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¶How the Princes Palladine and Manteleo, with many o∣ther great Lords, were Knighted by the King Milanor: and of an aduenture that happened in the Court, which Palladine and Manteleo ended.
FAire Aurora chasing away the clow∣die night, the Prince Palladine, ac∣companied with many Gentlemen, came to bid Manteleo good morrow. Why? my Lord and companion, quoth he, it séemes you haue for∣gotten what we determined yester∣night. Pardon me good Prince, aun∣swered
Manteleo, my memorie is not so short: but so swéet∣ly haue I slept this night, as hindered me from rising soo∣ner. Then went they to salute the King, and intreated his Highnesse to graunt them their Knighthood. When his Maiestie perceiuing their forwardnesse, and noting the earnest desire of Manteleo, thus aunswered.
Loth am I to denie your request, albeit as yet you are ouer-yong, but the good opinion I haue of your prowesse, and fortunate successe that may befall ye héereafter: doth supply your want of yeeres, wherefore, this night per∣fourme the holy watch, and to morrow will I giue ye your Order. The two Princes humbly thanking his Maiestie, went to giue order for their Armour and furniture, and at night they entred the Chappell, where spending the time in the accustomed religious exercise, they expect the houre of their long desired honor.
In the morning, the King with his Nobilitie entred the Chappell, and as he was busied in the Ceremonies vsed in such affaires, there entred two Damosels verie brauely apparelled, each of them hauing a goodly Sword in her hand, and with them was an armed Knight: then one of the Damosels comming before the King, vpon her knee deliuered these spéeches.
Mightie and renowmed King, excelling in vertue all Princes liuing, vnderstand, that this Knight my Brother, is enchaunted by a wicked Sorcerer, for not graunting to accomplish his carnall desire, so that since the time of his refusall, he hath not conuersed with any woman in the world, not with his owne Wife héere present, but hateth all Women to the death, to the no little greefe of me and my faire Sister, séeing her selfe so despised of her husband, without giuing any occasion of offence. Any many Coun∣treys haue we trauailed, to finde the man or woman that can end this enchauntment, yet hetherto haue we lost all our labour. But true it is, that as we passed through the lesser Aegipt, we happened to meete with an auncient
Lady, who gaue vs these two Swords, which (as she said) cannot be drawne by any, but by two Knightes, the most valiant and loyall of their tune. These worthie men shall vncharme this Knight, and to them belong these Swords, being the best that euer were framed, and their names that shall draw these Swords out of their scabbards, are engrauen on the weapons, yet not to be seene till they be drawne. Wherefore right mightie King, we humbly in∣treate, that this sad aduenture may be tried by your Knightes, for very often haue we heard, that this Court is stored with men of greatest vertue.
If the King and all present, were amazed at the com∣ming of the Damosels and the Knight, much more were they by hearing the reason of the enchantment.
In sooth, said that Quéene, I cannot but pittie the poore Gentleman, that for the carefull regard of his loyaltie, he should receiue so great discourtesie. Doubtlesse, quoth the King, he was a cruell villaine that enchaunted him on this occasion, and were he heere, either would I cause him to end the enchauntment himselfe, or recompence him with his iust desarts. As for you Lady that are Sister to this Knight, right gladly do I graunt what you haue re∣quested, and neuer could you haue come in better time, for the greatest part of the Knightes in our Realme are heere at our Court, besides, diuers other am I presently to en∣due with the Order, which being done, they shall all trie their fortune in this aduenture. Heerevpon, the newe Knightes were immediatly dubbed, and each after other laboured to pull foorth the enchaunted Swords, which they could not stirre the length of halfe a foote, except Orli∣man of Flaunders, and Durandell of Cieue, who drew them wel-neere to the middest.
The new Knightes Palladine and Manteleo, séeing no one could altogether vnsheath them, tooke the Swords to trie what they were able to do, and they drew them foorth so easily as they had beene their owne weapons, each one
reioysing the aduenture was ended, especially Marcelina, who by this first proofe perceiued, what Knightly bountie and loyaltie remained in her freend. The Damosels being glad of this good hap, the Knightes Sister thus spake to the King.
Yet is not this all Sir, so it may stand with your liking•• my brother must dub these Knightes with these Swords, and they are to graunt him one request, which he shall af∣terward demaund of them. For that I am content, sayd the King, but let vs see whose names are engrauen on the Swords. Palladine shewed his to the King, and thereon was engrauen in great Romane Lett•••• these words, Palladine of Aquilea, whereat he was ••••th ioyfull and a∣mazed, that the Surname of Aquilea was giuen to Palla∣dine. For Aquilia was a Realme vnder the gouernment of the Pagans, and Palladine was a Christian, nor could he tell what to imagine héereof, but desired Manteleo to shew his Sword▪ whereon was engrauen in the like Cha∣racters, Manteleo the Millaynois, which made him equall with his companion in gladnesse, but most of all faire Mar∣celina, in whose brest loues fire more and more enkindled.
The strange Knight feeling himselfe released from en∣chauntment, tooke the Swords, and therewith gaue the Order to the two Princes, afterward thus speaking to them. Will yee (my Lords) graunt me now one boone? That shall we Sir, quoth they, the King hath alreadie pro∣mised, we must not then denie it. My request is, sayd the Knight, that you would depart hence with me within these three dayes, and accompanie me to the place whither I shall conduct yee. Heereof will we not faile, aunswered Palladine, so please yee to set forward to morrow. Not so, quoth the King, you must foreth••ke in what equipage you are to depart hence, as also what companie you must haue with yee: beside, I will that the Knight and the La∣dyes rest themselues awhile in our Court.
If Palladine was ioyfull to follow aduentures, you
must thinke Manteleo was as sorie, seeing he must so soone forsake his Marcelina, who hauing likewise heard what was concluded, shewed by the change of her vermilion collour to pale and wan, how greatly this seperation dis∣pleased her, deuising by what meanes she might hinder this voyage.
Manteleo beholding the teares in his Ladies eyes, ima∣gined the cause, and thereby her earnest affection towards him, which touched him inwardly with such assaults, as feeling a sudden weakenesse to surprize him, he was forced to leane on his Squires shoulder, whereat the King mar∣uailing, said. How now Sir Manteleo? are you not well? In sooth my Lord, quoth he, neuer was I in so straunge an alteration before. I perceiue said the King the cause heere∣of, these Ladies aduenture hath kept you too long fasting, high time is it that you had some refection. The Prince was contented to allow this fit excuse, least otherwise his secret loue should be disclosed. Let vs to meate then, sayd the King, for long fasting is hurtfull, and mine owne sto∣macke telles me that it is dinner time.