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

CHAP. III. How the invincible Giant, King Gallieno, sent the valiant Gran∣dorsio to deliver the fair Lady Victoria from her unjust Captivity. (Book 3)

AS soon as Dame Fortuna's Passion was over, and that having vented her angry Freaks, and recover'd her Wits again, the want of which had caused many disasters to sundry Persons; she set her self to consider by what means she might be revenged on the Recreant Kt. Nasonius, and set her Niece at Liberty; and nothing seem'd to her more proper and effectual than to stir up the Mighty Giant Gallieno to undertake the Lady Victoria's Quarrel, and to redeem her from her thraldom; and therfore she caused a Letter to be writ to him after this manner.

To the invincible Giant Gallieno.

Right Puissant Prince:

IT is not unknown to your Mightiness how base and unknightly the Recreant Kt. Nasonius has dealt with the Lady Victoria, when pretending all Peace and Love, he set upon her, and most fouly intended to ravish her, and how he still keeps her as his Prisoner. Wherefore, my humble request is, for the love you bear to Honour, and the compassion your Generous Soul has for distressed and abused La∣dies, you would employ your irresistible Strength and Power both to take Satisfacti∣on for the Affront done to all our Sex in general, and to my self and her particularly, by revenging it upon that dishonourable Kt.; and withal to rescue Victoria from her unlawful and undeserved Captivity. By doing which, she will owe you her self, and you shall also have, as far as her changeable Nature permits, for

Your constant Friend FORTUNA.

Which Letter, when the Noble Giant had read, he answered it on this wise.

To the Great Lady Fortuna.

Madam,

THis is not the first time the ignoble wretch Nasonius has stain'd his Knightly Honour by foul Actions, tho' this is the foulest he ever did. There needs no other motive but the indignity of the thing, and the dear Respects I bear the Noble Lady Victoria to stir me up to revenge it upon him, and also to rescue her. Besides that, by a just Title that Lady should once have been Spouse to my self. Doubt not then of my performing your re∣quest both for her sake and my own; Only because you know how Nasonius is supported by the ignoble Hydra, and other Powerful Associates; therefore, after I have deliver'd her, you must give me time to take my full revenge of the Hydra and Him; For I must not wrong the regular Methods of my Con∣duct which I have very severely observed, by entring on any rash Action: As for your assistance, I do not desire you to strain your Nature for my sake, but as far as in you lies to stand by an indifferent Spectator. I know the Fates, to whose decrees you are subject, may sometimes make you look askew upon me, to teach me to acknowledge, and to submit to their Sovereignty. How∣ever, I shall hope for this favour from them and you too, That I be never crost in my well laid designs, but in such circumstances that all the World may see, that 'tis not through want of Wisdom or Conduct, but by an over-ruling Providence, to which all Human Power and Prudence is subject; That highest point of Honour, I must confess, I do value my self upon, and would not willingly forfeit it, and while I preserve that Temper, I fear not any great opposition from your Self or the Fates either, who are still wont to be favourable to those who are wary and prudent.

Your Servant, GALLIENO.

After King Gallieno had dispatch'd away this Letter to Dame Fortuna by his trusty Servant Mephostophilo, he call'd unto him one of his greatest and most valiant Under-Giants hight Grandorsio, and thus said unto him; Go Grandorsio, and according to the Orders I shall give thee, take revenge of the Recreant Knight Nasonius, who, (as thou remembrest well) attempted to ravish the excellent Lady Victoria; Beat him wherever thou dost find him. But, above all, be sure that thou dost rescue that Lady, and bring her hither to my Court, for which I do give thee my full Power and Commission; I shall

send my other Commanders against the rest of the Associates, but I make schoice of thee for this Exploit, knowing right-well how much both the Hy∣dra, Don Ibero, and Nasonius himself do stand in dread of thy Prowess.

Right-glad was the valiant Knt. Grandorsio of this Commission, and there∣fore returning his most humble Thanks to K. Gallieno for honouring him with such a wish'd Command, and assuring him of his utmost devoir, he addressed himself to this Noble Expedition; and finding out Nasonius in the Head of the Hydropick Army, he set upon him with such Courage and Conduct, that he put him to the Rout, took his Tents, and by that means, got the Lady Vi∣ctoria into his Power, and set her free; who in recompence of that favour took a stately Belt, which according to the fashion of the Amazonian Ladies she daily wore, and girt it about him, saying thus unto him; Wear this, Re∣nowned Grandorsio, for my sake, and be thou ever Victorious against this Monster of Men Nasonius, for know that there is that hidden Charm in this Belt, that who∣ever has freed a distressed Lady, and shall wear it, shall be sure to prevail still against his Enemies in the Field. Great was the joy of the Noble Grandorsio to receive such an honourable Reward from so Gallant a Lady: But much more to havé performed King Gallieno's Command. So putting the Lady Victoria into a Coach, lin'd with Crimson Velvet, inlay'd with Oriental Pearls, and most costly precious Stones, and hung round with Ensigns taken from the Enemy; he accompanied her to Tutelia, where the mighty Giant Gallieno kept his Roy∣al Court; whither she was very desirous to, both to render her Thanks to her Great Deliverer, as also to have the sight of the most Magnanimous, and most Magnificent King living.