The third and last part of Palmerin of England Enterlaced with the loues and fortunes of many gallant knights and ladies: a historie full of most choise and sweet varietie. VVritten in Spanish, Italian, and French, and translated into English by A.M. one of the messengers of her Maiesties chamber.

CHAP. LVII. How Prim••leon, otherwise called, the Knight of ••ortune, accomplished in two dayes the aduenture of the Tower.

SCarse was the morning wedded to the worlde, when Primaleon heard such a barking and howling from the Tower, as would quite haue dis∣mayed any heart but his: notwith∣standing, he whose courage was al∣together enclind to conquest, began to meditate with his thoughts, by

what meanes hee might vanquish so many Monsters, and gaine his entrance into the Tower. As thus he stoode pon∣dering on the likeliest perswasions, the Knight how the Wood came to him againe vnto him, saying. Prepare your selfe Sir, in regard you are forth-with to be assayled: and because your life is not to miscarie in this enterprise, take this direction from me: these Caniballs defence consists on∣lie of their faces, therefore make thereat your marke and ayme, and so be assured to part with victorie.

Primaleon presently armed him selfe, & taking his ham∣mer, went forth of the Cottage, where beholding not any one to offer him resistance, hee stoode beating against that part of the wall, where before hee had made some slender rupture, and such were the blowes he gaue, that the fracture extended it selfe now aboue an hand breadth, more then be∣fore it had done, from which labour he was quickly coun∣termaunded, by sixe Caniball brethren, who were come to reuenge the death of their father: wherefore bethinking him selfe of the Knights former aduise, he made a thrust full at the nose of one them, passing the sword quite vp into his braine, whereby he fell downe dead at his foote. The other pestered about him terribly with their Clubbes, but still as they were hurt in the face, they fled away from him toward the Wood, where turning back at the very entraunce, they did nothing but stand barking at him, so that there he slew two of them, and the rest ran away wounded.

Soone after were descended aboue twenty Caniballs to∣gether, which set all vppon him at once, offering to engirt him round as in a circkle: but he setting his backe against the wall, defended him selfe still with speedy thrusts, where∣of they expressed feare, and kept off from him, neuerthelesse his labour tooke so good successe, that tenne of them he had wounded in their faces, all which retired, and would no more come néere him. In little while after, the rest were glad to flie with bloody faces, and he remaining now alone, leaning to breath him selfe against the wall, was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 snatcht into the Tower, but by whom he knew not, and the 〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉

the whole shape being scattered on the floore, each part (of it selfe) went thether whence it came. Not long had he stoode still, but (from vnder the Toombe) came creeping foorth a very long Serpent, so fierce and furious in assayling him, as his lofty leapes and snatches at him, made him scarse quick enough in his owne defence: and still the Serpent 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to winde his taile about the Knights legges, which ••o well auoyded by his manly strokes, for the Serpents in∣••nt was to make him fall, which if it could haue done, the ••night had immediatly béene there enchaunted, and thereof was he forewarned by the Lady, during this sharp conflict, Fortune (euermore fauourable to Primaleons enterprises, ••nd willing to make him generally famous,) caused him to giue such a stroke on the Serpents head, that it réeling fell downe, when passing his weapon quite through the paunch thereof, it suddainly vanished out of his sight.

As hee stoode leaning a while to rest him selfe, the doore opened, and the Lady taking him by the hand, went forth with him, but there came a huge beast against him, little lesse then an Elephant, which hee hardly knew how to re∣sist, because he could scarse reach his belly with his sword, Then he bethought himselfe of the great Partezane, which he fetching in hast, came againe toward the beast: who had two hornes, each of them aboue three yards in length, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as brasse, and very sharpe, with one of them he hurt 〈…〉〈…〉 in the shoulder, forcing him to stagger, and very 〈…〉〈…〉, but supporting him selfe with the Partezane, 〈…〉〈…〉 it as he could, in regard of the weightines, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blow he smote there-with, the beast stil rebated with his long hornes, often making the Partezane ready to fall out of his hands.

Primaleon wel perceauing the beasts fury and strength, thought it best to temporize his owne resistance, till he could 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some place of this Monster apte••t for wounding: so keeping him off as conueniently he might, till his vnweldi∣••es and violence soonest should wearie him: at length, be∣•• ••sed face to face with the beast, he gaue such a thrust

at his browes betwéene the hornes, that blood issued foorth in great aboundance. This gladded him (not a little) that he had wounded the beast, hauing giuen aboue twenty o∣ther strokes at him, yet could by no meanes enter his skin, which putting him now in some hope of victory, made him watchfull of like aduantage, for his further hurting: but by reason his hornes were still dangerous to him, he was con∣straind to keepe off, and spend many a stroke in vaine, till more auayling successe might better sted him.

Now grew the battaile to such desperate condition, that Primaleon (like one prodigall of life and honour) set downe his rest on the vtmost hazard, and holding his Partezanes staffe on the ground, with good regard to the beasts fury, his minde halfe perswaded him, that good hap would direct his swords point, to the very tendrest part of the Monsters skin, as in deede it followed in the proofe: for the weapon entred vnder the blade of the shoulder, and passed along to his very heart, whereon the beast staggerd toward him, which the knight perceauing, leapt off from him, else had he falne full vpon him, and so might haue endangerd him by his huge weight: the Lady not a little glad of such successe, sayde. Sir Knight, let vs returne the same way we entred, so shall we get forth of the Tower, otherwise, there is no place for resting you, but the Caniballs wil fiercely againe set on ye. Primaleon followed her direction, and then they beheld the Tower to open, iust on the same side where he had entred, so they issued forth, and went into the afore-said Cabben or Cottage, euen as the Sunne was at his descending: fin∣ding there the table ready furnished, and two goodly beds seuerally to rest in, which (to him) seemed highly pleasing. Then entred hee into consideration of the Lady, reputing her to be of quality and greatnes, by making such esteeme of him in this enchauntment: but hee might not knowe of whence or what she was▪ because the force of the Magicke would not admit it: notwithstanding, among some other gentle conference, she spake to the Knight in this manner. Most euident and apparant is it, what happy fortune Pal∣merin

d' Oliua left to his of-spring, in that your gracious starres pleased to guide your hand, to the onely direct place for confounding the beast, which else, all the strength in the worlde could not haue conquered. But to morrowe, there remaines a farre greater aduenture for ye, as neuer could you desire a matter of more esteeme: thereby may you gaine an vnguent, which can cure the Emperour Primaleon, Don Edward of England, and your father Florendos, marie the purchase of it, will cost you much labour and perill, & per∣haps will make you repent, that euer you vndertooke it. So excéeded Primaleons ioy, that these Princes (by his meanes) might be recouered, as he thought euery houre a yéere till the next day came, and hauing supped, he went to his rest, vntill the bright morning early saluted him, when beeing risen, hee found the Lady in deuoute prayer for his safety. Nowe began he to consider with him selfe, that the Sledge or Hammer might stand him in some sted, where∣fore taking it vp on his neck, he went to the place where he issued foorth, which he found to be open, and (dreadlesse of any perill) he entred with the Lady, who (for her security) kept still by his side.

No sooner were they entred, but the wide-open rift clo∣sed againe, and then began the terriblest noyse that euer was heard, which all the remayning Caniballs made to∣gether, as they came descending downe the staires: but Primaleon, to kéepe so many brutish sauages off him, laid at them with his Partezane, opposing him selfe at the foote of the staires, where making his ayme still at their faces, at last he wounded the oldest of them, vpon whose life depen∣ded the enchauntment of the Tower, and the weapon pas∣sing quite thorowe his braines, immediatly he fell downe dead, where presently the wall of mettall sunke déepe vn∣der the ground, and Primaleon stoode with the Lady on the lowe pauement, some-what abashed, because they behelde such a strange alteration. As they staide there still to see what would ensue, they sawe the top of a goodly house arise out of the earth, and afterward the walls & gate appeared,

ouer which was written in golden Letters as followeth: The house of the fayre princesse Melia, wher-into whosoe∣uer enters, looseth his life.

Primaleon smyled at this seuere threatning, and taking vp his great hammer, went to beate against the gate there∣with, whē pausing a little, he heard a noyse of people with∣in, as if it were of such as meant to defend it: neuerthelesse, the strength of the blowes he layd on it were such, that the gate shaking and tottering euery way, at last fell downe, and Primaleon receiued such a sounde gréeting on the head, as (if he had not suddenly set the hammer to the ground, for his support) he had lyen along, but stout courage neuer for∣saking him, boldly made him leape forward in at the gate, where he was immediatly snatcht vp in the armes of two Giants, who carried him by méere strength to an Altare, which stood not farre off from the entrance, and then one of them sayd. Let vs sacrifice this man héere, to the soule of the Princesse Melia.

Agréed (quoth the other) and his hammer that lyes yon∣der, will greatly stedde vs, to breake his bones in péeces at a blow. Thou saist true (quoth the first Giant) therefore goe fetch it, and leaue the Knight alone to mée. Primaleon perceiuing in what danger he was, drawing suddenly his dagger, gaue the Giant (that held him) a stabbe in the side, which made him let goe his holde, and Primaleon recoue∣ring his feete, got foorth his sword, and layd about him so fu∣riously there-with, that the Giant found hee had no idle la∣bour in hand.

By this time was the other come with the hammer, which séemed of no poyse or weight in his hand, so hée with that, and the other with his huge Club, layd at the Knight with such furie and violence, as neuer before was he in the like perrill: for he beheld it most euidently, that if he auoy∣ded not the blowes of the hammer, his life must there im∣mediatly perrish, beside, the other so canuast him with his Clubbe, that hee staggard héere and there like a drunken∣man: and scarce knowing in this extremitie howe to be∣haue

himselfe, he set his backe against the Altare, to kéepe both his enemies directly before him, when calling to re∣membraunce, howe much héere-to-fore thrusts and foynes had befriended him, hee did nothing else but giue out-right thrusts and stabbes, which made the Giants kéepe the far∣ther off from him, but hee was so spent and ouer-laboured in this combate, that the end of the fight séemed doubtful vn∣to him.

The Giant that fought with the hammer, grewe so out∣ragious and transported with violence, that his blowes flew about without any discretion, beating the ground, and dooing no harme else, till meere furie made the hammer slippe suddenly out of his hande, so that then hee was con∣strained to be-take himselfe to his Clubbe again: in which small opportunitie, Primaleon (with a thrust) had hurt the other Giant in the face, where-uppon hee retired backe to the Altare, and vanished presently out of sight.

Then to kéepe play with the other, least by breathing he should grow fresh and lustie, he followed him close euerie way about: but he séeing his companion was gone, and that the Knight very hardly set him, did what hee could to with-stand his enemie, till receiuing likewise a maine thrust in the face, he quickly fled after his fellow.

Nowe went Primaleon (as glad of a little rest) to leane awhile against the Altare, but thereof hee was preuented, for he sawe come foorth from vnder the Altare, two Ser∣pents hissing, appearing as if they were knit together. Pri∣maleon considered with himselfe, that as the one Giant fledde, so the other fayled in his strength, therfore he would fight with one of the Serpents first, hoping his successe that way would prooue the like: but they were so closely com∣bined together, as he knewe not by what meanes to com∣passe his intent, whereupon, hée aymed with thrusts at them both, which with theyr winges they still put by, and gaue him many a violent stroke.

While this fight thus continued, he heard the clattering of Armour, as if he were to be assailed by an hoste of men,

a matter wrought by force of the enchauntment, onelie to dismay and terrifie his thoughts: but hee made no recko∣ning of all this terrour, because he was prepared for anie danger whatsoeuer, séeking first to end the taske he had in hand, and deliuered such a stroke at the one Serpent, as (lighting where the winges were ioyned to the bodie,) did cutte them quite off, and then redoubling the blowe with a thrust, ranne him quite through the head, whereby hee fell downe, past all abilitie of harming any more: which did so lagge and wearie the other yet liuing, to defend himselfe, and dragge the other Serpent about to, as the Knight (ta∣king aduantage offered) dispatcht him after his fellow for company.

Nowe thought Primaleon that his labour was conclu∣ded, and going to the Altare, he espied (in an yron Chest) a Boxe of stone, preserued there from the knowledge of any one, which (when he had broken the yron Chest) he purpo∣sed to beare thence away with him: and as hee procéeded with this intent, hee beheld the figure of a Woman vppon the Altare, whose yéeres of age séemed to be about fiftie, which as he stoode awhile beholding, the figure beganne to speake to him in this manner.

Perhaps thou thinkest (Sir Knight) to carry hence this vnguent, which I neuer made for any Christians helpe, but for the race of Armato, King of Persia, and my brother: if such be thy perswasion, it is méerely in vaine. At which words, suddenly arose a Table before the Altare, where vnder (as in a déepe Cauerne) were to be seene Beares, Li∣ons, Wolues, Tygers, Panthers, & diuers wilde beasts, then spake the Image againe, saying: Thou must first fight with these and ouer-come them, before thou canst ob∣taine thy desire.

When Primaleon perceiued such an ineuitable danger, he conferred with his thoughts, which way were the like∣liest to compasse victory, then did the Table on a suddaine descend againe, and he beheld there a locke with a key, and a Trumpet hanging by it: Héere-vpon came the Ladie to

him, who had learned many particularities (concerning the enchauntment) of two young Ladies shee met withall in the Tower, and therefore spake thus to him againe.

Locke downe the Table with that key Sir Knight, be∣cause it onely is the doore of the Cauerne: then sound the Trumpet, for therein consists the meanes of ending the en∣chauntment. Primaleon was not slowe in locking it downe with the key, and taking the Trumpet in his hand, meant to sound it: but a Spirit excéeding any humane stature, came and caught hold of him, and a very strange kinde of wrastling grew betweene them, for Primaleon could fasten no hold on the Spirit, but was so violently hurld about eue∣rie way by this phantasma, as very hardly could he keepe himselfe on his féete, but supporting himselfe so well as hée could, he sounded the Trumpet, and then the Spirit vani∣shed in a smoake, likewise all the wilde beastes beneath in the vault, breaking a doore on the Mountaines side, ranne altogether mainly thence, to be out of the trumpets dread∣full noyse.

Nowe remained the Altare without any defender, and Primaleon turning to thanke the Lady for her good aduise, presently knew her to be his Mother Miragarda, whom the enchauntments force would not let him know till now, and shee not a little ioyfull of his presence, sayd. Most honoura∣ble and aduenturous Sonne, heauen and thy faire fortune hath highly blessed thée, how many times did I feare to sée thée dead, when (albeit I knew thée not) yet had I a Mo∣thers compassion on thee: nowe maist thou safely take the vnguent, and afterward I will acquaint thee with y^e estate of my fortunes.

Primaleon layd his hand on the Chest, but could not finde the way how to open it, whereat wexing som-what angry, he would haue broken it with the great hammer: but Do∣rina and the two young Ladies of the Tower, came pre∣sently to him, saying: Hold your hand Sir, and breake not the Chest, for then you will sincke downe whether the Towre is falne.

The one of the young Ladies stept vnto him, and shewed him how he should vndoe (by strength) an yron barre, that was fastened a hand breadth aboue the Chest, and there he should find the key to open it. Primaleon, though he thought it vnpossible by might to vndoo it, yet because he was there∣to thus aduised, kneeling downe close to it, hee beganne to pull thereat with such force, as was fore-graunted to the race of great Palmerin, euen as if his veines and sinnewes had crackt in sunder, and getting off the barre, a little key started foorth, which Dorina tooke to her, because Prima∣leon was falne into a swoune, by the extreame labour of o∣pening the barre.

When Miragarda saw her Sonne in such a traunce, shée was readie to die with conceite of griefe, cursing the vn∣guent to be bought so déerely: but beeing in short while come againe to himselfe, he called for the key, which was no sooner put into the little lock, but it immediatly opened, and easily he tooke foorth the boxe of oyntment, whereupon the Altare and all things else vanished, except the old Pal∣lace. So Primaleon with his Mother, the two young Da∣mosells, and Dorina, went forth againe to the Cottage, be∣cause it was late, where they founde the Knight that first gaue him directions, who in regard of some enmitie be∣twéene him and the Princesse Melia, made his continuall aboade there in the Wood, vntill such time as the onelie knight should come, (descended of Palmerins noble race) to make a finall end of that enchauntment: the Knight (bée∣ing now without his Helmet) they perceiued him to be ve∣ry aged, there hee inuited them to a sumptuous supper, and afterward hee prepared seuerall beddes for them, whereto each one went and quietly reposed.