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