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. II. VVhat Targiana did, after the Campe was dissol∣ued, and the Soldane Albayzar her husband dead.

TArgiana & the Princesse of Ar∣menia, when the third daies fight began, considering y^t in so many battailes, not any of the Chri∣stians (most famous for armes) were dead: began to perswade themselues, that y^e Pagan part woulde be ouerthrowne and dis∣comforted, where-vppon they with-drew thēselues into a ship: which from her Father was thether sent well prouided, and wherein likewise were manie of her friendes, where hearing the successe of the battaile, and the death of Albay∣zar, they lanched out into the maine, attended on by some other ships, that prepared themselues to returne with her towards Babylon.

But her vnkinde starres, not satis-fied, first with her scorning by Prince Florian, then to sée her husband baselie led prisoner by Florendos, to present him before faire Mi∣ragarda, (as is declared in the second part of this historie,) and now lastly, that he was slaine by the same Florian, of whom shee had béene so greatly despised: but that nowe a new disgrace ••as prepared for her. Wherefore, conten∣ding inwardlie with her pride of minde, where-with her former conceits had alwaies béene ledde, when she beheld her selfe to be his widdow, who by so many Trophies had

renowned her beautie: shée nowe sate amazedly mourning at her wonderfull mis-fortunes. Hauing sailed on tenne leagues and more, they were met with an Armie of twen∣tie shippes, guided by Ristorano her Cosin, who (after the decease of his vnckle the great Turke) imagined how hee might signorize ouer that state: and taking this to bee his best way, prouided himselfe of the afore-said Nauie, when comming within an hundred miles of Constantinople, hee made stay, awayting from time to time, what newes hee could heare of Albayzar and his power.

When he vnderstood of the Pagans discomfiture, he set on towards their Campe, to disclose some secrets to the vn∣aduised Albayzar: holding for certaintie, that if hee were aliue, hee was conquered and in great distresse: thus with a gentle gale he sailed onward.

Targianas Nauie béeing surprised, that little expected any such fierce encounter, and therefore rode on at pleasure: were all boorded and seazed on, ere they had any libertie to prepare themselues for fight. When the prisoners were brought before him, and that he behelde Targiana among them, he was so ioyfull that he could not dissemble his déep contentment. Then began he to scorne the Lady, casting in her teeth what she had doone in fauour of the Christians, how greeuously shée tooke it, when Polendos and the rest were her Fathers prisoners, & how she fled (vnrequested) with Florian of the Forrest.

The Lady, who was of a great spirite, dismaied not a iote, albeit shee was his prisoner, of whose intent before hand shée could easilie diuine: Wherefore, shee aunswered him sternly, as one dreadlesse of death, for life (among so manie losses,) was not by her regarded. Heare me (quoth she) Ristorano, I confesse I haue fauoured the Christians, in repaiment of infinite curtesies frō them receiued, while I remained in Constantinople, not that I did negligently ca∣rie my selfe, in any thing that might or did displease my husband. But for I am assured, that in vaine I doe excuse my selfe to thee, were all true where-with thou couldest

charge me: dispose of me as thou wilt, but looke for warre from the Christians, in regard of the loue they beare mée. And though I haue béene absent from my hereditarie king∣dome, (which thou vniustlie séekest to vsurpe) yet haue I a childe, as is well knowne through all Babylon: and those people, who for their loue to Albayzar, desire to haue his sonne their Soueraigne, will chastise thee as thou well de∣seruest.

Ristorano (who willinglie would haue slaine her, the ea∣sier to compasse what hee desired) considering on her spée∣ches, thought it better to deferre her death, till with more security he might effect it: and séeming to shew no outward signe of feare, with angry lookes thus he replied. Thy of∣fences merrite more then a common kinde of death: wher∣fore so lightlie will I not kill thée, as I sée thou wishest I would.

Héere-vpon, hee commaunded her with the Armenian Princesse, into a priuate roome of the shippe: and hee was in a thousand opinions, whether he should land, and take the Cittie of Constantinople, or turne backe into Turkie, and rule that kingdome. For it was the Citties good hap, that Ristorano, not hearing what had happened to the principal Knights, who had defended the Cittie, (as the wise Aliart so procured, who likewise knewe of this Armies making thitherward) but beléeuing that the Christians were con∣querers, and therefore doubtful of his owne fortune: durst not goe on shoare, the rather, because his owne men were more willing to be gone then tarry. So contenting him∣selfe, that Fortune had deliuered Targiana into his hand, and hearing by his spials, that Brundo, sonne to Don Rosi∣ran de la Bronde, with foure thousande horse, lay before Constantinople, expecting if they durst land or no: fearing to be taken, with all spéede possible, he made hast to be gone from thence.

When Targiana behelde her selfe in his power, whom vndoubtedly she knew intended her death, albeit her mind was inuincible, yet sate shée very pensiue, not giuing a

word to the Armenian Princesse: who likewise gréeued to see her selfe a prisoner; neuerthelesse, because she expected not death, shee laboured her thoughts the better for her e∣scape, and turning to Targiana, said.

I remember good Princesse, that when I was to depart from Persia, a wise Enchauntresse named Drusa Velona, gaue me a Ring of such vertue: that being sent in a Letter to any Knight, whom I should make choyse of for my de∣fence, he would presently come to helpe me. Thinke then what Knight may be most conuenient for your purpose, and I will write the Letter: for the Ring is of such force, as to wound the hart of any Knight, and make him loue ye, although before he hated ye neuer so much.

Targiana right ioyfull to heare Drusa Velonas name, whose Art had before auailed her, when she conducted her away, and enchaunted the Princesse Leonarda: began to thinke with her selfe, what Knight she should determine on, to deliuer her from the hands of Ristorano. But a∣mong so many opinions not knowing how to resolue, the Nauie entred Turkie, where Ristorano secretly conuayed her to a Castle, accompanying her with certaine Ma∣trones, who had charge that she should send no Letters a∣broade. For he feared, that if the Turkes should vnder∣stand, howe their Lady Targiana was imprisoned in her owne Kingdome: they would stirre in her behalfe. This hindered their former desseignment, of sending the Letter with the Ring: and which by reason of the companie ap∣pointed to attend them, could not be performed.