CHAP. XXII. The Knight of the Palms is by a wile conducted to the Castle of Towers, and by the means of a damsell he the second time avoids the plot which Narsander had laid to take away his life.

ALcidamant mixing the grief of his esloignment with the content he had to see himself in the flate of acquiring glory, rode till noon and never thought of eating, but Arnides that neither approved of this silence or auste∣rity, said unto him: Sir, I know not what pleasure you take in your fancies, but sure I am my stomack complains of this abstinence, and the hunger that op∣presses me, makes me think that you likewise suffer that way; wherefore, I beseech you, let us get up to this mountain, where I espie a little hermitage, and there I hope we shall meet with some holy personage that will give us to eat. If thou feelest any incommodity, said Alcidamant, thank thy self, for it should be thy care to make provision. That is good indeed, answered Arnides, for how could I make provision Page  82 upon so sudden a departure as yours was? Do but call to mind, Sir, that you could scarce give me time to saddle our horses, and then you will not accuse me in this sort. Thou art in the right, said Alcidamant, but I am not resolved to quit my way for such poor entertainment as we are like to find there; therefore let us go on, it may be we shall meet with some house or other, where we may stay our stomacks. I am afraid, said Arnides, that this good fortune will fail us, or that it will be too long ere we shall attain to it; but since it is your pleasure to have it so, I must be contented to obey. Thus rendring their travell lesse tedious, they continued two howrs on horsback, which seemed two ages to the famished Squire, but then they met a dam∣sell followed by a little Dwarf, who casting her eie upon Alcidamant, and viewing that famous ensign of the Palms, leapt presently from her palfrey, and falling on her knees, said unto him: Worthy Knight, if I be not de∣ceived you are he that I have so long sought for. It may be so, said Alcida∣mant, but Gentlewoman by what token would you know me better, and what it is you desire of me? If you be the Knight, said she, that lately freed the prisoners which Narsander the Inchanter detained at the dangerous bridge, I shall be•eech you not to refuse me one boon I will ask of you. I grant it you, said Alcidamant, for I am he that restored them to their liber∣ty, which they had lost for my sake. You shall follow me then instantly, said she, to a kinswomans house of mine, which is not above two leagues from hence, where you shall be well entertained, and to morrow morning we will go to draw a Knight, whom I infinitely affect, out of this Inchant∣ers prison. I am most ready, said Alcidamant, to do all that I may for your service; and so am I, said Arnides, to intreat you gentlewoman, to shew us the neerest way, for my belly will make these two leagues seem longer then six. This made Alcidamant and the damsell to laugh, who speedily remoun∣ting on her horse galloped away amain, so that within a little time they ar∣rived before a Castle, flanked with fowr great towrs, which answered to fowr high waies, and encompassed with broad deep trenches, very proper to defend the master of it from the fury of his enemies. Where alighting, certain grooms took their horses for to carry them to the stable, and the damsell going over a little woodden bride, which gave a passage to the Ca∣stle, lead the Knight into a hall, where he met a very fair gentlewoman, who having curteously entertained him, caused him to unarm himself, and to put on a watchet satten gown, which became him so excellently well, that she beheld him with astonishment; the more she confidered him, the more handsome and accomplished she found him; his language contented her infinitely, his carriage seemed most amiable to her, and the grace of his countenance pleased her in such sort that she resolved to love him, and to divert the mischief which was hanging over his head: wherefore after sup∣per taking him aside, as if she would confer with him about the busines which he had undertaken for her kinswoman, she said unto him: Sir, your youth makes me to pity you, and the perfections which I observe in you in∣duce me to do you a singular pleasure, and to save you from a dangerous storm that threatens you, provided you promise me one boon. Madam, answered he, your discourse would amaze me, did not the noble freedome wherewithall you have received me to day, make me confident; but I can fear no malice, where I see so much grace and beauty, promising then to grant you whatsoever you can desire of me, be pleased, I pray you to ex∣pound Page  83 your self, and let me see my danger that I may avoid it. It is greater then you think for, replied she, and you cannot possibly decline it without my assistance; for you are in the hands of a man that hates you to the death, and that being out of hope to be revenged on you by arms, having found you too able that way, hath used policy to en•rap you. You are, I say, in the power of Narsander; I am his sister, she that drew you hither is his cousin, and the intention of us all was to take you unarmed, seeing you are other∣wise invincible; judge now whether you could escape death being without arms in the hands of thi•ty Knights, which are shut up in these towrs, that they may the more easily, and without suspition surprise you. Without doubt your courage could not avail you, and your resistance would be to no purpose; let us carry things wisely, and let us without more words go into your chamber, where you shall give me that you promised me, which is your love; then arm your self against all accidents that may happen, and command you•••quire to be ready with your horses, whilest I take care to have the wicket kept open for you. But by my best hopes, Madam, said Al∣cidamant, very much astonished to see himself in so dangerous a place, this is even the notablest peece of treachery that can be imagined; and never did damsell carry a busines more dexterously then this little cunning thing hath done, to bring me to my end. Your pity infinitely obliges me, and this life of mine whereof you have such care, shall be preserved but only to be employed for your service; and whereas you are pleased to oblige me with the honour of your favour, let us go Madam, and I will ever labour to che∣rish the possession of i•: whereupon p•ssing into a chamber which joined un∣to the hall, Alcidamant made the doors sure after him to avoid all surprisall, and finding himself safe with this gentlewoman, he let her feel that the ap∣prehension of death had not power to deprive him of the use of his courage. This Lady wonderfull well satisfied with two courses lustily performed, suffered him to arm himself, and having advertised him that Narsander was not yet returned home, she counselled him to get forth into the court assoon as he heard a noise, and not to let himself be assaulted in the chamber. This done, she went unto the towrs, and caused only fifteen Knights to advance, which heard by Alcidamant, he drew out his sword, and covering himself with his shield, he got him into the Court, cleaving the head of the first in two pieces. At this blow the rest which were scattered before, closed in∣stantly together, but this incomparable warrior flying amongst them, cut off the arm of one, sent the head of another to the ground, and kept them in such aw that the hardiest man amongst them durst not approach him; the rumor of this fight ran over all the Castle, whereat the rest descended, and encompassed Alcidamant with incredible fury, but he that grew every mo∣ment more couragious and stronger cut them in pieces, and made so great a slaughter of them, that some of their bodies served him for a bulwark a∣gainst the violence of the rest. Night arriving thereupon, the servants of the place came running in with a number of torches, by the light whereof the battell renewed so dangerously, that above twenty men were in lesse then an howr laid dead on the earth, whereby the rest were terrified in such sort, that they betook them to their heels for to eschew the mortall blows of this invincible Knight; who finding no enemy to oppose him, went out for to go directly to the stable, howbeit meeting a great Knight upon the bridge that would not suffer him to passe, he discharged so furious a blow Page  84 on his helmet, that he overturned him into the water, where questionles he had been drowned, if some of the servants that knew him to be Narsander, had not suddenly helped him. Alcidamant then finding no impediment went to his Squire, mounted on his horse, and taking the first way he met withall, travelled all night as his good fortune led him.