CHAP. XLII. What became of Griolanis and him of the wilde man after their combat.

THE combat between these two valiant Knights being en∣ded, as I have told you, Alcander, in whose power they were, and that desired their preservation, as much importing the good of Christendom, placed them se∣parately in a palace, which (by the power of his charms) he made appear in a large plain; and having rubbed them with an excellent Balsamum, he let them sleep all the night; at the end whereof, and about the time when the Sun began to gild the earth, Grian awaking, was strangely amazed to see himself laid in a very rich bed, and not to feel any pain of his wounds, received in the combat the day before, which he had not forgotten. O me! said he, casting his eye on every side, and perceiving nothing but gold and azure, par∣ting a number of excellent pictures that filled the room where he was. What do I see? Where am I, or who could bring me into a place of such delicacie? I remember very well, that I fought with one of the valiantest Knights of the world, and that his sword had pierced my flesh in a number of places, yet now I feel not a wound, nor can I imagine how we were pa•ted, nor who could bring me hither: Certainly this is very marvellous! But I may quickly free my self of all doubt: This stately Palace, is not without inhabitants, and I shall surely finde some body in it, that will inform me how things have past: Leaping then out of his bed, he took certain clothes that lay upon a table, and having put them on, he went down into a dainty garden, where all the excel∣lent flowers of the earth were set in a most strange and artificiall order; he beheld with admiration a multitude of trees, loaden with all manner of fruit, heard with pleasure the musick of a million of birds, who seemed to strive for to render that place most delectable; and viewed with wonder, a many of fountains, which made a fair lake, wherein a world of swans did sport them∣selves: but that which he thought the greatest wonder, was that, among all these rarities, he found not any one person of whom he might be satisfied in what he desirēd: In the end, having visited all the allies, he saw come forth from the other side of the house a Gentleman, so handsome; of so sweet a coun∣tenance, and of so brave a presence, as he beleeved that nature was not able to frame such another piece; his carriage exceedingly pleasing him, he went to salute him, and not knowing him for that incomparable warrior, that had made him so sweat in his armour the day before, he said to him: Sir, you shall much oblige me if you will be pleased to tell me where I am, and who is the Master of this place. Verily, answered the fair Knight, I am in the same trou∣ble that you are, and being heer without knowing how I came hither, was seeking some body that might satisfie me in what you enquire after. As far as I perceive, said Grien, our case is much one, and since a like fortune hath made us (not expecting it) to incounter thus, a like means, it may be, will make us finde the cause of it: Yet me thinks I see a man under those trees; let us, I pray Page  174 you, go to him, he may perhaps satisfie our desire: The Knight then, who was no other then Griolanis, looking behinde him, spied an old man com∣ming towards them, of a tall stature, in whose face appeared a Majesty not common with other men, who when heapproached to them, said: Sir Knights, your meeting doth yeeld me matchlesse contentment, for seeing you so kinde friends after so great an animosity, I may with reason esteem my self happy, that I have entertained you in my house. For my part, said Griolanis, who by those words knew that this Knight whom he beheld, was the redoubted Knight of the Savage, that had so late made him despair of his life, I can bear no ill will to this brave warrior, out of the consideration of our late combat; but if he please to love me, I shall gladly do him all service. Love you, said Grian, yes without question I will love you, for it were a crime to hate your vertue; beleeve it then that I am wholly yours: Whereupon, they imbraced one another with as much affection as could be desired, which so contented Alcander, that carrying them into a Cabinet, after he had royally feasted them, with abundance of delicate meats, he thus spake to them: Brave warriors, be not amazed at what you have lately seen; the heavens, that would have you preserved for their glory, made me yesterday seek to save you in a time when you had little reason to hope for it; your choler brought you even to deaths door, my care hath returned you back from it, seek not any occasion of diffe∣rence heerafter; but rather imploy those mighty abilities which God hath en∣dowed you with, to the ruine of those that would overthrow his religion, he will reward your zeal, and you shall see a happy end of all your enterprises. At these words he vanished out of their fight, those stately buildings were now no more to be seen, those delicious gardens changed their form, the Knights found themselves mounted upon their horses, and armed at all peeces, exceedingly astonished at that which had befallen them: But not forgetting the counsell that had been given them, they again protested to love one ano∣ther eternally; and taking the first way that came to hand, they went directly to Constantinople, as you shall see in the Chapter ensuing.