The sixth booke of the Myrrour of knighthood Being the first booke of the third part, immediatly follovving the fourth and fifth bookes printed. Conteining the knightly actions and amorous conuersations of Rosicleer and Rosabel his sonne, vvith diuers other their princely frends and kinsmen. Translated out of Spanish by R.P.

The Prince Rosicleer was healed of his wounds, and gaue liberty to Brandafidell the sonne of Fangomadan. Flo∣ralinda declared to her spouse the losse of her sons: they all returned towards Greece.

Chap. 2.

WIth zealous care the faire Princes of Mace∣donia did cure the wounded gréeke, and com∣forted the weakenesse of her beloued spouse with her presence, and would not absent her selfe til she saw him whole and sound. She greatly reioy∣ced to sée the knight of Cupide, vnto whom that she might shew her selfe thankefull, she cured him with her owne hands, and neuer would consent that any other should do it, for all his often modest desires to the contrary. Some∣times they would al thrée descend and sée that faire castell, and passe away the time in the fresh gardens that were there, and often behold the superbious edifice and curious sepulcher which the pagan had. It so fell out that one day he being altogether recouered of strength, the prince Me∣ridian calling vnto him his spouse & the Troian Oristides, caried them to the chamber of the Prince, who was then vp and walked, although not out of his chamber, for that he was somewhat leane. He seeing them comming, re∣ceaued them with that gallant grace (with the which aboue all the rest he was indewed) and said vnto the faire Prince.

It well appeareth worthy Lady that you take liking not to come very often vnto my simple lodging, nowe those delicate handes hath so soone put me in such estate

that I am not as I was wont to be visited. To whom she said▪ Sir Knight if this way you will carry it, I wel could long ••re this haue giuen you entire health, but I recea∣uing content in your company haue delaied the cure: at which fault of mine, it séemeth you are malecontent, nei∣ther can I blame you▪ séeing the gallant Oliuia is not here by whome you should receaue all the contentment that may be giuen.

You doe well faire Princesse said Rosicleer so to put it off, that I may more and more protest the seruices I haue sworne to the beauteous Floralinda, which if weakenesse hinder not, I wil on any occasion perfourme.

Cease now to talke of occasions said Floralinda, I know ye haue béene alwaies a professed seruant to faire Ladies, and therefore worthily were you called the Knight of Cu∣pide, and in their defences haue you shewen your selfe a second Mars. But tell me certainely swéete Prince, now Mars is vnarmed of his good sworde, were it not a faire sight to sée Oliuia his Venus by his side? Impossibilities said the Prince are not to be expected, Oliuia is too farre from hence distant to be here with wishing: but should the Knight of Cupide wish for Venus, she were not farre to séeke, Floralinda of Macedon beeing so nere. With your leaue great Prince said Meridian, if this be Venus, and you Mars, I dare ingage my honour the olde fable will prooue false: for neither will you forsake Oliuia for this face; nor my Venus make Meridian Vulcan for your va∣lour.

Let vs leaue these iestes said Floralinda, if we run into such cōparisons: for if the Prince or I had that intention, yonder shines the same glorious Eie of daie that discoue∣red to all the Gods the lustfull Mars and his faire minion in an iron net, and the same sun would surely shewe our sinne to all the earth. But the Grecian Prince wil neuer proue y^e Mars (said Rosicleer) nor Floralinda so light a Ve∣nus. Inough, inough, said the Troian Ori••tides, Meridi∣an

is disposed to stand on nice tearmes, it was not long since he was otherwise imployed: but libertie now & the possession of his faire Loue, maketh him secure. The Greeke Prince hath lost his Sword, and his Oliuia is far distant, Meridian may therfore be much merrier than his famous Rescuer. Let vs intend our iourney towardes Greece: and therefore worthie Knight of Cupide, dispose we pray thée of this Castle and the curteous Giant, as to thy bountie best séemeth.

I will giue vnto the Giant (said Rosicleer) that which his bountie and vertue deserueth, being there too vrged by Meridian, Floralinda, and your selfe. Therefore I praye you call him, that we may finish our affaires here.

The Nephew of the Troyan was not slothfull to fetch the Giant: who till that time would not speake with a∣nie, neither come foorth of his chamber with the gréefe he conceiued for the losse of his Father and Brethren: & all that while his Sister did cure him, and giue him diet. He came in a gowne of russet veluet cut vpon purple, and the Giant Ladie with him: who although she was great, yet was shee well proportioned. At their comming, all the Princes arose vp, which argued in them great and high curtesie▪ and beeing all set againe, the Greeke address••d his talke vnto the Giant.

I doo wel vnderstand (vertuous Brandafidell) that nei∣ther the death of your Father and brethren, neither to sée your selfe ouercome and in prison, and your Castle in the power of a strange owner, hath bin occasion to alter your heart: as one that knoweth vnto what man is subiect, li∣uing vnder the continuall chaunce and change of fortune. It shall not therefore be needfull for your comfort, to laye before you anie example of him, that in one daye was a King, and in the same was throwne into a cage or prison. This I speake (worthie Knight) for that you should ac∣cept this present fortune as a thing you looked for: and so you shall see that the euill shall neuer gréeue you, because

it commeth as a thing expected before. The death of them all is a griefe vnto me, and I should haue béen verie ioy∣full, if there had béene any other meane to haue preuen∣ted it, but the imprisonment of these Princes being be∣twéene, deserued that a better estéemed life then mine should be aduentured for their liberties.

It is now done, and there could be no lesse don. Ther∣fore confirme your selfe vnto that which fortune doth offer which is the fréendship of these Princes and mine: and if there be any other thing requisite and necessarie for the satisfaction of the dead, you are at libertie and Lorde of the Castle as before, for that these worthy Princes doe thinke it conuenient, and séeing you are a néere neighbor vnto the Princes Countrie, acknowledge him for your friend, and he will fauour you in all he may. And in satis∣faction of the pain and griefe they suffered in the inchant∣ment & the losse of my estéemed swoord, hée shall at our in∣treatie tell vs who is this great wise man, and where hee dwelleth, that in way of prophecie thus foretelleth wonders. And therewith the Prince concluded his spéech, giuing contentment vnto them all.

Then the stout Pagan aunsweared, with a kinde of humilitie which procéeded from his vertuous disposition, I will not ••••ower of Knighthood, for this present nor for that which is past, newly binde my selfe to be more affec∣tioned, neither héerwith more extoll the noblenesse which you doe vse, in doing that which is common to so soue∣raigne a Prince. I liued in securitie and you being the victor, I cannot say I am ouercome. And being conquered by those warlike handes, I do extende that nothing could to mee bee more glorious then to haue put my selfe in the field against him, that Mars himselfe dare not contende with. The libertie which you and these Lords doe giue, I so estéeme of it as is good reason I shoulde, but I woulde change it howsoeuer, to be alwaies in your companie, and employ it (as experience should manifest) in your seruice,

while life lasted, ending therewith my swéete bondage, I acknowledge all you my kinde Lords and friendes for that you demaund touching the inchauntment. Many dayes past, my mother did tell vs that in the Grecian house was borne my fathers death, and now it is wel séen for that you haue giuen it him: and she said, that with very griefe to sée my father slaine shee should dye, and that I shoulde see in her reuenge, running brookes of Grekish bloud, for that she had an Unkle, the wisest man that is to be found in all those partes, who neuer woulde carrie vs to sée his dwelling, which is called the hidden Iland, and they say that it was neuer séen of any since he dwelt in it: And that for this reuengement, he will ioyne together the greatest part of all the Pagans, nourishing and maintai∣ning fiue Knights which shalbe those which shall sweare the reuengement, to whome he will giue armour & horse, wherewith they shall fight against the Grecian princes, and that the swoord of one of them should bee that which most bloud shall shed, and it séemeth vnto mee that in part it is performed, and I doe beléeue that hee hath with hym those youthes. And at his departure hee tolde mee that I should be constrained by the Gréekish vertue to be on that part, against whome hee will procure my reuengement, which he calleth present death: and that I should remain the kéeper of this Castle, for defence of all such as shoulde procure the aduenture of the swordes (for so the Castle is called) and likewise that there shoulde bee heare in fast kéeping, two Ladies the most principalest in all the world till such time as a Maiden childe in equall battle doth o∣uerthrow me, and he said that foorthwith I should tell you who it was. This is princely Lords, all that which I doe know of this aduenture, or my euill fortune, for that I find my selfe friend to the Gréekes, and must sée their bloudes spilt for my cause, but in shedding of mine owne, and loo∣sing my life in your defence, it séemeth vnto me that I doe that which I am bound to doe.

All the Princes remained content with the reasons of this most valiant and new Greeke (for so we will call him from this time forwards) for that Lyrgandeo doth make of him great mention, comparing him with Brufaldoro, and saith that he did excéed him in strength, yet the dexteritie of the other, supplied his want of strength.

You haue well showed heroy••all Knight (said the Tro∣ian) the noblenes of your worthie hart, for that you beare it so well against the variable chaunces of Fortune: and there is no doubt you know that vnto whosoeuer she hath shewed her selfe frendly, she hath also made him know the mutabilitie of her whéele. And yet for al this the Greekes will not let but to be as they were, and to haue courage to oppose themselues against anie in the world that shall of∣fend them. For my part I account it glorie for them who like you haue obtained their frendship. For who is more bound to be their Enemie than I, in calling to minde that they raced my first Cittie, and killed so manie and wor∣thie Knights my predecessors as there perished: but now knowing their vertue, I sée no reason but to imploye my s••lfe in their frendship. And therefore from this time for∣wardes I doo receiue you into the number of the Grecian Band, and I giue my selfe to you for one of your most frends. Heerewith they imbraced one another, there re∣maining betwéene them such loue and f••••ndship that in∣dured to the death, as you shal vnderstand hereafter: and for his excellent vertues, they called the Giant, the Greek Knight.

That day they dined altogether, and the Giants Si∣ster was verie much comforted. But all dinner time the Princesse Flora••inda (remembring the losse of her beloued Children) was so sad, that they which were at the Table did perceiue it, and with great instance requested her to tell them from whence procéeded that new care & griefe. Her Husband with the rest vrging her, she was forced to tell them. So beginning with a thousand sighes & chri∣staline

teares which did solemnize her griefe, she said▪

It well appeareth louing Lorde and husband to sée you without danger, and at libertie, that it is the greatest con∣tent that can come vnto me, yet fortune hath béene so con∣trary vnto me, that me thinke I am not bound to giue her any great thankes, for you shall vnderstand that the fruite of our louing marriage, before I coulde imbrace them▪ were taken from me, so that onely I know I lacke a Sonne and a daughter.

The afflicted Ladie coulde not speake any word more, neither had she any space, for that they saw the walles of the chamber to open, and there entred foure deformed ser∣pentes, euerie one of them embrasing one of the Knights, leauing the Princesse all alone, whome a terrible and fearefull Griffon tooke vp in his clawes, in such sort that the cryes vnto her louing spouse for help could not profit her, for that the knightes were not able to moue from the place where the Serpents layd hold of them: which Ser∣pentes séeing the other beast gone, let loose the Princes, with such griefe that they were readie to burst because they could not ayde and helpe the Princesse, neither sawe they any more of the Serpents, but they found a letter v∣pon the boord, the which the Troyan tooke and read: the contents being as followeth.

The Letter of the wise Gelasio.

TO the souereigne prince of the Scythians, and Rosicleer the Destroyer of my blood, with the rest of the new Greekes, health or hate. If his desire who with all hys wisedome and arte doth striue to procure thy death, in satisfaction of that which thy vntamed arme hath done, thou néedest not desire to haue the sight of thy sword, till such time as thou féelest the losse of thy blood, so that the hauing it at that time shalbe cause

that thou canst did no more outrage. And thou Prince Meridian, shalt now pay my sorrow for my lost neuewes, with like gréefe for want of thy beloued wife: vntill such time as the furious Ownce doth ouercome in equall bat∣tell that new Knight thy now Frend, my vnworthie ne∣uew: to whom I will adde no more gréefe, but that hee sh••l be ouercome in manner aforesaid. And thou Troyan sha••t loose thy libertie, putting thy head in the power of thy most cruell enemy.

Gelasio.

WIth great paint this valiant Knight cōcluded the reading of the letter, giuing shewes of the griefe he felt at his heart. Then gentle Brandafidel did com∣fort them, promising that hee would serue the Princesse, with all things necessarie, and verie shortly disinchaunt her and bring her foorthwith to Greece.

This was a great comfort to the Princes, and foorth∣with they would not stay any longer in the Castle, wher∣as so many disgraces came vnto them, but being prouided of horse and armour they tooke the way to Greece, verie much recommending the Princesse vnto the Moore theyr friend, who promised vnto Rosicleer forthwith to become a Christian, and gaue him a swoord one of the best in the world, which was that of King Portias, a great friend vn∣to the Greekes. And therewith they came to the Sea, ta∣king their way towards Grecia, whereas we will leaue them, to intreate of the great wise man Gelasio.