The First and second part of the history of the famous Euordanus Prince of Denmark With the strange aduentures of Iago Prince of Saxonie: and of both theyr seuerall fortunes in loue.

CHAP. II. How King Fredericke being carried away by the Out-lawes, after a great storme at sea arriued in Holland, whereas he was sold to his mortall enemie, the Duke Griffory.

AFter the Out-lawes had brought theyr boo∣tie and good King aboord, and had set sayle, minding to haue gone for some place of Fraunce, where they might haue secretlie stolne ashore, to learne some newes of theyr owne affayres, and hauing the wind large, determined to haue landed in a small cricke not farre from Rotchell, be∣cause most of them were héeretofore inhabitants of that Towne, but euen as they were come within the sight of Land, on a sudden the Skyes began to ouercast, the sunne was clowded, and the face of heauen was so darkned, that

one could not discerne at that present time, beeing about no one dayes from the darkest midnight: the winds began to blow on all sides, as if that Eolus had vnstopped all his ayrie Caue, and had determined with one assault to haue subdued Neptunes Regiments. Or as when the angry Goddesse Iuno gréeuing at the quiet passage of the poore vanquisht Troians, desired Eolus to sinke them in the sea: so fared it with them, by reason that the seas on all sides béeing so assaulted of the windes, did so cruelly rage and storme, that sometimes theyr small Barks did séeme to touch the very clowdes, and presently againe were throwne downe vnto the sands, euery man imagining that to be the last houre of theyr liues. Some, as is commonlie the custome of such people béeing in extremity, fel to prayer, othersome to cursing and swearing: the Maister cries in with the sayles, others cry downe with the Mast, some a∣gaine, to lighten their Barke of her burthen, the more yar∣ly to rise with the Seas, beginne to throw ouer boord all whatsoeuer comes to hand, hoping thereby, as with a plea∣sing sacrifice, to appease the angry Seas.

But euen as they were thus busied, some on one thing, others on another thing, a mighty gust in manner of a Whirlewind, comming out of the South-west, beares both masts and sayles by the burden. The Barke wherein the King was, hauing spent both their fore and maine Mast, were forced to put to hull, yéelding themselues to the pitti∣lesse mercy of the wind and seas, which euery minute was ready to haue deuoured & swallowed them vp. Thus conti∣nued the storme by the space of thrée dayes, the wind some∣times in their forshyp, then in theyr poupe, nowe in the quarter, and presently againe in theyr bowe, continuing with such force, that the best man aboord was scarcely able to stand on the hatches. But at length, as euery storme hath an end, so now Neptune rousing himselfe out of his fayre Quéene Amphitries bosome, and beholding she poore distressed Marriners, tooke pitty on theyr miseries, and lif∣ting his hoary head aboue the waters, asswaged them, and

with his thrée-forked Mace rebuked the Windes, threat∣ning to punish theyr arrogant presumption, if he héereafter hapned to find them with the like offence.

The storme béeing thus broken vp, and the Sunne be∣ginning againe to lighten the earth with his splendant beames, the weather-beathen Marriners looking abroade for theyr comfort, espied the Land, which after they had a while with ioy beheld, they made to be the Land of Hol∣land. Who then so glad as Martinus, for so was hée called which had the King to his prisoner, for whom he hoped ere long to receiue such a summe of money, as for euer should make him rich: the King on the other side was in as great perplexity, knowing that they were arriued on the coast of his greatest enemy, yet comforting himselfe somewhat with the hope of not beeing knowne, as also of not knowing Martinus meaning, he shewed himselfe the more chéerefull. Thus betwéene hope and feare, they altogether passed a∣way the time, in merry discourses of theyr former danger, till such time as they were come on land, at a Port called Alentmaer, where Martinus fayning himselfe to be verie ill at ease, by reason of the late storme, craued leaue of the rest of his company, to goe with his prisoner vnto the Citty of Hanstance, which was not passing thrée leagues of, now called Ansterdam: where hee determined to rest himselfe, vntill such time as hee found himselfe throughly amended, which they soone graunted him, not knowing his intent, and beeing also willing to be ridde of his company, because of his double charge.

So departed Martinus with his prisoner, whom he swore so continue true vnto him: as fearing his escape, being to trauell but they two together, but the King being in his enemies country, durst not make himselfe knowne, which he must needes, if he had made any resistance. Thus tra∣uelling on together towards Hanstance, they ariued there at such time, as the blushing sunne plucking in his smiling beames, making his steedes to mende their wonted place, and plunging downe into the Ocean streames, there in

the frothy waues did hide his face, leauing the earth coue∣red with nights darksome shade: wherefore that night they tooke vp their lodging, Martinus learning of his haost, how Duke Griffory hauing euer since she marriage of the King of Denmarke, and the faire Lady Allison of Flaunders, giuen ouer all pleasure, was withdrawne from his Court into the Country, some eight miles distance from the Cittie: where hauing built a lodge in a maruilous soli∣tarie place, hee passed the time in mellancholly humors, somewhiles playing on the Lute some mournefull ditties, otherwhiles, ingrauing in the trees on the ground Verses and Sonnets, féeding his humors with such vaine toies, to the great griefe of all his subiects: and how in all that time he neuer had sufferd any one to come into his presence, or to speake with him, sauing a smale company of his atten∣dants, which remained there with him. When Martinus had heard all this, he determined y^e next day to goe thether, and to make knowne vnto him those things, which should soone put him out of his melancholy dumpes. The next morning very early he was rissen vp, and comming to the King, told him how that hee had some occasion of busines in the Country, which would cause him to be away a day or two, wherefore hee was determined in the meane time, leauing him behind him, to cause him once more to sweare vnto him, to remaine vntill his returne, which if hee refu∣sed, that then he would commit him vnto some prison with∣in the Cittie, whereas hee should bee alwaies foorth com∣ming at his pleasure. The King listning attentiuely vnto his speech, was driuen into a thousand imaginations, not knowing what was best for him to doe, at length consi∣dering his former oath, which rather then he would violate, he would chuse to indure any death whatsoeuer, so much did he estéeme of his Kingly oath: hee answered him thus. I knowe not what your meaning may bee, in this sort to doubt my former promise, and to goe about by a new oath to assure your selfe of me: if to set me to ransome, I heere fréely proffer my selfe to goe a long with you into any place,

out of this accursed region, and there to remaine, vntill such time that the same bee payed vnto you, although it should amounte vnto an hundred thousand pounds, rather then that you should deliuer me, into the hands of the Go∣uernor of this accursed Country, who is my mortall ene∣mie.

Nay, nay, replied Martinus, being blinded with couetous∣nes, and hoping for a greater summe of monie: there is no such matter ment, but I haue not farre off a friend, whose councell I minde to followe heerein: in the meane time chuse whether you will remaine in prison, or vppon your oath. The King séeing no remedie, sware vnto him againe to continue his true prisoner, although it cost him his life.

Then departed Martinus, towards the Dukes lodge, where béeing arriued, and desiring conference with his grace, touching such matters as néerely concerned him, he was at length brought into a garden, in forme much like vnto an endlesse laborinth, so many were the diuers and sundry walkes and allies, couered with many kinds of trees, which yeilded such a close shadow, that the Sunne with his splendant beames could scarse shinne through: and passing thus from one walke into another, he came at length where the Duke sate in an Arbor of Baies, beeing clothed all in blacke, signifying his great sorrowe which he sustained, and hauing a Lute in his hand, was playing a mornefull dittie, which he euen then had framed, to which Martinus and his guide a while listned, vnséene by reason of the thicknes of the Arbor.

At length comming néerer, and with reuerence saluting his excellencie, Martinus spake as followeth.

Most mightie and puissant Prince, I cannot but woun∣der that you who heeretofore, were wont to spend your time in most honorable exercises, as Tilt and Turnie, and following hautie déedes of Chiualrie, should so giue your selfe ouer vnto this solitarie kind of life, neither regarding your owne estate, nor the estate of your louing subiects and Country: which would spend their very liues to worke

your content. But if I bee not deceaued, this strange hu∣mor wherewith you are possest, procéedeth from contrarie occasions, the one is the extreame hate you beare vnto the King of Denmarke, the other ouer much loue towards the beautifull Quéene his wife, not knowing with your selfe what way to be reuenged of him, nor how to regaine her loue. But suppose most mighty Prince, I should worke the meanes of your reuenge, by deliuering him into your hands, would not it content you? yea would you not more reioyce thereof, then to haue gained the greatest Cittie in Christendome, and likewise reward him, that should effect the same to his content: speake O worthy Duke, were not these the occasions of thy griefe, and would not this like∣wise be the chiefest medicine to sease thy sorrowe.

Scarce were these last words vttered, when the Duke starting vp, and staring him in the face, as one wakned out of sound sléepe, thus replied. Friend, whatsoeuer thou art that séekest by a fayned and filed tale, to driue me out of my sad passions; knowe that to iest with Princes is not tollerable: But if thou canst performe, that whereof thou hast made showe of, I will not be slacke in rewarding thée for thy paines, though thou shouldest demaunde halfe my Dukedome. Therefore tell me by what meanes this may be accomplished: then effect and bring it to passe, and I will reward thée to thy owne content. Worthy Duke re∣plied Martinus, if I performe it not, then let my head bee striken from my shoulders, conditionally that if I doe deli∣uer into thy hands, that vnhappie King, I may haue for my reward the Citty of Hanstance during my life, with the profits thereof: and this confirme vnto mee before your Nobilitie, and then I will deliuer him into your hands, within this eight daies next comming.

The Duke being filled with ioy, with this his so com∣fortable newes, consented vnto whatsoeuer he demanded, and calling for a Knight which was néerest vnto him, wil∣led him to sommon his Counsell the next day, to bee atten∣dant to heare a matter of importance, which he would show

vnto them: which was foorthwith accomplished, euery one the next day at their houre appointed, beeing ready in the Counsell chamber, to heare what should be their Princes will: euery one greatly meruailing what soden motion, was entred in his head, considering that by the space of a yéere before, he had neuer conferred with them of any mat∣ter, no nor once suffered them to come into his presence. They being as I haue sayd gathered together in the Coun∣sell chamber, the Duke leading Martinus by the hand, came vnto them, where he declared his intent, with the promise of Martinus: all which was consented vnto by them, hoping thereby to haue their Prince in his former estate of content: Assuring vnto Martinus vnder their hands and seales, that whatsoeuer the Duke had made promise of, they would see it performed, so soone as hée should deliuer the King of Denmarke into their hands. Héere will I leaue them to tell of the great griefe, made through all Denmarke, for the losse of their King and Quéene.