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.

What chanced to the Princes by Brandarte King of Cy∣prus and his Knights: and how they deliuered out of his power all the Queenes and Princesses that he had taken pri∣soners.

Chap. 9.

THe worthie Torismundo (rauished with ioy to sée himselfe so fauoured, intended to pertake his ioy with two frends: who be∣ing wearie were laid to sléepe, and hée ha∣uing as much néede, meant to beare them companie, but they wer scant asléep, when a noyse of horses did disturb them, yet they let them passe, till by and by there followed others, which disquieted thē in such sort, that they prepared to take horse and followe them: but on a sodain the Damsel who before had broght them their armour came foorth with a fardle, and making her selfe knowen vnto them, she said. The Wiseman my master commendeth him to you, and biddeth you to weare this armour to day: and to you valiant Tartare (for the ayde and helpe that one daye the Empire of Grecia shall haue of you) he doth send these armes, for with them shall happen the greatest & first content that now ye can desire.

(And as the other time) without any more tarrying, shée departed: leauing them greatly content, for that the ar∣mour was as good as they had séene. Then they left their other with the beauteous shield amongst the bushes, and with great spéed armed themselues, and mounted on their horses, they went foorth into the high way, and com∣manded their Pages to come by little and little towards the bridge Sequana. When they were foorth they mended their paces, but they could not sée any body, so for that they would not loose the way, they alighted, till such time as the carefull and amorous Apollo, purposing anew to salute the Morning hasted him forwards in his course. At this time the thrée valiant Frends, beeing mounted on their light horse, tooke the trace of them that had passed: But for that the country was so full of trées, halfe the day was past and they had no newes of them, till they were tolde by a wood maker, that they were passed directly vnto the house of peasure, whether as the king that morning had gone to recreate himselfe. Almost deuining howe it should be, they went vpward into the field, till the hower of two then they saw a faire Tent armed in the middest of the field, nigh vnto the way that they passed to the house and there staied certaine Chariots that séemed to be ful of Ladies.

The Princes stayed, and the Tartarian requested them that they would let him alone to goe into the fielde, and that they would tarrie for him there. For to giue him content the two frends did graunt it, who lighted from their horses, and when their Pages came, they comman∣ded Fabio the Dacians page, for that he was most discréet, that he should muffle himselfe, and goe thether, and sée what succéeded vnto the Prince of Tartaria. Who with his visor downe and his speare in his hand with a quiet pace, went directly vnto the Tent, at such time as came foorth therof a knight armed with yellow armour bordred with blewe, mounted on a mightie horse, and in the middest of

his shield, at the side of a mightie Riuer, there was a La∣die as though she were a writing, with this Posie which said.

When my griefe I let her know, In the sand she writes my woe.

The Tartarian receiued great content at the good dis∣position of the knight, and staying to sée what he would do he saw that he went vnto the first Chariot, in the which there was alone thrée ladies, which séemed the most fay∣rest in all the world, all thrée apparelled alike in golde tynsell cut vpon blewe, and their haire according to the vse of Spaine, with sightly lockes, which graced more their faire faces, and comming vnto them the knight said.

Faire Ladies, the solitarie knight commaundeth mee in his behalfe, I should doe to you his commendations, and for that he hath vnderstood the brauerie of the Ladies of France, and how renouned they are in the world, hee ges∣seth there will bee knights desirous to shewe their forces in their seruice. From this time I defie them in the name of your beauties, maintaining that you alone de∣serue the names of faire and beautifull, and to bee belo∣ued aboue all, and I will runne thrée Speares with eue∣rie one of them, on condition that he who falleth shall loose his horse and shield, and there to leaue his name, and if vnto him it chanceth otherwise, that faire Tent shall be the reward of his victorie. And I with the same launces doe defie all knights, with the condition aforesaid, that my passions is more iust than any that hath suffered by loue, my lady being the sole occasion, shee and no other deseruing to be lady and Mistresse of my thoughts.

It caused the ladies to laugh at that which those two•• knights would defend: but the answere they remitted to the Duke of Soma, for that hee and all the other Dukes

and knights that were at the Iuste, came for the loue o•• the Princesse and the king, who at that time were arri∣ued. The Duke gaue them thankes saying: of truth sir knight, the lady whom this solitarie gallant doth serue, séemeth to be most faire according to his opinion. Yet not∣withstanding neither of them shall lacke those that will answere them.

Without any reply or answering, he in the yellow armour bore downe his launce, and put himselfe in place whereas he and they in the Chariots might sée the Iusts. Then might they sée come foorth the solitarie knight ar∣med in siluer armour full of red listes, and in the middest of his shield a field painted full of swéet flowers, and he ly∣ing in the middest amongst them, with this Pos••e.

I doe liue alone content, In this pleasant languishment.

He was mounted on a great and mightie horse of a browne colour, with a gallant semblance, tarrying to sée how his companion did, for that he should runne with two and himselfe with other two.

The Duke of Samo went foorth to the encounter, but although the Moore was one of the valiantest in his Countrie: yet at the first encounter he lost the reines out of his hand, at the third the Duke of Soma went to the ground, his saddle all in péeces, with griefe vnto all, for that he was welbeloued. Foorthwith in his place entred the valiant Duke of Pera, assalting the one the other, the Duke was out of his saddle. Then the Moore put him∣selfe on the one side, that the solitarie knight might enter, who entred with a great grace forcing his horse, till such time as there went two Knightes to the encoun∣ter, and the like happened vnto them as did vnto the rest.

The cunning Moore that first did Iuste, was making himselfe ready, tarrying to sée who would come foorth, then entred into the field the curteous Andronio, Prince of Tartaria, mounted on his light horse with the armor which the wise man had sent him, which was all gilt, and ther∣on placed many Serpents of curious worke, and on hys shield, which was of the same colour of his armour, and thereon M. of colour red, with this Posie.

Since I am chanst into deaths fatall lot, I like my chance if so my Loue be got.

All the Ladyes and knightes fixt their eyes on him, in séeing his gallant shape, who passing before the chariot, made his horse knéele downe, with so gallant a grace that y^e most did affect him, but none more regarded him thā the Princesse of Holland Grisanea, who by séeing him, yéelded in such sort, that she began to be angry with her selfe, for that she was so bold to speake euil of Loue the night past. Uerie quickly she made shew thereof, for turning vnto the Ladies she said. Let vs haue good hope in this knight, that will better defend our beautie than those that are past: with the affection wherewith she spoke it, it did plainely appeare that it did come from her heart, and therewith the braue French Lady said: I pray God Lady cosin, that the force of the knight of the Serpents bee alone to make frée the passage, and not to leaue some of vs without li∣bertie.

The Hollandesse did well vnderstand her meaning: but she dissembled, and answered cleane contrarie to the matter, saying: I pray God that he be sufficient to cause them to surrender their armour vnto our guarders. They had made their defiance, & with swift running of their hor∣ses they came the one against the other, and méeting in the middest of the way, they gaue such an encounter, that it sée∣med they had pearced one an other thorough. The Moore

lost his right stirrop, and in ••••ming of his foote, because he would not fall, he made a foule wauering, which was séene of all, but purposing to make amendes for the same, he tooke another great speare, and went against the Tartare, and encountred him with so great force, that the vexed Moore, lost his Saddle, and the Tartare his reines, which was the occasion that his horse carried him verye nigh vnto the Chariot, but in recouering them, hee made him returne, and did a thousand gallant trickes with him, al the which were pleasing actions to the heart of the faire Grisanea, who could not chuse but say. This Knight faire Cosin, seemeth much like vnto him that yesterday had the praise of the Iustes. The like thought the other two La∣dies: but the Dutches broke it off saying, it cannot be he for that he would not come without his companion, ney∣ther durst any of them come for the death of the Phrigian Prince.

The procéeding forwards on their talke was cut off by the cruell Iustes of the two knights, for in the middest of their carréere they met in such sort, that it séemed it had bin two great rocks, the one passed by the other w^t great vp rightnes, the one being greatly amazed at the strength of the other: and taking other great Launces, with all the swiftnes possible, they encountred, and shiuered them all in péeces, which whirling in the ayre declared the force of their rigorous armes. The Moore did a little stagger on the one side, but not in such sort to bee accompted notable, neither so but they did all praise his great force: but that of the Tartare was iudged in fauour amongst the Ladies, and amongst the knights with enuy, not onely vnto them but also to proud Mars if hee were there, for giuing them so great force. They returned with the great furie where∣with they were indued, and encountred in the middest of their course, shiuering their Launces in small péeces, which was the occasion that it pearced not their armour, but so oppressed the knights, that the horse of the Tartare

bore backward thrée or foure paces, and settled his but∣tocks on the ground, which made them that were present to thinke that all would haue come together: but he séeing how much it stood him in hand, and more there then in a∣ny other occasion, it was néedful for him to profit himselfe of his strength, and to hold him fast vnto the necke of hys inchaunted horse, and pricked him so stiffe, that hee made him to leap forwards, which caused the Ladies to be verie desirous to know who he was. The curteous Andronio re∣turned, and thought that the encounter had beene of small effect, wherwith he saw that the fierce Moore lay along on the ground, and by him his horse that did beare him com∣panie, who with the force of that strong encounter, the one remained without life, the other without sence: Where∣with verie lightly hee leapt on foote, and went vnto the yéelded pray, and it grieued him for that he thought he had bin dead he lay in such sort: and when hee came vnto him, hee tooke his helme from his head to giue him freshe ayre, so that he might come vnto himselfe, who at his return sée∣ing himself in the power of his enemie, that willed him to yéeld, he answered: Ualiant knight it is not fit, that you should demaund more than the honor which you haue got in ouerthrowing me in this sort, it had béene greater con∣tent vnto me, that you had ended my life, and sustaining my honor, then to leaue me so voide thereof. The Louer Andronio was greatly affected vnto the discréet words of his aduersarie, and without any more wordes, hee gaue him his hand and helped him from the ground, and craued pardon of him for the death of his horse.

Nigh vnto them there was a French Knight, who was ashamed that hee was ouerthrowen by the Moore, who hauing no respect vnto reason, but vnto the passion which guided him, said: you haue not to receiue any griefe vali∣ant knight of the Serpentes for this, for that it was first ordained▪ that he who lost his saddle should loose therwith his horse, and it is rather a vantage, and that hee should

not inioy that which an other inioyeth not. The Tar∣tare could not but receiue griefe, to sée the signes of sorrow that he made to receiue that shame, which the French knight had vsed toward him: but Fortune did quickly giue him his hands full of occasion for to be reuenged on all.

But the Moore vsing the licence and libertie which the Tartare gaue him, without taking leaue of any, tooke an other horse out of the Tent, and with his companion en∣tred the same forrest, and left the tent for the knight to do therewith his pleasure: who for that hee had surrendred it vnto the Ladies of the Chariot, on foote as hee was, for that they sent to call him, he went vnto them. And vsing great curtesie, wherof they were worthy, comforting his troubled brest: he said vnto them. Faire Ladies although I doe not know for whom I haue done this little seruice, yet I come to aske my discharge, with offer of my good will, for any other matter of great importance.

Thankes vnto you gentle knight (answered the affec∣ted Hollandesse) for this newe offer, with securitie that for so much as you imploy your selfe in shewing your strength in the fauour of Ladies, there could not fal better occasion than is this wee haue séene, to frée this passage, els we should haue béene driuen to séeke others.

The louing French Knights did not let to blush at the words which the Princess•• said: but dissembling they made no answere, for to heare what Grisalinda did say vn∣the knight.

Worthy Knight of the Serpents, said she, you shal con∣tent these Ladies and me in declaring vnto vs your name, and who you are.

With a gallant grace (answered the heroycall Tar∣tare) I would willingly faire Ladies that as fortune hath put into my hands, life, for to imploy it for your ser∣uice, that it woulde giue mee strength and power for to doe a thing so iust, as to leaue my name in your handes.

But fortune enuying the glory that should follow héer∣of, forbiddeth me by a former charge to tell who I am: for that in telling thereof, it will bee more costly to my fame than vnto my life. The Holland Lady, with great content would haue answered him to the purpose (but greatly fea∣ring that her cosin had béen she that had subiected his wil) yet séeing that it was impossible to get any more of the Moore, she said vnto him: of truth Sir knight it seemeth well by the companie that you bring with you vpon your armour, that you conforme your selfe well with them, for they haue not vsed the crueltie as you haue done with those knights in taking from them their honor, & yet will not tell vs who you are. Faire Mistresse answered the a∣morous youth, my small aduenture hath béen the forger of this deuice: but I doe giue you my word, that within thrée daies (with another deuice that shall not shewe so much rigor) to tell my name and who I am, or els to send you word thereof, if I cannot be the messenger. By your word Sir Knight, said the Sauoyan Lady, wee remaine sure it will be so. Assuredly (answered the amorous Tar∣tare) that with earnest truth I speake it, and first my life shall faile me, ere I breake my word, besides I wil leaue for a pawne one of my weapons. And so with a soueraign gallantnes, he tooke out his dagger (which the great wise man Gelasio had sent him with the armour) and knéeling downe he put it in the handes of the Princesse of Holand, and with it his heart more amorous then euer any knight of his Countrie, and said: With this faire Lady it shalbe Iustice in you to take reuengement, if I faile in that I haue promised.

It were not amisse Cosin Grisanea (said the amorous French Lady) séeing with what affection you haue taken that dagger, that hee which hath giuen you a gift, should carrie in the place thereof an other from vs, being bound thereunto. The faire Dutches in the behalf of the Moore, did helpe to take a rich Iewell from the neck of the Prin∣cesse

Grisanea, and with a gallaunt grace said vnto him: Sir Knight, weare this for a remembraunce of your pro∣mise, and assure ye that on your Knighthood we expect the performance. I remaine bound (faire Ladies, sayd the Prince) for this great fauour, and on a Knights word I will keepe my word: so mounting his horse, hee returned into the thickest of the Forrest, leauing the Ladies pray∣sing his discretion and valor. Grisanea could not hyde her ioy, but sportiuely thus began: I am prouided Ladies of an armed Tent and a Dagger, what hinders me now to be a souldier? So pulling the dagger out of the rich sheath, the pictures of a Knight and a Ladie, with certaine Let∣ters were grauen thereon, which the Dutchesse of Sauoy thus read.

Grisanea Princesse of Holland, true Owner of the mightie Tartarian Andronio.

Indéed said the French Princesse, I sée now Cosin you are a souldier, though dissemblingly you yesterday denied your Captain Cupid: for neuer would so worthy a knight haue grauen your picture on his dagger without your con∣sent. I shal hardly be beléeued said the Holland princesse, but I protest I neuer heard the name, nor spake with the Knight before: neither doo I beléeue hee is a Tartarian, my Louer (to be plaine with ye) I pray God he prooue. At this the other ladies laughed, and she to make them more merrie, confessed she was Loues captiue. So (hauing the ritch Tent brought after them) they passed towards the House of pleasure, nigh which by Sunne set they had at∣tained: where a while wee will leaue them to tell you of the discontented King of Cyprus.

At the Triumphs in Paris, among manie that Toris∣mundo ouerthrew, the prowd King of Cyprus was one, who left the place, with purpose to be reuenged: for as I

told ye before he earnestly loued Orosia Duches of Sauoy. And for that occasion neuer fitted him to declare his loue vnto her, he determined to steale her away, being boldned by his great force, and the strength of foure most valiant Giants that he brought with him, and a cousin of his that was the Knight at the Passage, and ambushing the rest of his Companie nigh vnto the House of pleasure whether the Ladies went.

These were those that the mighty Andronio ouerthrew, who intending reuenge, ioyned with the Giants and am∣bushed Knights: and this was the noyse that the Princes followed to the fresh and gréene field, where the Tartari∣an requested that hee might cléere the passage for the La∣dies: and hauing ended so greatly to his honor, being ioy∣full of that rich iewell, he returned vnto the Knights, and gaue them knowledge of all that had succéeded, which de∣lighted them verie much, by reason of their frendship con∣firmed with the Tartarian. So he alighted to rest hym∣selfe, and tarried til it was night, that they might all thrée goe together to the house.

The faire Moone had scarce begun to impart her light receiued of the Sunne, when these three Frends rid to∣wards the house of pleasure: yet being vncertaine of the way, they wandred till it was almost midnight, and then came into a mightie great field, where they be held trauel∣ling a verie faire Chariot, and before it two most furious Giants, armed with strong plates of stéele, & in the midst two knights, who séemed to be of great strength and after the Chariot other two mightie Giants, mounted on light horses, with fearful iauelins in their hands. When they came nigher vnto them, they heard that those which were within the Chariot made great lamentation, wherby it appeared they were forced.

The enterprise was difficult, yet they determined to succour them, and to incourage them theretoo, the Dacian sayd: Worthie and valiaunt Frends, now is the time to

shew the courage of your hearts, in attempting so doubt∣full an enterprise: do you two assaile those that are before, and I will prooue my fortune with those Giants behinde. On this they agréeed, and the Dacian was the first y^t ap∣proached with his furious horse: at the noyse whereof the two Giants turned about, and séeing him alone, they thought him a very Foole, and one of them onely went a∣gainst him, whom the Prince in the incounter ouerthrew dead to the ground. By this the two valiant Louers had entred battell with the other foure, with such a noyse as if there had béen an hoast of Knights. The Dacian heard this furie, being in combat with the other Giant, & consi∣dering what néed his Frends had of helpe, hee hasted the battell, giuing the giant such a blow vpon the helme, that he tooke his sense from him: & thinking he had béen dead, he entred like a Lion amongst the Giants and Knights, saying▪ Upon them stout and valiant Knights, for they are vile people, and too few to withstand our forces. That frendly voice was heard aswell of y^e two princes, as of the Ladies that were in the Chariot, who iudged them to bée their louers, according vnto the Knighthood they shewed. At this time the Giant which the Dacian ouerthrew, had recouered his heauie fawchion, and with mortall furye came to the Tartarian, striking him such a wonderfull blow, that he made him fall on his horse necke, voyding blood at his nose and eares. Then passing forwards, hee came vnto the two Moores & said: Away with the ladies you like, while my fellowes kéepe these diuelish Knights busied. So the king of Cyprus, his Cousin and the Giant, went vnto the Chariot, and tooke each of them a ladie, la∣menting could not auaile them. Yet in this hast the king of Cyprus tooke not his beloued Dutches, but the princesse of France, with whom like an Eagle spurring his furious horse, he went directly towards the sea side. The migh∣tie Giant tooke for his lot, her whom Apollo would haue chosen for himselfe, for with him he carried the beauteous

princesse of Holland, and his Cousin the faire Orosia: at whose shrikes the Tartar recouering his sense, followed the Giant as fast as his horse could runne, thorough a bu∣shie way vnto a great plain, where he ouertooke him two howers before day, and ere the Giant could ••et down ••he Ladie, he smit him so rash a blow, that the princesse was in perill to be troden vnder the horse féete, and the Giant remained without sense. Andronio gaue a second blowe that wounded the Giant in the necke, which caused hym to come to himselfe, and like an infernall furie with hys dreadfull fawchion he came against the Tartar, and both together stroke such blowes vpon their helmes, that they quickly made show of their great force. The noyse was such, that it caused the trembling Ladie to come the sooner to her selfe: and beholding the battell, shee perceiued the Knight fought for her libertie against that monstrous Gi∣ant, wherfore on her knées she desired the giuer of strēgth to strengthen him. When the Tartarian saw the pearly teares distill from her sun-bright eyes, with the poynt of his sword hee went against the furious Giant, who wyth his fawchion aloft came towards him, but by reason of the swiftnes of his horse, he thrust his sword into the Giaunts bodie, and drawing it backe drew ••oorth his life withall, the Giant falling to the ground with so fearfull a crie, that the princesse trembled, though she were fréeed by the Gi∣ants death. With no smal ioy the prince alighted & com∣forted her, when he beheld it was his beloued Ladie, and pulling off his helme, he discouered his fa••e, beeing high coloured with the heate of the battell. No lesse ioyfull was the faire princesse, in séeing him so well proportioned a Knight: who when he came vnto her, kneeled downe & said. Receiue faire princesse this smal seruice, with more intire good wil than my tung can expresse. Then answe∣red the affected Ladie: Ualiant Knight, so much haue ye done, that I can no way reward ye but by publishing ••our force, which is the mightiest that I haue séene? & for that

I should estéeme, tell mee your name, and withall carrie me where the Quéene my Mother is, whom I beléeue re∣maineth sorrowfull for my absence. Madam (answered the ioyfull Tartar) I haue no will but to accomplish your will, and receiue great ioy that you wil imploy me in any thing. I am Andronio the Prince of Tartarie: and in tel∣ling you this I doo discharge my promise to you yesterday, when I left my dagger in pawne, and receiued this rich iewell in place thereof: which because it hath been on that faire necke, added abilitie to my weake strength, and bol∣dens me to request ye that I may wear it as your knight, in whose name I wil execute all my dooings. The Lady was verie ioyous in séeing him she loued to bée the Knight that succoured her, & said: I craue pardon worthie prince, in that I haue not intreated you according to your desert: but I am excusable, by reason I knew you not. All is sa∣tisfied said the Prince, if you accept me into your seruice. You aske quicke payment (replied the Princesse) but lest you should condemne me of ingratitude, let it be according to your wish. This ioyfull Youth did perforce kisse her hands, washing them with teares through the content he receiued: which nothing gréeued the Princesse, when she saw with what affection he did it, accompting her self hap∣pie, to be beloued of such a prince. The which this coura∣gious Youth perceiuing, and incited by their solitarie bée∣ing, he said vnto her halfe trembling. Faire princesse, af∣ter all this happines it would gréeue me, if Fortune (en∣uying ••ny good) should tread downe my glorie, and bestow it on another: you might if you please (time and place so fitting) assure mee of happines, and rid nice of all doubt. Your spéech is strange to me•• said the vexed princesse, to my reason it séemeth conuenient, being intertained wyth this gentlenes, you should consent your selfe. Nothing is more certaine faire Ladie (answered this fearefull Youth) than the curtesie which you alreadie haue shewed me in receiuing me for the knight of your seruice, is suf••i∣cient

reward for more than all my worth, yet to assure my good, make me happie by a husbands name. Sir Knight said she you are too forward, and if I thought anie misbe∣hauiour in me caused this boldnes in you, I would let out that lightnes with my life. These words and the sharpe∣nes of their deliuerie, so wounded the Tartarian, that he fell sensles on the princesses lap: who séeing him in y^e case, was readie to beare him companie, but with teares & cry∣ings she recalled him, and he reuiuing, said. Ah haplesse Tartarie, twice bereft of thy natural Lord, who by dis∣daine in France is seazed on by death. Oh my valiant and new Frends, no more shall I contentedly reioyce wyth you. And you (cruell Ladie) may triumph in his death, that hath defended your honor and life. Ah worthie knight said she, God knowes what sorrow I suffer, for that with my honour I cannot worke your content, there being such difference in our Religions: yet rather than you shal thus afflict your self, sweare to me to be bap••isde, and I do yéeld my whole estate into your hands. Expresse I cannot the Tartarians ioy: he vowd to be baptisde, possest his wish, and with his betrothed wife rid toward the house of plea∣sure, and on the way she told him, how the Giants first set vpon them by the riuers side.

We will leaue these Louers on the way, and declare the end of the battell betwéene the two princes & the Gi∣ants, who held them so hard, that they could not preuent the carrying away of the Ladie. The valiant Dacian to conclude the battell, stroke the Giant such a blow, that it tooke away his sight: and at that time had the Spaniard made his aduersarie stoop on his saddle bow. And beeing nigh the Dacian, he stroke him so surely on the buckling of the helme, that head and all fell to the ground, and then with two blowes they both together dispatched the other Giant. Then without any stay they folowed those that carried away the Princesses, and ouertaking them at the edge of the mountaine, they cried: False Knights, leaue

your pray, the same will cost you your heads. And there∣withall they smit two such blowes, that they made them leaue their Ladies: and foorthwith there was betwéene them a sightly battell, for that the Moores were the vali∣antest in all their Countrey. And for that the Spaniard did make battell before his Ladie, (for at y^e time he knew her) he made so great hast, that he ouerthrew him at hys féet, and lighting from his horse, he cut off his head, at the same instant that the Dacian had giuen a mortall wound vnto his Moore, ouerthrowing him with a great fall vpon his backe, and by and by hee yéelded vp the ghost. These two perfect Frends when they saw their work done, went vnto the Ladies with their helmes off. The French prin∣cesse knowing her welbeloued Louer, receiued him with the greatest show of affection that she could, saying: Oh Flower of Knighthood, how shall I repay you thys great good? It is but little faire Princesse (said he) that we haue done for your libertie, your worthinesse and beautie dooth deserue it. And none being by but the prince and the Du∣chesse whom they might trust, they vsed very amorous cō∣uersation, till such time as the absence of the Princesse of Holland did hasten them to depart. And by reason it was not as yet day, they lost their way, and found themselues in the morning nigh vnto the Fountaine, where y^e Prince did leaue his gréene armour, by counsell of the Damsell that the Wiseman sent: and therewith declared hee vnto them all his passed estate, and who he was, whereof shée was verie ioyfull. There they ioyned hands, to which con∣tract the Tartarian and Grisanea came, who were recei∣ued with excéeding ioy, the French Princesse especiallye reioycing, to sée her Cousin Grisanea so quickly chaun∣ged.

The worthie Spanish Prince pulled off his armour, and laid it aside: being vnarmed, he séemed one of the fai∣rest personages in all the world, which was a new snare, to cause the gentle French Ladie the more to loue hym.

And therewith they began to prouide for their departure, wh••n on a sodaine they saw come foorth of the thickest of the Forrest a furious Dragon, which amazed these three princes: yet fearlesly they attempted to defend their La∣dies. But the Monster left them, and went directly to the shield with the faire portraiture, that the Tartarian had giuen the prince of Spaine, which she tooke betwéene her sharpe nayles, and gaue so terrible a crie, that made them all to fall to the ground: and rising vp, they could not sée the Dragon, but a piller standing by the christaline foun∣taine of Forgetfulnesse, hauing an Inscription thereon, which the Dacian Youth read, as followeth.

From this day forwards the water of Merlins Fountaine is forbidden to anie, till such time as the Sonne of the ba∣stard Lionesse, in companie of the Flower of the Spanish Nation, the one and the other doubtfull, boldened by the keeper, do take out of the deepest of the Fountaine the faire shield; the victorie confirmed in the presence of the amo∣rous Hircan Serpent. But thou Knight that art desirous be∣fore that time to attempt this Aduenture, leaue thy desire, els death shall be the reward of thy boldnes.

All were wondrously amazed at this new Aduenture, and could not imagine to whom the entry should be gran∣ted: yet were they ioyfull that before the water was deni∣ed, they had vnderstood the effect. And for that it was late, and the princesses desired to returne to the house of plea∣sure, they tooke their way thetherwards, with great con∣tent vnto the Dacian, to sée how wel it succéeded with his Frends, he iudging them now not alone for Louers, but as men secured from Loues tempests: hauing a kinde of enuie at their happie estate. With this imagination and consideration of the manie troubles hee had suffered, hee kept no companie with the princesses: and that which worst and most greeued him at the heart was, that hee

neuer receiued any rest: but rather iudged that he should begin a new to suffer greater.

The French Princesse séeing him ride so solitarily be∣gan thus sportiuely to talke. I sée my handmaide Alcisa sounded your minde my Lord of Dacia: for shee told mee, you had forgo•• all loue sicke passions, and would not bee so idle busied as to intend amorous busines. Madam said he, you might rather say I am now idle, for I protest whē I did loue (as once I confesse, I knew that madnes) ne∣uer was any so busied as I, night, day in company, alone, I was so troubled that I account no trauell like it, and I hope neuer againe to trauel with that burden. O Sir said Orosia, if ye haue loued there is no doubt yée may againe, doe not disdaine a louers name: sée by example the fayre Grisanea, that was yesterday frée, and she forsooth would none of loue, singing, saying all was against loue, and now you sée the tunes her musique in another key. And so may he said the Holland Princesse, but belike he scorneth the French beautie, and meanes to séeke farther for more faire. So faire and so curteous said hee, haue I seld séene, and if I euer affect, I wish it may be héere. In this swéet conuersation they trauelled, when at the sixt hower, they saw much armed people trauelling the way agallop, right towards the Sea side. They imagined whether they went, commaunding their Pages to goe and aduise them of the libertie of the Ladies, that the knightes might bee quieted. So they prosecuted their way till they came ve∣rie nigh the house, whereas they met the King, and all those mightie Princes which went to séek them. It is not to be expressed to auoide tediousnes, what ioy the King and all those Knights had, and the more when they knew who they were, and what they had done before for the ho∣nor of France. The same day at the request of the Prince of Dacia, knowing the valor of the Spaniard, hée did so much that the King in publike did ioine thei•• hands, who in secret had ioyned their hearts. The Nephew of Fran∣conio

reioyced to giue his daughter vnto the discent of Ri∣cardo the Catholike King of Gades, and of the Kings that succéeded in Spaine. A happie coniunction, seeing that from thence must procéed fruite that will make the world to wonder. In like manner the Quéene of Holland recei∣ued content to giue her daughter, to him who with good di∣ligence did procure before hee was a louer the reward of a Louer. All the Court did reioyce, and the frée Prince of Dacia sustained his libertie. Also the gallant French Ladies consecrating their fame to immortalitie. The cur∣teous Andronio would not depart with his louing spouse, but tarried till she and the Princesse of France were both brought to bed. And when their times came, they were deliuered of two Sonnes the most fairest in all the world. That of the French Lady was called Grisaliano at the re∣quest of his faire mother. That of the mightie Tartare, was named Andronisio. These yong and new Princes caused great reioycing in the Court, and the king shewed it by the gifts which he gaue. The Dacian did passe his frée time with his welbeloued frends, till on a day at the taking vp of the tables, there entred the Damsell which the wise man had sent him so many times, who making great curtesie vnto the king, she went vnto the prince He∣leno, and gaue him a letter from the wise Lirgandeo, who did read it aloude, being as followeth.

REmembring and acknowledging wherein. I was bound so long time past vnto your father and you va∣liant prince, studying how much I may shewe it for your conduct. I haue found it cōuenient that you leaue the dain∣ties of the Court, and return to the auncient trauels: now void from your warlike mind, and with the armor which my damsel shall giue thée, thou shalt depart foorthwith, ad∣uising the Tartare thy frend, that the princesse in recoue∣ring more strength to sustaine so long a iorney, hee re∣turne thether, wheras with great necessitie he is desired:

and to haue me in the number of his frends, for I wil deal faithfully in his affaires: he who gouerneth the world be thy kéeper, & giue thée forces to suffer that which is tarying for thée.

In concluding the reading of the letter, the Damsel said, that foorthwith he shuld arme himself, for that it was con∣uenient with all spéed he should go foorth of France, wher∣as so quickly frée hearts do humble their necks vnto the a∣morous yoke of Cupid, and therewith she tooke out a rus∣set armour, and began to help to arme him, and gaue him a shield, with the ancient deuice of Cupid with two faces. They al receiued content to sée the riches of that armour, but not without griefe to consider that the owner should so long be absent: so he tooke his leaue of them all, not ad∣mitting the company of any, he embraced his good frends, not without some sorrow, but especially to the Ladies. So the valiant Heleno went out of France, leauing them to talke of his great strength for many yéeres: and when he came to the Sea side, he found his inchanted boate, who ingulfed him into the sea in such sort, that hee lost the sight not onely of them that did beare him companie to the Sea side, but also of the most highest rockes that were there. All the Knights returned vnto Paris, much lamenting the absence of y^e Prince, although it was a ioy to sée the bring∣ing vp of the yong Princes, euerie day more and more in∣creasing in beautie, till the time came that the Tartare with his faire wife † yong Sonne did imbarke themselues in a wel appointed ship, to saile towards Tartaria, at whose departure the faire Grisalinda was left solitarie, who with motherly affection did bring vp her Sonne the Prince and her cosin till they came to the age of fourtéene yéeres, who in the bignes of their bodies and gallant disposition séemed to bee of many more yeares: where as wee will leaue them, for to tell of that which hapned to the Tar∣tare trauelling to his Country.