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Of the adventure of the CUP, and what the meaning was.
GReat was the Ioy of the Court-Ladies, whose beauty Albayzer had eclipsed, that he carried not the Palm to his own Country, and as great was the Empe∣rors, when he knew the fair Targiana was present, whom he recommended to the Empress and Princesses, to be u∣sed
according to her Estate: When during these passages, a Lady richly attired, arrived at Court, attended by a Knight who carryed a Rich Casket; when coming into the presence of the Emperor, Empress, and divers great Lords and Ladys, af∣ter salutation made, she thus began:
Most Mighty and Puissant Emperor; Having for the sake of a fair Lady travelled through many Countries, in order to the finishing of an Adventure, and hitherto failed therein, I have at length attained this happy place, hoping to find a Kt. that may accomplish it: Then know, that thus it is, viz. There lately lived a King of Thrace, named Sardamant, who was exceedingly skilled in Magick, and having a Daughter of ex∣cellent Beauty, she was courted of many Knights, which made him (least contrary to his knowledg she should Marry) to shut her up in a Castle, into which, notwithstanding, one of her Servants, whom she intirely loved, usually got by a Rope Lad∣der, which she drew up by a Silken Thread; but at length be∣ing discovered by his corival, he was cast into Prison; when soon after the Lady, whose name was Brandisia, conceived with Child, which so inraged the K. that as soon as she was brought to Bed, he cut off her Lovers Head, and sent his heart to her in this Cup, which she took so hainously, that having filled the Cup with her Tears, and sent it to her Father, she bound the Heart to her own, and crying, I come my dear Love, to meet thee in Eliziums happy shades, she threw her self from the Battlements, and so expired; upon notice of which, the King repenting of such his hard usage, caused the Off-spring of his Daughter, the young Princess Leonarda, to be brought up after her Estate, having none beside to Heir his great Wealth: Yet least in her Infancy she should be conveyed thence, or in riper years betrayed into the snares of unlawful Love, he by inchant∣ment so surrounded the Castle wherein she resideth with Mists and deluding Phantomes, that when any one approaches; it seems to vanish; after which congealing his Daughters tears (which you behold in this Cup) into a Stone, he, before his Death, left these directions: That the fair Leonarda can be mar∣ryed to none but him, or by his appointment, in whose hand the Cup being, the congealed matter dissolveth to its proper
liquidness; and such a one it must be whose Valour and Virtue surpasses most Knights upon earth; therefore if such a one there be, let him essay to deliver the distressed Princess out of her confinement.
This Adventure made all that were present greatly wonder, yet resolved they to essay it; whereupon it went from hand to hand, but the effects were not wrought, insomuch that the La∣dy began to dispair, till at length Palmerin being healed of his wounds, came to try the Adventure, when immediately the tears dissolving, a new wonder insued, which put the spectators into a great fright which was, that a flame of Fire seized the Prince invironing him on every side, which they vainly endea∣voured to extinguish, till the Lady sprinkling a few of the Tears on him, it was extinguished and he found intirely well, whom they supposed to be consumed to Ashes; and at the same time, the passion he had so long conceived for fair Polinarda increased; and the Lady pronounced him the man that was worthy of the fair young Princess, and that must deliver her; and so the admiration of all vanished.