered more then twoo Foote thicke with Juie, some greene, some withered, to bee no more there, gatheryng thē them selues together, thei ran hastely towardes that parte, to see where it was become. And beeyng there ariued, thei found it all couered with ashes, & plucked in peeces smaller then duste: as also thei perceiued before the gate of the Ca­stell, twoo greate pillars of Marble white and graie, cutte and pight fower square, the moste faire that might be seen, susteinyng theim selues aboue by an arche, moste magnifi­centlie embossed and grauen with woorkes Damaskinne, vnder the whiche was the purtrature of a Maiden, richely-apparelled like a Nymphe, and so faire that Beautie her self might not bee named, but by her name: hauyng a smilyng countenaunce, wherein sparcled and shined so linely, the [Page 16]glimsyng clearnesse of twoo faire eyes, that it was suffi­ciente, to lighten the night before the gate of the Castell, as though there had beene twoo greate Torches, for that purpose: and the residue so like a liuyng creature, that no­thyng but onely speache was in her wantyng. And moreo­uer this Maiden had aboute her necke, a greate chaine of gold, more of waight then a thousande talentes, the which hanged doune a whole mannes height before her feete. And at the ende therof hanged a Tablet wrought all about, and in the middest thereof were written these verses folowyng, in letters of golde.

And in her right hande she had a little scrole, wherein was written this woorde Oziris, and in her lefte hande she had a braunche of Oliue: and vppon one of the Pillars, sixe foote heigh from the grounde, was engrauen in Greeke letters, the substannce of these verses.

And in the other, after the same maner were these here, whiche did depende vpon the others, and made perfecte the sense thereof.

But it neuer rested in any of the knightes powers, who read and reuised it many tymes (whereof there was many [Page]that were well le [...]ered and cunnyng) to know rightly how to enterprete it. Whiche was cause that remainyng mar­ueilously astonished at this noueltie, thei retired all toward the place where the Listes were prepared, for to finish their enterprised Tourney: wherein was many a launce broken, and many a knight cast to the grounde, by the valiauncie of the two couragious knightes Dom Ferrand of Norwaie, & his cosin Dom Grandilaor, wheron many did penaunce, and that greate, for thrée daies space after. And the two Defen­dauntes gained muche fauour of many knightes, whiche there acquired hate and disdaine, in recompence of their Dames. For there was founde but one, whiche was not a­mourous, and in Loue, called Dom Gillant of Bartage, who was of the number of the twelue couragious knightes of Greate Britain, moste hardie and cunnyng in his weapon, but in Iustes hee was caste doune to the yearth by Dom Grandilaor, after the breakyng of fower Staues, without remouyng himselfe: but at the fifte he was dishorsed where­with hee was so chaffed and angred, that hee woulde not performe the decrees of the game. Whiche thyng Grandi­laor seeyng, saied to hym: Knight, will ye not goe kisse the Rynges and feete of the Ladies, as it was accorded before wée came to the Justes, the one againste the other? No, aun­swered Dom Gillant: for I am not boūde to doe that against my will. And presently through the greate displeasure he there tooke, he abandoned the Realme of Greate Britaine, to searche for straunge aduentures. Whiche thyng Ge­liaste the ioyly séeing, who was there to deliuer Launces to theim that lacked, saied to Grandilaor. For as muche as I can see (sir) this knight wil kéepe promise, for he wil not let it goe as yet. Truely he will keepe it long, saied Grandilaor smilynglie: for if he frame not hym self to accomplishe o­therwise, he should haue no power to escape from hym. But whiles he discoursed thus with the mery & ioyly Geliaste, he tooke of hym a Speare, whiche he had in his hande, for that [Page 17] Dom Haroalt, whiche also was one of the xij. couragious knightes of the Realme, approached to runne against him: who seeyng hym with Speare in reste, pricked his Horse with the spurres, and came runnyng vpō hym (who did the like) so rightly, that makyng their Speres flie in shiuers, whiche had touched both their Shieldes, thei perfourmed brauely their Course without any maner mouing from the Sadles. Wherefore takyng newe Speares more bigge and strong then the firste, they came to the shocke againe so fiercely vpō their Shieldes, that their Trunchions fliyng on high in the ayre, their Steedes mette with suche a furie, breast against breast, that, that of couragious Heroalt was constrained (as not beeyng so strong as the other) to fall there doune, and his Maister by hym. Assuring you that if Dom Grandilaor had not strongly reined the heade of his Horse, he had measured hymselfe also on the Earth. But he hare hym self there so valiauntly, that his Cousen Ferrand and he, remained all the daie victorious, and so well coūter­garded them selues from beeyng caste to the grounde, that none had the puissaunce to winne of them, the twoo white Steedes. Wherof (after that the Sunne was gone doune, and euerie one retired home) the valiaunt Grandilaor made a present to his Mistres Antiziliane, who thereof than­kyng hym humbly, felte her selfe well content and satisfied of so greate a fauour, for they loued one an other greatlie, because that the saied Antiziliane was the fairest Damo­zell in all Britaine the Greate, and Dom Grandilaor one of the moste fine, valiaunt, and hardie knightes: as his deedes shall geue you to vnderstande hereafter.

¶ The fift Chapter.

THE Iustynges and Tourneys solemnized in the Citty of Lon­don, for ioye of y^e late child birth of the Queene Bellizenne, dured the space of fiue daies. In which season the Princes Ferrand and Grandilaor made suche proofe of their valiaunt prowesse & haugh­tie chiualrie, that they still rested victours, to the great cōtentment of the faire Antiziliane. To whom Grandilaor gaue all the Iewels by hym conque­red, whiche he had wonne of the vanquished knightes. But at thende thereof, the vertuous Quene hauyng abandoned, and lefte her childbed, caused them to cease: not able wholie to forget the sorrow and anguishe, whiche the long absence of her loyall spouse brought vnto her, but onely at suche ty­mes as she takyng her little Infant betwene her armes, to yelde some release to her dolour, she embraced hym with a multitude of beholdinges & kisses, coming of natural loue: Not knowing whether she ought to waile the long and yr­kesome [Page 18]absence of her Husband (although not wholy voyde of hope to see hym once againe) or rather to reioyce and content her selfe with so luckie a burthen. And in this per­plexitie she remained more then twoo yeres, now sad, nowe somewhat merie, liuyng still and sustainyng her self by the foode of a certein hope, whiche yet sometyme fed her with some consolatiō. During whiche tyme, she was so curious, and tooke so great hede, well to nourishe & brauely to bring vp the yong Gerileon, that at two yeres endes, he was so big and ioyly, that already he could both goe and run: and prat­tled so pretily, that he could demaund and aske for what ere he would haue. In so muche, that eche one cōiectured muche of his future boūtie and valour, by his yong childishe actes, accompagnied with such a naturall gentilitie and magna­nimitie: whiche in hym, within processe of tyme, had suche an encreasement, that they seemed to surpasse the selfe same course of his tender and yong yeres. For scarsely had he ar­riued to the fourth yere of his age, but that if by chaunce he sawe any one beyng dolefull and sad to lament, he had ther­of so greate compassion, that knowing the cause of his do­lour, he endeuoured to recomfort him the best that he could, offering him all that he had for his contentmente, and espe­ciallie to the Queene his Mother, to whom, on a daie when she heald hym on her Lappe, hearing her geue a profounde sigh, he spake moste gentlie on this sorte, and saied: Madam what ayleth you? I praie you tell mee why you sigh? Is there any that hath geuen you occasiō of being angrie? For if it bee so, I assure you it shall not bee vnreuenged. The Queene hearyng hym speake with so good a grace, began to smile at his childishe wordes, who with suche and other like matters yelded often most great lightnyng to her pas­sions and distresses.

Moreouer, he neuer remained idle: and moste commonly one should finde hym, either neere to some horse, wherevpō (leadyng him to some blocke, or suche like thing) he set him [Page]self with so good a grace, that at sight thereof a man would haue iudged hym, to haue been the moste dexterious squire or knight of all greate Britaine: or els takyng a Staffe, he wente to assaile some one or other, to trie hym self that wa­yes againste hym: to whom, albeit he surpassed hym in big­nesse of bodie, yet he raught hym some tymes, by his nim­blenesse and actiuitie, suche harde blowes, that commonly he was forced, to plaie double or quitte with hym. For in the science of Defence thei trained, and brought hym vp so curiouslie, that at laste he was therein as experte, not one­ly as his teachers, but also as any other in the world in his tyme. Then againe with a Darte in hande, he wente tra­cyng through the Forest to finde some wilde beastes: with­out feare of the whiche, no more then if thei had been Dog­ges, if perchaunce he recountred any, he pursued theim so faste in the Forest: that often tymes the Quene, whiche ne­uer was at ease, he beyng out of sight, sette and sent folkes euery waie to seeke hym.

But what should I thus muche striue, to discourse vpon this point: seyng that as it is found by the writinges of the Chronicler Galarx, one can not recite any thyng fitte and cōuenient, to an harte fraight with noblenesse and genero­sitie, to whiche, this little prince applied not his minde: and behaued hym self so well in all his childly enterprises, that makyng them tende to some gentle ende, he semed rather a man of ripe iudgemente, then a skillesse Child and Infant.

Duryng the tyme that the yonge boye Gerileon thus encreased, bothe in ago, vertue, strengthe, and gentlenesse of Spirite, the Queene his mother had made enquirie on all partes, as well for her brother Hubert of Scotlande, whose losse brought muche annoye to many, as also for the good knightes Candior, Grandilaor, Acciall of Surrye, Syl­ban of Flanders, Melcior, and many others of the couragi­ous of Greate Britaine, to knowe the cause of the long a­bode (which so muche anoied her) of king Floridamant, who [Page 19]being sent out to seke him towardes al partes of the earth, could in nowise heare any newes of him. Whiche thing be­yng come to the eares of Prince Dorian of Spain, he was (by reason of the feruent loue he had to him) so distressed for his losse, that he vowed and sware, neuer to slepe quietly, or in good reste, vntill suche tyme as he might heare some ne­wes of hym: in so muche that makyng inquirie for hym, he wēt first into Thrace, where hauyng heard nothyng of hym, he put hym self on the sea, to returne to Greate Britaine, or to some other countrie farther of. But he was surprised by a marueilous and horrible tempeste, whose blastes after a while, caused his Barke to be cast on shore in y^e Grene Ile: where by a Cloune of the same coast, he was assured, that for certaintie, the traitour Necromancien Minofol helde, and had hym in his prison of the Redde Castle enchaunted, and caused hym daiely to bee whipped, and beaten by fiue or sixe villaines, with greate and bigge coardes, all to make hym miserably languishe till the ende of his daies: and he knew moreouer that he addressed a greate Armie by Sea, traito­rously to inuade the realme of Greate Britaine: but he fai­led of his enterprise. For the Prince Dorian beyng retyred from thence, and hauyng made certificate of all these thyn­ges to the good kyng of Norwaie, and the reste of the cou­ragious of Greate Britaine, thei remedied the matter so well, and gaue so good order to their affaires, that the saied Minofol beeyng slaine by the handes of the saied Prince Dorian, who in the skirmishe encountred hym, and thruste his Speare through his bodie, that his folkes were forced, with greate flaughter and bloudshed, shame and perpetuall dishonour, to retourne from whence thei came.

And these thynges thus doen, while thei for the recoue­rie of their kyng were busied, to furnishe and set for the cer­taine shippes of warre, to passe into the Gréene Ile: it came to passe that the young boie Gerileon, of whom none as then cooke garde of, goyng one mornyng to walke in the Fo­reste, [Page]hauyng a little bowe of Brasill in his hande, where­with he occupied himself so wel, that he killed many birdes as well greate as small, he perceiued by chaunce a Phesant, which sat not far of: which, as he nocked one of his arowes to shoote at her, she flewe a little forwarde. The boye ve­rie desirous to haue her, seyng her so faire & brauely feathe­red aboue the reste, pursued her: and seyng that she sat more nere hym, and séemed better then afore, he set again the head of his arrowe against her: the birde seyng her self manassed flewe yet a little farther. The boye, in hope to haue her, pur­sued her still from tree to tree, & were it with chase or sight, he neuer left her: till that beyng gredie of y^e game, the birde hauyng brought hym in fine by little and little, farre into the thickest of the Forest, did vanishe awaie, in so muche he knewe not where she was become, for in no place that he could caste his eye, he could not see her. Whereof he was so sorrowfull and vexed, that he brake bothe his bowe and ar­rowes, rentyng and pluckyng in peeces the quiuer, whiche hanged by his side, through the greate ire and spite he had: as well for that, not hauyng obtained the Phaisante, as for that he could neither finde again the waie, by the whiche he came thether, nor any other path to returne out thēce. And seeyng this, after he had remained long pensiue, sittyng on the greene grasse, bedewed with aboundaunce of teares, he fell on sleape, leanyng his heade against a tree. And so long he remained in that place, that neither the Queene, nor any of her house, knowyng where he was become, for that the Sunne drewe al readie dounewardes, and that all the daie, since mornyng he had not been seen of any bodie, caused quickly to mounte on horsebacke, the couragious Knights Heroald, and Accial of Surrie, to go one waie, to see if thei could finde hym, and Dom Candior, with his sonne Sylban of Flanders, an other waie: who hauyng done greate dili­gence in searchyng hym, wer forced to returne, the Sunne hauyng suffered the dareke and shadie brightnesse of the [Page 20]Starres, to appeare in the heauenly Vaute, without hea­ryng any thyng of hym. Whereof it needeth not bee she­wed, if the Queene were passioned and greeued, or noe. For of all that night it was not possible, that shee coulde geue place to any one iotte of reste: but wéepyng and lamentyng bitterlie, she made suche pitifull complaintes and lamenta­tions, accompaignied with suche a number of skaldyng Teares, whiche issued aboundantlie out of her faire eyes, that there was no hearte so hearde, fell or cruell, that there­of would not haue taken pittie and compassion.

In so muche that for feare whiche I haue to moue you to beweene her greate dolour (seeyng that I striue not but to stirre you to pleasure) I am content to set my selfe to showe them here: for the seuere Medaea apperceiuing her selfe a­bandoned of her frende Iason, or Thisbe in the Bosome of her beloued Pyramus, finding him dead, did not sende so ma­nie sorrowfull sighes, sobbes, and pitifull complaintes, as that night boyled from the breaste, eyes, add mouth of this vertuous Princesse, for the losse of y^e Infant. And I boldlie beleue, (that although of magnanimous and haughtie cou­rage, yet had it not been for the Princes Candior and Gran­dilaor, who pained themselues still aboute her with double diligence (as they saie) to mitigate and diminishe the vehe­mencie of her anguish) with her proper handes, like Lucre­tia, for losse of her chastitie, she had made an ende both of her life, and lothesome languishing dolours. But these wise Princes did so muche, that promising her to finde him out the nexte daie, thei somewhat appeased these first motions of her anguishe: in so muche that after she was with care couched vpon her bead, appareled as she was, she fell a slepe vntill the next mornyng, that Sol was alredy roused and re­moued far frō the lodgyng of his Lēman Aurora: at which tyme she awaked, so wearie, wasted and weakened with the force of the forepassed plaintes, that scarse she could lifte vp her heauie head from the painefull Pillow. Then demaun­dyng [Page]if her sonne were yet found: and beyng aunswered by the Damozell Antiziliane (who kepte her self continually nere to her Grace, for feare of her miscariyng through the multitude of these mischaunces) that he was not as yet re­tourned. Ah (saied she) then let me goe se, if I maie be more fortunate in findyng of hym then the reste, in hope to haue hym shortlie in the place where my fancie foretelles mee he is: for in sleepe it was shewed me, where and how he was to be founde, laide vnder a Tree. And taking secretlie a knife, vnperceiued of any, she conuaied it vnder her Kirtle, and framed her foote steppes towarde the Forreste, to a Place the most thicke▪ darke and desert therof. And then with her twoo handes rentyng and tearing her yealowe heare, and piteously complainyng, she beganne her lamentations on this maner.

‘Alas, (saied she) what may this meane, that then, when I thinke to se the brightnes of my felicitie, I enter and am plounged more further in the obscure and darksome dom­pes of my distresse and mishap: and hoping to reioice at one happie and fortunate nauigation, by the gleamyng of a iot of fraudulent and deceiptfull light, whiche was to me apa­raunt, I feele my self frustrated, of mine esperaunce, coue­red and ingulped in the profoundeste place of ioylesse in­undations, and ragyng Riuers, moued and stirred vp by the horrible blastes of the moste vehement windes, vppon the Seas of the anguishes, sorrowes, and Pittes of myne importable paines. O mutable and inconstaunte Fortune, maie it be, that thou shouldest vomite so vehementlie on me the venime and rage of thy rigorous and naughtie nature? that after hauyng béen so benigne and fauourable vnto me, as to make me by birthe the daughter of a kyng and migh­tie Monarque, and ioyned by the blessed bande of Mariage to one moste famous and triumphaunt, and also to bée Mo­ther to the fairest and gentlest infante, that euer nature fra­med or brought forthe into the worlde.’ Thou makest me to [Page 21]abandon the one, and depriuest mee of both the other, by thy false treacherie and Treason, the more to tosse and tor­ment mee in the middest of these Mundane Motions, and terreine enticementes, wherein thou sufferest nothyng to be durable and permanent. No no, I assure thee, that thou shalt no more abuse mée by thy subtile and deceitfull altera­tions, in this worlde: For I goe in despite of thee, to re­ceiue in celestiall thinges more ioye and gladnesse, then in terreine and mundane influences, thou hast made mée tast of forrowe and sadnesse, deliueryng mee by this meanes from the Snares whiche thou layest from daye to daye, to make mee languishe: hoping that there I maie yet somewhat re­ioyce in the felicitie of seeing my deere Mate Floridamant, and my litle Infaunt Gerileon, who vpon his Fathers losse, yet gaue me some allegeaunce. But alas, what is it that I will doe, and if peraduenture my deere Spowse deliuered from the pernitious prisons, wherin the accursed and trai­terous enchaunter Mynofol hath caused him liue so misera­bly, retorne: and my Sonne be found by some one who nou­rishing & garding him more charely thē I haue done, come in processe of tyme, as possible it is y^t he may, what will they say if I miscary, descāting my incōueniences? Do I doubt, but that besides y^t they shall be outraged in greeuous dolor and distresse, thei wil not haue mee in reputation of a foole, franticke and voyde of wit? But wretche that I am (saide she next, scriching and groning bitterlie, and taking in her right hand, the Glaine whiche she kept couertly vnder her kirtell) why delay I so long from keeping of them compa­nie, slackyng the aduauncement of my trespasse, by cer­taine friuolous fantasies, and trifling thoughtes: bee they in the vtter profounditie of Hell, or in a Mansion more hie eleuate of the Elisian Fieldes? Seeing that if they were aliue, they would not protract so muche tyme to come see mee. Wherefore that whiche euen now I thought, not bee­yng possible to be true, receiue O God pitifull & mercifull, [Page]receiue with hartie praier I beseech thee, (after that I shal haue pearced my breast with this Blade, dying my delicate and tender handes in mine owne warme blood) my spirite into thy power.

And as she raught her arme backe, to giue the deadlie dinte, she felte one who forced her to staie the same: and loo­king backe she beheld a knight all armed, who taking from her cruell handes the knife, couragiously embraced her be­tweene his armes, saiyng: O my good Ladie, what is this that you will doe, both to your owne great damage, and my great discōtentmēt: Ah knight (said she) of al loues, if thou bee desirous, of lucke and felicitie, of Ladies and Damosel­les afflicted, distourbe me not frō myne enterprise. But for all that the Knight, holdyng and embracyng still her necke with his tender armes, staied not from kissyng her: whiche caused her castyng her sight on hym, to knowe that he was her deare and loial spouse Floridamant: whom she embraced incontinently by the middle of the body, kissyng and rekis­sing him aboue an hundreth times and to be so danted with the chaunce and rauished with ioye, that she semed to sounde for gladsomnesse. And not well knowyng whether she drea­med, or whether it were true, y^t she held betwene her handes the thyng, whiche aboue all other she had so long desired, & attended for, she could not bring for the one word, insomuch that the kyng much marueiled at so straunge aduenture, de­maunding of her the cause of her doloure & distresse: which she could not conceale from him, but made him partaker of all her fortune, frō pointe to pointe, with the losse of her lit­tle Infante, wherof he was marueilously displeased and so­rie. Neuerthelesse, as one to whom the valiaunce and ma­gnanimitie of courage neuer failed, he framed hymselfe to cōforte her in the best fashion he could, saiyng: And well, my derlyng, seyng that it hath pleased God, to take the Infant, whom he hath lent to you, thereby (as it seemed) to reserue pour life till my retourne, it standes you vpon, with paciēce [Page 22]to thanke his highnesse humblie: seyng wee haue nought in this worlde, whiche is not all to hym appertainyng, and whiche hee maie not distribute at his diuine pleasure and will: And also that you shoulde thinke, that (thankes bee to hym) wee haue the tooles and instrumentes, whiche nei­ther are worne nor wasted, to woorke an other withall, whē it shall please hym to imparte that grace vpon vs. At these laste woordes the Quene was readie to laugh, and smilyng­ly takyng hym by the hande, lead hym towarde the Castell: whiche was not farre distaunte from thence, where we will leaue hym for a while, to tel you what hapened to the young Gerileon, whom wee haue lefte a sleepe vnder a Tree in the Foreste.

¶ The vj. Chapiter.

WHo so shall chaunce to reade the contentes of the Chapiter afore­goyng, perchaunce maie be much amazed in that the yong Gerileon remained so long a sleape within the Foreste, where we lefte hym: whereof thei might haue iuste oc­casion, if so it had stoode, that he had been there resident vntill the next daie, when as the Quéene Bellizenne would haue slaine her self. But the historie saieth, that after he had remained there the space of an hower, surpassed with a profounde and forgetfull sleape: there were twoo faire Nymphes (of those commonly called Naiades, which dwelled and had their ha­bitations, within a faire Fountaine, which was in the mid­dest of a little woodde of Ciprus, at the side of the Foreste, wherein none durste enter, whatsoeuer. For that that those whiche therein entred, were transformed into saluage bea­stes, by the enchauntmente of a Faierie named Oziris, who was Dame and Mistresse, aswell of the woodde of Ciprus, and of the Fountaine, as also of the Nymphes whereof wee spake (whiche by her commaundemente came quickly, to take the little youth in place where he slept, and without a­wakyng, brought hym into the fairest Castell, that euer one could name, wherein the Fairie Ozaris had her residence: and when thei had brought hym on this sorte, they put hym in a chamber, the moste faire that might bee imagined, and couched hym vppon the fairest and costliest bedde of the worlde (if wee maie saie so). For the Faierie had with her owne handes wrought, and framed all the furniture, and garnishementes of the same, of the moste riche and faire stuffe then to bee founde.

And after that they had put hym to reste, at his ease on this Manner, he so remained more then an hower, without awaking, but after a while whē he opened his eyes, he was [Page 23]so trasported with admiration, and rauished with maruell: that he knew not what to thinke: not for that he found hym selfe now out of the wood where he was afore a sleepe, (for why he wished not to be there,) but to see suche store of sub­staunce, rare riches and pleasaunte Pictures painted, and pight within that Chamber: whiche curiouslie too con­template (without care either to retourne to the Forreste Chase, or home to his Mother in that thereof he had no re­garde) he setled him selfe softlie to discende from of the bed, whereon he laie, and setting hande on side (as they saie) be­ganne to walke along the Chamber, earnestly vewyng the walles of the same, wher at he was astonied to see y^e purtra­ture wherwith it was embolished & decked muche magnifi­centlie. For the Fayrye there had framed the fairest Tables and best made, that euer the excellent Painter Apelles, had portrated. And amongest the reste, the Effigie of Ʋenus, whiche he had begonne before his death, which neuer none durst presume to finish, but only our Painter which the Fai­rie had in her societie, farre surpassing him: who had so ad­orned it with liuely curiositie of coulours, that in seeyng the same, one woulde haue affirmed it aliue. In contempla­tion of the same▪ rested the little young Gerileon so raui­shed with maruell, that hee was in doubt whether it were painted or aliue, couloured or quicke, senceles or sensiue: whereupon hee was at laste determined to aske her what she did there: and espiyng enteryng the Hall, a Damozell apparelled like a Nymphe, who approaching neere to hym, tooke him by the hand, and led him into a great Hall, where she gaue hym to eate and drinke of most fine victualles, and wines pleasaunter and sweeter, then the verie Ambrosia or Nectar it selfe, wich whiche the Gods (as Poettes faine) fede themselues in heauen. Wherof he was so well apaide, and ioyous, that hee did nought but skipped, daunced and coursed along the Hall, when as there entered a Damozell dressed in sumptuous aparell, being of surpassing beautie & [Page]grace of countenaunce, aboue the rest: whom the youth ha­uing escried, saluted with humble reuerence, and hasting bouldly to embrace her, saide to her: Madame, will you doe as I done, and take some repast here with mee: I will giue you such bread as I haue here in my hande, better I beleue then euer you tasted of. Then the Dame (whiche was the Fairie Oziris) taking him betweene her armes, kissed him most amourously, saiyng: wanton, and wil you not remaine with mee still? yes forsooth Madame (said he) and whither shall I goe then?

But listen: you muste giue me a little horse, and a pretie speare and sworde, whiche is good for me, and some dartes, and houndes to hunte withall in the Foreste: Truely my Sonne (saied the Faierie) you shall haue all this and more, and then she made her Damozell to take hym, who led hym to walke in a faire garden: wherein beyng come, he began curiouslie to vewe & behold, the sundrie shewes of workes, wherewith the plottes of the same were finelie enterlaced, and couered with all kinde of good hearbes, whiche conti­nually kept their naturall verdure and greenenesse: and of faire flowers so odoriferous and sweete, that it was a sin­gular solace to smell them, and a passyng pleasure to bee­holde them. And after that hee had a long-while suruewed them, the Damozelles houlding him by the hande, brought him to the brimme of a faire Fountaine, the whiche conti­nuallie caste vppe water by more then twelue Conduites, whiche wattered all the Garden, passyng so pleasauntly by an infinite number of galaunt riuers, that with their mur­muring fal, thei gaué great reioycement and recreation to the eares of the hearers. Within this same were the Nim­phes Naiades, Ministers of Madame Ozyris, the fairest of whom (who was called Aegle) came and tooke the Infant betweene her armes, and kissed hym more then a thousande tymes. The youth finding her faire in perfection, misliked nought thereof, but putting his little Youry hande within [Page 24]her Alablaster bosome, rekissed her still in suche forte, that the others then beyng desirous of suche wantonnes, came swiftly to catche hym from those sweete Armes of hers, co­uered with a litle crespe fastened there, through whiche there appeared a Skinne surpassing the Snowe in white­nesse. One of the whiche, bound vpon his head a Nosegaie of Azure coulour: another a purple flower, the thirde gaue hym a gallant Shirte, composed and wrought with her proper handes, the best that could be made. To be shorte, I knowe not, neither can I well discloase to you, or here re­count the half (without thereon employing too long time) al the singularities either of the Garden and Fountaine, a­foresaide, or of the multitude of contentmentes and pleasu­res, whiche the Nimphes tooke in dalliaunce with this li­tle demy God: Assuring you, that if he had beene somewhat more of stature, he had become an husband to some of them. For they loued hym so well, that they could neuer contente themselues without his company. And I duely deeme that the Goddesse Citherea, neuer loued so the Sonne of Cynara, King of Cyprus and Mirrha, as these Nauoundes cherished this litle youth Gerileon, who dured a long season with so­lace and delites in this terrestial Paradice, afore he had oc­casion of misliking or yrke somnes any waie. For if he were not in the Garden in the company of the Naiades, hee was in the pallace perusing some pleasaunt or profitable booke of Hystorios, of the Warres of the Grecians, Troians and Romaines, as y^e Iliades of Homer, the Aeneides of Virgill, the Commentaries of Caesar; or some suche like, or elles he skir­mished against some one: for there was the fairest place for that purpose in all the world, or els he occupied himself in y^e woods, somewhiles to assaie himselfe to sit an Horse, which he guided so well as was possible, or els to pursue the pre­tie Birdes, with a braue Siluer Bowe, whiche the Nim­phes had geuen hym, hauyng his Quiuer well garnished with Arrowes, wherwith he could well behaue himselfe, ei­ther [Page]after the Hare or Harte, wilde Boare or other Beast of the praie, were hee neuer so fierce: and quitte him selfe so well with the helpe of his Houndes (all whiche were moste expert in that exployt) that there was noe Harte so swifte, nor Roebueke so nimble in the course, to whom with small pursuite he gaue not the ouerthrowe.

And there was neither Beare, nor wilde woode Boare, whom (after hauyng settled moste sharpe assaultes with his Arowes, or Dartes) he made not takē by flight, or left not stretched starke dead vpon the Grasse-In so muche that one daie as he wént to hunt in the Forrest, halowyng his houn­des with his Horne of Yuorie, hanging aboute his Necke, most finely wrought and wrapped in a Scarffe, with riche Chaines of Golde, there rowsed a fierce Lion, which at the noyse of the horne issued out of a Thicket: whom he hauing seen, endeuoured to strike hym with a mightie Dart, which he helde in his hande: but the Lyon (whiche is the most no­ble and gentle of all other beastes) began in signe of humi­litie to encline his head doune to the earth, & pacyng softly towardes hym, came to kisse hym, & with greate fauour to licke his feete, and to fawne vppon hym, as though hee had been euer accquainted with hym. The Youth without anye astonishment, seeing hym so meeke and humble, without doyng hym any harme, tooke hym by the eare, and led hym towarde the Castle, to the place where the Faierie was, to whom hee saide: Madame, see I praie you what a kinde of Dogge I haue founde in the Forrest. O my Sonne (saide the Faierie) that is neither Dogge, neither Lion, whereof he hath the forme: but certes it is the Squire, whiche (I meane) shal serue you when you shall be a knight. And how can that be (saide he) seeyng he hath neither feete nor han­des, would you haue hym serue mee with these gripes and perilous Pawes. I will soone make hym finde (replied he Fairie) both feete and handes, when tyme shall serue to vse them. Then the youth without saiyng to her any more, re­tourned [Page 25]into the Forrest, where hee had left his Houndes: whom he founde deuouring a greate Harte which they had taken, and had welnéere eaten vp: but the Lyon whiche fol­lowed him then and euer after, terrifiyng and making them flee from about the praie, deuoured the reste in lesse then an hower. Such was y^e life which the yoūg youth Gerileon led in his Infancie in the compagnie of the Fairie Oziris and her Nimphes Naiades, with all the honest entertainement and exercise, méete and decent to a young Infant, wel borne & issued from so noble a stocke as he was: whom we will let passe there in such sort certeine yeres of his Adolescencie, to recompt vnto you that which happened to king Florida­mant his father, after that he was deliuered from Prison, and by what meanes he escaped thence.

¶ The seuenth Chapter.

YOV haue heretofore hearde, howe the Queene Bellizenne, vppon the intollerable paine she suf­fered, as well for the absence of the king Flori­damant, as for the losse of her litle Sonne Geri­leon, [Page]was at pointe to kill her self, where she was disturbed and letted of her enterprise, by the ariuall of king Florida­mant. Who seyng her come comfortlesse and sad for sorrow through the Forrest, helde hym self hid behinde a bushe, to marke what she would saie, and to sée what she pretended to perpetrate. And not to giue cause of abashment to the Rea­der in this aduenture, but to giue hym to vnderstande how she should come then thether with suche oportunitie, seyng that (as we haue afore said) he was in the prison of the trai­tor Minofoll, how it came to passe we will shewe. It is to be vnderstanded, that the redde Castle wherein he was empri­soned, was builded (as you haue afore hearde) by the En­chauntmentes and diabolicall coniurations of the Necro­mantian Minofol, wholie to woorke this feate: the whiche Enchauntmentes could neuer take ende, but by the onely beath of the Enchaunter hymself. Wherevpon the valiant Prince Dorian, sonne to the Kyng of Spaine, encountered the saied Minofoll in a mightie Battaile, whiche you haue seen so sufficientely written in the fifte Chapiter, and so transperced his body with his spere, that he then and there fin shed both his life and enchauntmentes. Wherupon the king felyng hymself deliuered from so miserable a Prison, after hauyng secretly seised vpon some Harnesse, whiche he founde in the chamber of the Magicien, without staie, made suche a spoile and staughter of those which he could encoū ­ter, that it was terrible to be tolde. Then taking his waies toward Greate Britain, wherin he found aduēture worthy recitall, he had deliberated before his goyng to the Citie of London, to soiourne certaine daies at Mirandoll: but as he approached neere thervnto, he encountred the Quéene Bel­lizenne, in th'estate as you haue afore heard: with whō after his abode there about y^e space of fiftene or sixtene daies, not without great Ioy of all his Barons, Knightes, and other Subiectes, and chiefly also of the Princes Hubert of Scot­lande and Dorian of Spaine, who were at London when [Page 26]he ariued, he went to the Citie, into the whiche he entred moste roially and magnificētly: where were in signe of ioye adressed Iustinges & Tourneis, for the loue of ladies, wher­in it is not to be doubted if the Scottish & Spanishe Prui­ces gaue not cleare testimonie to the Worthies of Greate Britain, of their haughtie chiualrie, in that there was none whom thei pitched not out of their Sadelles, to take their measure on the grounde, and that was the kyng Ferrand of Norwaie, whom the valiant Prince Hubert dishorsed after the breache of vj. Speares, and at the vij. threwe him to the ground: howheit, not without streinyng hymself to forsake the Stiropes. And the younge Grandilaor also after hauyng hardelie assaied to abbate and beate doune the Prince of Spaine, was forced to kisse the grounde hym self, in his owne proper persone, to the no small griefe of the Damo­zell Antiziliane, who was thereof noe lesse abashed then the Queene Bellizenne was glad and ioyous, when as she sawe the kyng Floridamant. Who beholdyng all the knigh­tes so beaten doune by twoo straūgers, came in Habite and harnes vnknowen, to assaie them bothe, the one after the o­ther, neuerthelesse not without greate difficultie and brea­king of many speares, Which knightes not knowyng him whiche had them so hardly handled, desired to come to com­bate at the sharpe, excusing them selues by the feeble wea­rines of their Horses. But the king (of whose passing pro­wes thei were nothyng ignoraunte) beyng discouered and knowen, thei ceassed and moderated their maruaile and greate Melancholy. And the Iustinges beyng thus ended, thei ledde hym to reste, and refreshed hym self in his Pal­lace. But so as hee marched before all the reste, hauyng the Princes Hubart and Dorian, the one on his right side, the other on his lefte, he was altogether astonished, when (en­tryng by the greate porte of the Pallace, he aperceiued the triumphant Pillers of Marble, whiche during his absence had been thither sent and set by the craftie commyng of the [Page]beautifull Fayrie Oziris. The effigie of whom her selfe, was sette vppon the chiefe Pilier, whiche heide it (hauing a Chaine of Golde hangynge aboute her Necke, with a Scrolle thereto annexed, and a Roolette, with a Braunche of Oliue whiche she helde in the one and the other of her handes, in forme as you haue hearde afore. But there was muche more occasion of astonishment, when hee leuelyng his vewe on hie to contemplate the cleare brightnes which issued out of the eyes of the said Image (which till then had rested immouable) he perceiued her to encline douneward, and to presente hym with the Oliue Braunche, whiche she bare in her right hand. Which braunche as soone as he had receiued, there rose a sodaine marueilous Lightning, with a terrible Thunderclap, which was dispersed and vanished all soone awaie, together with the Statue: whereat all the Troupe wonderfully was amazed & chiefly y^e king, who as yet knew nothing of this enchaūtmēt: but enquiring more of the matter, all the proces thereof was to hym recoūpted by those, which were there thā, where it first happened, who did not also forget to declare vnto him y^e great feare, which they had that daie. Then without further enquirie, he ente­red into the Halle, where they had couered the Tables for dinner: accōpanied with a great multicude of his Barons, frendes, & knightes, of whom, ech one placed hymself at the table, some on hie, some in the middest, & some below accor­ding to their honourable degrées. Where if thei were well vsed & serued w^t all fortes of Meates exquisite, I leaue that to those to skan whiche knowe how greate Kinges and li­berall Princes are accustomed to feast their frendes, and to geue entertainement to those whom they fauour and loue: without omitting, to tell you how when they had dined, the pleasaunt Daunces of all sortes, as Pauins, Galliardes, Measures, Mattachines, Moresques and other suche like, with Mummeries of a marueilous straunge fashion, and diuerse maner, were not there wantyng: and the exercise [Page 27]of the Ciprian Infant, was in no wise there forbidden thē. For I am assured, that there was none, who) duryng the tyme, that the others daunced) drawyng to her whō emong the Ladies hebeste affectioned, remained without kissyng, and embrasyng her, with many an amourours toye, and de­lectable deuice: lettyng her (perchaunce) to vnderstand, his Martyredome, (if thereof he had aforehande any hid within the marrowe of his mynd) thereby to receiue some cōfort & ease. But I beleue, that the Dames and Ladies, belongyng to the Queene Bellizenne, and other greate Princes at that feaste presente, were so honest, that for motionyng there­of, it was but loste time. For those that were ledde by the onely affection, and ardente desire, whiche thei had to en­ioye the pleasure commonlie (as it is called) amourous, or rather (as some would tearme it) a caste of close contenta­tion, by some amitie more sincere, and to an other better in­tention, so secrete and cruell, that with all honest endeuour, thei enforce not themselues possibly to staunch the ardēcie, and appease the fire, whiche their seruauntes affirme dooe consume, and make theim dye a thousande tymes a daie, through their blasyng beauties. But there were such com­painie within the Hall, and in eche bypathe of the Pallace, y^t I dare not assure you, whether there were any one (per­chaunce) more pitifull then the reste, who retyryng her self with her mate, behinde the hangynges of some tappissarie, or other secrete Warderobe, to barre the sight or hearyng of any persone, were not euen there amoued with compas­sion of his desease, who more filed in speach (peraduenture) then his fellowes, had preached to ber so well, that present­ly she applied not a Cataplasme or plaister, necessarie to his needie wounde. Neuerthelesse. I am not ignoraunte, that the Prince Grandilaor was in one corner of the Hall, all a­lone with her, whose shinyng beautie by fittes badde hym liúe, or made hym dye at pleasure, that is to witte, the Da­mozelle Antiziliane whom he helde betwene his armes, not [Page]daring to open and discouer the entiere and vehement pas­sion, whiche without ceassyng tormented hym: whether it were because he was shame fast in shewyng it, or rather for that he doubted her displeasure and refusall, if thervpon he made any disgression, too tedious for her tender stomacke. But in fine, the sharpnes and rigour of his ragyng fire; bur­nyng the veile of this bashfulnesse, and surmoūtyng his shi­ueryng feare, whiche to hym semed a staie, or let, in giuyng reste and appeasement, to his dismeasured Martyrdome, he determined (chaunce what chaūce might) seyng so passyng an oportunitie, to trie the watche, & vnderstande if he were so well beloued of her, that he might obtaine any medicina­ble salue to recure his maladie. And beginnyng w^t a voice enterrupted, with many sobbes and sorrowfull sighes, half tremblyng for feare, like him whiche is put in place of iud­gemente, to attende either his totall deliuery, or finall ende of his life and miserie: saied to her on this sorte:

‘Madame, not of power to support (without hastenyng of my laste hence departure) the cruell Martyrdomes, and pi­tifull passions, whiche dooe ransacke and afflict incessaunt­lie my poore harte, euer since first the pearcyng sparcles, of friyng fire, whiche come from out of those twoo cleare Co­metes, wherewith your face is furnished and adorned, ma­kyng waie through the windowes of myne vnaduised eyes, began to broile, and consume, by little & little, in suche sort, that windyng me to wander, from reason (which onely ma­keth difference betwixte bruite beastes, and manne) and to forget all garde and respect due to your grace: I am enfor­ced, to make my peticion to you, if presumyng of your paci­ence, and of the oportunitie whiche presently offreth it self to let you vnderstande that, whiche till now I haue kept se­crete from you, it maie therefore please you, excusyng my presumption, and rashnesse, not to take it against harte, if I haue ouer holdlie aduaūced my self to require you, that you would not with yrkesome or lothsome disdaine, any lon­ger [Page 28]deny me that, whiche onely maie restore to me againe, the one half of my life: protestyng that leauing here in your custodie, the other moitie, you shall bee reputed the moste cruell, and vncourtuous Damozell that liueth in so reiec­tyng my suite.’ But as he was purposed to procéede further herein, beginnyng to let fall Riuerse of brackishe Teares, from his weepyng eyes: she cutte of his complaint, by these woordes.

Segniour Gradilaor (saied she) I am astonned, and dooe muche marueile and muse, how you haue dared to thinke, consideryng the amitie, and ample loue, whiche you affirme to beare me, or at leaste wise (as I beleue) you make appa­rante by your deceiptfull, and Crocodilishe teares, to mini­ster to me suche matter: and not to other ende, as I thinke, thē to betraie and deceiue me, or (after hauyng by your glo­rious swete language, bereft and robbed me of that, whiche all the worlde can not once restore) to addresse your scoffes at my greate follie, in so sone relentyng to you, vpon the re­queste, whiche you make to me. For well I knowe, that you menne haue your affections so light, that there needeth not but one small blaste of winde, or any other obiect (although lesse then that whereof you talke of) to make you chaunge and transporte theim thether and hether, to serue their pre­sente tournes and commoditie accordyngly, as you now pretende of vs. Wherefore I hartly praie you, not to take it straungely, if (for the conscruation of my Honour, which I haue in greater price, not onely then of your passions and distresses, but also of my proper life) you bée denied, and suf­fer the repulse of the thynges, whereof you demaunded me. For I loue better, that with myne Honour, I be demed (as you determine) seuere and ceurll, then with myne infa­mie (losyng that whiche so charely I should keepe) to bee had in the reputation of an disordinate Damozell, and a Maide of infamous life.

Whiche replie when she had so finished, the poore Paci­ente, [Page]hearyng so harde a sentence on hym pronounced, stove so troubled with yre and annoye, that if the maiden had not taken hym by the hande, and ledde hym into her chamber, to repose hym self, I beleue he would haue sodainly sounded before all the Companie. But while these thynges were a doyng, I must tell you that the king was no lesse idle in kis­syng his Queene Bellizenne: For as he daunced with her, thei so mutually beheld, and cast such glauncing lookes the one to the other, with such fine & swéete countenaunce, that the dimmest of sight, might well haue deemed, what desire they had of y^t ioye, which so lōg had been reiourned, In such forte, y^t the Kyng beyng in y^e first course of the daunce, more lusty, braue, & wel disposed, then he had béen since his deliue­raunce, or long afore, retired secretly, without semblaunce of any thyng, into his chamber: whither full sone after, the Quéene hauyng followed hym, I leaue you to ponder, if in suche libertie, as thei had to contēt the one with the others appetites, beyng enflamed as thei were, the swete daliance and amourous embracementes, were in any wise spared. For why, as telleth vs the Historie, thei so forgotte theim selues, in their delightes and plaies, that thei remained more then an whole hower, afore they retourned too ende the daunce in the Hall, déeming that of the chamber, better. Whiche was chief cause, that shortly after the Queene felt her beallie so bigge, that her garmentes were too little for her. For she conceiued a daughter, whom she awhile after, bare and brought foorth, so perfecte of feature, that many braue Knightes were enflamed with her loue, and she was named Polydame, of whom wee will make more ample dis­course hereafter.

And on this wise eche one for his parte, applied hymself to pleasure, and to contente his mynde the beste he could: as when wee see a faire and Sunne shine daie, to bee ob­scured, with a sodaine shadowe of a darke and duskie cloude which couering the Sunne, sheweth such sadde cheere, that [Page 29]we poore soules, are quite depriued of y^e pristinate pleasure, and comfortable clearnes therof: their ioyes were interup­ted, by the arriuall of a certaine Page, attired in yeallowe & blewe Veluet. Who entryng the halle, made enquirie for the Prince Dorian of Spaine: to whō, when he had a sight of hym, and eche one was placed, to heare what he would, he thus spake: High Prince, the faire Ladie Amarille, daugh­ter to the kyng Belligent of Fraunce, hath sente me to you, for that she vnderstoode that you were in this Courte, to present vnto you on her behalfe, cōmendations condigne to your highnesse: and also this letter (saied he, giuyng hym a paper whiche he helde in his hande) the whiche beyng read I praie you to dispatche me right sone, that I maie with di­ligence, returue accordyng to her commaundement. Then the Prince Dorian, not without chaunge of coullour and countenaunce, hauing taken and read the letter to hymself, founde it thus in tenour and effecte.

The readyng of this Letter, so pinched the Prince Dori­an, that he could not abide to staie the reste of the daie in the court of king Floridamant, but incontinently mountyng on Horsebacke, and takyng leaue of the King and Quene, who fain would, but could not staie hym, he iourneyed straight to Gaulewarde, to her whom he so loued: accompanied onely with the Page whiche had brought hym the Letter, and his Squire: But in this point the Historie speaketh not any more of hym, but that in a while after, he espoused the Ladie Amarille, by whom the firste yere of his Mariage, he had a Daughter named Angeliana, the beste featured in singula­ritie of beautie, that was of her tyme in the worlde, excepte faire Porphiria, Daughter to the Emper our of Constanti­nople: and shortely after was crouned kyng of Spaine, by the decease of his father. Wherefore we lette hym reste and raigne in his kyngdome peaceably, and kyng Floridamant [Page 30]also, vntill suche tyme as occasion shall put vs in mynde, to speake more of theim. For that, the dearlyng of the Faierie staieth too long in the Castle of the woodd of Cipres, whiche vrgeth vs to produce hym for the into the fieldes.

¶ The eight Chapter.

NOw refteth hereafter (noble lor­dinges, and illustrious knightes whiche willynglie take pleasure to reade the worthy deedes and memorable enterprises, of those which haue adorned and aduaun­ced our world) that I let you sée a yong Warriour, the brauest and best skild in armes, the worthiest, puisauntest and moste magnanimious of any other, wherof euer mention was made. It is also for you, other faire and gracious ladies (who are pricked with the pleasant assaul­tes, whiche loue accustomably assigneth to theim, whiche humbly liue languishing in the prisons of cruell desire, tor­mentyng their hartes with a cōtinuall amorous thought) that I shewe you of a yong Princesse accōplished in al per­fections [Page]of beautie, rather diuine then humane, the liueliest attaynted, and dispiteouslye enflamed, by the ardent and burning stroakes which procéeded from the persone of the young Ciprian Infaunt, aboue any other vnder the celestial vaute since the creation of oure firste Fathers, if you will haue pacience to reade and peruse this fine and delecta­ble Historie. Wherefore ye must vnderstande, that the gen­till Youth Gerileon remained so long at Ozyris Pallace in the wood of Cypres, with suche pleasure and contentment as is aforesaide: that he attained the xv. yere of his age. At what tyme hee was so sage, gentie, modest and courteous, puisaunt and vertuous, that there was as then none in the worlde, that in giftes, whiche either Arte or Nature doeth by the diuine prouidence of God, bestowe vpon man, could in any poynt match hym, muche lesse surpasse hym For hee was so ta [...], well made and proportioned in al his lymmes & mēbers, that one could scarce finde any, which in largenesse of bodie, or pregnantnes of wit, could at that time be his e­quall: and at that tyme (say I) for that, when he was come to mans age, he far surpassed & excelled the stature of other men. For which cause, the Fairie Ozyris, leeyng hym alrea­dy so great & puisaunt, thought that it was not for his pro­fite, but rather to degenerate from the Noblenesse of the Place, where hee tooke his originall. Wherefore desiryng nought but his profite and aduauncement, seeyng that, if he taried long in that state, and continued any more in that voluptuous and delicate trade of life, the prowesse and va­lour which were in hym, should be so vnprofitable, that they should helpe no more then a Treasure, whiche liyng hid in the entrailes of the Earth, serueth not the vse of any, she would not hinder the honour and fame which he afterward atchiued, to abide buried in the profound darkenes of a per­petuall silence. Wherefore one daie when hee was alone in his Chamber, readyng in a booke, in which kinde of exer­cise hee tooke inestimable delight, she entered in: at whose [Page 31]comming the Youth which was set, arose & saiuted her with an humble reuerence, and she also vsed towardes him a reci­procall obeisaūce, contrary to her acustomed fashion. Then takyng hym by the hande, wherwith as yet he held his Hat, whiche she put on his head, she led hym to sit in a Chaire, co­uered with Damaske, whiche stoode neere to her Bed side, wheron she leanyng, vsed to him these or such like wordes.

‘My soune (for so she calde him still) séeyng you are alrea­die come to suche ripenes, and encreasement of age (for the whiche I praise the almightie God, whiche hath made, and doth gouerne all thynges) that as it semeth, you shall from henceforth be sufficient forcible, & strōg to toile in the field, with a cracklyng Corsselet vpon your valiaunt shoulders: I am in opinion, that it should be most good and profitable for you, and no lesse conueniente and fitte, that you were made knight, by the handes of some good Prince: not to let here stippe, or rather steape the graūd prowesse & valiancie, that is in you, emong the chambers, gardens, and wooddes of this Pallaice, rather thā to remaine still to take your re­creations and pastymes, in a place full of delites, and mun­dane vanities, which are so alluring, & entice and flatter so, with the swéetenes of their bitter baites, the hartes & myn­des of yong and youthful wightes, wherby thei entangle & blinde them in such sort, that thei make them forgette their duetie (although both noble & gentle, they hold them so wel hampered) y^t with great difficulty, thei haue no power most commonlie, to dispatche theim of the same. Neither yelde thei ought els in the ende, but a perpetuall dishonour, ac­compaignied with a too late repentaunce, whiche after all this, hath to feede vpon, an infinite number of anguishes & forrowes. I saie not these thynges (my dearlyng) for any desire that I haue (contrary to your stomacke) to sende you hence: assuryng you, that I esteeme my selfe verie happie, in hauyng ministred vnto you so good entertainment: But forasmuch as I see, ye haue not had yet vntill this present, [Page]occasion of any miscontentmente. And this your absence shall bee to me farre more yrkesome, then all other dolours that maie in any wise betide me: But because I foresee, by my Artes and Sciences, that it should bee greater losse and damage, that the haughtie and illustrious feates of ar­mes, whiche you are to bryng to passe by your valiauncie, should remaine any longer in darcknesse, without enioiyng their future clearenesse, and apparente light. Furthermore if you should otherwise deale or dooe therein, you should degenerate greatly, frō the generositie of the place whence you proceaded whiche by your vertue and valiauncie, you ought to illustrate and adorne, yet more then euer it was. If you will beleue me, and followe my counsaile. I praise you in your presence, because I know your nature so good, that for any laude that I can giue you, you would not (as in deede it is nothyng decente) puffe vp your courage and stuffe your self with pride: no more then you would en­dure wrong, and vilanie dooen vnto you by any other, you not seekyng perforce to resiste it. And knowe that too no o­ther entent, I haue brought you vp, and nourished you with so greate care and diligence, as I haue dooen, nor taken you from the handes of your freindes in your Infancie, for other occasion, then to eschew the misfortunes, and misera­ble destenies, whiche before hande I haue seen for you pre­pared: to whiche you could in nowise haue resisted, without my succour: To the greate damage, and totall ruine, bothe of you, and also of your noble house, whiche thyng had been lamentable. Wherefore I will and praie you, for your owne profite, that to morowe Mornyng you departe, for to goe to Constantinople, towardes the good Emperoure, to whom you shall make supplication, for the order of knight­hoode: and beleue that as I am certaine, he will not refuse to doe your demaunde: afterwarde to make prooffe of this greate valiauncie, whiche is in you. Assuryng you further­more, that my succour shall shielde you still, and my aide [Page 32]assist you euer, to eschewe the mortall and perilous encom­braunces, whiche I shall espie to be to you hurtfull.’ When she had ended her speche in this order, the youth who atten­tiuely listened to her tale, yea, and not without greate mar­uaile of suche matters: aunswered her thus.

‘Madame, I am muche agreued in this, that you haue ta­ken so muche paines, in vsyng so many wordes toward me, to doe that, whereunto your bare commaundemente might haue brought me to obay without resistaunce in any wise: & wherein if you had not proued me, I was purposed to praie you: consideryng the greate honours that diuerse haue ac­quired, by haughtie and illustrious feates of valiauncie: whereof I read in this booke, whiche I helde in my hande at your entrie: but seeyng that of your good grace, it hath pleased you to open me the waie, and heate the pathe of a voyage to me moste agreable, seeyng (I saie) that it plea­sed you, I assure my self so well of the bountie and amitie, whiche you beare me, that you would not sende me in suche affaires, without Harnesse, Horse, Pages, and other neces­saries: Whiche when I haue, I will not faile to departe, when it shall please you to commaunde me. And I maruaile muche of that whiche you haue saied, that (desirous of my welfare) ye haue rauished me out of the hādes of mine owne frendes, to make me so escape the destenie perilous (as you saie) for me prepared. For which seyng that it is so, I cānot rēder you thākes as you deserue, besechyng you to explane vnto me those speaches, or els I shall neuer set my minde at quiet: Seyng that I suppose my self none others childe but yours. It is true in deede, that of any Father that I had ye neuer as yet tolde me, and I knowe not what a one he was.’

‘Softe, my freende (saied the Faierie) deemed you me so doultishe or vndiscréete, that I would sende you towarde so greate and noble a Lorde, as the Emperour of Constan­tinople is, to receiue the order of knighthoode, without fur­niture both of Horse and Harnesse, according to your cal­lyng? [Page]I promise you to be as well thereof prouided, as any Knight in the world shall be, & better: neither shall there be any, that either in goodnesse of Horse or Harnesse shall sur­passe you, to the ende to make you redoubted and feared a­boue the rest, & to demonstrate the degrée whence and wher­of you are. Wherefore I will tell you nothing vntill suche tyme that through your vertues and valiauncie (whereof your deedes shall yelde cleare testimonie) you haue merited to bee called and esteemed the Sonne of hym who hath be­gotten you: if not, as well you thinke you bee not my natu­rall Sonne, but issued from a stocke royall, whereof I praie you speake no more: for at Gods appointment you shal wel knowe it, the regarde whereof in all your déedes and enter­prises, I praie you to haue aboue all thinges before your eyes, and the Honour of Ladies and Damozelles in due re­commendation together, also with the loyaltie and fidelitie of her, whiche in shorte space shall rauishe you, of the beste thing you haue in you.’ The youth without any replie made to her, either further of his Race, or any other matter al­though verie curious, noted and well marked, all that whiche the Fairie had saied to hym: chiefly her laste woor­des, purposyng with hym self, that none should rauishe hym of ought that he had: but he was more out of his accompte then he thought. And hauyng been silente a certaine space, he saied to her: ‘Madame, then I praie you, shewe me if it so please you, what furniture you will bestowe on me, to the ende that to morrowe Mornyng, I maie finde it all readie, when it behoueth me to departe, and also what Squire you will that I haue.’ Then the Fairie tooke the Lion, whiche the youth had founde in the Foreste, whiche as then laie ste­pyng vnder the Table like a Dogge, and recityng certain woordes of Enchauntemente, and annointyng hym with a kinde of licour whiche she had, shee caused hym to receiue the forme of a youthfull manne of twentie yeres of age, or there about. And you must vnderstand, that this was Gelia­ste [Page 33]the Ioylie, Squire to the Queene Bellizenne, who in searchyng the youth Gerileon at firste, when he loste hymself in the Woodde of Cipres was by the Faierie, chaunged from his firste forme, into the likenesse of an hideous Lion, and had without waxyng olde, in anye wise, remained so till that time: followyng vsually the youth into euery place like as the Dogges also, to the chase: Wherein he killed multitudes of wilde beastes. He also had the same apparell whiche the other had, when he was first Metamorphosed, or rather (if it be not lawful to empaire the Greke language) to saie better, when as he chaunged his firste shape. At this thyng bothe the Youthe, and also the poore Squire muche maruailed. For the Squire remembred of nothing paste, no more then as if he had been but euen then borne: notwith­standyng that hee was the same, and had like Sense as hee had before.

But the Fairie addressyng her speache to the Youth, said to hym: My freende, see here is now the Squire whiche I meant to giue to you for seruaūt, when you brought him to me at the first: & you Geliaste (said she to the Squire) sée here your Lorde and Maister, whō I will that you serue, and ac­cōpanie in all that, wherein he shall haue néede, and through all places where he shall passe. Now (moreouer she saied) you want nothyng more but Horse & Harnesse. And takyng hym by the hande, she ledde hym ouer the steppes, whiche stoode against a base Court, wherein when thei were come doune, the Youth sawe the moste gallant, braue, greate, and beste made Horse that euer man sawe, since the death of Bu­cephall kyng Alexanders Horse the Greate: of whose kinde and bréede the Faierie had so wrought, that she had recoue­red this of a straunger Thessalion called Philonicus: who of twoo faire Horses whiche he had, solde the one to kyng A­lexander for thirtene Talentes, that is Bucephall, and this whereof wee speake, to the Faierie Oziris for eightene, whiche was called Lycocephall, for that that he had on his [Page]forehedde, the forme of a Wolfes hedde, & was farre fairer & greater then the other. For the Fairie had alwaies after her buiyng of him, kepte and garded him wel in her Fairie: so that he was in no pointe, either waxen older, or empai­red. And this was dooen, purposely for to make a presente thereof vnto Gerileon, as well to hym appartained. Who se­yng hym so faire, was therof ioyous, and fain he would that it had as then béen daie, that he might haue departed, and to haue mounted on his backe. For he toke hym by the bridle, out of the handes of the Nymphe Aegle: whiche hauyng not long before, brought hym out of the Faierie, by the com­maundemēt of Oziris her Mistresse, helde hym as yet: so he mountyng lightly vpon him, without aide of Stirrope (al­though he were bigge and mightie, more then any other as then to bée found) caused hym fower or fiue tymes to fetche the carrire nimblie, and to gambolde lustelie, from the one side of the Courte to the other, and made hym to gallop so impeteouslie, that besides that, he wente more swifter then any Swallowe, he made the yearth trēble vnder his feete, in suche sort, as neuer was afore so séen: wherein the Youth tooke suche greate pleasure, to make hym tourne, and passe to the one side, and to the other, without any spurres at all, that if the Faierie had not saied, that she would goe shewe hym the Harnesse, whiche she would giue hym, I thinke that he would not haue alighted in one whole hower. But after she had tolde hym thereof, the greate gladnesse that he had to see it, made hym descende quickelie, and to followe her into her Cabinette. From whence she brought store of harnesse, the moste sumptuous, industriously engrauen, and moste richely gilded, that was possible to sée: without any o­ther paintyng in the shielde, then a greate Crosse of golde, whiche stretched from the one side to the other, in a fielde of Azure, whiche was Enchaunted in suche sorte, that no Yrō nor Steele (how harde so euer) could in any wise harme it: but rather contrarily, the harder & violenter that the stroke [Page 34]which fell vpon it was, the more it hurt hym which gaue it, then hym whiche receiued it. For in steede of enteryng or percing into it, the Sworde, Speare, Clubbe, or other such warlike instrumente, rebounded so high into the ayre, that often tymes it fell out of his handes, whiche was the ow­ner thereof, and vsed it. This Harnesse became and fitted hym so well, as though it had been of purpose appointed and made for him. And after this, she fetched out of her Ca­binette, a Sworde large, faire, and of marueilous good edge: the Scaberde whereof, was of the skinne of a greate Serpente, whiche was slaine by Hercules, at what tyme he was verie young: The whiche was so finely trimmed, that although it was not garnished with diuerse Diamon­des, and other precious stones: yet beyng sette againste the Sunne, it would haue rendered a farre finer lighte, then golde it self. It is moste true, that the Sworde was not al­together fitte to the Scabarde: for the puissaunte Nabot kept as then, that, whiche was made for it, whiche was the beste that was in the worlde. For there was no Harnesse, of what goodnesse so euer (no although hardened by enchaūt­mente) that could resiste it, without beeyng cutte, and man­gled in peeces. And it was called Duransarde, whiche the saied Nabot had conquered, and gotten from the terrible and hideous Giaunte Scarafarab, who was of the linage of Encellade, one of theim whiche in tymes paste, would haue conquered Heauen: and were with Lightnyng destroyed by Iupiter (as it is saied in the firste Chapiter of the thirde parte of Chronicles of Brandismell, compiled by Galarx) whereof the Faierie Oziris was greatly greeued. For ne­uer could she possiblie recouer it, although she had alreadie gotten the Scaberde, wherein she gaue this, that I now speake of (whiche was matchable in hignesse, and almoste in makyng and goodnesse to Duransarde) to the Youth of the Faierie (for so muste wee hence foor the name hym). Whiche caused her greately to doubte, leaste any euill [Page]should chaunce hym there, because it cutte what soeuer it came nere, yea, Enchaunted Armour also (as I haue a-afore saied) and whiche was worse, it was in the custodie of one, whiche could better vse it, then any knight, as then in worlde. She had also greate feare, leaste any sinister acci­dentes should happen vnto him, by the meanes of any Yron Launce Enchaunted: against whiche, his Armoure, and o­thers what soeuer, had no power to resiste: whiche was in possession of an other moste braue, and valiaunte knighte, Sonne to kyng Belligent of Fraunce, called Diodamas, whiche was giuen to his saied father the kyng of Fraunce by the noble kyng Brandismell, to whom the Faierie Oziris had made presente thereof, at what tyme hefought with the mightie Giaunte Perciuall. Wherevpon she aduertised the Youthe, that he should endeuour to get bothe the Sworde and Launce, as sone as he should be made knight. Who af­ter that he had thanked the Faiery, for all this faire & riche furniture, whiche he gaue in custodie to his Squire, he re­tired straight waies thence, by reason that the darkesome night, beganne as then to chase the bright some Daie, from out of the Celestiall Mannour, to the ende to take his rest, that he might the soner bee stirryng in the next Mornyng.

¶ The ix. Chapiter.

TRVE it is (Noble Lordes and La­dies) that whatsoeuer greate heauines and desire of fleepe he haue, whiche fee­leth in his head the Hammer of some greate Affaires of his owne: So is it, that the rest and tranquillitie of Sen­ses are berefte hym (yea although his bedde be neuer so good) by the pleasaunte detention of the same. For the Youthe of the Fairies, (hauyng withdra­wen hym selfe into the Chambers, after his Harnesse whiche Ozyris had giuen hym) was brought in thither, he laied hym full soone in his bed: where he beganne to sleepe well for a while, thinkyng to rife before daie the next mor­nyng, accordyng to his earnest desire. But scarce had he re­mained the space of one hower, in the forgetfulnes of thys sleepe, but that he awaked: and supposing that it had beene now broade daie, bee cause of the greate glimeryng of the Moone, which entred into his Chamber by the windowes of the same (whiche he had of purpose lefte open) he hastelie called his Squire, whiche was laide in another Chamber next to his, to looke if Mournyng as yet in any wise apea­red: and caused hym to cloathe hymself to watche (and so to aduertise him, when the daie began to drawe néere: expresse­ly enioynyng hym not to faile to aduertife hym thereof in­continently, and herevpon sent hym into the stable to dresse and make ready his Horse, against his spéedy departure: all whiche, he did willyngly. But whilest he was aboute the same, the Youthe not able to sléepe, did nought but ponder and premeditate with hym self, how and in what order he should demaunde his knighth ode of the Emperour of Cō ­stantinople, and what condigne thankes he should yeld him, after the receipt of the same. But assone as he had builded anye faire. Bulwarke howe to atchiue the same, it was [Page]straight waies striken out of his minde, by the inuention of some other to hym seeming better. And in this cogitation abode he so long, that Geliaste was retourned from the sta­ble: whom a newe he caused to set open the Windowes, to beholde if the glimmeryng light of Cynthia woulde as yet depart and geue place, in the Celestiall vaute of the Mour­nyng skie, Messenger of her Brother Phoebus. But he aun­swered hym, noe, (because of the greate desire that he had to sleepe) although Aurora began as then to waxe red: whiche brought to passe that the Youthe, and likewise his poore Squire fell both a sleepe, till suche tyme that the Sunne, was well eleuate from the Indian Regions, and began to cast his Raies vpon their faces. Whereof Geliaste whiche in his Cloathes was couched vpon a little fielde bed in his Maisters Chamber, beyng first awaked, runne halfe a slepe as hee was, to awake the Youthe: who muche blamed hym, that he had not doen it afore thā: but he sware to hym by his honestie, that he had called hym twoo howers since: but be­cause of his sound slepe, he had suffered him to reste still: and better to cōfirme his saiyng, he said that he had well broken his fast, and drunken a good Cuppe of white Wine whiche was geuen hym. Wherefore the Youthe blamyng his too muche sluggishnesse, conuerted & tourned the anger on him self. And taking in greate haste his apparell, by the helpe of his Squire, was quickly cloathed and also harnised. Than descendyng doune into the Halle, founde his breakefaste all readie, where he had scarce either eaten or drunke, but he mounted vpon his braue Horse Lycocephal, and his Squire vppon an other: & after leaue & congee taken of the Noble Fairie Ozyris, & of the faire Naiades, who at his departure wept and mourned bitterly, he departed and went straight towardes the Porte, where he founde a Barke full fraugh­ted & appointed ready to passe, wherein whē he was embar­ked, the Pilot launched forth and hoiste vp sailes, the winde being to thē fauorable. And so thei passed still on, one whole [Page 36]Moneth, without any daunger of shipwracke, or any other tempeste. Atende whereof they tooke Lande, in a Hauen before the Citie of Constantinople, late in an euening. And then when the Mornyng was come, the Youth of the Fai­ries beyng landed with his Squire Geliaste, mounted on Horsebacke all armed except his Head and Armes, whiche were adorned with verie faire and riche Garmentes, wente on streight towarde the Pallace of the Emperour, whiche as then was at Deuine seruice: and therefore he re­mained on horse backe still in the Courte, attendyng to see his comming from out of the Chapell, not without geuing greate occasion of astonishmente, to many Knightes and Gentlemen there walking, who tooke greate pleasure to beholde the singular grace and incomparable beautie of the Youthe: and by his onely looke and pleasaunt grauitie, thei iudged that he was descended of some noble house, and full of manly courage (as in veritie there was nothyng o­therwise to their wenings, nor cōtrarie to their esperaūce) And whiles thei were thus busie, to beholde him as it were with admiration, hee gaue twoo or three prickes with his Spurres, to the good Horse Lycocephal: who thereat vau­tyng into the Ayre with a marueisous might and nimble­nesse, soone sente backe the beholders from his Maister: who were nowe more astonnied at the goodnesse of the Horse, and at the grace of the Knight, whiche had pric­ked hym. And duryng the while that hee thus dallied with his Horse, the Lady Porphiria, daughter to the Emperour, the goodliest and fairest Gentlewoman, whiche euer was in the worlde, was as then in one of the Gallaries of the Pallace, ouer againste her Chamber: takyng singuler greate pleasure in contemplatyng of the Youthe of the Fairies. Of pleasure sothly (say I) for she not able to satis­fie her selfe with the sight of his singuler beauty and grace, was so ententiue to behold the pointes and prickes which afterwarde pearced her as you shall vnderstande, that shee [Page]leanyng and restyng on her two armes in the gallerie, was so rauished with maruell and astonishement, that one would haue iudged some sounde sleepe, had sealed her settled eyes: when as out of her Chamber there issued out a moste faire and yong Damozell called Harderina, whiche was daugh­ter to the kyng of Hungarie, and Cosin to the Ladie: who with beauty and brauitie of Graces, was as well endewed, as any other there to be founde in all Greece: onelie excep­ting the Ladie Porpheria, who in al pointes glittered more perfect, not onely before her, but also before all other which were vnder the cope of heauē. For I beleue that nature had expressed in her, all the precious treasures of perfecte beau­tie, the most rare and singular, that she had in store from the beginnyng of the worlde, so prodigally and with suche cun­nyng, that fince the memorie of manne, vnder heauen was neuer seene suche a peece of woorke: were it that any other Ladies or Damozelles (though full famous in Feature) chaunced to approache neere vnto her, one would haue dée­med that Nature had dispoyled them of their dewe and re­quisite beautie, for to bestowe it wholy on her: and that thei semed foule to shewe her more singular faire and perfecte. And here it forceth not to make comparisons with that beautie so famous, whiche caused the vtter ruine and ouer­throwe of proude I [...]ion, with the destruction of the Troiane kyng, his children and subiectes, and muche lesse, that, of the pompous proude Romaine, whom the Senate caused to bee canonized: to couer her impudicitie. Yea we maie imagine, that if the goddesse whom the Poetes faine to be mother to hym which causeth vs loue, had beene set by her, her beautie had had more light, then Diana hath of clearnesse, being ad­ioygnaunte to her brother Phoebus. But what is it for me to amaze my selfe here in describyng of beautie, because of her inestimable perfection: consideryng y^t the most skilfull in eloquence, and those whiche haue the faculty to discouer with greater Emphasis (if so I maie saye) and aboundaunce [Page 37]of flowyng Phrases, should be well wearied in vnwindyng this as it is worthie, therefore now let vs reclaime our di­gressions. The maiden Haderina seyng her faire cosin Por­phyria so profoundlie pensiue, requested of her what she so busily behelde, who as it were newly awaked out of a deade sleepe, saied thus to her: ‘I praie you deere Consine marke well this Youthe whiche is belowe, if he bee not singularly proportioned and of a passyng grace: and also skilfull, in so gallantly guidyng his couragious Horse: verely Cousine, (answered the Maiden) you saie well, know you not whēce he is, or what he would? I promise you saied the Ladie, I neuer sawe nor heard of hym till now.’

These and suche other small communications had the twoo Maidens together, so long till at the laste the Empe­rour ariued: who commyng from out of his Chappel, ente­red the greate Halle of his Pallace, hauyng in his Traine many braue Knightes and Gentlemenen, followyng hym. Whiche thinges the gētle Youth of the Fairie beholdyng, descendyng incontinent from his Horse, whiche he deliue­red to keepe to his Squire, entered incontinently after the reste, and apperceiuyng the Emperour placed in his Impe­riall Seige, to deliberate vpon certeine matters, he knee­lyng humbly before hym, spake on this maner.

‘Moste puisaunte and moste vertuous Emperoure, I deeme vndoubtedly that you and semblably all this noble Assistance, do greatly merueile, in that I haue so temerari­ously, and vnrenerentely dared to presente my self poore soule, before the highnesse of your Imperiall Maiestie: doubtyng leaste this my audacitie and rashenesse, whiche I haue vsed herein, will tourne towarde me, your displea­sure, and bee odious to all the reste, if I had not suche confi­dence, in the consideration, bountie, wisedome, clemencie, lenitie, and other vertues, wherewith (as a riche and pom­pous Iewell is illustrified and pollished with Pearles and precions Stones) so are you fraught and adorned: that not [Page]onely you will willingly pardon mine indiscretion, but al­so I truste in your great bountifulnesse and courtesie, that you will in no wise denic mee of that which I am purposed to request of you that is to wit, that I maie receiue the or­der of knighthoode by your handes, & for that, I haue heard you aboue all others farre extolled) I haue beene desirous thereof euer frō my Cradle.’ The Emperour who whilest he thus spake, had his eies & eares bent to regard & heare such witty wordes & so good a grace: taking him by the Armes, caused hym to stande vp before him, afore he had fully ended his speache: knowyng euen by his pleasaunt grauitie, that he could not choose but be come of a good house & Princely race, & gaue vnto hym this gracious aunswere. ‘Faire sir & frend of mine, although it were not true y^t your youth could not excuse you, if (as contrarie it is) you had vsed any rash­nes or temeritie in makyng to mee the request whiche late you did: yet neuerthelesse y^e great beauty, and singuler coū ­tenance whiche I note in you, and likewise the honest ma­ners and behauour which you haue obserued in this point, would constraine me, not only to condiscende (whiche I off­er you as now) to haue that which you demaūded, but also, if there had appeared auie indiscretion in you, they woulde haue incited mee, to remit and pardon it totally. Assuryng my selfe (although as yet you seeme too tender of age, to be called to suche vocation) that if the bountie of your harte bee correspondent to the beauty and appéeraunce of valure whiche I deeme and coniecture to be in you, you are suffi­cient and capable to discharge such a charge as well as any other that now liueth whatsoeuer: and for that cause there resteth no more as nowe, but that you goe to prepare your selfe, as the custome is, for to receiue the order of knight­hoode, when as you shal please and be thervnto ready.’ Then the Youth, thanking hym humbly as well he could: retyred secretly thence, to goe make his praiers in the Chappell of the Pallace as the custome was, where re remained till it [Page 38]was the next daie mornyng, at what tyme hee came to pre­sent hymselfe to the Emperour, who dubbyng hym with the Necke stroake put on his right Spurre, and the Lady Porphyria who had scene hym come, descendyng doune, girt his Swerde about hym, by the commaundement of her fa­ther. Whiche to doe, she was well pleased: and the Youthe who (whiles shee did her deuoyre in this behalfe, muche marueiling at her miraculous beautie) was not ill conten­ted that the chiefest, fairest & beautifullest Princesse vnder Heauē, did vnto him so great a seruice. This done: the Em­perour, who the more he beheld him and saw him so garni­shed in all pointes, the more he was willyng to wit, who he was, he required and asked of hym his birthe, and the estate of his race and progenie. To whiche the youth made a most ciuile aunswere, ‘that he was of the Realme of greate Brit­taine, but of none of his Parentes, had he any knowledge: and that for this cause it might please him to excuse hym, if he were constrained herein to kéepe silence: true it is (said he) that I know well, neither will I conceale it from you (most noble Lorde) that I was nourished by a Fairie, who sent mee towardes you so furnished as ye see, & she is called Ozyris.’ The Emperour who aforetime had heard talke of the Fairy, deemed & doubted that she had kept hym for some occasion (as most certaine it was) beyng proceeded frō the progeny of the noble kynges of Great Britaine, as she had aforetime done by the vertuous king Moridant, father to Brandismel, which was the first extoller of that magnificent Realme, and much marueiled thereat. Neuerthelesse with­out more talke with hym, he commaunded some of the Assi­stauntes, that they should conduct hym into the Empresses Chamber, to passe foorthe the tyme with her Damozelles, and to discourse with theim of many an honeste & amorous deuise, as well (it seemed) he could. But the Youth willyng to excuse him selfe herein, praied hym humbly that it would please hym to geue him leaue to retourne into Greate Bri­taine, [Page]there to seeke aduentures: so to assaie if the order of knighthoode, whiche he had obtained, were well or euill employed vpon hym. And also that he had greate desire to Juste and Combate with king Floridamant, which as then was had in prise for the beste and valiauntest knight in the world. The Emperour not well pleased in that he would so soone departe from his Courte, saied to hym. ‘Why (faire sir) will you so soone abandon vs and our Court, not in any wise feasted or cheared there as yet, accordyng to your cal­lyng? I promise you, that if you will remaine with vs but the space of fiftene daies, that besides the good and honeste entertainement whiche I hope thereby to bestowe on you. you shall here also finde knightes both braue and strong to make proofe of youre valour and prowesse, seeyng your ar­dente desire is so to doe. For I must one of these daies make a moste sumptuous Feaste, duryng the whiche, neither Iu­stis nor Tourneis shalbe lackyng: wherein you maie expe­riment your valiance in this behalf: therby to prepare your self the better against the worthy knightes of greate Bri­tain, whiche are the flowers of chiualrie in the worlde, and chiefly as you saie against kyng Floridamant, who hath not his match vnder heauē. And I suppose y^t otherwise it would soner turne to your dishonour then aduauncement, and that it should rather be imputed to your rashnesse then courage.’ The Youth hearyng the Emperour speake with so greate modestie and charinesse, cōceiued a certain singular loue of his prudencie, and suche a one as forced hym with a reuerēt feare not to offende his hestes, neither to doe any thyng dis­agreable vnto his mynde: & knewe that he had erred in wil­lyng to departe, hauyng receiued farre aboue his desertes, so muche honour of so greate a lorde as he was, without do­yng hym any deede of duetie of seruice. Wherefore to co­uer his fault, he said vnto him. Seing it pleaseth your Ma­iestie to doe me so muche honour, as to reteine mee in your court, it shalbe then my dutie to go about to do you the best [Page 39]seruice I canne: ‘Assuryng you that no worldlie felicitie, could happen as now more greater, nor more agreable to my mind, then to haue the meane hereby to satisfie your he­stes and desires. And ouer that, I shall thinke my self moste happie, it I maie gratifie your contentment, in dooyng you ought whiche male bée to you pleasaunt and agreable: that I maie ridde my self out the bandes of foule Ingratitude: wherein I were faste linked, if I did not putte in practise to atchiue your commaundementees, and accomplishe your desires: Seyng you haue alreadie so bounde and made me yours, that it is paste my power, euer to shewe you so muche seruice, but that still I shall bee farre in your debte and daunger. Wherfore I am not of power (since so it pleaseth you) to passe the limites of your will. The Emperour well contente and satiffied, with the gracious aunswere of the Youthe of the Faieries, commaunded againe a Damozell, whiche was there presente, that she should conducte hym to sée the Empresse Chamber: Whereto she promptly obeyed.’ And takyng hym by the hande, she ledde hym neere where she was, accompanied with so many faire Ladies and Da­mozelles, that at his entraunce within the Chamber, he se­med to se so many Angelles in Paradise, as there were La­dies waityng aboute the Empresse: who talkyng with cer­taine Princes there with her, she made theim stande some­what a side, the better to see the Youthe of the Faieries: who enteryng into the Chamber, saluted her humblie: to whom when she had vsed like curtesie, seeyng hym so faire and courteous, she could not sticke (being muche astonished to see a young manne so comely) to saie to them whiche were about her: I beleue that if this Youth haue the bountie and prowesse of the minde, equal and matchable to the makyng, and proportion of his body, he will be the best and worthiest knight vnder the Skies. And whiles she saied these woor­des, the Youthe beyng approched more nere, she beganne to aske hym of his birthe, and why he was come into a coū ­trie [Page]so farre, to receiue the Order of knighthoode, seeyng there was in Great Britaigne, King Floridamant, who was reputed the moste royall Kyng, and valiaunt Knight of the whole Earth, and suche other odde talke: whereto he aun­swered so aptly that she remained well satisfied. But after that she had ended her speache, her Damozelles, which still attended when she would leaue him, for them, beganne here and there to enforce theim selues, to please hym the beste thei could, bothe in woordes and other thinges: to eche of whom hee answered well and honestly, accordyng to their demaunde: assuring you that none gaue hym a quippe in a­ny cause, but that he requited her againe quicklie, with the lyke coyne. But hee whiche well knewe howe to shifte be­tweene two walles, was scarce contented to be conuersant with them, for that there he could not see one sparke of the beautie of her, which girded his Sworde about hym, wher­with hee was somewhat attached: for that, she whiche had caste her eyes on hym so attentiuely, beganne alreadie to haue her senses troubled, through the loue of hym: where­vpon she was retired secretly into her chamber much pen­siue: at whose issuyng foorthe, that chaunced vnto hym, whiche you shall heare.

¶ The. x. Chapter.

FAtall desteny, daughter to God almigh­tie, hauyng once by the cōmaundement of her Father, purchased some misfor­tune, to any mortall wight: what pru­dence, pollicy or humaine deuise so euer a man applieth, to euite and shunne this eternall decrée of thinges, yet is it so still, that shee rageth, and hath swaye ouer all oure doo­ges. I say this, for that, what meanes soeuer the Lady Por­phyrie could inuent, to eschue and flee the loue of the Youthe of the Faierie, whiche as now began to weaken the stron­gest, yea the soundest of her inner partes: yet notwithstan­ding was it vnpassible (Destenie so apointyng) to exempte her self, from any parte of those amourous cogitations, whiche through their violence, tooke still encrease within her clogged harte, with this want of senses, which you shall heare. Wherin it is to be noted y^t whiles the wise & gentle Youthe of the Faieries, conuersaunt emongest the Damo­zelles of the Empresse, did hold them in, with many a merie ieste, and honest deuise, though therein hee tooke no great pleasure, because he sawe not her, whose Idea of perfection he had somewhat imprinted in his harte, to witte, the faire Ladie Porphyrie, who as then was of the age of fowertene or fiftene yeres (an age without doubte, capable enough of the contagious scorchinges of cruell Loue) beholde where she came halfe sadde and sorrowfull into the Halle, of pur­pose to see hym. Neuerthelesse, feignyng that she came not [Page]for other occasion then to solace, and sporte her self accor­dyngly, as sometymes she had accustomed with the Maides of the Empresse her Mother. Emongst whom, in euill tyme apperceiuyng the fostered sonne of the noble Faierie Ozi­ris, and hauyng espied her commyng, did his endeuour to salute her, and she reciprocally also rendered the like: seyng hym (I saie,) so faire and beautifull, that it was vnpossible to saie ought more, she was so ententiue to entertaine hym in salutations, with semblaunce of likyng, as no lesse he did to her, that the sweete denime of Loue, whiche on this wise is supped, beganne to inebriate the hartes of the one and of the other: so muche that the Vermilion red, whiche retired from the middle of their visages, gaue coniecture to some of the Damozelles (who were more skilled and conuersaunt in the case then others) of that, whiche was happened. For there wanted not much but that y^e Youth (transported with a beautie vnmatchable, and neuer hauing felt suche impres­sions of loue in his phantasie afore) had almost fallen doune in a slumber: but takyng harte to him, he dissembled his do­lour the best he could. But the ladie, were it y^t she was char­ged with more matter of this Marrowe then he, or that she was lesse couragious and able, to beare out these bruntes, bestowed by the little God, on thē, whom he inwrappeth in his nettes, was through phansie forced to fall in a soūde so­dainly in the place where she stoode. Wherof wée neede not doubte if the Empresse & her Damozels, who sawe her fall, were afraied, and marueiled: for thei thinkyng that she was deade, with an infinite number of cries, and lamentations moste pitifull, ran speedely on this side and on that, to lifte and raise her vp, stil tremblyng & astonished for feare, which thei had, leaste she were deade. But after thei had felte her poulces, findyng her yet a liue, thei appeised and moderated the vehemencie of their dolours, to recomforte the Em­presse: who hauyng her harte cloied with distresse, could not speake a woorde: saiyng one to an other, that some defaulte [Page 41]of harte had surprised her: or els that not hauyng eaten any meate that Mornyng, her senses and stomacke failed her: some other saied that possiblie it was her goune beeyng to straight for her. And thus these women Philosophatyng vpon her sodaine sounynges, thei tooke and caried her cha­relie into her chamber: where beyng laied vpon her bedde, thei caste certaine droppes of colde water in her visage, and then she beganne to reuerte, and come again to her self: and openyng her eyes, she was altogether amazed to se so many people busied about her, and chieflie to heare her cousine Harderine (wéepyng so bitterly, that kissyng her she watred her cheekes with teares) to call her with a loude voyce. Wherefore with a feeble and lowe voyce, the Ladie badde her, that she should shutte all the windowes of the chamber, and then cause all the rest of the Damozelles to depart, be­cause she had great desire to slepe. Then the ladie Harderine asked her saiyng: Will you not that I tary here with you (Madame) that if in case any necessitie perturbe you, I maie preuent it to my power? That is as it shall please you, cousin, saied she: and incontinently all the Damozelles wēt out, and made reporte to the Empresse, how her daughter was somwhat better amended then afore, and that this sou­nyng proceeded not of any other cause, then of the quaisi­nesse of her stomacke, whiche had surprised her, in that she had not rested the Nighte before, because of the Alarmes whiche the Giaunte Ferclaste, and his twoo brethren, made nightly to the Citie, wherewith the Empresse was some­what satisfied, and ceassed her teares.

The Ladie Harderine, who remainyng solie in the Lady Porphyria her Chamber, willyng to knowe the cause of her dolour, beganne to fetche her in with these woordes: ‘I am greately astonished and abashed (Madame) whence or how you should haue this greate default of harte, that so sodain lie you should fall doune soundyng before the Empresse: doe you feele your self euill? Is there any interiour mala­die, [Page]or secrete sorrowe within your corps, whiche through his violence, hath caused this auoydance of senses? I praie you not to conceale it, but rather to communicate it fréelie to me, so that it maie be amēded. For if you secretly shroude and shadowe it, I assure you, your self shall bee the speedie procurer, and seker of your owne decaie, whiche if it should once chaunce, I should not long after liue. Wherefore I praie you once again my swete Mistres (saied she in kissing her) vouchsafe to make me knowe your maladie. Ah cosine (saied she to her) thinke you me so sottishe, vndiscrete, and suche an enemie to my self, that if I felte any euill to anoye me, whereto the Phisicions might apply the order of amen­dement, that I would conceale it from you, hauyng hereto­fore manifested to you, all the motions of my mynde, and secret thoughtes that I euer suffred?’ The Ladie Harderine hearyng her so speake, had at the firste greate feare, least she had felte some corporall maladie within her self, daunge­rous and incurable: but hauyng pondered somewhat apart vpon her speaches, she doubted sodainly that perchaunce she was pricked with the perillous darte of Loue, whiche one­ly is vncurable, either with Hearbes or Siropes: Where­fore to lighten her doubte, she thought good to trie the watche further, saiyng on this sorte:

‘And how then Madame doeth the cause of your doloure, and sounyng procede from any maladie, whiche the Phisici­ons by no meanes can cure? I can not rightly deeme, what desease paineth you, seyng there is no sicknesse so sore, that Sir Sagibell your father the Emperours Phisicion, who is the moste skilfull and tried man in his Arte, can not by his medicines giue some recure and helpe vnto. Cosin (replied the faire Ladie) you knowe well, that I neuer concealed from you any of my secretes, though verie priuate, were thei neuer of so greate importaunce, And therefore I will not now hide from you my langour, seeyng you are so dest­rous to knowe it: and that whiche I aunswere, proceedeth [Page 44]not from ought els, but of the greate desire I haue to slepe. Wherfore since ye knowe it presently, I praie you no more to disquiet me, but do so muche as depart the chamber, that then I maie slepe the more at my ease: And an hower hence you maie returne to awake me, at what tyme you shall per­ceiue my maladie muche amended. I se wel, said Harderine (doubtyng more now then asore, of an eele vnder the stone) that the case standeth not so, that you maye hide it well e­nough.’ For the Fire was neuer yet in a place so secrete, nei­ther hid in a denne so déepe, but that some smoke thereof ap­peared and was seen: at whiche woordes she went for the of the chāber, shuttyng the doore after her, and feining to goe along the Gallerie, correspondente to the issue of the same, she went not farre, but retourned softely againe, to harken at the doore, if in any pointe she could heare the distressed Ladie complain: who as sone as she sawe her departed, had begonne her plotte to this purpose, drawyng moste sorow­full sighes, from the bottome of her harte. Woe is me, what passiō of mynde might this be that I fele? ‘O miserable and desolate that I am, what straunge dolour, what vnknowen alteration dde I feele, to martire and crucifie my hart, with suche outrage, that I attende nought els but the arriuall of that cruell and inhumain death, to ende my doleful daies and to deliuer me from the passions, and anguishes where­with like friyng fire, I now still feele my bowels to burne? Beholde O thou Serpentine Youth, replete with poyson: how lucklesse and vnfortunate for me the daie was, wherin thou diddest here arriue, and come in presence: for since first I sawe thee, I knowe not how nor whither myne affectiō is transported. I know not where my tēder hart is become, I know not what rage, & what furie hath surprised and holdē my sencés & raison so captiuated, y^t I cānot (alas) I cannot see nor knowe, how nor by what meanes I may deliuer my self from this mischaunce and miserie, without greate losse and blemish of mine honour. Ah cruell [...] felonious & piti­lesse: [Page]Is it possible that (as well it appeareth) y^u art come to this Coast for no other occasion, then to cause me to pine in this dolour & distresse, by thy beauty and behauour, whiche I well beléeue thou haste bought or borrowed by Charmes and Enchauntementes of some skilfull Fairie (yea rather Sorceresse) whiche hath sente thee expressely hither, so to captiuate and depriue mée of my pristinate and auncient li­berties▪ But alas sot & sencelesse foole that I am: sufficeth it not mee enough to be vexed & tormented, but that there­vppon I must also curse hym, who neuer in his life either wrought or thought my displeasure? and who (perchaunce) if I required hym thereto would not seme to denie mée his seruice. For if he knewe that for his loue I languished as I doe, I am ascertained by the affabilitie, bountie & courtesie, wherewith (as I surely coniecture) he is complete and fur­nished, that he would be muche vexed and agreeued at mine infortunate encombraunce: not hauyng as I suppose, gi­uen any attempt either in thought, woorde or deede, to pro­cure or worke neuer so little woe or displeasure, whereof I may iustlie accuse, hym. I can not therefore imagine from whence it is, that this traunce now troublyng my Soule, proceedeth, if it be not from the fountaine of frettyng loue. The which beyng naturall, as oftē I haue heard say, & now in some parte haue proued, it is great iniurie, that I should blame hym so: yea rather I ought to reprehend mine owne nature, or the cruell desteny, guider of my yeres, which (yea and possiblie for my prefermente) hath ordeined that hee shall one daie be the Lorde and true Maister of my hart and bodie likewise. For the which cause I will enforce my selfe yet still, cloakyng the coulour of myne ill chaunce the beste that I can, to bring hym, if he yet be not so muche to obaye me as I am at his commaundemente: in that hee can not chuse, but that I may loue hym, hauyng his perfections im­printed in me with so sure a Seale, that the processe of time is in no wise able to deface it: Seyng that the loue whiche [Page 43]I entende to vse, is a thing holy and constituted of God on hie. And thereon let come what will: let the Emperour my Father fret and fume hereat at his pleasure: let all thinges herein tourne vpsidedoune, if it may chaunce that in anie wise I maie vnderstande, that hee is atteinted and caught with the same sicknesse that I am. But seeyng that I my selfe can not bryng this to passe, and because also that my Maladie whiche proceedeth from loue, hath this particula­ritie in it selfe, that it may receiue no redresse, if it bee con­ceiled and kept secret, I am in mynde to discouer and make it knowen to my Cosin Harderine, and to the Ladie Marcel­la, who not bewraiyng mee, shall gene mee counsaile in this myne harde affaire.’ When she had ended her speach to this purpose, the Maiden Harderine whiche was at the scoute watch, hearyng this resolution, went awaie thence, making the smallest noise she could, & so passed through the Gallerie into the Empresses chamber, where hauyng found the lady Marcella (who was a woman right wise and honest, widow to the late Duke of Chalcyde: to whom, because of her mo­destie and demeaner, was giuen the custodie of the young la­die Porpharia, she recompted to her all the complaintes, whiche of her Cousin she had lately heard. Whereat she not greately marueiled: as one whiche doubted, by the counte­naunces & behauors of louers, in doyng the duetie of cour­tesie, of that whiche was veritable & true in deede. Where­fore▪ she and Harderine hande in hande went into the young ladies chamber, whō thei found sadly walkyng vp & doune: who discriyng them, died her face with a more ioyfull hewe and showe, then her harte had of contentment: and adressyng her speache to Harderine she saied: ‘My swéete cosin is it not true, that whē I told you I had slept, I should be better? A­ha, said the other, whiche knewe the greatest secretes of her harte, you haue not as yet the meane to bee so whole, as to vs ye make semblance: for the desease, whereof I heard you not long since cōplaine, receiueth not so soone recure, with­out [Page]apliyng of an other remedy, thē you haue yet had. What Cousine, (saied the yong Ladie) of what Maladie haue you heard me make my moane, whereof I am not yet ridde and deliuered of? Of the feuer whiche proceedeth of the heate of Cupids burnyng infections, saied she. Porphirie, seeyng that her Pot was discouered, and her Secretes knowne, caused them both to sit by her and saide. Although it should bee so that you had in no wise knowne my misfortune: yet in no wise could it so continue, that you beyng the persons onely in whom I haue confidence, more then in any others what­soeuer, I would haue hiddē from you any of my sinister for­tunes, and distresses: knowyng you euer to haue continued loyall & faithfull towardes me: and so that I haue no cause to complaine my self, sith I haue neuer concealed and coue­red from your so laudable taciturnitie, all that (although of greate importaūce) whiche I haue stil made you partakers of: whiche maketh me hope, that not to purchase my anoy­aunce or displeasure, but rather to succour me in this my so vrgente affaire, you would not beginne at this tyme, consi­deryng the consequence of the deede, from whence the que­stion cometh: and what daūger I haue vsed at the first, to di­scouer it vnto you. I praie you (deere Cosin) be not thereat displeased. For though I was loath to make you priuie of it, yet it is not good so to doe thinges rashely, without pre­meditatyng what issue it may haue and consultyng therof, which was the chief cause, y^t assured of your loyaltie, which neuer yet failed me, I was of purpose to imparte my secre­tes to you bothe. I knowe it well (saied Harderine) for if I had not heard your resolution, whiche did manifest vnto vs the cause of your Maladie (whereof wee neede not now to trouble you with talke, seeing we are sufficiently enformed of the matter it self) I would haue had regarde not to haue so manifested it to Maistres Marcella, and to bryng her hi­ther, for feare of doyng a thyng displeasaunte vnto you. But intendyng that, wherof you were tailkng, and the confidēce [Page 44]whiche you haue in her, beyng to me not vnknowen, I pray you take no displeasure, if I be enboldened rashely to bring her in presence: For I well knowe that herein she can giue you better counsell then I, as one that is more trained and experimēted, not onely in matters of loue, but also in many other thinges. Then the lady Marcella cutting of her wor­des, begā to speake on this wise.’ Madame Harderine, seyng here riseth no question, neither is it needefull to spende the tyme in praising the one the other: ‘touching that that you saie, how I am more sage then you, therein I reporte me to the saiynges of those which know vs both, who wel inough knowe the contrarie: neuerthelesse takyng these your prai­ses in good parte, for that he or she whiche receiueth not a praise or laude vpon any occasiō bestowed vpon thē, semeth to make hymself culpable of outrage and dishonour, whiche any obiecte maye offer vnto hym. But let vs chaunge our stile: & as for that Madame saied she (addressyng her speach to the Lady Porphirie) that you request mee to keepe youre newe sprong loues in secrecie, I promise you, yea and pro­test before God, that I will soner suffer a thousand deathes then to discouer anie parte thereof contrarie to your com­maundemente: Neither shall it bee knowen or come out on my side, saied, Harderine. Then Marcella proceeded and said: I maruell where you haue lost your Senses, or where that opinion is become, whiche you had not longe since, when here beyng alone in this chamber, you saied to me, that nei­ther the flames nor the stroakes of Loue, should cuer haue any puissaunce vpon you, and that those whiche vnder that yoke of seruitude, endured so many Martyrdomes and pas­sions, as Amidree tolde you, that she suffered for the loue of Pharisor your cosin, the flower of valiāce in all Grece, were but fooles, inconstante and voyde of vnderstandyng: saiyng furthermore, that as for you, none should euer haue parte in your fauour and grace, muche lesse in your Loue: who was not reputed for the puissauntest and beautifullest Prince in [Page]the worlde. And nowe through the onely vewe of a newe Knighte estraunger, who neuer burste as yet Speare ne launce, I see you trasported frō that stedfastnes, whereof ye so vaunted, and so dispossessed with your amourous passion, that hauyng lost all that which best séemed in you, you were forced to fall doune sounded and halfe dead, and scarce yet know where ye are. Alas it so behoueth not any to gouerne them self: it is not fit to vse suche fashions and deedes: for if you proceede anie further, I assure you, it can not chaunce but to your greate dishonour, beyng in fine discouered. But I will tell you, seeynge in this, it pleaseth you to vse my counsaile, I thinke this beste in my conceipte, y^t for these fif­tene or sixtene daies you seeme to kéepe your Chamber, fai­nyng to be somewhat sicke: as well not to geue any conie­cture of the cause of your Maladie: as also thereby loosing the sight of the Youth, whiche is the onely obiecte (as I vn­derstande) of your Passions, who at that tearme prefixed muste departe, abandonyng this motion of Loue whiche is but imaginatiue. Whiche the more violente and sodaine it hath been, so muche the sooner shall it vanishe awaie, and the webbes thereof bee worne out of your memorie. Like as their custome is, who lightlie hauyng apprehended the obiecte of Loue, and attiryng theim selues therewith: Doe sodainly and vnconstauntlie forgette the same by disconti­nuaunce of contemplatyng their chosen marke: and this is the onely remedye whiche you muste vse for your amende­ment. Assuryng you, that if you doe otherwise, (as looke how neere that one approcheth the Fire, the more forcible feeleth he the flames, and scorchyng heate: likewise imita­tyng the Butterflie, who striues to burne her selfe in the Candle) if you call hym into your presence, affectionatyng your self more to behold him: thē your malady, no lesse then your defamatiō will take suche roote and encrease, that you not able to ridde your handes thereof, too late will come re­pentaūce. What (saied the Princesse) ladie, is this same the [Page 45]beste counsaill and succour, whiche you seeme good to giue me? Deeme you, that I haue so lightlye apprehended and emprinted, the loue of the yonge Gentleman in my harte, that I can disburden my selfe thereof at pleasure, as you saie? Seing that the same should proceede from me, rather of a greate imperfection of iudgemente, dependyng vppon an opinion without effecte, then of the loyaltie and stedfast­nesse, which I am alreadie resolued to beare him, all y^e daies of my life: whiche surely shall shortly take ende, if I knowe not quickely, that his amitie is reciprocall, and correspon­dente to myne. No, no, if euer ye did me pleasure, or if euer you had a good mind to gratifie me, it behoueth you my La­dies & frendes, that at this present you doe mee so much ser­uice, as to searche where he is, and to learne by some honest and subtile maner, if he may finde in his harte to loue mee, or if he haue his mind fixed els where. Beséeching you here­in, to proceede in such maner, that mine honour may there­by be as little as ye can, blotted, neither mine entent disco­uered: which thing if ye vouchsafe to do, I am so acerteined in your forefight and wisedome, that you shall therby gaine to your selues greate honour: or at leastwise if this séeme of to hard disgestion for you, I praie you giue mee some other better counsell, not like to that afore recited: assuring you, that if you forbid me not the discontinuaunce of loue, I wil enforce my selfe by all meanes possible to vse youre aduise. Leige Princesse (said Marcella) to tell or certifie the Youth that you are amourous of him, or to giue him other notyce therof, then by the eyes (which are the true and accustomed Messengers of the most priuie intentions of the harte) see­ing you are so stiffely bente neuer to loue any other: it see­meth me, that it cānot be done, w̄tout inferring great disho­nour to your personage. For in speaking by my Mouth, or any others, you should seeme to vse the Office of askyng that, which were inough rather to make you loose for euer your newe chosen frende, then to make hym youres For [Page]thervpon he would hould hymselfe so proude and pre sump­teous, if in this case he caught sinatche of the least thyng in the worlde, that in lieu of louing you, he would rather dis­daine you. Neuerthelesse, I wil tell you what I haue seene, and more then that, haue marked: that when so euer he hath chaunced to see you, he hath no lesse chaunged countenance then you, which maketh meedeeme, that wheresouer he be, he is not altogether exempte, from the feelyng of affection like to yours: which thyng we may throughly know to the truthe, duryng these fiftene daies which he hath to remaine here. In suche prefixed space, I beleue, that if there bee anie goodnesse in hym, wee shall knowe it. For hee will be at the Iustes which the Emperour wil cause to be proclaimed to morrowe, as I vnderstande: wherat all the best knightes of Constantinople, wil bee as Assistauntes: and Don Gillant de Burtage of Create Britaine, who is merueilous vali­aunt, will bee there also: against whom, we shall see howe he can beare hym selfe, and what he will doe moreouer, if he haue any affection towardes you. For if it bee so, I assure my selfe, that if hee maie vanquishe any, he will sende hym to bee your Prisoner, or will vse some suche gentlenesse or courtesie in your behalfe: for verelie it seemeth mee, that if hee bee of so hie linage, or if he bee so valiaunte as in ap­pearaunce he seemeth, certes he is worthy to bee beeloued of some greate and beautifull Princesse. Wherefore, La­die, I praie you, ceasse your Teares, that you giue not out any suspicion of your distresse: be temperate till to morow, and then I promise to giue you counsell, vpon further deli­beration, more wholsome and agreeable, then presently I can. For now we must goe towardes the Empresse, to deli­uer her of the dolour wherein shee yet resteth, supposing that by this time, you are neere hande dead. And keepe the best countenaunce you can, therby to cloake your care: & so God will aide you soone (you shall see) in some sorte.’ Then taking her by the left hand, and Harderine by the right, who [Page 46]saied vnto her: ‘good God, Cosin, I would not for any thing in the world, be so amourous as you: and for this cause will, I keepe my selfe quiet from blaspheming of loue euer here­after: seeyng that his puissaunce punisheth so pitifully, those whom he once taketh in hande.’ And then they ariued in the Empresses Chamber, who was exceedyng glad when she vnderstoode that her daughter seemed as nowe to haue no further malady: where wee nowe will leaue them, and tell what chaunced to the Youth of the Fairies.

¶ The xi. Chapter.

AND on the other side was the Youth of the Faieries, who hauyng seen the in­comparable beautie of Porphyria, felte hym self (when as he firste sette his eyes uppon her, wounded and smitten by the same shaft, & seniblable prickes of loue. True it is, that his passion was not at [Page]the first shewe so violence, that (like her) he should presently sounde, in that, he was more manly and strong, to suffer as­saultes, (or perchaunce to speake more plainly) he was not burthened so muche, as she then presently: but longe it was not, ere their passions were equall: For seeing her to fall in­to a traunce, emongest her Maides and Damozelles, who bare her vp, and brought her into her Chamber, he all asto­nished, passed by a Portall, from out of the Hall into a Gal­lerie, whiche bordred on a faire and pleasaunte Gardein, at the ende whereof, hee founde certaine steppes to descende doune, and so walked long time, solely descantyng vpon the newe cogitations of his Loue. And herein he imagined so well, and called so curioussy to remembraunce that Ange­licall shape, which he had seen, and which helde hym so raui­shed, and wherein he had entred so far, that becommyng ar­dently amourous, he felt for certainty, the finall losse of his late power and libertie. But worte ye how: Frsooth this impression imaginatiue tooke suche encrease in hym, that he knew not where he was: for his harte yet tender, yonge and easie to receiue suche like violente impressions, did nought but imagine how to finde meanes, to let her vnder­stande his griefe, and to wynne her fauour. Well daryng (although hee knewe not of whence hee was) to aspire so farre, as too promyse hym selfe the Alliaunce of as greate a Lorde, as the Emperour of Constantinople: as well as if he had been assured of the house, whereout he was descended: so magnanimous an harte had hee, and in suche forte was his haughtie mynde settled. But moreouer, con­sidering the impossibilitie of the facte, be chaūged soone his opinion, and became astonied, as once was the lame Smith of Iupiter, at what time through Choller, he was cast doune headlong from heauen. For he tormented hym self through the vehemencie that he felte, broiling in the fire, which con­tinually encreasing in flames, made him to suffer more tor­ment and aff [...]tition: when sagely he considered the inequali­tie [Page 47]of his louyng Ladie and hym. Finally, all these thynges considered, seyng his affaires fell out so ill, and that the fire encreased in his breaste, by the imagination of his Miffres­ses feature and beautie, whiche in beholdyng had dimmed, and darkened his eyes and senses also with their dulcet ve­nime, whereof feelyng the alteration and violence more ve­hemente (seeyng he durst not to make semblante thereof to his Dame) hee resolued to separate hym selfe from that pleasaunte infection: to the ende, that being absent from the Coales, he might rake the reste of the Fire, vnder the Cin­ders of his Cogitation. And verelie this his counsaill was verie good and wholesome: if the bodie beeyng absent, hee could also haue estraunged his thoughtes, & forgotten the obiecte of his tormente. On the other side, he waied the pro­messe, whiche he had made to the Emperour, which was, to remaine in his seruice: whiche thing for any worldes good, (seyng hym selfe so bounde and vowed vnto hym) he would not breake nor violate. In this perplexitie rested he more then two long howers, still walking vp and doune the Car­deine, while the Princesse Porphyria, (who drewe with hym the yoke of equall tormentes,) was in counsaill with her Damozelles, as you haue heard in the Chapiter precedent. And I deeme he might haue remained so longer, had it not been for his Squire, who sought hym on all sides, by the commaundement of the Emperour, to come to Dine with hym: who wente so farre from chamber to chamber, and in suche order, that in fine he founde hym dreamyng, and mu­sing in the Cardeine, in suche wise, that he called hym twise or thrise, beyng verie nere vnto hym, before he heard or ap­perceiued hym: who approchyng more neere to hym, called out on this sorte. ‘Hola Maister, what meane you, are you become deaffe or blinde? For now it is a whole hower since I haue been here with you, to tell you how you muste come to the Emperour to Diner, in all whiche while, ye haue not made semblante, either to heare or see me. And how? (In [Page]Gods name) more then an hower, Saied the Youthe of the Faieries? Yea forsoothe, saied he. But not of these greate howers, whiche you thinke not, but of these shorte howers, whiche passe in so small season, as you maie employe in cal­lyng you thrise at the leaste. Aha (saied the Youth) I beleue ye well: For I haue my mynde so busied otherwise, that it maie well be, that not thinkyng on thee, I haue ne seen nor heard thee. What Sir? And whereon maie you haue your thought so fixed? Vnlesse it should bee, that you were stri­ken with the loue of the Emperours doughter, who is este­med the moste perfecte in beautie, that is knowen presentlie to bee in the worlde. Verelie if you haue seen her, I thinke you haue tasted enough, whereon so to occupy your though­tes. O Geliaste (saied he) for Gods loue speake no more to me of that: For I haue neuer seen her, but to my greate da­mage. Wherefore I praie thee, that incontinentlie after dinner, my Horse & Harnesse be ready: for I meane, (with­out making any prynie to my determination) to absent my self hence, so to banish & defeate this opiniō. I willingly wil Sir, (said the Squire) but by mine honesty, since you haue so farre gone, I feare you halfe loste, if you vse none other remedy but absence. And what thing more expediēt may I vse, replied the Youth, I would wishe you (saide he) to finde meanes to speake to her, and to lett her vnderstande youre Passions, possiblie she will take some pitifull compassion vppon you, or at leaste wise, ye shall receiue by discouery of your euill, some recure and helpe. For so would I deale if I were in your case. Hence Sotte that thou arte, thinkest thou mee so ill trained by, that I should seeme to giue the leaste suspition possible of my Sorrowes, either to her or to any other person, againste all reason? Naye, take thou also good heede from giuyng out anye aduerse speaches I warne thee: consideryng the greate reproaches whiche I maie incurre by my foly, in that such a simple Knight as I, not wittyng my selfe from whence I am, ne euer haue at­chiued [Page 48]feate, worthy of the fauour of the worst Damozell in the worlde, dare aspire to seeke the acquaintaunce of one so greate a Princesse: who, if I shoulde doe as thou saiest, shee worchely scorning mee, would not (I feare) deigne to take mee for the worste of her seruauntes, hauing many my het­ters in worse place of seruice than that. Wherefore neuer moue mee more of so manifest a folly: And what my Lorde (saide again Geliaste) how is it that your heart is so base, & pusillanunous, that ye beare not your self in worth, alwaies aboue a woman? Not aboue suche a one as she (said he). Ve­relie (aunswered the other,) if euer one had seen mée breake a couple of Launces against a doūghill, (which is easie you know) & that I were horsed at aduauntage, as you are: also if I had your beautie & personage, I know not so gallaunt a Girle in all this Towne, but shee would thinke her selfe happie, to haue mee for her frende. Therefore (Maister) my best aduise and counsell is, that to morrow you shewe your selfe valiaunt, and couragious in the Iustes, whiche shal be: for (surelie) by that meanes ye shall winne her heart. Thou speakest now better then y^u diddest erewhile (said the Youth. And I will not onelie proue my selfe to morrow at the Iu­stes: but also (if I liue) will (to make my selfe more renow­med) goe search straunge aduentures in Greate Britaine, and Combate with the best Knightes that there be, yea not exceptyng King Floridamant, who hath so greate renoume of valiauncie, before I will assure my selfe to obtaine the good grace and fauour of my newe Maistresse, whom I am determined to serue and honour in mine hearte, as long as life shalbe resident in my bodie, and to her onely will I vow my loue. Wherfore remēber that, which I haue said to thée, that after dinner my Harnesse be readie: for I will not bee knowen to morrowe when I shal come to the Iustes. Mai­ster, saide Geliaste, trouble your selfe no more about that, for eche thing shall be prest at your pleasure.’

So, secretlie deuising together, they arriued in the Em­perours [Page]Halle where the Tables were couered againste dinner. And the Emperour being set doune, caused y^e youth to be placed next vnto hym, so to doe hym the more honour, and all his Knightes & Barons after hym in order: who at dinner time were all armed with their Sweardes by their sides, and Helmets on their heades, & did eate hauing their Beuers put vp: the Gates of the Pallace being all shut, and many Souldiers about y^e same, to be their guardes. Wher­at the Youthe of the Fairies muche merueiling, could not but enquire, whether it were the custome of the Countrie, so to dine Armed: thereby to honour the Emperour the more, who onelie was vnharnized, or if there were anie déeper occasion, which draue them so to doe. ‘Know (Youth, saide the Emperour) that accordyng to your opinion, this is not doen without cause. For againste suche a daie as to morow (which is the daie of my natiuitie) I haue annually accustomed to make a moste sumptuous Feast, whereunto I call all my moste priuate frendes, and grande Princes of mine Empire, as you sée here present, & appoint Iustes and Tournmentes, and all other sortes of pastime. But whiles we are in mirthe and feasting, we alwaies feele our selues troubled in some sort, by the inuasions of a monstruous and vnreasanable higge Giante called Ferclaste, who kéepes an Houlde, not paste fower of fiue Miles hence, in a certeine Rocky caue, commonly called Rocke Alpine: who with his twoo Breethren, who are neither better nor lesser then hee, and another rauenous kenell of Dogges whiche hee kee­peth, neuer faileth as to morowe, to come and doe some out­rage to some of the Citie: as to rauishe some maide, or mur­ther some Knight. In so muche, that the last yere, hee came hither euen into this Hall, and with his greate Club, euen in my presence, hee cutte of the Dukes head of Chalcyde, who was a Knight righte wise and valiaunt. And further­more this night last past, word was brought vnto mee that he had rauished a gentlemans daughter of my Court, called [Page 49] Florenges, who nowe is not here for the greate dolour hee hath of y^e losse of his daughter. And doeth me so many other outrages (against which I can finde no remedie nor order, for that hee still keepeth hym selfe encloased in his Rockie Cabin) that I can not well declare theym. Manie worthy Knightes there haue beene as well of this Empire, as els where, that haue fought with him hande to hand, but neuer was seen any to retourne: for either he quicklie killeth thē, or elles quietly keepeth theim in Prison: and amongest the rest he hath one, if happlie he be not dead, who was the beste of all my retinewe, and for whom (as well therefore, as that he is my Neuewe) I am muche sorowfull, and hee is called Pharisor. And thus ye now knowe, why my folkes not of their owne courtesie, but straitly constrained thereto, take themselues thus to their Gardes. Yea, would GOD it had coste mée the halfe of mine Empire, that some good knight had ridde these Costes of hym. For I doubt me, that at the Iustes to morowe, he wil doe vs some mischief, seyng he co­meth not to daie, for his wonted hower is past.’ Care ye not (my Leige) saide the Youthe of the Fairies when the Em­perour had done speaking. For God who leaueth not anie wicked Act vnpunished, will deliuer you well of the dama­ges y^t thei haue dooen you, through his grace, guerdonyng theim accordyng to desertes. If he sette not hande thereto, said the Emperour ‘(I feare me) it is vnpossible for any hu­main wight to vanquishe thē. For this Ferclaste who is the strongest of them all, findeth not so hard yron, that with his ij. handes he easelie pulleth not in peeces, soner then one of vs, a Braunche or Sprig of a Tree: and carieth a Club so bigge and mōstruous, that foure strong men cannot lift it vp from the grounde: with whiche I beleeue there is not so sure an Armour, nor so stiffe a shielde, but hee will with one stroake breake it to Pouder. And his brethren Ergoferant and Androfort, haue some whiles a battle Axe, so sharpe and pearcing, that there is neither Yron nor Steele, of what [Page]hardnes soeuer, whiche flieth not in peeces at the attaiute therof: otherwhiles they carie eche of them the Clapers of twoo Belles, whiche they had brought into their Caue, from Sainte Peters Steeple of this Towne, the grea­test thinges that euer were seene, whiche they handle and weild, as well as one of vs would doe his Swerde: Briefly that is the moste hideous thing to beholde, and horrible to heare, that euer was toulde or related.’

So with suche and other like talke they passed away the tyme, vntill the Table was taken vp, and then after dinner the Youth seperated hym selfe so well as he could, from the other knightes, with whom he could haue beene content to haue talked more of the Grantes: of whom although they coulde hym marueilles, yet hee went to see his Squire at the Stable, where his Horse and Geliaste was, whom hee founde both readie Sadled and Bridled. Beeyng harnised with the good Armour whiche the Fairie had giuen hym, bee mounted vppon the good Steede Lycocephal, and Ge­liaste vppon his, and so demaundyng the waie to Rocke Alpine, thei tooke on that waie, whiche was taught theim, leauyng them astonished at their hardines, of whom they had demaunded the waie, ech one iudging that thei ment to trie some maistries with the Giantes. But Geliaste, whom this game pleased not best, had no delite to give and ieste as he was wont, but rather trembled for feare, seeing his mai­ster and hym drawe neere to the Denne of suche Giantes, saiyng to hym. ‘Alas Maister: why purpose you to go spill your selfe? whither is it, that you goe? or what will ye doe? woe is me, haue you no regarde of your selfe: what meane you to cast your self into the fire which wil assuredly hurne you? you haus heard y^t in this Rocke Alpine are suche mon­struous Giantes, as wil soone rente & teare you in peeces, and yet goe you thither? But what thinke you to doe there? when as you well know, that thei haue destroyed and put to death an infinite number of so valiaunt Knightes, whiche [Page 50]thither went, and neuer retourned.’ Hold thy tongue, Beast (saide the Youth) for if they kill mee (as thou saiest) I shall bee deliuered from the moste miserable tormente that euer poore wretch endured: and if I chaunce to vanquish them, I shal get both great renoume, & also the Emperous fauour: & possibly moreouer (which most I desire) the good will of the Princesse Porphyria. And so I shal be exempte from my Passion, or at least wise, somewhat eased: supposing by this little seruice, which I shall do her herein, that she shall haue some occasion to fauour mée, and to make more accompt of me then euer she yet did. And if thou bee so affraide as thou makest semblant to be, thou maist hyde thee in some part of the Rocke, vntil such time that thou seest me either vanqui­sher or vāquished of y^e Giantes. The deuill take me if I hide me in their Rockes, said Geliaste, for if these monsters finde mee there, they will eate mée all vp at a Morsell: wherefore thinke not that I will euer leaue you. Doe therein as thou wilt, said y^e Youth. And with such talke passed they the time, all the long waie, till they ariued in a certaine wood, which was not farre from the Rocke Alpine. Where in when they were entred a litle, they heard the voice of a Damozel, who complained sorowfully. They staiyng their Horses to vn­derstande what it was, apperceiued the foulest villayn that euer was seen, & not so diffigured, but farre worse apparel­led. For his cloathing was so rent and torne, that it shewed the one halfe of his fleshe more filthy and blacke, then anie Colliar or Chimneisweper of the Citie, which felow caried on his shoulders a sacke ful of somwhat. Whom the Youth espiyng, remained more coy as well in that he heard again the former voice, as that he would also sée whither the Pai­saunt went: whō at length he sawe to rest hymself neere to a greate Ditche, whiche was aboute the wood, and there ca­sting his sacke on the ground, he heard hym speake in this wise, counterfaytyng his voyce. Madame, had you not ra­ther bee beloued of a braue and valiaunt Knight and Gen­tleman [Page]who will take you to his spowse and wife, if so you be pleased: then to suffer your self, perishe and die this rash­ly. For here now is the ditche wherin you must be drouned. Then heard he a voyce frō out of the sacke, whiche said, yes willyngly: But I would faine see hym. Then the Villaine vnbindyng his Sacke whiche was of Tanned Leather, plucked out the headde of a braue Damozell, whiche was there within: who looking all about her, demaunded of him where the gentleman was that spake of her. Beholde here, Wenche (saied the Ruffian by hym self) settyng his han­des on his side brauely, and marchyng gallantly fiue or sixe tymes aboute the Sacke: goe wicked Villaine saied the Damozell) I had rather bee dismembred, by peicemeale, then that thy filthy fleshe should toutche myne. Scarse had she saied so, but the Villaine angrilie shut her againe in the Sacke, and was aboute to caste her into the Ditche: when as the Youth hauyng seen all the matter, ranne to hym and staied his purpose, saiyng. Rascall, what is this that thou hast in this Sacke? Sir. saied he. it is the Bolster of an olde bed, whiche my Maister Ferclaste hath bidden me to cast in­to this ditch, because it is rottē. Thou liest, saied the Youth, for me thought I sawe a Damosell, who because she would not condiscēde to thy filthy lust, thou wouldest cast into this Ditche. But sir, you shall supply her rowme: and in steede of her, ende your vnhappie daies: and so takyng hym by the beard, he cōmaunded his Squire to vnloose the Lady from out of the sacke, wherein he put the pernicious Peasaunte, his head dounewardes, and so caste hym into the Ditche: whiche doen, he demaunded of the Damozel frō whence she was: and why they would haue drouned her? Whereto she answered and said. Worthy sir I am daughter to one of the Emperors knightes: who was takē awaie yesternight frō out of the cittie by the Giant Ferclaste, to whose disordinate lust, because I would not willyngly obaie, he hath cōmaun­ded this villaine on this wise to make me away: frō whence [Page 51]you haue saued me, and therof I hartely thanke you. And if it maie please you, to go with me to my fathers house in the cittie, he will for your happie deliueryng of me, reward you to his power, although not accordyng to your deseruyngs. For well I knowe, that he is sorrowfull for my sake. Da­mozell (saied the Knight) of Guerdon for your deliuerie I smally care, seyng that therein I haue doen but my duetie, whiche is to succour Ladie [...] oppressed as you were. And to retourne into the Cittie as yet, I must not, because I haue first vowed to fight with the Giant Ferclaste, to see whether he be suche an one as men saie: as well to reuenge the out­rage whiche he hath doen to you: as also to ridde the world of so pernicious a Plague and hurtefull, as he is. All which while, you maie remaine here with my Squire, if you haue any feare of hym. Faire sir (saied she) I shall dooe all, as it pleaseth you, for in greater perill can I not bee, then that, whereof you haue deliuered mee. And so the Damozell re­mained with Geliaste in the Forreste, hidden in the thickest bushe thei could finde: bitterlie bewaylyng the perill of the Youthe of the Fairies, who was departed from theim, and gone to fight with the Giantes at Rocke Alpine.

¶ The. xij. Chapiter.

THE Youth of the Fairies being depar­ted frō the Damozell, and his Squire, whom he had lefte hid in the Woodde: wente not verie farre, but that he was out, and then he apperceiued the Castle of Rocke Alpine, not farre from hym, in a place verie steepe and high: on the toppe wherof, was a Thicket, or little Woodde, continual­ly pestered and stored with Theeues and Robbers, who there still lurked to espie, if any one passed before the lod­gyng of the Giauntes, that thei might sodainly sette vpon them, & put them to the spoile: with whose coine & harnesse thei furnished them selues afterward. These fellowes espi­yng the yonge Knight comyng on horsebacke soberly that waie, thirtie or fourcie of the wightest and beste horsemen emong theim, came doune spedelie, of purpose to take hym, whom he quietly suffered to approche hym, to the intent he might speake to theim: but when thei thought them selues nere enough, one of theim whiche came foremoste▪ and was Capitaine of the Giauntes Garde, called Mitrocarde, ha­uyng discried the Knight, who as yet had his Helmette vn­closed, seeyng hym so yonge and faire, and so well horsed, saied vnto hym. ‘Hola faire Soune, alight, alight, for this will serue to carrye our maister Ferclaste, when hee goeth a progresse, seyng hee skarse can finde a better, or a stronger to beare hym in my iudgemente. Doe this & I will woorke so with him, that (because you seeme so faire and beautiful) he shall saue your life, but then you muste serue hym for a Lackie: and I beleue, he will bee content to take you to his Page, at my entreataunce, but you shall giue me for my la­bour this faire Harnesse whiche you weare. Whē the yong Knight had heard hym thus speakyng, he aunswered hym. I am come hether, to giue thee and thy Maister also this [Page 52]harnesse, whiche thou seest in my hande,’ shewyng hym his Speare: whiche presently he put in Reste, and pricked the good Horse Lycocephal with his Spurres, who enflamed like lightnyng, ranne with suche force, that the firste whom he attainted, was the said Mitrocard, who had so spoken to him. And so it befell, y^t he sent his Speare forcibly through the middest of his bodie, whiche appeared behynde more then twoo fathomes: whereat the others thus seyng their Maister whiche was so valiaunte, and who earst had slaine and taken so many gallaunte knightes, without euer foile or damage of his owne bodie, slaine so quite outright, with the sodaine stroke of the Speare, thei were muche astoni­shed. Neuerthelesse, seyng them selues so many against one, in hope to wearie hym, thei ranne vppon hym, and enclosed hym rounde aboute, with greate Swordes and Halbertes, wherewith thei gaue hym many a foule stroake vppon his Shield: but it was so good, that thei did theim selues more hurte then hym, and the Swordes wherewith thei stroke hym, flewe backe out of their handes, whereof thei were muche abashed. But to dispatche hym self the soner of these Raskalles, he tooke Sworde in hande, vsing the same with suche dexteritie and furie, that those three whiche encro­ched so fiercelie vppon hym to kill his Horse, wente by his helpe to heare their Capitaine compaignie, into an other worlde. The sight wheref so vexed the rest, that they heinde hym rounde aboute, bothe behinde and before: meanyng miserablie to Massacre him with their Axes, Clubbes, and Speare staues. But he handled theim so, that in lesse then an hower, tenne of them laie deade slaine vpon the ground: whiche sight so affrighted the reste, that happie was he, which was farthest of from this newe found Enemie. And so retiryng still backe, knowyng that they coulde in no­wise endamage hym, by reason of the surenesse of his Har­nesse, thei straightwaies deuised with themselues, to trie, if they could kill his Horse: in suche wise that one of theim [Page] [...] [Page 52] [...] [Page]stroake hym by chaunce, betweene the Trappers of Iron with a Launce, and somewhat wounded hym, but he rested not long skotfree. For the Horse beeyng so hurte and gal­led, ranne vpon hym with suche force, that (willed or nilled his Maister) strikyng hym with his twoo hinder feete, he burste his paunche, sendyng hym twoo yardes frō the place where he stoode, so that his bowelles fell out of his beallie: and then o [...]derly approching to the rest, helped his Maister to supplant them: who so handled and entreated theim, that after their hurtes, the▪ neither needed Surgeon, nor Phi­sition. And he had brought theim to suche passe that thei were aboute to take their heeles: when the reste whiche re­mained vppon the Rocke, attendyng his takyng, that his bodie might be emprisoned, and that thei might caste Dice for his Armour and spoile, seing their compaignions spede so il, ran hastely to helpe them, at once criyng aloude. Take heede in any wise that he escape not: for our Lordes the Gi­auntes will bee muche offended, if thei haue him not anone, to vse at their pleasure, and to punishe hym for his presum­ptuousnesse, in that he hath killed so many of their folkes. At this their crie, the Giauntes whiche were within the Rocke, castyng Dice who should haue the Maidenheade of a certaine faire young Damozell, whom they had raui­shed thrée or fower daies afore, who was Niece to the Em­perour of Constantinople, and Sister to Pharisor the vali­aunt and worthy Knight, whom they kepte also in Prison, they start vp all three, to see what the matter was, and saw on the plaine, how their folkes were tasked by the Youthe of the Fairies, who so had handeled them, that more then twentie of theim were alreadie dead in the field: and angrie was he onely because the Giauntes came not. For muche was his minde sette, and greate was his desire to kill those Monsters. Whiche thyng the Giauntes seyng, thei roared like Bulles with their voyce, making suche bruite, that the stoutest harted would thereat haue trembled for feare. O ye [Page 53]Villaines and Dogges, ‘what meane you, that ye doe not bryng vs this presumptuous and gluttonous princockes, that wee might recompence hym for the damage that he hath done to your fellowes? We charge you dispatche it quickely: for otherwise if we once come doune among you, both you and hee shall be hanged with our owne handes vp­pon these Trees.’ Then staiyng to see the knight either ta­ken or slaine, they sawe hym so lustely hacke and hew, that he quite cut of the arme of one of those whiche (hearing the thunderyng and manacyng wordes of the Giantes) would haue done more then the reste in takyng his Horse by the Bridle. Whiche another seeyng, and willyng to shew hym­selfe more nimble in this pointe then his fellowe, the Horse stamped vpon his Belly, and so sodainly slewe hym. Then running amongest the thickest of them, who laboured pain­fully for feare of the Giantes their maisters to take him, he brought them to suche an exigent, that dispersyng theim­selues this waie and that waie, for feare of his blowes, they durst not any of theim after that, come neere hym: whiche the Giant Ferclaste seeyng, saied to his brother Androfort, who was youngest of the three, for that he was alreadie ar­med, as one that had not long afore beene robbyng in some odde place: I praye you Brother (quoth hee) goe you to fetche in yonder dapper Yonker, who so handleth our Fol­kes: and kill those Cowardes whiche so flee from hym. But take ye heede that ye neither kill hym nor his Horse, for he seemeth faire and good, and I beleue he would carry mee verie well, and we wil burne the other quicke, or make hym die cruellie. Verely (saied Androfort) you speake well, for he hath truely deserued it, and my selfe will take paines to punishe hym with myne owne handes, and you shall haue his Horse for your parte: whiche if hee cannot beare you, I feare mee none elles will, and my Brother Ergoferarnt shall haue his Shield, for it is so good, that our folkes could in no wise endamage nor perce it with their Dartes and Ar­rowes. [Page]Wherefore to the ende that I may goe take hym and not kill hym let one bring mee my Clapper of the bell, for therewith I will but touche hym a little, to make hym fall doune the sooner: whiche done, I will laie hande vp­pon hym, and bring hym hither vpon my Necke. Then in­continently there issued out the Rocke fower greate Lub­bers, who with muche paine brought foorthe the greate Clapper of the Bell, whiche he tooke and caste easely vpon his Arme, and ranne in great hast towarde the knight: who seeyng hym come, was thereat right ioyous. But as hee approached towardes hym, he heard hym speake to his fol­kes, saiyng. ‘Ha Caitifes and Dastardes, by the Bearde of the mightie God Iupiter, my brother will make you all be hanged, for fleeyng from this squallishe Elfe here.’ But one of them aunswered hym shortly againe and saied: I knowe not well how you will speede, if you come once there where we haue been. Wherat the Giant beyng chaffed, gaue hym so greate a blowe with his Clapper vpon the head, that hee passhed out all his Braines, and laied hym for starke dead on the ground. And aproachyng neere to the Youth of the Fairies saied, ‘howe nowe prettie Syr, haue you not plaied rexe, and delt desperatly inough, here? must I nedes burne thee quicke, (seelie Caitiffe) for the Choler that thou hast caused in mee, and my Brethren?’ I knowe not what thou wilt dooe (saide the Knight) but garde thy selfe well from mee, for I meane to sende thee packyng with hym whom euen now so rashely thou hast slaine. Oho (saide the Giant) in mockyng wise, seeyng hym come with a speare, couched in Reste against hym, see here a retchelesse boye: but scarse had he so saied, but that the Knight had striken his Launce twoo foote and more within his body, wherewith he fell to the grounde: neuerthelesse he soone rose againe, and came to haue killed his horse, nothing remembring his promise made to his brother. But the Knight seeyng hym come, a­lighted soone doune, and with his Swerde drawne, spedde [Page 54]hym self towarde the Giant, who discharged such a stroake vpon his shielde, thinking to fell him (according to his fore promise) that the Knight kneeled doune readie to fall on his face: and with that stroake (so strong it was) had he put hym in like estate as he did the other afore, had it not beene for his good Shielde and Arme whiche susteined it with suche vertue, that the Clapper flewe out of the Giantes handes: whiche as he stowped to take vp, the Knight wisely markyng how the matter went, thruste his Swerde so far through the Giantes backe, that hee fell starke dead on the ground, roaryng like an Oxe, when hee is by the Butcher striken doune: in suche sort, that hee was well heard of hys Brethren, who starke mad for rage, entered into their caue, and there takyng suche Harnesse as they had, Ferclaste with his Clubbe, and Ergoferant with his Cymetere, they issued forth, and went to assaile the gentle Knight of the Fairies, who attended them w^t great deuotion meaning so to handle them, as hee had done their brother, all on foote as he was. Then beholde, Ferclaste ariued firste, who quietyng his fol­kes (which afarre of still assailed hym with Daries & Ar­rowes on all sides) saied vnto hym: ‘O mischeuous wretch, what vengeaunce may I take of one so wicked as thou art, equall to the damage whiche thou haste done vnto mee, in staiyng so many of my solkes, and (whiche is to mee more vnsupportable then that) my puissant brother Androforte, who (if thou hadst not traiterously vsed) would haue slain a thousande suche as thou arte? Oh woe is mee, that the sub­iect thereof is no greater. And if I knewe, that thou werte in seruice with that wicked Emperour of Constantinople, and that he had sent thee hither, to doe this that thou haste done, I should thereat be somewhat more comforted, in that I could extende the reuengement of the death of my Bro­ther vpon hym by to morowe: for as soone as I haue slaine thee with this my Club, I will assemble sixe hundred men, to goe kill hym, yea euen in his Pallace, and all his folkes [Page]also which shal be easie for me to do, whiles they apply them selues to feastyng and drunkennesse as their custome is. Wherefore tell mee if thou bee one of his, to the ende that then I may dispatche thee the sooner, otherwise I will make thee die the cruellest death that euer was spoken of.’ ‘Verely I am of the Emperours traine (saide the Raight) but thou arte not yet preste and readie to doe as thou prea­chest, for I will quickly God willing seale thée a Quittance for any such matter.’ The Giant hearyng hym so saie, came angerlie with his Clubbe, to discharge so greate a stroake vpon his Helmet, and so to haue killed hym, that the same quite vnbuckled and vnlaced, and fell to the grounde, to­gether with the Giantes Clubbe, whiche also fell out of his fistes, whiche so were wrinched that he felt them not. Then the other Giaunte Ergoferant seyng his heade bare, came of purpose to haue cutte it in twaine, but the blowe light vpō the shield, whiche was so violent, that he fell backeward on the grounde, his Cimetere fallyng out of his fistes, as the Clubbe did from his brother: whiche whiles he sought for, the Knight beeyng actiue and nimble, starte vp lightlie, and went (disarmed as his heade was) towardes Ferclaste: who had gotten his Clubbe into his handes, wherewith he had brained hym, if by his agilitie he had not sleightlie stepped a side, to shunne the stroke: whiche was so vehemente and horrible, that the Giaunte could not recouer againe his Club, beyng entred more then twoo foote into the ground. Which caused that whiles he striued to pull it out to strike the Knight againe withall, he came and gaue hym suche a blowe ouer the armes, that he fell doune flatte vppon the stumpes, his armes beeyng cutte of by the elbowes. This doen, the other Giant seeyng his brother so maymed, came towardes the Knight with his Clubbe in his hand, whiche he had gotten out of the grounde, and all enraged, leaueled suche a blowe at his head, that if it had not light partly vp­pon his shield, he had been dispatched. Notwithstandyng, [Page 55]the blow was so greate, that it dashed the shield full against his bare heade: in suche sorte that it made a deepe wounde: prouided still, that the Clubbe fell out of the Giantes han­des againe: whiche when he wente to recouer, the Knight féelyng his blood, whiche he neuer before had seen, to runne a long his tender face, was so enraged that he had rather haue been deade, then not to bee reuenged, of that outrage. And therevpon he ranne sodainlie vnto Farclaste, to whom (as he was holdyng his Clubbe in his lefte hande, to haue wounded hym) he raught suche a rappe, that he cutte of the other arme, Clubbe and all. Whereat the Giaunte beeyng madde and enraged, ranne vppon hym, and gaue hym suche a blowe with his foote, that he smote hym to the grounde: neuerthelesse, he sone rose vp againe, and eftsones encoun­teryng the other Giaunte, whiche came afreshe towardes hym, he lente hym suche a blowe on the croune (leapyng [...] ­stelie into y^e ayre, for otherwise he could not haue doen it) & dashed it so sore, that with the greate paine he felte there­by, he fell doune and souned in the fielde. Then seeyng hym self as he thought, dispatched of this fellowe, he came to­wardes the other, who with greate blowes of his feete still assailed hym: but hee whiche well knewe howe muche they weighed, startyng somewhat aside, cutte of one of his leg­ges iuste in the gartering place: whereat the Giaunt fell to the grounde: wherevpon the Knight approchyng vnto hym, cutte of the other also.

Then he seeyng hymselfe in so piteous estate, beganne to howle and crie like a Wolfe, reyling and blaspemyng all his Gods, & in this sort bathing himself in his owne bloud, hee ended his miserable life. The Knight seeyng hym selfe in so short space to haue atchiued so great a victorie in van­quishyng thrée so monstruous Giantes, and bringing their whole Crewe to suche extremitie: that they durst not once open their mouthes to speake one worde (for that their go­uernours were thus slaine) after most deuou (thankes ge­uen [Page]to God (without whose grace he wel knewe that he ne­uer could haue quelled those Monsters:) Hee tooke vp his Helmet whiche lay on the grounde, and went towardes the rest of the Giantes Crewe and folkes that were yet aliue: with full purpose to destroye them all, because of the gree­uous wound whiche hee had receiued in his head. But they seing hym come fiercely and furiously towardes them, kne­led all doune, and humbly besought hym of Pardon: preten­ding for them selues, that sith it is a Seruauntes duetie to obeye his Maister (they being seruauntes to the Giantes, at whose charges and costes thei were kept and nourished) could do no lesse but accomplish to their powers, their He­stes and Commaundementes: and that it would please him to pardō them, as persons beyng without fault: for that (sa­uyng onely for their Maisters willes) ‘they would neuer haue endamaged him. Noe, noe, said the knight al enraged, one must not obaye their Maister to doe euill, and muche lesse to take hyre of any, to suche ende: but you your selues beyng as ill as they, tooke pleasure to be in their company, therby to enriche your selues, with the spoyle of poore pas­sengers: wherefore as Ministers of their wickednesse I will cause you all to die:’ at whiche word he slewe one, which was hiest, because (of a stuborne minde) he would not knele downe. But seeyng all the others so humble, that they nei­ther fledde nor made other defence, consideryng that it was noe lesse vertue for a man to vanquish and moderate his af­fections, and anger in shewyng hym selfe piteous and mer­cifull towardes the vanquished, then to shewe himselfe har­die and couragious to ouercome theim, as hee whiche was both courteous and kinde of nature: And knowyng, that it were no praise worthy to destroye those, which resisted not, allaying (as they saye) his wine with water, hee pardoned & tooke them to mercie louinglie, vpon condition, that thei should after that tyme still be at his cōmaundement, which thing w^t common accord they promised him to fulfill. This [Page 56]doen, he sent to seeke his Horse, and mountyng vppon hym, he went to wardes the Rocke, aswell to deliuer the Priso­ners therein, as to applie some Plaister or medicine to the wound in his head, For the doing whereof, he asked if there were any amongest them, that was skilled in Chirurgerie whereto it was aunswered, that there was one amongest theim in that Arte most excellent, whiche accustomably did heale all those knightes, whom the Giantes hauing woun­ded would not kill, but famishe to death in Prison: whiche person had one kinde of Oyntmente, of suche vertue, that there was neuer so greate a wound, but therewith in three daies it would be well healed, & throughly cured as though it had neuer been. And how is he called? saide the Knighte. he hath to name, maister Rabalon, aunswered they againe. Then saide the Knight: needes muste I haue hym for my seruaunt, seeing he is so skilful, is in case he will like there­of. For against his will I meane not to constraine hym to doe any thing. I thinke well (said one of the companie) that he would rather bee with you, then with the Giantes: for they tooke hym perforce from the Emperour, beecause of his greate cunning, and haue dealt with hym verie vncour­teously. And in so saiyng, they arriued in the Rocke, whiche was finely cut & carued within like vnto a Pallace, where­at the Youth was greatly astonied. For there were Halles, Chābers, Wardropes both hie & lowe made, by great skill and industrie, whiche the Giantes had founded not longe afore, when with their huyge force, they had hollowed the Rocke, which was meruellous hard, to kéepe them in more safetie: and therein none entred but by one onely Gate, although within, were more then sixtie, as well of Cham­bers as prisons, which all were shut vp with mighty keies. The whiche the knight tooke as soone as he was entered, hauyng found them vppon a Table, tyed all together with an huyge Chaine of yron, which the Porter had left there, fearing that the knight asking for him, and being informed [Page]of his wickednesse and crueltie towardes the Prisoners, woulde rewarde hym according to his desertes, like as his Maisters were: and therefore hid he himself, in a Vaste and darkesome caue, vnder a Tunne where he was smothered. and so hee ended his wicked life. But hee soone founde the good Chirurgian Maister Rabalon: who at the entrie of the doore crooched doune humbly on his knée, to desire him of Pardon. The Youth taking him by the hande, made him stande vp, saiyng: ‘I will not pardon thee: for why, thou ne­uer offendedst mee, and therefore thou hast no neede to aske mercie, but for this that I heare saie, that thou hast apper­tained to the good Emperour of Constantinople, towar­des whom it is expedient that thou goe to impertrate that, whiche thou requirest of mee, for the offence that thou hast wrought, in beeyng so long absent from his companie, to serue suche mischiuous Tyrauntes as thou hast doen here: and I will that from mee, thou do present & shew these dead Giauntes and knightes, beyng layde vppon some Chariot, to his Maiestie. For I wotte well, that knowing of their destruction, he will be muche ioyous, consideryng the mani­folde annoyes whiche they haue still wrought hym: & in thy companie shall goe all the Prisoners whiche are within, to thanke (for their deliuerie) the faire Princesse Porphyrie his Daughter after humble salutations to her done on my be­halfe: for she alone is the cause hereof. And if she do enquire who hath done it, tell thou her that it was the Youthe of the Fairies, the leaste of her Seruitours (if for one she will accepte hym) though farre vnworthy of suche pre­ferment.’ Then gaue he him the keyes to go deliuer the pri­soners, but seeing hym to be somewhat wounded, firste hee gaue him some of his Oyntmentes to his sore: whiche had suche speedy operation, because the wound was not greate, that the next mornyng it was whole and sounde. But why­les he was thus appliyng his Medicine, hee sawe the Gi­antes (whom he had pardoned, and who stoode without) en­ter [Page 57]fearefully, tremblyng and quaking to hyde them selues here and there with greate diligence. Whereat the Youth lacing his Helmet and taking his Shield and Swerde, set forwarde out of the Gate to see what was happened: and he apperceiued the Giaunte Ergoferant to come that waie (for he had not quite killed hym as the others were, but onelie amazed hym with a blow vppon his head) who beyng come againe to hym selfe, hauing cast awaie his Battell Axe, and left of his Helmet, Shield & Iacke, & seeyng his brethren dead, came and prostrated hymselfe at the Knightes feete (whom he founde with Swerde and Target in hande rea­die) crauing hym humbly of Pardon. The Youth who was right mercifull, seeyng hym (contrary to those of his kind) so meeke, fréely pardoned hym, conditionally (notwithstan­dyng) that he should goe with the rest of the Prisoners the morow followyng, to aske Pardon of the Emperour, for the harmes which he had done him, and to thanke the Prin­cesse Porphyria for his life so saued, & to presente to her his seruice, doyng still what she should appoint hym, wherto he gladly condiscended: and thereupon hee commaunded hym to set free the Prisoners and to aske theim forgeuenes for the damage whiche hee had long done vnto theim, whiche thing he did. Immediatly he tooke the keyes whiche Mai­ster Rabalon had in his hande, and went to deliuer the Pri­soners, who seing him, thought what he had come for some other purpose. But much were they amerueiled, when they saw hym kneele doune before them, askyng theim forgiue­nes, praiyng y^t for the loue of hym which was cause of their deliueraunce, and who had pardoned hym, it would please them also to vse the like courtesie towardes hym: whereto they willingly agreed, for that this same Giant (as it were quite contrarie in nature and disposition to his brethren) had afore tyme bene cause that they were well vsed and en­treated: for he was full courteous and pitifull, wherefore he ledde them towardes the Youthe, whom they humbly than­ked [Page]for suche a good tourne, offering hym their seruice per­petually from that daie forwarde: especially the Knight Pharisor, who greatly requested hym that he would vouche­safe to take him into his company: prote [...]ting that he would bee to hym a true and loyall frende, and that nought but death should haue force to ende their amitie. All whiche the Youth was well pleased of. And for that night with the Gi­ant Ergoferant, who shewed him selfe full humble and dili­gent to doe hym honour and seruice and the Prisoners li­kewise, he rested in the Rocke till the next morowe.

¶ The xiij. Chapter.

WHyle the Youthe of the Fairies was settyng order in the Castle of Rocke Alpine, and in loadyng the Giantes dead Carkasses in hosse Litters and suche like, to be carried the next morning to Constantinople, aswell therby to ridde the Enperour of the greate feare whiche he had, lest [Page 58]that his feast should bee by them disturbed and troubled, as also to furnishe and disguise hym selfe to goe the next daie vnknowen to the Iustes: the glittering Lampe of Phoebus had giuen place to the darkesome Mantell of the shadie night. Whereuppon hee was then perforce constrained to staie and lie in the Rocke with the Giante Ergoferant, and his good and valiaunt frende Pharisor, where he could not long rest, at his case, for that his quietnes was interrupted, by the late enkindled fire of his new sprōg loue. And so ofte as hee recorded the incomparable comelines of his Ladie, he tooke such encrease of ardēt affection into hym, that had it not bene for the hope whiche he had to win her grace and fauour by his feates of Armes and valiancie, I feare that (he pressed with extreme passion,) would haue thē present­ly dyed. But (because it commonly happeneth, that hope is the nowrice and maintenaunce of life to them that are sicke or in any wise ill disposed,) he yet comforted himself, & with greate disquietnesse and difficultie passed that night, and partly also was hee perplexed with some feare of his newe Confederate Ergoferant, of whō notwithstandyng any Lea­gue or promise which he had made, he could not assure hym self. And thus he stoode on his owne gard, whiles his frend Pharisor made readie his Furniture to goe to the Justes on the morowe followyng. And whiles (I say) that these thinges were in doyng, the day beganne to appeare cleare and bright: whereupon the Giaunt Ergoferant, who know­yng the vertue & puyssaunce of the Knight which had van­quished hym to smell and resemble more of deuine then hu­maine nature, and supposing him another Hercules, sent by Iupiter into the world to pourge and deliuer it of monsters and sauage creatures, hee studied and enforced hym selfe to doe hym seruice agreable: and therefore came to hym in his Chamber, to see if he had ought els to commaund him, offering willyngly to atchiue it, yea with the hazarde and losse of his owne life. Who geuing hym thankes therefore [Page]saied noe, but onely that hee should take heede to keepe the faith and loyaltie whiche he had promised to hym.

Then takyng leaue of hym with humble reuerence and amiable embracement, he went to finde Maister Rabalon, who the might afore had so wel healed his wounde, y^t he felt noe more grief thereof. This beyng done, they tooke their waie towarde Constantinople with the Prisoners, and Chariotes laden with dead Carkasses as was afore apoin­ted. But as they entered into the Forest neere to Rocke Alpine, they heard a grosse and lubberly voyce, whiche yel­led and housed wonderously: and it seemed to the Care to come frō out of the earth, wherefore the Giaunt Ergoferant, and Maister Rabalon, who was well Horsed, went thither­warde, the other Prisoners holdyng on their waie still to­wardes Constantinople. And when they were come where they hearde the voyce, they sawe the Villaine whom the Youth of the Farries had cast into the bottom of the Ditch in the Sacke, wherein he caried the Damozell, who cossed and tormented hym selfe desperatlie therein, whiche the Giaunt seeyng, saied: who is he that hath caste thee there: The villaine who knewe by his voyce, that it was one of his Maisters, aunswered, it was the accursed My Selfe. Then carry there thy selfe still (saied Maister Rabalon) seeyng it pleased thy selfe so to doe. And so aunswered the Villaine beecause that after the Youthe of the Fairies had lefte Geliaste, and the Lady hid in the Bushe, the Vil­laine cried so loude, that hee made the For rest ringe with his voyce, and kepte the Squire from hearing what wait his Maisters Horse went, disturbyng hym muche. Where­fore he went to hym againe, and bode hym hold his peace, for by his criyng he should neuer be deliuered. I praie thee then at least waies (saied the Villaine) seeyng I must holde my peace, that thou tell mee his name that cast mee here. It was (saied Geliaste) my selfe: what saiest thou therein? The Villaine thinkyng that hee saied the Knightes name was, [Page 59]My Selfe, gaue such aunswere to the Giant Ergoferant, as is aforesaied: who supposing hym so foolishe, that for feare he had (hauing as he iudged lost the Damozel) to be beaten or slaine of his Brother Ferclaste, had put him selfe in the Sacke, to hide hym, who lefte hym there to ende his dayes, and departed thence: for that he hearde a trampling of hor­ses & voyces of men who spake as though thei were angry, and the voyce of a Damozell who cried pitifully. Where­fore going thither, he sawe fiftene or sixtene Outlawes, ar­med with great Staues and Clubbes bound with Pron at both endes a foote long, sharpe and pearcing, who with huyge blowes did beate a poore young Squire, & foure of them haled and drewe a faire young Damozell by the Ar­mes, and heare of the head moste dispiteously. But as soone as they sawe the Giaunt come towardes theim, they lefte their praie, and fleeyng this waie and that waie, they striued to escape and saue eche one his owne life.

But all could not doe so well: for sixe of theim whom the Giaunte could catche, remained deade on the Grasse there for gage: then retournyng where he had lefte the Damo­zell, he was muche amerueiled that he founde her not. Then seekyng here and there for her on all sides, at laste he found her hidde with the Squire Geliaste, behinde a little bushe, so cloase & so nere the one the other, that thei seemed but one person. Then alightyng from his Horse, hee tooke her by the hande, and the Squire also, who thikyng theim selues falne out of a lingeryng Feuer, into a sodaine sweat, trem­bled with suche feare, that thei could skarce stande an their feete before the Giante: who to comfort them, spake moste courteouslie, and praied theim to tell hym, whom, or from whence thei were: chieflie the Squire: for the Damozell he knewe well to bee her, whom his brother Ferclaste had commaunded the villaine Franquetrippe to goe caste into the ditche, who somwhat emboldened, aunswered hym that he belonged to a yonge Knight, named the Youthe of the [Page]Faieries, who as he thought was by that tyme prisoner to the Giaunte Ferclaste: humblie praiyng hym that he would not hurts hym, vntil be knewe whether he were deade, or aliue. The Giaunte after hauyng amiably recompted vnto him al that had passed and being dous, in the Battle betwixt them, assured him of the health and victorie of his Maister, and that he shoulde haue hym safe and sounde at Rocke Al­pine. Whereat the Squire was so gladde, as if the whole Monarchie of Europe had fallen to his share. And the Gi­aunt hauing left him, to goe to Constantinople, they depar­ted, the one with the Damozell, that is to wit, the Squire to goe finde his Master. And the other whiche was Ergofe­rant, to goe to Constantinople, where hee was not so soone ariued, but he founde Maister Rabalon: whō in the Forrest he left pursuing the Outlawes, who told to the Emperour intentiuely listening vnto him, & vnto his Baro as, in the great Hall of y^e Pallace beyng all armed frō head to foote, how the Youth of the Fairies, a young Knight, to whom he had giuen his Knighthoode not long afore, had by his force and valiauncie vanquished the Gardes of Rocke Alpine: parte of whom he had thither brought for better assurance of the same: whose dead Carkasses with the twoo Giantes Ferclaste and Androfort were come in Chariotes, and also how he had brought the prisoners which they had perforce long tyme helde, to doe therewith at his pleasure: The o­ther parte remainyng with hym aliue at Rocke Alpine: and how he had ouercome and brought to his subiection the Giant Ergoferant, who (while this other was thus tellyng his tale) entered into the Hall, and castyng his Battle Are doune in the place, and then villacing his Helmet whiche he layed doune at his feete, he addressed his speache to the Em­perour on this wise.

‘Mightie Emperour, I assure my selfe, that if you haue regarce to the infinite damages and displeasures, which I & my brethren haue daily doen vnto you, I merite to be pu­nished [Page 60]more gréeuously & worse then euer yet was any. But puttyng my confidence in your courtesie, & bountie aboun­dant, I haue presumed (accordyng to promise) to presence my selfe personally before your Imperiall Maiestie, beyng so enioyned to doe, by the faire and gentle Youthe of the Fairies, the Flower (although as yet yong and tender) of all the Knightes that nowe liue, that you may doe and di­spose with mee at your owne good will and pleasure. Bee­seeching you in his name, and for the great good wil which he beareth you, to graunt mee mercie and pardon of all the faultes whiche I haue euer committed against you: whiche with true repentance, and vowing to you my seruice, hence­forwarde (as hee hath expresselie commaunded) I humbly require and obtest.’ The Emperour who in benignitie and clemencie was second to none in the worlde, as well for the good newes brought hym, as for the loue of the Youthe, whom he deemed sent from heauen, to helpe his calamitie concernyng the Giantes, pardoned hym with good harte, beeyng ioyfull of so good fortune▪ knowyng further this Giaunt by his sookes and countenaunce (coutrarie to the kind of such) to be very mecke and gentle: and also hauyng heard saie that through his clemencie, and courteous na­ture in his brothers life, hee had released and let goe many prisoners, if at any tyme they chaunced to be absone. Wher­fore he praied hym to vouchesafe to tarie in his seruice, for whiche hee would well recompence hym, whereto the Gi­aunt (humbly thankyng hym) aunswered that euer whises life lasted hym he would not faile nor bee faithlesse to hym. Whereat the Emperour exceedyng ioyous, saied that hee would marry hym to his Neece Dinam [...], sister to Pharisor, whiche offer (because the Damozell was merueilous faire, and grattous) he willingly accepted, thereupon he made them to promise the one to the other [...] the of marriage: which done, the Emperour and all his Barons and Knigh­tes arose, and went to see the dead Knightes and Giauntes [Page]liyng vppon the Chariotes without: whereat they muche meruened, how one onely person could by his valiauncie, without other aide at all, put to death and dispatch so many puissaūt Personages, who in their life had troubled whole Arnues: and they also marueiled at the mightie blowes and woundes whiche they had. For some were riuen doune to the Belly: other some quite clouen with one blowe of the Swerde: and others (as the Giaunt Ferclaste, had their Ar­mes and Legges cut of: and they saide one to another, that aforetyme they had seen men slaine, but neuer did they, ne neuer should thei sée men so mangled and martyred as these were. Whereupon they largely praised the Youthe of the Fairies for his valoure: saiyng: that if he continued as hee had begonne, hee would bee the beste Knight that euer the world fostered or had brought foorth.

This dooen, the Emperour commaunded to hange all those deade bodies in a Woodde, not farre distaunte from the Citie, whiche was doen incontinentlie. Then he caused the best Painter in al his Empire to come vnto him, and to depaint y^e History (as a matter worthy of aye lasting remē ­braunce) in the greate Hall of his Pallaice, with the moste riche and costlie splendizant coullers that could bee found. And for the greate desire he had to see the Youth, he dispat­ched three or fower knightes, to goe searche hym spedilie at Rocke Alpine: whiche doen he commenced the Iustynges and Tourneis, without further feare, whereat were pre­sent vpon skaffoldes, sette vp for that intent, the Empresse, the Princes Porphyrie, and the Ladie Harderine, with the sage Marcella, and the gentle Amidree, with many mo La­dies and Damozelles, right richly attired & adorned with chaines of gold, gounes of Veluet of all coullers, clothe of Golde and Siluer, and other Iewelles: whereof thei had lefte none that daie behinde in their Chambers, whiche might helpe to enhaunce their beauties, or perfectnesse in any pointe: whiche standyng againste the shinyng Sunne, [Page 61]shewed as thei had bene thinges diuine rather thē humain: which thing gaue such hartenyng, & encouragement to the knightes that should Iuste, that thei takyng loftie stomac­kes vnto them, eche one semed to bee farre more valiaunte, then in prooffe hee was: those whiche were preste and ren­ged for the Iustes, brake and strained theim selues with suche force on the course, that at the dashyng and stroke of their Launces, whiche in shiuers flewe vp into the ayre, some of them beyng caste out of the Saddles, fell doune to the grounde: the reste more expert and valiaunte, without breache of staffe, atchiued their course gallauntlie. Whiche thyng a certaine yong knight seeyng, who seemed in coun­tenaunce and shewe, to bee of greate vertue and valiauncie, who that same Mornyng was come to assiste at the Iustes, aduaunced hymself, & came so fiercely with his Speare to­wards one of them, which had not bene dishorsed, & who see­med to him the sloutest Iuster of all, called Anthenor, & who had caste adoune the gentle knight Florenges, and stroke hym so roughly vppon the shielde, that at the first blowe the launce passed through his body, more thē a yarde in length: whereat the Emperour was muche agreeued, and likewise all his Barons and Knightes (for nexte his nephewe Pha­risor he was the valiauntest, and wisest of all his Empire: and specially Gyllant of Cartage, who was his great frende and compaignion: who to reuenge his death, came towar­des hym, but he receiued hym so brauelie, that after his Launce was broken, he tooke suche a leape to the grounde, that all the beholders thought he had broken his necke. The yong Knight continuyng his course, came against an other busie fellowe, and he vsed hym so as he did the other, and without breache of Speare, he ouerthrewe, and slewe that daie more then fiftie of the finest and ioyliest knightes: whereat those whiche sawe hym, were muche amerueiled, for hee ranne not against any, whom hee bare not from his Horse to the grounde, and made theim moreouer there to [Page]confesse, that his Lady was more faire then theirs, whereof the good Giant Ergoferant being aduised, disdaining much that he should triumphe so long, purposed to trie one blowe for the loue of his newe Mistresse, and came all armed, and mounted vpon a lustre Steede, weenyng by his onely pre­sence to astonishe hym, and to make hym flee incontinente. But it chaunced cleane contrary. For the yoūg knight ha­uyng spied hym, came with Speare in reste towardes him, and little fearyng hym, receiued the blow brauely vpon his shielde, which was so huge and sharpe, that pearcyng quite through, it passed vnder his arme an elle or more, whiche beeyng recouered, hee finished his course: the Giauntes blowe (though strong and weightie) not remouyng hym one whitte. Whereat he beeyng muche despited and ange­red, tooke his greate Battle Axe, and with muche furie came againste hym (who ioylily receiued hym with suche force, that if he had not by his agillitie and nimblenesse, es­chewed the weightie blowes of the Giaunte, he had not so long stoode against hym as hee did. But fleyng some while the Giauntes furious blowes, some while receiuyng those whiche he thought lesse daungerous vpon his shielde, so to giue hym better occasion of plaie, by rappyng hym now on his shield, & now on his Helme, he bare himself so valiaunt­ly that the battle endured an whole hower: the Assistauntes (who of his valiaūcie wist not what to iudge, were so tran­sported with maruell) not perceiuyng any aduauntage ei­ther of the one partie or of the other, and so wery were they of the Combate, that to take breath they retired backe as­sunder, a Roodes length, the better to begin their next en­countrie. But whē they had rested in quiet about a quarter of an hower, they would haue begonne again, when behold there ariued twoo Knightes all couered with the skinnes of wilde beastes, doune to their horses hoofes, so hideous to beholde, as euer was Monster that Hercules slewe: who ha­uyng long tyme bene hid behinde the preasse of the people, [Page 62]who busily behelde the Combate of the Giaunte, and the braue vncoothe Knight, to see the ende and issue thereof, were wearied to stande so longe idle without plaiynge some parte of the Tragedie: wherefore leapyng into the fielde (not without greate astonishment to the Assistaunce, chiefly to the Ladies, who (deemyng them Diuels or Hags of Hell so disguised) cast foorth suche a crie, that amazedly descendyng from the Skaffoldes where they sate, they fled with all speede possible towardes the toppes and Turretts of the Pallace, to sée with more suerty the issue of the Com­bate, and to cōtemplate these new come knightes more fur­ther of. But the Empresse nor her daughter, neither any of their Damozelles moued one whit, beeyng certified by a Squire disguised with a Visarde and a long white Beard, that these were two of their knightes, who of purpose were come to breake of the Combate betwixt the Giaunte and the valiaunt young knight. Who hauing certified the Em­presse hereof, roade speedely to y^e Combatters, who by this tyme had begonne to hacke and hewe the one the other, and presentyng to eche of theim a Launce, saied these woordes. ‘Worthy knightes. I pray you, that taking a little Truce, you will heare what I say. The sauage Knightes my Mai­sters enamoured and desirous of the great prowesse which they see to bee in you, desire you of courtesie, that geuyng some releasement to your Combate, it will please you, to take eche of you one of these Launces, and let theim proue their force by the breakyng of one onelie Staffe againste your persones: assuring you that they bee men and mortall creatures, but yet right strong and valiaunt knightes, and not as some suppose, Sprites, or walking Ghostes, either Castor or Pollux, so disguised. Verelie for one blowe, saied the yong knight, thei shall not be refused on my side, no, not for two or thrée, if they wil so many: but it shall be with this on the Grounde (saied hee) whiche I will vse in this case, for in myne opinion it is stronger then thyne.’ And as hee [Page]would haue descended to take it vp, whiles the Giaunt sea­sed vppon the biggest of the others, the Squire tooke it vp lightlie, noc permittyng hym to stoupe dou [...]e: and gaue it into his hande, which was the same wherwith he had slaine and ouerthrowen so many knightes: and as sone as he had it, he and the Giaunt came together, saiyng, what know we whether they be deuilles or no, according to their apparell, and streight waies they sawe them come with suche force a­gainst them (w^t their Speares in Rest) y^t the greater wilde man made the Earth tremble vnder hym, who hit the yoūg knight on the Shield with suche force, that hee burste his Speare without stirring from the Sadle: although the o­ther had pearced his Shield in diuers places: wherein his Launce abidyng fastened, hee fell huygely to take his mea­sure on the grounde: wherat al the people that sawe it, said, that the greate deuill had cast the little deuill adomne. And on the other parte, the meetyng together of the Giaunte, and the other sauage manne was suche that breaking their staues the one vpon the other with out failyng, thei brauely performed their courses: and had begunne againe to Iuste, if the sauage manne seeyng his fellowe with the Launce in hand, which he had drawen frō his shield, to flie like y^e wind frō out of the field, had not paced after hym with great hast, & the disguised Squire also, who had brought the Speare­staues in such forte, that sone their were out of sight. For be­yng passed the Tonne, thei entred into a Woodd so thicke and farre, that none could after that sette eye on theim. Whereof the yong vncoothe Knight was so abashed (who thought to haue had the price of the Iustes) that he seemed to goe beside hym self, and mountyng on Horse, tooke a Launce and rode after theim, to hee auenged of his fall, leauyng the Emperour and all the reste so ameruailed that thei knewe not what to thinke of this aduenture, if it were not that the yonge Knight, who was caste doune, were not the Youthe of the Faieries: consideryng the courage that [Page 93]in hym consisted, and that the other were some Magiciens, who had made hym loose his glorie and honour, whiche hee had gained in the Iustes, had it not beene for this: but they were farre out of their compte, and so it fell out that by the common consente of the Iudges, the price was allot­tet to the greater of the wilde men, who had caried awaie the Launce.

¶ The. xiiij. Chupiter.

YOV haue hearde heretofore, how the good Giaunte Ergoferant deliuered the Squire Geliaste, and the Damozell, daughter to Flore [...]ges, whom the outla­wes would haue rauished, who shortlie after, as thei went toward Rock Alpine, mette with tenne Sauage Knightes, of whom, one hauyng his Helmette vn [...]aced was knowen to the Squire: who by his commaundement disguised hym self, and wente on message to the Ladies, as you haue heard afore tolde, and to presente the Launces to the knightes to Iuste with all, and so went with theim. Now this Damo­zell (after that eche one was retired) so as thei were a [...] the [Page]Table, and diuised of that whiche had passed at the Iustes, the Emperour beeyng determined, to sende after the Sa­uage menne, to knowe what they were) entered into the Hall (whereof her gentle Father Florenges was moste ioy­ous) and with a merie countenaunce and pleasaunte tonge, recompted to all the compaignie, that one of the Sauage knightes, that is to witte, he which conquered, the Launce from the younge knight vnknowen, was the Youthe of the Faieries, and the other was the good knight Pharisor, who were in suche habite come to Iuste, and not to be knowen. The whiche Youth required the Emperour by her, that he would holde hym excused, in that after the Iustes he so de­parted, and was absent from his Courte, because so greate and vrgente affaires pressed hym therevnto. But assone as he had dispatched his businesse, he would not faile to come, and accomplishe his promise made, & to remaine fiftene da­yes in his seruice. Whereat the Emperour and the reste were muche amarueiled, and scarre would haue beleued it, had it not been for the good Giaunte Ergoferant, who saied, that he déemed therof no lesse: in that the night afore, he had marked Pharisor to patche, & sowe together a greate many of beastes skinnes, as Beares, wilde Bores, Lions, & such like: and therefore it might well be, that they came so appa­relled: which thing commyng to the eares of the Princesse Porphyria, who had enquired it aforehande of the Damozel who on the Youthes parte (as he had commaunded her) had dooen to her commendations, I leaue, you to thinke whe­ther she were glad or sorie: for these two coutrarieties gaue such assalutes, & so troubled her hart, that she knewe not on what side to turne her, neither could tell whether she should reioyce: in that loue (past al hope) had so much fauoured her as to make her settle her affection & mynde, vppon Knight, who euen in the beginnyng of his deedes, made all them so astonished, that heard speake of hym: in so much that neuer hauing heard the like, thei deemed, and the Painims would [Page 64]firmelie haue beleued, if thei had seen or heard of the like, that he was either Mars or Bellona, who had lefte Heauen, and come doune, by his worthie deedes to putte people in admiration: Or whether she ought to bee sorrowfull and sadde, in beeyng depriued of the presence of the thyng, that in this worlde shee esteemed moste deare. Restyng in doubt whether his Loue, was fained or no. In this gladsome and sorrowfull perplexitie consisted she, pondering still how she might beste knowe the truthe of a thyng so doubtfull.

And on the other parte, the Youthe (in trauailyng and endeuouring himself by his valiancy & prowesse, to acquire and get of her y^t which she would with all her hart, honestly assigne vnto him, to wit, her grace, good will, & fauour) was secretly depatted, without discoueryng hym self: to the'nde that the Emperour, and the reste of the Knightes through their importunauncie, should not staie nor allure hym to re­maine so neere that fire, whiche still flamed more and more, not able by obliuion to quenche the heate thereof, so sore kindeled by phansie in the fornace of his mynde: beeyng thereby so distressed, that (as it were furious and halfe in a rage) after his sodaine departure from the Iustes, he so pricked forwarde (without thinkyng of ought els) all daie vpon his good Horse Licocephall, that his frende Pharisor, neither his Squire, not able to accompaignie hym, in bee­yng not so well Horsed, were constrained through the wea­rinesse and feblenesse of their Horses, to remaine in the mid­waie, beeyng in a rough and thicke Forreste, where thei of force did then take their reste, the night commyng vppon theim. And this Forreste was fiftene miles from Cōstauti­nople, & at the ende thereof, which stretched in length more then twentie miles, where stoode a verie faire and pleasant Castle, in the middest of a plaine: neere to the whiche the Youthe of the Faieries ariued late in the Euenyng, and would also haue passed it, but that he heard within, a Trum­pette, whiche founded right melodiouslie, whiche caused [Page]hym to staie vpon the plaine, ouer against the Castell wall, to heare and conceiue the pleasaunte notes of the solemne Clarion: but when he had so staied a while there, (his eares beyng rauished with the sweete soundyng Instrumente, he heard a Damozell (the Trumpette ceasyng) who syngyng moste melodiouslie, seemed to aunswere it in this sorte.

When shee had atchiued this lamentable Songe with note and voyce, most pititifull, she retyred from the top of a Turret, whiche was at the one corner of the Castle, moste faire and pleasant to beholde: and then was no more heard, either voyce or Clarion. Wherefore the Youth was excée­dyng sory: for in her voyce, and sound of the Instrumente he tooke so greate pleasure, that seeyng hym selfe depriued thereof, a sadnesse equall in contrarietie to all his former ioye bechaunced hym. But as wretched and vnfortunate persons haue naturally a custome to comforte them selues in others harmes semblable to theirs, so this Damozel sée­ming to him to be tutched w^t the same disease that hee was, he was therby somewhat reuiued: and determined (takyng compassion of the Damozell) to goe to the Castle, and if it were possible, to recomfort her, But consideryng well that suche as are of perfect eyesight muste leade the blinde, and the frée from affliction, likewise comfort the desolate, hee channged his opinion. In fine, considering that he t [...]at is blind in his doynges, leaueth not yet of, to comfort oth [...]rs in their affaires, though nere so like: As those sicke Phisi­tions, who can giue to their Pacientes better councell thē [Page]they can take for them selues: In like sorte doe Aduocates in other mens causes, although moste ignoraunt in their owne proper affaires: hee wholy resolued with hym selfe, (seeyng also that as well he as his Horse had neede of har­bourough) to go to y^e Castle, to see if they would lodge hym for that night. And being approached nere therto, he knoc­ked mightely at the Gate: whereat there came a Page well appointed. Who was in a little Gallery ouer the Por­tall, and puttyng his head out at a Windowe, and seeyng the Knight in suche araye hee had so greate feare of hym, that hee ranne out of the Gallerie through another which stretched along the walles of the Castle euen to the Cham­ber where the Lady made her residence. Whether he be­yng come, in post haste hid hym selfe, tremblingly vnder a Bed. Whereof the Dame beyng aduertised, demaunded of him what he meant. Wherto he with greate solemnes aun­swered. Alas Madame, we are all dead, for there is a great and monstrous Deuill at the Gate, who would gladly en­ter and come in, whiche if he doe, wee are all but dead. Goe fonde coward (said the Ladye) doe Deuilles now abandon Hell to come hither? And makyng him to depart frō whēce hee was hid, she sent him to call another Squire out of the next chamber, whom she commaunded to go sée who it was that knocked at the Gate: whereto he obeied. But hauyng once seen the Knight, (no lesse affrighted thē the Page) he came and could to the Ladie the like Tale: whereupon shee called a Knight, who somewhat more bould then the other, spake to y^e Youth, who because he had seen the other asaied of his Skinnes, put them of, and with his Helmet vnlaced, stoode vncouered, whiche more encouraged the knight to speake, and to aske what hee lacked. I would (said he) enter in, if so it please the Lady to lodge mee for this tyme. Tary there a little (saied the Knight) to ease your selfe & take the [...]ire, while I goe to see what she will therein doe: and being departed from hym, at laste he came to open hym the doore, [Page 66]which through (with his Horse) he entered into a large and spatious Court where he alighted: And the Knight hauing deliuered his Horse to the Horsekeeper to cary to the Sta­ble, much marueilyng at the growth and goodlinesse of the same, and no lesse at his Maister, ledde hym into the Ladies Chamber, who receiued hym moste honourably. And fin­dyng Supper ready, with good appetite he tooke his refe­ction order: duryng whiche, she demaunded whence he was, and also what his name was. Whereto he aunswered, that he was borne in the Realme of Greate Britaine: And to set the Lady déeper in matters of loue, he said he could cal hym­selfe by none other name but Beauties Slaue. At whiche worde the Ladie fetched a greeuous sigh: which the Youth well notyng, and seeyng the waie nowe open to attaine to his intended purpose (whiche was to knowe the cause why she chaūted so dolorous a Song as she did in his hearyng) hee asked why she sighed soe. ‘Ha courtuous Knight (saied she) it is not without cause, as well you mee deeme: for by your name you haue reopened all my Woundes, bringing mee in memorie and minde of hym, whiche by imitatyng you, I may to my selfe vsurpe. For seyng you saie that you are Beauties Slaue: it can not be, but that in seeyng some infectiue semblance, you haue dronke of the same Licour, that I most vnhappely haue supped vp, whiche maketh mée to be in equality of il ease with you, who as I iudge by your gesture and countenaunce (if I be not to much thereby de­ceiued) are neither lesse, nor (as well it may not be) greater then mine, I may name my selfe from hence forward right­ly, (the same beyng correspondent to my miserable conditi­on as well as yours) the Slaue of Loue, for so hath he tied: fettered me vnder the Yoake of his seruitude (as none li­uing being able to surpasse me) I will not hope of my selfe, beyng in dispeire (from which I beleue you are, exempte) euer to franchise my selfe from his seruitude: thereto seing neither waie nor Pathe whiche may conduct and leade mee [Page]out of this Labyrinth of lā guishyng thoughtes of Loue: in deepth where of I am plunged and drowned.’ ‘I doubt not Lady (saied the Youth) but that it is possible that you haue some greate feeling in your selfe, of the ardent fire whiche Cupide cōmonly kindleth: but to say y^t it approacheth (which GOD forbid) to the vehemencie of that, whiche I feele to consume mee, I can not bee thereof perswaded: seeing that (as you faigne youres) it is my Mallady that is incurable, and not that whiche afflicteth you, as far as I can perceiue. For womens amourous cōceites are resembled to y^e biting of the venomous Scorpion, whiche hath remedy againe of the woundmaker. Wherfore I conclude of your disease, be­ing vnequall in painefulnes to mine, that this name which you seeke to vsurpe, is not so fittyng or cönuenient to you, as mine is to mee: being perchaunce contrary to that which you haue declared, of hauing any power to reape redresse of hym, who hath fowen you those seedes of sorrowe: but I am not so.’ ‘Worthy Knight & my deere frende (replied the La­dy) I confesse in veritie, that those laste whoroes ye spake touching your alledgment, y^t an amorous in flitence may be quēched by hym y^t kindled it, is a trueth. But also I say that whiche is fatally in men beeyng of the same nature, as you saied at y^e beginning, that is: that my malady is vnmatcha­ble to youres, I ought not to name my selfe by a name (as I haue doone to imitate youres) not groundyng ought on trueth. For why may I sooner attaine that remedie where­of ye spake, then you: sithens it is muche more vnpossible. For that (saied the You the) that Ladies, beeyng surprised with the loue of some Knight, by their onely counte naun­ces and beckes, whiche they well knowe howe to contriue (when they would come to the accomplishmet of their Lo­ues) better then men, ther archiue more and obtaine sooner the fulfilling of their desire, then men beeyng lesse carefull of their Chastitie, whiche aboue all thinges they ought to garde and regarde, whereof, when, and at what tyme loue [Page 67]forceth to vse liberalitie so prodigallie to allay their amo­rous Passions, they are sooner succoured then men: who (like as I haue done) hauing hoysed the saile of their liues, into a place too haughtie and rebellious, for feare of being too shrewdely shent and checked, not daryng to manifeste their mallady, are constrained to consume them selues in the Smoke of flowe and languishyng fire. Whereas these (men beyng farre more pitifull and courteous in this case then they) at the least shew or twinklyng of the eye receiue redresse of their dolour.’

‘Sir knight) replied againe the Ladie, if I would here againe alledge the force of shame, whiche is, or at leastwise ought rather to bee in women then in menne, to haue more efficacie, in lettyng her from obtainyng that whiche she de­fireth, then the crueltie of Ladies, whiche in vaine you haue brought in question, to make for your self in this disputati­on, I assure you, that of me you shall not gette the vpper hande. But seeyng perchaunce you haue desire to goe take your reste, and that disputyng hereon would bee to tedious I will confounde you, and make you confesse, my maladie to bee vncurable, and therefore equall, or farre worse then yours. By an occasion whiche I haue more apertenaunte and briefe: the whiche is euen so as I will recite to you, whereby you maie more clearely vnderstande my sore di­stresse. Wherefore knowe you, that I was daughter to the Duke of Chalcyde, who in his second Nuptialles, hauyng maried a Damozell of noble house, called Marcella, he re­tired vnto y^e Emperours court, where a yere agoe he was slaine by the cursed Giaunte Ferclaste, leauyng me here for the gouernesse of this Castle, whiche presently is in my pos­session through his deceasse: and to the ende I might haue no occasion of sadnesse he lefte me, for garde and compaine suche Knightes, as he had greateste confidence in: one of whom is hee, who opened you euen now the gate, who is a good & a loyall Knight. But as no bodie is without a sha­dowe, [Page] [...] [Page 67] [...] [Page]so fewe menne are founde without Print, or presse of some imperfection, whiche accustomablie is naturall in thē. For he hath this vice in hym, that if he sée any thyng which liketh hym, or is agreable to his phansie, he will woorke so by some sleight (if otherwise he can not) that he will haue it. The other whom I déemed of lesse disceipte and treason, was farre more malicious. For incontinentlie after the de­parture of my said Father, he shewed himself to be amorous of me, and by his filed speache and messages, with all other meanes possible (feigned hymself so distressed, that he could not at any tyme reste, without disturbyng me) to haue of me the accomplishemente of his desires: whiche caused mee, that seeyng his distoyaltie, I tooke it so sore against harte, that after hauyng checked, and chastized hym, I kepte hym so shorte, that in despite of this my refusall, he chaunged his late loue into dire desire of vengeaunce, & that so vehement­ly that there was no treason so greate, whiche he lefte vnat­tempted, to bryng me to his purpose, and filthie practise. But not findyng the successe of accomplishement in his en­terprise, beholde a sodaine chaunce, which to mine ill lucke herein happened, and on a sodaine to hym was fauourable.’

For one daie as he walked in the Forrest hereby, busied in his deceiueable inuentions, he by chaunce encountred a Pilgrime, whō without thinkyng thereof (as I haue since vnderstoode) he asked whēce he was, who tolde him that he was of the Realme of Persia: But for that in his tyme, he had been a greate Magicien, and by his Nicromancie had committed many execrable deedes and woorkes, for which to dooe penaunce, he had been to seé the holie Sepulchre of of pur Lorde and Redeemer Iesus Christe: the Knight as­ked hym further, what aduenture had forced hym to tra­uaile so farre into these quarters: Whereto againe he an­swered, that he durste not goe into his owne Countrie of Persia to dwell, for that the greate Sophie of Persia cal­led Mutinell, would worke his death, because he once vaū ­ted, [Page 68]to haue made by his arte a Cuppe of suche vertue, that who so euer dranke therein (of what drinke so euer) thei should be so taken with the loue of hym or her, whiche gaue it theim, that maugre theim selues, thei should bee constrai­ned to loue paste all measure: whiche cuppe he neuer would giue to the Sophie, therewith to make hym beloued of the Princesse Porphyrie, daughter to the Emperour of Constā ­tinople, of whom he was so amorous, that hauyng now fo­wer or fiue tymes demaunded her for wife, the Emperour was constrained to accorde, so that shee would loue him and consent to chose him for housebande, and that he would Ba­ptize hym self, and holde the Christians Lawe, whiche for his parte he hath doen. But he was so foule and so ill fauou­red, that although hee was esteemed one of the beste knigh­tes of the worlde; yet she hated hym mortallie: ‘wherefore he would haue vsed my Cuppe (saied the Pilgrime) but I choose rather to abandon the Countrie, and to passe the reste of myne aged daies, in some vncothe coaste, then to bée occasion of so greate wickednesse, as this my cuppe might woorke to all Christendome, as well I haue foreseen by my Arte. My Knight hauyng vnderstanded so muche of the Pilgrime, was well apayed of so good an encounter. And after askyng hym whether he yet had the Cuppe, the Pil­grime shewyng it, he slewe hym: and takyng his Cuppe, came towardes me, & shewing me faire semblaunce, serued me w^t the same, by meanes of a Squire, who attēded on the Table, beyng ful of wine, made pestiferous by vertue of the vessell: whiche hath brought to passe, that euer since I haue been enuenomed by this cruell and murderous drinke. Ha­uing so saied & concluded, she (sheadyng a nūber of brinishe teares) I looke ꝙ she for none other deliuery but Death, & the finall ende of my daies, which me thinkes too long slac­keth, and staieth his paces, from releasyng me of this great seruitude. And now see sir knight, how not without cause I chaunted that song whiche you ouerheard, and ordinarelie [Page]doe vse it at the same hower. For that, in tellyng and com­plainyng my self so shrilly of mine aduerse Fortune, I feele greate ease and solace. And hauyng heard your name, it sée­med me good to vsurpe the same, whiche newlie I haue at­tributed to my self.’ But what? (saied the Youthe) is there not meanes to appaise your maladie, by the enioying of hym, on whom you are so amorous? Alas no (saied the La­die) for the wretche (to take the more reuenge of me) slewe the Pilgrime to withstande my purpose, and so sledde, since when I neuer could heare woorde of hym, that I might haue punished hym, accordyng to his desertes.

Then the Youthe beyng in a confused amaze, knewe not what to thinke, but takyng greate compassion of the Ladie (who wepte pittifullie) he betooke hym self to recomforte her, the beste that he could, and did so muche that after ha­uyng staied her teares, she caused hym to bee conducted into a verie faire Chamber, where there was a riche bedde, and muche costlie furniture, wherein he laied hymself but in lit­tle reste, being still troubled with the talke, which the Lady had with hym, where we a while leaue hym, to tell of other matters.

¶ The xv. Chapter.

WE lefte the gentle knight Pharisor in a rough Forrest, and full of Trees, much weried and vexed, because his fellowe, the Youthe of the Fairies was so farre passed, that he could not bee ouertaken, as not being so well horsed as hee. But as hee was in thought and talke with Geliaste the Squire (who also was cōstrained to kepe hym cōpanie) what waie they should hould the nexte daie to find hym out, beholde they hearde the voyce of a knight, who by his wordes seemed muche forrowfull and complained very dolourously, saiyng with a pitifull and lamentable voyce. ‘O wicked and peruerse fortune. Is it not now, that I haue better occasion to complaine mee, of the diffauour thou sheweft me presently, then for the fauour and grace which thou bestowedst on me in times past I was bound and bent to blesse thee? For euen as they whiche will commit some Traison, shew them selues willing, practising aboundance of pleasures towardes them whom thei wil betraie, to haue thereby afterwarde, better meanes to execute more cruelly their traiterous & disceptiue thoughtes: thou hast vsed to­wardes mee like waies and meanes: extollyng mee so hie, that being ready to passe, vp to y^e hiest degree, of thy wheele, wher I looked y^t thou shouldest set & place mee, if thou hadst brought to passe and letten mee to haue achiued & brought awaie the prise of the Iustes, so to haue accomplished the promise which I made to my dame & Lady Polidamia: thou hast contrarily (to the ende that my fall might thereby bee [Page]more damageable and shamefull) traiterously precipitated mee to the most lowe and base roome thereof: the better to bereue mee of all the honour, whiche heretofore I haue had in these Coastes, which haue the report to be most abound­dant, in multitude of good knightes: the greatest parte of whom, I haue by my mightie Arme and valiauncie vanqui­shed, not onely with Launce, (whiche was no great honour to mee being enchaunted) but also with Swerde, so farre that not without great ioye and contentment of her, whom I loue more then my self, and who likewise loueth me more then her self, I was had in reputation for the best knight of the world. But alas what might she saie, if she knew, that in the Emperours Court of Coustantinople, there were one founde, who (doing that, whiche all the knightes of greate Britaine could not do) had made me forsake y^e Sadle at one stroake with his Launce, I not harming hym in any wise? would she not esteme me as it were Paris couched in Helens Lappe? I beyng so muche fauoured of her, that I were be­come a degenerated Cowarde, and nothing worth: who af­ter hauyng vanquished (before he fell in loue at the Games of Wrastling) the moste valiaunt of al Valiauntes, Hector, fledde in fine when moste neede was of his prowesse, before the furie of fighte, lesse fearefull of Menelaus. Noe, noe, I will loose my life, but I will gaine againe the garde and glosse of myne honour: I will so pursue the Glutton (who after he had with one blow so cast mée to ground, fled away) that if I take hym, I will make an Anatomie of his bodie, (be he the biggest of al the Deuilles) as seuere Medea did once of the Corps of her brother.’ The gentill knight Pha­risor hauyng hearde these reproachfull, and outragious wordes against his Companion, could not staie, but that lacing his Helmet, and taking his Speare and Shielde, he wente thether where hee had hearde the knight, whom hee founde liyng on the grasse, and his Helmet vnder his head, whiche serued him as a Pillowe or Bolster: whiche he (see­yng [Page 70]his aduersarie come) put on, and takyng his Horse which he helde by the Bridle in one hande, and his Speare in the other, he mounted vp lightly, whiche thing Pharisor permitted him to doe: who neuer thelesse afterwarde saied to hym. ‘Sir knight, vppon what occasion haue you called hym Glutton, who is worthe without comparison, more then euer you were worth in your life? and why doe you ac­cuse of Treason his greate valiauncie? well appeareth it, that you haue put small store of wit in your braine.’

To this answered the Knight no thing at al (who in his shield bare a Griffon of Siluer, in a field of Sable) but re­tiryng from Pharisor (who put hymself for ward to defende hym) beyng fullie bent, to reuenge the iniuries whiche he had saied by his frende) came sodainly (so transported with pre and furie, that he could not aunswere: & rushed againste hym so fiercely vppon his shielde (whiche was of good met­tall) that he made hym forsake the Saddle: but for counter­chaunge of this blowe, he was so rudely smitten by Phari­sor, that he was also brought to grounde & the Saddle at­twixte his legges: and thinkyng it had been hym, that had once afore brought hym from his Horse, he rose lightlie in hope to reuenge hym: and verie glad to haue founde hym so fittlie to his wishe, he came againste Pharisor (who atten­ded his commyng with Sworde in hande) wherewith hee raught hym suche a rappe, that abatyng one graunde quar­ter of his shield, the blowe light on the Helmet so right, and with suche force, that his eyes sparkled with fire, who ther­vpon rendered his chaunge shortlie, by a blowe so violente vpō the side of the Helmet, that (had it not béen good) he had cut his head in twaine, for so it wente, that he staggered re­die to fall to the grounde. But retournyng to hym self, he tooke such harte to hym, that giuing him with all his force fiue or sixe thwa [...]kes all on a rowe, he so amazed hym that he knewe no more where he was: then as one pricked with a certaine desire of reuengemente, and feelyng hym self so [Page]roughlie handeled & taking héede that his aduersarie gaue hym not suche, nor so more heauie blowes to endamage hym) be came to strike him on the right side, and on the left, so that he was constrained to giue ouer his former blowes & to settle his shield where now neede required. And thē one might haue seen good sport, for y^e one encountered the other so rashely, as though they had been both madde: one would haue thought that there had been more then ten Knightes in the Combatte, whiche lasted in this forte more then an hower, without ceasing of strokes, stil the most furious that euer were seen. In so muche that finallie, through feblenesse and wearinesse (the blood issuing from their many woūdes) thei were forced to fall bothe doune in a Traunce, the one here, and the other there, as if thei had been deade, where thei remained more then a longe hower, without stirryng either hande or foote.

Whereat the poore Squire Geliaste, supposyng Phari­sor to bee deade, and seyng hym self all sole and alone, after an insinite number of piteous complaintes and dolorous lamentations, he went to vnlace sir Pharisors Helmet, to see if certainly he were dead or no: but afore that y^e knight with the Siluer Griffon arose, beyng reuiued out of his sounde, whiche thyng the Squire seeyng (for feare of hauyng that which he willingly would not) he tooke himself to flight as faste as he could. But (as he stedde, the Knight still pursu­yng hym) who (deemyng Pharisor deade) meante to shewe vppon the Squire the extremitie of his enraged reuenge. But he encountred by chaunce in the waie, a knight armed at all pointes, bearyng a Shielde with a greate Crosse of Golde, in a fielde of Sable, mounted vpon the good Lyco­cephal. To whom (takyng hym for his Maister) he cried and saied: ‘for Gods loue, Maister succcour me, and reuenge with like death, the knight Pharisor, whom this Glutton hath stain euen now.’ Then the knight who had no Speare nor weapon, came to the other knight, & staied hym in spea­king [Page 71]thus:

‘O faire and Noble Knight (for as muche as I can see, you are not verie courteous, so to handle and vse a Squire, who hath not wherewith all to defende hym self. Whereat the Knight chaffed paste all measure, and saied to hym all in Chollere: it is euen thee, it is euen thee, whom I will vse so then, as well to serue in his steede, as a more ample subiecte to my pretended reuenge, as to haue that faire Horse, and those gallaunte Armes, whiche thou bearest farre fitter for me, then for thee.’ And saiyng so, with his naked Sworde in his hande, he discharged suche a blowe vpon the Knightes Shielde of the Golden Crosse, that he astonished the arme wherewith he helde the same. But he hurte hym not other­wise at that blowe: for his Sworde lept into the ayre more then an elle high: whereat beeyng astonished, he redoubled with more force his blowes, but he felt it worse and worse: For at laste, his Sworde leapte out of his handes, whiche thyng the other Knight seyng, who had gotten the Sword to defende hym self with all, beganue to strike hym with all his puissaunce, in suche wise, that the Knight of the sil­uer Griffon, not knowyng how to behaue hym self, as not hauyng wherewith to offende his enemie, warded by suche sleight and skill, his blowes, that in like maner he came to catche holde of his bodie, and caste hym so bluntly to the grounde, that (beyng not one of the lightest fellowes in the worlde) be could not rise againe so sone, but that the other had caught hym, and dislaced the Helmet of his head, which he cutte in twoo peeces with his sworde: notwithstandyng that the other cried hym mercie. And disarmyng hym of all the reste of his Harnesse, he putte it vpon hym self, and caste the Shielde on his necke, takyng the Sworde whiche he had: and mountyng vppon the good Horse Lycocephal, who feelyng the Spurres, begaune to praunce and manage in suche maner, that the Knight neuer hauyng ridden Horse, so prompte and nimble as this same, at his bountie and dex­teritie [Page]became much astonished. Neuerthelesse, more ioyous of the conquest, then if he had been made Emperour of Cō ­stantinople: And takyng his waie towardes the Toune, he ariued there the nexte daie aboute Noone, where he founde the Emperour and all his Barons and Knightes: who all of purpose moste ioyous had put theim selues in waie, with moste magnificall braue equipage of the Gate, where tho­rowe his entrie laie, the more sumptuouslie to receiue him.

For the good Knight Guillant of Cartage, who the daie afore, had followed him to fight with hym at the Sworde, & so to repaire his disgracemente gotten at the Iustes, ha­uyng seen hym that Mornyng, in a village sixe or seuen mi­les from Constantinople, where he was alighted to baite his Horse, and deemyng hym to bee the Youthe of the Faie­ries, hee retourned in all haste, to bryng worde to the Em­perour of his commyng: who at the entraunce of the Citee with all his traine, came to meete hym, causyng at his ari­uall, to sounde an infinite noyse of Trumpettes, Clarions, Fyfes and Drummes, with such other like Instrumentes. Whereof he was muche amarueiled: and could not iudge for what cause he made hym so greate cheare, nor where­fore the gentle Knight florenges, aduanced hym self to em­brace hym, and to kisse his handes, saiyng: that he thanked hym, for the deliueryng of his daughter.

For as muche as I can gesse (saied the vncoth Knight) you take me for an other, in that I neuer remember me, to haue deliuered Damozell from any mannes handes in this Countrie. In saiyng of whiche woordes, and other suche like (they supposing that he spake these thinges, to cōceale & keepe himself vnknowen) thei ariued in this magnificen­cie at the Pallaice, where the Tables were spread for din­ner. Then at the instaunte request of the Emperour, the vn­knowen Knight disarmed hym self, to sitte nexte his Maie­stie: who (so doyng) had not wholie vnlaced his Helmet, but that he made all the compaignie marueilous muche astoni­shed, [Page 72]whē thei saw plainly y^t he was an other, then thei toke hym for. Yea, looke how muche in his Harnesse, & being yet vnknowē he was loued, cherished, & much made of: so much more, out of his Harnesse, and knowen, he was mocked, and mortally hated of many. Seeyng it to bee hym, who at the Iustes, had vsed and handeled theim so rudely, yea, & killed some of their compaignions and frendes. In so muche that (had it not been for feare of the Emperour, who for no­thyng would suffer any persone to haue outrage in his Courte) a little thyng would haue made them to haue slain hym there presentlie. Neuerthelesse, dissemblyng their an­grie affections, the beste that thei could, eche one stoode by­tyng his lippe, for the greate sorrowe and sodaine chaunge they had seen. Whereat, howheit he was much abashed, and amarueiled, yet placed he hym self at dinner (notwithstan­dyng) next to the Emperour. During the which (the Em­perour askyng hym whence he came, yea, how and where­fore he had so chaunged Horse and Harnesse, in obtainyng such faire ones as he had) he recompted to hym from point to pointe his whole aduenture, and how (as he was in the blacke Forreste) he encountered with those sauage Knigh­tes, whom the daie before at the Iustes, after an harde and sharpe Combatte hee had there lefte deadde. And ta­kyng that Horse and Harnesse from the one of them, he was therewith retourned, to see the end and issue of the Iustes: thankyng hym neuerthelesse for the honour, and greate en­tertainemente, whiche without deserte, it had pleased his Maiestie to doe hym: protestyng therefore to performe any seruice, y^t it would please hym to cōmaunde hym. Whereto the Emperour (throughlie moued with yre and sorrowe, as by his face, countenaunce, and rowling eyes, wel might ap­peare) aunswered in this sorte.

‘Knight (saied he) you neede not to thanke me; of the ho­nour doen to you, at your entraunce into this Citee: for so muche as to you warde it was not meante, neither was [Page]your persone the Sainct, to whom my magnificent Sacri­fice was vowed. In no wise was it for your entrie (whiche hath been too damageable and hurtful for vs, yea, that euer you came hether) that the pompe and magnificencie (wher­in you haue been brought thus farre) hath been prepared: but rather for one of them, whom you vaunte to haue slain, whereof if I were assured, I promise you, you should neuer passe my Palliace, but that your cruell carkasse should bee cutte and chopte in peeces, to serue therewith the Crowes and Rauens. But doubtlesse, the beginning of his deedes, & feates of Armes soner acertaine me, that if you haue slaine hym as you saie, or rather robbed hym of his Harnesse, and Horse (as well it maie bee) it was surely when he was a slepe. For otherwise your valiauncie was vile, and courage vncomparable to his, as well appeared, detwixte you in the Tournemente: whose vertue shined as a faire Face dooeth, in a fiue and Cristaline glasse. And whereas you of­fer me your seruice (saied the Emperour, redoublyng his Chollere, and knockyng his fiste against the Table) I haue no neede of it, and lesse of you. Neither knowe I, of whence you are: but this I saie, that who soeuer ye hee, it is not in your power, neither in your frei [...]des powers (were it that you were Kyng Floridamantes. Sonne of Greate Britain) although you and thei emploied all their forces to gratifie me, so as you haue displeased me in killyng them: of whom the one beeyng my neere nephue, to witte, the Kyng of Au­stria his Sonne my deare brother, was one of the best and valiauntest knighte of all myne Empire: And the other, was he, who in prowesse & valiancie was second to none, as well hath appeared by the valiaunce whiche he shewed, in conqueryng the Giauntes and their Garde, at Rocke Al­pine. For whiche deede I beyng muche beholdyng to hym, it will be vnpossible (I not knowyng otherwise frō whence he was) to acquitte my self of so greate an obligation, as he had gotten of me, by this greate good tourne: whiche will [Page 73]cause, that euer henceforthe, I shall bee attainted and blot­ted, with th foule vice of Ingratitude, whiche about all o­thers I abhorre and detest. And get you from my presence as sone as you can, that I finde you no more in my Courte: els will I make you.’

And for the great grief whiche he had of the two Knigh­tes deathes, hee could speake no further, but al angred and chaffed with despite, he arose from the Table in great ago­nie: which thing his Meyny seeing, who were partely pric­ked with the like passions, they would haue ouerrunne the Knight: who hearing the Emperour so greeuously displea­sed, was lightly lopen ouer the Table, and (fearyng out­rage) had already seised vpon the best parte of his harnesse, as Helmet, Shield, and Swerd, whiche he helde naked in his hande, and had slaine twoo of the firste, who wente to offende hym. Whiche thing the Emperour seeyng, cau­sed the other to cease, who as then busely beganne to assaile hym mortally on all sides, blaming and reprehending them sharply for being so rash, in outraging a knight vnknowen, in his presence, and vncommaunded: who acknowledgyng their fault, retired and ceased the conflict, leauing the yong vncoth Knight so boyling in yre and despite, that it passed. Suche was his stomacke enflamed with griefe and anger, that if he had had them before him in the fielde, they had not escaped with the losse of so fewe as they did, neither could he but speake these outragious wordes to the Emperour. ‘Knowe (saied he) thou Emperour of Constantinople, that thou haste misused in thy Courte, the Sonne of one of the moste puissaunt and valiauntest Kinges of the Earthe, al­beit that with his person he hath done thee so much fauour, (thou not any waie deseruyng it) as to come honour and beautifie thy Court: who is of power with the ayde of his frendes, not onely to take vengeaunce of thee and thy fol­kes for this outragious facte, in destroying thine Empyre: but also to bring in subiection vnto him at his pleasure, the [Page]whole Dominions of all Asia and Africa. Wherefore deeme well, that if thy future chaunces bee not guided and blest by the bountie of some good destenie, which maie take pittie and compassion on thee: that to thy greate preiudice this pranke shall not remaine vnpunished.’ And hauyng so saied, hee went to finde the good Horse Lycocephall, whiche his Squire had made ready in the Stable: wherfore he ar­med himself with the rest of the enchaunted harnesse which he had gotten: & being on horsebacke, he went with all hast toward the Hauen, where after he had made bargaine with a Ship which was prest to passe into the parties of Gaule, he entered aboord and sailed quietly on the maine Sea, to­warde the most small, but moste fertile place that is in the worlde. But if as then, the puissaunt and toylesome Giaunt Ergoferant, (who was gone to set order for the gouernemēt of the Castle of Rocke Alpine: y^e possessiō wherof (aswel by the Emperour, as by the Youth of the Fairies, as far as he knew, was left to hym vacāt & paisible) had bene there pre­sent, he had not gone so thence without Battaile, especially if he had heard his last wordes of presumptiō to the Empe­rour, whereby he manaced hym most ignominiously: wher­at he was so galled and greened, and the other knightes so troubled, that they knewe not what to doe. But after that the bloud of the Emperour, whiche through chafed Choler vrged him to this anger, was cooled, and that he had giuen some release to his griefe, he much repented hym, so to haue vsed the vnknowen knight aswell for the greate vertue and prowesse which he esteemed to be in hym, as that he vnder­stoode he was a Christen kinges Sonne: and reputed him­selfe for so foule a fact committed in his Court, indigne and not worthy any more to weare Imperiall Crowne vppon his head, or to beare Scepter. Neuerthelesse ponderyng vppon the vehemente Passion and iuste occasion whiche had moued him thereunto, he chaunged opinion, and then a­gain blamed his Meynie for being so bold in this attempt. [Page 74]On thus wise assailed with these two cōtrarieties, (which in greate furie made hym walke vp and doune fretting and fuming) none daryng to presume presently to comforte or counsell hym, there entered into the Hall a Page, who cer­tified hym that a greate Lorde of Persia was ariued, who greatly desired to speake with hym, and had brought hym Letters on the behalfe of the greate Sophy: whereupon the Emperour chaungyng and dying his countenaunce with a certaine feined coulour of gladnesse and ioye, caused hym to be brought in, to heare his Message, and so to aunswere hym: where wee leaue them for a certaine tyme ere we tell you any further.

¶ The. xvi. Chapiter.

WHiles the Emperour was much enraged towardes the vnkno­wen knight, (as you haue heard in the Chapter precedent) the Empresse with other great Da­mes and Damozelles were at Dinner in her Chamber, and the Lady Porphyria with her Co­sin Harderine, were in theirs, to prate and parlee of the Personage & prowesse of the Youth of the Fairies, whom they deemed to haue bene at Dinner with her father the Emperour, & the Lady Porphyria was [Page]purposed to haue spoken to hym, after Dinner, and giue hym some certaine secret signe and testimonie of the amo­rous alterations, whiche with an infinite number of grie­fes and dolours still distressed her poore hearte. But the Empresse hearing into her Chamber the prefull woordes of the Emperour, who cried and spake lowde, and also the sound of Swerdes and Harnesse in the Hall, when as the Emperours folkes would haue slaine the knight vnkno­wen: desirous to vnderstande the cause of this tumult, she had sent one of her Damozelles doune, expressely to knowe the newes, and to bryng her word therof: who hauyng lear­ned the matter, came againe all amased and sorrowfull, to tell her of the pitifull death of her Neuew Pharisor, whom she so much loued, and of the valiaunt Youth of the Fairies whō she no lesse estemed, for the great good tournes which he had doone them, in deliueryng them from the continuall care, that clogged them all, whiles the Giauntes Ferclaste and Androfort were aliue and vnslaine of hym.

The Empresse and her Damozelles hearyng so piteous a styrre and disorder, cast foorth a most lamentable crie, ac­companied with a floud of Teares, distilling from their ra­diant eies along their most amiable faces: and so quite dis­possessed with newe distresses, ceassed not to weepe and la­ment, some for the loue of Pharisor (who to many of theim was frende and Parent) other some per compagnio, to see their fellowcs weepe so extremely, tooke thereat so greate compassion, that (as women are alwaies most enclinable to the chaunge of affections) as I saied, to beare their frendes companie, more then for grief they had, they made such ac­cordaunt moane and dose, that neuer hearte was so harde whom it would not haue moued to pittie and compassion: & especially if he had heard the cōplaintes & lamentations of the Damozell Dinamya sister to Pharisor and Amidree, who (though he were in no wise amourous of her) yet bur­ning in loue towardes hym, she made suche lamentations, [Page 75]that (as it were halfe mad) shee ranne awaie shritching and criyng into her Chamber, whiche was adioyning to that where faire Lady Porphyria was (not knowing ought of all this) with her Cosin Harderine, who hearyng the lamenta­ble moanes of Amidree, went presently into her Chamber, where thei found her dead sounded in the place. Whom (af­ter they had with cold water, and other suche like thinges, recouered to her former sences) they asked and praied her deepely, to declare vnto theim, the cause of her dolour and greate lamentations: whiche she (not able to keepe it coue­red any longer) confessed, and with a lowe and troubled or­der of voyce, saied thus: ‘Alas and wellawaie, Ladies myne, Ah my deere frende Pharisor is dead: what (saied the Ladie Porphyria, may that be? and is he dead in deede? O my deere Cosin: But tell mée Amidree in veritie who hath reported these newes? For I can not persuade my self y^t it is so, seing he had in his cōpaigny a Knight, by whose safconduite (as well of his valiauncie hath experience béen shewed) he was sufficiente to discomfite a whole armie: but I beleue it is some one, who (to make a kinde of proofe of your loue to­ward hym) hath dashte you out of countenaunce, with this craftie cloaked tale. Ah Madame, (saied Amidree) would GOD, you now saied true: but there is nothing more cer­taine: as well his murderer is lately come to vaunte hym self thereof within, armed with the Armes, and mounted on the same Horse, whiche was once that gentle Knightes, that ouercame the Giauntes, whom he hath also slaine, and spoiled thereof. And hereat the Emperour is so enraged, that he hath ignominiouslie chaced hym out of his Court, although the Caitiffe was he (a thyng whiche makes me rather to beleue it) whiche lastlie bare hym self so valiaunt in the Iustes, that none could resiste the poise of his puis­saunce, but to death he went, were he neuer so well Armed.’

At these last wordes was the Ladie Porphyria, so surprised with a sodaine shiueryng of dolesome feare, that she could [Page]not speake a word more: her hart & mouth beyng as it were closed vp rounde, with a sodaine passion of those pitifull ne­wes: in so muche that she fell doune flatte in the place, ra­ther as one deade, then in a sounde as she was: and became so pale and wanne, that it was wounderfull: not moouyng nor stirryng, more then a corps quighte destitute of vitall breath. Where of the Maidens Harderine and Amidree had so greate feare, that tremblyng for sorrowe thei ranne (re­doublyng still their complaintes) with speede, to recompte to the other mournyng Maidens (whom thei founde al­though quite drouned in teares, yet enforcyng them selues the beste thei could, to cōfort the desolate Dinamya) this se­cond mischief, and mournefull hap of the death of the yong Princesse. Wherat they all leauyng Dynamya, ran sodain­ly to see her, and firste of all the Empresse, who firste ente­ryng into Amidrees Chamber where she was, she sawe the corps of her miserable childe, liyng flatte in the place for dead: and running to imbrace it, it is impossible to expresse, and muche lesse to write the dolorous complaintes, & bitter cries which she cast foorthe: bedewyng her (I beleue) with greater aboundaunce of teares, tricklyng from her tender eyes) then the gaie spryng tyme is wonte to shewe of Flo­wers and Plantes, in quantitie and quality bothe, to decke and illustrate the greene fertile Fieldes, enuironed with the Riuer Nilus: or rather with more number and shew, thā there is Sandes, vpon the banckes of eche running Riuer that make their courses & with furious force vomit their fomie floods into the wyde Ocean Sea: and (if I should saie more) then the number of Starres in the heauen, when in a cleare & frostie night they seme most to appeare, I should not lye. So was the number infinite, wherewith this infor­tunate Dame bathed (as though she had been plunged in a depe runnyng Riuer) the corps of this vncomparable faire & desolate Princesse. Who (in fine) felyng her so bewette, and hearyng the scrichyng and lamentable cries (tedious [Page 76]to tell) as wel of the Empresse, as of her coufine Harderine, Marcella, and all the other Damozelles, shee beganne to reuiue, and by little and little recoueryng, in castyng for the a pittifull and profounde sighe, she opened her eyes a little, then seeyng and vnderstanding their cries & lamentations, whiche were aboute her, enforcyng them selues to lifte her vp, and carie her into her Chamber, to repose her self vpon her bedde: she fell doune againe worse then afore: this put­tyng her a newe in remembraunce, of her vehemente and late dolour. Then should ye haue heard a fearfull redou: blyng of Teares, and lamentable cries on all partes: who then thinkyng verely that she was paste recouerie, seeyng that neither with colde water, with rubbyng her pulses, ne ought els, they could not woorke, but that she was a whole longe hower in this extasie, without either stirryng hande or foote: They wailed piteouslie, and made a stirre, yea greater then the Troians Cassandra and Hecuba, seeyng their Infantes, Brothers, and Nephues slaine and murde­red, by the reuengyng blades of the Greekes, and their no­ble Citee putte to sacke by Fire and Sworde, whiche sone consumed it. Neuerthelesse, not knowyng what reme­die to vse, thei conuaighed her straight into her Chamber, and laied her vpon her bedde, departyng all, sauyng Harde­rine and Marcella, who vpon the corps, ceased not to waile and speake thereto, as if it had vnderstode theim, the others goyng towardes the Empresse.

Who on the other side was sounded in Amidrees Cham­bers, thinking at the seconde crie of the Damozelles, that verilie her daughter had beene dead, who after a while bee­yng somewhat reuiued, was then layed in her bedde by the Damozelles Harderine and Marcella, who to their power did striue to comfort her: but all in vaine. For she not able to giue neuer so little release to her dolour, consideryng her selfe quite destitute of meane whereby she might euer recure her ragyng loue, which still flamyng and encreasing [Page]in her, caused and made, that her griefe was farre greater then death it self, chaffed in her mind a great while against loue, for wounding her so sodenly, yea so sharply and sure­ly with his venomous Shaftes: then againe excusing hym for so muche fauouring and blessing her, as to bende and set her beste likyng in a place so digne and worthy of her, who vnder heauen found none her matche but hym onely: then breathed she forth her yre & anger against death, for taking from her a gift so rare and precious: whom Ʋenns Infant of mere bounty had bestowed vpō her: Beséechyng her, that in middest of so many miseries & sorowes, she would in like wise strike her with the same Darte, wherewith her deere frend was so wounded and murdred: to the ende, that where hee was either in the Celestiall or Infernall Mansion, shee might goe and accompaignie hym, so to open vnto hym the summe of her dolorous distresses. Then considering that Death, hauing no puissance on her (as it, which is nothing els but the dissolution and separation of the Soule from the bodie) through the defaute of some of the fower Ele­mentes (whereof the diuine prouidence hath created man) she made her humble and hartie Praier vnto the soueraine Creatour of all thinges, most inslauntlie requiring him, to cut asunder the Thride of her life, if it were his pleasure: therby to rid her from the vnsupportable dolours & distres­ses, which most impaciently she endured. But GOD, who had not ordeined to ende and finish her daies in suche hastie forte: not lettyng her to wit, that as he can tourne the moste cleare and bright daies, into obscure and darkesome nigh­tes, and the same againe into daies more shining and radi­ant, then the resplendaunt beames of Phoebus: euen so al­so hath he power (shewyng her the seuere Visage of a For­tune more propitious and fauourable, then it could then seeme or appeare, imploying her back to the burden of an infinite number of anguishes and dollours, couered with a cloudy Veile of cares & distresses,) to take her (at her owne [Page 77]desire) out of the middest of the Labyrinth of so manie mis­chieues, which oppressed her on all sides, & would not heare her Praier, albeit hee well permitted, that through mere griefe, she nerehand had approached, the Porte Acheronti­call, by the excesse and vehemence of a greeuous Maladie, which caused in her a continuall Feuer: which surpryzyng her, handled her in suche sorte, that through the tremblyng fittes commonlie accompanying suche like payned pacien­tes, she made the bed to daunce, wheron shee laie: whiche neuerthelesse ceasing, a slumbering Sleepe surpryzed her, whiche coueryng her cogitations, with a dreamyng obli­niousnes, suffered her to take some rest. For vnlesse the na­turall order of all thinges bee peruerted, as one seeth not alwaies, the hoat skaldyng Planet, to drie vp the floatyng streames of flouddes and Riuers, nor the colde Northe in Winter, to make destitute the pleasaunt Forestes of their greene couloured garmētes, which the sprouting Spring­tyme hath bestowed vppon them: So is it also vnpossible, that (without release) a cōtinuall grief should haue place in a humaine corps, not adnichillating & totally ruinating the same. No lesse neither can an extreeme ioye remaine with­out some intermission of his contrarie. And therefore Na­ture beyng then so fauourable to this anguishe and misera­ble Princesse, that (to encounter her aduerse Fortune) shee permitted her the hauyng of some little reste: her Damo­zelles drawyng the Courteines of her Bed, and shutting in the chamber windowes, departed towardes the Empresse. To whom (not long afore reuiued from sound) thei recom­pted) to consolate her withall) that her Daughter slepte soundly at her ease: which thyng she could not beleue, afore she sawe it: but when she had tried it true, she enforced her selfe to giue truce to her pitiful plaintes and teares. But if she liued thē in dollour for the loue of her daughter, and her daughter likewise for the death of her late frend, the Youth of the Fayries, the young and faire Maiden Dynamia (who [Page]by the Emperours consente, was louer and beloued also of the good & valiaunt Giant Ergoferant) was oppressed with noe lesse griefe then they, for the death of her good and lo­uyng brother Pharisor, not able without incessant wéeping and lamentyng, to supporte and endure the remembrance of so luckles a chaunce, through the vehemencie of frater­nall amitie (which in all honest and naturall loues hath and holdeth the head roume, and place) so that shee was in her Chāber lamenting and complaining in sorte as followeth:

‘Alas Dynamia the moste lucklesse and desolate, that is at this daie liuyng vnder Heauens, yea, no lesse then thou wast happie and fortunate, to bee sister to the moste valiaunt and beste knight in perfections of all Greece: what happe, what blessednesse, what reste, what consolation, or what supporte hopeste thou to haue from henceforwarde in this worlde, wherein nought can bee durable or parmanente, that in one daie is not founde vnstable? Somewhiles when one is depriued of ioye, by the successe of some lucklesse encombe­raunce or chaunce: somewhiles whē any grief most tormen­teth vs, & ouerwhelmeth our stomackes, by the hap of some good hower: which neuerthelesse is lesse durable, (chiefly to me) then the saied mischief and moste haplesse happe: since that it is so, that thou seest thy self depriued of a brother, the most actiue and valiaunte, that euer was seen in these coa­stes: who beyng causer of all the felicitie, and contentmente thou haddest in this life, it can not bee that henceforwarde, thou shouldest liue to see ought els to followe or enuiron thée, but al sortes of ill hap and discomforte, laboursome tra­uaile and discontentation: if Death shewe not her selfe so courteous, and extende not her clemencie so muche towar­des thee, as to vse vpon this thy miserable corps, the same rigour that shee hath shewed to thy beloued Brother. O murderer cruell, inhumaine, and detestable, whiche haste slaine hym: accursed bee the hower and iourney, that euer thou madest, to come into this Countrie, to leaue vs so pit­tifull [Page 78]a patterne of thy wickednesse. And accursed bee the Chymaera or cruell Lionesse, whose pappes erst gaue thee sucke: and that it had pleased God, that thou hadst been vn­tymely borne, or smouldered in her wombe. O art not thou of more peruerse and naughty nature, then a Tigre, Beare or wilde Boare? more fell and cruell then euer Afrique bredde or nourished? So traiterouslie and villanouslie to haue murdered hym, whiche neuer gaue occasion (no not in the least of his thoughtes) wrongfullie or without cause, to damage or offende the least creature that euer GOD made on yearth? at leastewise hungrie Wolffe glutted with hu­maine blood, why was it that thou satisfied not thyne vn­reasonable appetite, vppon this poore and miserable Da­mozel? Why hast thou not with the same murdryng glaue, (whiche so ended his daies, and made me destitute of the thyng, I helde moste deare in this worlde) bemangled and killed the corps of her, who how long so euer she liueth, can not be but infortunate and distressed. Ah, noble King of Au­stria my Father, I feare mee, that the insupportable dolour which you shall receiue (in hearyng these heauy & dolorous nouelles of the death of hym, which was the onely staie and vpholder of your old age) shal not giue much aduauncemēt to the course of your long yeres, who alredy haue whitened both your hoary head and beard. And that ensewing shortly after the message, whiche shall acertaine you of your daughter Dynamias Death, who for loue of hym is resolued to di­spatche her self with her owne proper handes. I haue great feare (and the feare I haue thereof, maketh me vse this lan­guage, & to premeditate that mischief) that with a headlong and swift hastenyng course, you will bende your steppes to­wardes that parte, where the Feriman Charon vseth all his trade. But what? seeing that the destenies haue of long time spunne vs this ill happe, Is there any that can withstande it? No, no, none, be he neuer so strong or mightie, can resist it. It restes, it restes, that to make an ende of my miseries, [Page]I goe to kéepe compaignie and visite hym, on whom depen­ded all my ioye and comforte.’

Whiles she thus spake, complainyng, and tormentyng her self moste bitterly, and dolorously, the good Giaunt Er­goferant, whiche hastened to arriue from Rocke Alpine, be­holdyng all those whiche were in the Emperours Hall as­sembled, with intent to dispatche & aunswere the Letters of the great Sophy of Persia, to haue their faces chaunged with a certein greate kinde of sorrow and sadnes, & which much vexed them. To know the occasion therof, he tooke his way into the Chamber of his Lady and Mistresse Dinamya, whō he sorowfully found in estate as is aforesaied, wherevppon (after he had employed some paines to pacifie her, and shee consolatyng her selfe somewhat by his commyng) he asked her from whence proceded these plaintes and lamentations which incited her to torment her selfe so? to whom, not able to cōceale her sorow, she recompted (although much feare­full to loose hym therby, as in deede she did afterwarde) the occasion of her great griefe. Whereat it needes not to tell, if the most noble and vertuous Giaunt that euer was, were angrie, aswell for the losse of his Ladies deere and louyng brother: as for the loue of hym, who onely saued his life, and for that cause he was no lesse bounden, then for her. For in giuyng comforte & consolation to this young and noble Princesse, he armed hym selfe with his Harnesse and Club, and mountyng vppon a good and mightie Horse whiche he had, hee departed in the secretest wise hee could, from the Courte, in deliberation neuer to taste sound sleepe, till hee had reencountred the knight murderer of those, who in this world he esteemed most: & to be reuēged of their deathes, els to go visite them where euer they were. Where we let hym go and leaue the Ladies muche sadde and sorowfull, to re­compte vnto you how the knight, whiche was slaine in the Forest by the knight vnknowne, had stollen the Youthe of the Fairies his Horse and Harnesse, whō me left in the Ca­stel [Page 79] de la Plaine, with the amourous Damozel, louelesse, and slaue to loue for euer, daughter to the Duke of Chalcide: and of that that chaunced him after he went thence: chiefly also to speake of Pharisor, and where he happened to be re­uiued from his Traunce.

¶ The xvij. Chapter.

AFter the hard & sharpe Combate which was bet wéene the good Knight Pharisor, and the valiaunt vnknowen knight, we haue afore declared, that hee pricked with greate disdaine and dolour, to bee so caste to grounde by the Youthe of the Fairies, extended further the desire of his reuenge: whiche blinded him in suche sorte, that forget­tyng all honest courtesie (whiche naturally accompanieth the heartes, that are repleate with gentilitie and noblenes, such as his) and without any regarde thereto, when he was reuiued from the Traunce sooner then Pharisor, hee pur­posed in hym selfe to annoy and hurte the Squire Geliacte, who to shun the daunger of death which he saw imminent, [Page]tooke hymselfe to sodaine flight: and his enemie the knight following him, was staied by one, who armed with the Har­nesse & mounted on the good horse of the Youth of the Fai­ries, was by him slain, as at large you may see in the sixtēth Chapter. Wherevppon thinkyng he had put to death hym, who had foyled him afore in the Iustes, and his fellow whō he had left so faint and feeble, for losse of his bloud through an innumer able forte of woundes, whiche he had susteined, he had vaunted hymself thereof in the Emperours Court: thinking it a valiaunt Act, as if it had beene true: and ther­vppon caused that sorrow and sadnes, to trouble the Court withall, as afore you haue hearde in the Chapters prece­dent. But to the ende the happe thereof may bee notified to euery one, it is to be vnderstanded, that the faire and gentle Youth of the Fairies beyng entered into the Castle de la Playne, where he receiued the best entertainement, that the amourous Damozell, (frendlesse perforce) could deuise to make hym: The knight which came to open hym the Gate, seyng hym armed and horsed so well, & being desirous to be purueied of such like Horse & Harnesse as his was, preme­ditated with hym self, by what meanes he might haue them. And (as one which was not the bouldest man of the world) seeyng, and knowing, that if he presumed to haue them per­force (the euent of Battell beeyng doubtfull and vncer­taine) fearyng lest the losse should light on his side, conside­ryng the greate prowesse and valiauncie, wherwith, by his face and faire disposition he seemed to be adorned, with whō hee in this case should haue to deale, thought it better (to his greate dishonour) to obtaine them by disceite and tray­son as he did. For the Youth being brought abedde, hauing afore spent a great parte of the night, aswell in perpending the talke which he had had with the Damozel all Supper-while, as in imagination of her beautie, who deemyng her dead, was nearer thereto hym selfe, hee fell on sleape about midnight: wherof y^e couetous knight being aduised, which [Page 80]was in watche in a Chamber next to his adioyning, which he had forgot to shut at his goyng to bedde, entered easelie and secretlie into the same: and findyng his Swerde and Harnesse, tooke theim, and went into the Stable, where he mounted vppon his Horse, and departed with full intent to do merueiles, or els of so faire a gifte to make presentation to the Emperour of Constantinople, so to winne his good grace and fauour. But he was not farre past, but they were taken from hym, with losse of his life also, by the vnknowen knight, as you haue afore heard. (God who is the iuste re­uenger and punisher of outragious Faultes and Trai­sons, not suffering not onely w that a Robber and disceiuer should bee suffered to haue long or profitable enioynig of this so euelly gotten, did punishe the offence both sore and shortly.) This notwithstandyng could not mittigate nor appease, the bitternes of sorrowe whiche the Youthe of the Fairies had, when as he in the morning arising, found nei­ther his Swerd nor Harnesse in the Chamber, where ouer night hee had laide them, neither his Horse in the Stable. For of all his furniture the Thief had lest hym nought, but the onely chaunted Launce, whiche hee had wonne the daie before, in the Iustes of the vnknowen Knight. Whiche he taking, and after hauing knowē certeinly, that without the Damozelles consente of y^e Castle (which of his misfortune was muche displeased) the Knight, who in the euenyng had opened hym the Gate, had committed this disloyaltie and traison, he tooke leaue of her: who gaue him a horse the best she had: whervpon, vnarmed as he was, he leapt and depar­ted streight toward the Forrest, to take and apprehend the disloyall Knight which had so disceiued him: thinkyng that soonest that waies he would take his Iourney. But whē he was farre entered into the same, the Sunne then drawyng hie and castyng ardent heate, & he also going towardes the most thicke and rough places, aswell in that, he had some o­pinion y^t the Thiefe was hid there, as to shun the parchyng [Page]heate of Sunne) hee heard a verie lamentable and plain­tieffe voyce: whiche so moued hym to compassion, that thin­king it had béen some poore desolate person, fallen into the handes of some Robbers and Villaines, or rather some vn­fortunate Damozell, rauished by some Roysters, he wente thetherwarde, to succour her, although with much difficul­tie: for what blowes w^t spurres so euer he gaue to his horse, he could not in any wise make hym goe forwarde: yet pric­ked he hym so sore, that Mawgre hymselfe, he was constrai­ned to go to the place where the voyce plaintiffe was, néere whiche he scarse had come by sixe or seauē paces, but y^t he e­spied the greatest & dismeasured Crocodile y^t euer was séene, commyng towardes hym with open throate, and gapyng Iawes to deuour hym, and with his twoo forepawes ram­pyng, seased vppon the Horse by the Necke with such force and vigour, wreathyng his Tayle of tenne or twelue foote long all aboute his Feete afore, that he was forced to falle forward to the ground, & his Maister also: who being light & nimble as he was, without semblaunce of any feare at al, recouered himselfe straightwaies (for afore his Horse fell, he had prepared hym selfe for the Beastes commyng, and was readie to alight) and gryping the Launce whiche hee had in his right hand, and his Mantell wrapped about his lefte Arme, hee came towardes this furious and terrible Beast: which did her best to take and deuour hym, as beyng muche an hungred: and not hauing eaten ought of long to­fore, he gaue her suche a forcible blowe vpon the belly with all his might, that hee pearced quite through the same. Then the Beast seeyng her selfe wounded to death, approa­chyng hym before hee had leasure to redouble his stroake, with one of her Pawes gaue hym suche a graspe, that if he had not with great lightnes stept backe, and cast his Man­tell afore hym: without doubt therewith hee had ended his daies. For this horrible beast had the Nailes of his pawes more then a foote and a halfe long, pearcyng and sharpe [Page 81]past measure, wherewith in greate rage and despite, percei­uing his death to be neere, he tare and puld the Mantell a­foresaide in peeces, whiche was of Skarlet, the fearest that could be seen, edged and embrodered with Gold, and greate Buttons of Pearle, to wit, those whiche the Fayrie Ozyris had giuen hym. Thus whiles hee whiche had more care to spoyle and put her to death, then to saue and take his Man­tell from her, smoate her on the backe and breast, with such merueilous blowes (albeit suche beastes haue commonlie Skales on their corps more hard then any yron or Stele) that at last he left her dead in the place. Thē leaping on his Horse, whiche pitifully was wounded vppon the Necke by the Crocodile, he passed forward in a little pathway, streight to the place where his Thiefe was slaine, whose Carcasse he founde halfe deuoured, with byrdes and wilde beastes: whereat he was muche abashed and ameruelled, chiefly be­cause he founde not his Horse and Harnesse with hym: but well he founde the Knightes Harnesse which had slain him: whiche he knewe by and by to be his, against whom-the day before he had Iusted. Wherfore doubtyng that which was come to passe, he tooke the same and armed hym selfe there­with the beste hee could, and hauyng the shield aboute his necke, and the Sworde at his side, hee tooke his Speare: and beeyng aboute to mount on his Horse, and departe to searche after hym whiche nowe had his furniture, beholde his horse fell starke dead to the ground, because of the great quantitie of bloud whiche hee had shedde by his woundes. Whereat the gentle Youth of the Fairies was much ama­zed, because against custome he must now trudge on foote. But with patience housdyng the same Pathe whiche had brought hym thether, he had not gone farre, but he espied a Horse whiche beyng well Sadled, hauyng the Bridle han­ging at the Sadle bowe, fed faste on the Grasse: whiche he knewe also to be the foresaide Knightes Horse, of whom he had conquered the Launce in Iustes, and now had his Har­nesse, [Page]neuerthelesse he staid not for that, but after he had put the Bridle in his mouth, hee mounted on his backe, glad of so fauourable an happe: And continuyng his queste accor­dyng as hee sawe the traces of the Horses before hym, hee wente so farre, that an hower or twoo after Noone, at the foote of a shadye Trée, hee apperceiued a young Squire a sleepe, stretched along vpon the grasse, hauyng an Horse fa­stened to his right Arme by the Bridle, and his Face all be­sprent with Teares: whose Visage seemed to see too, moste sorowfull and sad: whereof the Youth was right sorowfull, and had muche pittie to see him in so poore an estate, chiefly knowyng that it was his Squire Geliaste: who awaked, whiles the Youth of the Fairies al astonished of so straunge an aduenture, staied hymself to behold hym: in so much that his Horse perceiuing the other straūge Stéede, would haue fled, and so trailed the poore Squire after hym (till his Maister takyng hym by the Bridle, staied hym: which done, and Geliaste awaked, it is no neede to tell if the poore slaue were amazed or noe: seyng his shape there whō he thought was come for none other intention, but to put him to death, and would gladlye haue runne awaie, but that the Bridle helde hym by the Arme. Whereat the Youthe, muche mar­ueilyng, said: what meanest thou Beast, or vpon what occa­sion, art thou so afraied, lest I kill thee? Alas sir (saied hee) I doe it beecause yesterdaie ye would haue kilde mee after ye had put to death my Maister, the Youthe of the Fairies his frende & fellow: who willing to succour mee, was ther­fore slaine not far hence by your handes. The Youth more desirous then afore to knowe what made hym so to say, and seeyng him still more and more astonished: vnlaced, his Hel­met that then he might know him. Who then remembring hym, and commyng to hymselfe, was surpryzed with suche extreeme ioye, that it transported hym without respecte to runne and embrace his Maister: saiyng. ‘Ha Maister, what is it that hath raised you againe from dead? Might it possi­blie [Page 82]be the Fairie Ozyris, your good Mother, whiche hath by her arte reduced you again from death to life, and giuen you these Armes like to those whiche the vncourteous and outragious knight had, which yesterday would haue slaine mee, to the ende to affraie me, so as you haue done? I assure you I am now thereof as glad as I was euen now sorrow­full, thinking at your handes to haue receiued my deathes dint, since you seemed another. But tell me I praie thee Ge­liaste, why thou thus speakest, said the Youth: or vpon what occasion? for I can neuer remember that I was wounded of any person, but of the Giaunt Ergoferant, when I fought against hym, muche lesse slayne: then how can this be? Also I meruell very greatly, in that thou saiest my deare frende Pharisor is dead. Then did the Squire recount vnto hym, (from point to point) all the successe of the aduentures pas­sed the day before, as is aforesaied:’ whereat the Youth was tossed with extreeme dolour, hauyng intelligence of Phari­sors death, and cōmaunded the Squire to bring hym where he yet laie, whereto, (they beyng both mounted on horse) he failed not to obaie. But when they were ariued to the place where y^e combat had bene atchiued, they were much sorow­full that they could not finde his corps, to bury & Entombe it honourably, as to the greatnes of his birth, but chiefly to his great vertue and valiauncie, apperteined. They founde the place where he had laine long all bleedyng and bloudy, which also was couered with many litle peeces of his Har­nesse: which moued the Youth to suche compassion, that be­yng attainted in harte with an insupportable dolour and distresse which sodainly at the sight thereof surprysed him, it lacked little that hee had not then and there fullye soun­ded in the place: and I thinke that if his magnanimitie and hartie valiauncie could haue giuen place in greatenes and force, to his extreeme dolour, hee had done it. So sure al­ready had he emprinted the vehement amitie that hee bare, to that man in his hearte, hauyng beene in his companie, [Page]but thrée or fower daies: aswell for the prowesse and vertue, wherewith hee was enriched aboue all others, as for the singuler courtesie and frendshippe which so shined in them both alike, that they almost seemed both one body, bente to one course of kinde. But supportyng the most pacientlie he could, his extreeme dole and sorowe, he did as then nought els, but weepe and bewayle hym so lamentablie, that dole and sorow themselues could not surpasse hym in sighes and teares, whiche ranne like rushyng Riuers doune his ten­der Chéekes: which to declare I must take a briefer course: tellyng only how assone as he could haue any staie of his la­mētations, he made vowe and sware neuer to rest in place, clymat or countrie, till he had found out the Knight which had slaine hym, to reuenge his death, although in deede hee were shortlie after as sounde and lustie as euer hee was. As you shall heare in the Chapter followyng.

¶ The. xviij. Chapiter.

THe slow ariual of the Youth of the Fai­ries towardes the place where the cru­ell and daungerous Combate had bene betweene the twoo good Knightes vn­knowen, and Pharisor: was occasion and let, that hee founde hym not as hee had thought to haue done, and that be­cause it was very lōg ere he could ariue at the place, where hee was lefte for dead, through the aboundaunce of bloud, whiche he had lost beyng so wounded in the Combate. For a while afore, the good Giaunt Ergoferant, (who was gone to séeke for the vnknowen knight, to reuenge his death, go­yng through the Forest heard hym: who reuiued frō sound, and yet liyng on the Grasse, not able to arise complained, and lamented, right dolourously, for his deare frend and fel­low the Youth of the Fairies: and going where he was, yet not thinking it to haue bene hym, hee found hym in so piti­full & miserable an estate, that if then presentlie hee had not had succour, he must haue yelded vp the Ghost: not so much for the grieuousnes of his woundes, whiche were not mor­tall, as for the yrke somnes hee had of his frendes absence, whom he thought to haue fled (of purpose) to leaue hym, as dispising his companie. But the good Giaunt not without great maruell of so good a reencoūter, tooke hym vp softly betweene his armes, and as one wonderous strong, caried hym easely towardes the Towne of Constantinople, not without telling hym along by the way, the sorrow and dole wherein he had lefte his sister Dinamya, with the Empresse and her Damozelles, and consequently all the Emperours Courte, because of his death, which they had heard by the selfe same Knight, who so had wounded hym: demaunding hym in like maner the cause of their combatyng, whiche he tould vnto hym at large: vntill suche tyme as approachyng [Page]néere to a certaine village whiche was but fiue or fixe Fur­longes frō the Citty, y^e night (also) approaching, they were constrained to retire into a certeine Inne, where the were honestlie and honourably entertained by the Hoste of the house: who knewe the Giaunt and the Knight also to be of the Emperours Court: and there were some Salues and Plaisters laide to the woundes of Pharisor, by a certaine Chirurgian whiche dwelt in that Towne, whiche notwith­standyng, when they ariued, the Morowe after at Constan­tinople, were taken awaie by Maister Rabalon: who put­tyng in their place precious Oyntementes, wherof he had alwaies store, he did so well, that to the great contentment of the Emperour, Empresse, and Dynamia, with all the o­ther Knightes, Dames, and Damozelles, hee recetued his perfecte health in the space of fiue daies. And for this cause though the renouation of an vnspeakable ioye, the thicke Myste of forepassed sorowes, whiche afore had holden their heartes with infinite number of Anguishes and Teares, re­mained, as vanished and dissolued, especially with Dyna­mia. Who hauyng recouered the obiect of her griefe, was reduced into her pristine forme of ioye and felicitie, contra­ry to the Lady Prrphyria: who seeyng her selfe depriued of hym, who on her had fatally fixed his fancie, not able to giue any releasement to her Passions and grieuous malla­dy, what comforte or consolation soeuer, either the Empe­rour or Empresse gaue vnto her, bringyng her in mynde of her Cosines retourne: the feare and suspition of whose death was cause of her Mallady, as they deemed, and there­fore should now cause (their opinion beyng false and vain) her sinall recouery of health. But beyng wholy ignoraunt where the Thorne pricked her, they could no ways worke, but that she waxyng still worse and worse, hastened still to­wardes the blacke Stygian Lake, had it not beene for the comforte whiche the Damozelles Marcella and Harderine, (who knowyng the full occasion thereof) recomforted her [Page 84]with the hope they had that his Death was noe lesse true then Pharisors: and that the vnknowen knight whiche had caused those Nouelles, had not done it, but onlie to bragge and boaste hym selfe thereof, or els to couer the dishonour he had gotten at the Iustes, whereat she was somewhat re­leased of payne: yet not able altogether to leaue her Feuer and become whole and sounde. In this wise remained the poore languishyng Princesse full of sorowe, and paine, for the loue of hym, who beeyng noe lesse greeued through the equalitie of their Disease, if hee had knowen their affections and alterations of the Spirite to bee recipro­cate, rather then to liue in continual thought and anguish, as afterwardes he did, he would otherwise and sooner haue put hym selfe in endeuour, to salue and pacisie this amou­rous woūd, which so pained them. But as one (who thought hymselfe so vnfortunate and smally fauoured of loue, that he thought hym to haue made their woundes quite contra­rie, and otherwise then they were) could neuer bee in anye place, but that, thinking on his estate and newe loue, hee entered into deadlye dispaire of hope euer to attaine the Typpe of his desire. In suche wise, that where he then was, to wit in the Forest (where we lefte hym seekyng the vn­knowen Knight, to reuenge the deathe of his deare frende Pharisor, accompanied with his Squire Geliaste) he so con­uerted the care he had of findyng hym into cogitations and contemplations of her passing beautie, whom aboue all o­thers he praised and esteemed, that in steede of holdyng the right waie out of the Forrest, to finde a place to embarcke hym selfe, and go into some straunge Countrie, he came to­wardes Constantinople which he thought to be most farre of: whereof the Squire aduised, who was somwhat more ioconde, then the day before, asked hym, whether he would, or if he thought to finde his Enemye in the Cittie, from whence the daie before he had sworne to separate hym selfe a farre of, so to shunne the daungerous heate of the Fyre, [...] [Page] ‘ [...]gence to ouertake hym (as ye saye ye will) I am sure that betweene this and that place, you may doe it easely. But se­yng it is now late, I counsaile you to go and take your rest for this Night, that to Morrowe you maye bryng to passe your pretended purpose as luckelie as I would wishe you.’ After the man of the House had made this promise to the Youth to set hym in the ready waie wherein he might ouer­take the knight, of whom he thought himself more iniuried thē he was, to thintent he might arise betymes in the Mor­nyng, he went therupō straightwaies to slepe in a faire bed, whiche the Host had purposely prepared for hym, where we let hym rest (for chaunge of matter) till the next morrowe.

¶ The xix. Chapter.

FOrasmuche (noble Lordes and Ladies) as I am sure you are not ignoraunte, that as there is no meate, what sweete or delicate taste so euer it haue, were it Ambrosia it self, the foode of the Gods, (as Poetes faine) which with too long vsage semeth not to vs yrkesom and vn­sauerie: In like maner beeleue I, that there is no discourse or Historie, bee it neuer so sweete or delectable, but beeyng too longe continued without intermission or successe of [Page 86]some chaunge or other nouell chaunce: which (as it were a newe kind of meate) may be agreable to the hearers eares, or delite of the readers, may be dulsome or pleasaunt vnto you. For this cause knowyng that whiche I will recite vn­to you in these Chapters followyng, shall be no lesse dele­ctable vnto you, nor smell worse to your cōtentations, then the valiauncies of the Youth of the Fairies, from whence we wander a little, to bringe hym in hereafter with more pleasure, delectation and astonishment of haughtie feates of Armes, then you haue heretofore heard, if you haue the pa­ciēce I deme you to haue: hopyng that the generositie and singuler bountie of your sprites, will not refuse to holde on to reade this myne Historie, set forth and put in light: both for greate pleasure and profite, that you may haue therein. I will as now therefore recompt vnto you, (albeit brieflie and succinctly as is possible, that whiche chaunced and hap­pened to the valiaunte and inuincible Kyng Floridamant of greate Brittaine, and chieflie in the selfe same time that his Sonne the Youth of the Fairies was in Gréece in pursuit of the vnmatcheable and valiant vnknowen Knight, accor­dyng to the veritie of the Cōmentaries of our auncient Ga­larx, whiche in the same maner also maketh therof mentiō. You ought therefore to knowe, that after the deliueraunce of this illustrious Lorde from the Traitor Minofols En­chaunted Prysons, as in the Chapters precedente I haue moste brieflie declared vnto you: after hee was ariued into his countrie (as is aforesaied) he went into the gréene Ile with a greate Hoast of armed men, and so dispeopled it and destroyed al the Townes and braue buildynges, that there were not left aliue any of the race or house of the traitrous Enchaunter: who beeyng apprehended, was also putte to the point of the Sworde: amongest whom also was slaine twoo Children of the Kynges of Cornewaile, Vncle to the Traitour Minofoll, the one of whom (if ye marke it well) was slaine by the Kyng Floridamant, at the same time that [Page]the Damozell (whiche afterwarde was hanged on a Tree, led hym traiterously into the Prison of the red Castell, as you haue heretofore heard: and then when his Horse failed hym in the Forrest, when hee had heard the crie of the Da­mozell complainyng, he encountred hym by chaunce, as he was goyng to London to woorke some Traison: and this same was called Mawgard. The other was then slain in the greene Ile (where he was Lorde and Maister through the death of his Cosine) by the Prince Hubart of Scotlande, againste whom hee would haue defended hymselfe: and this had to name Vaspazell the prowde: whereat the Kinge of Cornewaile, beyng vexed without measure, hauyng heard so dolefull Newes, and angrie at kinge Floridamant more then afore, although he long had borne hym mortall hate, determined & resolued now to reuenge the death of his two Sonnes, with the destruction of those of his kinne. And to doe this (as one that was riche both in substaunce and fren­des, & of alliaunce to greate Lordes and Princes, and who also was stout of person & valiaunt as was possible, he sent Ambassadours to his Frendes on all sides: and chiefly to two Sonnes which he had yet lefte: one of the which, was king of Corse, named Angrofolt the Cruel, who failed not to come to reuenge the death of his Brethren and Parentes, with a Nauie of a hundred and fower score Shippes, and sixtie Galleis well furnished: wherein he brought aboute thirty thousande footemen, and tenne thousande horsemen braue, and in good order: and moreouer hee brought with these, Syxe Giauntes, the greatest and biggest that euer were seene since the memorye of man: who onelie serued hym for men of Armes, to garde his person: yea with them was hee better guarded, then any other Kynge, although he had sixe hundred horsemen in his companie. And for this cause was he of his Neighbours and borderers so renow­med & feared, that none (were he neuer so puissaunte) durst once offer to do hym the least iniury in the world, although [Page 87]for his greate cruelty and tyrannie to his neighbours, ma­ny had iust cause so to doe. And besides this, he was so vali­aunt of his person, that fewe there were at that tyme in the worlde, which in corporall force, dexteritie and skill in Ar­mes, might or could surpasse hym: for through his valiaun­cie and prowesse, he had with a small power, brought vnder his obeisaunce, the Ile of Corse, and hauing expelled kynge Pollinestor, who had married Kinge Belligent his Sister of Gawle, who was true possessor and owner of the said Iland, he maried perforce a daughter of his, so to couer his tyran­ny, & to insinuate hymself the better into the peoples grace and fauour: of the most parte wherof (as one fauoured and loued) hee was Kinge peaceably, as a Riche and Mightie Lord. Yet neuerthelesse, not like his other yoūger brother, who by his graund force and extreeme prowesse, was bee­come King of the Iles Fortunate, whiche are beyond the furthest partes of Mauritayne Westwarde, and are at this daie called Canaries, because they abound in Dogges of all sortes. This same king called Brandissant, who in valour and prowesse exceeded far all other knightes, hauyng hard the pittifull tydinges, whiche king Grandowyne his Father had sent hym, of the death of his Brethren Mawgard and Vaspazel,, whiche were slaine by kyng Floridamant, incited with an extreeme pricke of reuengement, staied but a while after his brother: but went w^t an Army of an hundred thou­sand footemen, and fower & twentie thousande horsemen, to inuade great Britaine, whith such a fury, that in euery place where hee passed or came, there was no Toune, Castle nor House, were it neuer so greate, whiche was not by hym de­stroyed, yea to the first foundation: neither men, women, nor little Infauntes were there, whatsoeuer, that could escape the pearcing blades of his Gensdarmes and Souldiers: who all the waie as they wente, made both Earthe and Water tremble at there presence: such hauocke made they, deming all their owne alreadie. For the saied Brand [...]ssant kinge of [Page] Canaries, had with hym fower puyssaunte kynges, Pay­nims, his Vassalles, which all were Brethren and the moste strong and monstrous that euer Nature bred. For firste of all, the youngest of theim, whiche was kyng of Ombrione na­med Sallazart, was so strong and puissaunte, that in closse Campe, he once slewe fower Huige Giauntes, and a Mon­ster whiche was engendred by one of those Giauntes, cal­led Astigard: The Effigie of whom hee bare Pictured in his shield, all murthered by his handes in a field of Sy­nople: hauing the rest of his furniture and harnesse wrought and pollished the gallantest that might be seene, and moun­ted vpon a braue Courser of Araby, whiche ran like Swal­lowe, swifte in flight: This felowe seemed (beyng thus ar­med) the brauest knight in the worlde. Although in deede he was the moste deformed and foulest that could bee.

For firste, he was so greate, that he by halfe excéeded the vulgare and common proportion of other menne: his hay­res of his heade as blacke as a coale: neither was his Face any whitte fairer: wherein were twoo eyes that shinyng as well by night as by daie, would haue made the stoutest a­fraied: hauyng his browes a foote of good measure broade. The Nose a spanne long or more, the Mouthe stretchyng to his Eares, whiche with length laie on his Shoulders, like a Bloodhounde. And moreouer he had twoo long Tus­kes or Teeth, sharpe as a Pike, whiche raught fully halfe a Foote out of his Mouthe: his Chinne was like the reste, whereon appeared no more haire then on a Cowe taile: for like a stinkyng Goate he had it hangyng to his girdle stead. As for the reste, he was the finest Youth of the worlde: but that he was great Bealied, and bigge Shouldred, cariyng a Mountaine (as it were) vpon his backe. Notwithstan­dyng this he was so valiaunt, that there were fewe, no not one (but Kyng Brandissant) whiche in ought that appertai­ned to corporall force, or warlike affaires, were like vn­to hym, as you shall more vnderstande hereafter. Conse­quentlie [Page 88]his brother Zorlot Kyng of the Ile Niuaria, which was no lesse faire then Salazard, was mightie and strong, that with one blowe of his Launce, (in a certaine Bat­taile) he slewe thirtie Cantabrians. And no worse (to make shorte) were the kynges of the Iles Innoues their brethren, Cambarel and Phagotrof, whiche had in their Bande aboute thirtie thousande menne, bothe for foote and Horse. And so this Thunderyng warriour Brandissant beeyng thus ap­pointed, in a marueilous braue araie, and equipage, passed into Greate Britaine, there wastyng and destroiyng all, till thei came to the Countree of Cornewaile, where he founde his father Grandowine, whiche for his parte did his deuour, to gather menne from all partes of his Dominions, to reuenge the death of his twoo sonnes. In whose companie was Agrafolt, Kyng of Cantabria, Marton and Barant Kyng of the Ile of Caribe, who a while afore was ariued with greate puissaunce of men, to helpe Kyng Grandowyne: whose ioyes I can not well tell you, when he saw his sonne Brandissant come to succour hym, with suche a multitude of valiaunte Soldiours and Gensdarmes: and chieflie when he tolde hym, of the greate waste whiche he had made com­myng through Greate Britaigne. ‘Assuryng you, sir (saied he) that had it not been for the desire I had to see you, and my brother Agrafolt, with all these good Lordes, and some others, who by me requested, promised, sance faile, to come shortely to succour you, this wretched Kynge of greate Britaigne had not hadde by this tyme either Castell or Toune to defende hymselfe in. I truste good Sonne (saied Kyng Grandowyne) that we shall bee there tyme enough by the helpe of the Goddes, to disherite and ruinate hym both with the'ffusion of his owne bloud, and also of all those who shall be so hardye as to make to vs anye resistaunce. And I sweare by all our gods, that if he be (as I hope he shal) once taken by vs, I will make hym die a worser death then euer that cruell Tyrant of the Agrigentines, Phalaris did, or could [Page]imagine to vexe and torment his people: neither shall that glutton Dorian of Spaigne escape with lesse rewarde, who at all assaies is his aider and fellow. For it behoueth vs to put all his Realme to Fyre and Sworde, if wee were once dispatched of this Floridamant heere, which shall be shortly as I hope. And that Ferrand also king of Norwaie, who is his Vassalle: neither hym of Denmarke, nor that other of Swethlande whiche will succour hym, shall also escape our sharpe and trenchant Blades.’ ‘Truely my Leige (then saied Agrofolt the cruell) if once we might exterminate all these: it is expedient for vs also to destroye that ould Ty­raunt of Gaule: for he maintaineth that glutton Palistenor, my Godfather, who hoping of his aide, manaceth to expell mee out of my Realme: saiyng that by right it is his.’ ‘Giue mee leaue on my behalfe (saied wicked Marton Kynge of Cantabria) for as for my part I hould my self assured, that that presumptuous Kyng of Spaine, whiche so often sen­deth Pyrates & Robbers into my Domimous (who do me more annoyes, then one would thinke) shall not haue long continuaunce, neither shall he against vs worke any great resistaunce. For one night will I giue hym suche Alarme, pursuyng hym vpon the Spurres so neere, y^t neither he nor none of his shall haue any leisure to flee & saue them selues.’ ‘Assuredly that shal do very wel, Sir Marton, said the (fierce King Barant of Caribe: for then may you Crowne your self King of all Spaigne, and Sir Grandowyne kyng of greate Britayne. Also good Prince Agrofolt shal haue the Realme of Gaule for his parte, and you) saied Brandissant which are a moste puissaunte Lorde with kyng Salazard, Zortor, and Phagotroffe shall haue the Realmes of Scotlande, Norway Swethlande and Denmarke. But the Prince Cambarell and I, will then goe to Constantinople, where wee will make our selues Lordes’. Thus these Prodigious Mon­sters of Nature, spake and talked amongest theim selues, beeyng assembled in kyng Grandowynes Pallace of Corne­wayle [Page 89]hauyng more confidence in the force and puissaunce of their bodies (whiche in no wise lacked) then in the Di­uine prouidence, without whiche noe humaine enterprise can euer come to good issue. And I can assure you, that if the soueraigne creatour and gouernour of all thinges, had not by his infinite bountie and goodnes, preserued and su­stained the parte of the noble and valiaunt Christian Prin­ces, they had then beene in daunger to haue loste their liues and to haue their Realmes and poore Subiectes destroied, vndoubtedly. For these cursed Paynims were the most puis­saunt and valiauntest personages, that euer Historie made mention of, and had with theim more then twoo hundred thousand footemen, & a hundred thousand braue knightes, besides the Giauntes whiche I tolde you of, whose onely force was able for a whole Army: and there were the strōg Brunissant, Angrofolt, Salazard, and his brethren, which had either their Bodies or Harnesse in suche wise enchaunted, that neither Yron nor Steele could pearce or hurte theim: and ther with endewed with suche force, that nothyng was able to abyde it. And to encrease their number also, came there a while after to their helpe kyng Tawladas the wor­thy knight of the Ile of Canada, and fierce Guydard of Bac­caleos, with either of theim an Armie of more then thirtie thousande fightyng men, mounted on mightie Horses and Elephantes whiche caried euery one fiue or sixe men well furnished with shot in the little Castles of wood, which that had vppon their backes: whiche two in force and prowesse were nothyng lesse then Brunissant & Sallazard, whose ally­aunce and confederauncie to haue, they came to this match, and also to trie the force and valiauncie of kyng Florida­mant and his Brytishe knightes, whether they were corre­spondent to the fame that went vpon them or naye.

And on this wise this puissaunt armie beeyng assembled in Corne waile, and the Countrie thereaboutes, they made not long delaie, but embarked theym selues to passe into [Page]greate Brittaine: and in what magnificent order you shall vnderstande. First there wente before, eightie greate Gal­leis wandryng on the mayne Sea with Sealecloathes spread, and aboundaunce of Dares, marchyng like a Tem­peste: neither met they any vessel on the Seas, whatsoeuer, but thei drowned it: and they went ten and ten in a Rancke Quadrangle wise, and not one swifter any whit then ano­ther. Also there were fiftene great Carrickes, which went before the Gallies about a mile or lesse: and at euery side of the Quadrangle Galley fleete, was also ten, wherein were the Cantabrians, who at this daie are called Biskaynes, a People neere to Spaine, who were conducted thether by their Kynge Marton, whiche in Sea matters was moste skilfull, and was ordained Admirall generall, of all the Army by the other kynges apoyntmentes: from whom he was separated, and came in a Galley, which marched alone amongest the foresaied fleete, and a greate Troupe of Foy­stes, Boates and Brigandines, whiche in number amoun­ted to moe then sixe score, whiche followed after: whiche Galley exceeded all the rest in bignes, in beauty & in braue araie: for the men of the same were all araide in Cassockes and Bonnets of Ueluet, half greene & halfe blewe, rowyng the Dares: to euerie one of whiche (beeyng fifty on a side painted all red) there were ten set, all tyed by the Legges with great Chaynes of siluer. And moreouer the couerture of the place where was Martons Chamber, was also all of Siluer, wrought with spangles and leaues of Golde, and Azure most rich & sumptuous, on the top wherof appeered a mightie shakyng Enseigne, wherin was painted a great. Sea Monster, muche resemblyng a Crocodile all mailed with Scales of greene, and the Ensigne was blewe: about the which was written in Golden Letters this same Verse or saiyng, Vpon the Seas I all destroye: for none I meete may mee annoye. And a little lower was written Marton, the Terrour of the Waues: neither was there place in all this [Page 90]Galley aswell vppon the Hatches, as Roapes and Cordes whiche held the Mast: but that there was suche a like Ensi­gne (either little or greate) tyed, to euery one of which was fastened an infinite number of Cimbales, and Siluer Bel­les, whiche shaken with the Winde, yelded a merueilous sweete harmony.

After this magnificent Galley, that went without either rule or certaine order, dispersed here and there aboute the winges of the Sea fleete, these foresaied sixe and twentie Foistes, Galliottes, Gallions, and Brigantines: In the greatest of the whiche Foistes, were the kynges Tauladas of Canada, and Guytard of Baccaleos, with their Horsemen, and the Elephauntes whiche thei had brought, beeyng in thirtie greate Shippes, whiche followed after marueilou­slie well ordered, with saile displaied, & top and top gallant braue to beholde: wherin was a great noyce of Drummes, Fites, Trumpettes, and other instrumentes of Warre, so­lemne & hideous to behold. Finally, after all these foresaied vesselles, came a Fléete of twoo hundred Shippes or more, and some Barkes, which marched all in order triangled, in forefronte of the whiche, thers was one Ship, farre grea­ter and fairer then the reste, whiche cutte the Seas with suche celeritie and swiftenesse, as was possible to beholde: and therein were kyng Grandowine, Angraforte, Brunissant, Barant, Salazard, Zorlot and their brethren Cambarel and Phagatroffe, which hastened to aduertise kyng Marton, to take order how to draw a little sideward, to assaile a certain Fleete of shippes, which they had discried in the maine sea, goyng streight to greate Britaigne there to take Hauen, and so to make them captiues, if thei would not yelde to bée on his parte. But as thei were thus busied to giue order hereunto, and to set their thynges in a readinesse, beholde they were all astonished on the sodaine, by the Carrickes, & Galleis which went still before, of whō they were met, & the folkes therein assaulted, & many putte to death by an o­ther [Page]ther Fleete (whiche came a bywaie with a marueilous ce­leritie) whose number was aboute fiftie fiue, or sixtie braue Shippes of Warre: whiche fiercelie enteryng here and there aundde the greate troupe of Galleis (whereof thei o­uerthrewe and burned many with Fires artificiall, and o­ther Instrumentes of Warre) thei made at the firste a mar­ueilous Martyrdome of the accursed Painims therein. For they were not a whit afraied of this encounter: which thyng the Admirall Marton seeyng, caused incontinentlie his great Galley to prepare her self with diligēce, to come and aide at this pinch, & also a number of the Foistes & Bri­gandines whiche came after: all which with spede hastened to assault the little fleete. When the Capitaine of the same, (foreseyng what daunger he was in) would faine haue reti­red and fled, but that the other fleete, who (as I saide before, was firste discouered of Paynims, ioyned powers thereto: and so recuilyng and musteryng somewhat together, they behaued themselues so well, that more then twentie of the Paynims Foystes and Galleis were sounke and burned. For in the Shippe whiche was Admiralle, there were two braue Knightes, whiche commaunded all the Armie: who set in araie with their Swordes in their handes, and brasen shieldes prest for their better defence, raged in their enterprise, and with furie couloured the bellye of the God­desse Thetis, with y^e bloud of those accursed Painims. Nay, they caught none, but they sente hym to seeke hym selfe in the bottom of the waues, where he might drinke his laste, or els to tast of death on the Hatches: whiche thing the val­liaunt Kyng Marton seeyng (who raged to see so manie of his men slaine by two knightes) addressed his Galley that waie, & ioynyng with one of the Knightes, who bare in his shielde a Dragon of Azure, in a fielde of Sables, for cogni­zaunce, was there y^e most daungerous Skirmishe betwene them that euer was heard of. For Kyng Marton (who was exceedyng strong) thinkyng with his fierce lookes to haue [Page 91]fraied and made flee those twoo doughtie Captaynes, was muche astonished when he founde hymselfe so matched with the one, y^t in all his life he neuer had bene so troubled, in so muche that he thought there to haue lost his life presently: suche were the blowes whiche he receiued at the knightes handes of the Dragon, y^t had it not bene for the enchaunted Helmet whiche he beare, it had beene doubtfull whether he should haue retorned sound as he did. But because hee was armed w^t Harnesse wholy so enchaunted, that neither sword nor other weapon whatsoeuer, could pearce or cut, hee re­sisted well more, then an hower against his aduersarie, who also defended hymself valiauntlie as (God knowes) he had neede: for both of them were strong, valiaunte and skilfull in Armes. True it is, that if Kyng Marton exceeded hym somewhat in force, hee againe counterueiled it in agillitie and nimblenes of bodie, and in craft of Skirmishyng, as wel appeared by him in this mutual combat. But the other to counterueile all that, gaue hym now and then such grene atteintes, that the red bloud began alreadie in some places to runne doune his body: but for al that, neuer made he any semblaunce of griefe, to condemne hym self of Cowardyse. But as the Beare and the wilde Boare beyng enuenomed one against another, stryue still with rage to pull eche other in peeces: so these twoo valiaunt Champions did all their powers to depriue eche other of life, although the one had small aduauntage of the other: whiche made them maruell much of their owne prowesses, still paiyng eche other as the Smith with an heauy Hammer doth his Anuild often: and as the one his Harnesse, so did the others nimblenes kéepe them both aliue long

And thus endured the Combate a greate while, duryng whiche, the Knight of the Dragon his fellowe rushed in a­mongst the Paynims (of whom he made a merueilous but­therie and slaughter) and with his Meyny behaued himself so well, that many were slaine, and a multitude drowned, [Page]neither coaped he with any, but hee loste either Leg, Arme, shoulder, Necke, or some parte of his body, alwaies hauyng a soueraine care to saue his owne Ships notwithstāding: whereunto after a while all his men reentered by his com­maundement. For séeing the rest of the aduersaries Vessels at hande, whiche Kyng Grandowyne and his twoo Sonnes led (whom if they had taried, they had bene all discomfited) they hoyst vp sailes, and moued Dares to departe with all speede, contenting them selues with the honour which they had gotten in resisting so many with so smal a power, to the great damage and ruine of their Enemies, and yet loosing a very few of their owne party: neither any vessell, but that wherein was the knight of the Dragon, who whiles hys men prepared them selues to gayne the North, kepte Mar­ton plaie still: to whom (seeyng then readie to departe) hee gaue suche ablowe with his Sworde on the head, that hee made hym fall on his knees, so astonished, that he knew not where he was: and then taking a little Boate, whiche was swiftlie furnished with Sailes and Mariners, hee retyred with the rest of his Armie awaie from his aduersaries, lea­uyng them agreeued at this encountrie: who not knowyng how to be reuenged, set fire on that great shippe, whom hee had lefte them. For as it was better, they thought it good rather to retyre with that gottē victory, then with daunger to attend the comyng of the rest of the Army, to their great ouerthrowe and confusion: a thyng rather to be reputed ra­shenes of them, then hardines.

Although the Paynims thought verely to haue gotten the honour through their flight. Who taking their voyage towarde greate Brittayne, tooke Porte a while after, at the Cittie of London, where as then laye the good Kynge Floridamant: who with a greate Troupe of his Barons and Lordes wente to welcome those twoo valiaunt Knightes, which so had vsed the Paynims: whom he a farre of knewe (by the ensignes hanged on the Mastes of their shippes) to [Page 92]be the valiaunte Kynge Ferrande of Norwaie, and worthy Grandilaor, his Neuewe, whom not long afore Floridamant had made crowned King of Swethelande, at the discease of Antizilianas Father, whom hee had married, who were come from their kingdomes, sente for by Kynge Florida­mant, in order as is afore saied, to giue hym succour. For you must note, that the Noble kyng of greate Brittaine be­yng certified of the waste and iniurie whiche kyng Bran­dissant had made, in goyng through his Realme, perceiued well that hee went toward his Father the kyng of Corne­wayle, who prepared against hym a mightie Hoaste, to re­uenge the death of his two other Children, whom hee had put to death. And beyng aduertized of the greate force and puissaunce wherewith he came against hym. And doubting hym selfe not able to resiste so greate an Armie had sente Ambassadours on all sides to the kinges his Neighbours, to desire their ayde, and chiefly to these two his Subiectes, who failed not herein to come: And by the waye knowyng that the Paynims were not farre from them, they had par­ted their Armie in twoo, to embushe and assaile theym (as you haue afore heard) to their great ruine and decaie. Who a while after theim, came to take Lande before the Cittie of London: from whence after a long and a sharpe Com­bate, they were expulsed and driuen backe, and so cōstrained to caste Ancour elsewhere, aboute a Myle from the Cittie, where Maugre the Christians they descended: as I meane to shewe you in the firste Chapter of my nexte booke, God willing, with the rest of their Battels and discomfitures.

But as now you must accorde to graunt mee some reste, to the ende that with more grace and excellencie I maye recompte it vnto you, then I haue done anie thing hereto­for. For my Head now is amazed, my Penne worne, and my Hande so benomnie,

That if I haue not now some rest:

I neuer can at chiue the rest.

The. xx. Chapter.

NOw (my noble Lordes, and fauou­rable Dames) since that my spiri­tes haue reposed them selues, and the instrumentes of my speach are recreated, euen as of your fauors ye haue deigned, I entende in pro­secutyng my purpose, to recounte vnto you the residue, as yet vnre­hearsed, wherevnto I craue your attentiue eares: For so muche as I am assured, that in the rehearsall thereof, your mindes shall receiue singular con­tentation, euen as my studies are bent to guide you into the possession of suche passyng delightes, as ensue. Mention was partly made afore, howe after that the Pagans: who at their firste landyng would haue entered, and harboured their Nauie directly against the City of London, by the va­lour of the Kynges Floridamant, Ferrand of Norway, and Grandilaor the hardie, and by the courage of the valiaunte Knightes resiant and soiournyng there, no lesse manfullie, [Page 93]then bloudily beaten backe: bloudily I saye, for that with greate slaughter and occision of their people, they were en­forced to take landing at an other place difficult and vnto­warde inough, liyng more then a Myle distaunte from the Citie: where immediatly vppon their ariuall, without anie stoppe or impedimente (because the Inhabitauntes of the Citie perceiued theim selues not of sufficient force to pur­sue or assaile theim any further) they descended from their Vesselles, and went a Lande, with a greate noyse and Tin­tinare of Trompets, Shalmes, Drommes, Fifes, and other like melodious Instrumentes of Warre: at sounde wherof, the Pagans that first tooke Lande, did nought els but daunce and triumphe iolily, whiche brauerie of theirs endured but for a shorte season. For presently after that the kynges Grandowin, Angrafolt, Brandissant, and the rest with their Souldiers and all their traine, whom they had con­ducted to assaulte the Citie of London (whiche they imagi­ned to take within three or fower daies at the moste) were descended from their Shippes, they marched on: meanyng to encampe in a faire and verie wide plaine, which as then was situate not farre from the Citie. In the middest wher­of, a manne mought haue seen the stately and magnificente Pauilions of the mightie Heathenishe Kynges, and the o­thers, whiche resembled an high Groue, enuironed with a multitude of lopte Trees, among whiche there was erected one, farre surmountyng all the reste in length and breadth, whiche serued the vse of these kynges, in steede of an huige Halle, to consulte and deliberate, touchyng their affaires: the same as a sumptuous and braue Castle with Towers, was hemde in with Pauilions of the Kynges Angrafolt, and Brandissant, on bothe sides: wherevnto did closely ad­ioyne on the one parte, to the lodgyng of Brandissant, the Pauilions of kyng Salazard, Zorlot, Cambarel, and Phago­trof: on the other appeared the lodgynges richely besene, of the puissaunt Tauladas kyng of Canada, and Guitarde lorde [Page]of the Ile of Baccaleos, together with those of the old kyng Grandowin, Barant, and Marton the strong of Cantabrie. All whiche on the morrowe, as sone as their whole traine and furniture, were sette in order, failed not to assemble theim selues in the greate Pauilion, to take deliberation and ad­uise, what were beste to bee doen, where vnto all the princi­pall knightes, that is to saie, Dukes, Erles, and Barons were called, of whom there was a greate number. The old kyng Grandowin, for that by occasion of hym the assemblie was made, sittyng on the highest Seate of all, whiche was verie sumptuouslie prepared and adorned, hauyng his twoo Sonnes Angrafolt on the right, and Brandissant on the left hande, and all the other kynges, with Lordes of greate po­wer, stoute and braue knightes, aboue sixe hundred, begann to speake vnto them in this maner.

‘Moste mightie, and excellente Kynges, Princes, Du­kes, Erles, Barons, and knightes, if the greeuous sorowe, and extreeme heauinesse, wherewith, through the remem­braunce of the losse and death of my twoo Sonnes, my hart is burdened and tormēted, had stirred vp my courage alone, with an inflamed desire to take suche straunge and dreadful vengeaunce as vnneth hath been heard of, vpon the murde­rer of theim, and of the chief parte of my lignage: certes I would haue had no slender regard, as one lothe to seme im­portunate vpō your Maiesties, excellencies, & honours, in requiryng your aides, and succours in this enterprise: well weighyng that my merite to you wardes, is of no suche cō ­sequence, that of so many mightie Lordes, as in this assem­blie are presente, to offer and aduenture their gooddes and liues, vpon the hazarde of Fortune, and of death also, should emploie theim selues in this attempte for my sake: seeyng that for the accomplishment of the same, I my self am of po­wer sufficience, with the aide of these my twoo sonnes, who are no lesse bounde to take vehemente indignation, at the shedyng of their blood and myne, then myne owne self. But [Page 94]sith the case so standes, that the deuotion of the Goddes, and the desire to augmente our Lawe and Religion, ought to embolden and inspire our courages, with an vnaccustomed valiauncie, and prouoke our stomackes with bloudie rage, not onely to bryng to vtter ruine, the moste traiterous and mischeuous Tiraunte, that euer did weare Croune, hym I meane of Greate Britaine, but also wholie to extermine and roote out this cursed ofspryng of Christians, who in comparison of vs, that hold in subiection, Asia, Afrique, and the greater parte of Europe, are but an handfull: and yet if wee suffer theim to reigne in peace, thei maie receiue suche encrease, that (as it happeneth not seldome, the lesser au­gmente, and the greater decrease) in conclusion thei maye dispossesse, and depriue vs of our Countries, and Domini­ons▪ the Inhabitauntes whereof, to the greate dishonour of our God Mahomet, thei will infecte with the contagion of their false belief, to our singuler dammage, and confusion of our Successours For whiche cause, perceiuyng that the destruction of this accursed kyng Floridamant of Greate Britaigne, who is one of their proppes and pillers of their Faithe, is an acte in myne opinion, verie necessarie for me to atchieue, it semes also to bee a verie good and easie ente­raunce, by meanes of your assistaunce, into the residue of our exploites remainyng behinde, that is by our prowesse, to deface and abolishe the vniuersall race, and cable of Christians: whose wealth and Seignories, wee maie afterwar­des diuide emong our selues, as in our Iudgementes shall seme reasonable. Behold, ye noble wightes, the chief occa­sion that hath moued me to assemble so many powers at one instaunt, borrowing also your aides, the whiche as I thinke should encourage you muche more, chen if the enterprise were onely attempted in my behalfe: consideryng that it cō ­cerneth and toucheth you well nigh, so muche as my self. Wherefore, this is myne aduise, that wee prosecute earne­stly our enterprise vndertaken, and begonne: since that wee [Page]are here readie to put the same in execution, doe plie the I­ron whiles it is hotte, and that without delaie, if you iudge it beste to enter forcibly, or by other practizes into the citee, whiche in respecte of the goodly buildynges and monumē ­tes therof, we will neither burne nor raze, but it shall suffise that we onely put to the edge of the Sworde all the people, whiche wee shall finde within the same, as well the small, as greate, bothe Women and Children, murderyng and stayng theim in suche sorte, that there shall not reste one to carry tidynges: and to hym that can take the kyng Florida­mant aliue, and hym deliuer into our handes to bee doen to vile and ignominious death, wee promise to giue in lieu of his deserte twoo thousande Talentes, and so to aduaunce his estate, that he maye accompte hymself a fortunate per­sone: but the Dames and Gentlewomen, suche as are en­dowed with singuler beautie shall bée saued, to serue for our share, and to bee disposed after our likyng.’

Immediatelie after this Saracen had belched out these woordes out of his malicious mouthe, and stinkyng sto­macke, all the other Pagan kynges saied with one voice, that he had spoken passyng well, and that it behoued hym to deliberate foorthwith, to whiche of theim the charge of scalyng the walles, and entryng the Citee should bee com­mitted: with whom should an hundred thousande footemen accompaignie, to make shorte woorke in the assaulte, and to open the gates the soner, that the kynges and knightes re­mainyng without the walles, might enter at their ease without resistaunce. And after the matter was throughlie ranuased emong theim, the puissaunt kyng Guitard of Bac­caleos was appointed to vndertake the charge. Whereat Angrafolt was greatly aggrieued, because he especially de­sired to haue beene the firste, that should haue entered the Citie, to the intente he mought violate, and deflower the faire Ladie Polydamie: of whose beautie (albeeit she had not attained to the age of fourtie yeres) he had heard suche ex­ceedyng [Page 95]commendations, that her matche was neuer seen in any Heathenishe laude. And as the valiaunte kyng Gui­tard was in preparyng, and orderyng the armie vnder his conducte, for the accomplishing of his infortunate attempt, he spake these woordes in effecte, to the Painime kynges. who had chosen Guitard for the takyng of the Citie:

‘My Lordes (ꝙ he) for so much as kyng Guitard, of whose prowesse and bountie I doubte not, may not without great labour and trauaile, atchieue the mightie charge giuen to hym, because that (as I beleue there is none of you thereof ignoraunte) thei with whom wee haue to deale (I meane these knightes of Greate Britaigne, with whom this Ci­tie in great nūber is furnished, as you mought vnderstand, when of late we purposed to haue taken lande) are suche, as there are very fewe knightes in the worlde, of greater pro­wesse and valiauncie then thei are: it therefore semeth vnto me (submittyng alwaies my self to better counsaill) that as well for the supportation of the saied Lorde of Baccaleos, as also for the speedie dispatche of that wee haue consulted vpon, wee ought to electe some other emongest vs to assiste him: and if you thinke good that my self be he, the charge I will vndertake with a good will, and the reason that mo­neth mée to be so desirous to deale therein, I wil tell you in brief.’

‘This night passed, as I soundly slept, mée thought. I was entered into the Cittie, and made great chere and feastyng with king Floridamant, and the twelue couragious knigh­tes of his house: dreamyng (as me seemed) that you pressed into the, Hall and then as many as could, leapte out at the Windowes: the residue were by you cut in peeces, wherup­pon I awaked: This Dreame animateth mee, and hath caused me to conceiue a strong imagination, that y^e euentes shall so fall out: notwithstanding there be some which saie, that dreames are but illusiōs & mockeries. For it hath bene in my hearyng oftentymes affirmed, that greate Princes [Page]haue dreamed of thinges that afterwarde haue happened: but the Dreames of meane people are nought els but va­nities, because our Goddes passe not greatly for them, nei­ther doe reueale to them the foreshewinges of chaunces to come: but the apparitions that great Kinges do conceiue, are of an other sorte, & I am assured that not w^tout some ve­hement foretelling of that which shal fortune, the God Ma­hometh, hath made me dreame of these matters.’ The other Kinges perceiuyng by the tale of the cruell Angrofolt, how greatly he coueted and longed to fight, graunced to his de­maunde without deniall, howbeit the mightie Kyng Tau­ladas of Canadas was somewhat discontented thereat, mis­trusting in his conceipt, that one of those twoo sterne war­riers would without peraduenture, dispatche Kyng Flori­damant of his life, wheras he hymself vpon no other occasi­on, then how he might haue trial of the renoumed prowesse of the saied King, did so soone intermedle in the same war: but for that he néeded not to haue taken thought: for in dea­ling with king Floridamant, both he and his complices also were like to haue their handes full.

While the affaires amonge the Pagans stoode in these termes, there entered secretly into their Campe a Spie, whom Kyng Floridamant had purposely sent to marke and learne all the dryftes and pollicies of the enemies: hee be­ing disguised, like a Pioner, so handled the matter, by mea­nes of his skilfulnes in all Sarazin languages, that he vn­derstoode the whole summe of their doings afore declared: whereuppon hee retourned into the Cittie vnperceiued of any, makyng report thereof, to the noble Floridamant, and other the kinges and knightes of his Court: who without vttering any signe of doubte, whiche neuerthelesse thei had closely conceiued in their mindes, knowing the forces and powers of their enemies to be so greate: but rather demea­ning their coūtinaunces correspondēt to their haulty hear­tes, shewed themselues to their Souldiers, whom they had [Page 96]mustered out of al partes, both within the City & without: And with a sufficient number of them, marched with al ex­pedition towards those partes of the walles, whiche sustai­ned the fearcest assaulte of their enemies: who by the helpe of infinite corded Ladders, wherewith the cranies of the Walles were on euerye side pestered, hauyng entered into the Cittie in greate multitudes, beganne alreadie to kill & slaye all that came in their waye, without anye resistaunce, vntill the commyng of the valiaunte Prince Floridamant, beyng accompanied with the kinges Ferrand of Norwaie, Grandilaor of Swethelande, and Murcibell of Denmarke, who then was freshly ariued, to the succour of his Lorde, with a good number of hardie knightes, and men of Ar­mes. All whiche well mounted, marched together in one Troupe againste the enemie, garded on the one side with Duke Candior of Normandie, and his Sonne Don Siluan, Earle of Flaunders, who was a verie young knight, but well estéemed for Feates of Armes. On the other side were the l [...]stie Acciall of Surrey, Syr Hewald, the couragious knight Melchior of Irelande, Ramelin, Druic, and Fran­gard Earle of Durford, who confrontyng this outragious multitude of Sarazins, murderyng the Christians with­out mercie, charged those Butcherly Dogges, voyde of all humanitie, with suche furie, that at that firste encounter, happenyng within a broad place far within the Citie, you mought haue seene the Members, as the Armes, Legges, Heades, and breast partes of the Pagans, flye thicke in the ayre like Flies in the Sunne shine: whiche these valiaunte Knightes dismembred in suche wise, that those Rakehelles that had begonne to make their Brauadoes along the City, were neuer so astonied in their liues: so that feelyng their ouerlong tariaunce, to tourne to their hinderaunce, and seeyng their vnablenes to make anye further resistaunce, they were constrained to retourne the waie they had passed before, and yet they could not behaue them selues so well in [Page]the retyryng, but that three thousand fell doune starke dead in the place. Whereof the kyng of Baccaleos, (as hee stoode on the walles encouragyng his men to clyme vp apace, be­yng aduertized,) descended from thence, and came inconti­neutly with a trustie bande of his stoutest knightes, among whom there was one braue Sarazin, of mightie strength, named Micophron, that was his Cousin. As soone as he ap­prooched néere the place, and sawe what hauocke the Chri­stians made of the Pagans, hee was almost mad with rage and spite, to see his people so disordred and slaine: whom he met sléeing, being chased by the knightes aboue named: and with maine force entered into the Croude on foote as hee was, being followed of his people: who viewyng his man­hoode, tooke heart agrace, laying about them with all their might, in suche wise, that if God had not taken compassion vpon the poore Christians, there had not one escaped that day: for he encountered nothing in that place, whiche hee did not hewe in peeces: next vnto hym the fierce Sarazin Micophron made such a terrible slaughter and spoyle of the poore Christians, that none there were, that durst withstand hym, for feare lest they should be sente to their long homes. And assuredly they had ouercome the whole Cittie, if that the renoumed kynge Floridamant, the valiaunt Ferrande of Norway and Don Murcibel of Denmarke, (whose strength by Gods diuine power, I beleue was then redoubled) had not in tyme hasted to the succour of their people. But these noble Princes beholdyng this miserable spectacle, vsed wonderfull diligence and celeritie, and bare them selues so valiauntly, that king Floridamant coaping with the king of Baccaleos, Don Ferrand with Mycophron the strong, and Murcibell among the other Pagans, smytyng before and behinde, and on both sides, compelled them after an harde and sharpe conflict, to tourne their backes, and shewe their heeles. For kyng Floridamant surprised with furie, and chafed in fightyng, raught kyng Guitard with all his force, [Page 97]suche a violent stroake, that he made his Helmet flee of his head, and had slaine him without doubt, if his people had not the more speedely succoured hym: but perceiuing his head vnarmed, hee retyred hastely to the place from whence hee came, hauyng receiued no other hurte but, that, by the vio­lence of the blowe, his eyes so sparkeled, that for a quarter of an hower after, he could see verie little at all: and it is to be cōiectured, that had it not bene for y^e goodnes of his Ar­mour, being that, which Achilles did weare, at the bataile of Troy, when he slewe the valiaunt Hector, doubtles he had not bene left aliue: howbeit he was afterward much vexed, yea & ready to runne out of his wittes, for that parte of the Armour whiche he had loste, hauyng wonne them from the strong Bagellan, king of Ithaca, by Combate enduring thrée daies continually: whiche Bagellan receiued them from his Auncestour Ʋlysses, who after the death of Achilles, was made owner of them.

But now to goe forward in the recitall of the rest of this hideous hurlie burlie, betwene the Painims and the Chri­stians: you shall vnderstande, that after kyng Guitard with the losse of his armour, was so escaped out of the tumulte, mightie Mycophron his cousin, whom he had left behinde in the Briers, with muche adoe and difficultie, sustained the brunte of his enemies, beyng welnigh ouercome by the as­sailers of hym: for he was so roughly charged and pursued, by the three Christian kynges, that notwithstandyng his manfull and couragious defence, hee was taken Prisoner. For he had once before brought kyng Ferrand of Norwaie, to so harde an exigent, for all his excellent prowesse, that he had not long endured against hym, had not the kynges, Flo­ridamant and Murcibell afforded their aides: who chargyng the Pagans as aforesaid, forced hym to yelde himself priso­ner, & in respect of his valiauncie, slewe hym as they did his people, who were entered into y^e citee: of whō he made suche hauocke, that not one remained vnslaine, to cary newes of [Page]the defeatyng of his fellowe souldiours.

Thus you maie perceiue how noblie the three Christi­an Kynges in those partes behaued them selues, from mid­daie, till the Sunne was welnigh sette: It remaineth that we make rehearsal, what was done on the other side against cruell Angrofolt and those monstrous Giantes, Brisard and Rogemont, by the residue of the twelue valiaunte knightes of Greate Britaigne: who beeyng in other quarters of the Citee, and hearyng the noise and Alarme of their enemies, who had made enteraunce in greate multitudes, vnder con­ducte of the same Angrofolt, accompanied with these twoo Giauntes, marched on in marueilous haste thetherwarde, beeyng assisted by the more parte of the garrisons of the citee, with suche diligence and dexteritie, that the Pagans being not farre entered into the Citie, were by them cōpel­led to recuyle vnto the very walles, not without great losse and slaughter. How as the Giauntes were entered with Angrofolt their Lorde, be seeyng the resistaunce that they of the Citee made, commaunded these twoo Butcherlie Giauntes to succour their menne: hym self onely takyng ware to the kinges Pallace, to seaze vpon his desired praie: beyng the Lady Polydamie, who as then kepte her self with­in her Chamber, lamentyng and weepyng, with noble Queene Belizenne her Mother, who made pitifull moane, meenyng her totall ruine to be at hand. Now as that cruell Tiraunt of Corsica approched nere the Pallace, to his mis­aduenture, he was breasted by the kynges Floridamant, Fer­rand, and Murcibell: who hauyng happely dispatched them selues of Guitard, bastened to other quarters of the Citee, where thei knewe the Painims were entered. For he was no soner espied, but he was presently charged verie rudely, by these three valiant Christian Champ [...]ons with dinte of Sworde: whiche although he receiued with greate assu­raunce, yet the matche vnegally made, he could not endure long, but was compelled to tourue his backe, fliyng towar­des [Page 98]the place where his menne fought: but beeyng agaste with the violence of the strokes he had sustained in the en­counter, he missed of the right waie. Foorthwith kyng Flo­ridamant meanyng to pursue hym, and to fighte with hym hande to hand, commaunded the kynges Ferrand, and Mur­cibell, to haste theim to the aide of his knightes, and in the pursuite of the Pagan (as one that was more nimble and actiue) demeaned hym self so well, that in a narrowe Lane, where the other rested to breath hymself, he ouertooke him: who seeyng none other to followe saue the kyng, reioysed greately, and takyng his Sworde in his hande, and his Shield on his arme, attended, vaunting on foote to receiue the onsett, howbeit to his no small preiudice. For the kyng closely bucklyng with hym, assailed hym with suche force and violence, that had not his Enchaunted Armes serued hym at that pinch, he should haue been soone dispatched, but by the helpe of theim, he continued the fight more then an hower and an halfe, wherein suche manhoode was shewed by the assailant and defendant, that it was harde to discerne who had the better or worse, till at laste twoo howers after the Battaile begonne drawyng on, the Pagan because of his feeblenesse and fainenesse, beeyng vnable to endure any longer, fell doune in a soune on the Earth: the Kyng part­ly taking the aduauntage, although hee was weried in the Combate, set his foote vpon his breast, and hauyng taken of his Helmet, entended to haue slaine hym, when the other who had recouered hym selfe, cried: ‘O Noble Kyng, for Gods sake spare my life, and at this instaunt extende I be­séeche you, that exceedyng mercie and clemencie, where­with I haue hearde you alwaies renoumed: since that by my death you shall not purchase so greate honour, hauyng now no meanes to defende my selfe.’ The king the mirrour of courtesie & pitie, shewed himself towards this cruell Ty­raunt so mercifull, that hee did hym no other harme, saue onely made hym his Prisoner, wherewith the Pagan was [Page]partly comforted. The chief conductor of the Pagans, ha­uyng rendered hymselfe vanquished, was by Kyng Florida­mant brought vnarmed, to the place where the Christians and Heathen people fiercely fought: so that they issue to what side the victorie was more likely to encline, seemed vncertaine and doubtfull: when as kyng Floridamant, who made more accompt of the life of his men, then of the death of a thousand of his foes, on the one side, and Angrafolt his Prisoner on the other side, caused theym to surceasse. The force of the Heathenishe rested principally in Brizard and Rogemont the Giauntes, who made greate spoyle and ha­uocke among the Christians, and had taken vp and caried awaie vnder their Armes (as though they had beene Chi­kens or Capons) fower of the couragious Knightes of great Britaine, to witte Don Acciall of Surrey, & Ramelin of the Ile of Wight by Brisard, Melchior of Irelande and the Earle of Durford, by the fell Rogement: who notwith­standyng were rendered, and the Pagans chieftaines com­pelled to retyre with those fewe that remained on liue: for of fiftie thousande Pagans that by scalyng the walles, had entered: scarse twentie thousande were left one liue: and of Christians aboute fifteene thousande were founde dead, as well of Women and Children, as of men of base condition, that with Weapons, Stones, and suche like, ranne vppon their enemies. Howbeit no knight of name was slaine, sa­uing the valiant Heroald, who was found among the presse almost smothered, and the young Don Siluan of Flaunders, who had all that daie fought against the cruell Giaunt Ro­gemont, and by a wounde whiche he receiued in his Arme, lost so muche bloud, that if he had not been helped in tyme, he had beene in daunger to be lost: but as it fortuned, hee suffered no other hurte, saue the paine of his wound, which shortly after was cured, as we finde in the auncient Com­mentaries of Gallarx the Historiographer: who for that he surceaseth to entreate any further, touchyng these affaires [Page 99]betweene the Pagans and Britaines, we also will leaue of, for a certain tyme, and tourne our talke to the most deligh­teful and straunge aduentures of the Youth of the Fairies: shewyng you onely by the way, that the Pagans hauing re­tired themselues for certaine daies: king Floridamant gaue his Prisoners Angrafolt and Mycophron very sumptuous entertainement, accordyng as he afore had dreamed.

The. xxi. Chapter.

THe continuall vnrest, and perplexitie, enwrappyng their heartes, whom the blinde Archer hath atteinted with his enuenomed shaftes, not only depriueth them of the sēsible tast & release of most daintie Viandes, tournyng their swee­tenesse into bitternesse, that it is impos­sible for theim to receiue sufficient for the nourishmente of their bodies, and conseruation of their health, seeyng them­selues for the most parte led with fonde conceiptes & vayne imaginations of the beauty of such as in their mindes thei make their Idolls: but also occupiyng their heades in con­templation of those phantasies, seldome can they take any reste: as by the example of the Youthe of the Fairies eui­dentlie appeareth. Who duryng the tyme that the affaires of greate Britayne continued in the state afore mentioned in Gréece, spated no payne nor trauaile, to the intente hee [Page]mought attaine to the estimation and renoume of a worthy & valiaunt knight: the better to purchase the good grace & fauour of his new Dame, whose excellencie in all respectes had so rauished his sences, that in the Inne where we lefte hym last, he could neither take repast nor repose. Wherfore assone as the obscuritie of the night beganne to dyminishe, seeyng neither his minde nor body by concourse of his pas­sionate pangues and amourous cogitations, no disposed to quietnes, he leapeth out of bed, notwithstādyng the mor­ning was very cloudie & darke: when as his Esquier, who steapte, not knowyng with what conceipt his maister was tickeled, likewise left his bed, and makyng hymselfe readie, fayled not forthwith to haste vnto the stable, there to saddle and bridle his Horse, and to prepare all other thinges re­quisite for his Maister when he should take Horse: dispat­chyng the same with suche diligence, that nothyng lacked when his Maister beyng armed came. Who accompanied with his Hoste, departed with all speede, to ouertake the person whiche he sought for: trauailyng so fast, that before the dawnyng of the daie, they arriued at Byzaunce. Where takyng leaue of his Hoast, whom he satisfied to his conten­tation, he embarked hym selfe in a Shippe well furnished, whom he founde prest to make voyage towardes Fraunce: for that hee hauyng enquired of the vnknowen knight, the Maister of the shippe had tolde hym, that the Euenyng be­fore the same knight had taken Shippe in a Barcke, of a Companion of his, that sailed thetherwarde: whereof hee was not a little ioyfull, commaundyng the Sea man with all expedition, to hoise vp the Sailes and away: so that thei passed along the meane Seas, the space of twoo daies and a night: at the expiration whereof the Sailer in the mor­ning, perceiuing the sunne to appeare redde of coulour, and the windes to blowe blusteryngly, alteryng the calmenes of the weather, and stilnes of the waues, into a troublesome and tempestuous rage, would haue declined out of the de­termined [Page 100]course, and bente his shippe towardes a little I­lande, lying far distaunt from the ready way into Fraunce. The Youth of the Fairies suspectyng no lesse, gaue hym in charge both earnestly & halfe displeasauntly, that he should saile directly on. For (quoth he) fall backe, fall edge, no hap so hard, no, nor feare of death, during the safety of this Ves­sell, shall inforce mee to chaunge my purpose. The discrete Sailer knowyng the will of the Knight to bee constantlie settled to abyde the vttermoste that the wrathfull Skies mought threaten, or frowarde fortune procure, as one con­tented to suffer pacientlie whatsoeuer distresse it woulde please the almightie to throwe hym in, would not gainesay hym: for the small experience whiche so short time could af­ford him of his worthines, boūty, & comely qualities, wher­with the Youth was adorned, had perswaded hym so to de­dicate his mynde to please and serue hym, that he woulde in no wise withstande his commaundement: howbeit, because he saw the imminent ieoperdie of their liues nowe approa­ching, for to assaie whether by any persuasions hee mought tourne his opinion, he tolde hym y^t he had perceiued certain vsuall signes, betokenyng alwaies some mischaunce and violent tempest, as the high and sodaine towring of the He­ron: whiche, Syr (saieth hee) maketh mee to mistruste that with no assayling, but with greate daunger of oure ruine, wee maye passe any further. Moreouer the continuall lea­ping of the Dolphins aboue water, which I espie, abasheth & warneth mée to auoyde the perillous outrage of y^e winds and weather. Wherefore I thinke it verie expedient, that we soiourne in some surer harbour for a season, waiting for the appeasing of the Seas and ceassing of the Tempest: for so muche as the same beeyng asswaged, wee way dispatche further in a day, thē we may duryng this rage in a moneth: for in doing of such thinges, as you know, we must tary the oportunitie of y^e season. Notwithstāding, sith your pleasure is, that wee shall saile on, I will not disobay your will, albe­it [Page]we shall neuer (if I be not deceiued) accomplish the same without some lamentable accident: aduertising you, that if God extende not his mercy to your succour, the ende of our dayes is at hande. Howbeit, for all these wordes and many a teare besides, whiche fell from the good Seamans eyes, who trembled for feare, seeyng the Waues like mightie Mountaines, offeryng to ouerwhelme them, and the Seas readie to swallow vp their vessell, yet would not the Youth relēt, nor was any whit abashed, saiyng that either aliue or dead, he would passe further. In y^e meane while the maister of the shippe tourned the Sailes towardes the Region of Fraunce: wherevppon the chief winde with suche violence rushed against y^e maine Maste, that it had like to haue ouer­throwen the Vessell: but partly by the timely ceasing of the boysterous blaste, partly by the incredible strength of the Youth of the Fairies: who embrasing it in his Armes, held it with all his might, from leaning towardes the Seas, the shippe and all was recouered. Notwithstandyng the Tem­pest surceased not, but continued so cruell and forcible, that it mought haue been compared to that, wherin the Troian Chieftaine Aeneas, was tourmoyled when y^e wrathful Iuno (incēsed against the remaines of Troy) had requested Aeo­lus, to giue to his most fierce windes the raynes to torment hym. For their vessell was with such outrage tossed to and fro, vppe and doune, and almost vpsidedoune, winde shaken and weather beaten, that when I consider of it, I am forced to stande in admiration, wonderyng howe it could escape so horrible a ieoperdy without shipwracke: for sometymes the Waues like Mountaines lifted theim vp aloste, makyng them thinke that they were in ascending into the Cloudes: againe the shippe fallyng doune betwene the mightie Wa­ues as it were in a déepe valley, made them to dread, lest that Hell were openyng to deuour them vp. So that the Mari­ners and Passengers abandonyng the Tacklinges, began to crie mercie, knowyng no other remedie or rescue from [Page 101]such imminēt daungers sauing praier vnto God, with such an hearte, as they possesse, who are surprised with the like hazard. Neuerthelesse the mercilesse rage of the windes en­creasing, Haile and sharpe showers fell aboundauntly, the Skies were quite ouercast, the Ayre wonderfullie darke­ned, the darkenes berefte the Sailers of all light, excepte it were that whiche proceedyng from the twinklyng eyes of the Whales, and Wherlepooles, or els of flashes of ligh­tening, intermedled among the stormy Raine, and forerun­nung most ghastly and hideous Thunder crackes, and ter­rible Wheriewindes. But yet all these dreadfull acciden­tes had no power to abate the noble courage or daunte the stoute Stomarke of the worthy and valiaunt Youth of the Fairies, stedfastly settled in a firme opinion, that all bitter­nes was sweete, all euill good, and all daunger, disease, and trauaile, to be repose & assured trāquillitie in respect of the vncessant, vnasswaged and remediles paine, which his rest­les minde suffered by vehemencie of his amorous wounde: for albeit hee did see the greate parte of the Mariners, and the residue in the shippe, shifte out of the same, and commit themseues vnto the Shipboate for their safegarde, yet hee not once offered to remoue hymselfe from thence where he was: neither respectyng couerte from the brunt of the tem­pest, nor reiectyng the vnseasonable weather, but accepting either in like parte. Which Tēpest towardes the euening, when the Vessell had all daie runne at randon, without go­uernement, began to cease, and moderate his rage, the im­portunate windes packyng awaie, and giuyng place to the comfortable Beames of Dan Phoebus, who as then guided his horse, wearie of their daies taske towardes Thetis Wa­ues. Now the Youth, who alone staied in the Vessell, with his trustie Esquire, that would not forsake hym in weale or woe, perceiuyng the weather to waxe cleare, gate hym out of a Cabin of the Shippe, where he had remained du­ryng the Tempest, and mounting vppon the Hatches, hee [Page]might espie not farre from his Vessell, the halfe of a ship flotyng, whiche the tempest had torne asunder: within the whiche there was a man almost faintyng, and prest to yelde his bodie to the mercie of the Waters, whose Waues had almost ouerwhelmed hym: yet betwixt sinkyng and swim­myng, he laboured to lengthen his life, without likelihood of recouerie, if an vnhoped hap had not reserued hym from suche distresse, liyng in the maine Seas, depriued of his na­turall forces, and distaunte from Lande any waie twentie Leages: but as hee was in this plight, a gratious gale of wind, did driue the Boord whereon he groueled halfe dead, towardes the Youthes Vessell: who takyng pitifull com­passion, with diligent endeuour laboured to saue hym: spa­ring not to despoyle himselfe, starke naked to leape into the water, and tying a Coarde of the Shippe about his bodie, swamme to the other man, and attainyng vnto hym, threwe hym the ende of the same Corde, whiche he stifly grasped in his nummed handes: this being done, he swamme again to­wardes his ship: drawyng the other after hym with muche adoe: into the which he mounted, & being tyred, lifted vp the other beeyng hardly handeled and moyled in the salte wa­ters: who beyng entered, fell doune in a sounde, vomityng vp the water in great aboundaunce, whiche he had glutted in, at his Nose and Mouth.

Wherupon the Youth of the Fairies séeyng hym so faire and so comely a Personage, and gessing by his coūtenance that he should be of some good house, employed al diligence possible, for the safe garde of his life, & taking him & lifting his feete vpwards, with y^e helpe of his Esquier, made them fast to one of the Cables, and hanging his head downewar­des, he powred out the water into the Sea, whiche remay­ned in his Stomacke: after beeyng recouered from his swone, hee praied the Youth, that hee would vntie hym, for he felt no more paine, whiche he delaied not to doe, with all expedition, beyng so glad, as if he had founde the Treasure [Page 102]of Croesus, or conquered the Romaine Empire, as well for that he longed to vnderstand what he was, as also what for­tune had brought hym into that distresse. Whereof hauyng demaunded, the other that was so enféebled and weried, by turmoyling in the water, that hee could not easely fetche breathe, requested hym instauntly, that he would vouchsafe hym some restyng place out of hand, and that after he were reposed a while, he would recount vnto him his whole case. Then the Youthe knowyng that hee needed the same, and that hee vttered his woordes with muche difficultie, com­maunded his Esquier, that he should leade him to his cham­ber, and laye him in his owne Bed, whervnto he obeyed in­continently: but he was scarse entered, when as the knight seeyng the Armes of the Youthe, and likewise the Speare that laye by his bed side, staied for a certain season, without speaking one worde, (he was surprised with suche astonish­ment): afterward touruyng hym towardes the Esquier, re­garded hym heedefully, and remembred that hee had seene him not long afore: & forthwith called to mind who he was: howheit without makyng semblaunte of any suche thyng, be began tovnaraie hymselfe: and his apparaile (whiles he prepared hymselfe to Bed) the Esquier bare into the open ayre to drie: who failed not to rehearse vnto his Maister, touchyng the countenance and behauour of the man, when as be behelde his Armour. Who beyng therefore more de­sirous then he was afore, to knowe what he was, hyed hym into the Chamber, to common with the Straunger, why­les that the shippe without anie Sterneman did runne at randon: but at the first entrance▪ finding hym fast a sléepe, he would not awake him as then, vntill midnight came: when he had rested hymselfe a long season, the Youth (who in the euening was layde doune by hm, noti disposed to cloase his eyes all that parte of the night, by reason of the vnquietnes of his thoughtes) heard hym speake in his sleepe thus. ‘Ah Madame (saied he) and what will you saye when ye vnder­stande [Page]of the death of your Knight?’ After wallowyng from one side to another, and wauyng his Feete and Handes as though he would haue swimmed, he muttred in his dreame sundry like speeches, and complaintes, whereby the Youth who gaue good eare, perceiued that he was dedicate to the Hestes of the Patronesse of Paphos: therfore both for that bee supposed the man to be troubled in mynde, through the fearefull obiectes whiche were presented to his inwarde sences as hee dreamed, and bicause his longyng to knowe what person hee was, did still augmente, iogging the man harde with his Elbowe till bee was awaked, saied: ‘Ho, ho, Companion! what ayles you? you are further from the wa­ter then you were yesterday, God bee thanked.’ The man in his awakyng geuyng a leape (as it were one halfe agast) was recomforted when he founde hymself in so safe a place: for in his sleepe hee imagined, that hee was yet in the Sea. Wherefore reuokyng to memorie the daungerous hazard from which by the Youthes aide then lying by hym, he was recouered, hee shewed not hymselfe displeased for his late thrustyng of hym, but shrouding hymselfe againe vnder the couerte of the Bedclothes, began to speake to hym on this sorte: ‘Syr Knight (saied hee) if it seemed not offensiue to you, I would instauntly request you, to vouchsafe mee one benefite: assuryng you that I will in any matter concer­nyng you, auoyde the crime of ingratitude, as well in re­spect thereof, as also in that you haue bene the onely refuge and rescue of my liefe, out of those apparant perilles, wher­in (hopelesse) I was enuironed: whiche causeth mee to ac­compte my selfe so muche bounde and beholdyng to your gentlenes, for your vnspeakeable and exceedyng merites, that vnfainedly I doe acknowledge my owne power, farre, vnable to recompence the slenderest parte of those youre so high desertes, yea though I doe aduenture my life in the hazarde of innumerable daungers, for the defence and con­seruation of youres: vowyng furthermore, that you shall re­quire [Page 103]nothyng at my handes, whiche gladly I will not oc­complishe for your sake, not onely bicause you haue recoue­red mee from presente death, but also for that youre linia­mentes and countenaunce alone doe seeme worthy, that so great a Prince as I am, should employe hymselfe for you. Wherfore as you estéeme my wordes true, & my promise to proceede from a faithfull & constaunt heart, I praye you to graunt vnto my first request, which I neuer seemed to deny to any creature liuyng.’ ‘Verily Syr (said the Youth) of the Fairies, you séeme vnto mee so courteous and well spoken, that albeit you were but a meane Knight, and not descen­den from any royall house, as you haue vttered here, yet would I not once offer to conceale any thing whereof ye should demaunde mee: alwaies foreseene, that it resteth in my power to doe: reposing suche confidence in youre good nature and courtesie, that you will not forbeare ne disdaine to shewe the like at myne instaunce, after that I haue so sa­tiffied your desire, whiche I request you not to differre: ge­uyng you my woorde in faith of a knight, that you shall re­quire no thing of mee, which (mine honour reserued) I wil not attempte with my whole might.’

‘I beseech you then (quoth the other) that it would please you to discouer vnto mee who you are, and what Fortune hath forced you, beyng of so young yeres, to wander thus alone amids the Seas, and likewise, where you conquered the Harnesse and faire Speare, whiche yesterdaie at my en­trie into this Chamber I did beholde: wherewith as I be leue, you arme your selfe, when occasion offereth or necessi­tie constraineth so to doe: and the reason which moueth me to be desirous to vnderstand the first of these three thinges, is to the ende, that I may know the person certainely, vnto whom I stande so deepely endebted, that if I may possibly haue a thousande liues to ieoperde in his defence, when neede shall require, they may in noe wise be spared: where­fore I am againe to desire you to disclose the same to mee. [Page]I promise you (saied the Youth) that since it is so, that you haue preuented mee, by demaundyng that whiche els I had enquired of you, I will not gainesaie your demaunde, ha­uyng a sure truste, that you will vse the like courtesie to mee. It remaines therefore, that you knowe, that I was borne in greate Britaine, and beyng very young, was nur­sed and trained vp in the Fairie of the Nimphe Ozyris: it may be that you haue hearde reporte of her, who not long sithence sente me to Constantinople to bee dubbed Knight by the Emperour there, who of his gracious inclination re­fused not to doe it: but misfortune who lay in waite euery­where to surprise mee, wolde: alas (syr Knight) I praie you to holde mee excused, If I vtter no further of my mishappe, saied hee, sighyng déepely, & that in performance of the pro­mise, whiche I haue made vnto you, this shorte declaration may suffice: for if you vnderstande any further of my cala­mities, I doe beleue that you will scarsely refraine youre eyes from Teares, and your hearte from bewailyng of my lamētable case.’ The man (who was more desirous to know where he had recouered those Armes whiche hee had seene the euenyng before in the Chamber, then to heare of anie thyng els) ceassed not verie importunatelie to charge hym with his promise, alledgyng many vehement persuasions, to encourage hym thereto: saiyng (as though he had con­iectured somewhat of the passions of the Youthe, by his ge­sture and maner of pronouncyog) that if the original of his mishap and grief procéeded of loue, in discouering it to him (as without inconuenience he mought assuredly doe, as to his especiall frende) hee should receiue suche comforte as should yelde hym singuler solace, and if it did aryse of any offence namely against him, he promised with al his power to assist hym in the execution of the reuengemente thereof. Wherupon the Youth (the passages of whose voyce by the sourse of his sorowes, were burste open) reuiued at the re­membrrunce of his Dames beautie, rather heauenly then [Page 104]humaine, & discoursed to hym a large processe of the aduen­tures befallyng hym, mentioned afore: not concealing any Iote vntolde: and he had not as yet attained to the ende of his rehearsall, when the dawnyng of the daie bade them to forsake their beds, so that leasure sailed the Youth ere hee could declare where he had recouered the Armour.

But settyng themselues vppon the Puppe of their ship, as obiectes to the glitteryng beames of Dan Phoebus, as hée was addressyng his tongue, to finishe his rehearsall, by fortune they kenned a Vessell that skmimed the Seas with wonderfull swiftnes, wherin as the same approached neere, thei mought espie two knightes armed at al pointes, who flourishing with their naked swerdes in their handes, and their shieldes vppon their Armes, manaced them more and more. Whereof the Youthe, who was vnarmed, at the first blushe abashed, and mistrustyng that they came to en­terprise vppon them at suche aduauntage, descended in all hast to his Chamber, where hauyng taken of his Armour the Shield and Sworde onely: leauyng to his companion, whom he had found in the Sea the rest, to witte, the Corse­let, the headpeece and the Speare, mounted vp vppon the Hatches, where they met with the twoo Archepyrates, who already had to their owne mischief borded their Ship. For the former of them both, beyng confronted by the Youth of the Fairies receiued vppon his Headpeece suche a stroke, that his Head and Bodie was cleaued doune to the Breast, notwithstaddyng the defence he made with his Shield, his Helmet and other his Harnesse, whiche preuented not that fatall blowe: not muche vnlike was the mischaunce of his Copesmate, who by his Speare pearced the bodie so vio­lently, that doune fell he into the water starke dead: at sight whereof the two Knightes stoode a certaine space, as men amazed eache one at the prowesse of the other: but especial­ly, he who had beene preserued from death, beholdyng the Youth of the Fairies, with exceading admiration, to reach [Page]that miserable Rouer (whom he had slaine with wonderfull force) the mightiest stroke y^t euer hee did sée with his eyes: whose Companions but smallie dismaied at the slaughter of their Companions, runnyng out of their Forte in hea­pes, assailed these two worthy Knightes furtously: who re­ceiuyng their charge with greate assuraunce, made suche hauocke, y^t of thirty of them in halfe a quarter of an hower, there remained not past twentie: the halfe of whom beeyng greeuously wounded, they were by fine force compelled to geue ground: parte of whom leapte into the water to saue themselues, the reste that either thought the water ouer colde, or peraduenture vnable to swimme, fledde to their Ship, addressyng their Sailes to retourne thether, from whence thei came: but omittyng the expedition requisite in so vrgent necessitie, they were all hewen in peeces, one ex­cept beeyng reserued, to vtter what people they were. For these two excellent Knightes, whom I may truely terme the most valiaunt & redoubted wightes vnder the Coape of Heauen, as their deedes hereafter, & namely in the seconde and third parte of this Historie doe clearely witnesse, after that they were become Maisters of the shippe, wherein the Pirates had assailed theym, entered therein, meanyng to take Lande with all possible speede, for that the same was furnished with all necessarie thinges, for a Voyage: where­as on the contrarie parte, their other was not, by reason of the violente tempest, and outrage before declared: whiche they did accordingly: where they lighted vppon maruei­lous aduentures, whiche hereafter you may vnderstande.

¶ The. xxij. Chapiter.

AS the varietie of matters heretofore handled, haue yelded occasion to you my Lordes and Dames, of no slender solace & recreatiō, so I doubt not but that the residue of this woorke which hereafter shall be set to open vewe, cōcerning this Historie, wil suspend your intētiue min­des, with the expectation of rarer delightes, & delightfuller discourses: and by performance of that which is pretended, satisfie youre conceites, with surplusage of pleasaunte in­uentions. And now to prosecute our purpose, vnderstande ye, that assone as the Youth of the Fairies had left his ship, which wandred upon the Sea, without any gouernement, and was entred into that whiche bee had conguered of the Pirates, who had attempted to assaile him, to their damage and vtter confusion, with the aide of the man, whose life he had deliuered from the daunger of death, obiectyng hym­selfe to perilous hazardes for the others safegarde: for the selfe same person was he, whom he sought for, to the ende that hee might reuenge the supposed death of his faithfull frende Pharisor, whom he thought to haue beene slaine by hym: beyng I saie sailyng vpon the Sea in his verie com­pany, and makyng great speede to ouertake hym, who was no other where but in that Sippe, both to knowe if the Ro­uer whom he had taken, could tell any tidinges of hym, and also to vnderstande who were those Sea Robbers, whom he had slaine, hee did the meane while commaunde that the [Page]same Pirate should bee brought vnto his presence: and ha­uyng questioned with hym concernyng those newes, and shewed the cognisaunces which the knight (whom he pur­sued) bare in his armes, in the hearyng of the same knight, wherat he stoode muche amazed and astonished, perceiuing that he enquired for hym, the Pirate spake and aunswered in this wise:

‘My Lorde (saide he) as touchyng the Knight of whom you spake, I am to certifie you, that we haue neuer vnder­stoode any newes: true it is, that yesterdaie in the euenyng, when the Tempest that troubled the Seas, was aswaged, as we were rouyng from one Coaste to another, searching some praie to enriche vs, as we were accustomed to doe, by commaundement of the strong Giant Squamel, our Maister who is brother to the moste mightie and puisaunt Knight Nabot, of whom there is no doubt, but you haue heard nota­ble report (forasmuche as he is the most redoubted Knight formartial prowesse, liuing at this day vnder the Sunne) we by chaunce encountred vpon the border of the faire Ile, whiche lyes not farre hence, belongyng to the saied mar­ueilous Giaunt, a Shippe, whiche the surges of the Sea had cast to wardes shore, beeyng rent and wracked in many places. Within the whiche we hearde a greate tramplyng and noyse made by a horse, the gallauntste and goodlyest I beleue in the whole world: who with his heeles bounced a­gainst the boordes of the ship: whom we drewe for the, and sent hym by one of our people that did leade hym by the bri­dle (for ride hym he durst not) to our Lorde Squamel, with an Harnesse, and Sword so braue, as possibly might bee, whiche we founde there also: and in the Shippe (wherof I will tell you) were the cognisaunces whiche you haue de­scribed: and I thinke that the Harnesse appertained to the Knight for whom you seeke: whom (notwithstandyng) we sawe not, nor knowe where he is become, except he bee a­mong an infinite number of drowned bodies that be on the [Page 106]shore. In as muche as you demaund what we are, it séemeth vnto mee, that by the declaration I haue made you (beyng a sage and wise Knight, as doth appeare) you may gather that you require, without any longer processe. But tell mee (saied the Youth) what were those two braue felowes who firste enterprised to boorde our shippe:’

‘The Rouer then aunswered thus: my Lorde, (quoth he) the man whom you slewe, was our Capitaine, and named Falsant, not so muche for that he was the moste doughtie of our Maisters Subiectes, as for a consideration whiche I will recounte vnto you, if it like you to geue mee the hea­ryng. Speake on (saied the Youth) and we will giue atten­tiue eare to thy tale, since we haue no other thing to passe a­way the tyme with all. Firste then my Lorde, before I par­ticipate vnto you that whiche I haue promised, I will re­cite (so that it stand with your contentment) the pedigrewe of the Giaunt Squamell my Maister, because it importeth muche in that matter. Knowe ye therefore, that the meruei­lous shee Giaunt Horfelle (who was of the progenie of the Triple headed Giant Gerion, Sonne of Chrysaore, who was slaine by Hercules, after the decease of his predecessour Fer­ramond, who had bene Kyng of Maiorica and Minorica, and of Erbusa in Spaine,) beyng in her young yeres, of such dex­teritie & might in feates of armes, that no man in her tyme was found, that could withstande her force, had not yet ex­ceeded the age of xvij. or xviij. yeres, but that shee sup­posing her selfe of streingth sufficiently, to abide all paine and trauaile whatsoeuer should befall, one day among the rest, without taking leaue either of Ferramond her Syre, or Garrande her Mother, departed secretly out of the countrey armed with an vnknowen Armour. Afterwardes hauyng scoured the Seas a long season, visityng all the Iles and Regions whiche she mought discouer, where shee lefte be­hinde her triumphant tokens of the victorious conqueste, whiche she had gained, and of the wonderfull aduentures at­chiued [Page]by her, as many a tyme I haue hearde reported by theym that were liuyng) whereof a fewe remaine as yet, did so muche by her déedes and worthines, that she as Con­queresse entred the Indies. Where vnderstanding by bruite of people, the famous renoume of a kyng of Gedrosia de­scended from the lyne of Kyng Porus, that was vanqui­shed by Alexander the Greate, and in knightly prowesse far surmountyng the chiefest knight of those daies, passed thervpon into the saied Realme of Gedrosia which is boun­ded with the Riuer Indus, from whence the greater parte of the Regions of the Caste, doe take their name. Where (to be briefe) after a long and sharpe conflict, she ouercame the same kyng, who was called Corlorant, and subdued and brought vnder her obedience, not onely the Realme of Gedrosia, but also iourneyng to Ganges the Riuer, and the desertes of Camul triumphed of the victorie whiche she ob­tained against the great Cham of Cathay, in the fardest par­tes of all the Cast, enthronizyng her self in y^e seate royal of Orientall Scythia, which otherwise is tearmed Tartaria, ad­ioynyng to the countrey of Bactria neere vnto Parthia. But not contented therewith, whether it be for that as you knowe, the more that some persons abounde in riches, the greedilier they couet worldly wealth, or for that she desired to extende the fleight of her renowne further, and yelde a Testimonie of her hautie and inuincible prowesse, to the vnknowen partes of the worlde, she trauailed so farre, that shee attained to the extreme Confines of Africa: where malicious fortune spityng at her fame, plaide here a tricke of her waueringnes and incōstancie. Now therefore as sone as this valiaunt Virago and vauqueresse Horfelle, was re­ceiued into the Region of Spithanne, she wondred greatly to see the inhabitauntes thereof so little, that sixe of the tallest that there could be found, being set one vpon another, could scarse reache vnto her waste: howbeit that hindred not the blinde Pigmey Cupide, to assaulte her more vehemently, then [Page 107]any her enemies in Gedrosia. Tartaria, Parthia, or any other parte whiche she had beene in: who for to surprize her, and to giue her to vnderstande, that he was more mightie then she, for all her pride and iolitie, although before tyme there was none that could daunt her courage, pursued her beyng furnished with his Shaftes, Bowe, and flamyng brandes into that countrie, where by his subtile sleightes he woun­ded her in one of the soundest partes of her entrayles, after an other sorte, then she was wounded in the combat, which she had with the hardy Corlorāt. For she was enamoured on the king of that countrie, in such sort, that she could neither rest by night, nor employe her mynde by day on other affai­res: sauing in the féeding of her affections with those cease­lesse conceiptes: albeit that this petite Prince was not past thre cubites in height, & had to name Nabrō: at which thing Syr, those that haue not tasted the experience of loue, hea­ryng, haue beene greatly astonished: as at a thyng impossi­ble: but if they weigh well, that this pretie Archer hauyng his eyes ouercaste with a blacke Cipresse bande, and his eyesight bedewde therewith, can not clearely discerne what he doeth, after that his scorchyng Shaftes, beeyng guided as destinie dryues them, are shotte thicke and three folde among the multitude of mortall Wightes, hee woun­deth the greate as well as the sinall, and contrariwise, en­forcyng the sister to be sometimes rauished with an vnlaw­full fancie towardes her brother, as Biblis: the daughter to­wardes the Father, as Myrrha, or the father towardes the daughter: I am perswaded, that chaunging their opinions, & ceasing their astonishment, they wil not marueile a whit, if Horfelle that was of vnmeasurable greatnes, was so rapt with the loue of a Pigmean Kyng, in suche maner, that in steede of employng her force against some stoute knight or Giaunt, or destroying horrible and fell monsters, she helde hym company at suche tymes, as he with his manlinges wente to skirmishe with the Cranes: that were so greuous [Page]vnto them by reason of y^e daily battailes, which they fought with them, that he seemed to bee in no lesse extremitie, then Phineus, by the assaultes of y^e foule Harpyies was, so that he could take no one repast at quiet. Howbeit beyng acquain­ted as before is shewed with this noble Dame (as was not vneasy for him to procure, bicause of her extréeme passiōs) she found her hearte shortly after exempt from these mise­ries. For one day in an encounter and skirmishe betweene the Pygmees and Cranes, this amorous Horfelle, entending to giue triall with what affection she would aduenture her selfe in his seruice, and howe muche shee alone exceeded in might and mayne, both hym and all his people together, by her onely presence affrighted so these Maister Byrdes, that neuer sithence they attempted warre againste hym, nor as yet durste approache the place where the Kyng soiourned. Vpon whiche occasion Nabron consideryng how muche be­holdyng he was to the Dame (whom he honoured, and en­tertained as well as he could) on a certaine day made vnto her an offer of all the Treasures & riches which he enioyed in this world: for which the she Giant Horfelle thanked him humbly, refusing it as she that was muche more abounding in wealth then he, and his Treasures were farre vnfit and disagreeyng from the Medicine appliable to her Maladie, whiche she felt day and night, to reue her of all delight and contentation. Wherefore seyng the Path (to passe vnto the purpose which she pretended) readie beaten, she discouered at a certaine tyme her grief: & beyng alone in the Chamber of the Kyng Nabron, did so coll hym and kisse hym, and vsed such other wanton daliaunces, y^t the little dandiprat recei­uyng in good part the fortune offered, not willing to refuse the amitie of the Dame, for feare that he should be accom­pted a discourteous or sottish person, made no conscience or pause at the matter, but lustily mounted vppon this Prin­cesse, to vewe her throughly, without further processe: for she was beautifull and of a good grace.’ And either of them [Page 108]found suche sweete taste in this newe sporte, that hauyng renewed the Combate often times, the faire she Giant Hor­felle, at the ende of fiue monethes after the fashion of the Pigmees was deliuered of a faire Childe: about a foure mo­nethes after that, shee brought foorth another, whom nine monethes she had conceiued and borne according as the or­der of nature requireth: the one of them was named Na­bot, and this is he who is famous throughout all the world, beyng endued with suche exceedyng force and marueilous hardines, that his piere liueth not this daye on the Earthe. This man in regarde of his hardines is the chiefest knight in y^e Court of the king of Thracia, who long ago sailyng to­wardes the Indies, arriued by fortune in the Realme of Spi­thamye: and there findyng Nabot, beeyng then a Childe, but strong and sturdie as possible might be in tender age, how­beit of so great stature, as at this presente hee is (for he is scarsely thrée Cubites in height,) taking hym awaie, priui­ly caried hym into his Countrey, where he hath caused him to be nourished and iustructed with suche curiositie and dili­gence, and likewise to bee trained vp in feates of Armes so carefully, that in fine by reason of his expertnes in Marti­al affaires, & worthinesse of the saied Nabot, he is so feared and redoubted, that in Europe is no king that dare attempt to doe him any annoyance. But now to retourne to my pur­pose, & to the ende, that I stray not frō the path that guides me to y^e summe of my discourse: it foloweth, that the other childe of the shée Giant Horfelle, and of Nabron the dwarfe, was herein vnlike and contrary to his Brother Nabot: for he was so huge, that in Childbirthe his mother died, & is at this time moste huge & monstruous in size, and piereles for force and prowesse: he is named Squamel: whose seruaunt I was, & also euery of them y^t were slaine by you, who also is Lord and Ruler of the faire Ile, the most fruitfull and plea­saunt place that is situate in all this Sea, whiche he con­quered by the meanes whiche I will tell you. You are to [Page]note, that after his natiuitie, beyng as then but a little one in comparison of the huygenes of his body, at this instaunt he incurred suche fortune as his Brother had done before hym: for he was also stolne awaie by certayne Marchaun­tes, who traueilyng into Indie, were by fortune driuen to shore, in the confines of his Fathers Dominions, from whence they caried hym awaie, and sithence soulde hym to the Ryng of higher Mysia, for a greate Masse of Money: who likewise gaue order that he should bée nourtured and brought vp honourably: & gaue hym for my Esquire, beyng as yet very young to serue his daughter, who was the most accomplished Lady in all perfection of beautie, that coulde be found, and was named Lucinda. Of this Dame, the yong Giant was enamoured, beyng now come to the age where­in the feruent heat of loue beginneth to augment, and that so exceedingly, that his liuely and ruddie colour tourned to pale and wan lookes: his bodie became leane and feeble, through wante of sustinaunce, he eschued all companie, and chused to liue solitarie. But all in vaine suffered hee those tormentes and perplexities in respect of the squeymishnes of his disdainefull Dame, who to counteruaile his hoate loue, because of the greate stature and extraordinarie pro­portion of his lymmes, was so scornefully despised and ab­iectly esteemed by her, as if hee had beene the basest of her householde seruauntes. Wherevppon his restlesse though­tes did continually so vexe hym, that either vnwillyng or vnable to recant his Religion, I meane to swarue from the seruice of the Sainet to whom hee had vowed all reue­rence and adoration, one daie it came into his fantasie, to require the Kyng his Lorde to graunte hym the order of Knighthoode. The King who knewe that he was extracted from Royall linage, as the Marchauntes that had soulde him did enfourme his Maiesty, gamesaied not that motion of his, consideryng therewithall, that his seruice mought stande hym in greate steede, by meanes of his strength and [Page 109]mightines incomparable. ‘But immediatlie after hee was dubbed with that degree, hee abode not long there, but set hym selfe in queste of straunge aduentures, whereof he ho­nourably atcheued so many, that at this daye he is reputed one of the oddest Knightes vppon the face of the whole earth: as also his worthines, meriteth no lesse reputation: for encountring his brother Nabot, by chaunce vpon a day, he fought against hym hande to hand, with suche furie, that their Combate endured a whole daye vntill the euenyng. When as eache of them (amazed at the valiaunce of the o­ther, hauyng neuer as yet found any wight, that long could withstand them) entered into questionyng one of the other, concernyng the place of their birth, and what they were: so that hauyng recounted their fortunes, as they sometymes had hearde tolde by suche as nourished theym, they knewe themselues to bee brethren: and dooyng awaye all debate, éntertained eache other, with an other kinde of greetyng then all the day before they had done. Afterwardes iourne­nyng both together, they were seperated, I knowe not by what aduenture, but in suche sorte, that the Graunt (the fame of whose prowesse was spread ouer all the Circuite of the world) came vnto the kyng of higher Mysia, where he was somewhat welcomed by his Ladye, who was glad of suche a one for her Knight. And feedyng hymselfe with the conceipt of good happe, for that the Princesse had caste certain glaunces towardes him, he tooke vpon hym at last, the boldnes to discouer his loue vnto her: who cuttyng of his suite with a short and sharpe aunswere, compelled hym as then to desiste frō his enterprise: neuerthelesse his kin­dled and secret fire, brussing at length into open and feruēt flames, intolerably, & continually vexyng him, made him to hazarde his speache once more, to assaie if he could mollifie her indurate brest, with the compassion of his miserie: but the Dame persistyng obstinatly in her accustomed maner, aunswered hym with the like denial as she had done afore: howbeit not sauced with such bitter taūtes: which brought [Page]the Giaunt into conceipte, that her vntractable rigour and selfwill beganne somewhat to mittigate. Wherefore espi­yng fit oportunitie for the renuyng of his suite, he findeth meanes to haue accesse vnto her, being alone in her Cham­ber: where enteryng into communication, hee discourseth vnto her, a faire and Courtly Tale: whereof he had proui­ded hymself afore hande, concernyng his extreme passions: settyng it forth to the vttermost, in wordes, voyce, counte­naunce and gesture, concludyng euery sentence with suche sighing, that the scornefull Dame seemed partly to relent, renderyng hym an aunswere tolerable inough. For (quoth she,) I can not persuade my self, that your affections are so feruent as you (though fainedly) haue here expressed, seyng that you haue not as yet aduentured your selfe in any at­tempt, deseruing my fauour: but if for my loue you will not shrinke to enterprize one Combate at my appoyntment, I will not sticke to accepte you for my Knight and frende: so that you worthely atchiue the same. The Giaunt exceeding ioyfull of so wished an aunswere, saied, that shee should com­maunde him nothyng (were it neuer so difficulte and vnea­sie) but that in hope of her good grace, he would bryng it to passe. Mary then (saied the Dame) you are to goe to mor­rowe to the castle of Melande, where you must fight against all them that you shal finde therin: and if you retourne from thence victorious, then you shall bee he that may dispose of mee accordyng to your owne will. For I haue vowed, that no person shall purchase the graunt of my good will, nor en­ioye the fruites of my loue, but onely he that shal accōplishe that act. These wordes did cast the Giant into his dumpes, especially for that he had charged his owne shoulders with so troublesome and heauie a burden: for it behoued hym to Combate with more then a Million of Deuils, who were enclosed in an old ruinous castle, beyng inhabitable by rea­son thereof, beyng there set by the Inchauntmentes of an old Sorceresse named Melande: and to chase thē out it was vnpossible for any, sauyng for hym that surpassed all other [Page 110]Knightes in force and prowesse. So it was notwithstan­dyng, that the Giaunt purposing with hymselfe, that a spée­die and praiseworthy death, was to bee preferred before a languishyng and vnhappy life (suche as he endured,) fayled not to put in execution the commaundement of his Dame. And did so muche by his worthines and courage, that hee defeated the Charmes of the Enchaunteresse, and draue from thence the Deuilles: who daiely raised vp an horrible Tempest and vproare in the Castle: after departyng from thence, a victorious conquerout, he hasted to his Dame: re­quiring her to perfourme her promise. She vnderstanding thereof, and forced to her extremities, settled her wittes to the inuention of some mischiuous practize: wherby the Gi­auntes daie might bee abridged. Wherefore, albeit at the first her outwarde countenaunce descried the inwarde mo­tions of her spitefull hearte, yet to the entente shee mought the more certainly entrappe hym vnwares, she entertained hym courteously inough, and lookyng foorthe at one of the casementes of her chāber windowe, that stode ouer againste a Parke, wherein the kyng her Father had caused a greate multitude of Lions, Beares, Boares, and sundrie other sa­uage beastes to be put, willed the Giaunt to looke out at an other, that thei might talke together, whiche hee presently did: Deemyng hymselfe happye in receiuyng suche fauour of his Dame. But as hee was in beginnyng to declare the vnfainednes of his affections, the Dame who was wilye and guilefull, seemyng to giue attentiue eare to his speach, did let fal (as though it were by misregard) one of her Bra­celets, garnished ouer with fine Diamondes, Rubies, E­meraldes, and other Precious stones curiously wrought, which she was accustomed to weare on her Armes: where­at she séemyng to be somewhat agrieued, did complaine for the losse of her Bracelet. Squamel seeyng her grief concei­ued for the want of so riche and precious a Jewell, and mi­strustyng no whit the malice of his Maistris, offered rather hastely then willingly to descende into the place, if it liked [Page]her: thinking y^t she loued him so wel, that she would not per­mit hym to assubiect his person to such euident hazardes a­mong suche a number of wilde Beastes: but his expectation was deceiued. For the Dame most instauntly required him to doe it, and hee without gainesaiyng or delaye, furnished with no defensible thing, excepte his Sworde only, descen­ded deliuerly into the Parke of rampyng Lions and other cruell beastes: who had no sooner perceiued hym, but like vnto a companie of dogges (when they see a Wolfe inua­dyng the flocke to catche a Sheepe) so ranne they from all partes to assaile hym: but so incomparable was his mighty prowesse, in that exigent, that after hee had killed a greate maynie of them, hee escaped aliue out of that deadly daun­ger, houbeit not without sundry Woundes and Bruises: whereof reporte beyng made to the kyng, he was no lesse a­stonished at the hardines of the Giant, thē aggreued at the losse of his beastes: for hee tooke greate delight in the kée­ping of them. Wherfore in his indignatiō he threatened to put the Giaunt to death without respect of the seruice done by hym. Who beyng aduertized of his displeasure, caused sixe or seauen greate shippes to be rigged for his speedy a­uoydyng out of the Realme of Mysia: to the ende he might escape the reache of the kynges power beyng his Lorde, a­gainst whom he would not for any thing in the world make resistaunce. Then committyng hymselfe to the Surges of the Sea, bearyng an Ocean of Passions in his mynde, bee­fore his departure he tooke Congee of his Dame: who in steede of Adieu, vomityng out the venyme which she caried in her cankred stomacke, she vpbraided him w^t a thousande iniuries and péeuishe slaunders: whiche might haue appa­rauntly assured the Giant of the spitefulnes of his disloyall Lady. Yet he making small accompt thereof, and supposing that she had spoken the same in iest, persuaded himselfe, that (such discourtesie and mischieuousnes, findyng no place in the heart of so fayre and louely a Dame) it could not be but that he was ardently beloued of her, sauing y^t she would not [Page 111]haue it appeare, for feare lest any should thereof certifie the king her father. Wanderyng on the Sea, and blinded with this false opinion, by aduenture he discouered the faire Ile, whiche with the ayde of many of vs that were his especiall frendes (who had accompanied hym in all that Iourny) he conquered, and established hymself in the seate Royall, after that hee had chased hym that was in possession afore, from thence: although he was a puissaunte Prince, and defeated the more parte of them that withstoode his attempte. And in consideration of the beauty, holsome site and plentiful­nes of the same Ile, he determined to make the same a place of continuall aboade for hym during life. Now, for because it is a place where many vessels doe vse to lye at Ancre, hee determined to spoyle as many as he could possibly catche, whiche hee omitted not to doe accordingly: so that by the Riches and Furniture whiche he hath purchased through such kynd of pilling, he is become one of the most puissaunt and redoubted Princes that is in Gréece, except the Em­perour of Constantinople, as sometymes I haue heard hym reporte vnto the knight slayne by you: who had beene not long sithence in his seruice in the company of the Duke of Chalcide. That knight fallyng extremely in loue with the Daughter of the same Duke, had required sundry tymes her loue in lieu, but the proude and disdainefull Damozell despising hym, did set light by his suite: wherat the knight takyng exceedyng indignation, and thinkyng to be reuen­ged, as he walked abroade on a certaine daye, he met with a straunger, who in his time had been so connyng in the arte of Magique, y^t by his skill he had formed a Goblet of Gold (wherin were set many fayre Precious stones of value ine­stimable) endued with such vertue, that who so dranke ther­in, whatsoeuer the Potion were, should bee enamoured on that person, who had poured the drinke into the saied Gob­let. Which he refte frō the poore Magician, who had bene an exile of Persia: for that the greate Souldan of that region would haue had it, to the ende he might purchase the loue of [Page]the Emperours daughter of Constantinople. Thus hauyng recouered this enchaunted Cup, he founde meanes that his cruell Dame dranke therein, who was and is yet so entan­gled in the loue of a young Page, whiche somtymes serued her, that she shrinked not to prostitute her body, to be abused by hym in Venus daliaunces and disportes: but to the ende he might bereue her of the swete delightes, whiche she had with her newe loue, the knight slue hym: and vpō this occa­sion was forced to forsake his countrie, lest he should be ap­prehended and punished. As he was wanderyng on the sea, entendyng to haue gone into Persia, to sell the same cuppe to the greate Souldan, hee was preuented, in his Iourney by vs: who vnder the conduct of our Maister Squamel (se­yng that there artued no other ship at our Ile, by the spoile whereof wee might encrease our wealth as wee were accu­stomed) wee beganne to roue along the Seas from Coaste to Coast, to get some good booty. And so this knight being taken as before is saied, the Giaunt Squamel commaunded hym to be Closed vp into an euill fauoured and lothesome Prison, in the companie of many others whom he had held there in miserable thraldome: whō at suche tymes as he en­tered any voyage on the Sea, to apprehende some vesselles passyng by, he caused them to be bounde very straitly to the maste: So that the same knight beyng there placed among the rest, and chauncyng to heare the Giant complaine of the crueltie and rigour of faire Lucinde his Dame, tolde hym that if he would graunte hym libertie, hee would so vse the matter, that the Giant should be so muche beloued of her, as now he is hated, by the vertue of the golden Goblet, wher­of we baue made mention. The Giaunt consented thereto willingly. Afterwardes the knight hauyng deliuered it, he trauailed into high Mysia, where he found meanes to make his Dame secretly a Presente of the Inchaunted Goblet, wherein he caused her to drinke, saiyng that it retained the property that the Dame or gentlewoman which he should graunt to drinke in the same, should become so faire, that [Page 112]she should be seconde to none in perfection of beautie. But the triall verified his woordes to bée vntrue, for in steede of augmenting of her beauty, she is contrariwise so withered, wanne, and disfigured, that shee hath loste the principallest parte of her beautifulnes: she hath euer since, and is still so worne away by force of her amourous passion. For our mai­ster hath purposed to suffer her to languishe so long, as he remained boūde vnder the seruile yoke of her loue. Wher­at he receiued suche contentation, that for the recōpence of the gift offered vnto him by that knight, he constituted hym Lieutenante generall and vicegenent in his absence, of the kyngdome of the faire Ile: cōmittyng vnto hym all charge to pill and robbe whatsoeuer he may by any possibilitie at­taine vnto: whiche he endeuouring to accomplish, this mis­aduenture is happened vnto hym (and to the other knight beyng his cosin, and taken with hym whom your compani­on hath slaine) whiche you knowe better then my selfe. For [...]a [...]yng discouered you, hee left his Armie that is not farre hence, [...]o searche for that whiche he was no more able to de­maunde then I or al they, whose daies you haue cut of. And assure your selfe (my Lorde) that if the reste of my compai­gnions should vnderstande of his death, you shall hardely escape, they happenyng to encounter you: for they are more then sixe hundreth stoute and lusty Souldiers. Behold (my Lorde) the occasion wherupon he was appointed to be our Capitaine, and what he was, according to your demaunde.’

After that the Pirate had ended his tale, in the order a­fore declared, the Youthe who attentiuely gaue eare, called to his remembraunce, that this Knight was the persone, wherof the Ladie enamoured (lackyng her Louer) spake e­uen as you heard reported afore, when he was separated frō his faithfull fréende Pharisor. Wherefore he reioyced not alittle, for that he had reuenged her quarell, in recompence of the intertainmēt, which she had made hym in her Castle. And cōsideryng with hym self, that the Inchaūted Cup, de­tained by the Giant Squamel, should serue his turne passing [Page]well, in the pursuite of his Loue, determined therefore, to winue it from the Giante, either by faire meanes, or force: after that he had founde, and fought with the vnknowen knight, to wreake the death of Pharisor, who on the other side aduentured to doe the like: wherevpon suche chaunces befell hym, as more fitly and pleasauntly I entende to re­counte in the seconde Booke. For now am I constrained to leaue the Youthe of the Fairies, wandryng vpon the maine Seas, in the compaignie of hym, whom he pursued (to whō fortuned the moste straunge aduēture that euer was heard of) because that reason requireth me to ende this first part: for so muche as the same order is obserued, by our auncient Chronicler Gallarx, whose stile and maner of writing I doe imitate. Wherfore, my Lords & Dames, I humbly request you to holde me excused, if any defecte happen to bee founde in this booke: assuryng you to supplie all suche wantes in the nexte, with more pleasure and contentmente, if so bee it shall like you to bestowe your cōuenient leasure, in the rea­dyng thereof, and that with vsurie: recityng vnto youthe dreadfull combate betwene the Youth of the Faieries, and the Giant Squamel (who withhelde his horse and Armour) and of the moste couragious and puissaunte knight Nabot, who had the good Sworde Duranzarde, whiche he had cō ­quered from the Giant Scaraferab: and did cutte any thyng that it did light vppon: & likewise the enchaunted Armour: whiche I perswade my self, shall yelde no lesse delight vnto valiaunt knightes (who receiue pleasure in hearyng of the worthy actes of our auncestours) then the loue ful of bitter pleasures and swéete bitternes, betweene the saide Youthe and the Lady Porphyrie, wil be pleasureable to all beautiful and fauourable Dames. For I will there describe many other accidentes, no lesse delectable then won­derfull, contained within the compasse of this Hystorie.