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THE Second Part of the Famous Historie of Toma Lin∣colne, the Red-rose Knight.
Wherein is declared his vnfortunate Death, his Ladyes disloyalty, his Chil∣drens Honours, and lastly, his Death most strangely reuenged.
Written by the first Author.
At London Printed by Augustine Matthewes, dwelling in the Parsonage House of Saint Brides in Fleete-street. 1631.
PRomise is debt, (gentle Reader) I haue therefore performed what in my first Part I promised; which was, to shew thee the vnfortunate death of the Red rose Knight, his beloued Lady Ang∣litoras disloyal affections towards him, his Childrens Honours, Renownes, and Dignities: and in the period of this small Historie, his death both iustly, truely, and strangely reuenged: The reading of which (if with good consideration) I doubt not but shall bring vnto thee much pleasure and delight, being (for the quantitie thereof) nothing inferiour to the best that hath beene written of the like Subiect (I meane) of Knights aduentures, and Ladyes beloued. I there∣fore dedicate this to thy reason, knowing that this old Prouerbe may confirme my expectation, which is; That good Wine needs no Bush: nor a pleasing Histo∣rie craues no shelter. Farewell.
R. I.
WHen Arthur, that renowned King of Eng∣land (being one of the nine Worthies of the World) had by twelue seuerall set Battailes, conquered the third part of the Earth; and being wearied with the exploytes of Marti, all aduentures, in his olde dayes betooke himselfe to a quiet course of life; turning his Warlkie ha∣biliaments, to diuine Bookes of celestiall meditations: that as the one had made him famous in this World, so might the other make him blessed in the World to come. Seauen yeares continued quiet thoughts in his breast: seauen yeares neuer heard he the sound of delightfull Drums; nor in seuen yeares beheld hee his thrice worthy Knights of the Round Table, flourishing in his Court: by which meanes his Pal∣lace grew disfurnished of those Martiall troupes, that drew commendations from all forraigne Kingdomes. In this time, most of those renowned Champions, had yéelded their liues to the conquering Tiranny of pale Death, and in the bow∣els of the Earth lay sléeping their eternall sléepes, the royall
King himselfe laden with the honour of many yeeres; and ha∣uing now (according to nature) the burthen of death lying hea∣uie vpon his shoulders: and the stroke lifted vp to diuide his body from his soule, he called before him all the chiefen of his Court: but especially his own Quéene, the Red-rose Knight, and his Lady Anglitora, with the faire Angellica, the Nunne of Lincolne, whom hee had so many yéeres secretly loued: and being at the poynt to bid a wafull farewell to the world, with Countenance as Maiestical as King Priam of Troy, he spake as followeth.
First, to thée my loued Queene, must I vtter the secrets of my very soule, and what wanton escapes I haue made from any nuptiall Bedde, otherwise cannot this my labouring life, depart from my fading body in quiet: Long haue I liued in the delightfull sinne of Adulterie, and polluted our mariage Bed with that vile pleasure: pardon I beseech thee and with that forgiuenesse (which I hope will proceed from thy gentle heart) wash away this long bred euill the Celestaill powers haue grauated me rem••ssion. Then turning to Angellica the Nunne of Lincolne, hee said.
Oh thou my youths delight: thou whose loue hath berea∣ued my Quéene of much mariage pleasure: thou, and but one∣ly thou, haue I offended withall, therefore diuine Angellica, forgiue me: I like a rauisher spotted thy Uirginitie, I ••r••pt thy sweet budde of Chastitie; I with flattery won thy heart, and ledde thee from thy Fathers house (that good Earle of London) to feede my wanton desires: by thee had I a Sonne, of whom both then and I, take glory of: for in his wor∣thynesse remaine the true Image of a Martialist; and this re∣nowned Knight of the Red-rose, is he: He liues: the fruit of our wanton pleasures, borne at Lincolne, and there by a Shepherd brought vp, few knowing (till now) his true Pa∣rente, Ma••••aile not deere Sonne: thinke not amisse sweete Queene: for thou my louely Angellica: Be not dismayde you honourable States, heere attending my dying houre: for as I hope presently to enter into Elizium Paradise, and weare the Crowne of disertfull Glory, I haue reuealed the long secrets of my heart, and truely brought to light those things, that the
darknesse of obliuion hath couered. Now the Mother knowes her Sonne, the Sonne the Mother. Now may this valiant Knight boast of his Pedegrée, and a quiet content satisfie all your doubts. Thus haue I spoke my minde, & thus quieted, my soule bids the world farwell. Adue faire Quéene, adue déere son, farwell louely Angellica; Lords and Ladyes adue vnto you all: you haue seene my life, so now behold my death: as Kings doe liue, so Kings must die. These were the last of Kings Arthurs words: And being dead, his death not halfe so amazed the stan∣ders by, as the strange spéeches at his liues farwell.
The Quéene in a raging ielousie fretted at her Marriage wrongs, protesting in heart, to be reuenged vpon the Nunne of Lincolne.
The Nunne of Lincolne, séeing her wantonnesse discouered, tooke more griefe thereat, then ioy in the finding of her long lost Son; supposing now, that (the King being gone) she should be made a scandall to the world.
The Red-rose Knight, knowing himselfe to be begot in wan∣tonnesse, and borne a Bastard, tooke small ioy in the knowledge of his Mother.
Anglitora (Tom a Lincolnes Wife) excéeded all the rest in sorrow, bitterly sobbing to her selfe, and in heart making great lamentation, in that she had forsaken Father, Mother, Friends, Acquaintance, and Countrey, all for the loue of a Bastard, bred in the wombe of a shamelesse Strumpet: therefore she purposed to giue him the slip; and with her owne Sonne (a young gal∣lant Knight, named the Blacke Knight, in courage like his Fa∣ther) to trauaile towards the Kingdome of Prester Iohn, where she first breathed life and her Father reigned.
In this melancholy humour spent they many dayes, trou∣bling their braines with diuers imaginations. The Court, which before rung with Delights, and flourished in gallant sort, now thundred with Complaints; euery one disliking his owne estate: Discontent as a proud Commaunder go∣uerned ouer them, and their Attendants were idle Fancies, and disquiet Thoughts: and to speake troth, such a confused Court was seldome séene in the Land; for no sooner was Kings Arthurs Funerall solemnized, but the whole troupes
of Lords, Knights and Gentlemen, Ladyes, and others, were (like to a splitted Shippe torne by the Tempest of the Sea) se∣uered, euery one departed whither his Fancie best pleased.
The Red-rose Knight conducted his Mother Angellica to a Cloyster in Lincolne, which place she had so often polluted with her shame, there to spend the remnant of her life in repentance; and with her true Lamentations, to wash away her blacke spottes of sinne, that so grieuously stayneth her Soule: and from a pure Uirgine, made her selfe a desolute Strumpet.
Likewise, King Arthurs widdowed Quéene, like to irefull Hecuba, or the tealous Iuno, kept her Chamber for many dayes, pondering in her minde what reuenge shee might take vpon Angellica her Husbands late fauorite.
On the other side Anglitora Lady and Wife to the Red-rose Knight, with her Sonne the Blacke Knight, made pro∣uision for their departure towards the Land of Prester Iohn, where shée was borne: so vpon a night when neither Moone nor Star-light appeared, they secretly departed the Court, onely attended on by a Negar or Black-more; a Slaue fit∣ting to prouide them necessaries, and to carry their Apparell and Iewels after them; whereof they had aboundant store: The Blacke Knight her Sonne, (so called rather by fierce courage, then this blacke complexion) was all fiered with the ardent desire that hee had to sée his Graundsire. Prester Iohn: therefore without taking leaue of his Father (being then ab∣sent in the company of his leawde Graunde mother) with a no∣ble spirit conducted his mother to the Sea side, where a shippe was ready then to hoyst Sayle, where of the Pilots they were most willingly receiued for Passengers. And in this manner departed they the Land, the Blacke Knight wore on his Hel∣met for a Scutchon, a blacke Rauen féeding on dead mens flesh; his Caparisons were all of blacke veluet imbrodered, which most liuely figured foorth the blacke furie lodged in his Princely boosome. Anglitora his Mother, had the at∣tyre of an Amazon, made all of the best Arabian silke, co∣loured like the changeable hue of the Raine-bow: about her necke hung a Iewell of a wounderfull value, which was a Di∣amond cut in the fashon of a Heart split asunder with a Tur∣kish
Semiter: betokening a doubt that shee had of her Knights loyaltie. The slauish Moore that attended them, went all na∣ked, except a shaddow of gréene Taffata which couered his pri∣uie parts: vpon his foote a Morischo Shoe, which is nothing but a Soale made of an Asses hide, bucklde with small Lea∣thers to his insteps vpon his Head hee wore a Wreath of Cy∣pres guilded with pure gold, and a Plate of Brasse about his necke close locked, with the word bond-slaue ingrauen about it. In this manner passed they the Seas, and was by these strange habites wondred at in all Countries where they came: In which trauels wee will leaue them for a time, and speake of other things pertinent to our Story.
WHen Tom a Lincolne (the Red-rose Knight) had spent some two months in the company of his Mother at Lin∣colne, giuing her as much comfort as a Sonne might, hee left her very penitent for her liues amisse, and retur∣ned to the Court, where hée left both his Wife and her Sonne, the Blacke Knight, thinking at his ariuall, to finde so ioyfull a welcome, and so courtious an intertaine∣ment, that all the blacke cloudes of Discontent might bée blowne ouer by their happy méeting: but as ill chaunce had allotted all things fell out contrary to his expectation; for hee neither found Wife, Childe, Seruant, nor any one to make him answere: His Plate and Treasure was deminished, his house-hold Furniture, imbesselled, and by Théeues violent∣ly carryed away, hée had not so much as one Stéed left in his Stable, for them the Quéene had seazed on for her vse: and fur∣thermore (by her commandement) a Decrée was made, that
whomsoeuer in all the Land shewed him any duty, or gaue him but homely reuerence, should loose their heads, for shée had intitled him, The base borne seed of Lust, a Strumpets brat, and the common shame of the dead King. This was the malice of King Arthurs widow: and assuredly Quéene Iuno neuer thirsted more for the confusion of Hercules then shée did for Tom a Lincolns ouerthrow: But yet this griefe (being cast from a Princesse fauour, to a vulgar disgrace) was but a pleasure, to the sorrow he tooke for the misse of his Lady and Sonne: No newes could hee heare of them, but that they were fled from the furie of the angry Quéene: which was but a vaine imagination laid vpon the enuious time: but farre o∣therwise did mischiefe set in her foote, the doting minde of his Lady Anglitora intended to a further reach, which was to aban∣don his presence for euer, and to thinke him as ominous to her sight, as the killing Cockatrice. The effect of this his Wiues sodaine dislike, shée had caused (before her departure) to be carued in stone ouer the Chimny of his lodging, how that She deserued damnation to leaue Father, Friends, and Countrie, for the disloyall loue of a Bastard.
Of all griefes to him this was the very spring, the roote, the deapth, the hight: which when hee had read, hee fell into a sounde, and had it not béene for two Pages that attended him, he had neuer recouered: in this agony the vaines of his breast sprung out into blood, and all the partes of his body swate with griefe: downe fell hee then vpon his knees, and immediatly pulled the King from his finger. which shée had giuen him when they were first bethrothed, and wash't it with his teares, kissing it a hundred times: All that euer hee had from her did hée wash in the blood that trickled from his b••e∣some and after bound them in a Cypresse to his left side, di∣rectly where his heart lay, protesting by that God that crea∣ted him, and was the guide of all his passed fortunes, neuer to take them thence, till either hee found his Lady, or ended his life. He likewise made a solemne vow to Heauen, neuer to out his Haire, neuer to come in Bedde, neuer to weare She, neuer to taste Food, but onely Bread and Water, nor neuer to take pleasure in humanitie, till he had eased his griefe in the
presence of his déerest Anglitora, and that her loue were recon∣c••led to him.
Being thus strangely resolued, hée discharged his Ser∣uants and Pages, giuing them all the wealth that he had, and clad himselfe in tand shéeps skins, made close vnto his Body, whereby hée séemed rather a naked Wilde man bredde in the Wildernesse, then a sencible creature brought vp by ciuill con∣uersation. Thus bare footed, and bare legged, with an Iuory Staffe in his hand, hée set forward to séeke his vnkind Wife, and vnnaturall Sonne: giuing this wofull farewell to his na∣tiue Countrey.
Oh you celestiall Powers (quoth he) wherefore am I pu∣nished for my Parents offences? Why is their secret sinnes, made my publike miserie? What haue I mis-done, that my Wife resisteth me, and like a discourteous Lady forsakes mée, making her absence my present calamitie.
Oh thou gratious Quéene of Loue, I haue béene as loyall a seruant in thy pleasures, as euer was Hero to her Leander, or Pryamus to his Thisbie: Then what madding furie, like a cruell commander, hath t••ken possession of my Anglito∣ras heart, and placed infernall conditions, whereas the pure vertues of modest behauiour had wont to bee harboured? It cannot bee otherwise, but the enraged Quéene with her vn∣••uenchable Enuie, hath driuen her hence; and not only of one heart made two, but of two séekes to make none; which is, by vntimely death, to worke both our confusions: there∣fore proud Quéene, fa••••well: let all the furies haunt thée, and may thy Court séeme as hatefull to thy sight, as the tor∣ments of Hell fire to a guilty Conscience. Ungratefull England likewise adue to thée, for all the honours I haue brought into thy bounds, and with the spoyles of forraigne Countries, made thee the onely Prince of Kingdomes: yet thou repayest me with disgrace, and load'st mée with more contempt, then my neuer conquered Heart can inture: so kis∣sing the ground with his warme lippes, that had so long fo∣stered him, and with many a bitter teare, and deepe sobbe, like a Pilgrime, (as I said before) hée tooke leaue of his natiue Countrey, and so went to the Sea side; where hee heard of his
Wife and his Sonnes departure, after whom (as soone as the Wind conueniently serued) hée tooke shipbord: Where wée will now likewise leaue him to his fortune vpon the Sea, and speake of the professed malice the Quéene prosecuted against Angellica, the mother of the Red-rose Knight.
THe beautious Angellica, béeing left by her Sonne, the Red-rose Knight, (at his departure) in a Monestarie at Lincolne, there to bewaile her former offences; and for her youths pleasure, in age to taste the bitter food of sorrow: the day time shée spent in grieued pas∣sion 〈…〉〈…〉 night shée wasted with s••ghs and heart-breaking sobbes: shée fed on carefull thoughts, her drinke was streames of salt teares: her companions, thoughts of her passed wanton pleasures: her bed no better then the cold earth: her sléepes were few, but her com∣forts lesse: her continuall exercise, was with a Néedle to worke in silke vpon the Hangings of her Chamber, how shée was first woed, then won to King Arthurs pleasures, in what manner their meetings were, their wanton daliances, his imbraces, her smiles: his Princely gifts, her courteous acceptance: and lastly, the birth of her thrice worthy Sonne, his bringing vp, his honours in the Court, and his strange discouerie: all which shee had wrought, as an Arras worke, with silke of di∣uers collours, in a peece of the purest Holland cloath. In doing this, twise had the golden Sunne runne his circumference a∣bout the world, twise had the pleasant Spring beautified the Earth with her changable mantles, twise had nipping Winter made the Fields barren, and the Woods leafelesse: and twise had the yeere shewed himselfe to all mankind: in which time of
twise twelue moneths, euery day made shée a sorrowfull com∣plaint for the wracke of Honour, and her Uirginities losse, which so willingly she surrendred: in this time, so greatly had sorrow and griefe changed her, that her eyes (which had wont like twinckling Diamonds to giue light to all affections) were now sunke into their Cels, and séemed like a hollow Sepul∣cher new opened: her Face, wherein Beautie her selfe dwelt, and her Chéekes the true die of the Lillie and the Rose inter∣mixt, now appeared old and writhen, like to the countenance of Hecuba when her husband King Priamus, and all her Princely Children were slaine at Troyes destruction: and her tresses of Gold-like Hayre, which like to Indian Wyers hung ouer her shoulders, were now growne more white then Thistle downe, the Isickles of frozen Ice, or the white mountaine Snow: all these griefes of Nature had not age changed, but the inward griefe of her carefull heart.
But now marke the wofull chance that hapned, euen vpon the day, which by computation she had in former times yéelded vp her Maydens pride, and lost that Iewell that Kingdomes cannot recouer: vpon that haplesse day, came there a Messen∣ger from the Quéene, to bid her make preparation for death; for •••• that day should bee her liues end, and her fortunes period: which she most willingly accepted of, and tooke more ioy there∣at, then to be inuited to a Princely Banquet.
Be not dismayde (said the Messenger) for you shall haue as honourable a death as euer had Lady: seauen seuerall Instru∣ments of death shall be presented to you for a choyse, and your owne tongue shall giue sentence which of them you will die by: whereupon this Messenger set this sorrowsull Lady at a round Table, directly in the middle of a very large roome, (whereinto he had led her, hung all about with blacke; where being placed as to a Banquet, or some solemne Dinner of State, there en∣tred seauen Seruitours in disguised shapes like vnto Murthe∣rers, with seauen seuerall deadly seruices in Dishes of siluer Plate: The first, brought in Fire burning in a Dish, if shée would, to consume her body to ashes: The second brought in a Dish, a twisted Ceard, to strangle her to death: The third, a Dish full of deadly Poyson, to burst her body withall: The
fourth, a sharpe edgd Rayzor or Knife, to cut her throat: The fifth, an Iron wracke to teare her body into small péeces: The sixth, a Dish full of liue Snakes, to sting her to death: And the seuenth an impoysoned Garment, being worne, that will con∣sume both flesh and blood. These seauen deathfull Seruitours hauing set downe their Dishes (the least whereof brings pre∣sent death) shée was commanded by the Messenger, which of them she should choose to die withall, and to make spéedy choyce; for he was sworne to the Quéene (on whom he attended) to sée it that day accomplished. At these his words, shée fell present∣ly vpon her knées, and with a courage readier to yéeld to deaths furie, then to the mercie of the liuing Quéene, said as foll∣loweth.
Oh thou guider of this earthly Globe, thou that gauest my weake nature ouer to a wanton life, and from a Uirgin chast, hast made me an infamous Strumpet: thou that sufferedst only a King in Maiestie to preuaile against mée, and with the power of greatnesse worme mée to lewdnesse; for which I am now doomed to a present death, and forced by violence, to bidde this tempted world a••ue; Inspire mee with that happy choyce of death, as my Soule may haue an easie passage from my body. First, to dye by Fire, to an earthly imagination séemes terrible, and farre different from nature: secondly, to die with strang∣ling cord, were base, and more sitting for robbers, théeues, and malefactors: thirdly, to die by deadly poyson, were a death for Beasts and wormes, that féeds vpon the bosome of the Earth: fourthly, to die by cutting kniues and slicing razors, were a death for cattle, fowles, and fishes that dies for the vse of man: fitly by an iron wracke to end my life, were a barbarous death, and against mans nature: but seuenthly, to die a lingring death, which is a life consuming by wearing of impoysoned garments, (where repentance may still bée in company) will I choose: therefore swéet Messenger of my death doe thy office, attyre me in these robes; and the manner of my death I beséech thée make knowne vnto the Quéene: tell her (I pray thée) I for∣giue her; and may my death bée a quiet vnto her soule, for my life is to her eares as the fatall sound of night Rauens, or the Mermaides tunes.
Uaine world, now must I leaue thy flattering intisements, and in stead of thy pompe and glory, must shortly treade the dolefull march of pale death: and this body that hath béene so pleasing to a Princes eye, must bee surrendred vp for wormes to féed vpon. Many other words would she haue spo∣ken, but that the commaunding Messenger (being tyed to an houre) caused her to put on the impoysoned Roabes which no sooner came to the warmth of her body, but the good Lady af∣ter a few bitter sighes, and dreadfull gaspes yéelded vp the ghost, being (through the extremitie of the infectious Gar∣ment) made like vnto an Anatomie; which they wrapped in Seare cloth, & the next day gaue her buriall according to her estate and so returned to the inraged Quéene, kéeping then her Court at Pendragon castle in Wales, into whose presence was no sooner the Messenger come, but the angry Quéene beyond all measure being desirous to heare of Lady Angel∣licas death, in a rage ran and clasped him about the middle, saying.
Speake Messenger speake, is the vile strumpet dead? Is the shame of womankind tortured? Is my hearts griefe by her death banished my boosome? speake for I am ouermai∣stred with doubts.
Most gracious Quéene (quoth the Messenger) resolue your selfe of her death, for the cold earth hath inclosed vp her body: but so patiently tooke shee her death, that well might it haue mooued a Tygers heart to remorse; for in troth, my heart relented at the manner of her death, Neuer went Lambe more gently to the slaughter, nor neuer Turtledoue was more méeke, then this wofull Lady was at the message of her death: for the Elements did séeme to mourne, closing their bright beauties vp to blacke and sable Curtaines; and the very flintie walles (as it were) sweate at the agonie of her death, so gentle, méeke and humbly tooke shee her death; com∣mending her selfe vnto your maiestie, wishing that her death, might be your soules contentment.
And could shée bee so patient (quoth the Quéene) that euen in death would wish happinesse to the causers thereof? fare∣well thou miracle of womankind, I haue béen to thée a sa∣uage
Lionnesse: I was blinded at the report of thy wanton∣nesse, else hadst thou béen now aliue: all my cruelnesse against thée, I now déeply repent, and for thy deare hearts blood by me so rashly spilt, shall bee satisfied with the liues of many soules. Hereupon, shee in a furie commanded the Messengers head to bee stricken off, and seuen Seruitours to bee hanged all at the Court Gate, and afterward caused their limbes to be set vpon high Pooles by the Common high wayes side, as an example of her indignation.
Neuer after this houre (such is the remorse of a guiltie conscience) could shée sleepe in quiet, but strange visions of this Lady (as shee thought) seemed to appeare to her: the least noise that she heard whispering in the silence of the night, did she imagine to bee some Furte to dragge her to Hell, for the death of this good Lady: the Windes (as shee imagined) murmured foorth Reuenge, the running Riuers hummed foorth Reuenge, the flying Fowles of the Ayre whistled out Reuenge: yea euery thing that made noyse (in her conceit) gaue remorse for Reuenge: and till that her owne life had gi∣uen satisfact on by death for the rume of so swéet a Ladyes life, no food could doe her good, no sléepe quiet her braine, no pleasure content her minde, but Despaire with a terrible countenance, did euermore attend her, willing her sometime to throwe her selfe head-long from the top of a Tower, some∣time by poyson to end her dayes, sometime by drowning, sometime by hanging, sometime by one thing, sometime by a∣nother: but at last in the middle of the night, hauing her heart déepely ouermaistred by dispaire, shee tooke a Girdle of pure Arabian Silke, which Girdle shee first word on her Princely Nuptiall day when King Arthur marryed her: this fatall Girdle shee made a riding knot of, and therewithall vpon her Bed post shee hanged her sefle. Thus blood (you sée) being guiltlesse shed, is quitted againe with blood.
The Quéene being dead, was not so much pittied of the people, as the good Lady Angellica, little lamentation was made for her death; for euery one expected the like vntimely ende: but according to the aleadgeance of Subiects her Noblemen gaue her a Princely Funerall, and set ouer her an
Iron Tombe, in signification that shee had an Iron heart, and Flintie conditions.
Heere will wée leaue the dead to their quiet restes, and re∣turne to the Blacke Knight, and his Mother Anglitora, with the Indian slaue that attends them: sor strange bee the acci∣dents that happen to them in forraigne Countryes: and af∣ter, wée will speake what hapned to the Red-rose Knight on the Sea.
THE Blacke Knight, his Mother Anglitora, and the Blacke-〈◊〉〈◊〉 slaue, hauing happily cr••st the Seas, and ariued in a Countrey very ••ertill to see to, replenished with all kinde of Trees and Fruit, yet were there no Inhabi∣tants to finde, but onely an old Castle built of Flui•• stones, the Turrets whereof were made like the Gre∣cian Piramedes, square and very high: At this Castle gate they knocked so boldly (each one carelesse of all accidents that might vappen) as it rung into the Chamber were the Knight of the Castle lay: who immediatly sent a very low statur d Dwarffe to sée who knocked, and if they were stran∣gers, to direct them vp into his Chamber to take such kinde courtesies as the Castle afforded: for indeed hee was a Knight of a bountifull condition, & full of liberalitie. The Dwarffe no sooner comming to the Gate, and espying people in such strange disguised attyres, neuer hauing séene the like before, without speaking one word, ran amazedly vp to his Master, certifiing him, that a kinde of people of an vnknowne nation was arriued, and that they séemed rather Angels (in shape) then any earthly creatures.
The Knight of the Castle hearing this, came downe and met them in a large square Court paued with marble stone,
where hee kindly gaue them entertainement, promising them both lodging and other needfull things they were destitute of.
The thrée Trauellers accepted of his courtesies, and being long before weather-beaten on the Seas, thought themselues from a déepe dungeon of calamities lifted to the toppe of all pleasures and prosperitie; thus from this paued Court the Knight led them vp to his owne Chamber, wherein was a fire made of Iuniper wood & Frankinsence, which smelled ve∣ry sweete: the walles were hung about with rich Tapestrie, whereon was writ the story of Troyes destruction, the Crea∣tion of mankind, and the fearefull description of the latter day of Doome: likewise hung vpon the said wales, Instruments of all sorts of musicke, with such varietie of other pleasures, as they had neuer seene the like.
Now while these weary Trauellers tooke pleasure in be∣holding these things, the good Knight caused his Dwarffe (which was all the seruants that hee kept) to couer the Table, made of Cypresse wood, with a fine Damaske table-cloth, and thereon set such dellicates as his castle afforded; which was a piece of a wild Fore, rosted the same morning, with diuers o∣ther seruices of Fowles, whereof the Countrey had plentie: Their bread was made of the Almonds mixed with Goates milke (for no corne grew in this soyle) their Drinke, of the wilde grape, likewise mingled with Goates milke; which is in my minde, accounted restoratiue: to this Banquet were the Trauellers placed, where hauing good stomackes, they quick∣ly satisfied hunger, & after began to chat of their aduentures what danger they indured by sea, & how luckily they arriued in that Countrey, giuing the courteous Knight great thanks for his kindnesse.
On the other side, when the Banquet was ended, euery one rising from the table, he tooke an Orphirian that hung by, and caused his Dwarffe to daunce after the sound thereof: the strings whereof hee himselfe strayned with such curiositie, that it mooued much delight, especially the Lady Anglitora, whose eyes and eares were as attentiue to the Melody, as Helle••s were to the inchaunting Musicke of the Grecian Paris. In this kind of pleasure consumed they most part of the day, till
the bright Sunne began greatly to decline, then the Blacke Knight in a couragious spirit, said.
Sir Knight (for so you séeme to bee by your entertainement of Strangers) this Carpet kind of pleasure I like not, it disa∣grees with my young desires: the hunting of vntamed Ty∣gers, the Tilts and Turnaments of Knights, and the Bat∣tels of renowned Warriours, is the glory I delight in: and now considering no other aduentrous exercise, may bee found in this Countrey, but only the hunting of Wilde beastes, I will into the Forrest and by manhood fetch some wilde Uem∣son for my mothers supper.
The Knight of the Castle (séeing his resolution) furnished him with a hunting Iauelin, and so directed him to the For∣rest, where most plentie of such pleasures were: God be his good spéed, for wee will leaue the Blacke Knight in his exer∣cise, and speake of the wanton affections of Anglitora, and the Knight of the Castle, that they cast vpon each other: a short tale to make, whereas two hearts make one thought, the bargaine is soone made: the Knight of the Castle hauing not had the presence nor societie of a Woman in seuen yéeres before, grew as wantonly minded, as the Roman Tarquini∣us, when hee rauished the chast Lady Lucretia. On the other side, Anglitora hauing the venome of disloyaltie, grew so pli∣able to his desires, that at his pleasure hee obteined that loue which in former times the Red-rose Knight aduentured his life for; she that in former times was accounted the worlds ad∣miration for constancie, was now the very wonder of shame, and the by-Word of modest Matrons: this was the first dayes entrance into their wanton pleasures, which in all daliance they spent till the Sunne had lost the sight of the Earth: then expecting the returne of the Blacke Knight, from Hunting, they sate as d••murely, as they had béen the chastest liuers of the world▪ not a glance of wantonnesse passed betwixt them, but all modest and ••iuill behauiours; in this sort stayed they attending for the returne of the Blacke Knight, but all in vaine: for hauing a wilde Panther in chase, hee followed so farre in the vnknowne Forrest, that hee lost himselfe, all that night trauelling to finde the way foorth, but could not; sléepe
was to him as meate to a sicke man; his steps were number∣lesse, like the starres of heauen, or the sands of the Sea: his deuises for recouerie little preuailed, the further hee went, the further hee was from returning: thus day and night (for ma∣ny dayes and nights) spent hée in these comfortlesse trauailes; no hope cheered his heart, no comfort bore him company, but his patient minde: and now at last, when hee saw all meanes fru••rate, hee resolued to liue and die in that sollitary Forrest: his foode hee made of the Fruits of trées, his drinke of the cleare ruaning water, his Bed was no better then a heape of Sun-burnd Mosse, his Canopies the azure Elements full of twinckling lights, his Curtaines a row of thicke branched Trees, the Torches to light him to his Bed, the Starres of Heauen, the Melodie or Musicke to bring him asléepe, the croakes of Rauens, or the tearefull cries of night Owles: the Clocke to tell the houres of the night, were h••sing Snakes, and Toades croaking in foggy grasse: his morning Cocke the cheerefull Nightingale, or the cherping Larke his compa∣nions on the day, were howling Woolues, rauening Lyens, and the wrathfull Bo••res: all (as the Fates had decréed) as gentle to him in fellowship, as people of a ciuill gouernment: for to say troth, time & necessitie had conuerted him to a man of wild conditions: for his hayre was growne long and shag∣gy, like vnto a Satyre: his flesh tanned in the Sunne as an Indian: the nailes of his fingers were as the tallents of Ea∣gles, wherewith hee could easily climbe the highest trees: garments hee had not any, for they were worne out, & as wil∣lingly was hée content with nakednesse, as in former times hée was with rich habiliments.
Thus liued hee for seauen yéeres in this desolate Forrest, by which time hee was almost growne out of the fauour of a man: where for a time wee will leaue him, and procéed to o∣ther accidents, also wée will ouer passe the leawd liues of Ang∣litora and the Knight of the Castle, nor speake as yet any more of their seauen yéeres adulterie; for numberlesse were the sinnes committed by them in those seauen yéeres, in that ac∣cursed Castle.
THE Blackamore slaue (as you haue heard) attended vpon them, like an obedient Ser∣uant, and shewed all dutie and loue, till Ang∣litora gaue her body to the spoyle of Lust, and from a vertuous Lady conuerted her selfe to a hated Strumpet, which vile course of life when the Indian perceiued, hée secretly departed the Castle, greatly lamenting the wrongs of his Master, the Red-rose Knight, whose noble minde deserued better at her hands. Day and night traualled the poore slaue toward Eng∣land, thinking to finde his Master there, and to reueale that which hardly hee thought would bee beléeued by him: wearie and opprest with hunger went hée this long Iourney: many Prouinces hee passed through, before hée could learne the way towards England; and then was hée so farre from it, as at the first, when hée departed from the Castle.
The labouring Husbandman grieued not more to sée his Corne and Cattle taken by Théeues: nor the Marchant to heare of his Shippes suncke at Sea, then did this Indian at his vaine trauels, and wearisome Iourneyes to small pur∣pose: so at last setting forward againe, hee came to the sea side, thinking to heare of some Shippe to giue him passage ouer: but alasse, one crosse falls after another, one mischiefe comes vpon the necke of another: and one mischance seldome hap∣pens alone; so as this true hearted Negar stood beholding how the billowes of the Sea beate against her banckes, and the Whale fishes lay wallowing in the Waues: behold such a tempest suddenly arose, that by the force thereof, the poore slaue was cast into the Sea: but by reason of his Silken vaile tyde about his middle, and his great skill in swimming, (as most Negars bée perfect therein) kept himselfe from
drowning: and as good fortune would, the same tempest droue the weather-beaten shippe to the same shore wherein the Red-rose Knight (his master) was, which Shippe had béene seuen yeares vpon the Sea in great extreamitie, and be∣fore this tyde could neuer sée land. By that time the tempest ended, the Shippe floted to land, wherein was left but onely the Red-rose Knight in his Palmers wéede (for all the rest wer•• starued vp for want of food) who being weake and fée∣ble, ••limbed to the top of the Hatches, where when hee had perce••ued the Negar labouring for life vpon the waters, cast out a long coard, and so saued him: whome when the Red-rose Knight saw, and perfectly knew, hée fell all most into a traunce for ioy, supposing his Lady and Sonne not to bee farre distant: but recouering his former senses, hée spake as followeth.
Oh blessed Neptune, hast thou vouchsafed to deliuer mée from the depth of thy bowels, and cast mée on land, where once againe I may behold my Anglitora, and my deare Sonne, the Blacke Knight. These seuen yeares famine in∣dured on the Sea, hath béene a swéete pleasure to mée, in that the end brings mée to my desires. Full threescore of my mise∣rable Companions in this Shippe, hath death seazed vpon, and through Famine, haue eaten one another, making their hungry bowels graues for the others Carcases; and though now this belly of mine (like the Canibals) haue béene glutted with humane flesh, and this mouth of mine tasted the blood of man: yet am I as pittifull as the tender hearted Mother, forgetting her Sonnes offences: and to my Anglitora will bee as kinde, as if neuer shée had trespassed: nor like the Grecian Helina, left her marryed Lord: So taking the Blackamoore by the hand. Hée demaunded of her welfare, and in what estate his Sonne remayned? The true hearted Negar could hardly speake for griefe, or vtter one word for teares: yet at the last with a wofull sigh, hée vttered foorth these heart-killing speeches.
Oh my noble Maister (quoth hée) by you from a Pagan I was made a Christian: by you, from a Heathen nation without ciuilitie, I was brought to a Land of Princely go∣uernment;
and by you, till my departure, was I maintained in good manner: there if I should proue periured slaue, and a false Uarlet towards you, my body were worthy to bée made foode for hungry Folvles of the Ayre, and for the rauening Beasts of the Fields: therefore now considering that dutie bindes mee to it, I will reueale such wofull chaun∣ces; and such disloyall trickes shewed by your Lady as will make your heart tremble, your Sinewes shake, & your haire to stand vpright. Anglitora your Lady and Wife, hath disho∣noured your Bed and polluted that sacred Chamber of secre∣tie, which none ought to know, but onely you two: That ma∣riage vow shee made in Gods holy Temple, hath shée infringed, and vntyed the knot of Nuptiall promise: in a Countrey farre from hence hath shee wrought this hated crime: in a Coūtrey vnpeopled liues shee in a Castle, which is kept vp a Knight of a wanton demeanour; there liue they two in adultery, there liue they secreatly sléeping in wantonnesse: and therefore these seauen yeares hath shée made her selfe the childe of shame: All this with extreame griefe doe I vnfold, and with a heart almost kilde with sorrow, doe I breath out the dutie of a seruant: if I haue offended, let my death make amends: for what I speake is truely deliuered from a heart vnfaigned.
All this time of this his sorrowfull Discourse, stood the Red-rose Knight in a bitter agonie, like one newlie dropt from the cloudes, not knowing how to take these discourte∣sies: one while purposing to bée reuenged, and with his nailes to teare out the Strumpets eyes: another while, bewayling her weake nature, that so easily was woon to leivdnesse: but at last, taking to him (the vertue) patience, hee resolued to tra∣uell to the Castle, & with his méek perswasions séeke to winne her former wickednesse, & to forget, forgiue, and cast out of remembrance all these her vnwoman-like demeanours, obser∣uing the Prouerbe, That faire meanes sooner winnes a wo∣man, then foule, Thus in company of his true seruant the Negar, hee tooke his iourney toward the Castle; where (after foure moneths trauell) they ariued; the Red-rose Knight) by the directions of the Negar, knocked, and in his Pilgrimes ha∣bite, desired meate and lodging for himselfe and his guide.
The first that opened the Gate, was his owne Lady, who immediately, vpon the sight of them blushed, as though some sodaine feare had affrighted her; yet dessemblingly (colouring her acknowledge of them) shée in a charitable manner gaue them entertainement and conducted them to a by roame at the backe side of the Castle: into which place shee sent them (by her Dwarffe) victuals from her owne Table, with a com∣maund, that the next morning they should auoyde, and neuer more trouble that place.
This message sent by the Dwarffe, much disquseted the Red-rose Knight, and droue such amaze into his minde, that hee grew ignorant what to doe: And séeing his appointed time very short to remaine there, hee now thought fit to strike whilst the Iron was hotte, and to discouer what hee was: so taking the Scarffe of Iewells and Kings tyed to his left side against his heart (which shée knew perfectly well to bée the giftes of her Loue) and by the Dwarffe sent them her: The which no sooner shee beheld, but shée openly sayd to thée Knight of the Castle, that their secret affections were discoue∣red, and her Husband in the habite of a Palmer made abode in her House conducted thither by the Moore, to bring their shame to light, and to carry her thence to England, there to be punished for her sinnes. Heereupon the Knight and shee purposed the same night to rid themselues of that feare, and by some violent death sende the Palmer to his last abyding. Disquietnesse attended on all sides for that day, and euery houre séemed ten, till night approached; which at last came, though long lookt for. Then Anglitora in company of the Knight of the Castle, like vnto Murtherers, rose from their Bedds, euen at that houre of night when mischiefes are acted, when no noyse was heard but the barking of Wolues, the howling of Dogges, and the croaking of Night-owles, all assistance to blacke actions: In this manner came they into the Lodging of the Palmer who for wearinesse of his Iourneyes, most soundly slept, little dreaming that such cru∣eltie; could be lodged in the boosome of his wedded Wife: one whose loue he had first gained with great daunger, and alwayes estéemed as deare as his owne heart blood. All signes of duty
had shée obscured, not any remembrance had shee of Woman∣hood: Marriage Loue was forgotten, their passed ioyes were as things neuer been: not any thought of remorse remayned within her; but shee more cruell then the new deliuered Bear, or the Tyger starued for meate, by the helpe of the Knight of the Castle, tooke the Scarffe of Iewells (sent her from him the same euening) and by violence thrust them downe the Pal∣mers throat: by which meanes they bereaued him of life and without any solemnity due to so braue a man, they buried him in a Dunghill without the Gate, not shedding so much as one teare for his death: so great was the 〈…〉〈…〉 of this his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 full Lady. The poore Negar they set vp to the middle in the ground so surely fastned, that by any meanes he could not stirre from thence, where wée will leaue him wishing for death. The Red-rose Knight, or rather the vnhappy Palmer, in his vn∣christian like Graue, and the Knight of the Castle with the murtheresse Anglitora, to their surfetting Banquets of sinne, and returne to the Blacke Knight, which had lost himselfe in the Woods.
BY this time the Blacke Knight grewe so naturall a Wilde-man, as though hée had béene bredde in the Wildernesse: for day by day hee sported with Lions, Leo∣pards, Tygers, Elephants, Unicornes, and such like kinde of Beasts, playing as familiarly with them, as in King Ar∣thurs Court hée had done with gallant Gentlemen. But marke how it hapned one day aboue an other: Hee chaun∣ched to walke downe into a Ually, where hee set himselfe downe by the Riuers side, and in humane complaints be∣wayled his owne estate, how beeing borne and breed of a
Princely Race, discended royally should thus consume his dayes in sauage sort, amongst Wilde beasts, and by no meanes could recouer his libertie, or frée himselfe from that solitary Wildernesse, Being in this distresse of mind, a suddaine feare assayld him, his heart shiuered, his haire stood vpright, the Elements seemed to looke dimme, a terrible Tempest tore vp huge trees, the Wilde Beastes roared and gathered on a heape together, Birdes fell liuelesse from the ayre, the Ground as it were trembled, and a sodaine alteration troubled each thing aboue him: in this amaze sate hée a good time, mar∣uelling what would ensue; at last there appeared (as hée ima∣gined) the Ghost of his Fa••he•• new••y murthered with a coun∣tenance pale and wan, with hollowe eyes (or none at all) gli∣ding vp and downe before him casting such fearefull frownes, as might make the stoutest heart in the world to tremble: and at last, setting himselfe before the Blacke Knight, spake as followeth.
Fearenot my Sonne, I am the Ghost of thy murthered Father, returned from Plutoes hollow Region: I came from that burning Kingdome where continually flames an euer∣lasting Furnace; from the fearefull Pitte▪ come I to thee for reuenge: Oh thou my Sonne, if euer gentle Nature were plyant in thy boosome: if euer thou tookest pleasure to hearethy Fathers honours spoken of; if euer thou desirest to haue thy life meritorious in this world, take to thee thy ne∣uer failing Courage, and reuenge my death vpon thy adulte∣rous Mother: thy Mother now liuing in the filthinesse of shame, making the Castle where shee now remaines in, a lustfull stewes: there was I murthered, and there buried in a stincking Dunghill; no man gaue mee Funeral teares, nor any sorrowed for my death: I that haue dared Death in the face, and purchast Honour in many Kingdomes, was slaine by my owne Wife, by my néerest Friend, by my se∣cond selfe, by Anglitora, by her whom the whole world ad∣mired for vertue: Rise (deare Sonne) rise, and hast thée to that Castle polluted with the shame of thy wicked Mother: Rise I say, and let the Pauements of that Castle, be sprinke∣led with their detested blood, the blood of that Monster that
hath not onely dispoyled my marriage bedde of honoured dig∣nities, but like a tyrant to her owne flesh hath murthered mee. Sée how the angry Heauens (as it were) doe threaten my Reuenge: hearke how Hell-Furies doe howle and roare for Reuenge: my Wiues Adulterie at the hand of Heauen de∣serues Reuenge: My bléeding soule (Oh my Sonne wandreth in vnquiet paths, till thou workest Reuenge: my death and murther cries (〈1 line〉〈1 line〉) for Reuenge: then feare not (Sonne) to act it; for duty, loue and nature bindes thée to it, By Heauen, and by that great immortall Throane of happinesse: By that low Kingdome of eternall paines; By the huge watrey Seas I past to fol∣low her: By Earth and by the Soules of all the mortall men that euer dyed, I commaund, ••ha••ge, and constraine thée to perseuere in this Reuenge, Hence to that foule de∣famed Castle, defamed by Adulterie defamed by Murther; there to my Soule doe thy latest dutie: there, wound thy cursed Mothers breast, there sacrifice her liues blood, there appease thy Fathers Ghost insenst with furie; so shall my Soule in ioy, enter the Fields of faire Elizeum: But if thou prouest coward-like, and through feare deny to execute my glorious Reuenge, from this day hence-forth shall my pale, wan, leane, and withred Ghost with gastly lookes, and feare∣full steps, pursue and follow thee. These were the words of his Fathers Ghost: and hauing spoken these words, with a grieuous groane, hee vanished. At this his sodaine departure, the Blacke Knight cryed with a loud and fearefull voyce saying.
My noble Father, stay; Oh stay thy hasty steppes: once more let mee heare thee speake. Whether flyest thou? Oh let me heare thy voyce againe: It will not be, He is vanished; and my Mother liues as a shame to all our generation. Oh thou staine of woman-hood: Oh thou bloody Lionnesse: Oh brutish act: Oh beastly desires: Where shall I now finde a place to shed teares in? for my heart is rent into tenne thousand pieces, and the terrour of this déed, is too intol∣lerable. Rest thou in peace, sweete Father: thou in thy life wert both wise and valiant: thy vertue, wisedome, and man∣hood
made the very enemies to loue thée: Oh then, what fortune hadst thou, to die by the friendly trust of thy owne Wife, my disloyall Mother, thy neerest friend proud thy greatest enemie; and by a Womans mallice, that heart was killed, that millions of Foes could neuer daunt. Oh sweete Red-rose Knight, most happy hadst thou been to haue dyed •••• the Fields of bloody Warre, and seal'd thy liues quittance ••mo••est renowned Souldiers: then had thy death béene more honorable, my wicked Mother had not murthered thée, nor I béen inforst to take such bloody vengeance, as I intend (deare Father) for thy sake: for let mée neuer breath one day longer, nor view the next Mornings rising Sunne: let mée neuer liue imprisoned in this Wildernesse, let nothing prosper that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I ••ake in hand, and here let the worlde end, if I cease to prosecute a mortall Reuenge, as the soule of my Father hath commaunded. Hereupon hée set forward toward the Castle, conducted by what chaunce the Heauens has allotted him: not one steppe hée knew aright, nor what course to take to finde the direct way: but it hapned, that a••igni•• fatuus (as hee thought) or a goeing Fire, led him the right way out of the Forrest directly to the Castle where his dishonest Mother made her abode. But comming néere vnto the Gates, hée found all close, and neere vnto the Castle the Black-moore set halfe way quicke into the earth, hauing (for want of foode) eaten most part of the flesh from his armes; whom the Blacke Knight soone digged vp, and kept aliue, to be a furtherance to his intended reuenge.
The poore Indian, being thus happily preserued from d••ath, reuealed all that had happned in the said Castle; how his Mother liued in adultery, how his Father was murthe∣red, why himselfe was set quicke in the earth; and lastly, for the loue of his dead Master, hée protested to conduct him through a secret Uault into the Castle, that in the dead of the night they might the easier accomplish their desired re∣uenge: Thus lingring secretly about the Castle till the middle of night: a (time as they imagined) to bée the fittest for thée tragicall businesse: at last the midnight houre came, and through a secret Cell they entred vnder the Castle into
the Lodging where his Father was murthred. This is the place (quoth the Negar) where my sad eyes beheld thy Fa∣ther both aliue and dead; so goeing from thence into the Chamber (which by chaunce, and as ill lucke had appointed) was through negligence left open, hée shewed him the Bedde where these Adulterers lay secretly sléeping in each others Armes, Oh dolefull sight, This lust, hath made mée father∣lesse, and ere long this Weapon shall make me motherlesse: ••o kneeling downe vpon his knées, in a whispering manner hee said vnto himselfe. Yée lowring Destinies, now weaue vp the Webbe of their two liues that haue liued too long, You infernall Furies, draw néere: Assist me thou reuengefull God Nemesis, for on this Sword sits now such a glorious Reuenge, as being taken, the world will applande mee for a louing Sonne. Hauing spoken these words, hee sheathed his Sword vp to the hiltes in the boosome of the Knight of the Castle, who lying in the armes of Anglitora, gaue so deadly a groane, that shée immediatly awaked: first looking to the Knight that was slaine in her Armes, thou percciuing her Sonne standing with his weapon drawne; yet wreaking in the blood of the dead Knight, meanacing likewise her death, with •• wofull shrike she breathed out these words,
Oh what hast thou done my cruell Sonne? Thou hast ••laine the miracle of humanitie; and one whom I haue chosen ••o be my hearts Parramour, and thy second Father.
Oh Lady quoth the (Blacke Knight) for Mother is too proud a title for thée: what Furie driueth thee to lament ••he deserued death of that lewde blood shedder, and not ra∣ther choose with heart-renting sighes, to bewaile the death of my Father, thy renowned Husband, whose guiltlesse body, euen dead, thou didst dispise, by buring him wh••••anly vpon a ••ounghill; but Heauen hath graunted, and Earth hath agréed ••etesting both thy misdéedes, and hath sent mée to sacrifice thy blood vnto the Soule of my murthered Father, Whilst hée was speaking these words, Anglitora arose from her bed, and in her smocke which was of pure Cambr••••ke) shée knéeled to her sonne vpon her bare knées, saying.
Oh thou my deare Sonne, whom once I nourisht in
my painefull wombe, and fedde thée with mine owne blood, whom oft I choycely dandled in my armes, when with lullababyes and swéet kisses I rocked asléepe: Oh fatre bée it from thée (my louing Sonne) to harme that breast, from whom thou first receiuest life: Of thée (my Sonne) thy Mother begging life. Oh spare the life, that once gaue thée life, with bléeding teares, I doe confesse my wanton offen∣ces, I doe confesse through mee thy Father dyed: Then, if confession of faults may merit mercie, pardon my life. Ob∣scure not thy renowne with cruelty, making thy selfe unkind and monstrous in murthering of thy Mother. I charge thée, by thy dutie that thou owest mee; by all the bondes of loue betwixt a Mother and a Sonne, by all the kindnesse shewed to thée in thy infancy, let thy mother liue that begs life vpon her bare knées: Doe not thou glory in my miseries: let not my teares whet on thy cruellnesse: let not thy minde bée bent to death and murther: bee no ••••••age Monster: bee not vn∣naturall, rude and brutish: let my intreates preuaile to saue my life: wound not the wombe that fostred thée, which now I tearmed wicked, by onely fostring thee, what childe can glut his eyes with gazing on his Parents wounds, and will not faint in beholding them.
Hereupon the Blacke Knight not able to indure to suffer his Mothers further intreaties, least pittie and remorse might mollifie his heart, and so graunt her life (which to Heauen to take away hée had déepely sworne) hée cut her off with these deadly words.
Lady, I am not made of Flint nor Adamant; in kinde re∣gard of calamitie, I am almost strucke with remorce: but dutie must quite vndoe all dutie: Kinde must worke against kinde, all the powers of my body bée at mortall strife, and séeke to confound each other, Loue turnes to Hatred: Nature turnes to wrath, and Dutie to Reuenge: for mée thinkes my Fathers Blood with agroning voice, cryes to Heauen for Reuenge: therefore to appease my Fathers angry spirit, here shalt thou yéeld vp thy déerest blood. Here was hee rea∣dy to strike, and with his sword to finish vp the tragedie: but that his grieued soule in kinde nature plucked backe his
hand: whereupon with a great sigh he sayd.
Oh Heauens; how am I grieued in minde. Father for∣giue mee, I cannot kill my Mother And now againe, mée thinks I sée the pale shaddow of my fathers Ghost glyding before mine eyes; mée thinkes hée shewes me the manner of his murther; mée thinkes his angry lookes threatens mée and tels how that my heart is possest with cowardice, & chil∣dish feare; Thou doest preuaile, O Father euen now receiue this sacrifice of blood and death; this pleasing sacrifice, which to appease thy troubled soule, I heare doe offer. And thus in speaking these words, with his Sword hée split the deare heart of his mother; from whence the blood as from a gush∣ing Spring issued. Which when hee beheld, such a sodaine conceit of griefe entred his minde considering that hée had slaine his owne Mother, whom in duty hee ought to honour aboue all liuing women, that hee rather fell into a frenzie thē a melancholy; and so with a pale countenance and gastly lookes, with spartling like to a burning Furnace, began to talke idlely.
What haue I done? Whome hath my bloody hand mur∣thered? Now woe vnto my soule for I am worse then the Uiperous brood that eates out their Dammes wombe to get life vnto themselues: they doe but according to nature, I against all Nature; for I haue digged vp the boosome that first gaue mee life. Oh wicked wretch; where shall I nowe hide my head? for I haue slaine my selfe, in killing her: I haue staynde this Chamber héere with humane blood The Heauens abhorre me for this déed: The World condemnes mée for this murther, and Hell Furies will follow mee with shame and terrour: The Gods are grieued, Men (me thinks) ••••ie my company: dead Ghosts arise in my distresses: I see my Mother comes with a brest bléeding, threatning confu∣sion to my fortunes. Oh thou vgly Spirit, cease to follow mée, torment me not aliue, for the wrath of Heauen is fal∣len vpon my head. Dispaire, where art thou? I must finde thée out, I will goe seeke thee through the world: and if in the world I finde thee not, Ile saddle winged Pegasus, and scale he mantion place of loue. I will ransake all the corners of
the ••kie. I will throwe downe the Sunne, the Moone, and Starres: then leauing heauen, I will goe seeks for Des∣paire in the loathsome poole of Hell; there in Plutoes Court will I binde blacke Cerberus vp in Chaines, the triple-hea∣ded Helhound, that Porter of Hell gates, because hee let Des∣paire passe from thence. In this frantike sort ranne he vp and downe the Chamber, and at last with the nayles of his fingers hée fell to graue vpon the Stone walles the picture of his Mother, imitating Pigmalion, hoping to haue life breathed into the same. Meane while the poore Indian with fleshlesse armes heaued vp towards Heauen, and on his bare knées, made his supplication to the Gods, for the Blacke Knights reco∣uery of his wittes.
Oh you angry Heauens (quoth hee) reuoke your heauy doomes, forget this crime, forgiue this vnnaturall murther: pittie the state of this distressed Knight, and send some meanes to recouer his senses. Thou bright Lampe of Heauen, thou eternall light, although in iustice we haue deserued thy wrath, yet let my prayers, my neuer ceasing Prayers, my heartes renting Sighs, my déepe inforced Teares, worke some remorce from thy incensed ire, that either this Knight may re∣couer his lost senses, or set him frée from death. Thus in a zea∣lous manner prayed the poore Negar, desi••ing God to lay the Knights fault vpon his head, and reclaime his vnbridled rage: which Prayer was soone regarded by Heauen, for the Blacke Knight had immediatly his madnesse turned into a sad melancholly; and in a more gentle manner made his sad la∣mentations, as you shall heate in the next Chapter.
But now the Negar, that all the time of Anglitoras mur∣ther stood in a traunce, beganne now a little (considering the fright hee tooke at the Blacke Knights madnesse) to summon againe together his naturall senses; and perceiuing the vn∣chast Lady dead, cold, pale, wanne, lying weltering in her goare, and the blood of her false heart (shed by her owne child) all besprinckled about the Chamber, sayd as followeth.
Now (quoth the Negar, betwixt life and death) haue you showne your selfe a dutifull Sonne, and nobly reuenged the death of your Father. These were the last words of the poore
Indian; which as then s••nke downe, and neuer after breathed▪ Thereupon came f••orth the Dwarffe of the Castle, with great store of treasure, proffering the same to the Blacke Knight; who nothing thirsting after couetousnesse, refused it, and with∣all tooke the Dwarffe in satisfaction for the Negars death, and crammed the treasure downe his throate; and after buryed the two Seruants together in one Graue. This being done he digged vp his Fathers body from the Dunghill, and brought it to the Chamber where his mother lay and after in an Ab∣by yard belonging to the Castle, he buryed them both likwise, in one Graue. This being done, hee knéeled thereupon, and made his complaint in this manner.
OH thric•• happy for euer-more bee this ground that containes the bodyes of my vnfortunate Parents; for this Earth hath receiued the swéete Darling of Nature, and the onely de∣light of the whole World; the Sunshine of Christendome, and the glory of Mankinde: Oh thrice happy be the grasse, that from hencefoorth shall grow vpon this Graue: let neuer Sithe touch it, nor crafty ••urking Serpent with venemous breath, or deadly poyson, hurt it: Let no Lyons pawes, nor Beares foot, tread vp∣on it: Let no Beasres Horne in any manner abuse it: Let no Birds with pecking, nor créeping filthy Uermine, no win∣ters nipping Frost, no nightly falling Dewes, no rage of the par••hing Sunnes heate, nor Starres, haue power from Heauen: nor fearefull Tempest nor horrible Lightning, in any manner annoy it: Let no Plough-man driue hither his weary Oren, nor Shepheards bring hither their Shéepe, least by the Bulls rage it bee harmed, or by the harmelesse Shéepe it be eaten: but let it for euer grow, that the display∣ing thereof may reach to Heauen: and may from hencefoorth
this Graue be euer accounted sacred: and may the Grasse bee euer sprinkled with swéet Waters. Some good man vpon this Graue set a burning Taper, that then for euery anguish of my heart, I may beate my Breasts, till my Fistes haue strucken the winde from my body; and that my Soule may beare them company into Elizium. Come you wanton fleshly Satyres: Come you friendly Fawnes: Come you Fayries and Dryades, and sing swéet Epitaphes; lift vp your voyces to Heauen, and let your prayses bée in the honour of my Parents: my selfe like a wan, pale, and dead man, will beare you company: I will wearie the World with my com∣plaints: I will make huge Streames with my Teares: such Streames, as no Banke shall barre: such Streames, as no Drought shall drye. But alasse what doe I meane to repeate these seuerall lamentations: since my deare Parents bée dead: since from the world they are parted: since they are buried without solemnitie: since my delights are all inclo∣sed in the Grounde: yet will I still here make my com∣plaints, though no good ease comes thereby, adding teares to teares, and sorrowes to sorrowes. Oh frowning For∣tune. Oh vnlucky Starres. Oh cursed day that euer I did this déed, for now no sence, nor knowledge, takes their vnsensible bodyes of my griefes: in this Graue there is no féeling: in Death there is no pittie taken. Oh thou Siluan∣nus thou commander of these Mountaines, helpe mee poore helpelesse soule to shed teares: for my religion, for my deuo∣tion and Countries sake helpe mee: either let me haue some comfort in my sorrowes, or let me in Death, beare my Pa∣rents company. Thou séest what Torments I suffer; how my heart trembles, how my eyes flow with teares, how my head is with teares possest, how my Soule is full of horri∣ble anguish: all this thou séest, and yet it little grieues thée to sée it. Oh thou churlish ground, from hencefoorth cease any more to beare Fruit: cease to be deck't with Flowers, cease to be mantled in Gréene, for the purest Flowers are withered. Thy Garlands are decayed: my deare Parents are too vntimely bereft of life: their sweete bodyes thou harborest, and in thy wombe deliuere••st them as a food vnto
Wormes. Therefore thou cruell Earth, howle andmourne, for thou art vnworthy of such blessed bodies. And now, oh you pittifull Heauens, heare my complaints, conuey them to the Soules of my deceased Parents: for my lamenta∣tions by the gentle Windes, are blowen from the East vn∣to the West: the dry Land, and the Watry Seas, are witnes∣ses to them: Therefore no day shall rise, but it shall heare my complaints: no night shall come, but it shall giue eare vn∣to my mo••nes: neither day nor night, shall be frée from my heart-breaking cryes. If that I groane, mée thinkes the Trees are bended, as though they pittied my teares. The very Ground (for griefe) I sée alters her complexion. All that I heare, all that I see, all that I feele, giues fresh increase to my sorrow. I will neuer hencefoorth come in peo∣pled Towne, nor inhabited Cittie, but wander all alone vp and downe by low Uallyes, and sleepy Rockes: or I will dwell in darke Dennes frequented onely by Wilde Beastes, where no path of man was euer séene, or to the Woods I will goe, so darke, and beset so thicke with shaddow branches, that no Sunne may shine there by day, nor no Starre by night may be seene, whereas is heard no voyce, but the out∣cryes of horrible Goblings, the balefull shrikes of Night∣owles, the vnlukie sounds of Rauens and Crowes; there shall mine eyes bee made watry Fountaines; there will I make such plaints, as Beasts shall mourne to heare them; such plaints will I make, as shall rend and riue strong trees, make wilde Panthers tame, and mollifie hard flinty stones: And if by chance that sléepe oppresse mee, on the bare and cold Ground shall these wofull limbs rest: the gréene turffe shall, serue as a Pillow for my head: boughs and branches of trées shall couer me: and then I hope, some venemous Serpent wil spéedily giue mee my deaths wound, that this my poore soule may be released from flesh and blood: by which meanes I may passe to those Fields, those faire Elizium Fields, whereas my murthered Parents daily resort. In this manner com∣plained the Blacke Knight vpon his Parents graue, thrée dayes and nights together, still knéeling vpon the cold ground and could not by any imagination bee comforted: euery thing
his eyes beheld, renewed fresh sorrow, and drew on new la∣mentations: but at last, the Powers of Heauen intending to graunt him some ease, cast his distressed Senses into a quiet slumber: where lying vpon his fathers graue, wee will let him for a time rest.
YOu haue read in the first part of this Histo∣rie, how the Fayerie Knight the Sonne of Caelia, begot by the Red-rose Knight, was committed (by his Mother at her death) to the keeping of the Ladies of the Land: for then was there but few Men liuing, being a Countrey onely of Women: and now being of lusty age, and a Knight of renowned valoure, he betooke himselfe to trauell: the onely cause to finde his Father, or some of his kindred whom he had neuer seene.
Many were the Countries he passed: but more the dangers hee indured: all which for this time, wee omit: onely a little speake of thrée guifts giuen him by an Hermite, that had thrée excéeding Uertues: For comming to an Iland to séeke aduentures, it was his chance to saue a young beautifull Mayden from rauishing by a satyricall Wild-man: for he ha∣uing tyed the golden locks of her Hayre to two knoity bram∣bles, and being ready to take his venerall pleasure vpon her, the Fayerie Knight comming by, and séeing that dishonour and violence offered to so young a Uirgin, with his Sword at one blow, paired away the Wild-mans head, and so went with the Mayden home to her Fathers house, which was an Hermitage some mile distant off: where being no sooner come, but the good old man, hauing a Head more white then Siluer, but a heart more heauier then Lead, by reason of the
want of his daughter, so cruelly taken from him, began at her sight to be so cheered, that he had not the power (for ioy) to speake a good space, but at last, taking the fayerie Knight by the hand, he led him to an inward roome, where hee banqueted him with such chéere as his Hermitage afforded; and after in ••••ew of his daughters reschew, hee gaue him thrée such Gifts, and of thrée such Uertues, as the like seldome had Knight. The first, was a King, which whosoeuer did weare, should neuer dye by treason. The second a Sword; that on what Gate soeuer it strucke, it would presently fly open. The third and last, a viall of such Drinke that whosoeuer tasted, should sodainely forget all passed sorrowes.
Hauing receiued these thrée Gifts of the good old Her∣mite, he departed, and trauelled without any aduenture till he came and found the blacke Knight afléepe vpon his fathers Graue: which when the Fayerie Knight had awaked, in coun∣tenance they were so alike, as Nature had made them both one, (for indéed they were Brothers by the Fathers side, the one true borne, the other a Bastard) yet at the first sight, such a secret affection grew betwixt them, that they plighted their ••aythes to each other, vowing neuer to part friendships. But when the Blacke Knight had reuealed his birth & parentage, his Fathers name, and place of birth, the Fayerie Knight re∣solued himselfe, that he had found a Brother, as well in nature as condition: But when hee heard the story of his Fathers life, and the manner of his death, with the murther of Angli∣tora his vnchast wife, hee could not choose but shed teares, whereof plenty descended from his faire eyes: whereupon hée tooke occasion to speake as followeth.
Heauen rest thy swéet soule (my vnknowne Father,) and may the fruite of thee proue as famous in the World as thou hast been; but more fortunate in their Mariage choyse: As for my Stepmother, though her vnchast life baue made her in famous to all Womankinde, yet this in charitie I de∣sire, that when shee comes to Plutoes Realme, that Proser∣pine may send her to the blessed fields of Elizium; in re∣membrance of whom, in this world, (if euer we ariue in that noble Countrey of England, where my Knightly Father was
borne,) wee will there erect her a stately Tombe: yet no Epitaph) shall show her disloyall life, nor the cause of her death: onely in Letters of beaten Gold, shall remaine in∣grauen vpon her Tombe, the name of, Anglitora Daughter to Prester Iohn, and Wife to the worthy Red-rose Knight. Hereupon hee gaue his new-found Brother (the Blacke Knight) his Wall of Drinke which the Hermit had giuen him: who no sooner had tasted, but all former gréefes were forgotten: hee remembred not the death of his Father, nor the murther of his Mother, nor what sorrow hee had sustay∣ned in the Wildernesse: but like a ioconde Knight, gyrt his Sword round about him, and stood on Thornes till hee was set forward to seeke Martiall aduentures. Hereupon these two Knights departed toward England, and performed ma∣ny noble deeds of Chiualrie by the way; But amongst all others, being in the Turkish Court (this is worthy to bée noted) for with one Boxe of the eare, the Blacke Knight kil∣led the Turkes Sonne starke dead: for which cause, by treason were their liues conspired, and the following night, had their Lodging entred by twelue of the Turkes Guard, with an in∣tent to murther them: but by reason of the inchaunted Ring, in the which they put both their little fingers, the Guard of a sodaine fell all fast in a traunce: hereupon the two Knights departed the Turkish Court, But no sooner were they out of the Citie, but a troupe of armed Knights pursued them, and followed them so néerely, that they were forced to enter a Castle that stood by the Sea side, wherein no creature had abyding: comming to the Gate, the Fayerie Knight with his Sword strucke thereat, an it presently opened: where∣in being no sooner entred, but the armed Knights of the Tur∣kish nation closed them fast in, and caused the Gates to bée walled vp with Free Stone, and so departed. Now were these two Knights in more danger of death, then euer they had beene in all their liues: and sure they had starued, had not good pollicie preserued their liues: for the Castle walles were so high, that none durst venture downe without great danger. As in greatest extreamity, mans wit is the quickest for inuention; so the two Knights cut off all the Hayre from
their heads which were very long) and therewithall made a∣long ••oo••sted Line or Cord, with the which they slid from the top of the Wall to the Ground. But this mischaunce hap∣ned; as the Fayerie Knight glyded downe, the Coard broke, and his body tooke such a violent blow against the stonie Ground, that it strucke the breath quite out of his body, no life by the Blacke Knight could bee perceiued, but that his soule was for euer diuided. This of all misfortunes, was held the extreamest; therefore in great griefe hee breathed foorth this lamentation.
Oh you partiall Fates (quoth hee) Oh you vniust De∣stinies: Why haue you reft two liues by wounding one? Now let the Sunne forbeare his wonted light. Let Heate and Coulde, let Drought and Moysture, let Earth and Ayre, let Fire and Water, be all mingled and confounded together: let that old confused Chaos returne againe, and heere let the World end. And now you Heauens this is my request, that my Soule may presently forsake this flesh: I haue no soule of mine owne, for it is the soule of the Fayerie Knight, for but one Soule is common to vs both: then how can I liue, ha∣uing my Soule departed, which spightfull death hath now separated? Oh thou my Knightly brother, though the Fates deny to giue thée life, yet in spight of them Ile follow thée. You Heauens receiue this halfe soule of my true Friend and let not life and death part vs; with Eagles wings will I flye after him, and in Ioues cele••••iall Throane ioyne with him in friendship. We two in life were but one; one will, one heart, one minde, one Soule made vs one: one life kept vs both aliue, one being dead, drawes the other vnto death: there∣fore, as wee liued in loue, so will we dye in loue; and with one Graue wee may interre both our bodyes: How glorious and happy were my death, to dye with my beloued friend: Now doe I loath this life, in liuing alone without my deare Bro∣ther: whereupon drawing his Sword from his side, hée sayd.
Oh thou wofull Weapon, euen thou shalt be the meane, to ridde my soule from this prison of body. Oh faith vnfaigned; Oh hand of sacred friendship: I am resolued both with the force of Heart, Hand, and Armes, to giue my Heart deaths
deadly wound; for now my noble Fayerie Knight, this blood I offer vp vnto thy Soule. But being ready with his Sword to pierce his owne heart, hée saw a liuely blood spread in his friends face, and those eyes that were so dolefully closed vp, began now to looke abroad; and the countenance that was so pale and wan, receiued a fresh complexion: whereupon the Blacke Knight stayed from his desperate resolution, and from a bloody tragedian, became the recouerer of his brothers life; who after a while, began to be perfect sencible: so binding his bruzed bones together, they went a Shipboard on a Shippe that lay at anchor at the next Port, making for England, so the next morning (the wind serued well) the Pilots hoysted sayle, merily floting on the waters.
Ten wéekes had not passed toward the finishing of a yéere, before they ariued on the Chaulkie cliftes of England; vpon which they had no sooner set footing, but with their warme lippes they gently kissed the cold earth, This is the Land of promised glory (said the Fayerie Knight) to finde this Land I haue indured many miseries: to find this Land I haue passed many Countries, and in this Land, must I seale vp the last quittance of my life, here shal my bones rest, for I am lawfully descended from the loynes of an English Knight: peace bee in my ende, for all my dayes haue béene spent in much trouble.
In such like discourses left they the shore side, & trauayling further into the Land, they met with one of King Arthurs Knights, named Sir Launcelat Dulake, so old and lame that through his bruises in chiualry, hée séemed rather an impotent creature, then a Knight at Armes; yet at the sight of these two aduenturous Knights, his blood séemed to grow young: and hée that before, could not march a mile on foote for a King∣dome, now went as tiuely as any of the two other Knights did. First came they to London, where for their fathers sake, they were (by the Gouernours) most gallantly entertained: the stréets were hung round with Arras hangings, and Tape, strie workes: Pagiants were builded vp in euery stréet, the Cond••nts ran with Wine, and a solemne Holy-day was then proclaimed to be kept yearely vpon that day. To speake of Banquets prepared for them, the Tilts and Turnaments,
and such honourable graces, I thinke néedlesse. In London in great content stayed they some twenty dayes: in which time came noble messengers from the Court to conduct them to the King that then raigned: for since the Blacke Knight and his mother departed the Land, hapned thrée changes, euery one maintaining the ancient honour of King Arthurs Knights of the Round Table, whereof these two in presence of all the Nobilitie, were in Knightly sort created.
After this, the King ordained a solemne Iusting to be kept in his Court, & held in great honour for fortie dayes: to which Knightly sports, resorted the chiefest flowers of Chiualrie from all Countries, as Kings, Princes, Dukes, Marquesses, ••arles, Lords, and Knights; and for chiefe Challenger and Champion for the Countrey, was the Fayerie Knight: who for his matchlesse man-hood therein showne, had this title giuen him by a generall consent, to bee called, The Worlds Won∣der.
After this, being desirous to sée the Citie of Lincolne, where the Red-rose Knight was borne, hee in company of his Brother & true friend, the Blacke Knight, and old sit Lancelat Dulake, rod thither, at whose comming into the Citie, the great Bell (called Tom a Lincolne) was rung an houre, which as then was seldome showne to any, excepting Kings, and re∣nowned warriours, returning victoriously from bloody ••at∣tles. Here builded they a most sumptuous Minster, which to this day remaines in great magnificence and glory. Likewise here builded they a most stately Tombe in remembrance of their Parents: the like (as then) no place of England afforded.
Thus hauing left the noble feats of Chiualry, they liued a life zealous, and most pleasing to God: erecting many Alms∣houses for poore people, giuing thereto great Wealth and Treasure: And when nature ended their dayes, they were bu∣ried in the same Minster, both in one Tombe: which like∣wise was so richly set vp with Pillars of Gold, that aboue all ot••er Cities, it grew the most famous: whereupon since that time, hath this old Prouerbe of thrée Cities gr••wn com∣mon, which is vsed in these words: Lincolne was, London is, and Yorke shall be.
R. I.