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. IX. How Sir Brewes, and Sir Cadrus, with the Lord Gwalteros Squire came to his rescue, and how they conducted the Lady to her Castle.

SIR Brewes, and Sir Cadrus the two Knights, which tooke the way after the Lord Gwaltero, accompanied with his Squire, thinking because he had taken the wrong way, that hee should haue had no occasion of fighting, made the lesser spéede after him, vntil such time, that comming vnto the top of the hill which he had passed, where the peasant showed him the foure Knights that ledde away the Lady, from which place they beheld them fighting, and thinking that it might be Gwaltero, they set spurres to their horses, and galloped so fast, that they were come within the calling, euen as the Knight who was hanging by the stirrupe had recouered himselfe. Then Sir Cadrus cryed to the sayd villaines, giue ouer fighting with that alone Knight, and defend your selues from the force of my Launce, and there with gaue one of them so sound a buffet, that he had no néede at all to séeke for a Surgion, for his Launce entring in at his brest, passed through his hart almost a yeard. Sir Brewes ranne at the other and missed course, but turning againe with his sword in his hand, gaue him such a blowe on the head, that cleauing his Helme, and wounding him some∣what déepe, caused him halfe astonied to fall to the ground. Gwaltero séeing this vnexpected ayde, béeing almost be∣fore in vtter dispayre of victory, gaue Brandoll a sore blow on the right legge, and closing with him, by cleane force o∣uerthrew him to the ground, then setting his foote on his

necke, he rased of his Helme, and with one blow parted his head from his shoulders. And comming to the other whom Sir Brewes had wounded, would haue doone as much for him, but that hee immediatly fell on his knées, crying for mercy, protesting for euer after to be at his commaund in all places whatsoeuer. Gwaltero vppon this his promise, granted him pardon, swearing him for euer after, not to of∣fer wrong nor violence, to any Lady or Gentlewoman.

Then turning to Sir Brewes, and Sir Cadrus, hee gaue them hartie thanks for their succour, without which he had béene doubtlesse slaine. Demaunding of them likewise, what was become of the Lord of Menew, sir Henault, and the rest. And they told him how they parted at the 3. waies, to goe succour the Lady whom hee had so well rescued, tel∣ling him likewise, that they did admire how or by what meanes the Lady was brought thether, seeing it was in the other way that ledde directly forward that they set on her and her husband, as the Squire informed them.

By this time the Lady being let goe by the two Squiers that held her, (who séeing their Maister slaine, made hast by flight to saue their owne liues, which they might easily doe, for that no man pursued them,) came vnto the Lord Gwaltero, and falling on her knées before him, gaue him most humble thankes, as well for the safegard of her owne honor, which shée estéemed farre afore life, as also for re∣uenging her husbands death: whom Brandoll in the for∣mer fight had slaine, with some two or thrée of their ser∣uaunts, who put themselues in their defence, with all, of∣fering him many large proffers for reward. But Gwaltero taking her by the hand, raised her from the ground, wil∣ling her to be of good comfort, assuring her whatsoeuer hée had doone for her, was but his, and the dutie of euery good Knight, and therefore willed her to attribute it, not to him but to God, who is the reuenger of all wrongs: and to ac∣count of him but as an instrument, appointed by God to minister iustice on those murderers. Then the Ladie en∣treated him and the rest, to conduct her vnto a Castle of

hers, some two leagues of, where she would intreate them to rest themselues, vntill such time as his woundes were throughly cured, which should be doone by a damsell of hers, very expert in the Art of Surgery. Vnto which re∣quest, they easily consented, especially the Lord Gwaltero, whose hart was already wounded with the Ladies beutie. Then binding vp his wounds as well as they could, they mounted on horsebacke, directing their course towards the foresaid Castle, & the better to passe away the time, Gwal∣tero beganne to question with the Lady of many matters, especially of the cause of the late combat, which shee decla∣red vnto him, with such a modest and comlie grace, that hée béeing before a little wounded with Cupids shaft, was now so altogether ouercome with loue, that either he must néedes sue for grace, or die by concealing his affection: so feruent was the flame, and so weake his resistance.

By this time were they passed most part of theyr way, and were come vnto the Castle, euen about the time, that the Sunne drawing into the West, séemed to take leaue of the view of these hether Regions, where by the Lady they were most kindly receiued: and welcommed with such chéere, as the suddennes of the time could affoord. After Supper, the Lorde Gwaltero béeing brought into a most goodly and fayre Chamber, had his wounds carefully loo∣ked vnto, and dressed. Then beeing layd in a ritch bedde, imbrodred very costly with gold and pearle, and curiously wrought with imagry, and other sumptuous shewes, where beeing layd, the good Lady curteously bad him good night, willing him to commaund for all things in the Ca∣stle as his owne. Then departing away, leauing him in a world of imaginations, shée tooke order for the interring of her Husbands bodie, which the next day was effected with great solemnitie, according to the custome of the coun∣try then vsed.