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. XII. VVhat Sucusano did, when he heard that the Ar∣menian Princesse was forcibly rescued from them, that had charge of conducting her to him: And fur∣ther concerning the Prince Florian.

THe Turkes that had fought in this manner with the Knight of the Sauage man, seeing they had gotten them-selues so farre onward, as they needed not to stande in feare of their enemie: because they had lost y^e Armeni∣an Princesse, they made no hast of returning to Ristorano, but in∣tended their iourney to Sucusa∣no, to let him vnderstand what had happened them in pur∣suite, so to excuse their Lorde who had sent him his Sister. Béeing come to his Armie, and newes spread that the prin∣cesse came not with them: it was expected that they should all presently die, but yet on more deliberation, they were

admitted to his royall Pauillion. Sucusano séeing them without his Sister, with sterne countenaunce demaunded from whom they came. They fearefully falling on theyr knees, reported their whole successe, and in what sort shée was taken from them. But it seemed so disagréeing with truth, that one Knight alone shoulde performe so much, in taking the Lady frō them, though (néedlesse) another came at length to helpe him, as it was méerely scoft at: but for better assurance héerein, he sent many of his owne men to the place, where the Turkes declared that their Captaine lay slaine.

Dorina, who marked all these procéedings, to binde her louer to her so much as might bee, hoping one day the en∣chauntment should be dissolued, and then hee woulde take compassion on her, by her arte conuaied all the dead bodies thence, yea, all signes that any fighting had béene there at all. Where-vpon, the Persians returned to Sucusano, say∣ing, they found no shew of any such matter as the Turkes had told him: when hee (starting vp furiously) without ad∣mitting any more wordes, commaunded them all immedi∣atlie to be hanged, and raysing his Campe, consisting of an hundred thousand braue Souldiers, beside a most gallant troupe of Infanterie: went and assailed Tubante so sudden∣ly, as they could not prouide themselues of victuals to with∣stand the siedge, though otherwise the Citty of it selfe was strong enough.

When Florian saw what he desired to take such effect, he earnestly intreated the Princesse of Armenia, that faining her selfe to be escaped from the Knight who tooke her from the Turkes, shee would get into the Castle where Targia∣na was, so might she be out of danger of her owne life, and a meane likewise of Targianas libertie. The Princesse sée∣ing her brother so neere to deliuer her, and louing Florian so earnestly as she did, was well contented to performe his request: so slipping with him foorth of the Citty, entred a wood neere adioyning, where letting her horse run loose on his bridle, like one escaped from an enemy, shee entred the

Citty, dissembling extraordinarie feare, and comming to the Castell gate, where Ristoranos guard gaue their atten∣dance, was quickly knowne by them, and soone conueyed in at the wicket, shee still seeming doubtful of her securitie. And comming to Targiana, so artificially she continued her feigned feare: as shee verily imagined her to bee escaped from Florian. But when time came that they might more safely conuersse together, shee then reuealed all: whereby Targianaes hope very greatly increased, seeing now an en∣trance to her freedome so soundly begun.

Florian perceiuing that the Princesse was got into the Castle, and hauing with his presence (a farre off) comfor∣ted Targiana, armed Turke-like, he went and offered his seruice to Sucusano, who séeing him so brauely disposed, and but young withall, would needes haue him sit downe by him, but Florian dooing him double reuerence, beganne in this manner. Most mightie Lord, I am sonne to a Turke, who serued most faithfully the great Emperour deceassed, and thereby receiued of him no meane benefits. I that de∣sire to doe you as loyall seruice, hearing that my Princesse is imprisoned by Ristorano in the Castell of Tubante, and that he would vsurpe the state from her, am minded to ad∣uenture my life for her deliuerie. Let me then entreat your highnesse, to doe some-what for so great a sister as your owne, and my Soueraigne: wherein, beside eternall fame following so glorious an enterprise, shée will acknowledge herselfe deeply indebted vnto you, when she shall be seated in her kingdoms of Babilon and Turkie. And might it please yee but to fauour me in thys enterprise, I offer my selfe bo∣die to bodie, against so many as dare maintaine Ristorano to be no traytour: trusting more in iustice of the cause, then any hardiment or valour in my selfe.

Sucusano very respectiuely noted Florian all the while he spake, and iudging him to be a man very valiant, replyed: that seeing him so loyally inclined towards his princesse, he woulde gladly haue both the Ladies set at libertie, because his sister was likewise prisoner with her, and therefore hee

wished to them both alike. Then presently he sent one of his Captaines well accompanied, to the citty to Ristorano, requesting to haue deliuered him his Sister and Targiana, whom he laboured to dispossesse of her estate: and if anie of his would iustifie Ristorano not to be a traytor, hee shoulde meete a Knight in field, who would make it good vpon him by sword and Launce.

Ristorano offended at this demaund, which dissolued all his former dissignes: would haue satis-fied Sucusanos Em∣bassadour, that he did send him his Sister, and knewe not how his purpose was impeached. But now, his demaun∣ding of both the Ladies, droue his sences into such a confu∣sion, as hee knew not what to imagine concerning the Ar∣menian Princesse. And in regard a Turkish Knight, backt by Persians, would fight against the Citty, and requested combate: he intended to prouide for the present perrill, ly∣cencing the Embassadour to depart, saying: His Sister he had already sent him, but with Targiana he had not to med∣dle. The Embassador bringing this aunswere to his Lord, and Florian beeing aduertised thereof, made hast to the field, to loose no time, and least the Persians mind should hap to be changed: hearing that his sister had beene sent him before, and taken from the Knights, as hath béen before declared.

Ristorano, fearing no lesse the Turkes then the Persi∣ans, turning him to his Knights, said: Which of you dare goe combat this companion, & bring his head to me? Many valiant Lords profered themselues in hast, and great con∣tention there was who should goe first: but the lot falling to the Prince of Tharsus, he armed himselfe for the purpose, and came so disdainfully forth of y^e Citty, that without spea∣king any word to Florian, hee ranne against him with his Launce: wherewith Florian being mooued, met him in the midst of the course, the Turkes staffe hitting on his shielde, made him loose a stirrop, but Florians passed with such force through his breast, that he fel downe dead to the earth. The Persians seeing a victory so easily obtained, both ioyed & mer∣uailed thereat. Contrariwise, they of the citty stood amazed.

Neuerthelesse, the Lord of Antioche, (a man of great mind and opinion) presented himselfe, & encountring with Flo∣rian, hurt him a little on the arme, albeit himselfe had such a salutation on the pate, as he was liker to lie along, then keepe his saddle. Then Florian determining, either to die this day, or regaine Targiana, smote at him with his sword, which lighting on his shoulder, cleft him downe to the sad∣dle, and cut off his horses head likewise.

This was such a fearefull astonishment to Ristoranos Knights, as no more beeing willing to aduenture them∣selues, they drewe backe into the Citty: where Ristorano (fearefull of the people) sought by what meanes Targiana might be slaine, as alwaies before hee aymed thereat: but because he knew not who to trust, and sawe euery one en∣clined to fauour their naturall Soueraigne, hee resolued with himselfe vppon spéedie flight. Then hearing what a great rumor was at the walls, the Persians fully perswa∣ded of successe, hauing him for their Captaine, who had so soone ouer-come two such valiant Turkes, hée drew neere (with diuers of his trustiest folowers) to make head against them, & going to a false posterne of the Castle, caused Tar∣giana to be fetched foorth, that he might haue her along with him: hoping in extremitie, to yeeld her for safegarde of his owne life, or else by béeing still possest of her, to haue vse and gouernment of the state.

This could he not performe so secretly, but hee was dis∣couered by the people, who cryed out with loud voyce, that Targiana was led away to death: whereon he was pursued by so great multitudes, that hee (hauing worke enough to doe to escape aliue, and knowing howe fewe of his owne people did affect him,) left Targiana behinde him. Some fearing least the Citty should bee taken and spoyled by the Persians, hung foorth their flagge of truce, and opening the gate, receiued in Florian and foure thousand Knights with him, according as Sucusano had before appoynted, who behaued himselfe on the other side very valiantly. But Florian fearing least some disaster shoulde betide Targiana,

ranne presently to the Castell, where he found her in com∣panie of them that Ristorano left her withall, who percei∣uing the Tyrant fledde, laboured to kéepe her from perrill, and so were returned backe with her thither againe. Of him they grewe all afraide, and in danger had they béene, but that Targiana knewe him by managing his weapon, thē stepping forward: Sheath your sword my Lord (quoth shee) for these Knights are for my safetie, and at your ser∣uice.

Florian, séeing his intent accomplished, full of ioy, tooke Targiana by the hand, but shee trembled, as shewing the great loue shee bare him, from the beginning when he was in her Court. Thence was shée conducted by the people to her Pallace, and béeing placed in the royall seate of her Father, was publiquely proclaimed and confirmed theyr Queene.

Sucusano, glad for recouerie of his Sister, and that hee had doone so speciall seruice to Targiana, without the losse of any of his people, entred that night into the Citty, with an hundred of his worthiest Barons: and because it was late, as then hée could not goe to sée the Ladie, by reason Targiana had withdrawne herselfe aside, none in her com∣panie but Prince Florian, as not béeing able to satis-fie her selfe with embracing him, and yéelding him thanks, as his great paines had well deserued. But thus far they procée∣ded, that promising shée would become a Christian, they were affianced together, in presence of the Armenian Princesse, and the Damosell that holpe her when she wrote the Letter. Afterward, by other kinde of ceremonies (in such cases required) they so ratified theyr marriage, as it was past recalling: but nowe returne wee to the Perilous Ile.