An historical romance of the wars between the mighty giant Gallieno, and the great knight Nasonius, and his associates

CHAP. XVII. How the Green-headed Knight, Sabaudiero, attempted to take Pineria, and how the Giant Sabaudocrato came upon him, be∣twixt whom there was a Bloody Fight, in which Sabaudiero, and his Forces were overthrown. (Book 17)

LEt us for a while leave Nasonius, picking up his scatter'd Forces, and revolving ten thousand Projects, in his Brain, how to do nothing, and see what better Fortune the Associates met with elsewhere: Youth is forward, rash, and greedy of Glory, and in Montania their Forces were thought to be much the stronger, not only as having the advan∣tage in number, but also, as consisting for the most part of stout, and well-disciplin'd Men; this pricked on Sabaudiero to do something, both for his Glory, and in revenge of his Losses; and after a serious

Consultation, where there was scarce one wise Head among them, and that least set by, it was resolved to besiege Pineria, a Town strong, and of great Consequence. And now without delay their Forces were drawn about it; but the great Necromancer, Archimedes, had been there before, and raised certain small magical Forts, which so guarded Pine∣ria, that till one, or more of them were taken, they could not come at it without running a desperate hazard: And therefore that they might seem to act like wise Men, they resolved in the first place to attack the Fort called Pontilla, which they did with great Fury, and renewed f••om time to time with great Resolution; but on the other hand, the Fort was as bravely defended by some select Men put therein, there was no∣thing of Valour or Industry wanting on either side, there were Mines against Mines, Charms against Charms, (for in those strong Countries they are all addicted to Necromancy) and vehement assaulting, and as stout repulsing: But in the end, their Charms being countercharm'd, the Fort wofully batter'd, and they over-power'd with numbers, they found they could no longer maintain it, and yet resolved so to quit it, that it should do the Enemy no good, nor they suffer the least in their Honour and Reputation. And accordingly they secretly convey all their Cannon, Ammunition, and Provision into Pineria, and then they had but one trick to try more, and that was a certain Spell, or Charm left them by the famous Necromancer Archimedes, with this strict charge, that they shoul never use it but in their last neccessity; and this they thought the time, now the Fort was no longer tenable; and therefore they set it on work, when presently all the Fortification fell a hea∣ving, and suddenly flew up into the Air and vanished, whilst the Be∣sieged under coverture of the Cloud, safely retired to Pinera, to re-in∣force that Place, and desend it against the threatning Danger.

Sabaudiero was somewhat surprized with the Novelty of the thing as having not often seen such Conjuring Tricks, but withal, proud that he had Conquer'd such a Devilish place, he swore he would now have Pine∣ria, or make it fly away after Pontilla. They made themselves Cock∣sure of the place; for they took it for granted, that Sabaudocrato had not sufficient Forces, and consequently that he durst not adventure to re∣lieve it. The noise of this Siege slew abroad into all Countries, and the Associates mightily comforted themselves, that some considerable Feats would be done on their part, which they hoped would force Gal∣lieno to recal many of his Forces out of Inferiana, by which means they might become an equal, if not an over-match for those which should be left. But the foolish Vtopians were so taken and besotted with this

small Prank, that therewith they more than balanced all their Losses in Inferiiana, and elsewhere, and conffdently reported Pineria to be ta∣ken, before any direct Assault was made upon it; and these Whimsies, and Conceits, working in their giddy Brains, they magnified the rash Youncker Subaudiero, as if Orlando Furioso, or Garagantua had been meer Weaklings, and Pygmies to him.

All this time the wily Giant Sabaudecrato lay lurking up and down in secret and safe Retreats, as well to conceal, and augment the num∣ber of his Army, as to give Encouragement to the unadvised Associates, to fatigue, and breake their Forces against a strong and resolute Garrison; but he no sooner had tidings that Pine••ia was really in danger, but he fliely fell down to the relief of it, before they were well aware. His unexpected coming, somewhat allarmed them all, and various were their Opinions of it; some concluded him rash and unadvised, who had been hitherto thought cunning; some said he was a crafty Fellow, and that they ought to beware of him, but these were despised, and branded as Cowards; some said it was only a sham, or bravado, and that he would as quickly be gone again; but a Counsel of War being called, after a short debate (they never making the least question of their superiority in number, and force, nor staying for any Intelligence to know how strong he was) it was unanimously resolved to break up the Seige for the present, and go to meet him, concluding, that if they could fight him, and beat him out of the Field, then the Garrisons, and strong holds having no hopes of Relief, would more easily submit to them: But in the mean time they never thought what the danger might be on their part, in case they were beaten, for they would not spoil their fine Thoughts with such a melancholly Conceit.

The Associates drunk with assurance of Victory, if they could but find their Enemy, march'd away with all the briskness and jollity imagina∣ble; but far they had not gone, when contrary to their Expectation he appeared in Sight; for he was as ready for them, as they for him: And now they too late perceived their Errour, for they might plainly see that he was equal, if not Superiour to them in number of Men: But however, their Souldiers being well disciplin'd, and of late somewhat flushed, and eager, they presumed of the advantage in the Stoutness and Valour of their Men, and therefore resolved to give Battle; nor did Sabaudocrato at all decline it. Both sides seeming thus eagerly bent upon it, the Generals drew up their Forces in Battle-Array, in a large Plain, where all advantages for Ground, Numbers, and all other mat∣ters (except Brains) were so equal on both sides, that there was likely

to be as fair a Tryal of Skill, as had been known in many Ages. The on set was fierce on both sides and for sometime it seem'd doubtful, which way the victory would incline: After some time the Left wing of Sobaudocrato made the Right Wing of Sabaudiero, where the Altia∣nians were, to give way: but to make amends for that, the Left Wing of Sabaudiero, where the Iberians, and Regomanian were, made the Right Wing of Sabaudocrato to go back in some disorder, so that still there seem'd to be no great odds; but Sabaudocrato wisely foreseeing the Danger, and knowing where his Battle was weakest, had so post∣ed the good Knight Prioro, that he might in time of need come to their Succour, which he did just in the nick of time, and thus re-in∣forcing, and rallying them again, the Ibe••ians and Regomanians were slaughtered in great numbers, and being overpower'd, were forced to retreat, and Sabaudiero not succouring his Left Wing, it was utter∣ly routed, and now they were no longer able to stand, the best Men re∣tired in as good order as they could, but the greatest part of hi•• For∣ces lay at the Mercy of the Luyslanders, who in their Fury made Mor∣tal Havock of them; which Sabaudiero beholding, in Compa•••••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prevailed with Sicamber, a Valiant, but Wicked Knight, the 〈…〉〈…〉 old Refugio, to try if he could bring them off, which, with a strong de∣tachment of Horse he attempted, and covered the retreat of many, but in the Action was himself mortally Wounded, and within a few days died. So short an Enjoyment had he of the Fruits of his own, and his Father's Treachery. The Forces of Sabaudiero thus utterly broken, he durst no more appear in the Field, but put what were left into his Gar∣risons to strengthen them, in hope they might hold out, Winter now drawing on; then fled out of his Dominions for Safety of his Life, and to sollicite the Associate Princes to supply him with fresh Succours.