Chap. 1.

AFter that the blood-sucking surdes of the warlicke and victorious Gothes, had (with wreckfull re­uenge) finished their long siege to the mightie citie of Florence, the very flower and beautie of all He­truria: the valiant Perduratus, then Lord and Gouernor therof, accompanied with his sorrowful wife Flaminia and his young sonne Moderatus, pressed in despite of the mercilesse foes vnto the fieldes thereunto adiacent. And albeit the beautifull Phoebus had (for very pitie) hidden his bright and shining countenance, vnder the darke vayle of Dame Nox her clowdie man­tell, yet the scortching flames of fyred buildings, like a bright and Sunnie day, so directed their course through that ruinous and vaste­full carkas (sometimes) of a well-fortified Citie, that it assured them more daunger to their persons, in discouering their present escapes, then the benefite thereof being effected, could promise them comfort.

Perduratus, his distressed and louing spouse Flaminia and innocent Moderatus, by the time Aurora was readie to welcome her best belo­ued Titan, shewing forth her blushing countenance with a kinde of mo­dest shamefastnesse so to be discouered, hauing escaped the daunger of [Page] their wrathfull enemies, sorrowfully parting with their carefull coun­trey: yet rather reioycing so to be sorrowfull, (hauing auoyded so im­minent a preiudice) then to become Slaues and Uassalles to those cruell and barbarous people. And when they had thus past the bounds of Hetruria, they trauelled with greater ease and lesse care, yet very pensiue to be exempt of such cares, and so to be eased, as counting them happie that had valiantly solde their liues in defence of their countrey and common wealth, who breathing their last, (hauing their speares-point in their enemyes bosome) liued honourably, and dyed valiantly: whose liues were as full of vertues as their deathes were of valure. Afflicted thus with treble griefes, that he liued after so many worthie and resolute men, he wandered certaine dayes in the desertes of Liguria, yet nothing dismayde with these londe Alarums of cruell Fortune, setting her at defiance with Byas, as knowing her mutable weakenesse to be vnable to robbe him of his patience, which was a strong towre against her bitter frownes▪ For euen as a dwarffe standing vpon the battlements of the highest Towre, is but of a small stature: and a Gyant in the depth of a dungeon, is of a huge bignesse: So a wise man, in what chaunge soeuer of Fortune, is euer the same. Thus not greatly waying his owne misfortunes, being so well expe­rienced in worldly accidents, that he knewe the highest type of dig­nitie (sometimes) to be the first steppe to a perduring miserie: but neuertheles maruellous sorrowfull and heauie, for his faithfull spouse and louing infant, who vnacquainted with such hard travels, and not so animated by nature as he, to sustaine the weltring waues of such desperate accidentes, were nowe become very weake and feeble, greatly distressed for want of reliefe: and their distresse procuring his vnmeasurable woe, his woe their despaire, their despaire his prouident care to prouide for their safetie, supposing it a greater pollicie to dis­semble his owne griefe, thereby to mollifie the extremitie of their violent passions, then by any further relation of his myseries, to ag­grauate the same. Therefore as the shell-fish Echinus, perceiuing a tempest at hand, doeth ballist and loade him selfe with the sandes, to auoyde the daunger of the storme: so he purposed not onely to arme him selfe with patience, to abide the brunt of this showre: but also with the precepts of philosophie to exhort them to the same: assaying, [Page] aswell with his eloquence, to winne them from desperatio [...] (whereby to lighten the burthen of their miserable calamities) as earl [...] w [...]th his inuincible and strong arme, he had saued them from destru [...]ion, maugre the wrathfull and bloody foes.

The mount Apenninus (which nowe they had recouered) being thus filled with the Ecchoes of their dolorous complaints, metaphisi­cally as it seemed, (mooued thereunto with a kinde of pitie) repeated againe their sorrowes in such wise, that the sound thereof redoubling in the aire, could haue resolued a tirant his stony breast to compassion, and a heart made of flint, vnto teares. These mirrours of patient and confident mindes, though off-castes of Fortune, hauing worne out ma­ny dayes wrapped in this intricate laberinth, wishing rather for death to determine their hard destinies, then for any longer time to liue to increase their infortunate miseries. Ianus double faced daughter now cloyed with their calamities, began to flatter them a little, turning her late frownes vnto smiles, her stormes vnto calmes, clearing her clowdy countenance with a fresh preparatiue of some better successe, & couering the furrowes of her angrie forhead, with a smooth promise of some present relief. For thus it fel out: the noble Florentine, seeing no other refuge left, armed himself with the best weapons he had, and leauing his wife & child at a point to famish for hunger in a very plea­sant groue in the wildernes of Apenninus neere the Thuscan sea, he posted vp & downe the Forrest to seeke some vittailes, to relent and asswage the greedie desire of their perishing and hungrie iawes: and in the end wearyed with trauell, and missing of his purpose, calling to memorie the multitude of his misfortunes, he began with dolefull complaintes to breathe into the aire, the summe of all his miseries.

Not farre hence, the great Citie Albigena stood in the verie nooke betweene the Thuscan sea and this Forrest, wherein the noble Duke Deuasco (who was Prince and Gouernor ouer this country of Ligu­ria) seated his Princely habitation, a man very vertuous and endued with great welth, being no lesse a Cressus then a Numa, who at this time together with certen of his nobles were a hunting in this forest, where the afflicted Perduratus lay thus wrapped in his immoderate passions: and this noble Duke being now in hot pursuit of his game, & singled from all his traine, hearing a very pitifull noise, drew nere the place, where this perplexed Perduratus began to renew his former [Page] compla [...]es, in this manner.

A [...] wretched and vnfortunate Perduratus, the verie Mappe of all mi [...]rie, and a perfect mirrour of Fortunes mercilesse mutabilitie: [...] dying shape of life, and the liuing shadowe of death. Oh cruell Si­sters, why doe you spare him life, who, in possessing the same, endures tenne times more torment then death it selfe? and in being depriued thereof, should enioy life: if it may be called a life, to be rid of a mul­titude of miserable calamities, and euer-increasing torments? Oh wastefull and destroyed Florence (sometimes my deare countrey) which, with these eyes in a small moment of time, I haue seene both gallantly florishing, and also desperately perishing: lament the losse of thy faithfull Lord, and repeate, O ye wracked walles thereof to our posterities, the valiant and constant resolution of thy late happie, but nowe most miserable Gouernour: who, had he not respected with tender care, the losse of his louing spouse and deere childe, would ra­ther with his deerest blood haue kept Obiit to the happie ghostes of his slaughtered frindes, then by auoyding the daunger of death, pro­long his owne Martyrdome. Ah, but while I bewayle thus my hard Fortunes, my distressed charge expecting my reliefe, are so pinched with penurie, that there is scant any hope left of their recouerie: wherefore, it is high time I make great haste, to lend them some succour: and therewithall hastening his vncertaine and wandring steppes to seeke some aduentures, he was intercepted of the renowned Duke of Albigena, who all this while (vnknowen vnto him) gaue ve­ry attentiue eare to all his dolorous complaintes, whose heart being melted with pitie, for pure compassion of their miseries, drew neerer the afflicted Florentine, and with very kinde and gentle speaches, mi­nistred a comfortable confection to his queasie and halfe spent sto­macke, promising reliefe to repayre his wracke, and enquiring for his wife and childe whereby to lend them some succour also.

Perplexed Perduratus starting vp with these sudden speeches, like a man awaking from a fearefull dreame, perceiuing his com­plaintes to be ouer-heard, and his miserie vnderstoode, hauing well noted the comfortable and tender speeches of Devalco, greatly ad­miring the rare curtesie of the noble Duke, his heroicall heart swel­ling with inflamed griefe, sent vp such gustes of vnquenchable heate, [Page] that it dyed his cheekes with faire vermilion, tremblin [...] like the fearefull Doe, after long pursuite hauing escaped the snatchin [...] iawes of the yealping houndes: yet perceiuing him selfe to be now free from daunger, and in good hope of reliefe, he plucked vp his halfe [...]nt heart, being lately entertained with newe recouered hope: and the [...] with humble and lowe reuerence he returned him this salutation.

O worthy and renowmed Uiceroy, the very lanthorne of true and perfect nobilitie, for that the Title of Honour is alwayes vnderprop­ped with compassion and bountie: is it possible that any humane crea­ture is permitted to knowe and relieue my aduersitie? or am I in a dreame, supposing with my friuolous wishes the shadowe to be a sub­stance? can any hope be left to a man so infortunate? or shall I perish, notwithstanding this comfort? O ye heauens that earst did repine at my prosperitie, and with your frowning reuenge haue brought me to this lowe Ebbe, haue you at last (wearyed with my restlesse mishaps) pitied my martyrdome, and vouchsafed to send some intermission to my griefes? or els minded to aggrauate my paine, haue intruded this fallible illusion to my sight, to feede me with a little vaine hope? but neuerthelesse howsoeuer I be deluded by the iniurious destinies, vouchsafe (O noble Knight) to let me know, to whome I shall offer and attribute the honour of so rare and worthie a curtesie, whose ver­tuous minde is replenished with so great a commiseration of my wretched estate: and also least in not knowing thee, I should omit some of the duetie that belonged to thy person: and if my ignorance alreadie hath procured a defect, I am in good hope my submission shal merite a pardon. And to satisfie your desire of beholding that lamen­table spectacle, and perfect mappe of all calamitie, (I meane my wife and childe, I will no longer prolong your pleasure therein, nor deferre the good opportunitie offered to succour those perishing inno­cents, in whose health and safetie doeth consist my welfare.

Deuasco made it not coy to tell him who he was, and to assure him of his friendly comfort: whereupon Perduratus lifting vp his handes and eyes to the heauens, deuou [...]ly thanked the gods, that had so happily brought him vnto this place, to be releeued by so gentle and kinde a Friend, whose vertuous and bountifull disposition, was not obscure in any one corner of all Italie. Thus his Orisons being en­ded, [Page] and [...]umble thankes returned to the noble Duke, he hastened to finde hi [...] wife and childe againe, and being followed of the noble De­uas [...], in the end he came to the groue where he had left them, by the so [...]d of Flamineas voyce, who, to comfort her childe, at a point to fa­ [...]ish for want of food, in stead of toothsome meate, she dandled him on her knee, and to lull him a-sleepe, she warbled out this mournfull ensu­ing dittie:

Flaminea breathed out this Madrigale with such mournful melo­die, that the very dead blockes and sencelesse trees could not chuse but be moued with ruthe, the worthie Ligurian Prince therewith feeling in his breast palpable apparance of vnaccustomed griefe, rushed tho­rough [Page] a very thicke groue, that detained them from the sight of that distressed Ladie: and hauing taken a curious suruay of this Semi­goddesse, he supposed her more then humane, albeit her beautie was verie much impa [...]red with her tormenting agonie: her little childe was by this lulled a-sleepe, his Amber-curled lockes partly hiding his beautifull visage so shined (when as Phoebus delighted with his liue­lie beautie stole a looke thereof, through the greene boughes of that pleasant thicket) that it dazeled the eyes of the beholders with reflec­ting beames from this glorious obiect. Deuasco astonished with the sight of their superficiall beauties, remained in such a traunce, as if with Perseus shield he had bene turned into a stone.

And while the Duke thus confused in mind, beheld this rare spec­tacle, and wonderfull stratageme of Fortune, (not able for verie pure compassion, to refraine him selfe from shedding abundance of teares) Perduratus applyed him selfe to acquaint Flaminea with the bounti­full promise of this royal Prince, to repaire the down-fall of their sly­ding estate, the excellencie of whose vertuous and bountifull minde, he highly commended, and stirred her with thankes to remunerate the same: who driuen to an extasie for ioy of this vnexpected hope, duetie compelling her to obey her husbands will, & reason instructing her to requite liberal promises with thankful words: & deeds, with diligent endeuour to counterpease the same with the like, though abilitie wan­ted to make any other satisfaction, wherefore she addressed her speach vnto him in this manner.

O worthie Prince, that on the afflicted and poore remaine of Flo­rence doest vouchsafe to shew such tender mercie and compassion, that otherwise were left destitute and comfortlesse of all reliefe: though no one of all our stocke (whose fames, through the malice of Fortune, is hereafter for euer like to be committed to the booke of obliuion, being nowe brought from wealthie and rich Citizens, either to their graues: or liuing, to be poore and banished abiectes) be euer able to make any recompence, for this your incomparable kindenesse exten­ded vnto vs, yet the Almightie powers (if there be any rewarde of pitie, and regarde of Iustice amongest them) will, I doubt not, gra­tifie so noble a deede. O my vertuous and bountifull Lorde, fortu­nate are the parentes that brought foorth such a fruitfull croppe: [Page] happie is that Clymate vnder the which so rare a wight hath his be­ing: and tenne times more happie the soyle gouerned and ruled by such a mercifull and louing Prince, whose liuely fame shall be a mir­rour to our posterities, of worthie exploytes and honourable vertues. The Duke admiring no lesse at her wisedome, then earst he had done at her beautie, was very much disquieted, when he waighed the hard Fortune of such worthie persons, whose despaire to recomfort he thus intendeth.

Infortunate Florentines, (if such rare personages, being the or­naments of all vertuous disposition, may be called infortunate, howe soeuer maligned by Fortune, and brought to the highest flood of sor­rowe, and lowest ebbe of ioy) comfort your selues, in that you haue al­readie tasted the greatest extremitie of Fortunes malice, which will be a pleasure vnto you, to repeate amongst your friendes another day: wherefore, say with Aeneas, Olim haec meminisse iuuabit: for what sweetenesse is in prosperitie to a man that neuer hath tasted ad­uersitie, or what ioy can be pleasing to him that neuer knewe any sor­rowe? consider this, and shake off your heauinesse: you shall be har­tily welcome to the best entertainment I can affoorde: for I haue tasted my selfe of some, though not so great calamities, & haue learned by proofe of mine owne paine, to commiserate the extremities of others misfortunes. Your lacke shall be relieued, and your want sup­plied: banish despaire, and plucke vp your heartes: for now we will make haste to meete my companie, who are scattered with hunting in this forrest, that we may returne to my pallace, to refresh your wearyed trauels. Wherewith Deuasco concluded his speach, and sorrowe being banished, they were ioyfull and glad on all handes: the noble Prince, for that so good an opportunitie was offered him to in­tertaine such worthie (though distressed) guestes, hauing the Lawes of Hospitalitie in so great estimacion, that he held it to be the greatest point of honourable vertues, to relieue the needie and distressed, of what degree soeuer: much rather those, who were the liuely mirrors of noble mindes. And on the other side, the afflicted Florentines re­ioycing in their good hap, hauing lighted vpon so soueraigne a salue to their bleeding sores. And hauing deliberated vpon the matter so farre that they were readie for that time to depart, the Dukes traine [Page] hauing missed their Lord, had sought him verie narrowly, and nowe espying him in the company of strangers, and drawing towardes the euening, they offered their seruice, according vnto their duetie, vnto him, whereupon they all returned to Albigena, taking with them the distressed Florentines: the Duke commaunding all his subiectes, to vse them with no lesse curtesie, then if they had bene their owne natu­rall countreymen: and commending in speciall vnto the Dutches, the Ladie Flaminia, and her young sonne Moderatus: whome the vertuous Verosa, for so the Duchesse was called, cherished very lo­uingly, much delighting to toye with this prettie litle wanton, hauing also in good regarde the modest and ciuill conuersation of the Ladie Flaminia his mother, and therefore made her Tutrix to her owne onely daughter, the beautifull young Florida: and the Duke also, hauing found the Counsell of Perduratus to be both graue and wise, replenished as well with politicke and ciuill inuention, as peremptory and stout resolucion, called him to be high Steward of his Prouince verie shortlie, wherein he so well behaued him selfe, that hee was greatly honoured for his clemencie, feared for his authoritie, and ge­nerally fauoured and loued of all.

Chap. 2.

ANd to increase the good happe of these newe reui­ued Florentines, dissembling Fortune enriched them with a goodly daughter, which the Duchesse christened, and called after her owne name, who was the flower of beautie, and the verie pride of Nature, in whome she had shewed the whole excel­lencie of her skill. The parents reioycing in the Infant that was so louelie and amiable, brought her vp with great care and diligence, omitting no trauell or charges that might bring her to any perfection of knowledge, or instruction of vertuous liuing: in so much, that as she grewe in yeeres, so she increased in vertue and knowledge, that the ex­cellent bountie of her minde, was nothing inferiour to the rare beauty [Page] of her bodie. Moderatus by this time being well growen in yeeres, instructed both in Philosophie, and Martiall discipline, so farre excel­led all of his time therein, as Phoebus entring into the Crancke, and ascending in his fierie charriot to the highest Sphere, surpasseth in brightnesse the least ranging Starre in the firmament: for to recreate him selfe from his booke, he bestowed his time in exercising feates of Armes, and wearyed therewith, returned to his studie againe.

Now leaue we these iollie Impes, thus flourishing vnder their pa­rents conduct, and let vs see howe well the faire Florida the Dukes daughter, goeth forwardes vnder the gouernement of the vertuous Flaminia, who being nowe past the yeeres of correction, and there­fore minding somewhat to followe the humour of her high and loftie minde, (being an insolent Natur-aliste) thinking with the ripenesse of her yeeres to shake off a Pupils bondage, began to picke her pea­cockes plumes, and to feather her thoughtes with the winges of as­piring desire: for whereas before (by the direction of her vertuous tu­trix) she was continually busied in some good exercise, now being come to yeeres of discretion, it was allowed vnto her to be her owne guide, whose chiefest care was then, to learne to court it with the stateliest, to decke and attire her bodie with the brauest, & to aduaunce her selfe in behauiour with the proudest: and where Nature was halting in per­fection, she furnished it with arte: and where arte was defectiue, she braued it with a countenance full of Maiestie: so that throughout all the Dukes Court, her becke was a command to be obeyed: her looke, a Lawe to be fulfilled: and her wordes, an Oracle to be obserued: yet pollitikely vsing such reuerence to her Parents, who so well liked and allowed of her doings, that they construed all to the best. And so others, either not daring the contrarie, or els by reason of the good opinion they had of the Dukes vertue, followed him in outward shew of opinion touching his daughter, in so much that she was spoken of throughout all the countrey, and the confines thereof, that the mea­nest shepheardes in all those borders, had nothing so rife in their mouthes, as the beautie of Florida, and continually with their Pa­storall musicke sung Roundelayes of her praises.

Chap. 3.

AT this time reigned in Aemulia the mightie Lo­thus, a King of high renowne, whose puissance was greatly feared of all his neighbour Princes, and especially of the Prince of Liguria, the confines whereof, bordering vpon his kingdom of Aemulia, he had often sacked and spoyled: & therefore great enmitie and hatred remained betweene them. This Lothus had a sonne and heire apparant, whose name was Priscus, a man very ver­tuous & wise, who greatly abhorring his fathers tirrannies, had more minde to walke the pleasant groues in the field, to heare the musicall birdes displaying their sweete notes of heauenly harmonie, then to flatter and fawne in the Court, and lend his eares to the inchaunting sorceries of poysoned Sicophantes, the fruit of whose sweete speeches, is in operation more bitter then gaule. And being thus deuoted, one day amongest many other times▪ attired in the habyte of a homely swayne, he posted to the plaines, & there frequented him selfe amongst the shepheardes of his countrey, of purpose to delight him selfe with their rude manners, & rusticall phrase of speaking, where he chaunced to light on a strange shepherd, lately come from the downes of Ligu­ria, and now had seated him selfe amongest these Countrey swaynes: who sitting with the rest of his companions vnder a broad Beech tree, the hanging boughes whereof shadowed and shrowded them from the great heat of the Sunne, feasted them selues with such homely cates, as the stocke of their poore flockes affoorded them. Priscus espying them close at their vittailes, thought no better time to offer him selfe vnto their societie, then at this present: wherefore, he stept vnto them, and saluted them after the best maner he could: & being taken for one of their fraternitie, he was willed to sit down amongst thē, which wil­lingly he did, and to cloke his determination, he counterfetted homely behauiours as well as he could, taking parte of their simple repast, [Page] which being ended, they all fel a singing of catches and Roundelayes, some breathing foorth Madrigals of loue, to feele the humour of their sweete heartes, who were there also handsomly tucked vp in their ho­li [...]day peticoates and grey frize rugges: for that day they vsed to so­lemnize their feastes, in honour of the rurall god Pan. And therefore with all reuerence they applyed them selues for the time to their pa­stimes: and one began to sing, and the rest followed him in order, till his turne came, that was lately there arriued from the Ligurian downes, who also omitted not his time: for, quoth he, to satisfie your expectations, I will sing you a song, made by a Courtier of Duke Deuascos trayne, in the praise of the faire Florida his daughter: whereupon he played vpon a flute hee had, and chaunted out this ensuing dittie:

THus the shepheard ended his song, whereat the yong Prince was very much perplexed, hearing this Saint so much commended: the report of whose beautie had before this time made a great breach in his minde, being vnable to resist the rebellious alarums of fire-burning loue: and boyling in feruencie of desire, with such con­ceites, as his newe thoughtes presented vnto him, continually medita­ting with him selfe how to compasse the summe of his desire: which [Page] was wholly to bestow his time in the seruice of this Semi-goddesse, to obtaine the which, (by reason of the enmitie betweene the King his Father and Deuasco) seemed vnto him a labour so endlesse, as with Dedalus to search out the bottome of the Laberinth, or to rowle the stone with Sisiphus: wherefore he was so quatted in his former determination, that Venus had lost one champion, had not the fierie God so boyled his sences in the furnace of fancie, that hee was perforce constrained to yeelde vnto affection. And breathing thus hee fedde him selfe with hope that opprtunitie woulde be a good plea in this suite, soothing his owne vaine and foolishe humour, with such friuolous circumstances, and fonde deuices of his newe troubled braine, that hee weighed the daunger (though neuer so desperate) but small: and the enterprise (though neuer so great) but meane, to haue once a sight of this rare Saint, counting it a life to dye in the demaunde of such a Iewell, and an honour to bestowe the flowre of his youth in the seruice of such a peerelesse Parragon: Wherefore, resting vpon this conclusiue Periode, first, he breathed foorth manie sealding sighes for sacrifice vnto Venus: and manie bitter teares for offeringes vnto Cupid, to bee Mediatours to fur­ther his newe entertained fancies, and therewithall taking his leaue of all the boun companions, and gentle swaynes, leauing them to their pastimes, hee bequeathed him selfe to his passions: for in his returne from the plaines to his Fathers Pallace (making no great haste to come where he might be knowen, before it should be late in the euening, least he should be descried in those homelie attires) he be­ganne to tosse in his braine manie odde shiftes to effect his purpose, the fe [...]uencie of his affection ministring vnto him a thousand deuises to put this matter in practise, no one thought which fancie presented seemied hard vnto him, though all in a manner vnpossible. In the end after that he had long deliberated vpon this matter, he purposed in disguised manner to giue his attendance vpon the Duke her Father, and so by that meanes to espie opportunitie to reueale his minde vnto her: which verie shortly he brought to passe, by the helpe of a Floren­tine, a verie neere kinsman to Perduratus, who willing to pleasure his young Lord and Master, (requesting his furtherance, and opening him selfe vnto him, as assured of secrecie at his handes, whose [Page] faith had affoorded him a thousand pledges of faithfull and true dea­ling) did write his letters with Priscus to his cousin Perduratus, de­siring him to place that noble Gentleman in the Dukes seruice, to whome and his friendes, he, in curtesie, helde him selfe much bound. Byndon, for so the Florentine was called, hauing finished his letters, deliuered them to his young Master, and wished him bone fortune in his affayres. Whereupon Priscus faining some other occasion of ab­sence to the King his father, departed him selfe with one alone Page cowardes Albigena, (for there the Court of Deuasco Prince of Li­guria was) to put his purpose in practise, thinking euery minute a Moneth, and euery howre a yeere, till he came to his iourneyes end, verifying this onely Adage, Cupienti caeleritas mora est. In this sort his thoughtes building Castels in the ayre, at last, he arriued at Albigena, where deliuering his letters of commendations to the Prince his high Steward, he had verie good entertainment of him, & made him the best welcome his late reuiued Fortune could affoord. And verie shortly placed him in the Dukes seruice: for Priscus was such a one, whose owne person might warrant him so much fauour, being a man as rare in his qualities, as excellent in his personage, whose countenance was adorned with the beautie of youth, and his be­hauiour furnished with the grauitie of age, so that verie thankefull was this proffer to the Duke, who alwayes had in estimation and re­garde all such toward youthes. This being finished, Perduratus min­ding to shewe him selfe euery way bountifull to young Priscus, to re­munerate some part of his kinsman his receiued good turnes, called vnto him his sonne Moderatus, (who was in good credite in the Court, and generally welbeloued, for his affabilitie and gentlenesse) commaunding him to be acquainted with Priscus, and withall not to omit any occasion that might procure his good, declaring the kindnes he had shewed vnto his Unckle Byndon, to induce him faithfully to doe the same.

Moderatus, of duetie obedient to his Fathers commaund, and of Nature passing gentle, Nurture hauing also instructed him to be Patron vnto Strangers, especially to such as had in the highest de­gree merited the same, endeuoured not onely to entertaine Priscus with common curteste, but also to vnite him selfe in friendship with [Page] him (if the sequell of his life prooued so vertuous, as it seemed in out­ward apparance) and great reason he had so to do: for that they were both Straungers, much of the same age, the constitution of their bo­dies were alike, and the disposition of their mindes without difference. So, as nothing is to be respected in amitie and friendship, more then equalitie: euen so could none more fitly be ioyned in amitie and friend­shippe (by reason of the sympathie of their natures) then this couple, who so much resembled each other in proportion and condition, that scant could the one be knowen from the other. Thus both these faire buddes flourishing in the beautifull prime of their yeeres, hauing in some reasonable quantitie of time, sufficiently experienced each others vertuous disposition, grew so familiar in speech and conuersation, that the consent of the one was a constraint to the other: if Priscus smiled, Moderatus reioyced: if Moderatus lowred, Priscus laughed not: in so much that they were neuer found different in opinion or action: for one chamber was common vnto them both, one bed serued them both, they both euer vsed one boord, they had but one purse indifferent betweene them: and last of all, their seuerall and distinct bodyes had but one minde: either of them with their affable and curteous demea­nour, endeuouring to gaine the good will of the people: and both of them in a verie short space did in the highest degree of good liking ob­taine the same.

Priscus all this while applying him selfe very diligently in the ser­uice of his mistresse, no where seeming pleasant, but in her presence, her lookes hauing fettered him in the prison o [...] fancie: fortune brought him to such a Laberinth, that his thoughts were like Ianus pictures, that presented both peace and warre: his minde not vnlike to Venus Anuill, whereon is forged both feare and hope: the sight of his belo­ued, something easing the intollerable wearinesse of his minde: who, with her rowling lookes, sometimes lending him an amorous glance, (more of an vse which she had taken, then of any fauour vnto him) brought the poore Gentleman to such a fooles paradice, that he mea­sured her maners after his owne minde, and construed all to the best: thinking, that as she was Venus ouermatch in beautie, so she might be Pallas superiour in vertue: yet the Maiestie of her countenance, furnished with coye disdaine, brought him to a great doubt of the [Page] successe of this enterprise: neuerthelesse, he could not disswade him­selfe from the same: for as Ouid said,

Thus Priscus applying him selfe in his aptest habite to please his Mistresse, counting that no conquest which might be easilie wonne, and deeming the enterprise but base, which had not in it some daun­ger, beholding with the fish Mugra the bare hooke, swallowed vp his owne bane, and with the Hartes of Calabria, fedde on Dicta­num, knowing it to bee deadly poyson: for albeit that hee did per­fectly ken the perill, yet hee was so blinded with affection, that hee coulde not auoyde the preiudice. Hee was sober and wise, yet all that was too slender a defence against the pearcing beames of beautie, which had so benummed his spirites, that hee seemed ra­ther to bee a ghost, then a liuing creature: and no maruell, though his wisedome could not withstande such a sweete encounter: for euen as the fleetest fish swalloweth the delicatest bayte, and the highest so­ring Hawke is soonest reclaimed to the lure: so the sharpest witte hath his wanton will, which verie often is inueagled with the poy­soned sightes of alluring vanities. And albeit he endeuoured all that euer he coulde to couer his passions with a merie countenance (least anie of the Dukes Court espying his feruencie, might ayme at his affection, and so preuent his purpose,) yet hee could not hyde a padde in strawe, nor so closelie couer his flame, but that Modera­tus well perceiued that there was some fire, where so great a smoke appeared: not a little marueiling, that his friend concealed his griefe from him, carrying a more ielous eye ouer him then be­fore, to the ende to discouer the cause of his passions, that (accor­ding to the duetie of a friende) hee might minister a medicine, to cure the Melancholie maladie of his friendes maie contented minde.

In this sorte Priscus a verie long time houered betweene hope and despaire, fortune offering him no opportunitie (nor yet daring, though she had) to make his griefes knowen vnto Florida, the which albeit it pearced him to the quicke, and strayned euery string of his heart to the highest note of sorrowe, yet he dissembled the same, in hope that the storme could not last so long, but that in the ende it must [Page] needes present a calme: thus embracing the shadowe of pleasure, and fruite of vanitie, he thought the weather verie good for his har­uest, if Phoebus graced him with the light of his countenance, al­though the clowdes hauing vnlockt the closset of their moisture, pow­red foorth aboundance of raine. Wilie Venus nowe seeing her Champion thus patient, yet almost tyred, feared least any longer delaye would bee such a cooling carde to his queasie stoma [...]ke, that hee would for euer despise and abiure Loue, and all his Lawes, wherefore resolued to frame a platte to procure his vaine hope, which she brought to passe in this order.

Priscus, coueting nothing so much as to be alone and in solitarie places, whereby to feede his melancholie humour with friuolous and vaine thoughtes, in a fayre graye morning walked foorth to the com­mon garden, adioyning to the Pallace, in the vtter parte whereof, there was an entrance to goe vnto a priuie Orchard, wherein sprung a verie pleasant spring, the delectable murmure of whose Christaline streame, falling ouer the pebble stones, made such musicall harmony, that it might haue delighted a verie sorrowfull man, and the whole platt couered with the pleasant shades of mightie Cedars▪ Pine-apple trees, greene Bay trees, sine Cherrie trees, the sweete Briar, and the stalkes of Roses growing plentifully in the ende of euery Alley, and on the side of euery banke, the ground checkered all ouer with choyce of finest flowers, as Uiolets, and Camamell: the one, the more it is chafed, the better sent it will yeelde: and the other, the more it is troden, the thicker and finer it will growe. There was also the Dasie, Primrose, Cowslippe, and the rest, euery flower hauing his secrete operation to procure delight: and euery tree and plant growing in such order, that there you might beholde the curious workemanship of Nature, most liuely pourtrayed and set foorth: for the flowers did yeelde a verie pleasant and sweete sent to comfort the braine, and the tender grasse a soft pillowe to ease the wearyed bodie, the mightie and braunch-spreading trees affoording shade to keepe off the par­ching beames of fierie Phoebus, the musicall byrdes (not omit­ting their partes to set out this earthlie Paradise) accorded their notes with such daintie harmonie and sweetnesse, that it might haue lulled a-sleepe the most wakefull and watching Argus in the worlde: [Page] the fine order obserued, with so artificiall a proportion, in framing of this platt, so rauished the minde of sorrowfull Priscus, (hauing espyed the same as he ascended a steppe or two, to see by a horologe, that was set vp vpon a pillar in a corner of the Garden, what a clocke it was) with desire of solacing him selfe in this place, that he stood a long while deuising with him selfe, howe to compasse an entrance thereto, (wherein to powre foorth his passionate complaintes, supposing it to be the Bowre of pitie, the sweetnesse thereof inducing him to beleeue, that mercie lay lurking vnder euery flower) in the ende, seeing there was no other remedie left, he skipt from the pillar where the horro­loge was, ouer a verie high wall of bricke, vnto this priuie orchard, hauing his Lute with him which he brought of purpose to solace him­self with: where being come, he curiously surueyed ouer that pleasant platt, not a litle wondering at the fine order of the trees, which grew, scituated diamond-wise, keeping so good a decorum in their growth, that one leafe was not seene to outgrow another: and being wearyed in tracing vp and downe amongest the pleasant groues, he rested him selfe in a fine Arbour, seated in a close thicket, neere that murmuring fountaine, where he beganne to powre foorth his complaintes in this manner.

Oh infortunate Priscus, whose Prime of youth is loaded with more sorrowes then yeeres: what peeuish Planet was predominate ouer thy Natiuitie: or what contrarie oppositions the heauens see­med to powre foorth at the time of thy byrth? hath Cupid bewitched thee? or Venus framed thee a foole in fancies forge? or which is more, the bare reporte of fading beautie so besotted thy sences, and made such a Metamorphosis of thee, that from a Prince of Aemulia, thou art become a vassall and hireling to the Lord of Liguria, a man nothing superiour to thy selfe, and thy fathers mortall foe. And what hath procured this: if loue fond Priscus, which, as thou knowest, is but a blaze like to a Bauine▪ and therefore vnworthie to be lodged in Priscus: if beautie, that onely is the fading shew of vanitie, much like the apples of Tantalus, that are precious in the eye, and dust when they come to the handling, therefore not fi [...]te to be seated in the mind of Priscus: if Florida, ah faire Florida, howe can I leaue this sweete note? if (I say) Florida hath procured this? thou art not ignorant [Page] how her countenance is full of maiestie, replenished with high disdain, not contented to be woed, much lesse to be wiued by the statelyest Lord of all Liguria: howe then shall I hope, who am her fathers hireling, to obtaine her fauour? no Priscus, no, thou striuest against the streame, and feedest with the Deere against the winde, and thy labour is alto­gether frustrate: wherefore cease this fond follie, and goe not about with a dramme of pleasure to purchase an ounce of sorrowe, least in seeking to gaine Florida, thou mayest happily loose thy life: for thou saylest betweene Silla and Caribdis, where in seeking to auoyde one daunger, thou mayest easilie fall into another: because, concealing thy birth, thou art vnlike to speede with Florida: and in reuealing the same, thou art in an imminent daunger of thy life. Ah, but fond Priscus where art thou carryed with these vaine and foolish imaginations: doest thou not venture thy life for loue, whose heastes the goddes them selues were subiect vnto? therefore not to be resisted by thee. And what further, doest thou not hazarde thy person for beautie? a thing diuine, which the stoutest champions in the worlde did honour with obedience, and obey with reuerence, therefore to be had in admirati­on of Priscus, rather then to be disobeyed. And last, doest thou not enter into this Laberinth of mishappes, instimulated by the loue and beauty of Florida, who although she be full of Maiestie and coynesse, yet her countenance is tempered with modest grauitie, and vertuous behaui­our. And what though she will not be wooed by any Ligurian Cour­tier, that doeth not argue that she will dye a mayde: for it is not be­cause she will not loue, but for that she seeth none worthie her loue. And notwithstanding that Priscus is her Fathers hireling, yet he is a Prince, and Florida no doubt will like and loue him the better, when she vnderstandeth that he hath thus embased him selfe for her sake. Ah, but Priscus, Florida is wise, and will followe her Fathers coun­sell, and then no hope left for thee. She is fayre, and therefore thou oughtest to feare her the more: euen as the Bees doe the tree Alpi­na, which deeme so beautifull a thing can not be without some hidden mischiefe. Tush, he that will not handle a knife to cut his meate, be­cause another did cut his finger with it: or dare not come neere the fire to warme him selfe, because it burned one, shall goe to bed with colde feete, and an emptie bellie: and therefore feare not to prooue [Page] thy fate, seeing that thou camest so farre to trie thy fortune. Florida is beautifull, and therefore pitifull: she is vertuous, and therefore wil rewarde thy constancie: let thy whole minde ayme at Florida, onely Florida, no, none but Florida.

Priscus hereupon breathing, made a long period, so that wearyed with these his mournefull complaintes, hauing slept verie little the night before, he was with the sweete harmonie of the birdes, and plea­sant murmure of the spring, brought to a slumber. By this time ( Flo­rida, who alwayes vsed this place, to recreate her selfe alone till din­ner time) yssued out of her Closset, through a Posterne doore, to this priuie Orcharde, and so comming to the fountaine side, began to spred her golden haires, that shined like Titans rayes, ouer her shoulders, and to dippe her Lillie-white feete in that murmuring streame, vnco­uering her bodie vnto that place, which for modesties sake is wout to be namelesse. And as she was thus sitting in a seate, carued out of the fine marble, almost readie with Narcissus to embrace her owne sha­dowe, so much she delighted in viewing her selfe in the cleere water, Priscus affright with some strange vision suddenly awaked, and cal­ling to memorie where he was, with the vehemencie of his late passi­ons, he tooke his Lute in his hand, the sound whereof, at the first touch, Florida hard, much maruelling what it might meane, supposing no man to be so bolde to enter vnto that place, without her knowledge: yet quietly remaining as before, to vnderstand the sequell thereof, Priscus by this hauing tuned his instrument, began with musicall and sweete harmonie to warble foorth this ensuing Dittie.

ANd therewithall starting vp from the Arbour where he sate, to recreate him selfe with walking: he presently espyed Florida bathing her selfe in the well: the sight of which glorious obiect so benummed his sences, that hee remained in a trembling feare, [Page] hauing discouered so great a priuitie: least, as Acteon (for such like offence) was of Diana turned into a Stagge, whose owne whelpes hunted him to the death: so he, for so great and vnaduised an ouer­sight, should be transformed to some newe shape, his continuall passi­ons being the deuouring houndes, which should persecute him to de­struction. So long remained Priscus in this traunce, that Florida had recouered her feete, and like Iuno with her pompous trayne, pa­cing so maiestically towardes him, that she did put the poore Gentle­man into a great admiration of her loftie and Princelie demeanour, and being come vnto him, she beganne thus to reprehend him for his boldnesse, in presuming to enter vnto that place, that was onely for her recreation.

What Priscus? whether was it folly or presumption that mooued thee thus vnaduisedly to intrude thy selfe vnto this place, without my knowledge, forbidden to all but Florida, and licenced to none but Florida. Why hast thou bene so bolde, to offer thy selfe to so great a secrecie? doest thou not knowe howe Acteon was handled, for disco­uering the secretes of Diana? and why oughtest thou to hope for bet­ter Fortune then he? thy discent is lesse, and thy offence as great, it may be, because I fauoured thee, for the shewe of vertue that was in thee, that wresting my meaning to another text, seruing thine owne purpose, thou hast thus presumed to trie my patience: well, now I see that the richest Sepulchre hath but rotten bones within, and a fine scabbard sometimes a rustie blade: and dissembling hypocrites, fayre and smoothe countenances, but rough and deceitfull heartes, much like the hearbe Phanaces, that hath a sweete budde and a bitter fruit, or the Bathes of Calicut, that be as cleere as Padus, and as pestlient as Orme: so thou, couering thy malitious minde with counterfetting modestie, and thy Wolfes paunch with a Lambes skinne, staying only for opportunitie to put in execution some mischieuous determination. Wherefore, fond Nouice, depart hence with shame: for with great shame mayest thou depart, that hast committed so immodest a fact: whereupon Florida, being in a great rage, would haue departed, had not Priscus (now stirred vp with this sharpe reprehension) stayed her passage with this replie.

Sweete and gentle Mistresse, if either my ignorance (by reason of [Page] my late cōming to your fathers Court) might priuiledge my offence, hauing vnwittingly, though willingly, committed the same: or the acknowledging of my fault (with a submission, readie to receiue anie punishment that you would censure or adiudge me vnto) pacifie your late conceiued displeasure towardes me: the one daeth manifestly appeare to excuse my crime: for the other, I prostrate my selfe in your presence, and wholly referre me to your grace, as one wishing ra­ther to die, then to displease you, and desiring no longer to liue, then it may stand with your gratious pleasure to graunt me libertie: for be it spoken without dissimulation, in your handes lyeth the sentence of my life or death, and gladlyer would I dye by your doome, then liue one minute to procure your discontent: wherefore I humblie be­seech you, that it might rest with your liking, deere Ladie, to licente me to reueale vnto you, the dolorous and secrete anguish of my tor­menting heart, which lyeth drowned in the denne of despaire, without your sweete consent, to ease the same: for as water stopt, maketh the greater deluge: & sire supprest, bursteth into a more vehement slame: so my griefes concealed, breed such a sharpe corrisiue in my heart, that without your sweete consent giue care to my passions, I am vnlike euer to be rid of my paine. Florida well perceiuing by this, vpon what string Priscus harped, she did cut him off in the midst of his tale, thus:

Why how nowe Priscus, hath the gloriousnesse of the place made such a metamorphosis of you, that it bereaued you of your sences, and driuen you vnto a frenzie? or some other vaine humour hammered in your head so high a determination? take heede, least with the people Hyperborei, you gaze so long vpon the sunne, till you become blinde, or soothing your selfe in the sweetenesse of your follie, you resemble the Leopards that feed on Margeram, knowing it to be their owne bane. What, fond Priscus, doest thou eye Florida? can nothing content thee but the beautie of Florida? hath thy presumption growen vpon my gentlenesse towardes thee, desiring alwayes to be noted rather modest curteous, then ouer-curious vnto Strangers? or hast thou noted so much lightnesse in me, that might warrant thee any hope to obtaine my good will: No, I trowe, Florida is not so lauish of her honour, nor yet so base minded, as to looke vpon her Fathers hireling. What you rude Princockes, deeme you any thing in your selfe worthie of [Page] Floridas loue: or wantes any perfection in Florida, to deserue the fauour and liking of the mightyest Prince vnder the Sunne? where­fore content thy selfe Priscus, with this, that Florida allowes of thee, as her Fathers vassall, and likes of thee as a diligent seruant, and fa­uours thee after her wonted curtesie, as thou art a Stranger: and for thy offence, because thou pleadest both ignorance in committing the crime, and also submission for amendes: either of which might for this time satisfie Florida, so that this may be a warning, that hereaf­ter you enter not so vnaduisedly to any such vnlawfull attemptes.

Chap. 4.

PRiscus, albeit this sharpe answere had driuen him almost to the wall, yet like a stout souldier, he did not meane to forsake the fort for one heauie skirmige, being such a one, as was not to seeke for answere, the readinesse of whose witte, alwayes assured his plea to be good and sufficient in Venus Court: and thus, as he was readie to speake further for himselfe, there entred in at the Posterne doore one of Floridas gentlewomen, which she perceiuing, flung away from him, and returned to the Court againe with her wayting maide that came [...]or her to dinner, leauing the poore Gentleman in such a quandarie with this repulse, at his first entring vnto the game, that he lacked but little to prooue a Haggard. And nowe seeing the Mistresse of his thoughtes had thus giuen him the slippe, with a flea in his eare, he secretly conveyed him selfe vnto his chamber. And by reason it was now dinner time, he had verie good opportunitie to repaire there vnknowen to any, where when he came, breathing foorth a number of scalding sighes, he cast him selfe vpon his bed, and after he had there tossed him selfe a while, being vncapable of any rest, he tooke his Lute in his hand, to see, if with musicke he could moderate his melancholie, and mollifie some of his heauie passions: and so, like the swanne at the point of death, he verie dolefully chaunted ouer this Cansong.

HErewithall Priscus ended his song, his musicke preuailing no more to moderate his melancholy, then oile to quench the flame: and therefore in a verie frantike moode, he threw away his lute, & began a-fresh to tosse himselfe vpon his bed, resting as wearie in his bodie, as he was afflicted in his mind: and thus perplexed in his dis­quiet passions, tormenting him selfe with his ceaselesse complaintes, his friend Moderatus, by chance ouer-hearing his secret passions, pu­shed open the doore, and entred the chamber: whereat Priscus start vp, looking so pale, as if he had bene newe risen from his graue, his swelling heart, remooued from her naturall place, was now ascended to the straight passage betweene the bodie and the head, and there kept the same so close, that he (for want of breath) was vnable to vtter any one worde: whereupon Moderatus, his heart bleeding for very griefe of his friendes distresse, began thus mildely to reprehend him, both for that he had concealed his fancies from him, and also because he did suf­fer him selfe to be so ouer-mastred with follyes.

My deare Priscus, if the faithfull league of true friendship, knit vp betweene vs, had not sufficiently authorised, nay rather commanded me (to preuent your further harme) to be thus bolde with you, I would scant haue presumed to interrupt your muses with my presence at this time: for hauing long sithence perceiued in you some alterati­on and disquietnes of mind, wrought by the effect of some strange pas­sion, I could not chuse but be verie sorie, in that I perceiued you to be vnwilling to disclose the same vnto me: who to discharge the office and dutie of a friend, was by the lawe of friendship bound, not onely to counsell you the best I could to comfort your misfortunes, but also to be copartner of your paine, to quallifie the rigor of your extreeme pas­sions: wheresore I can not sufficiently admire, that you would enter­taine any vnto friendship, whome, either you deemed not worthie of your secrets, or els (for feare to be disclosed) durst not commit the trust thereof vnto: without that the occasion of your griefe depended vpon [Page] an vnlawful acte. And therefore doubted, least that I would not yeeld my consent thereunto, because it should be rather my part to dehorte you frō the same, then any wise to further you therein. What Priscus, if as the Swallowes, nestling in houses, yet mistrust the inhabitants thereof, so you, conuersing my society, durst not acquaint me with your secrets: you should haue done, as they do in trying of vessels, whereinto they powre water, not wine: in like maner, you might haue tryed my fidelitie in some friuolous matter, that if I had chaunced not to bee close, there had bene no danger of spilling any good licour. But I tell you Priscus, friendship is like hony, that is sweet and pleasant in taste to the sound, but sharpe and purging in operation, to him that is infec­ted with a canker, and therefore finding in you this weaknes, that is more pertinent to feminine seruilitie, then to manly fortitude: I can not chuse but endeuor my selfe to comprehend the nature of the honie, whereby to purge you of the corrupt humors, that haue alredy weak­ned your nature: for now I find the old Adage true, that the Minow, that is euer nibling at the bait, is at last hanged on the hooke: and the flie so long dallyes with the flame, that shee is in the ende consumed therein: wherefore deare friend, leaue these fond cogitations, & let not the flilie baits of alluring vanities so intangle you in the net of follie, that in the ende you may haue cause to say, that you haue bought re­pentance at an vnreasonable rate: at least-wise, if it be so strongly roo­ted in you, that reason can not easily shake it away, conceale not the same from me, least in so doing, the cure would not prooue so effectual, wanting the true knowledge of the cause of the disease.

Priscus, now seeing that it was no time to dissemble with his friend, knowing it impossible to couer the smoke, that was alreadie burst into a flame, vnlockt the closset of his thoughtes, and discouered him selfe vnto him in this manner. Sweete Moderatus, I wonder not a litle, that you would thus fraudulently (by ouer-hearing my complaintes) endeuour to compasse my secrets, whereas you might haue ben assured (though that the reuealing thereof had both impaired my substance, & preiudiced my person) that you could no sooner haue requested the knowledge thereof, but that most willingly I would haue imparted the same vnto you. And in that I haue so long concealed it, it was to my most vehement and great griefe: for fire suppressed, burneth more vehement, & water stopped, bursteth out with a greater force: so [Page] [...]at the fewe brandes, whereat I latelie warmed my fancie, is nowe growen to so great a fire, that it hath almost burned vp, and consumed vnto cynders my poore flectible heart. And assure your selfe Modera­tus, I was not so suspitious as to misdeeme of your fidelitie, whose faithfull dealing had assured me many wayes of your loyaltie: and therefore needed no further tryall, being perswaded that I had layde my foundation vpon a sure rocke. Yet neuerthelesse, as you haue very fitly compared friendship to honie, so I finde your friendly admoniti­ons, to be so bitter and biting, that the verie name thereof, hath almost ouercharged my queasie stomacke: for the counsell, howsoeuer whole­some, is neuer plausible, when it feedeth not the humour of the coun­selled. And for my maladie, I am vnlike to be purged thereof, without that the worker of my preiudice minister a remedie, no more then Telephus could be cured of the wounde, he receiued of fierce Achilles launce, before a plaister of the rust thereof was put thereunto, to salue the same: and to leaue off all ambiguities, I am so infected with the venime of the Tarantula, that I am almost consumed in the suddes of mine owne pleasure. Wherefore, deare friend, seeke not (in hope of my recouerie) to minister any thing vnto me, which can worke no other effect, but onely the diminishing of that little ease and rest I haue: but rather suffer thy vnfortunate Priscus to dye: yea die Priscus, and why liuest thou to procure thine owne torment, an exile to thy countrey, a heart-sore to thy friendes, and a vassall to thy ene­mies, resting thus metamorphosed in perpetuall daunger of thine owne person: nay, but where wander I, pardon me, good Moderatus, in that I haue thus fantastically breathed foorth my dreaming ago­nies: for herein shall you rather finde a sencelesse truth, then a sensible tale: and albeit hope forbiddeth me to put any confidence in her, by reuealing my passions: neuerthelesse, both to disburthen somewhat my thrauled minde, and also to make amendes for the fault alreadie committed, in concealing the secretes of my breast thus long from you: attend the whole circumstance of this my Tragicall discourse, and with the conclusion thereof, a violent expulsion of my vital breath, from this carefull and distressed carkasse, if no hope be left of releeuing my wearyed agonyes.

Had I prouidently pondered that worthie sentence of the famous [Page] and renowmed Philosopher Thales Miletius, who, being by one of his friendes demaunded, how much difference there was betweene a Lye and Trueth answered, asmuch as there is betweene thine eare and thine eye: meaning thereby, that those things are not euer true, which by common report are spread abroad. For as Maro saith of Fame, Mobilitate viget, viresque acquirit eundo, so passing through the mouthes of many, euery one adding a little thereunto, it is in the end growen to an intollerable errour: howbeit the Philosopher admoni­sheth vs to beleeue those thinges for trueths, which we see with our eyes, and not to be credulous of those thinges which are blazed by common report. Had I aduisedly weighed this notable saying of Thales, the bare report (bare I may well call it, the croppe being not worth the seede) of Floridas beautie, had not mooued me, being incon­siderate of my state and person, thus fondly from a Prince of Aemu­lia, to become a vassall and a slaue to the Gouernour of Liguria, no better man then my selfe, and my Fathers mortall enemie: wherein, like an obstinate and vntoward youth, I layd reason in water to stiepe, being too salt for my taste, and followed vnbrideled affection, which was pleasant and toothsome in the mouth, though poysoned venome in the mawe. And my Parents, which affoorded me coyne and libertie in my youth, to worke mine owne preiudice, will be sorie to see mee want both wealth and wisedome in mine age. O fonde Priscus, why doest thou inueigh against thy selfe? it is an ill birde that defileth his owne nest and it were thy part▪ rather to amend what is amisse, then to aggrauate thy offence by reuealing thy absurd fantasies, making thereby thy name more odious, but nothing helping to bring thee to a better forme of liuing. Oh, but vnto what an heresie am I fallen? wherein should I reforme my selfe? haue I not sustained all this per­plexitie, being thereunto enioyned by beautie, which is a thing deuine, and which the gods them selues obeyed. What, is not this the same, that Salomon with his wisedome could not resist: Hercules with his strength could not withstand: and Alexander, with other mightie Monarches of the worlde, with all their forces and power could not subdue? what then, should I thinke my selfe wiser then Salomon? stronger then Hercules? or mightier then Alexander? No, no, Priscus, beautie commaunded thee, and therefore thou must obey, and [Page] wherefore Priscus, since thou must obey, summon thy sences to a par­lie, and arme thy selfe with courage, to goe through with so notable a victorie, and be not dismayde, to haue one repulse at a womans hands: for womens three nayes be but one yea: resolue thy selfe once more to plead for thy selfe, & to abide the censure of thy deerest mistresse, whe­ther it include life or death. Now then, sweet Moderatus, that I may lay open vnto your vnderstanding this most strange and rare strata­geme, knowe that thine vnfortunate, but euer constant friend, is the same Priscus, sonne and heire apparant to the mightie Lothus King of Aemulia, who vndertooke this newe shape for the loue of fayre Florida, faire, but yet cruell Florida, whose sharpe cutting answers, euen this day, (had I not manfullie withstoode the violent attemptes of hote burning loue) had bene sufficient to giue me my deaths wound: for her bitter and contemptible reprehensions, ministred rather oyle then water to my flame, and feruent loue, rather then could disdaine vnto my fancie: loe, here beholde the figure and shape of him, that latelie thursting for honour, had more confidence in a speares poynt; then in a Schollers penne: the one, threatning bluntly his foe with reuenge: the other, flattering his friend with a fewe fine cowthed wordes, shrowding his malice vnder the habite of friendshippe: then a sturdie Morglay fitting his humour, rather then a sillie wall-wa­shing paultrie pensile: and the managing of a good horse in the fields, more pleasing vnto him, then the courting of a fayre Ladie in a chamber. But nowe altogether vanquished and ouercome by Loue, a bond-slaue of blinde Cupid, and from a professed Souldiour of warlike Mars, become a vowed seruant of wanton Venus, a sweete Laberinth, wherein being entred, a man may sooner loose him selfe, then finde reason of him selfe: wherefore gentle and assured friend Moderatus, leaue off all perswasions, sith they be but corrisiues to eate vp olde soares, and no lenitiues to asswage newe swellings, and sharpe rasers to cut and launce olde festered vlcers, and ill-cured skarres, which procure treble paine, but seldome or neuer bring ease to the Patient.

Here sighing sobbes stopping the passage of his speech, the fire of his true affection enflaming his heart, and his enflamed heart dissolued into vncessant teares, hee languished, burning in loue, and [Page] bathed in griefe, reposing all his confidence in Moderatus his faith­full and louing aduice, the gates of reason and vnderstanding quite denying any passage vnto such impossibilities, and therefore wal­lowing in continuall stormes of fresh imployed griefes, he was alto­gether dead in spirite, though little moouing of life appeared in his bodie, vntill true-hearted Moderatus awaked him out of his dumpe, in this manner.

Oh my good, though infortunate friend, Priscus, howe falleth it out, that you haue this long time concealed this your secrete flame from your friend, and thus obscured the bright beames, not onely of your birth and honour, but also of your wisedome and vertue, which so shined in your life and conuersation, that it dazeled the eyes of the beholders, rauished the sences of the hearers, and stroke into admira­tion all such as heard but the report thereof, nowe eclipsed with such a clowde of dishonour, as to descend from a mightie Prince, to the base office of a seruant, and which is more seruile, to imbase your selfe thus for the loue of a woman, and not onely to soothe your selfe in these fol­lies, but also to exclude the counsell & comfort of a trustie friend, which would haue bene partaker of all your miseries. But as it seemed, you made still a doubt of mine vndoubted fidelitie, supposing that as the hearbe Ambubeia, doeth close at the going downe of the Sunne, and spread abroad at the rising thereof againe: so I should be a friend in Sunne-shine prosperitie, and not in the darke cloude of extremitie: but not so sweete friend, the operation consistes in the matter, not in forme: and surely, if I omitted any thing that belonged to the of­fice of a friend, it was ignorantly done, and not willingly, or of set purpose: for I vtterly detest and abhorre those flattering and fained friendes, who, resembling the Amber stone, burne outwardly, and freeze inwardly: or the barke of the Myrtle tree in Armenia, which is as hote as fire in taste, and as colde as yce in operation. And rather, with the hearbe Amaranthus, which beginneth to flourish in the winter, when all other hearbes doe decay: so I in the winter of your extremities, purpose to shewe my selfe, not onely a friend, but a bright Sunne through the thickest and darkest cloud, being then assured that you doe loue me, if you repose any trust and confidence in mine actions: wherefore, sith the alarums of loue haue [Page] made such a breach in your minde, your greatest pollicie were to study to be master againe of the forte, which you haue (with so great a de­triment) alreadie lost: and to compasse the same, you ought like a good and carefull Captaine, endeuour to remooue the siege, then might you boldly affirme with Cicero, that Sublata causa tollitur effectus, which although at the first it should seeme difficult and almost impos­sible, yet hauing resolutely determined the same, you should finde therein great ease, and daily would your forces increase, and your enemies strength diminish: and albeit the taste thereof would like Aloyes seeme bitter in the mouth, yet the operation would no doubt prooue medicinable & veri holesom in the maw. And if hauing swal­lowed the bayte, there be no other remedie, but to yeeld your selfe to the mercie of the fisher, rather then so, doe as the fish Alopex marina, who, perceiuing the hooke to be fastened in his bellie, biteth off the line aboue the tackling, and so escapeth. What, remember you not the preceptes of Phocas vnto Louers, who sayd, they should proceede in their amours, as the Crabbe in going, whose pace is euer backwards, that though loue haue force like the Adamant, to drawe the tender heartes of young Nouices, yet they should be sprinkled with Goates blood, that resisteth the operation, and if you haue not the vertue to be chaste, carrie about you the hearbe Lupinar, or the Topaze stone, which cooleth desire. Weigh aduisedly, what great calamities and ouerthrowes haue happened in former ages, not only to the person in­fected therewith, but also to whole Prouinces and Countreyes, by reason of the ouer-raging flames of Loue, then shal you see how Troy and Athens, the one being the Metropolitane and most sumptuous Citie of all Asia, the other, the renowmed fountaine, and sacred wel­spring of arte and learning throughout al Greece, which therefore was called the Muses habitation, were vtterly ouerthrowen and quite consumed, for the wanton and libidinous desire borne onely to one wo­man. Infinite more examples I could produce, but that I thinke this sufficient, to make a considerate wise man forsake the most beautifull and entising Lays, and the coyest and moste curious Florida that euer was. Nowe hauing touched some generalities bounding vpon reason, of great effect to dissuade you from this dangerous Laberinth, yet let vs goe neerer to the matter and speake particularlie: is it not [Page] Florida that you ayme at? whose disdainefull and coye countenance, fenced with the hatefull trench of ambition and pride, doeth put to si­lence the brauest Lordes of all Italie, fearing to speake, where they haue so little hope to speede: and will you then, while you continue the habite of a hireling, and remaine as you seeme vnto her, an attendant of her Fathers, attempt to craue the same? which the flowre of all the gallaunts in the worlde durst not once make motion for: I per­swade me in so doing, you are voyd of all hope. If then you make your state knowen vnto her, howe can she finde in her heart to affect her fa­thers mortall enemie: and howe can you hope to remaine in safetie, your life lying in the mercie and power of your deadly foe. And as Moderatus would haue gone forwardes in his perswasions, Priscus, who could scarce suffer him to come to a Pertod, his ardent desire no­thing diminishing by these disswasions of Moderatus, but rather like the small current stopped, encreasing more and more in such sort, that from a male contented man, he grewe almost lunatike, and then like a desperate forlorne burst foorth in these tearmes.

Oh good Moderatus, if thou hast no other salue for my sore, nor canst affoorde me any other comfort, suffer me by death to ende this wretched life, or if thou dislikest therewith, cease to cloye me with such prescriptions, the verie name whereof torments me more then a thou­sand deathes together.

And whereas you alledge of the ouerthrow of Athens and Troy, proceeding from the loue of a woman, true it is, but Theseus and Paris iustly made their friendes their foes, by the rape of Helen, who was the wife of another man, seducing her to infringe her faith and honestie to her loyal husband, and therefore deseruedly plagued for the same: but I doe indeuour by my vertuous and chaste loue, borne to Florida, to make my mortall enemies my deerest friendes: and I goe about to seeke nothing, but that (of right) which should be mine owne. For if he, which should bye a thing deerest, should best deserue to haue it, I am sure, you would iudge me worthie of Florida, who, not onely am thus tormented in minde for her sake, but also am daily in continuall daunger of my person: wherefore, sweete friend, if thou louest my life, helpe me to the possession of that most rare Iewell, I meane Florida, whose presence is the preseruation of my life, and [Page] without the which my carkasse is but a denne of dolours, and my life hatefull and loathsome vnto me.

With this Priscus concluded, (verie griefe stopping the passage of his voyce) so that teares standing in his eyes, his wordes chocking in his throate, he sent foorth great gustes of scalding and heauie sighes, and withall distilled from his eyes, (eyes the often messengers of his griefes) great floods of salt and brynish teares.

Moderatus seeing him so impatiently to beare his carelesse cala­mities, was verie sorie, and comforted him all that euer he could, promising his endeuour to effect his desires, who accepted thereof with thankes, and hauing by this spent a good quantitie of time in debating of these matters, they left the chamber and went abroad, to see if good fortue would offer them any opportunitie to put in prac­tise their determinate purpose.

Chap. 5.

NOwe Gentlemen, here you may beholde a perfect Mappe of Loues manifolde miseries: Priscus tor­menteth him selfe with the racking and restlesse re­membrance of the fayre Florida, being wounded with the golden darte of that little and wanton wag, who, as he is blind without sight, is selfe-willed [Page] without Reason: alwayes endeauouring to creepe into the Con­ceits of the ripest and readyest mindes, taking the greater glorie and pride in his victories and conquestes, by so much as they are gotten ouer the mightyer Potentates and nobler Personages: thus minding that his Knightes shoulde not obtaine any pleasure without some smacke of paine, meaning thereby to trye their con­stancie, thinking him not worthie of a good Bootie, that woulde giue ouer the pursuite for one sharpe skirmidge. And albeit that Florida despised Priscus, languishing in loue, by reason of his meane estate and birth, as she tooke it, yet that mightie god (though blinde) Cupid, determining to reuenge the quarrell of his Champion, that had lost the victorie, ceased not daily to deuise meanes, to make her taste of that sharpe sweete, and pleasing euill, that so oft is wont, not onely to torment, but also to ouerwhelme and vanquish poore per­plexed Louers, with his inuestigable force of feruent and boyling heate. And in the ende finding her solitarie, he painted before the eyes of her remembrance, the worthinesse of Moderatus, with his martiall prowesse, rare vertues, and singular excellencie, in so much that daylie wading in the deepe floods of fancie, mooued with the aspect of his comely Personage, which cited her to yeelde to af­fection, she, which earst scorned the summons of mightie Cupid, and disdained the crewe of wanton Venus, holding in derision their teares, and carelessely smiling at their scalding sighes, which were enamoured with beautie, is nowe forced (feeling her selfe wounded with the sharpe prickes of feruent desire) to offer vp incense at the shrine of Venus, crauing pardon for her so long rebellion against the omnipotencie of so mightie a King. And thus continuing a certen time in these and such like cogitations, imploying her new desired friend to some seruice in her owne presence, whereby to glut her selfe with the view of so rare an obiect, the eyes alone doing the office of the hands & tongue, as trustie secretaries, and faithful messengers of the effects of the mind. Florida thus flowing in the tempestuous seas of longing ap­petites, guided by a master, which delighteth in the shipwracke of them he caryeth, and vanquished with an immoderate rage of loue, the effectes whereof making her forgetfull of her honour, wholy ouer­come with this newe entertained passion, being very melancholicke, [Page] and hauing separated her selfe from companie, she beganne thus to complaine.

Ah Florida, howe miserable and infortunate art thou, that the Goddes haue endewed thee with beautie, that should be preiudiciall to thy honour, and creating thee onely daughter to so mightie a Prince, thou shouldest become an eye-sore and a blemish to all thy stocke and kinred, by thine owne lasciuious and wanton lust. Hast thou reiected the suite of the brauest Courtiers in all Spaine? and nowe not onely contented with thy Fathers vassall, but also canst not liue without that bratt, that thine owne Parents haue brought vp of nothing? in hauing of thy wish, thou loosest both thine honour, and doest obscure and blemish the house thou camst off, which once ouershadowed with the vaile of vice, will beare the skarre thereof during life. From whence commeth this newe alteration, and passions vnacquainted? what rebellious desires be these, that doe poyse and weigh thy thoughtes, to hammer in thy braine such thirstlesse and vaine imagi­nations? ah Florida, what haplesse miserie doest thou finde in this free prison? where pleasure hath no place, till the friendly foes haue disquieted thy life with a million of painefull trauailes: nowe is the time for thee, to resist the hot skirmiges and fresh a [...]saultes of that ty­rant Loue, before that he hath had quiet possession within thy minde: for being suffered to enter by little and little, he will waxe so strong, that in a short time, he will be like to dispossesse thee of that little in­terest thou hast in thy selfe: and then, as the moath in the garment, and Locust in the corne, it consumeth his hoast, and departeth away, without any reckoning for the trespasse he hath committed. Then Florida consider, what may they deeme of thee, that earst had in ad­miration thy vertues, and reputed thee for a second Diana? but the vilest hypocrite of the worlde, that would ouershadowe thy lasciuious appetites to wanton venerie, with a fained shewe of counterfet graui­tie: and that there wanted in them nothing but sufficient au [...]acitie, to recouer the ransacke of thy person, and spayle of thine honour. Wherefore leaue off this foule folie, that thus doeth dispoyle thee of thy desired health and contented rest, and endeuour to forget him that is the causer thereof. At which wordes she yeelded foorth a number of scalding sighes, and pawsed a little thereupon, but againe recouering [Page] her voyce, she beganne thus:

Ah forget him Florida, how farre doe I forget my selfe, that seeke to roote out his memorie from my heart, that alreadie hath taken possession therein, in whose consent or deniall resteth altogether the state of my life and honour. Ah Moderatus, Moderatus, the flower and mirrour of all mart [...]all prowesse, and the liuely lantherne of per­fect nobilitie, beautie, and vertue, if we estimate the iudgement of that learned Laureat, who said,

Oh sweete Moderatus, and therefore sweete, because, Modera­tus, it is thou alone that liuest in me, of whome my minde onely con­ceiueth his hope, and the heart his nourishment. Alas, that thy wor­thinesse should be the ouerthrowe of mine honour, and thy perfection the imperfection of my life. But what, Florida, he that feareth euery bush, will neuer be a good woodes-man: and he that will not venture, when beautie and vertue commaundeth, (which, though by hard for­tune they be little obscured, yet like the golde in the fire, wil in the end appeare most rich and glorious,) may well come in my Aue, but shal neuer come in my Creede: therefore I referre the sequell hereof vnto the destinies, to be arbiters in the cause▪ & rest resolued to winne or loose Moderatus, betide life or death: for his personable and valou­rous disposition hath giuen my heart the wound, and his vertue and bountie must salue the same. Ah, but fond Florida, Moderatus is too wise to come to the fist by the lure: for he will suppose thy call to be but counterfet, and thy selfe a woman, whose propertie is to be wonne with a nut, and lost with the shell, and therefore will reiect thy suite, and despise thy offers, setting his rest vpon this olde Addage, Soone ripe, soone rotten: the hottest loue is soonest forgotten: No, no Flori­da, feare not, Moderatus is wonne already: for he that is so diligent and willing to attend thee as a seruant, will not dislike to be prefer­red to the state of a husband. Wherefore burne not vp day-light, and sleepe not long in doubt, for delay breeds daunger, follow the counsell of Ouid, who said, Cum mora non tuta est, subdere calcar equo. Upon this merie pin, Florida was about to depart out of her cham­ber, to see if good fortune would offer her any conuenient opportunitie [Page] to put in practise her determinate purpose, when Verosa, the fayre daughter of Perduratus, and sister to Moderatus, entred the cham­ber, who missing her Ladie Florida, and vnderstanding that she was alone in her chamber, maruelled the cause of her solitarinesse, being long before more melancholie then she vsed to be. Whereupon to countenance the matter, she dissembled the passions of her inwarde griefe, faining her selfe sicke, demaunding of Verosa what sturre there was in Court: who, well knowing the nature of her disease, and that mirth is a great purger of Melancholie humour, thought it best to be pleasant with her, and thus answered: Madame▪ verie litle: for your absence thus long, my Ladie, hath caused all to be husht, not one asmuch as calling for a payre of cardes to play a set at Mawe, but euerie one making his looking glasse in his fellowes face, standing like painted Images, hauing nothing to doe, without that with Dominianus, they would catch flyes, because they want one to instruct them in their Lessons: for our Ligurian Gentlemen, are in a manner more nice and bashfull then we women, and want rather a spurre then a bridle: and therefore, Madame, I doe thinke, if you woulde shewe a pleasant countenance amongest them, they would, like the Antes, when the Sun entreth into Aries, cheerefully creepe out of their corners, wherein so long they remained for dead.

Florida, smiling at this her pleasant answere, beleeuing faith­fully that Verosa suspected her disease, and therefore to auoyde suspi­cion, she coyned this replie.

I am glad, Verosa, that you are so iocund, and surely it seemeth by your talke, that you met with a Champion, that either prooued a Dastarde vpon the first incounter, whose cowardise surreth vp this mirth in you, or els hauing playde the part of a valiant Captaine, and entred with courage the forte lately besieged, you are glad to bee wonne by such a worthie warriour: but howsoeuer, I knowe you list not to make me priuie, neither doe I greatly couet to knowe, because my litle skil in that arte, would haply make me giue a wrong censure in the cause: but if you come as a friend to inuite me, to see some of your pastimes abroad, I am well contented to accept of your bid­ding, and to view the ende, if there be any acte in playing, wherein, if you be an Actrix, I shall reioyce to see your good grace in playing the [Page] counterfet, and after, I will tell you my minde, whether you be fitter for the stage in a Comedie, or a Tragedie.

Verosa was not so grosse, but that she perceiued, that her Mistres pleasantnesse was but to dissemble her [...]ward passions, and albeit her face was full of smiles, yet her heart was full of sorrowes, therefore smiling at her conceited vaine, she thought it not best to vrge her any further vpon that text, but thus replyed againe: Madame, sickenesse and health be accidents, to the which all liuing creatures be subiect, yet after such sort, subiect, that both can not Dominere all at one time, therefore me thinketh that it is verie strange, that contraries shoulde concurre in you vpon such a sudden: for pleasant disposition is the Kalender of a well tempered bodie and then, either your sicke­nesse was but fayned, or your mirth nowe but dissembled. Yet how­soeuer, I see it is your pleasure to make a stale of me, and to frame me your Instrument, to argue of what you like best: and I am well pleased it should be so, rather then you should want of your will. And therefore let vs go see, whether there be any acte in preparing, if not, in playing abroad: agreed vpon this point, they left the solitarie cham­ber of desolate Florida, and passing through a gallerie going towards the chāber of presence, they might see the yong prince Cornelius stan­ding in [...]a Bay window, which bounded vpon a very faire garden, and in his company Priscus, Moderatus, and another yong gentlewoman, which was of the house of Deualoyes, called Pandarina, a verie gay Dame she was, and noted aboue all the Ladies and Gentlewomen in Court, for her ripe wit, and ready [...]swers in all pleasant discourses. Now was she in some earnest disputation with Priscus, whereat Cor­nelius and Moderatus laughed a good to see them so heated, crossing each other with pleasant and conceited quippes. Florida perceiuing them to be at it indeed, stood stil, & smiling said to Verosa, we haue so long communed of comedie, til at last by good hap we met with an act in playing: therefore let vs draw nere the sport, least the best parte be past before we come: thus Florida, with more desire to make a loo­king glasse of the amiable coūtenance of her best beloued Moderatus, then for any mind she had to heare their discourses, approched to this merie company, whereupon Pandarina, glancing aside, hapned to espie them first, & said, well, my lords, I see now, God hath so wel prouided [Page] for me, knowing me too weake for one of you, much more for three, that all in good time, he hath brought here my Ladie Florida, and mistresse Verosa, with whose ayde I doubt not, but to make my par­tie good against you all. Priscus, hearing the Ladie and Mistresse of his thoughtes named, stood as mute, as if with Perseus shield he had bene turned into a stone: and I doubt not, if Pandarina had then fol­lowed the chase hard, and taken the benefite of her good Fortune, but she might easily haue ouercome Priscus at that instant. But she ra­ther desirous to make Florida acquainted with the matter, tooke no heede to his countenauce, which was verie pase, feare hauing banished all the blood from his visage, which Moderatus well noted, and least his friend should be taken tardie, being driuen to a non plus, (if he had bene enioyned to answere any demaund) he interrupted Pandarina in her speeches, and craued leaue to make report of their controuersie, which being obtained, he stood so long in opening the matter, till Pris­cus had taken breath, and somewhat recouered him selfe: for in this sort Moderatus addressed his speech to Florida.

Madame, you came in verie good season to succour a distressed Gentlewoman, who being so hardie and valiant, as it seemeth by this bolde enterprise, in attempting alone to encounter with three, who thinke them selues to be no cowardes at armes) it were great pitie she should miscarrie, being charged with an ouer-number. But for my Lord Cornelius and my selfe, Mistresse Pandarina alone shall be the Iudge, if we played not fayre, suffering her without interruption (except it were a little laughing, which we could not forbeare, to see their eagernesse in the cause) to combate it out with her first cham­pion, but she might hardly haue trusted vs (to you I confesse) if Priscus had lost the victorie. And sith you are come in such good op­portunitie, you haue ransomed a worthie warriour with your onely presence: for I thinke no man here so hardie, as to enterprise the de­fence of this quarrell, if you tooke the contrarie part. But neuerthe­lesse, sith it is mistresse Pandarinas pleasure, that you should be ac­quainted with the question, thus it was, or so much in effect.

As my Lord Cornelius, master Priscus, and my selfe stood heere in this windowe, viewing through these casements the fayre prospect of this delightfull and pleasant garden, wondering at the excellencie [Page] of Nature, the efficient of so goodly a thing, welcomming in our thoughtes the flourishing Ladie of Spring, that lately was arrriued from the boisterous stormes of sturdie Hyems: delighted thus to see her spread abroad her ensigne, so trimly garnished with littely greene, we heartily wished to march vnder so worthie colours, which be the tokens and badges of hope, (hope the onely refuge of amorous concei­ted Gentlemen) as I say, we stoode thus in a Dilemma, as it were viewing these fayre flourishing flowers, which yeelded foorth not only a sweete and odoriferous sent, after a pleasant Aprill shower, but also a rare and glorious sight, when Phoebus, hauing past the Equinoctial, pearceth the breast of cholericke Aries with his shining beames, be­ginning to drie vp the siluer dewe from the gentle Gilliflower, and sweete Roses, that it so rauished our mindes with contemplation thereof, that, I thinke, had not mistresse Pandarina awaked vs of this sweete and delightfull vision, we had (at least-wise wished in desire to haue) vnited our earthly bodies, with our mindes, that be of lighter substance and celestiall, to the euer-beholding of that heauenly and di­uine spectacle, and there withall haue become humble peticioners to the Architector of that great engine, that we might become attenders on the daughter of Inachus, whome Iupiter, after that he had com­mitted an escape with, placed a starre in the heauens, to saue her from the wrath of Iuno. Pandarina, seeing vs thus to stand, as stoode Niobe, after the issue of Latona had reuenged him selfe vpon her children, approaching neerer vnto vs, she interrupted our Muses with this parley.

My Lordes, it seemeth that you are either verie lazie, or loosely giuen, if you haue neither hawke on fist abroad to procure your de­light, nor Ladie in Court, vnder whose fauour to shrowd your selues, from these vncouth and melancholie passions: for me thinketh, it ill fitteth young Gentlemen to be thus like Anchorites, still in contem­plation, altogether exempt from Uenerie, and Chiualrie, which be the two principall recreations for heroicall mindes, both which, doe so de­test the idle liuers, that as the Bees hunt the Drones from their hiue, as vnfit members of their common wealth: so Mars, neuer ac­cepteth for his souldier, nor Venus for her seruant, any one that know­eth not howe to finde him selfe occupyed, either with warlike exercise, [Page] or amorous dalliance: wherefore plucke vp your spirites, for time lost can not be had againe, you may see the finest flower is but a day, and your time can not be very long, let no base thoughtes ouercome your Princely mindes, and if Cupid be your Soueraigne, and that the destinie haue decreed, that he shall frowne vpon you, yet beare va­lorous and resolute mindes, and with Hannibal despise Fortune, then shall you triumph ouer h [...]r with courage, that so ouercroweth you, being thus giuen ouer to idlenesse.

My Lord Cornelius awaked with this hot skirmidge, out of his pleasant meditation, answered her thus: Gentle Pandarina, I pray you, when you play with your little dogs, for then you are not idle, to whom do you bequeath your seruice, to Mars or Venus? whereat we all fell to such a laughter, that we made mistres Pandarina verie an­grie: and because my Lord proceeded no further in this argument, which I thinke, was with that one word fully finished, M. Priscus be­ing a good tennise-player, tooke it at a rebound, & then went forward with it, thus: I maruel very much, mistres Pandarina, that one of so good a iudgement as you be, should be so farre ouershot in a matter so pertinent to your sex, as the seruice of so honorable a Ladie as Venus is, to cōclude, that because we were idle, therfore we were not in loue, when as onely in being idle, we bequeath our selues wholly thereunto, being then in contemplation of the hie mysteries of so great a Deitie, imprinting in our thoughtes the Idea of our mistresse liuely counte­nance, and reuoluing in our minds the happie successe of our desired a­mours, where as otherwise, being as you would haue vs occupied, al­beit in parling with our best beloued, yet do not we loue so feruently: for that then our eyes is occupied with that office, which being absent and solitarie, our minds & hearts do execute: therefore the fruitful ef­fectes of loue, being either in the eyes or heart, I referre to your own iudgement, in which of these two parts of the bodie true loue doeth consist. If in the eies or tongue, as it seemeth you would haue it, I con­fesse I am in an error: but if otherwise, true loue lieth in the heart, as it doeth indeed, then in being solitarie, the mind is most occupied, and so the person exempt from labors, or idle, (as you terme it) is alwayes most in loue. And if all this is not able to perswade you to beleeue a trueth, yet reiect not Ouids principle, who being Master of that [Page] Arte, censured thus of idlenesse:

Pandarina could scarce suffer him to come to a Colon, much lesse to a Period, but fretting with great anger, did roundly cut him off in the midst of his tale, replying againe so effectually to the matter, that I thinke, if her cause had bene good, she would haue ouer-matched vs all: what her speaches were, I can not remember, both for that my memorie is verie short, & also because the substance of the cause groun­ded vpon an arte, whereof I am altogether ignorant: thus Madame, you haue heard the cause of contention, in such rude maner as I could best deliuer it. And I dare be bold to speake thus much in the behalfe of Priscus, that for his part, he will referre the iudgement of this de­bate vnto your Ladiship, albeit Nature doeth binde you to be partiall therein, in respect his aduersarie and you be of the same sexe.

Moderatus hauing thus finished his speaches, I referre to your iudgements, amorous gentlemen, who haue wel experienced the passi­ons of languishing louers, whether Florida was not in an extasie for ioy to heare him, that she loued as her owne soule, thus clarkly discy­phering of the qualities and nature of Loue.: hoping that he could not be so perfect in the arte, but that experience had taught him his prin­ciples, and that probatum est had bene his guide, directing his com­passe by so good a leuel, being assured also, that if euer he had tasted of the rinde of the tree, he would reach at the fruite. And therefore hoped that she should not need to be the plaintife in this sute, wherein being a defendant, she meant to suffer a recouerie before he could haue time to be non sute in his action. And you must imagine gentlemen, that Priscus was not idle all this while: for albeit his tongue walked not, yet his minde neuer eeased from thinking, his heart from panting, his eyes onely executing the office of the tongue, so that I thinke no part of Floridas bodie was vnuiewed and looked ouer a million of times, presenting euery looke with a sigh, and euerie sigh ministring a thou­sand doubtfull Dilemmas, what the sequell of his attempted enter­prise would prooue, so that thus bathing him selfe in a sea of confu­sed thoughtes, betweene hope and despaire he rested speechlesse for the time to attende the conclusion of their begunne talke. Cornelius, [Page] Pandarina and Verosa were not at this time altogether a sleepe: for Cornelius had an eye to the gallant beautie of young Verosa, who in respect thereof, was matchlesse, and almost of an incomparable ex­cellencie, her vertuous and modest conuersations being ornaments to decke the rest with a most gracious fauour, that this young. Saint endewed with all these qualities, wanted her peere in all the Dukes Court. Pandarina, narrowly surueying as well the goodly personage of Priscus, as also his gentle disposition, and readie sharpe wit com­mixt with modest grauitie, had a great combate in her mind between Loue and D [...]sdaine, hammering in her braine a million of foolish fan­tasies, to be resolued on the sequell thereof. Thus while Moderatus was occupyed in speaking openly, the rest were not exempt from se­cret and priuate thoughts. Verosa onely excepted, who spent the time onely in giuing attentiue eare to their talke, being altogether eyther ignorant or carelesse of the fantasticall humours of dreaming louers. And after that Moderatus had concluded his begunne speeches, Flo­rida sweetely smiling, descanted somewhat vpon the matter, allowing the venterous courage of Pandarina, not disallowing the subtill rea­sonings of Priscus, referring the equitie of the cause to them that had better skil in the arte, then her selfe. And hauing thus spent some part of time in reasoning pro & contra, at last they agreed betweene them selues, to passe the rest of the time in some merie exercise, to recreate their mindes withall. Cornelius brake silence thus: because we be three men, and you so many women, we will, either of vs by lot, see which of you will happen to be each of our Ladies, and as it then falleth, so shall it continue for this yeere: that is, the woman shall call the man seruant, and the man shall call the woman Ladie and My­stresse. And when they had all consented to this, the three Gentlemen separated them selues from the rest of the companie, and Cornelius chose to him selfe for a fained name, (to take his chaunce in this lot­terie) Troylus: and Priscus named him selfe Hector, and Mode­ratus tooke to name Vlysses: and so returning againe to the compa­nie, they discouered their borrowed names: and then Verosa, because she was youngest, was appointed to haue the first choyce, who hauing heard their names, she said thus vnto them. My Lord Cornelius, and the rest of the gentlemen, you haue chosen names worthie your selues: [Page] the first, being the flower of all Knighthood in the world: the second, a perfect myrrour of a true and faithfull Louer: and the third, the true lantherne of all Ciuill pollicie: and for wisedome, Mercuries own sweet sucking Babe. Wherfore, my selfe being yong, the yong­est best agreeth with my yeeres: and so I chuse for my seruant, (sith it is your owne pleasures so to tearme your selues) Troylus. Cor­nelius, who had taken that name, sayd then, Ladie and Mistresse, you must kisse me for earnest, or else the bargaine is not bound: whereup­on, after a little modest bashfulnesse, that part was finished. And then Florida, who was assented to haue the second place, beganne thus: Vlysses by his wit and pollicie, did more benefit the Grecians in their tenne yeeres siege to the Citie of Troy, then Achilles with all his manhoode, and helpe of his Myrmidones, and I had rather that my seruant should keepe him selfe out of the daunger, as Vlysses: and though vsing his tongue oftner then his Target. yet doing more good therewith, then others the stoutest warriours did with their shields and launces. And were I assured of my chance in this my choyce, I would say with the daughter of Icarus, Penelope coniux semper Vlyssis ero: and therfore let my Seruant be Vlysses. And when herewith she had concluded, Moderatus with good grace said thus: Madame, your happe was the worse to make so bad a choyce, but sith it was your lot, if it be your pleasure to assent thereunto, let me kisse your royall hand in token of your entertainment: to which demande she willingly assented, being glad of her chance, and well pleased with her choyce, though modestie forbade her publikly to discouer the same. Then quoth Pandarina, (allotted last to make choyce, because she was eldest) you haue so pollitikely vsed the matter, that I could not take my fortune, in choosing my selfe which should be my seruant, but I am contented, sith it was my chaunce to light vpon one, without any industrie of mine owne, to giue him the best entertainment I can. And I am glad I haue met with one so valiant as Hector: for when all shifts faile, he wil not stick to combat for his Mistresse: and I wil assure you, my Ladie Florida, if you had heard his pollitike and sub­till reasonings ere-whiles, you would haue iudged him to be a second Vlysses: but howsoeuer pollitike or valiant, or though neither, it is [...]owe no time to refuse what fell to my lot. Then quoth Priscus, let [Page] your seruant haue his earnest pennie, and then you may be right assu­red, he will not sticke either to speake for combate for his Mistresse, with all the wit and strength he hath: whereupon hauing bound the bargaine with a kinde Conge, that acte was concluded. And I sup­pose none to be displeased with his chaunce, without that Priscus re­mained discontented for that he had not obtained Florida for his La­die and Mistresse, in whose handes lay the sentence of his life or death, but neuerthelesse he was well satisfied, his friend hauing that roome which he desired him selfe, hoping nowe that Moderatus vpon this newe accident, should haue a more conuenient opportunitie, to open the matter at large vnto Florida in his behalfe, and by that meanes he might the rather obtaine some comfort in his proceedings. These gay Courtiers being at this time all a-morte, not a word vttered by any, each one hammering in his braine a thousand deuises for their newe entertained passions, in the end Priscus verie faintly, for needes must he be faintie that was fiered with such a brand, quaking like the aspine lea [...]e for feare of offending, yet animated with martiall courage to attempt, thinking it too great a cowardise not to dare to speake, at last brake silence, thus: Noble Prince, faire Ladie, with all you the rest that be of this companie, the priuiledge of my pardon claimed and had, for my presumption in offering (without leaue) to make any mo­tion before them, that I ought and doe obey with reuerence, sith that we haue hitherto bestowed all this afternone in honest recreations, which hath somewhat refreshed our mindes with the exercise thereof, yet as the Hyperborei, which be of the strongest sight, in the ende are become blinde in beholding the brightnes of the sun, though at the first sight they were able to endure the same: so we, without some change of exercise, will soone wearie our selues. And therefore to chaunge our diets from these winter nights exercise, wherewith we haue already begun, to such as shal be fit these fayre sommer dayes, & so to end this daies merriment with musike might very wel agree with the quality of the companie, and condition of the time: and for that my Lady Flo­ridas chamber wanteth not store of instruments, me thinketh, by her leaue, that to be a fitte place to solemnize the same: whereunto they all agreed, and being come to the place, all set in order, it was agreed that euery one should sing a song with his owne Instrument, and that [Page] the Punie should beginne first, and so to succeede orderly according to the prioritie of their ages, so that by this sentence Verosa must be­ginne, and the text must be amorous, or else the sermon can not bee currant, who hauing brought into concord a faire paire of Uirginals, which was harde at hand, shee solemnely chaunted this ensuing Cansong.

[Page] Verosa hauing made an ende of her song, made lowe obeysaunce to them all, and so returned to her former place againe. And Cor­nelius, because his turne was next, called for his Lute, and before he began, thus he spake: Mistresse, how falleth it out, that so faire a Gentlewoman of your time, shuld be thus giuen, I fear me, you wil be a Nunne, if you rest in this opinion a while: take heede, your errour is great, and if you repent not in time, your penance will be the grea­ter, or els your time in purgatorie must be double: for I know well, Cupid is too mightie to be thus skorned of you, who doeth not vse to pardon wilfull offences: and surely, Mistresse, if you continue in this obstinacie, I am sorie that I haue met with one so blinded with heresie.

Verosa, blushing with modest shamefastnesse, said, pardon mee my Lord, in that I haue spoken my minde, as by your commaunde­ment and the rest of the companie, I was appointed, and surely I thinke, what I haue spoken to be rather an errour then an heresie, if it be any offence at all: but though it were neither, and that all I spake should be an vndoubted trueth, yet would I recant therein, ra­ther then loose so honourable a Seruant: And syth you haue thus like a ghostly father giuen me a spirituall counsell, you haue heard my confession, and I am ready to perfourme any penance, that you will enioyne vpon me for my sinnes: By this, Cornelius Lute being come, the company requested that a good concord of his instrument might perfect that conformitie which was in his Mistresse: whereat Cornelius, being nothing displeased, hauing tuned his Lute, warbled out this ensuing Dittie.

[Page] COrnelius hauing warbled out this Dittie, with a smiling coun­tenance, bade them all bee merrie: and Florida, whose course was next, called for an Instrument, and in the meane time spake thus to Cornelius, My Lord, you haue pleaded so cunningly for your great Master Cupid, that sure you deserue a double fee: and no mar­uell, for as it is said, Animo volenti nihil est difficile, and least we should spend so much time in reasoning, that we should want day to finish our begun exercise, I beseech Clio to be mine ayde, and there­withall hauing stretched the strings of her Instrument to the highest note, she sweetely chirped out this Ode.

FLorida hauing warbled ouer this Ode very demurely, sate silent, and Moderatus, who was to follow, hauing his Lute ready for the purpose, first boarded his Lady and Mistresse with this preamble: Sapho was neuer more poeticall in her Muses, nor cunning in her musical Instruments, then you, Madame, prooued your selfe by this so rare demonstration of an excellent Poet, and exquisite Musician. And albeit that it is a greater discommendation then praise, to bee commended of an ill Oratour, yet pardon me, for that I do my good will, and trueth neuer deserueth blame: and therewithall not staying for any replie, he began with a slow and soft voyce, to measure ouer this Cansong.

PAndarina being readie to take her turne in this musical pastime, would not seeme to let Moderatus skill in Musicke and Poetrie vncensured, and therefore thus she said: Master Moderatus, you began so poeticall, persisted so musicall, and ended so sophisticall, that it is hard to iudge, whether you be a souldier of Mars, or a seruant of Venus, but if I be a good interpreter of dreames, Morpheus fauou­red you highly, in giuing you so gentle a warning, shewing before your face a plaine demonstration of the daunger, before you vndertooke the charge: and it is alwayes thought, that altogether, or for the most part, one dreameth of that thing, which he had most in memorie before he slept, whereby it plainly appeareth, that the same which you spake in the person of another, was altogether appropriated vnto your selfe: but if you say, it is not an opponents part to distinguish a question pro­posed, pardon me good sir, your darke description thereof made mee thus much to descant, to see if I did conceiue your meaning, before we should proceede any further.

Moderatus a litle mooued with Pandarinas cōstructiō of his song, was about to replie, but Florida perceiuing the alteration of his colour to grow of choller, beleuing that this dark & obscure narration of his mind touching loue, was only to blind the rest, least thei shuld conceiue his minde towardes her, being very glad, thinking that he was onely mooued, when his scarre was touched, plaid the moderator in dispu­tations betweene them, saying, Concludat iniuria finis, I pray you let vs not stay all day in arguing, least it should be a meane to hinder our musicke, and therewithall tooke Moderatus by the hand, and said, Pacifie your selfe gentle Syr, (for Mistresse Pandarinas censure is but one Doctors opinion) and reserue what you had to speake nowe to a further disputation of all these matters, and so willing Pandarina to proceede in her charge, she sate silent, and Pandarina betooke her to [Page] the Uirginals, and hauing tuned it to her minde, she began to sing thus:

MIstresse Pandarina (quoth Priscus, whose turne was next) I being once almost a sworne foe to Cupid and his Lawes, your most rare and excellent discourse hath nowe altogether reclay­med me from mine errour, and wholly recanting mine heresie, with no lesse then a sorrowfull and penitent heart, hoping a iust absolution to follow so open and franke a confession: and therewithall hauing tu­ned his instrument to his minde, he solemnely desca [...]ted vpon this ensuing Ditty.

[Page]WHen Priscus with a deepe sigh (being now come to a perfect Period) had concluded his song, Florida, hauing searched all her wittes, to deuise meanes to haue some priuate conference with Moderatus, after a competent time of silence each expecting other to speake, said, Be blythe, Gentlemen, and if, as it seemes, you haue cloyed your selues with musicke that it hath caused a surfet, ha­uing in such sundrie formes vsed our tongues, to refresh and recreate our selues, me thinkes it could not be amisse, to digest some of our ful­some stomackes, a litle while to vse our feet, least for want of exercise, they should waxe more stiffe, and we forget our measures: but it is no maruell if we doe commit measures to obliuion, being thus long in conference about a thing that is without measure: for I doe thinke, that there is no Arithmetician so perfect, that can number it: no Geometrician so cunning, that can measure it: no Mathematician so excellent, that can proportion it: no Rhetorician so eloquent, that can describe it: no Poet so conceited, that can inuent a reason thereof: no Astronomer so singuler, that can iudge of it: And to conclude, no Courtier so fine, that can exquisitely countenance it. Wherefore, Gentlemen and friendes, all we haue yeelded our censures thereof, and the wisest Philosopher could doe no more, without a Metaphisicall meane to vnderstand more then Nature euer taught, or the Goddes them selues had the gift to doe: thus to be briefe, in my opinion you haue done all well, hauing diuersely yeelded your iudgements there­of, the thing it selfe being of nature so diuerse. And therefore I thinke it conuenient, that (seeing we haue for the most part spent this day in pleasant recreations) that we should end the same with some exercise, that would bring us to some naturall heate after this colde confecti­on, and tosome appetites to our supper again, after our surfet in amo­rous discourses. And therewithall, the company with silence seeming to agree, Florida called for musicke, which being readie, she willed her brother Cornelius, and his Mistresse to lead the rest: for as they had their turne first in other exercise, so likewise to beginne with this, and she and her seruant would censure of their good skill in Carpet trade, and afterwardes yeelde their cunning therein, to their iudge­ments. So presently they fell all a-dauncing, sauing Florida, and Moderatus, who withdrewe them selues to a Bay windowe, where [Page] Moderatus thought it not best to slippe so good an opportunitie, once to breake a staffe in his friends behalfe, and so after a long preamble, (she attentiuely giuing eare thereunto, supposing it had bene for him selfe) imparted vnto her, vpon a firme and sure promise of secrecie, the whole circumstance of his friendes cause, his birth, Countrey, and friendes, his trauaile past, and the continuance of his present care, the worthinesse of the man, and the feruencie of his loue: omitting no­thing, which he thought might induce her to affect and fancie him. But hereupon Florida perceiuing his drift, could scant suffer him so long a Period: for that very angerly and with bending browes, she commanded him to proceede no further in that sute: and, quoth she, if my friendly countenance hath made you so pieuish, as to abuse my curcesie so much, I will (albeit much vnwilling) plucke away from you the fauor of a friendly affection, which peraduenture might haue kindled in me some fancie towards you, if you had taken in hand that office for your selfe, which so earnestly you prosecute for another. Whereupon Moderatus excusing him selfe with his owne vnworthi­nesse, neuerthelesse commending the desert of his friend, and vrging for him all that he could, was by Florida absolutely commanded to silence, and no more to speake for Priscus, nor to presume to enter her presence, if he seemed to disdaine of her friendly curtesie so frankely offered him. And therewithall not staying for a further replie, flung away in great choller, without any manner of salutation to the rest of the company: whereupon they all dissolued, not a little admiring the cause of Floridas so sudden departure. Moderatus, to auoide suspici­on, affirmed that Florida was not well at ease, all seemed to holde them selues satisfied with this excuse, poore Priscus onely excepted, whose heart was wel-nie sundred for verie griefe, misdeeming the ve­rie true occasion of that accident, yet dissembling his paine as much as he could, with a merrie countenance in outward semblance past ouer the matter for that time, till he might finde opportunitie to con­ferre with his friend therein.

Gentlemen, here may you plainly behold a very actuall Strata­gem of a confused Metamorphosis, wherein Cupid sheweth the force of his power: for first, he so inflamed Priscus with the loue of Florida, (their Parents being mortall foes,) that he came from his Fathers [Page] kingdome, a Countrey farre adiacent, to Liguria to do her seruice, this instimulation proceeding only vpon bare report of her rare beau­tie, blazed by a silly shepheard in a song at a rurall feast, and pastorall sporte obserued by a sorte of Countrey swaynes and shepheardes in honour of their God Pan, and therefore might rather seeme a fa­bulous fiction, then any demonstration of trueth, (whose credulitie therein to fallible fame, may be an holesome admonition for you to auoyde the like, being so erronious, as Cicero verifieth, saying, Credulitas enim error est magis quam culpa.) and the more to wrappe this young nouice in a Laberinth of his owne fonde conceits, he so fauoured his frowarde affection, that causing him to forget the daunger of being continuallie in the handes of his fathers mortall enemie, he brought him from a Prince of Aemulia, to be a vassall and seruitour in her Fathers Court, whereby to obtaine the sight of her, whome he loued more deere then hee did his owne life. The young Gentleman, who had neuer bene a long wayter in Lady Ve­nus Court, measuring the affection of Florida after his owne fer­uent fancie, thought euery smyle a fauour, and euery looke the Ka­lender of true loue: much like the Swallowes, that thinke euery Sunne-shine to be a fayre Summers day, such is the desired con­trarietie of this blinde god, that he maketh the beloued little to esteeme the faithfull and vnfayned zeale of the passionate, and tor­menting louer, that daily offered his humble seruice for the pleasing of his Ladie, which taketh no effect, but rather breedeth contempt and disdayne in her skornefull and proude minde, a too too vnkinde rewarde to so louing a friend. In like manner this Cyprian boy de­lighting in nothing but extremities, contrariwise so inflamed the minde of the young Ladie with the loue of Moderatus, that not onely her affection to him was match-able to Priscus fancie towards her, but also did exceede her patient in loue towardes him, who be­ing not yet mooued with the violent passions of seruent desire, did little regarde the same, though contrarie to Decorum in feminine sexe, she by her owne mouth had giuen him to vnderstand thereof. So much he delighteth in chaungeable nouel [...]yes, that he holdeth not that plea for currant in his Court, which is not like Proteus, that receiueth euery shape, or to the Polip that is apt for euery im­pression, [Page] or to the Cameleon, that turneth it selfe into the likenesse of euery obiect: howe dangerous is it then to warme at his fire, the heate whereof not onely wythereth the bodie, but also wearyeth the minde, which, like the vemme of a Tarantula, deuoureth a man laughing: a pleasing euill, which vnawares bringeth vs to confusion. Well, had Priscus but remembred that a womans eye draweth like the Adamant, and preu [...]deth like the Basiliske, bee woulde not haue come so farre to seeke his owne bane: but trueth it is, Loue is sencelesse and lawlesse, and therefore he that is subiect thereto obeyeth no reason: for needes must hee trotte, whome the Deuill driueth, as the olde Addage is, otherwise Priscus had neuer so blynded him selfe with selfe-will, who nowe hath full experience (hauing with repentance bought the same) in the miserable life of vnfortunate Louers, whose onely staye is but a rotten staffe: for nowe feeling the bitter panges of his tormenting passions to sur­charge him with sorrowe and griefe, hee trembled to thinke of the answere hee should receiue of his assured friend Moderatus, and therefore as one in despayre of his owne lyfe, he fayned an excuse of some vrgent and waighty businesse to bee done with all expedition, which called him (as he sayde) verie much against his will to the dispatch thereof. The rest of the company hauing concluded to suppe together, whereby, with a cuppe of pure wine, to driue downe all their pastimes and sportes, (seeing as he fayned such necessarie bu­sinesse and affayres drewe him from their companie) they woulde stay his friend Moderatus as a pledge of his returne, in hope afore the feast were ended, hee woulde repayre to raunsome him. Where­upon Priscus departed, and they all together seeing the companie bare without Florida, determined first to visite her, and then if her distemperature were not ouer-much, they would intreate her to be their guest, and beare them companie that night: which according­ly they perfourmed, and came all together to her chamber, where she being very melancholy, and hauing a flea in her eare, had cast her selfe vpon her bed, and by this had breathed foorth, not onely a num­ber of grieuous grones and scalding sighes, but also many hard and sharpe inuectiues against Moderatus, that so discourteously has refused her gentle offer: and therefore her former choller something [Page] quallified, Florida, at their comming to the chamber, awaked out of her dumpes, (being verie high minded, and therefore would not be perceiued to mourne for any thing, stept vp vpon a sudden, and said [...] vnto them: now gentle friendes, you haue played the good woodes­men, that hauing wounded the Deare, you followed his tracke so wel, that you came to his denne, where he was ready to breath his last [...] for surely, in good earnest be it spoken, I was so wearyed with this dayes exercise, that my pillowe was my best Phisitian: and there­withall spying Moderatus present, and Priscus away, she thought al was well, and that Moderatus had recanted in his errour, & Priscus become non-sute in his action. And therefore vpon their entreatie, to haue her companie to suppe, she willingly assented to goe with them: and being all come to the place appointed, supper was readie, and they fell roundly to their vittails: for their exercise that day had brought them to good appetites. And repast being done, after a little prattle, being all desirous of rest, they took leaue each of other, & so departed.

Chap. 6.

MOderatus, who (all this while was very sore dis­quieted in minde, his thoughtes wandering at it were betweeen Scilla and Charibdis) could by no meanes deuise how to rid him selfe out of the intri­cate Laberinth he was in: first, the loyall league of friendship betweene him and Priscus, moouing him to great pitie, in that his faithfull endeuour could not take effect to satisfie the desire of his dearest friend: and again, being very pensiue, for that reason and honestie commaunded him to refuse the curteous and gentle offer of the faire Florida: but to be briefe, loue and vertue being at great warres in his minde, Loue hammering in his head a thousand reasons to mooue him to fancie Florida, and assuring him of a sufficient meane to retaine his friendship still with Priscus: Uertue on the other side, forbidding him to violate his faith vnto his friend, [Page] least in so doing he should become hatefull vnto the worlde, and his name growe odious amongst men: in the end vertue hauing gotten the superioritie, (for by nature he was much inclined thereto) he be­thought with him selfe howe he might best further his friend in his Amours, knowing very well that to disswade him from his purpose, was with the Assirian wolues to barke against the starres, and when he had tossed diuers and sundrie deuises in his head concerning the same, none seeming currant, but all impossible, if he remained where Florida might haue knowledge of him: for nowe he iudged that his presence was the greatest let to hinder Priscus determinate purpose, and therefore he determined to remooue that blocke, and so resolued vnawares to any, presently to auoyd the Dukes Court, thinking that when Florida missed him, she would be glad to entertaine Priscus: for that women, hauing once feathered their thoughtes with fancie, would doe no lesse then still ayme at affection: and he knew very wel, there was no fayrer marke for her in all her fathers Court, then Priscus, and thus he concluded with him selfe the next morning to de­part from Albigena. On this determination he went home to his fathers lodging, thinking it not the wisest course to goe to his friend Priscus chamber in the Court, least if he were prest to reueale vnto him the veritie of the matter, it might breed in him such a despaire, that his pretended pollicie would serue for small purpose: who being come to his fathers gate, it was so farre past of the night, that al were in bed: neuerthelesse he repayred to the chamber window of a ser­uant of his Fathers, whome he loued verie faithfully, and called him to open the gate for him, who incontinently so did, and shewed him a chamber to take his rest, whereupon he spake to Baleto, (for so his Fathers man was called, being assured of his fidelitie, which very often had yeelded vnto him many sure pledges of trueth) howe that he was to depart from the Dukes Court vpon some serious businesse, which required a present dispatch, to the executing whereof, he must be furnished with a pilgrimes weede, & therefore gaue him in charge, by morning to prouide such furniture as belonged thereunto: and therewithall deliuered him Crownes sufficient to buy the same, pro­mising also to reward him well for his labour, and so Baleto hyed him about his businesse, and Moderatus betooke him to his ease, who all [Page] this night tooke but small rest, beating his braines sometimes about the course of his trauell, other-whiles calling to memorie howe grie­uously his parents would take his absence, with diuers other occur­rents which happened to come to his minde: and lastly resolued vpon this point, that if he truely discharged the part of a friend, he did not care how his trauell prospered, howe his parents should be grieued, nor howe he should be thought of by his friend. And so peremptorily determining to depart suddenly, he tooke pen, ynke, and paper, and de­uised these ensuing lines to be sent to Florida.

Chap. 7.

MOderatus hauing finished this letter, repaired to the cham­ber of Baleto, to see howe things were in a readinesse, (thin­king it long till he were departed from Albigena) and to deale with him for the conueying of the letter to Florida, where by chaunce he found Priscus page, who had bene foorth so late the night before, that for feare to disquiet his Master, he had taken vp his lodging there, (as often he vsed to doe) whereupon Moderatus did consider with him selfe, that he would be a verie fitte messenger for that purpose, and therefore he tooke him the letter closely sealed, and wished him with conuenient speede to deliuer the same vnto his sister Verosa, wishing her in his name to deliuer it ouer to Florida, according to the direction thereof: Further desiring the page not to make it knowen to any that he had seene him, and the rather to haue him to accomplish his request, he clapt him in the fist with a brace of angels, and tolde him that he was to goe vpon some serious businesse, which he would not haue any to vnderstand thereof. And thus hauing schooled the Page what he had to doe, he bade him hear­tily farewell, and returned to his owne chamber againe, where hee found Baleto readie with all thinges that he lacked for his iourney, wherewith he presently furnished himselfe, and hauing left order with him to excuse his absence to his Parents, and for the doing of his bu­sinesse [Page] which he left vnperfect, he rewarded him well for his labour, and so departed with Auroraes first blush, that he might not be des­cryed of any, passing through gardens and vineyardes (a way verie secret) till he came to the forrest, where we will leaue him as yet not fully determined, which way from thence to bende the course of his trauell. And nowe returne to Priscus, who all the night before had taken very little rest: for that no disquietnesse may be compared to the griefe of minde, wherewith he was continually vexed, and nowe much more then euer before, supposing that Floridas sudden depar­ture was a Kalender of his ensuing calamities: for hauing his barge tossed amids the weltring waues of Fortunes euer-changing surges, Floridas lookes onely guided the sterne, so that for euery wrinckle in her browe, and frowne in her face, he was in daunger of present ship­wracke. The absence of his friend Moderatus also greatly troubled him, both for that he longed to vnderstand his successe with Florida, and also much maruelled, why he came not to bed vnto him the night before, as his manner was: and as thus he studyed vpon these and such other contingents, his Page came in: whereupon he addressed him selfe to be stirring, and the Page busie helping to make ready his Master, the letter sent by him to be deliuered to Florida, fel from his bosome, the which Priscus presently espying, demaunded what it was: the Page lothe (by reason of the charge giuen him by Moderatus) to confesse the trueth, fayned some excuse, (what vpon a sudden came to his head) but neuerthelesse Priscus, by the indorsement thereof, per­ceiued it to be his friend Moderatus hand-writing, and that the di­rection was to Florida, which sight made him very blancke, but bet­ter remembring him selfe, he straightly examined his Page howe he came by the same letter, and what he had in charge to doe therewith, who seeing his Master in some choller, thought it nowe no time to dallie with him, and thereupon presently confessed the trueth. Priscus nowe maruelling what was become of his friend, being great with childe till he might viewe the contentes of his letter, in the ende after long studie, he bethought him of the print of Moderatus signet, which he had in yuorie, and therefore might well open the same without knowledge, whereupon presently vnripping the seale, he perused his friendes lines to Florida, wherein perceiuing the fidelitie of Mode­ratus, [Page] and the great crueltie of Florida, he grew very melancholy and passionate for his friend, in so much that he beganne to quake like the Aspine leafe, falling therewith vpon a sudden to a very daunge­rous feuer, which forced him not onely to keepe his chamber, but al­so to embrace his pillowe: but neuerthelesse sealed the letter a-new, and commaunded his Page to doe therewith as his friend Modera­tus had giuen him in charge, which the Page accordingly perfour­med, but the letter being come to Floridas hand, and vnderstanding the same to come from Moderatus, she was the gladdest woman in the worlde, thinking it had bene a rec [...]ntation of his former follie, and therefore presently opened the same, and read ouer his lynes, viewing and reuiewing euery worde in particular: the agonie of this sudden sight tormenting her so much, that she was skant able to keep her countenance, whylest shee fayned some businesse to send away Verosa, which deliuered the same letter vnto her; who being gone, she secretly conueyed her selfe to her closet, and began thus to medi­tate vpon the matter.

Ah Florida, what meaneth this alteration? and whereof pro­ceedeth these vnwonted passions? hast thou bene courted of so many braue and gallant Gentlemen? sued vnto and sought by so manie worthie Personages, and seruice offered vnto thee by so many noble Lordes: all which thou heldest in disdaine, skorning Cupides Alarums, and condemning for superstition Aphrodites Orisons: and nowe like the Beetle (hauing nesteled in the Sunne all day, is contented with a Cowsharde for shelter at night,) art, not onely for­ced to be the formost souldiour to march, when Cupid soundeth his trumpet, and both to decke Venus shrine at Paphos with flowers, and to offer incense at her Altar for sacrifice: but also ouercome with base and seruile thoughtes, art (contrarie to the qualitie of thy sexe) driuen to offer the fauour of thy affection to thy vassall, yea, an vp­start, not knowen whence he came, onely by thy Fathers bountie preserued from famishing, and from a beggar aduaunced to dignitie, and he thus vnkindely to rewarde thy curtesie with so slender a re­gard of thy friendly offers. O vniust Fortune, that workest these strange stratagemes, and procurest thus my preiudice: but trueth it is, thou hast as many frownes as smiles, who fawning like the Tigre [Page] when hee meaneth most harme: and shewing foorth a sowre and frowning countenance, doeth prognosticate fayre weather at hande: for after a great storme, followeth a pleasant caulme. But what Florida, is it possible that Moderatus is gone? or writeth thus vn­to thee to trye thy patience? no, Moderatus is too wise to iest in these matters, gone hee is too sure. O vnkinde churle, that thus repayest my loue with hate, and requitest my ardent desire with peremptorie and colde disdaine, resembling the Cedar, which is most fayre in sight, but yet bringeth no fruite: or the Nightingale, that hath a most sweete voyce, but ranke flesh: so thou, seeming as simple as a Doue in outwarde semblance, yet in minde as cruell as a fu­rie, or a rauening lyon. What nowe, Florida? wade not too farre in these inuectiues, before thou considerest the cause aright: for a rash iudgement doeth but seldome sauour of Iustice: Moderatus sued vnto thee for his friend, and thou wouldest haue him conuert the same for him selfe: glad hee woulde haue bene so to doe, but that his amitie with Priscus did forbid him to falsifie his faith vnto his friend: so that hee had rather (though to his great griefe) re­fuse thy offer, and forsake his most louing and carefull Parents, and all his deere friendes, then he would be founde disloyall and treache­rous in his friendshippe: oh rare and wonderfull great faith, and worthie to bee had in great estimation amongest all men, whome the force of loue could not mooue, the displeasure of a Princesse coulde not feare, t [...]e losse of kinde and naturall Parents coulde not cracke, nor the hardnesse and daunger of a Pilgrimes life, (which euery mo­ment is subiect to the storme of waywarde destinie) could bend: then Florida, seeing that Moderatus preferred his friendes welfare be­fore his owne, and that he chose rather to preiudice his owne person, then any way to hinder Priscus: and desired in his last farewell, that thou wouldest suppose him to be present in the habite of his friend: for that they had but one minde to their two distinct bodies. Thinke th [...]n of the worthines of Priscus, who loueth thee as his owne life, and hath sustained such hard penance for thy sake, that more thou couldest not wish thine enemy, & lesse had bene too much for one that loued so faith­fully: & now entertaine him with some comfort at his intreaty, whom thou so tenderly didst loue: but what, Florida, wilt thou so soone yeeld [Page] to fonde affection, as to loue thy Fathers mortall foe? hast thou none to fancie, but the sonne of Lothus King of Aemulia, that so often hath vexed thy father and his subiectes? and haply vnder colour of profes­sing loue vnto thee, pretendeth some treason vnto thy father, seeking rather to drawe some of his subiectes from their allegiance, then to match with his daughter in marriage. Ah, but where rouest thou fond Florida, thou doest measure his inwarde intencion by thy suspicious cogitation, and is it not a Maxime in the Ciuill lawe, that suspition is no proofe, where it is said, Factum consistit in externo & corpo­rali actu, animus in tacito & incorporali intellectu, vnde in animi effectus non potest cadere facti euidentia: & thou deemest Priscus to circumuent treason, who not onely assureth trueth in his wordes, but also manifesteth the same in action: for if he had thought to sur­prise thy father with treacherie, he would not haue suffered him selfe to bee discouered vnto thee. And what though his father and mine were and are still foes, might we not neuerthelesse be friendes? yea, and our friendshippe be an occasion of amitie betweene our Parents? seeing their hate is not deadly, but growen of vnkindnesse, and some ostentation and desire of superioritie. And by this match both Pro­uinces might be vnited together, that it might not onely preserue the liues of a number of their subiectes, but also arme them selues with such strength, that no stormie blast of sinister Fortune might shake the foundation of any of them both. Loue then Florida, for the worthines of the man willeth thee so to doe: his birth and Parentage are suffi­cient pledges of honourable patrimonie, and his personage and beha­uiour are liuelie portratures and perfect Mappes of true Nobilitie: his merite is farre aboue thy desart, and his faithful heart (tryed with the touchstone of trueth) excellethall: so that I thinke nothing wan­ting in him, that might be wished for in an honourable Gentleman, or a loyall louer. Heere fetching a deepe sigh, Florida made a verie long Period: Cupid nowe hauing founde her as a wanton playing the trewand, had whipped her with nettles to requite all her former coynesse, and therefore she began to forget her deerest Moderatus, and to imprint in her thoughtes the liuely Idea of Priscus perfect shape, verifying the olde Addage,

[Page] Thus making a vertue of necessitie, hauing none other at this time worthie entertaining, she resolued to frame her countenance so mildly towardes Priscus, that (if heretofore shee had giuen him a cooling carde for his hote desire, which might driue him to despaire) now hope might giue him comfort, that opportunitie would be a good plea to further his action: deuising with her selfe by what meanes she might best giue Priscus to vnderstand of her newe conceiued affection, who being in this solemne meditation, came in some of her gentlewomen, with whome she passed the time away, remaining in a kinde of long­ing desire, till good fortune should bring them once together: Priscus all this while kept his bed, his ague being so extreeme, that the re­port thereof was publikely knowen, and the absence of Moderatus vnderstoode, which caused great heauinesse throughout al the Dukes Court in general: for that he was verie curteous and bountifull vn­to all, and therefore greatly beloued of all: his Parents and friendes greatly grieued therewith, especially because they knewe not the cause of his departure, nor where to send in quest of him. The Duke and the Duchesse tooke it also very heauily, for that they entirely lo­ued Moderatus for his Gentlemanly qualities, vertuous conditions, sober life, and diligent seruice. Thus a good space was his departure greatly bewayled throughout the whole Citie of Albigena, all com­forting Priscus, supposing the losse of his friend to be the cause of his disease, the which Moderatus Parents noted in him presently: for being verie often with him, sometimes hee would raue, and be as it were franticke, and then he neuer ceased to call vpon his friend Mo­deratus, the which being vnderstood, they tooke verie great care of him, and gaue in charge to Verosa tenderly to looke vnto him, and to cherish him in his sickenesse, which the Phisicians helde daungerous, though not mortall. Verosa for her brothers sake, that was his friend, (his owne curteous and gentle behauiour deseruing no lesse) willingly assented so to doe, in perfourmance of her Parents com­maunde, and of good will vnto him: and amongest other times, Florida and Pandarina once did beare her companie: for that both of them indeed could haue bene contented to haue comforted him in the best sort they could, although in outward shewe they dissembled: who being come to the Patients chamber, they found him very sicke, yet [Page] at the latter ende of his fitte, which made them offer them selues a while to keepe him chat, to beguile the tediousnesse of the time. Pris­cus faynt as he was, very heartily gaue them thankes, who espying Florida, (being very neere his bed, and taking him by the wrist to feele his pulse, and asking him whether the day of his Crisis was past) was almost in a sounde to beholde her, that had thus wrought all his preiudice: the which Florida perceiuing, gaue him verie com­fortable wordes, and cherished him verie tenderly, and bade him take heart, for that a valiant minde is neuer knowen but in extremi­tie, as the pure golde in the furnace. Priscus well noted her wordes, which somewhat did lighten his heart, albeit hee much maruelled, from whence this sudden kindnesse had proceeded, after so cruell a sentence pronounced against him, holding it for authenticall, that na­turally fire and water coulde not agree in one substance, nor yet loue and hate so to concurre in one person, that so suddenly the one should expulse the ether: experience hauing taught him, that the lowest shrubbe groweth not to his full height in a moment, that flaxe will not burne at the sight of the fire, and that Floridas deadly hatred could not so soone be conuerted to loue and affection: yet he called to minde howe the tallest blade of Spattania groweth to his full height in an instant, that the hard stone Calcire, which can be bruised with no mettall, is resolued into liquor with the heate of the Sunne, and that a womans heart is like waxe, which is apt for euery impression, and therefore (forgetting that Ouid said, Spes dea sed fallax) hee nowe builded a-fresh vpon hope, and iudged all to the best. Where­vpon Florida perceiuing his colour something to mend, his pulses moderately to mooue, and he somewhat to rouse him selfe in bed, told him how his Mistresse Pandarina came to visite him, who presently tooke Floridas tale by the end, excusing her selfe, in that she had not oftener comforted him in his sicknes, alleadging till then, that she was ignorant thereof: interchanged curtesie to and fro past between them. Priscus nowe prettily well recouered, and very iocund, as it were, with the gentlewomen, Cornelius the Dukes sonne, with other Courtiers his companions and friends, came to visite Priscus, who said that he was glad to see him so well: then quoth Priscus, I pray you thanke the Gentlewomen, whose presence hath made me to for­get [Page] my passionate ague: well, quoth Cornelius, sith (Gentlewo­men) you haue begun to be pleasing to Priscus, I would you would so continue, and we would giue you our assistance therein, and I doe thinke some discourse to beguile the time would doe well, to recre­ate his minde a little, which is greatly wearyed with the violent pas­sions of his long sickenesse. Then quoth Pandarina, seeing you do appoint the pastime, you will giue vs leaue to make choyce of the matter: if you be opponent, (quoth Cornelius) on Gods name pur­pose your question, and you shall see, though we be old trewandes, that we haue not forgotten all our sophistrie. No, quoth Florida, we must not hold the diseased patient with such long ambages, which wil cleane tyre him, and so augment his griefe, but rather with some short discourse to make him sharpe and hungry, and not to cloy him with too much, to procure surfet. Hereunto they all agreed, and that Florida should appoint the text, and then all they to draw cutts, who should discourse thereupon. Then (quoth Florida) let the proposition be: Whether outward Beautie, or inward Bountie deserueth most praise, or is of greatest force to procure loue. The theame being giuen, it fell to Cornelius lot to be the Orator, who was of a verie sharpe and quicke wit, and withall, verie desirous to shew his cunning before Verosa, whom he had so viewed with the eye of fancie, that the respect of his honour could not hinder him from entring a plea in Venus court: & framing him selfe to the performance of his charge, lending an amorous glaunce to Verosa, which she presently noting, died her cheeks with such vermilion taint, that Aurora blushing at the sight of vnacquainted Phaeton, seemed not so glorious of hue: and so proceeded to his matter thus. Well, gentle friendes, you may see how vniust the fates be in their fauors, & the destinies in their dooms, alwaies laying the greatest burthen on him that is least able, working all things by extremities, keeping a mean in nothing but being out of measure, alwaies spurring that horse which had most need of a bridle: nor contented with any thing but impossibilities, taking delite to haue vs seeke to reach aboue Ela, when skant we can attaine vnto Solfa: for if they had not bene iniurious in their constellations, they had not amongst so many (far better skilled then my selfe) haue allotted me (which for the most part am ignorant in O [...]ids principles) to make a [Page] distinction in loue betweene Beautie and Bountie, a matter too high for my meane capacitie: but neuerthelesse, seeing Fortune hath de­creed it to bee so, and that you doe expect the same, I will neither contrarie her in her absolute commaundes, nor deceiue you in your wished expectation, condicionally you take in good part, what vpon the sudden my simple skill may affoorde: thus not doubting but the gen­tlewomen will either quite fall a-sleepe, or else play with their little dogges, when first they shall heare my rude methode, I will to the matter, least I should shape Hercules shooe for a childes foote, and so be iustly rather condemned for my follie, then indifferently thought of for my curiositie.

First therefore, because the principall matter in this case to bee considered, is loue: we must knowe both the nature and seate there­of, before we can proporcion our compasse to leuell at our desire: the which, as some Philosophers haue decyphered, is but a secret inspi­ration of the soule, inducing a man to affect and fancie such things, as nature hath metaphysically ingraffed in the minde to delight thereof: for otherwise we should not see some one to fancie the beautie of the bodie, another the vertue of the minde, another to fancie for riches sake, though neuer beautifull nor wise: thus as loue proceedeth by these, and by manifolde and sundrie other wayes and meanes, so I thinke euery one to affect most of all those qualities in another, wher­with they are them selues furnished: for as the Rauen and the Ape thinke their yong ones fayrest, so euery one naturally valueth his owne giftes and qualities most singular and of greatest estimation, so much they are blinded with the loue thereof. Semblably in my opi­nion, true and perfect loue can not bee but betweene equales, at least wise in disposition and consent of minde, according as the Prouerbe is, Similis gaudet simili, so that the nature of the person entertai­neth the consent to fancie, and the ratifying of affection. Moreouer, loue might bee well compared to the shadowe vpon a Horologe, or to the grasse vpon the earth: for the one, you may perceiue it to haue mooued, and the other to haue growen, but you can not see and dis­cerne the one moouing, nor the other growing: so of loue, well may you feele the smart beeing once snared therewith, and so secretly doth he take possession in the minde, that better you may perceiue him to [Page] haue entred, then take him with the manner: for first it swimmeth in the eye, and then secretly stealeth into the heart, being of nature so subtill, that perfectly to decypher the nature thereof, is a thing meta­phisicall and aboue nature. The reasons therefore that should induce vs to loue, should be things like it selfe, that is, rare, singular, and per­fect, and as it is a thing heauenly and diuine: so in humane creatures, we should fancie and affect those giftes which are seated in the minde, which is immortall and heauenly, & not in the body, which is brittle and transitorie: Beautie is a gift much to be commended, but Boun­tie is a vertue more to be respected: Beautie pleaseth the eye for a moment, which like the dayes in Aprill begin with a Sunne-shine, and end with a showre: but Bountie is an ornament of the minde, which, like the Camomell, the more it is trodden the thicker and better it groweth: or to the pomander, that yeeldeth the sweetest sent, when it is most of all chafed. Yet neuerthelesse, was it not the Beautie of Helen that mooued Paris so to fancie her, that he coulde not liue without her? was it not likewise the comelinesse of Aeneas personage, that caused Dido to loue him so much, that she killed her selfe by reason of his absence? and was it not also the Beautie of Cresed, which made Troilus so to languish for her, that he was at the point of death? Infinite more examples I could produce, where Beautie alone without the helpe of Bountie, haue inueagled the be­holders thereof vnaduisedly to intertaine fancie: for as there is no­thing more pleasing and precious to the eye, so there is nothing more brittle and fading, being but a pleasant bayte to intrappe the minde, which well might be compared to a bauens blaze, the which as it is violent, can not be permanent: or to the apples in Arabia, which be­gin to rot before they be halfe ripe. Wherefore, by howe much the minde doeth excell, and is of greater estimate then the bodie, by so much is the vertue of the one to be preferred before the beautie of the other, which made Diogenes to say to a beautifull youth, much belo­ued for his faire complexion, O fond yong man, why doest thou not studie to conuert the louers of thy bodie, to be louers of thy minde. Aristotle being demaunded, howe happened it that we held commu­nication longer, and more willing with a beautifull bodie then ano­ther, answered, that blinde persons vsed so to doe: for that they per­ceiue [Page] not the brittlenesse of the beauty, but the forme and grace of the colour. Aristotle in another place calleth beautie, the spurre of fame. Diogenes said it to be a great gift of nature: Socrates, the violence of a short time: Plato, the prerogatiue of nature, which happeneth but to a fewe: Theophrastus tearmeth it a silent fraud, which perswa­deth without wordes: Theocritus, a glistering miserie, which is ple­sant to the sight, but the cause of many inconueniences: Carneades, a kingdome without gouernour, for that the beautifull commaunde what they will, without compulsion or force. Thus you may see the opinion of diuerse philosophers touching beautie, which neuerthelesse I will assure you, is of great force to procure loue, and that made Ci­neas the philosopher to say, that the gods them selues in framing thereof, went beyond their skill: for that the maker was subiect to the thing made: and true it is, for what made Iupiter to transforme him-selfe into the likenesse of a Swanne to beguile Leda, and into a Bull to rauish Europa: what transformed Neptune vnto a horse, and Mercurie vnto a Goate, but beautie? what meoued Apollo to be in loue with Daphne? what caused Bacchus to fauour Gnosida, but beautie? well then, if beautie was of such force to stirre the mindes of the Gaddes to affection, what maruell is it, if mortall wightes and humane creatures had not the power, for to withstande the sharpe assaultes of his piercing beames: for who so lookes vpon the Sunne, if he be not Eagle eyed, becommeth stone blinde, and he that gazeth on beautie, vnlesse his heart be as hard as Adamant, will presently be inueagled therewith. So that as I thinke, beautie in­duceth the minde to affection, and bountie bindeth vp the match with the consent of the heart: Beautie winneth, and Bountie conserueth, but either of them by it selfe, though for a small time it might pro­cure liking, yet in the ende it would growe to loathing: wherefore, that loue that should be founded vpon beautie alone without vertue, would with that glorious hewe and fading gloze vanish away: for what loue should remaine, when the thing beloued were lost? againe, the loue grounded vpon bountie without beautie, although for a sea­son it might be conserued with the habite of vertue, yet in the ende would it growe lothesome, much like a feast stored with plentie of fine eates and daintie dishes, and all these serued in vncleane vessels, the [Page] place of repast being also a dungeon full of stentch and filthinesse: fi­nally, Beauty might well be compared to the wieke of a candle, and Bountie to the tallowe: for the wieke by it selfe being lighted, is but a flash, and will presently out againe: and the tallowe put in the fire, will make a flame, yet quench immediatly: but the tallowe and the wieke wrought together, will euer holde light while the substance doeth last. Thus you may see that Beauty by it selfe is fading, Boun­tie by it selfe is vnpleasant, and so neither without other durable: wherefore I thinke both very requisite to obtaine and preserue loue. Thus to be briefe, my conclusion is that Beautie is a rare gift, but Bountie a singular vertue: Beautie for a small time garnisheth the bodie, but Bountie perpetually adorneth the minde. Wherefore as Acops an hearbe not fayre to the sight, nor pleasant to the smell, yet of a singular and secret vertue, is much preferred before the glori­ous, yet infectious Aconitum: so Bountie, though in neuer so hard a complection, being of such a precious operation, is to be preferred before the royall apparicion of Beautie, which is but fading and mo­mentarie: but this I allowe, that Bountie and vertue, by howe much as it is in the more beautifull complection, by so much it is the more commendable. And therefore to conclude. I say, that Beauty encreaseth fancie, and Bounty nourisheth affection, but both ioyned together be both rare and singular, which may procure the most wa­uering Cresed and dissembling Aeneas to be faithfull and constant.

Chap. 8.

HEre Cornelius finished his discourse, and all allow­ed of his censure, chiefely Verosa, who hauing cu­riously surueyed in her mind the exquisite perfecti­on of young Cornelius, she seemed nowe to like of loue, as the Hyperborei do of licorice, wherwith at night they allay their thirst, hauing in the morning spurned it with their feet: yet for that hitherto her brest had not yelded [Page] to the stroke of the hammer, wherewith Cupid did vse to forge fan­cie vpon the anduill of desire, she manfully resisted the fresh alarums of incroching affection, her meane birth and hard fortune disabling her, nay rather putting her out of all hope that Cornelius meant to seeke her in the way of matrimonie: thus striuing with her new pas­sions, and dissembling her new conceiued loue in outward apparance, she made no semblance of alteration.

The sicke Gentleman readie to faint for wearinesse, Florida standing close by his bed side, (all the rest of the companie being in conference something further off) she gaue him very comfortable wordes, assuring him when he would be able to walke abroade, she would reward him with the due hyre of all his deserued trauailes: praing him to satisfie him selfe with those fewe wordes, till opportu­nitie would offer them more conuenient time for the same: for, quoth she, I haue suspicious heads in my companie, and therefore can not doe as I would, but in the meane time, take this for a pledge of my affection, and so giuing him a sweete kisse vpon his colde lips, with interchaunged glaunces, they bade each other adewe, and the rest of the companie in like sorte taking their leaue of the sickely Patient, departes, Cornelius, as they were all stirring to goe foorth, had opportunitie to deliuer to Verosas handes a skrowle, wherein he had painted out the feruencie of his fancie vnto her, which he carryed about him for that purpose: whereupon Verosa began to feele her heart warmed, with a secret and priuie flame that lay wrap­ped in her bosome, which secret mysterie contained in the amorous poeme deliuered her by Cornelius, the contents whereof she greatly longed to suruay: and therefore secretly slipt away from all the com­panie, and conueyed her selfe to her chamber, where locking her selfe fast within, least she should be interrupted of any, she began to per­use his lines, which were as hereafter followeth, or to like effect.

AFter that she had perused this fancie, she felt her heate to in­crease, and her selfe altogether ouercome with the cunning sleightes of Aphrodites little wanton, that secretly had nowe stollen into her minde, and bended the same to stoupe to affection: for being young and tender, she was apt for any forme or impression. And thus feeling her minde boyling in the furnace of feruencie, she began to consider more aduisedly of the matter, supposing Cornelius but ac­cording to the manner of youth, to lust after her beautie, and not to [Page] meane any trueth or honestie, knowing well, that vnder the fayrest flowers did often lye the most deadlyest poyson, and that the Panther hath a noysome breath, though a painted skinne. Euen so the fayrest speaches many times did containe the greatest fraud and deceite: one while she called to minde her meane estate and his high calling, which was such a cooling carde to her hote ague, that she was voyde of hope to finde any thing but dissimulation in him: another while, wayghing how vnlikely her hope was to take effect, though Cornelius had for his part meant all things faithfully and truely, being right assured the Duke his father would neuer assent thereunto. And finally shee considered, what great discommoditie it was to sustaine the yoke of marriage: and the great ease, quietnes of minde, and due merite of a single and sole life, preferring the quiet state of the most simple and poorest virgine, before the rich robes, dainty dishes, sumptuous buil­dings, and all the ambicious ostentation of the stateliest matrone in the worlde. And when she had breathed a little vpon this Period, she began againe to peruse Cornelius fancie, making a full point at euery word, and at euery point a sigh interlaced with some brinish teares, that like orient pearles trilled ouer the ro [...]et of her cheeks, finding it impossible to resist the batteries of loue, she verifieth Horace sayings, Lectus genialis in aula est, nil ait esse melius nil prius coelibe vita si non est iurat bene solis esse maritis: & therewithal yssued forth tho­row a litle by gallerie vnto the cōmon garden, wherby both to refresh her selfe with the aire, & also taking delight in beholding some thing abroad, where being come, the first obiect that presented him selfe to her sight was Cornelius, who all alone (being very melancholy) wal­ked of purpose right vnder her chamber windowe, to see if he might take a view of his deerest mistresse. Verosa and Cornelius with the sudden sight of each other were driuen vnto such an extasie, that for a while, the eyes onely in stead of their tongues deliuered the message of the minde: but at the last Cornelius remembring him selfe to bee a man, and therefore more animated by nature then she, beganne his proposition thus:

Sweete mistresse, thinke it not strange to see me thus long silent, for that with the sudden viewe of your presence I was so metamor­phosed, that I had bene like (with Acteon) to be transformed vnto [Page] some newe shape: and if I faile in deliuering my mind, it is the faint­nesse of my passion that procureth the same, being as fearefull to dis­please, as I am feruent and desirous to attempt: it is said, that loue doeth make men Oratours, but it seemeth vnto me otherwise, for that (in my opinion) the sight of the obiect which a man so much de­sireth, robbeth him of the sence of the minde: and this is it, that made Mars to be mute, when he wrung Venus by the hand. Wherefore, sweete Verosa, thinke the feruencie of my fancie to supplie the lacke I haue in vttering the same. I could with long ambages discourse of my loue, but seeing in many words lyeth mistrust, & that the trueth is bare, & needeth no glorious shewes to garnish it selfe: let this suf­fice, Cornelius loueth Verosa, & his hart can fancie none but Verosa.

Albeit that this pleased Verosa very well, yet stood she in great doubt, least this his protestation was but a fayned glose to couer his fraudulent intention, and not a settled loyaltie grounded vpon any faithful resolucion: yet notwithstanding thinking it no pollicie to driue him away with repulse: least by her coynesse she should procure her owne discontent, and being in this minde betweene feare and hope, she framed him this answere. Honorable seruant, (if the law-maker do not him selfe breake the law, I may without offence so call you) al­though I am a maiden, and therefore of no great capacity, & also Ve­rosa, whose innocent simplicitie can not search forth the intricate qui­dities of sophistry, yet am I not so voide of all vnderstanding, as to swallow the hooke because it hath a painted baite, and to sup poyson because it is tempered with hony: for they which do think euery look to be loue, euery smile to be a fauor, & euery word which the amorous louer speaketh, to be an oracle, shall no doubt for euery dram they re­ceiue of sweet content (while thus they blinde them selues with selfe­conceit) reape whole tunnes of sorrowful mishaps, blaming their own credulitie, & cursing the poysoned entisements of alluring vanity, who hauing forgotten Ciceroes principle. Deliberandum est diu quod statuendum est semel, run headlong to do that in haste, which after­wards they may haue iust cause to repent at leisure. O my L. Corne­lius, are not mens tongues resembled to Mercuries pipe, which could inchant Argus with his hundred eies, & be as preiudicial vnto vs silly maides as the sorcering cups of Circes, whose taste though sweet, yet [Page] the operation is pestilent and monstrous. Wherefore when such mu­sicke is plaid, we had neede to stoppe our eares, least the melodie ther­of would animate vs to follie, and so by suspecting little and trusting much, we should wholly cast our selues away: yet pardon me, Cor­nelius, in that I do suspect, for thereby I do feare, but not condemne. You would make me beleeue that Cornelius is in loue with Verosa, he is a Prince of great renowne, she a meane and exiled Gentlewo­man, whose base fortunes maketh her ashamed to enter parlie with Cornelius: he an heire of great patrimonie, & she allotted to a poore and simple dowrie. Can loue be shrowded vnder the habite of contra­rieties? will the Eagle nestle with the Owle? or the Lyon harbour in the same denne with the wolfe? or can there be any simpathie of affection betweene a royall Prince and a homelie and simple mayde? And howe can I beleeue, that (when fortune hath allotted such diffe­rence betweene our degrees) our thoughtes could be vnited in loue, sith in the knitting of affection, Aurum est causa sine qua non: for loue without wealth is like the Cedar tree without fruite, or fire without fewell: suppose then you fancie my beauty, wherewith you will be shortly so glutted, that taking a surfet thereon, you will vo­mite it vp with repentance, and so that which earst seemed most plea­sant and delectable, will become odious and lothsome, especially to such as loue with euery looke, who like the Pirte stone freeze inward­ly, when they seeme outwardly to burne, and like the serpentine pou­der that will quickely take fire, but presently be quenched, verifying the Prouerbe, Soone ripe soone rotten. Cornelius, to cut her off from this inuectiue, thought it fitter to ioyne issue with her, then to let her proceed any further therein, began thus.

It were very absurd, Verosa, of particular instances to inferre a conclusion generall: what though some did like for profite sake, and doeth it therefore argue, that all should tye their affections to wealth and riches? are Venus shrines to be furnished with coyne, or her deity to be adored with a loyall and louing heart? is Cupid to be feed with golde, or to be obeyed in his absolute commaund with constancie? thinke you Verosa, that Cornelius the sonne of renowmed Deuasco, will harbour such base thoughtes and seruile conceites? as to prize substance more then honour, and to measure his amours by fading [Page] pelfe, not by lasting vertue? no, no Verosa, thinke not so, but rather beleeue this Maxime to be true, that in loue there is no laeke: for it brooketh no exception of want: and where affection is Generall of the field, there alwayes either Plentie pitcheth his pauilion, or Con­tent so tempereth lacke with reason, that the defect of the one is fur­nished with the vertue of the other. Why then, what doubt, sweete Verosa, if of my constancie, suspect not before you haue cause: for I will assure you, no straggling Aeneas shall prooue me fleeting, nor any false Iason conclude me fraudulent: what though the Pirte stone burne outwardly and freeze inwardly, that argueth not my heart to be of that operacion: and albeit the Serpentine powder (as you say) will presently kindle, and quickely out againe, yet the Salamanders stone once set on sire will neuer be quenched: and of this make bolde, Verosa, that no disaster Fortune shall driue me to make a shipwrack of my affection, nor yet the bitter frownes of hard aduersitie cause me to alter fancie: wherefore, deare Mistresse, yeeld me not chaffe for pure corne, drosse for tryed mettall, and to conclude, repay not my ardent and loyall loue with colde and coye disdaine: for beleeue me, and let this word conclude all, I loue Verosa, and I hate my life if I be not loued againe of Verosa: with this conclusion, Corneli­us sealing his Plea with a deepe sigh, expected answere, and Verosa supposing that his passion proceeded of pure loue, and not of wanton lust, desirous to driue him out of doubt with assurance of her fidelity, briefely returned him this answer.

Ah Cornelius, the iuyce of Selandine is sweete, but it fretteth deadly, and your wordes be pleasant but they might pretend a preiu­dice: yet neuerthelesse, I am neither so faint hearted as not to dare to beleeue, nor yet so curious to mistrust, but that I may promise to loue Cornelius, and also faithfully perfourme the same, so it be with­out disparagement of mine honour, which is the onely Iewell I haue in this my declining estate. Wherefore, sweete Cornelius, sith that nowe you are Master of the fortresse you so lately besieged, vse your victorie with such clemencie, that you reap not thereby defame, nor I repentance: wherewith he wrung her hand, and she blushed, and presently both banishing feare, louingly imbr [...]ced, and sealed vp the couenant with a lease of sweete kisses.

Chap▪ 9.

ANd as thus they swimmed in the seas of their sweete content, the young Lord Deualoyes entred the garden, which brake vp the conference of these new Louers, least there might be conceiued any suspicions of their affections, and so Verosa retur­ned in great haste the same way she came, giuing (with a glaunce) such a kind farewell to Cornelius, that with Apollo he would haue pursued Daphne flying, had it not bene to discouer him selfe and his fancies to his coozen Deualoyes, whose presence preuen­ted the same. Cornelius was very glad to haue brought his purpose to so good an end, referring the sequel of further conference till oppor­tunitie would giue him leaue. And so leauing them in the simpathie of their pleasing desires, I will returne to Priscus, who all this while lay sicke of his ague, the extremitie whereof had brought him verie lowe, yet he daily mended since the comfortable preparatiue he had receiued at Floridas hands, the only surgeon that could cure his ma­ladie: reason being so blinded with fancie, that he had wholly forgot­ten, that his affection to Florida had procured the l [...]sse of his friend, and finding her looks as attractiue as Iet, he perceiued him selfe too weake to withstand the force thereof, so that yeelding to the necessitie of his passion, he continued certaine dayes not thoroughly recouered, though wel amended, in which time the Gentlewomen, and the Lords of great account came daily to comfort him, which was a good meane to weare away that wearisome disease, which in the end being cleane shakt away, fortune offered him very conuenient opportunitie, to ap­point a meeting to haue secret conference with Florida, which was appointed to be the next morning in that artificiall paradice, I meane that Priuie garden, wherein first he had discouered his affection vn­to her: and Priscus hauing obtained a graunt of that which was his chiefest desire, tooke small rest this night, meditating vpon the suc­cesse of his fortunes the next day: and by that Phoebus appeared in the East, he quickely hyed him to the place of meeting, and there [Page] missing of Florida, because it was so timely he sate downe in a fine harbour, where with the musicall harmonie of the birdes, the pleasant murmure of a Christalline spring that there was, together with the wearinesse of his bodie, (being so long exempt from any rest) lulled him a-sleepe, in which time Florida mindfull of her promes, repay­red thither also, who sitting by that sweete Helicon to driue away thoughtes, melodiously warbled out this insuing Dittie.

FLorida hauing thus finished her Dittie, Priscus awaked with the sound thereof, would do no lesse then pay her her debt in the same coyne, whereupon he descanted this ensuing fancie.

PRiiscus with this note finished his song, and presently hyed him to the place where Florida was: where saluting her after the best manner he could, shee gaue him very friendly entertainment, Priscus of a long time could not frame him selfe to speake to Florida, till she did (as it were) glaciem secare, taking occasion first to shewe him his friend Moderatus letter vnto her: the which albeit he had seene it before, yet perusing the contents, he tooke very heauily the losse of so deare a friend, which Florida perceiuing, began to shake him out of his dumpe thus:

Why how now, Priscus, what meaneth these sighing sobbes, which may rather breede your harme then any hope of reliefe, take heede least in complaining before you haue cause, (fortune offended with your vniust accusation) a iust occasion of repentance may follow. And if these straying passions proceed of my gentlenesse vnto you, I am sorie to haue bene so ouer-liberall of mine honour, in entertaining you with such kindnesse: if your griefe be for your friend, then reason doubtlesse may well satisfie a reasonable man to be reformed in such an error: for ought you more to regard a little trauell which your friend endureth in forren and strange countryes, (where he gayneth more honour by the title and name of a traueller, besides knowledge and experience, which be two so rare and speciall iewels, then would many thousand times counteruaile the labour or daunger of his pil­grimage) then the loue of Florida, which once you seemed to prize of greater value then your owne life. Sure I must thinke if you doe so, that either you did then counterfet, or nowe dissemble, either of which are two too base qualities for an honourable minde. And Mo­deratus, no doubt, will returne hither againe, when he may vnder­stand that all goeth well with you, which daily he may heare where­soeuer he is commorant, being inquisitiue (as you may assure your selfe he is) of the state of my fathers Court, and then your ioy will be double, his wished presence repaying with vsurie your late penance for his absence.

With these comfortable speaches Priscus was very much eased, [Page] and hauing well considered the whole circumstance of Florida [...] speach, which to his iudgement proceeded of a hearty zeale, from the melodious harmonie of her sugred voyce, the influence whereof had so rauished his minde, that for a long space he could not vtter one word, till in the end being halfe awaked out of his newe traunce, he embraced Florida so louingly, as though he had bene readie to de­part out of this worlde, and ef [...]soones watered his cheekes with a new tyde of flowing teares, (proceeding from the vnspeakable ioy of his ouer-ardent desire, hauing now obtained a graunt to satisfie his ex­pectation) and also yeelded vnto her aboundance of thankes for this her kind compassion, in relieuing his infortunate and miserable estate: wherefore he vowed euer to remaine her true seruant at all times, ready to recompence the same: with this and such like amorous prattle, they protracted the time till dinner, about what time, for feare to be discouered there together, (least once being suspected, some watching Argus, decyted by the ielousie of some new Iuno, might hinder the same) hauing vnited them selues in the simpathie of their loues, with faithfull promises and sweete embracings, they tooke their leaue each of other with interchaunged glaunces, and so departed, Florida to her chamber, and Priscus to the Court, where his welcome was not slender, that being his first flight after his so long and daungerous sickenesse.

Chap. 10.

THus leauing Priscus to bathe him selfe in the pleasant streame of sweete content, being now master of his desire, let vs againe returne to Moderatus, whome we left in the Forrest, readie to bend the course of his pilgrimage which way destinie did [Page] direct him, hauing many dayes trauayled in the desartes of that countrey, wherein no aduenture happened worthie memorie, but that hee was put verie often in great daunger of his life with wilde beastes, hunger and thirst also troubling him very sore, ha­uing no other foode, then such wilde fruites which the Forrest did yeeld vnto him.

In this sort, with very small rest he passed through the wilder­nesse of Liguria, and entred the plentifull and fruitfull Countrey of Picenum, which was a very pleasant and delectable soyle, and re­plenished with many fayre Cities and Townes, wherein he well re­freshed him selfe with vittayles and lodging, vnderstanding of the in­habitants of that place, that he was not past threescore leagues from Spoletum a Citie in Vmbria, where the famous King Lothus, Prince of that countrey, helde his Court: wherefore he determined before all other things to visite the same, both to suruay the manner and order thereof, and also to visite his vnkle Byndon which atten­ded in the Kings Court, from whom he had heard no newes by word or writing, since Priscus (his faithfull and assured friend) brought sa­lutations from him to Deuascos Court: on this determination he set forwards towards Spoletum, & found very easie waies and plaine passages till he had past the riuer Esis in Vmbria, where he was to passe through the great Forrest of Esina wherein he trauelled certain dayes very readily, finding fayre pathes and plaine broad wayes, till being come further into the forrest, the remembrance of his old griefs made such a fresh wound in his minde, that the pangs thereof brought him cleane out of his way, howbeit he wandred many dayes in those desarts, neither finding way to get out, nor place to take any rest in, till at length being ouer-wearyed with labours, and ouercome with faintnesse for want of foode, the heate of the day being also very ex­treme, he sought out a cold shade somewhat to ease his wearyed limmes, and hauing (for that purpose) stepped a little to the thickest of the woods, he espied a faire Beech tree growing vpon a fine greene banke, dame Flora hauing checkered the ground with curious knots of sundry flowers, bounding vpon a faire fountain, the beauty wherof seemed so glorious, that he supposed it to be the [...]owre, which Venus had prepared to dally with her louing Adon, wherin (althogh he was [Page] now very pensiue) he tooke maruellous great delight, vpon the which he stretched his wearie limmes, and began to meditate with himselfe of his fortunes in this manner.

Ah Moderatus, how infortunate art thou, that the fates haue loaded thee with more cares then yeeres, and with more misery then thy tender age could well sustaine? menacing thee daily with a dis­mall ende, thy chiefe hope resting in death to extinguish thy pinching penurie: being assured of nothing, but that the date of thy life shal be replenished with extreme wants, fortune not contented with thy meane mishappe in that thou art an exile to the countrey, and from a free libertine of Florence brought thee to be a hireling to Deuasco: but also infusing into thy minde a rash and vnaduised resolution, to vndertake a voluntarie exile from thy Parents and friendes, the weight of which rash attempt, now thou feelest so heauie, that thou art like to pay the charge thereof with no lesse then the price of thine owne life: but what then, fond Moderatus, doest thou feare death? or art thou such a coward, as to be dismaid at euery puffe of aduerse fortune? shall she triumph in the conquest of thy minde? and laugh, beholding thee to take thy miserie so impatient, when as otherwise in brooking all things with content, thou doest counterchecke her pride with patience, which is the sharpest incounter that can be giuen to her insolencie: feare not then, Moderatus, (for thou must die but once) and willingly yeeld thy life a sacrifice to perfect so rare a faith, and let the same be a mirrour to the world to expresse thy approoued fide­litie, so shall thy name be eternized in the booke of memorie, and thy pure friendship be a president of faithfull hearts, and also the load­starre to guide all vertuous mindes to that happy and honourable bower of modest and chaste loyaltie. Ah, but alas, I feare not to die, but I tremble at the manner of my death, might I but encounter with my launce some stout warriour, and so perish in his hands, it would neuer grieue me: for as the Italian prouerbe is, Morire nel-la guarro, [...]letto del honore: but thus to famish with hunger, yea, and withall in desarts vnknowen, where no sooner then my breth forsakes my panting breast, but the vmbles of monstrous and raue­ning wilde beastes will be my graue, and so the sonne of renowmed Perduratus will be throwen to the well of Obliuion: for that no Act [Page] of his worthie memorie remaineth extant after his decease: seeing then to dye so desperately is the marke of a brutish faint-heart, flie slouth, plucke vp thy heart, and wander yet somewhat in these desarts to seeke some aduentures, to see if good fortune will present thee with a calme after so bitter and sharpe a storme. In this moode Moderatus very faintly rose vp, and entred further into the woods, where (by good hap) vpon a sudden he espyed out of a Rocke hard by, a little smoke to issue out at a narrowe hole, which was the onely en­trance vnto the same: whereat he made good semblance, supposing that some kinde of people inhabited there, and not minding to delay the time, and burne vp daylight in friuolous cogitations, he boldly entred the same, the going in was very darke, but being come some­what further therein, a little more light appeared, proceeding from a hole which was in the side of the Caue towardes the East, which made it something more lightsome: by this light he descryed a good olde man, sitting in a seate digged out of the hard Rocke, his hoarie hoarie haires (being messengers of the winter of his age) seemed to couer a treasurie of experience, being a perfect Idea of a penitent and mortified minde: for he sate there in a surcoat of Gray, leaning his head on his hand, and his elbow on his knee, breathing foorth skalding sighes, and shedding aboundance of teares, earnestly be­holding the earth vnder his feet, as though he expected that the same would presently gape, and open her deuou [...]ing Iawes to receiue him therein. Thus like a man in a traunce he rested a pretty while, till in the end shaking off these melancholy passions, with a more plea­sant countenance, and smyling, as it were, at some secret conceite, he chaunced to cast vp his eyes, and beholding a stranger to enter vnto the closet of his secrets without his licence, be so fiercely bended his browes, that the furie of his countenance discouered he had bene a man of no meane thoughtes. Moderatus all this while being in a browne studie, viewing the strange manner both of the Hermites lodging, and also of his passionate behauiour vnder so graue a coun­tenance, had forgotten as much as to salute this good olde Father: who seeing this rude and inhumane intrusion, shakt him out of his memento with this sharpe reprehension.

My friend, if thou maist not rather be tearmed a priuate enemie, [Page] that thus by intruding thy selfe vnto my secrets, hast increased my griefe, & brought thy self in suspicion of a guilty conscience: my friend, I say, what chance hath brought thee here vnto this my poore lodg­ing, to discouer the penitent and passionate perplexities of my withe­red and decaying yeres: if purposely haue vnderstood of my residence in this place, thou camest to reioyce at my misery, euill mayest thou thriue in so wicked a determination: but if a Pilgrime and a trauel­ler, that by chaunce didst discouer this my secret and poore Cell, re­turne as thou camest, thy offence (proceeding of no malice) is already pardoned. Moderatus herewith awaking out of some secret imagi­nation he was in concerning the strangenesse of the place, & manner of the person, acknowledging his errour, replyed vnto him thus.

Good Father, pardon this my rashnes, and assure your se [...]fe it was done rather of ignorance then of malice, and proceeding rather of ex­treme want, being almost famished with penurie, then of any priuate determination to vndermind your secrets, or yet any speciall desire to be acquainted with your miserie, the which, as I do vnderstand, doeth much vexe you but nothing at all pleasure me: and now to purge my selfe of this committed crime, you shall vnderstand that I am a poore trauailing pilgrime, a mere stranger in this countrey, & therefore vn­acquainted with these difficult passages, through so dangerous and vn­passable a wildernes, which is the occasion that I wander in this for­rest, this foure or fiue dayes without any maner of food to sustaine my body, and to satisfie nature, which hath brought me so low, & made me so feeble, that except some remorce be taken of my extreme penury, I am like thus brutishly to perish for lacke of sustenance: wherfore good reuerend father, I hartily desire you, (if a strangers penitent submis­sion may take place) to pardon my willing, though not witting of­fence. And if the omnipotent Creator of all things, hath dewed downe any pitty or compassion amidst these wilde desartes, let me obtaine some succour at your hands.

The gray-headed old father, with teares in his eyes and griefe in his hart, as one that had sufficiently experienced the trial of such hard fortunes, greatly pittying the lamentable case of so goodly a young man, being now fully satisfied vpon his protestation, that there was but good meaning in the vnexpected presence of Moderatus, he held [Page] himself contented therwith, & assured Moderatus that for such home­ly sustenance, as the Cel of a poore hermite could affoord, he was har­tily welcom, for, quoth he, this my poore lodge is not replenished with any store of dainty dishes nor fine cates, yet fully furnished both with such viands as may suffice nature, & also with peremptory & resolute content: neither do I delight in such drugs as may procure appetite, but rather cōtented with a few roots, & such other wild fruits as this forrest doth yeeld, only to satisfie and preserue nature: thus my friend, hast thou heard how wel I am stored, & lest thou shouldest thinke that I dissemble with thee, come hither, thine eyes shalbe a witnes of the truth, & thy stomacke shall prooue how it can digest hard fare, as peni­tent persons dyet them selues withall. By this, he had brought Mo­deratus to the storehouse where all his prouision was, there he feasted him with the best refreshing his friendly and gentle hoast could (for the time) prouide for him, which being done, Moderatus loaded the olde Hermite with heapes of thankes, and then, quoth he vnto him, (being desirous of newes) I heartily desire you, reuerend father, to let me vn­derstand how farre it hence to Spoletum, and whether Lothus prince of these countries keepeth his Court there, or where els. And further, what newes in the Court, or what late accidents hath there hapned worthie of remembrance: to passe away the time, vouchsafe to gra­tifie this my request.

Well had this good olde Hermite skill of curtesie, nature▪ hauing dealt very frankly with him, in giuing him a curteous disposition: & nurture ioyned with trauell and experience had allied him to good maners, so that he iudged all curteous and friendly demaunds, to be answered with like curtesie, and therefore he returned this answer.

My sonne, very glad I would be to pleasure thee any way I could: for, beleeue me, when I heard of thy misfortunes, it pittied me to see thy extreme necessities, & surely I iudged fortune either blind (as the poets fame her to be) or a very niggard in disposing of her fauors, that would load one of so few yeares & gentle disposition, with such a pon­derous burthen, and not rather aduaunce him to the highest note of a quiet and happy life: and surely, had I not my selfe experienced part both of her fauours and frownes, and that so inconstant and mutable, that shee well witnessed her footestoole to be round and a [Page] rowling stone which is euer fleeting: I would with vehemencie ex­claymed against her for this her hard sentence, and very sory I am, that I can not throughly satisfie thy demaund, being altogether a stranger both to the Countrey and inhabitants thereof: for that my natiue soyle is in great Brittane, and therein hauing spent the prime of my yeares in friuolous and youthfull fantasies, became in mine age a penitent Pilgrime, to make satisfaction for my former follyes, and thus farre I came, where viewing a place so solitarie and conue­nient to weare out the rest of my dayes in deuotarie Orisons and Prayers, I bequeathed my selfe nowe in the winter of mine yeeres, (hauing shaken handes with al pleasure) to punish my bodie with hard and austere discipline, thereby to make satisfaction for the great multitude of my former trespasses: thus thou mayst perceiue, howe that very litle I can satisfie thy request: but for newes, because thou art so desirous thereof, I will tell thee a very dolefull tale, that one passing by this way, declared vnto me, which now lately happened in King Lothus Court, and I thinke as yet it is not fully finished: and thus it is.

The fayre Lady Modesta, daughter to the King, was of malice by Countie Delamure accused of fornication, with a Florentine na­med Byndon, a Gentleman very much beloued: yet because he was a stranger, the bloody minded Delamure could not so boldely forge such treacherie, and commit such mercilesse massacre against any, as towardes him: this accusation proceeded not of any enmitie betweene him and Byndon, but of meere malice to vertuous Mo­desta, in whose life and conuersation (as it is credibly reported) there is liuely pourtrayed out a perfect Mappe of modest chastitie, and ver­tuous humanitie: wherefore the hardest heart would be dissolued in­to teares, for pure compassion of such crueltie. Then quoth Mode­ratus, how know you that she is innocent, and if this proceedeth but of your coniecture, you may very well be in a wrong boxe: for wo­men be wily cattell, and sometimes vnder the habite of counterfet grauitie, they hyde a most vnchaste and wanton desire, and so blinde and deceiue the simple and plaine meaning man in his coniectures, and indeede I tell you, I much maruell that one of your yeeres and experience, should without some speciall knowledge iudge so well of [Page] the Feminine gender, without that it was your fortune neuer in all your life to haue dealings with any, or that the Planets were in such fauourable aspects at the time of your birth, that they assured you of truth where you committed any trust. And as Moderatus was a­bout to proceed further in this matter, the olde Hermite did cut him off with this replie.

My sonne, thou art much to blame to iudge so hard of women, or to thinke me so credulous: for as the one is not alwayes bad, so in the other I would not be lightly carryed either to like or mislike, without reason should induce me thereunto: and therefore, omit­ting the case in generall touching all women, I will speake in par­ticular of this matter, assuring you that all which I speake, grewe vpon a probable reason, being informed of the trueth by one of the parties priuie to the conspiracie: so now marke, and you shall heare the discourse thereof.

County Delamure, being a gallant and braue Courtier, fell in loue with the Lady Modesta, whose beauty and conuersation moo­ued him to extreme heate, that he might truly say,

And being in this extremitie of passion, he prosecuted his loue vnto her very earnestly, by all wayes and meanes that possibly he could, which neuerthelesse grew to small effect: for that Modesta was not yet resolued to entertaine or fancie any, and if she had, hardly could she haue bene contented to like of him, because he was so perempto­rie, that it seemed he rather expected for it by commaund, then en­deauoured to merite it by desert. Wherefore the chaste Modesta suspected his fancie to be but fayned, proceeding rather of lust, then of any pure and vnspotted loue, and therefore gaue him an absolute answere, no further to prosecute his suite vnto her: and in the ende (driuen thereunto by importunitie) she gaue him straight warning not to [...]rie her patience any further, nor to disquiet him selfe with her denials: for if he did (if none other meane could take effect) she said, that she would acquaint the King her father therewith, and then haply he should repeat him but too late.

Countie Delamure taking this repulse very grieuously, with great rancor and malice in his minde, neuer, ceased to inuent and de­uise [Page] meanes to defame Modesta, and thus at last he brought it to passe. First, he compacted with one of Modestas Gentlewomen, which was neere about her called Ambideza, and hauing corrupted her partly with gifts, partly with promise of marriage, to keepe his counsell and to further his enterprise, interchangeable othes for per­formance of eyther of their promises past betweene them: Delamure hauing the plat ready in his head, said vnto her thus, then (my sweet Ambideza) must thou in thy Mistresse name repaire to Byndon the Florentine, who, as I thinke, is somewhat fauoured of her, and tell him, that thy Mistresse willeth him soone this euening, to repaire to her chamber when they are at supper, and that thou wilt be there ready to let him in, where he shal stay til thy mistres come vnto him, to commune of some speciall matters, she would haue none priuie but them both: that done, if he commeth, (as I am sure he will) watch for him there, and bring him to the little closet hard b [...] her chamber, where leaue him, and giue me some watch-worde of his being there, and then may I haue opportunitie, to requite an euill turne he hath done against me. Ambideza well contented to doe any thing, were it neuer so farre from reason and conscience, to gaine so honourable a husband, promised to satisfie his will, which accordingly she did. And Byndon, vnwitting what banquet was prepared for him, faithfully giuing credite to the messenger, knowing her of some trust with her Mistresse, repayred at the time appointed, through a strange gallery he well knew, to Modestas chamber, where Ambideza watched his comming, and brought him to that little Closset, from the which there was an entrance both to Modestas chamber, and also to the gallerie, through the which Byndon had thither repayred, and ha­uing shut him in, she presently gaue the watch-worde to County Delamure, who being very glad, that his purpose was brought to so good a passe, made one or two of his vassals and bond-flaues priuie of his pretence, whome he had well aduanced for such a purpose: and when he had well schooled them, what they had to say when the mat­ter should come in question, he watched the time of Modestas going to prayer, which alwayes she vsed to do by her selfe alone, an hower or two before bed time: and when he had espyed her to forsake the presence, and all alone to depart, he thought it his fittest time to [Page] worke his mischieuous intent, and so togither with those that he had dealt with therein, he secretly came to Modestas chamber, who ha­uing made her selfe ready to prayer, was opening the closset doore, where Byndon was, (God knoweth, ignorant that any body was within) County Delamure vnseene of her was hard at her heele, and assoone as she had opened the dore of the closet, entred in with her, and presently Bindon, who was within, seeing more then Modesta to en­ter the chamber, suspected presently some treason, & sought in al haste to conuay him selfe at the backe doore which entred to the gallery, there had the County appointed one of his men to watch, & had giuen him instructions, if Byndon sought that way to escape, that he would presently thrust him in with his rapier, which accordingly took effect, and so very villanously was Byndon murthered by his direction: to coulor which diuilish practise, and to the full consuming of his wicked intent, he repaired forthwith to the King, and infourmed him that he, and some others passing through a strange gallery in his Highnesse Court, had discouered a great crime committed in his royal Pallace, which was no lesse then the deflowring of his owne natural daughter, and shewed him further the manner of the apprehension, and how Byndon being the offendor would haue made escape, so that his man to saue his owne life, was forced to kill him: [...]or that Byndon was so earnest to get away and had so prest vpon him, that he could not other­wise remedy the same.

The King hearing what Delamure said, so chaunged colour, that he seemed rather a ghost then a liuing creture, being at the first ouer­credulous, induced so to thinke, because Byndon was in such a place, the secresie whereof was of sufficient authoritie to forbid any the en­trance thereunto, but to such as Modesta specially licensed, griefe & anger striuing for superiority, in great rage & without examining a­ny further of the matter, very vnnaturally did command his daugh­ter to be imprisoned: who finding the malice of her aduersary to haue ouercome her innocency, submitted her selfe, according to the necessity of the time, to the stormy blastes of double faced fortune: yet not cea­sing to e [...]claime against such villanous and bloody murther, executed vpon giltlesse Byndon, whose innocent blood cryed to the heauens for reuenge of so great a treachery: which iust and pitifull complaint [Page] increased the ielousie of suspition against her, whose cleare conscience waighed not of any vniust disparagement, so that in answering this false accusation, she shewed so resolute a determination, that argued a valarous and noble minde in one of the female sexe, which had bene sufficient arguments to repulse this scandalous and false accu­tion, if the credite of her accuser had not bene of such great estima­tion: yet neuerthelesse she was admitted to haue her champion, so that any, or as many as would come within three moneths, should be lycensed out of what Countrey so euer he come, to vndertake the de­fence of Modestas good name, impeached by that tirannous County: and in default of accomplishment thereof, Modesta should according to the law, suffer the paines of death. This sentence pronounced, she was carried againe to the same prison she was in before, where she remaineth this fortie dayes without any hope of inlargement: the mightinesse of Delamures countenance, and his valiant exploytes as well at home as in forren countreyes, doeth so terrifie aswell deni­zens as strangers, that hetherto none durst presume to commit his person and honour to so great a daunger, as to offer him the combat, yea though neuer so confident of the equitie of the cause. Ambideza, seeing the matter to come to this predicament, determined to con­uay her selfe secretly out of the way, nowe but too late remembring that many loue treason, but none loue the Traitour: making no other reckoning, but that Delamure made her an instrument, to bring to passe his bloody and inhumane reuenge against her mistresse, and then haply he might worke some meanes to cut her off, for feare his treason should come to light: feeling also some remorse in her con­science of this bloody practise, which thorow her meanes was like to prooue a dolefull tragedie: here my sonne, quoth the Hermite, you heare the trueth of the cause, for that Ambideza bequeathing her selfe to a Pilgrimes life, thereby to endure some penance for her grieuous offence, happened to light on this my Cell: and because, as it seemed vnto her, I was a religious man, in the way of deuo­tion she confessed the same vnto me.

Moderatus giuing attentiue eare vnto all this discourse, was mooued with great commiseration of Modestas infortunate misery, [Page] taking the murthering of Byndon his vnkle verie heauily: yet like a braue minded warriour, resoluing rather to reuenge an iniurie committed, then to mourne for the losse of his friend, meant to take opportunitie by the foote, and either to free Modesta from the immi­nent daunger she was in, or els to offer his carkasse as a sacrifice, to finish the obsequies of his beloued kinsman, and innocent Modesta: and therefore made great moane to the Hermite, for horse and ar­mour to attempt this combate, making no doubt but shortly to qua­lifie the arrogancie of that blood-sucking traitour. The Hermite noting the honourable resolution of his minde, iudged him to be a man of some great bountie. And thereupon calling to memorie, how that walking to take the benefite of the ayre, he had espyed hanging vpon a Pine tree fine blacke armour, and therefore nowe he brought Moderatus where the same was, who beholding the same, espyed this poesie ingrauen in the barke of the tree in Italian letters, and to this effect

WHen he had well perused ouer the Poesie, and told the Her­mite the meaning, who had small skill in the Italian tongue, he assayed to take downe the armour, yet fayled in effecting his desire, for that all his strength was too weake to dissolue that in­chauntment: who, perceiuing some misterie to be therein, prooued another way to recouer the same, and therefore he quickely griped the handle of the sworde, which without any great difficultie he vn­sheathed, and then finding all other meanes insufficient to enioy so great a Iewell, with the fine cutting sword he squared the inchaun­ted bandes, which fixed the Armour to the Pine, wherewith the same fell to the ground, at the fall whereof very great and fearfull noyse was heard all there-abouts: also a thicke myst and darknes so co­uered them, that they could scant see one another, great lights & flash­ings of fire amid this darknes appeared. Thus very miraculous and [Page] fearfull with great thunder & earthquake this inchantment was dis­solued, & by that light appeared againe, the Pine-tree, whereupon the inchanted armour hanged, was missing, and in the place where it had bene appeared a very faire horse wel & richly furnished, which mooued them to very great admiration. Neuerthelesse Moderatus was very glad thereof, hauing recouered such a goodly stead, & so sure & strong armour, hauing now an assured confidence in the successe of this enter­prise: by this the day was far spent, & it drew towards night, & there­fore the olde Hermite very curteously offered Moderatus such simple lodging as his poore Tell could affoord, who willingly accepted there­of, and so both returned againe to the Hermites poore lodge, and time of repast being not yet come, the good old father to driue away the time, began thus to parlie with Moderatus.

Chap. 11.

MY sonne, now maist thou see how fickle and transito­rie the state of mortall men are, neuer satisfied in making sufficient ostentation of their glories, Dum flaueat velis aura secunda, who giuing their barks a ful sayle, are very often in the midst of a very plea­sant [...]alme, ouerwhelmed with a most cruel storme, who in sleede of a happy and quiet harbour, meet with a fearefull and dangerous shipwracke. Well also maist thou see, that in danger, which is the extremest of all extreames, some escape this great perill with plankes, boards, rafters, and other such like engines and instruments which good fortune yeeldeth vnto them at the time of their extreme need: other being of greater feare & lesse valour, do like bruite beasts desperately perish, their heartes failing any way to shift for the safe­gard of their owne liues: such is the disposition of nature, that she hath framed some bolde & venterous, others cowards & fearful, trembling at euery wind, and ready to yeeld at euery puffe of aduerse fortune: who like the shel-fish when the Moone waxeth do increase, and in the waine thereof diminish: so they depending vpon fortune, one while are [Page] mighty & puffed vp with ambition & pride: another while being cros [...] in their determinations are miserable, & stuffed vp with seruile care and feare, euen as Ramunsia (which is tearmed to be the goddesse of vengeance) doth alter and change her copie: for as the riuer Nylus is alledged of some writers to bring famine into Egipt, when either it ouerflowed eighteene cubits, or rise not so high as twelue: so in like maner fortune being ouer-prosperous, or too much malignant, doeth blind and detect the good motions of the minde, either with extreme griefe or inexcessiue ioy, both which derogate from vertue so much as by the same they do arrogate vnto vice: waigh this with thy selfe ad­uisedly, that mortall creatures continually saile betweene Scilla and Charibdis, where seeking to auoyd one danger they fall into another: for if they couet to be valiāt & famous in the world, they must hazard many perils, & sustain many great labors: be not then dismaid though fortune sometimes frown, for she doth it of purpose, wherby her fauors afterward may seeme more plesant: thou intendest to incounter with strong & mighty enemy, much feared for his magnanimity & dexterity at armes, yet hast thou a good cause to hope of victory, for the equity of the quarrel, the defending of innocēt blood, the reuenge of a cruell & tirannous murther, be (I think) sufficient motiues to animate the ve­riest coward to be desperate: wel, I do know (gentle friend) that this my exhortation is but to heape Athos vpon Etna, or to powre water into the sea, for thy disposition carrieth with it selfe sufficient warran­tise of thy valiant & resolute determination, & therefore cōmitting the sequell hereof to fortune, I wish thee a happie successe therein.

The hermit hauing thus concluded, meaning to conceale no cōmo­dities (which his poore cabin did affoord) frō Moderatus, brought him to an inner roome being very beautifully furnished with pictures and tables of sundry sorts, which greatly he delighted to behold, & amongst them, one seemed much to excell & surpasse the rest in beautie, wherin was liuely purtrayed out many histories, ouer the which there was written in great Romane letters this sentence, Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum. Moderatus was very inquisitiue of the her­mite to knowe the meaning of the histories contained in that table: whereupon fetching a deepe sigh, casting his fight vpon the table, he replied thus. It is, quoth he, a table containing true discourses acted and euented in my countrey of great Brittane, which for the zeale [Page] I bare to the parties it doeth represent, and for a remembrance of mine owne miserie I haue brought with me: rest thee contented with thus much knowledge thereof at this time, for that to discourse thereof at large, requireth longer time then at this time we may conueniently enioy, so great a necessitie summoning you to offer your selfe in the defence of innocencie, which opportunitie being neglected, your trauaile might come too late, either to enlarge Modestas de­sart, or finish your owne desire. And therefore relinquish that request for this time, and when againe you happen to trauel this way, (which I wish and expect may be shortly with some good newes, and happy end to these new begun tragedies) I will cyte all the whole discourse thereof vnto you, fully to satisfie your longing desire, in the meane time you want not wherewith to imploy your selfe in, and nowe for that it is requisite that you be stirring the next morning, we will re­fresh our selues with such poore cates, as many Hermitage will yeeld vnto vs.

Well, repast being ended, they walked together to take the bene­fit of the ayre, yet they stayed litle abroad, for that the waightinesse of Moderatus charge gaue him gentle summons to take his rest, and to make his helmet his pillow for that night, which accordingly (hauing reuerently saluted his gentle hoast) he did: and all this night could Moderatus take no naturall rest, so that no sooner had Aurora put off her mourning mantle of darknesse, and discouered her blushing countenance, but that he (with a kinde of longing desire to be doing with his new implements) had forsaken the poore cowtch he lay in all night, and busying him selfe very diligently to set him selfe in a rea­dinesse, the Hermites assistance was not wanting, who seeing Mo­deratus so well fitted and furnished with horse and armour, noting in him an honourable and bountifull disposition, who mannaged his horse with such good grace, that the olde Hermite (who in his dayes had bene as much beholding to Mars for courage, as to Pallas for wisedome) conceiued that he was one alone worthie of so honou­rable an enterprise as that was, which he went about: and so com­mending him to his fortunes, and him selfe to his Orisons, he left Moderatus making some haste to recouer Spoletum, who in short time arriued at a little village about halfe a league distant from the [Page] same, there he began to be inquisitiue of newes from the Court, where he was told that the contagiousnesse of the time affoorded none other, then the very worst newes that euer Aemulia possessed, which was the imprisonment of the Kings daughter vpon Delamures accusati­on, which all seemed greatly to pitty, accusing the County of too too great cruelty. Here did he also learne of one County Pallamount, which inhabited in this village, who was Modestas vnkle, vnto whom he repayred, praying his aduise, and shewing his whole intent vnto him, Pallamount returned many kinde thankes vnto him for his good will, albeit that the great prowesse of Delamure did forbid him as much as once to hope of any good speed therein: yet accepting his franke offer, being the only comfort left for the safegard of Modestas credite, yea her life also depending thereupon: for that was the very last day of respite. And therefore accompanied of Pallamount and some fewe of his followers, Moderatus calling him selfe by the name of the blacke Knight, repayred to the Kings Court, where being come, the scaffolde and all things was prepared for the execution of the Kings daughter, and Delamure remained mounted and armed in the field, to see if any competitour durst withstand his auerrement. The blacke Knight being within view of all, thought it not best to protract the time any longer, and therefore stepped foorth, stirring his goodly steede with good grace, till he came before the presence of the King, and then lifting vp the beuer of his helmet, and bowing him selfe with reuerence to his Maiestie, he saluted him in this manner.

Worthy and victorious Prince, the great fame of thy high re­nowne is so dispersed abroad in the world, that any accident which might pertaine to thy noble Person or the state of thy Subiectes, can not be obscure in straunge and forren countreyes, much lesse a­mongst thy neighbour Princes, or within thine owne territories and Dominions, which hath made Modesta, yea vertuous Modestas pitifull and lamentable case better knowen abroad in forren landes, then in thy kingdome or in thy Court, yea or to thine owne person: if there were no other reason to induce thee to relinquish this ielousie, thou hast conceiued of thy daughter, her vertuous life and honoura­ble conuersation so well knowen, yea aswell abroad as at home, and [Page] in forren Countreyes more then in her owne natiue soyle, (so that her modestie was a mirrour to all Aemulia, or to speake more truly a lantherne to all the grauest matrones in the worlde) might haue bene sufficient shelters to excuse a slender offence, much rather a manifest and apparant innocencie: wherefore I being (as all true Knightes ought to be) bound by the oath of Knighthood, to relieue the distressed and defend the innocent, and hauing (I hope) by good hap, knowledge of the false accusation of thy daughter, (false it must be, vnlesse my fancie deceiueth me, and needes must I fancie her, in whome such royall apparition of vertue appeareth) by the treacherous murtherer Delamure, whose bloody groomes corrupted with auarice, haue vil­lanously martyred and murthered giltlesse and innocent Byndon, whose blood cryeth vnto the Goddes for reuenge, and whose death I hope to quite with the cruell traytors life that dispoyled him of his. And to that end (shrowding my selfe vnder the habite of thy safe con­duct, heretofore by thy Highnesse proclamation graunted to any that would attempt the Combate in defence of thy daughter) I am hither arriued with hazard of my life, and price of my blood to deliuer Mo­desta from her imminent daunger: wherefore I craue thy Highnes royall pardon for this mine enterprise, and then I doubt not by the power of the Goddes, but this day in all your presence to bring her wicked accusers to confusion.

Here the blacke Knight ended his speach, and the King in words and countenance allowed his pretence, much maruelling at his great boldnesse, that durst vtter so hard speeches against the County Dela­mure, whose very name was so much feared: wherefore he iudged him a man of no meane thoughtes nor base birth, that carryed so ho­nourable and valiant a resolution. County Delamure being not far off, ouer-heard all that he spake vnto the King, which mooued him to choller and anger, that like a rauening Tiger he would presently haue fallen to blowes, had he not bene commaunded to the contrarie by the Iudges of the listes: whereupon he stayed, and so with great insolencie he tooke vp the blacke Knight with such vehemencie of speach, that it seemed rather to proceed of a mad and wilde frenzie, then of any valiant and resolute magnanimitie. The blacke Knight replyed very litle, smiling rather at his folly, then studying howe to [Page] make an answere to his arrogancie, and so not taking any great heed to any further speach of Delamure, he stirred his horse before the seate of Modesta, and demaunded her allowance of him to defend her innocencie, who willingly gaue her consent thereunto: yet notwith­standing that he was presently answered his demaund, beautie nowe made him forget him selfe: for so long stood he at gaze on Modesta, till the Countie Delamure shakt him out of his dumpe after this manner.

Nowe faint-hearted coward, doest thou forecast by Astronomie, or calculate by the course of the heauens, what shall fall of this thy foolish and rash enterprize. No, no, I tell thee, it is too late so to doe: for no submission shall nowe serue thy turne, neither shall all the friendes thou hast be able to redeeme thee from my handes: where­fore make thee readie and defend thy selfe, for longer shalt thou not pause vpon the matter. The blacke Knight not a litle mooued with his so great insolencie, first with a glaunce discouered his newe inter­tained affection to his Mistresse, and then casting downe the beuer of his helme, he turned his horse about with great dexteritie, the agi­litie of his body very well agreeing with the readinesse of his horse: and Delamure in like sorte was ready to the combate, whereupon their pages brought them speares, Perio serued the blacke knight, for so he was called, that County Pallamount commaunded to giue attendance vpon him. And nowe both the combatants being readie, the trumpetters sounded, and then hauing taken their full compasse, they so spurred their light and strong horses, that they ranne toge­ther like the winde, and presently they met in the middest of the race with such a strong encounter, that the splinters of their migh­tie speares whistling and making a noyse in the ayre, did driue the beholders to wonderfull great admiration: more speares were brought vnto them, among which they made choyse of the best and strongest they coulde finde. Countie Delamure, hauing by this try­ed the great strength of his aduersarie, thought it not best to dallie with him, least in trifling away the time, he might purchase disho­nour, and blemish his credite, in that a strange and an vnknowen Knight should holde battell there so long with him: and on the o­ther side, the blacke Knight remembring that he had in hand the [Page] murtherer of his deare kinsman, and the false accuser of Priscus sister (his dearest friend liuing) redoubling his force in such sort, that he thought it no conquest if his aduersary held out any long time. Thus on either side being stirred with great indignation and choller, they pricked their furious steades to runne with great swiftnesse, and the blacke Knight so well behaued him selfe in this meeting, that he burst his speare in small shiuers, and gaue Delamure so strong an incounter, that both horse and man fell to the ground, him selfe also feeling the great force of his mighty aduersarie: for that he had re­ceiued such a counter-buffe of Delamure vpon his visor, that he was quite out of all remembrance, and fell downe vpon the saddle bowe, his horse carrying him all about the field as dead: Delamure recei­ued small dammage by this incounter, but onely the disgrace of his fall wherein his horse shoulder was broken, which was very good hap to the blacke Knight: for if Delamure had had his horse to followe him when he was in this traunce, he had quickely ended the battell, and albeit he was a-foote, and his body corpulent, he made so great haste to follow him, that he came within reach of him, and as he was ready to handfast a blow vpon to finish that labour, the blacke Knight recouered him selfe, and perceiuing that he was so disgraced before the Prince of Aemulia, where he well hoped to gaine honour, not knowing of the fall of his aduersarie, he turned his horse with great furie, where espying Delamure, and on foote so nigh him, with a trice he lighted from his horse, and drewe out his sworde, which was one of the best that euer had bene forged of steele: for that it had bene wrought by wisedome and arte) and so the County did the like: then began the battell very bloody and stout, either endeauouring with all his force to endammage his foe. The good Lady Modesta nowe somewhat recouered of a traunce, (although she was yet doubtfull of the successe of the battell) wherein she had fallen in this great danger of her champion, whose death had bene a small iudgement of her life. In this sort they continued the space of a good howre, without any aduantage perceiued of any side, to the great wonder of all the behol­ders, who iudged it impossible for any humane strength to sustaine so long and hard a trauell: all greatly admiring at the great bountie of the blacke Knight, for that as it grew further in the day, the heat of [Page] his choller being kindled, his force and strength also increased, and his aduersary was perceiued to become more slowe and fainty, yet for his credite sake he encouraged him selfe, and redoubled his blowes with such force, that he had greatly endaungered the blacke Knight, had it not bene for the goodnesse of his armour, which no weapon could pearce: yet the blowes lighting vpon his armour as thicke as vpon an anduill in a Smythes forge, greatly bruised his body, the blood issuing out at his Beuer, and in many other places through the ioyntes of his armour, the which the blacke Knight perceiuing, and seeing that it grewe late, thought it not his best course so to trifle the time, and no good done, least a new day must be taken and to end the fame, and so his labour but then beginne: and thus resolued at this time, (as it is said) to winne the spurres or loose the horse, he tooke his sworde in both his handes, and lent Delamure such a mightie blowe vpon the visor of his helmet, that he brought him quite out of his remembrance, and doubling the same with more force, afore he recouered out of his traunce, he ouerthrewe him to the ground, and then laid his foote vpon his breast, and vnlaced his helmet to see if there were any hope of life in him, and perceiuing by the moouing of his carkasse that he was not yet dead, in a litle space he brought him to him selfe againe, and thereupon the blacke Knight began to dis­course with him thus:

Nowe treacherous murtherer, and false accuser of innocencie, thou maist see, the iust reward of falshood and treason is to receiue a defamed death for so vicious a life, or rather a perpetuall torment, for so villanous an intent. Nowe thy life is in my handes, and in me lyeth either to giue thee that which thou hast not deserued, that is, to depart hence with thy head: or els in executing of Iustice, to pre­sent the same to the innocent Modesta, which is too slender a recom­pence for so great a villenie. And assuredly, in case thou doe not here publikely confesse the trueth, to auoyd the ielousie which might be conceiued of Modestas honour, vpon my Knighthood I will euen execute the very vttermost extremitie, that honour and armes will allowe to be done against thee.

Chap. 12.

COunty Delamure being nowe at the doore of death, partly in hope to haue his life pardoned, and partly for discharge of conscience, the burthen whereof was verie heauie to his minde, disclosed the whole circumstance, the manner of his drift, and the reason which induced him so to doe, parti­cularly as before is recited by the Hermite, to the great admiration of all them that heard it, howe such outragious villeny could be har­boured in any humane heart: who hauing from point to point tho­rowly discoursed thereof: great was the ioy that was made in gene­rall, for the clearing of Modesta from that false accusation, but spe­cially her aged and carefull father the King, who was much rauished in minde with that vnexpected good happe, that for a long time he thought he had bene transported into a new world.

In this meane time Modesta with all her traine of Ladyes and Gentlewomen were not meanly glad, hope hauing cleane banished away feare, yet feare but newly defaced with hope, in so much that the vertue of the one rooting out the infection of the other, caused such a sudden alteration in her body, that her wan and pale countenance was conuerted to a very faire and beautifull complection, and to be briefe, so louely and amiable she was, that the people had bene like to haue runne into an heresie, in derogating the dignitie and honour due vnto the Queene of Loue, and arrogating the same vnto her as a new Venus, more worthie then the olde goddesse, supposing that by her there might be borne a young Cupid, in whome the want of the for­mer (who was blinde) might be supplyed: who being full furnished [Page] with all his senses, would (no doubt) be more gentle and lesse cruell. Great reason they had to haue this opinion of her, for that in maie­stie she excelled Iuno, in beautie Helen, in modestie Diana, in wis­dome and pollicie Cassandra, so that hereafter none meant to goe a pilgrimage to Citharea, nor yet to adorne Aphrodite her shrine at Paphos with flowers, where now might be found only the dead cyn­ders, where old sacrifices had bene, but no signe of fresh fires and new burnt offerings. Venus perceiuing the people in such an heresie, in making an earthly creature copartner of her Deitie, began to be ve­ry angrie, deuising with her selfe howe she might vtterly subuert and bring in obliuion the great fame of this newe Goddesse, in the ende perceiuing no way to compasse the same, but onely in extingui­shing the very cause it selfe: and as all desperate causes require des­perate remedies, so vpon the sudden Venus be thought her of a drift to requite this iniurie, which was thus. First, she sollicited her deare darling Cupid to vndertake the reuenge of his mothers wrong, shew­ing him that there was no meane to effect the same, but onely to in­sinuate her with the loue of this newe Champion, wherewith she was already something mooued, and being once skortched therewith, no doubt their purpose would take good effect: for that the blacke Knight meant presently to depart to the Forrest of Esina, to bring (according to his promes) tydings to the Hermite, of his good suc­cesse in his late atchieued enterprise, and then his sudden departure would be so great a griefe to her heart, that in a short space her lan­guishing loue would so alter her heauenly hew, (for the absence of lo­uers breedeth such a corrasiue vnto the minde, that it impayreth the beautie of the bodie) that the multitude would nowe thinke it but a blaze, which vanisheth away with euery blast: and by this meane conuert the heate and feruencie of their desires, honouring her nowe as a Goddesse) to a loathsome and colde disdaine, then (despising her as an abiect) in the meane time while Venus schooled her little wanton wagge, to worke a reuenge against the vertuous and fayre Modesta, the blacke knight hauing obtained the victorie, thought it would be more honourable if he vsed it with clemencie: and nowe after that County Delamure had confessed all the matter, and cir­cumstance thereof, the blacke Knight lifted vp the beuer of his [Page] helme, (whose countenance garnished with the excellencie of beauty, his long trauell hauing added a singular grace to his louely and ami­able complection) offering with great reuerence to the vertuous Modesta, the disposing of County Delamures life or death: for hers was the wrong, and in her hand should the sword of Iustice nowe re­maine, therefore he heartily requested her to pronounce the sentence against him. Modesta rauished as well with ioy of her sudden deliue­rie, as also with delight in beholding the beauty of him, that now had taken fast roote in her minde, refused to accept of the blacke Knights offer, excusing her selfe with a kinde of care, least in being a Iudge in her owne cause, she might runne into the ignominie of the popular speaches: and so either be condempned of follie, for sauing his life that sought her death, or otherwise be accounted cruell, in not pardo­ning vpon the offendours submission: for that it is a great inhuma­nitie to deny compassion to a man in miserie. Upon these reasons she desired the blacke Knight to hold her excused, giuing him innume­rable thankes, aswell for her safe deliuerie by his valour and bounty, as also for this his curteous offer, which to satisfie his minde, she would willingly haue accepted of, but feare of disparragement to her honour commaunding her to the contrary. Yet the blacke Knight who was wholly resolued not to take her deniall, very earnestly in­treated her againe to satisfie his request herein, which he would ac­count a full recompence for all his trauels. Then Modesta finding her selfe already ouercome with his strange and rare curtesie, and de­sirous to make a kinde of emulation thereof, in graunting him any reasonable request, and therefore hauing deliberated vpon the mat­ter, and considering that a life full of infamie should be a greater tor­ment to a valiant minde, then a death full of martirdome, pronoun­ced a sentence of banishment against Delamure. Hereupon all was finished, and the clamour of the people was so exceeding great and wonderfull, that the blacke Knight intending secretly to steale away from thence, to perfourme his promes with the olde Hermite, who was his good hoast in the wilde forrest of Esina, with an intent ne­uerthelesse to returne in some vnknowen sort, to knowledge his obey­sance to the faire Modesta, vnto whome his heart was prisoner: on this determination hauing conueyed him selfe out of the presse of [Page] people, and nowe being part in his way towardes the Forrest, Perio ouertooke him, who had eyed him so narrowly, that presently percei­uing him to depart, followed him with all the speede he could. The black Knight perceiuing so conuenient a messenger, and one he had also bound vnto him in some sort, with friendly rewardes in recom­pence of his seruice, he allighted from his horse, and stept into a house in a little village hard by, willing Perio to walke his horse till he returned againe, and there calling for pen, Inke and paper, he deuised this fancie.

THe blacke Knight hauing finished this Poeme, he closed it vp, and sent it by Perio to Modesta, wishing him further to signifie vnto her, that he trauelled to the Forrest of Esina to lead a her­mites life, vntill that he might either hope of her fauour to returne againe, or dispaire thereof, to bequeath him selfe perpetually to de­uocion: [Page] and after he had thus instructed Perio what he should doe, and had well rewarded him to make him the more willing to effect the same, he hastened him towardes the Forrest, and Perio (although more willing to followe his newe Master,) returned to the Court, where he founde a great tumult, the King being very inquisitiue of the blacke Knight, which could not be heard of, the which when it came to the Ladie Modestas eares, she was very much grieued and disquieted, for that she was nowe out of hope euer to haue any sight of him that she so entirely beloued: and as she was in this medita­tion came in Perio, who hauing reuerently saluted her, presented her with that skrowle from the blacke Knight, which when she had perused, she was verie well pleased, hoping he would not be long absent, (being sicke) from the Phisitian which could cure his dis­ease: yet she questioned with Perio about him, who vpon her de­maund, deliuered her his message by worde of mouth: whose entire and faithfull affection choosing rather to wander in vnknowen de­sartes in great miserie, then to stay in her fathers Court to reueale his fancie vnto her, for feare of offending her which he loued so en­tirely, her loue towardes him began to encrease, so that in the ende vnable to conceale the extreme heate of her passions, she confessed vnto Perio howe greatly she affected him, earnestly intreating him to take the paines to returne againe in quest of the blacke Knight, and she would well rewarde him for his trauell. Perio well pleased with these newes, willingly offered him selfe at her commaund es­pecially therein: for that he desired nothing so much, as to shewe him selfe willing, though not able to pleasure the blacke Knight, so bountifull he had bene vnto him. Well, Modesta perceiuing the willing minde of Perio to carrie her message, presently framed a let­ter, and hauing sealed the same, she deliuered it to Perio, as being assured of his fidelitie, whome she had often tryed to be faithfull, re­questing him with all speede to finde out the blacke Knight,, and to deliuer the same vnto him. Perio presently departed, whome wee will leaue preparing him selfe for his iourney to goe in quest of the blacke Knight, which we left trauelling in great haste towardes the Hermites Cell in the Forrest of Esina, who hauing at the last recouered the Forrest, began to thinke of his forepassed daungerous [Page] aduentures, and the remembrance of his dearest Modesta, nowe penetrating his minde with fresh woundes, which brought him to a great agonie tormenting him the more, because he had bene but seldome acquainted with such strange motions, being in a great rage with him selfe, that his minde should be ouercome with such effeminate passions, so that he thus striuing to suppresse the fire, (which was yet but a sparke) it rather increased and waxed more and more, that in the ende it did burst foorth into a vehement and outragious flame, which so aggrauated his cares, that if he had en­dured the torture of Perillus Bull, he could not haue bene more mangled in his minde, nor by any meanes racked to a higher note of sorrowe and griefe, remembring howe vnpossible it was for him to enioy that vertuous and rare Parragon, whose fauour he tendered more then his owne life. And being thus metamorphosed from a free man to a thrawled captiue, from a professed souldiour of warlicke Mars, to a vowed seruant of wanton Venus, taking no heede to his way, (these busie cogitations boyling so within his braine, that al­most the sence of vnderstanding was quite perished in him) in so much that in this furie, his horse carryed him farre out of his way, before he came to him selfe againe. In this sort the blacke Knight, (for so we will call him yet) wandered these wilde desarts for tenne or twelue dayes, till in the end wearyed with his day labours, and his small nightes rest, espying a fayre fountaine with fine greene banks, round about diapered with the pride of Vestas choyse flowers, and couered with the shade of a tall Beech tree, Zephirus tenderly brea­thing foorth soft and coole winde, which made a pleasant murmure amongest the parched leaues of that pleasant harbour, and extingui­shed part of Phoebus extreme heate, here he went and bathed him­selfe in the fountaine, and afterwardes reposed his wearie limmes vpon the tender grasse, which was verie pleasing vnto him, but not­withstanding his wonted passions still disquieting him, that he could take no rest, whereupon he warbled out this ensuing Dittie, accor­ding with the notes of the musicall birdes, that sweetely chattered vpon the hangings ouer that cleare and Christalline spring.

Chap. 13.

BY this Morpheus had befriended him with a plea­sant slumber, yet the minde working still, fedde it selfe so long vpon the bone, that he left no marowe therein, whereby so small moisture was left with­in his body to worke vpon, that it could not inter­taine and feede the ordinarie intercourse of descen­ding humours, which executed a friendly office within his body, to disfraught the minde of cares, and to nus [...]e it vp for the time in the bed of rest and ease. Thus hauing but a weary sleepe, as he was nei­ther sleeping nor yet well waking, he heard a pitifull outcrie, and a great ruffling amongest the trees, whereat he awaked and buckled on his helmet, and by that he had recouered his feete, and rushed a little into the thicket to learne the cause of the outcrie, he might see a monstrous Dragon pursuing a handsome young man, and being ready to cease vpon him, the valiant blacke Knight vnsheathed his fine cutting sworde, (being nowe within reach of that ouglie feend) and parted the fire-spitting head from that monstrous and diuelish carkasse, and when his conquest was thus ended, he called the young man vnto him, who was yet scarce come vnto him selfe, being so late in so great a perill, and therefore could not speake one worde, till the blacke Knight hauing narrowly marked him, and knowing that he was the Page by whome he had sent his letter to Modesta, spake thus vnto him. My good Perio, (for so the Page was called) what winde brought thee hither, I am glad it was my good fortune to be the safegard of thy life, take heart, man: for nowe thou art deliue­red [Page] of all thy daunger. Tell me what newes at the Court, and howe doeth my dearest Modesta? if thou hast any tidings from her, deli­uer thy message quickely, that I may know the charge of her doome. Perio seeing him selfe in his presence that he came in quest of, and howe he was deliuered of so great a daunger, wept for ioy, and could speake neuer a worde, but deliuered Modestas letter vnto him, the which he perceiuing vnripped the seale, and read the contents, which was to this effect.

WHen the blacke Knight had perused ouer this letter, and had read it againe and againe, he could skant withdrawe his eyes from the same, so vnspeakable were the ioyes he con­ceaued therein: but in the end, seeking to deferre the time in reading her skrowle, (being in good hope not onely to behold, but also to em­brace her owne person) was with the idle house-wife to be catching of fleas, when her businesse should be in doing. Therefore he plucked vp his spirits, and rewarding well the messenger, he resolued to leaue his first determination to visite the good old hermite, (til that he had first returned to Modesta) faithfully determining neuerthelesse, when op­portunitie would giue him leaue, to repaire vnto him againe, to heare his British discourse, and to bring him newes of Modestas enlarge­ment according to promes. And now being pricked forwards with the sting of a more longing desire then before, he returned with Perio back againe, & such haste they made, that within few dayes they were come to a village very nere to the kings Court, where they lodged al night. The blacke knight being (after his maner) very inquisitiue of newes: his hoast told him of a great triumph of Iust and Turnament, which was holden at the kings court, and the occasion thereof had growen in this sort. First the King, after the deliuerie of his daughter, caused a proclamation to be made, that whosoeuer could bring notice of him, that had by his valor preserued her honour and life, he should be verie highly rewarded for the same, & when no news could be heard of him, he caused another proclamation to be made, that a solemne feast should be kept in his Court for one whole moneth, during which time, he graunted a safe-conduct to all forren Princes, and Knightes of what country soeuer, to passe & repasse: and that during the time appointed, all commers, aswell within his owne principalitie and dominions, as strangers, should trie their marciall prowesse, and Knightly actiuitie [Page] at Iuste and Turnament, and he which should obtaine the honour of that Feast with martiall manhood, should haue for his reward his onely daughter Modesta in marriage, with this condition that he would defend her beautie for one whole moneth at Florence, which nowe flourished againe, being but lately by Carolus Magnus reco­uered from the possession of the Gothes, and the worthie Perduratus the valiant Gouernour thereof, who (at the time when the Gothes sacked the same, hauing narrowly escaped the furie of their blood-thirsting blades) had euer liued in exile in the desertes of Liguria, and nowe was called backe againe, and restored to his former posses­sions and liuings, where he not onely erected stately and sumptuous Temples, to worship and deifie the Goddes, magnificent and gor­geous buildings to harbour his people: but also prescribed and esta­blished Lawes to keepe his subiectes in good order of liuing: these were the reasons which moued the King to make choice of Florence, knowing that greater company would assemble there, in respect that the fame thereof so lately began to flourish. And the reason (as it is reported) quoth Calimacko, (for so the hoast of the house was called) which mooued the King to take this course, was to finde againe that Knight, which victoriousty had vanquished Modestas false accuser. These triumphes haue continued these three weekes and more, and nowe they draw towards an end: many worthy Knightes and vali­ant Champions came there out of all Countreyes, and amongest the rest, one came, which is rather a diuell or a monster, then a man, a Giant he is, which came (vpon report of this triumph) from the de­sartes of the mountaine Taurus, and as yet sithence he came none ran with him twice, for that he vnhorsed euery one at the first incoun­ter: and this is like to carrie her away, much against her fathers will, and nowe the King is sorie to haue graunted any such conditi­ons to the victor: but sith there is no remedie, he caused to be made a triumphant charriot to carrie them to Florence, being out of all hope to be rid of this perillous and terrible monster, without that the fresh fame of that newe erected Citie, together with the hope of so precious a reward, should make the nomber of worthy Martialistes to be greater, and their resolution to be more peremptorie, whereby some one might (by good happe) in the end weary that diuelish feend, [Page] thereby once againe to recouer his Modesta from captiuitie. When Calimacko had thus discoursed, the blacke Knight was the glad­dest man in the worlde, both because he heard of his Fathers happie returne to Florence againe, with the great fame and renowne there­of, and also to be offered so good an opportunitie, once againe to com­bat for his Lady: and withall, that before his Father in Florence he sh [...]uld aduance him selfe to shewe his skill in armes. Well; a [...]ter that he had discoursed a while with Calimacko vpon these newes, he caused his Page to light him to his chamber, where being come, he began to commune with him thus. Nowe Perio, howe likest thou these tydings of thy Mistresse, and of that handsome groome that must haue her? very ill, my Lord, quoth he, and worse will my Lady and Mistresse fare, if she heare not shortly from you. Nay Perio, quoth the blacke Knight, thou mistakest the matter: for women be wilie cattell, they can counterfet sorrowe when they are nothing sad, and lowre when they haue list to laugh, and smyle when they feele most smart: dissimulation is a common practise amongest them, yea and though they should loue entirely, yet are they like the timely blos­soms that are nipped with euery frost, they change their hew with the Cameleon, and alter their shapes with Proteus, so voluble is the wheele of their vnsettled resolucion. Quoth Perio, you may assure you, my Lord, Modesta is none of those that is wonne with a Nut, and lost with the shell: for as without great desart she will not affect, so without a manifest occasion she will not dislike: and for you, my Lord, you may be well assured, she will neuer be false vnto you, and if you finde it otherwise, neuer beleeue Perio againe. Well, quoth the black Knight, I will trie if it be so, let vs take our rest this night, and in the morning you shall knowe more of my minde. Little sleepe satisfied the blacke Knight, deuising with him selfe in what sort he might attempt this enterprise, vnknowen of any: in the end he con­cluded with him selfe, to send Perio the next morning to the Kinges Court, to learne what time, and which way Modesta should be car­ryed towardes Florence, and gaue him great charge not to shewe him selfe vnto her, before such time as he should put in practise what he had determined, for the enlarging of her from the custodie of that great Giant. Perio very readily and closely conuayed him selfe to [Page] Court, and he stayed not long, but he came to the knowledge of all: the time of the Turnament being now expired, and Bergamo (for so the Gyant was called) ready within those two dayes to set forwardes with Modesta towardes Florence: whereby (according to the kings Proclamation) to finish his begun enterprise. When Perio had heard this, and had learned which way they would goe, without any carry­ing he returned to his Master againe: and when he had declared the whole circumstance vnto him, the blacke Knight was very glad, that they did so quickely set forwardes with Modesta, and that Bergamo was to passe with her through the Forrest of Mountalto, wherein was a very narrow passage at the issuing out thereof, and adioyning thereunto a verie sine and plaine greene, furnished with two rowes of Poplars, (which were sometimes the sisters of proud Phaeton, so transformed, because they sorrowed for their brothers fall) along the same standing in such order, as though they had taken their places there, to behold the rare and strange sight▪ which shortly was to passe that way. Then he caused to be made a Cassocke, and Basses of redde Satten to couer his blacke armour, least he should be descryed before he had brought his purpose to some ende: and caused also a straunge attire to be made for his Page, and when he had giuen order howe thinges should be done, he betooke him to his rest. The next day, when Aurora began to clothe her selfe with her gray gowne, and to blush for shame that Phoebus should be seene to dislodge him selfe from her bower, and that Titan had no sooner set foote in his char­riot, and his trampling steedes with foaming mouthes began to as­cend, and with their lightes to discouer such things that were in the inferiour regions, obscured with the vale of darknesse, but the blacke Knight armed at all assayes, and couered with that red vesture, his Crest plumed with a great bunch of white feathers, mounted vpon his stately white courser. Thus Perio carrying his Target, and ri­ding vpon a fine Iennet which he had bought for him, trauelled a round pace towardes the Forrest of Mountalto, and before Phoebus had passed in his course the meridionall line, they had recouered the same, and drawing neerer the plaine, to the which the narrow Angle was adioyning, the blacke Knight lighted off his horse, gaue it vnto Perio, and tooke Modestas picture (that he had procured to be made [Page] for that purpose) and hanged it on a mighty Poplar, which stoode in the very nooke betweene the plaine and the Forrest, where no bodie could passe but must needes see it: vnderneath this picture he caused to be ingrauen in golden letters this sentence.

No Knight may passe this way, but must needes either con­fesse, that she whome this picture representeth is the fayrest Lady liuing, and yeeld vp his Target in honour of her name: or com­bat for his passage with the Knight of the Forrest, who watcheth here for that purpose.

And when he had placed the same to his liking, he walked aside to watch the comming of Bergamo, who within three howers after, was come within kenne of the blacke knight, who tearmeth him selfe the Knight of the Forrest: then presently he called to his Page for his horse, and mounting to his saddle with a trice, did ride a soft pace till he came to the entrance of the plaine, and there he stayed still, till the charriot came right against him, and then stepped foth, and wished the charriot man to stay, who maruelling to see one alone man so boldly will him to stay, thought skorne thereof and held on his course. The knight of the Forrest full of choller to see the skornfull demeanor of that proud cartesman, spurred his horse till he came within reach of him, & then with his armed fist he lent him such a blow vpon his face, that he crushed his skull in pieces, at the noyse of whose fal those which were already past turned backe againe, & those which followed, haste­ned forwards. Bergamo being within glutting himself with the view of the faire Modesta, hard al this bus [...]ing, & because the chariot stood, he stepped out, & seeing the knight all armed before him, & his chariot man slaine, asked the knight of the forrest why he had done so, and re­uiled him with great insolency, assuring him if he did not answer him to his liking, he should taste the weight of his mighty faulchon. The knight of the forrest smiling answered, I haue vowed to keepe this passage, & here thou maist see the cause (pointing to the picture) and I wished thy man to stay that I might speake with thee, who would not, and this is the cause: now reade this inscription, and answere my de­maund. Bergamo kindled with wrath, was readie to runne vpon him with his Faulchion, but remembring him selfe better, he loo­ked towardes the picture, yet tooke small heede thereunto, but reade ouer the skrowle which was vnderwritten, & then foaming at [Page] his mouth like a Bore, and fretting with a deadly furie, that any should presume to braue him in such order, he thundered out with his hollowe and bellowing voyce, (his eyes burning like a flashing torch) as followeth.

Proud stripling and foolish yonker, howe darest thou presume to challenge me the combat, that haue terrified so many braue and re­solute Knightes with the maiestie of my sterne countenance, and thou sawcie Princkockes, art so arrogant to set vp skrowles of challenge to me, or arrogate to any woman liuing the beautie incomparable of my Lady, yea and though the trueth were of thy side, yet would I not confesse the same, being so peremptorily required thereunto: for resolute men at armes are sooner wonne with entreaty, then ouer­come with force. But I pray thee, whose picture doest thou carrie abroad, thus to her defame and thy dishonour. Quoth the Knight of the Forrest, care thou not, arrogant Monster, whose it is, onely knowe she is the Lady of my loue, and Mistresse of my thoughtes, in defending of whose right, I hope to disinherite thee of thy rest, and therefore make thee readie to the combate: if I ouercome thee, I must be master of thy prize, more fitter for a man then a monster: if thou doest ouercome me, I will be thy prisoner, and confesse (that which I can not denie) that she, for whome thou doest vndertake this enterprise, is the very pride of beautie, and flowre of all the worlde. Although Bergamo might well haue vnderstood by his wordes, that his pretence was to winne his praye, yet he neither tooke any heed to what he said: onely thus much he replyed vnto him.

Thou vnfortunate wretch, I will not sticke to graunt thee the ho­nour of a combate, because I would be thorowly reuenged on thee, and then mayest thou thinke thy selfe happy, to haue so honourable an end, as to perish by my weapons: but tell who thou art, that I may knowe the spoyle of whose honour I shall gaine by the conquest. I am the Knight of the Forrest, quoth he, that will shortly quallifie those insolent bragges of thine: but as the Beetle nestleth her selfe in the Sunne all day, and descending thence with a murmuring noyse, is contented with a Cowshard for shelter in the night: so thy proude and mighty threates, which nowe is stretched aboue Ela, will ere long be contented to decline, and to deskant vpon Solfa.

[Page]Hereupon Bergamo called for his horse and armour, and while two of his squiers made him readie, the Knight of the Forrest tur­ned his horse round, and mannaged him with very good grace, and the rest of the company which gaue their attendance on the charriot did set them selues in order in two rowes, the followers of Bergamo on the one side, and those which were Modestas seruants on the other side: they all mused vpon the successe of this stratageme. All Mode­stas followers heartily wishing the Knight of the Forrest to pre­uaile, that their deare Ladie and Mistresse should not be combred with such a diuilish Hell-hound, the sight of whome tormented her more then Hell it selfe. Thus all being attentiue and standing in good order, Bergamo hauing armed him selfe, and being mounted vpon a huge and mightie courser, carrying a speare in his hand as bigge in a manner as a Pine tree, and stretching his vnweldy limmes in his saddle, that one would haue thought it had bene a mountaine that miraculously mooued towardes him: but neuerthelesse it daunted nothing of the courage of that good Knight, but rather encreased his force and doubled his desire to be dealing with him. And thus both parties being ready to the battell, the angrie sounding trumpets summoned them to that bloody conflict, the which no sooner being heard, then these two champions turned about their neighing horses, and pacing them till they were a competent distance one from ano­ther, then giuing them the libertie of the raynes, spurred them on to runne like the whirlewinde, and meeting in the middest of the race, they shiuered both their speares so that the encounter was very dan­gerous, for the Knight of the Forrest was so shaken therewith, that he was glad to embrace his horse necke to saue him selfe from falling: and Bergamo with the force of his enemies launce was pushed vpon his horse crupper, so that he had much a doe to recouer his saddle a­gaine. And both of them hauing well settled them selues, drewe out their swordes, and then the battell began to be bloodie on both sides: but to be short, long and perillous was the fight betweene them, yet in the end, the Knight of the Forrest with great losse of his blood, and daunger of his life, was Master of the field: for no humane power could endure the terrible and deadly strokes of that good Knight, so that being nowe in the presence of Modesta, whole legions of mon­sters [Page] could not haue vanquished his inuincible minde. Bergamo nowe left groning his last breath, and blaspheming against Goddes and men, renting the bowels of the ayre with his clamorous and hol­lowe bellowing, his owne seruants flocked about him to lend him such succour as they could, all the rest ranne to the Knight of the Forrest, and submitted them selues vnto him, who hauing dismoun­ted from his horse, entertained them all very louingly, and wished one of them (which seemed vnto him to be chiefe of all the rest) to conduct him to their Ladie and Mistresse: for that nowe it stood him vpon, to perfourme the enterprise begun by Bergamo: the Gentle­man verie willingly did leade him towardes the charriot. Modesta all this while stood viewing of this stratageme, and was very glad to be rid of that diuelish monster, although she knew not who it was that had ventured so farre, to gaine an interest in her, and to whome she must yeeld a possession in her selfe: but whosoeuer he was, she liked well the chaunge, and therefore stood readie with a chearefull coun­tenance to entertaine him▪ who hauing ascended to the charriot, lifted vp the beuer of his helmet, and humbly prayed her handes to kisse. Whereupon Modesta narrowly beholding her Champion, partly gessing he should be the blacke Knight by the complexion of his face, and by the valorous disposition of his minde, embraced him with great kindnesse, and wished him to tell her presently, if it was not he that had vanquished Countie Delamure, in defence of her life and honour. Moderatus desiring nothing so much, as to satisfie any re­quest that Modesta should make, and specially to discouer him selfe, where he aboue all others was the welcommest man in the world: wherefore he made no bone of the matter, but thus framed his saluta­tion vnto her.

Chap. 14.

[Page] O Most noble Princesse, the flower of all beautie, and whilome the pride of Nature triumphing in her owne excellencie, hauing framed so noble a Crea­ture, in whose life and conuersation both rare con­stancie, and the fruite of vertuous chastitie haue shined more bright then the Carbuncle in the dar­kest dungeon, or Phoebus ascending to his highest spheare, displaying his glorious and golden beames, after a darke and mistie morning, I say, Modesta well deseruing thy name, and not improper to thy he­roicall qualities, the very Mappe of vnfayned modestie, the carde of singular and care curtesie, the flower of euer-flourishing fancie, the mirrour of mayden-like humilitie, the glasse of neuer-ending glorie, and the liuely lantherne of true and perfect nobilitie. All haile noble Uirgine, the wonder of the worlde, and the matchlesse Parragon a­mongest all humane creatures, thy twice captiuate champion, Mo­deratus sonne to the renowmed (and sometimes infortunate) but now happie Florentine Perduratus, Lord and Prince of that reedified and late recouered Florence, humbly submitteth him selfe to thy person, and craueth pardon, if euer he hath wronged thy sight with any rude fantasie of ouer-willing desire, to excuse my selfe, whereof I can say nothing, but that in so doing, I fulfilled the commaundement of the peremptorie & vncontrolled Deitie of that blind Ciprian boy, whose shafts pierced deadly, & fire burned vehemently, so that not able to re­sist the alarums of his fresh batteries, I cōmitted my passions to that tell-tale paper, which trusly Perio deliuered to mine onely harts-hope Modesta. My liues preseruer Modesta vouchsafed to compound a medicine with her own hands to salue my griefe, although by distance of place it lately came to my hands: wherfore I want not the marks of a long languishing patient, with his pale and leane cheeks, & hang­ing & heauie countenance. The medicine I receiued by the handes of true-hearted Perio, hath something reuiued me againe, and both the messenger & the potion I do here present vnto Modesta, as the infal­lible tokens of your true-hearted knight, that vanquished both Dela­mure & mighty Bergamo to aduance thy honour and dignitie. And if you suppose that I receiued no damage in perfourming these dange­rous conflictes, behold the skarres (and therewith vnlacing his Ar­mour) of late healed woundes, and the fresh bleeding hurtes, with [Page] bloody teares crauing for pittie at your handes, besides a most daun­gerous wound which palpably tormenteth my soule, without that you with tender regard of his life, (that willingly will offer the same in defence of your honour and fame) will vouchsafe to salue his sore al­readie like to fester, if without delay it be not looked vnto. Here Moderatus with volleyes of sighes, and the teares trickling downe his two Christall chekes, made a full period, resting in a Dilemma be­tweene feare and hope, and driuen to such an extasie with feruencie of newe encreasing desire, that he could not speake one word, till his Saint, his Sunne, his Ioy, his Iewell, I meane his Modesta, ac­companied him with teares that trilled like droppes of siluer dewe, ouer the Carnation tincture of her milke-white face, began thus to replie vnto him.

Noble Heroyes, and the flower of all Cheualrie, I hold it not ne­cessarie to mourne when the daunger is past, but rather to reioyce in that it is so happily past: but yet to recount of our expired labours, can be no lesse then pleasing vnto vs, for that valiant Troian Aeneas vsed to comfort his distressed mates in their greatest extremities, saying vnto them, Olim haec meminisse iuuabit: so haue you re­peated vnto me the daunger you sustained in working my deliuerie: and surely thus much I must needes say, that as your valour hath purchased my freedome, so hath it also eternized your fame with per­petuall renowne and highest title of honour. I confesse my libertie consisted in your bountie, and sith the same relyes vpon my beautie, euen the very same which you haue freed from perpetual infamie, shal in like sort gratifie you with vnfayned loyaltie, which is the onely re­ward it can affoord for all your sustained trauailes. It is an ill Gar­dener that toyleth in his garden all day, and can not haue a few roots for sallets at night: and a sorie husband, that laboureth in his vineyard all the yeere, and hath not a cluster of grapes instore to cole his thirst: and so that Louer is vnhappie, that in twise hazarding his life for his Mistresse, can not obtaine one reasonable wish. Nay rather that gar­den were vnfertill, that vineyard vnfruitfull, and that Mistresse too too cruell, that would not yeeld better fruite to such diligent ser­uants. Wherefore sweete friend, I protest vnto thee, that as my li­bertie recouered by the force of thy strong arme, hath vnchayned me [Page] from the bondes of shame and dishonor: so thy skrowle sent by Perio, (which thou doest pretend to wrong my sight) hath very much cheri­shed my late-recouered perishing bodie, because it was from the blacke Knight presented vnto me: but Moderatus presence nowe the second time purchasing my libertie with the price of his dearest blood, hath not onely reuiued me from death to life againe, but also thereby purchased the Fee-simple thereof vnto him selfe, if Modesta hath any interest in her selfe. Here both burst foorth againe into floods of teares, and teares choaking vp their ripe and mellowed speaches, left skant any vent to the breathing ayre to haue accesse vnto their panting hearts, to ease the ponderous burthen thereof with volleyes of farre-fetched and skalding sighes. Thus as it were trans­ported into anewe worlde, so closely embracing, that as it may be phi­losophically disputed, that louers and friends haue distinct bodys, but one minde: so it might be nowe palpably prooued, that these two lo­uers were but one entire body, with such exceeding vehemencie they clipped that which either of them so long expected and earnestly desi­red: thus rauished with an extraordinarie ioy of this happie meeting, they continued a long time in this sort, not much vnlike to the picture of Mars and Venus, set foorth in that manner they were taken by Vulcan: they had commaunded all to stand apart vpon their first sa­lutation, and happie it was that all discouered not so great a secresie. In the ende something awaking out of this sweete slumber, Modesta led him in by the hand, and called for Perio to vnarme him, assuring the Page he should be well rewarded for the paines and trauell he had sustained. And Moderatus being vnarmed, Modesta very ten­derly searched his woundes, cherished and bound them vp with great care, and then causing the charriot to proceed forwardes, leauing Bergamo neither aliue, nor yet altogether dead. Moderatus albeit he confessed to Modesta his birth and Parentage, would not haue any other priuie thereunto, till such time, as vnexpected in his Fa­thers presence, he might discouer him selfe, if his fortunes in his en­terprise would prooue happie, otherwise he meant not to make him­selfe knowen at all. Modesta at the first seemed very vnwilling to holde on this iourney to Florence, least her champion in perfourming so many exploytes should at last miscarrie, and so verifie the old saw: [Page] So often goeth the pot to the water, that at last it commeth broken home, or halfe crazed, but in the ende ouercome with his earnest per­perswasion, she yeelded her selfe to his will, and then they trauelled on merrily, till they came within a dayes iourney of Florence, in all which time no aduenture worth the reciting happened: and being come so neere their iourneyes end, they thought it conuenient to send a messenger before, to giue notice of their comming, and to rest and repaire them selues in a fine village that was in the way called Al­bania, which tooke the name of one Albanus a monstrous great Gy­ant, which had built part of the Towne, and a great castle which stood in the frontier or entrance of the same, wherein he lodged a crewe of thieuish monsters like him selfe, that spoyled and robbed all the coun­trey abouts, till such time as the noble Florentine Perduratus, who was nowe restored to his former place and liuing againe, hauing knowledge of the great villanies of this Albanus, came to apprehend him with a great number of valiant men at armes, the which was not so closely determined, but this fowle beast had knowledge there­of, and fled to the wildernesse of Apenninus that ioyned hard vpon this village, where together with the rest of his companions, he re­mained robbing and spoyling all the countrey abouts.

This village of Albania was about twentie leagues distant from Florence, where they continued foure or fiue dayes, and there we wil leaue them, till other occasions doe concurre to bring them forwards to the proofe of this aduenture.

The report of this solemne triumph alreadie finished in the Court of Lothus King of Aemulia, and nowe to be perfourmed at Flo­rence, was so spred abroad in all countreyes, that it came to Deualco his Court, and hauing tickled the mindes of the lu [...]te gallants, (that had any confidence in their skill in martiall discipline and dexteritie at armes) with emulation and desire of honour, so that Cornelius the Duke his sonne accompanied with his couzen Deualoyes, and di­uerse other noble and valiant Knightes, prepared them selues for Florence, both to trie their manhoodes in this honourable assemblie, where triumphing with victorie they were to enioy so rich a bootie. And also to visite Perduratus, whose kindnesse (they were assured) would affoord vnto them many thousand welcomes, with the best [Page] manner of entertainement the time and place would yeeld. And a­mongs the rest, young Cornelius was more forward then any other herein, because since Perduratus departure from his Fathers Court, he had receiued no tidings from the vertuous Verosa, who was the onely Mistresse of his thoughtes, and the Saint, at whose shrine he of­fered the sacrifice of his fancie: and therefore was in a very longing desire to visite her at her fathers Court, being nowe in good hope, sith her father was so fortunately restored to his former dignities again, that with the consent of both their Parents, he should nowe at length finish his long prolonged suite, with the consummation of a marriage betweene him and his dearest Verosa.

Chap. 15.

LEaue wee them readie in their way towardes Florence, and let vs not altogether forget Pris­cus, whome wee haue not remembred all this while: who, after his friend Moderatus depar­ture from Albigena, vowing Pilgrimage to ef­fect his friendes desired purpose, which (indeede) procured him the friendly countenance of faire Florida, for whose sake he long languished in extreme miserie, so that nowe Moderatus be­ing gone, loue quickly increased betweene Priscus and Florida to his [Page] full ripenesse, and continued not long in that estate: for womens mindes will waxe with the Moone, and ebbe with the Sea, not vn­like to the flower in Sommer, that to day is glorious in the pride of his blossomes, and to morrowe withereth with the least blast of Bo­reas nipping breath. These coye Minions be such libidinous liber­tines, that they are both hote and colde, and all in a moment, and will both rashly choose and still couer to chaunge: with this blemish Florida was fowly attainted, for not long after this firme league of euer promised friendship, had passed betweene her and Priscus, it was not thorowly warme, before Florida (as women are euer desi­rous of nouelties) had pitched her fancie vpon the young Lord Deua­loyes, who omitted no agglets, bracelets, ouches, browches, Gems, Iewels, Feathers nor fangles to feede her proude humour and loftie minde, and also wanted no Pandars that for coyne painted him in his colours, and that did set him foorth with their flatteries in his best habite, who derogated Priscus praise-worthie desartes, and arrogated the same wholly to Deualoyes, as alone worthy of such a Parragon as she was, there needed but small batterie when the Captaine was readie to yeeld: for these pestilent and deuouring Harpies, were not driuen to spend any long time in perswading of Florida, to neglect Priscus and affect Deualoyes, the which when Priscus vnderstoode, (what thinke you) was he sorie for her ficklenesse? no surely, but ha­uing a little exclaymed against her inconstancie, he reioyced rather, that he might so quickely be ridde from the infectious breath of such a painted Panther: sorrowing in nothing so much as in the losse of his deare friend Moderatus, in quest of whome he determined to trauell. And so consequently when opportunitie gaue him leaue, and that he had furnished him selfe with all things for his purpose, he departed from the Dukes Court, acquainting onely Verosa with his determi­nation, praying her not to discouer either his departure, or the cause thereof to any, who at parting shed a nomber of kinde teares, for that she loued him entirely, both for her brothers sake, & also for his owne curtesie and gentle disposition. Priscus hauing nowe taken his leaue of Albigena, being well armed and mounted, went forwardes which way fortune directed him, not regarding any course in his trauell (because vncerten in what climate Moderatus soi [...]urned) till in the [Page] ende he happened at vnawares to range in the wildernesse of Apen­ninus, where he trauelled many dayes in great daunger of his life, continually pinched with hunger, and very often put to his shiftes by wilde beastes, whereof there was great plentie in this Forrest, so long he continued in this penurie, that he was almost in despaire of him selfe, and alighting from his horse led him in his hand, and so en­tring to a greene land that was very neere the edge of the Forrest, he espyed certaine characters ingraued in the barke of a tall Beeche tree, whereat he was very glad, thinking that to be a Ralender that people were not farre off, and therefore he drewe neere that inscrip­tion and read it ouer, which was as followeth, or to like effect.

After he had read ouer this fancie, he went a little further, and found written on a Poplar these ensuing lines.

PRiscus hauing read these two inscriptions, and two or three more to this effect, recounting with him selfe the great miseries of vnfortunate louers, and howe happy they liued which were not skorched with the firie brandes of that pieuish god, and seeing nowe he aymed aswell at a ragge as at a r [...]be, and could as well take a nightes lodging in the poore cottages of homely Swaines, as a mo­neths respite in Kings princely bowres, he greatly pittyed the hard fortunes of the poore shepheardes, who were thus tormented with the vnkindnesse of some coye minion, that frequented the downes hard adioyning vpon this Forrest: and therefore desirous to vnderstande further of this matter, what manner of one she was, that had infec­ted these haplesse Swaynes with her beau [...]ie, he held on a good pace till he had recouered the plaine, where vpon his first entrance he had espyed a fatherly olde man, with whome he questioned about this faire and farre renowmes shepheardesse, who told him, howe two of the quaintest▪ and bountest Swaynes that frequented those downes, [Page] were in great despaire for the loue of her: this olde Father told him also that shee vsed to rest her selfe in the day time, in a little fine thic­ket adioyning thereunto. Priscus immediatly espying the same faire groue, from whence a fine little current issued out, stealing through a pleasant vale, which made him thinke that there should be a spring: wherefore being thirstie after his trauaile, and also desirous to take some rest, (if haply he could not meete with the fayre Mersa, to sa­tisfie him selfe in beholding so fayre a creature, as report seemed to make her) made as much haste as he could towardes the foresayde groue, and nowe being come euen to the entrance of the same, he might heare a voyce verie sweetely and melodiously singing, where­upon he stayed, and withdrewe him selfe to the skirt of this thicket, and there hiding him selfe, (least his presence should interrupt this musicke) he gaue attentiue eare, whereupon he might heare warbled out with a sweete note, this Cansong following.

PRiscus, all being husht and silent, espyed narrowly through those hanging boughes, to see if he might take a viewe of this fine shep­heardesse: for nowe he perceiued that it was she for whome the shepheards had made all that moane, and had printed so many Poems in the barkes of trees, to be the eye witnesses of their griefes: and presently he espyed this his handsome Pastora sitting by a fayre spring in a colde shade, attired in Sable, and couered with a purple mantle, her temples bound with a garland of Bayes, her nut-browne haire hanging about her shoulders made her beautifull v [...]sage (in the sight of these shepheard Swaynes) farre more amiable: for a blemish in all perfect shapes, bringeth rather a liking to the eyes, then a loa­thing to the minde: els had not Paris called the skarre which Helen had in her chinne, and Mars the mole which Venus had in her cheek, Cos amoris. These iolly shepheardes had sitting about her a great company of shepherd swaynes, all doing her obeysance and reuerence, as their Patronesse, and admiring at her beautie. Hereupon Priscus shewed him selfe, and beganne to salute her and the rest of the com­panie thus.

All haile happie Swaynes, who cannot choose but be fortunate, [Page] while they enioy such fauour, as to possesse the presence of so goodly a Nimph, not omitting my duetie to the faire Mersa, as the chiefe Patronesse of so goodly a company. I came not here of purpose like a stragling runne-away to robbe you of your goods, but by chaunce guided by good happe, and being come, willing both to satisfie my longing desire, in viewing so fayre a goddesse, (Fame menacing re­uenge to all that time affoorded knowledge of, and did not fill her shrine with plentie of offerings in honour of her Deitie) and also be­ing wearyed with long wandering of these harbourlesse plaines, and desirous to take the benefite of a coole shade, to ease my wearinesse, and the commoditie of this murmuring spring to quench my thirst, if faire Nimph (addressing then his speach to Mersa alone) by your curtesie and fauour, I may obtaine the same. Report hath filled mine eares with your praise, and mine eyes dazeled with your beau­tie, doeth warrant your commendation to be but deserued: and fame to be rather a niggard then prodigall in decyphering of your good giftes. Wherefore I doe hope that you will not blemish that visage adorned with all beautie, with a minde furnished with coy dis­daine: and therefore I being a stranger doe desire, (although vpon a sudden I can not deserue) that measuring my actions by the curtesie of a bountifull minde, and leuelling at my desires after the necessitie of the present time, you will affoord me that fauour, which the weari­nesse of my feeble bodie doeth require.

Mersa hearing the solemne protestation of the gentleman, though maruelling whence he came vpon such a sudden, or the cause of his speeches being a stranger, replyed thus.

Gentleman, sith your fortune was so hard to light vpon so barren a harbour, you are heartily welcome to such as it is: and though the Crab-tree beareth no sweete fruite, to make Sydar for the daintie [...]ooth, yet it bringeth foorth sowre crabbes, whereof veriuyce may be made, which will yeeld good relyce in the taste: and in like manner homely swaynes, though they haue no sumptuous fare that is sweete in the mouth, yet they haue homely cates that is holesome in the mawe: no cheare to feede the eye of the curious, but the belly of the hungrie, respecting more the sawce which is a good appetite, then the meate which is alwayes but grosse. And with that Mersa rea­ched [Page] vnto her a white linnen bagge, intending to make him such a homely banquet, as the present time and place could affoord, but Priscus presently peceiuing her pretence, refused not her offered cur­tesie: but after repast was ended, (which was well to his contenta­tion, hunger had so tempered his stomacke to haue appetite to meate, were it neuer so grosse) he desired the two louing swaynes that con­tended for Mersa, that he might heare some of their Poems, which willingly they graunted vnto him, and then Hymon, for so one of them was called, began thus.

Hymon hauing thus ended his song, wrapped in a mind ful of im­patient thoughtes, was ready with the Swan to forsake his life, for very feare of the future iudgments, which immediately he was to re­ceiue. And Phyletas pricked forwardes with no meane desire of put­ting in his plea, and in some good hope of a fauourable sentence, for that he was a bonier swaine, and more quaint than all the rest, & ther­fore was more in countenance fauoured of Mersa. Hauing deliberated a prety while in tuning his instrument, he fell to his musicke, thus.

PHiletas had yet skant made an ende of his song, when as they might heare a great rushing amongest the bushes, and presently there appeared vnto them, a great Gyant of a maruellous huge stature, carrying in his hand a mightie mace of yron knotted, to the which was made fast two or three chaynes with great Iron balles in the ende thereof: this huge monster so terrified the poore swaynes, that they made great haste to runne away, and he with a roaring and hollow voyce more liker a diuell then a man, called on Mer [...]a to stay, saying that no defence were it euer so strong, could shrowde her from him: whereupon the valiant Priscus (nothing dismayed at the mat­ter) stept vnto this vglie fiend, and hauing his fine Morglay readie drawen, he quickely sheathed in the Gyants bellie, who was vnar­med, whereupon he gaue such a horrible grone, as though heauen and earth had met together, and therewithall with his mightie Club began to lay about him, but Priscus being light and nimble did easily auoid his blowes, and againe lent him such another wound with his cutting sworde, that hee seuered life from his vnweldie limmes. Whereupon he called againe the shepheardes, which were not farre off and sawe all which happened, whereof they were very glad, and tolde Priscus howe he had slaine the great Albanus, who continually many yeeres before, together with a multitude of thieuish compani­ons, and a sonne which he had much like him selfe, or rather more [Page] monstrous, robbed and spoyled all the inhabitants thereabout, and trauellers that passed that way: wherefore they aduised him to get away with speed, least he should be ouertaken by the cruel Calfurnio Albanus sonne, and his lewde and thieuish complices, so happly he might be driuen to stay when he would willingly be gone. Priscus smiling at their seruile feare, and ayming at nothing but honour, ar­med him selfe with the resolution of an inuincible mind, and so taking a fine Iuorie borne that hanged about Albanus necke, he bade the shepheardes adewe, and thanked them very often for their kindnesse, and then mounted againe vpon his horse, and rode away very swiftly towardes the Forrest, to the end to finde out Calfurnio and the rest of his crewe, and the rather to meete with them, he wynded the horne which he had taken from Albanus, thinking that they would quickly repaire to the sound thereof, which was wont very often to be the cal of their leader, thus hallowing and showting like a huntesman, in the end he recouered the Forrest againe, where entring to a fayre greene chase, he might espie a great number of men, and amongest the rest one great deformed Gyant, which presently he perceiued to be the sonne of Albanus and his companie: all which were gathered to­gether in a flocke about one alone Knight, who dealt amongst them many deadly blowes, and sent their groning spirites to keepe holy­day to the damned and infernall ghostes, yet Calfurnio was so stur­die, that he lent the Knight many a daungerous buffet, with a bigge stiffe clubbe which he had. Priscus stoode a long while wondering at the great courage of the strange Knight, that so manfully behaued him selfe amongest so great a company of barbarous and rude people. And then made haste to assist him, lest vpon a sudden he should receiue any dammage amongest those vnciuill monsters. And thus enflamed with a desire to make a quicke dispatch of them all, he out wih his sworde and allighted from his horse, and then quickely made a way through the thickest of them, till he came side by side with the strange Knight, where he lent such a friendly assistance vnto him, that they were quickely rid of their enemies: for the most part they slewe, and the rest fled away. The strange Knight which thus was in combate with Calfurnio and his company, was Moderatus, who (while he tooke his rest in Albania, staying his messengers returne from Flo­rence [Page] with answer from prince Perduratus, concerning the triumph which he was to performe there) hearing report of Albanus and Cal­furnios great outrage, and mischiefes committed against the inhabi­tants thereabouts, was come there secretly al alone to seek out those hel-hounds, which he dealt withall, when Priscus came to assiste him. Moderatus seeing no more to be done, and that he had vanquished his enemies, he turned vnto Priscus, with an intent to giue him thankes for his kind succour offred vnto him, in time of so great need: but loo­king vpon him, he presently knew him by a deuise which he had in his armour, whereupon he was stricken into a great admiration of his bounty, & ioy of his presence, which brought him almost besides himself for pure ioy: And presently taking away his own helmet, hee discoue­red himselfe to Priscus, by this each of them knew another: weepe and imbrace they did, and what more (Gentlemen) I leaue to your imagi­nations, that obserue and keep sacred, a faithfull and vnspotted league of true and perfect friendship: for truly better may a man conceiue in his mind, than set foorth with his pen, the vnspeakable kinde salutati­ons, friendly greetings, gentle embracings, recyting of sorrowfull ad­uentures, in ech others absence, and reioycing now at last in their so happy meeting. All which was so perfect a map of pure and vnspotted loyalty, that assuredly it was no lesse than admirable, to behold the motions of their rare and feruent dispositions. And after they had thorowly reioyced, in ech others presence, they began to reckon vp of either side the aduentures hapned vnto them since their parting.

And first, Moderatus shewed all the course of his pilgrimage, his comming to Aemulia, Priscus fathers court, how he had defended his sister Modesta from death and infamie, discouering withall his affe­ction towards her, his departure again from Lothus court, his trauel in the Forrest Esina, Modestas letter sent vnto him by Perio, his re­turne towards Aemulia again, the report of the great triumph con­cerning Modesta, the which was also to be performed at Florence, in his owne fathers court, who was now restored to his ancient honor and liuing againe: Bergamos possessing of Modesta, his proceeding forwards with her towards Florence, to finish the enterprise: and how himself met with him, and entring the combat, bereaued him of his life, and thereby got the custody and protection of his sister Modesta, [Page] and how he was now to performe that begun enterprise: and by king Lothus proclamation, if he finished the same, he was to haue his faire sister Modesta for his wife, who nowe together with the rest of his company, he had left at a village called Albania, that was hard adioy­ning to that Forrest. And when Moderatus had from point to point thus discoursed at large of al matters vnto his friend, Priscus was more ioyfull than before, first in that his sister was deliuered from the false and treacherous accusations of Delamure, and also because hee was like to haue Moderatus for his brother in law, that he loued a­boue all men in the worlde, and therefore Priscus returned him this salutation.

Happy be this day wherein such number of ioyes doe concurre to­gether: for beleeue me Moderatus, if the monarchy of the whol world had bene granted vnto me, I would not haue bene so glad, as of these tydings you do bring me, with your self, the which alone had bene suf­ficient to yeeld me more contentment, than I am able to vtter, much sorrow haue I sustained by reason of thy absence, and more was the sorrow I conceaned, when dissembling Florida vpon receit of thy let­ter, & knowledge of thy departure, giuing mee a friendly countenance accepted of my seruice, and being throughly entred into acquaintance with her, shewed me the same letter sent vnto her in my behalfe, assu­redly if al the furies together had conferred to deuise the greatest tor­ture that could be found, all that inflicted vpon mee at once, could not haue plagued me more: But yet all did not grieue me so much then, as it ioyeth my heart now that it was so, because I am in good hope that it was a heauenly decree, to vnite our loues with more ample scope of friendship, for besides the likelyhood you are into wed Mode­sta, (as no doubt the Fates cannot be so iniurious to preuent it) I do greatly honor and loue Verosa your sister, who was the only comfort I had, whilest I remayned in Albigena. And now sith your father and my honorable good Lord Perduratus is so happily restored to his liuing and honour againe, and that you are here, which I know will assist me in any honest action, I make no doubt to obtaine her loue, if it be not that Cornelius Duke Deuascos sonne is Lorde of her hart already: some lyking was betweene them, but how it prooued after my departure I know not.

Chap. 16.

WHen they had thus debated betweene them selues, of all the accidents happened vnto them, after their parting they determined that Priscus should carrie the head of great Al­banus vnto Florence, and present it vnto Perduratus, making him­selfe knowen vnto him, and no dobut he should be very welcome. And Moderatus wished him not to make any shewe of acquaintance with him before this triumph should be finished, at what time he meant to discouer him selfe, and not before: whereupon the day being farre spent, Priscus returned to the place where he had left Albanus dead, and there striking off his head, he tooke his readiest way to Florence. And Moderatus, making no semblance of any trauell, taken in sub­duing those barbarous people, came again to Albania, by what time his messenger was returned from Florence, with this answer from Perduratus, that the daughter of mightie Lothus King of Aemulia, and her Champion was very welcome to his Court, giuing them great thankes, that they did honour him so much, as to make choyce of his Pallace, for the perfourming of so honourable an enter­prise.

When Moderatus had receiued this answere from the noble Perduratus, he presently set forward towardes Florence, where be­ing come, he found lodging taken vp for him by his messenger, very neere adioyning to the Lordes pallace, where he allighted. And his intent being adreadie published, there was preparation made for stan­dings, to viewe the sequell of this Turnament, and all thinges else that were necessarie and belonged thereunto: company continually repaired thither from all places: and amongest others, Cornelius, Deualoyes, and the rest of their company from Deuascos Court, came thither and were exceedingly well intertained. And Priscus a little while after them came thither also, and presented Perduratus [Page] with Albanus head, who gaue him most hartie welcome, and reioy­ced much in his comming, marueiling not a little at his great boun­tie, and valure, in performing so notable an exploit, al seemed greatlie to admire at the hugenesse of the head, by that one part gessing at the proportion of the rest, which they iudged to bee verie monstrous, and almost vnpossible to bee subdued by any humane power. And when they had a while busied their braines on this matter, more Lords and knights of great account repaired there: for that the very next day this triumph of iusting and turnament did begin. When Phoebus had bathed his angrie steeds in the wide Ocean, and that Hesperus ap­peared in the West, then time of rest approched, and all ceased from their day labours, till that Titan starting from vnder the cloudes, dis­couered Thetis escape with Neptune, thē euery body prepared them­selues to be diligent in his function, & Perduratus sent for the blacke Knight (for so Moderatus would haue himselfe called) and his Ladie to come to the Lystes, who were very ready, and the Knight armed and mounted, gaue direction for the conducting of Modesta there, who being placed in a seat appointed for her to behold [...] which shuld happen, her garde standing in order about her seat, the black Knight called for a speare to his page, which being had, he managed his horse vp and downe the lystes, expecting a champion, that in regard of his mistresse fauour, would maintaine her beauty against him. And not long after Perduratus and his Nobles placed themselues right a­gainst Modesta, of the other side of the lystes, and Flaminea, and all the troupe of her Ladies, her daughter Verosa, with her cousen By­sancia, who far stayned all the rest in beautie, came in and seuered themselues into partes, Flaminea and the ancient matrones of the one side of Modestas seat, And Verosa with the rest of the young La­dies on her left side. Here you might behold loue and beautie, peace and warre, yea Mars and Venus triumphing in a sympathy of decent and rare perfections, so glorious was the sight, so singular was the modestie, so resolute was the magnanimity, that here was to be found at this instant, that it might be doubted whether Venus with all her wantons, Diana with all her traine, and Mars with all his Marshal­lists were ther present: but howsoeuer, they being all thus seated, there came foorth the Dukes sonne of Panonie, in greene armour, and the [Page] picture of Hope engrauen in his crest, and vnderneath written in letters of gold, Solumiolamen Spes, hee was mounted vpon a milk­white horse, his saddle was green, & foreplate of beaten golde, his cap­parisons correspondent to the same, very richly powdered with Ori­entall pearls and pretious stones that were much worth, and of great estimation, two pages apparelled all in red, the one bore his spea [...]e on the one side of him, and on the other side, the other caried his Tar­get. And before him did ride vpon a fine Iennet, a maruellous beau­tifull and fine child, apparelled all in white, and carrying in his hands the picture of faire Helena, Queene of Corinth, and vnderneath the same written in faire capitall letters, this posie, Negat quis meam Helenam esse pulcherrimam? cum gladio hoc dubium resoluam. And whē he had gone in this order twise about the court, Tersimano (for so the young Lord of Pannonie was called) tooke the picture in his own handes, and hanged it vpon a piller that was set vp for that purpose, right opposit against Modesta, & hauing so done, he drew neer to the black Knight, who seeing him comming did salute him thus. Noble Hero [...]es, & worthy knight, being vnknown vnto me, so I dare cal thee, for more thou canst not be, & thy countenance and demanour doth warrāt thee so much, I had rather our salutation shuld be words than blowes, & friendship than contention, but sith I haue vndertaken to maintain Modesta, the daughter of mightie Lothus king of Emu­lia, to be the fayrest of al faire, and to be the only flower of beauty this day liuing, whose presence here before you is an eie witnesse, to war­rant my resolution to be lawfull, I must needs to maintain mine ho­nor, which is my greatest patrimony, combat with al that wil say the contrary. Tersimano noting the bounty of the blacke Knight, with his goodly personage and gentle disposition, returned him this shorte answer. Worthy Knight, sith to perswade you to leaue this intollera­ble errour you are in, is too great a charge for me, I cannot choose but bee sorrie, and to witnesse the right to bee on my side, beholde the picture of the second Hellena, but farre excelling in bounty the Queene of Greece, and [...]he causer of the Troians wrack, vnto whome if you wil not yeeld her due, let vs no longer stay, but trie the quarrell by Armes: whereupon they parted one from another, and then the Trumpets sounded, the neighing horses mad with anger, besprinkled [...]eir riders with the foming froth of their boyling stomacks, and both [Page] these resolute and valiant Champions coutching their speares in their rests, spurred their angrie Coursers to gallop as swift as the winde, who meeting in the midst of their course, shiuered their mightie speares, the splinters whereof flying in the ayre, into many peeces no bigger thā the smallest chips notwithstāding they made no more mo­tions in their seates, than if man, saddle, horse and all had bene one so­lide and entire body. And to speak the substance of the whole in a word long and perillous was this combat, for it lasted all the morning, till it drew towards high noone, at what time the black Knight doubled his blowes with great dexterity, his strength nothing abated, but of the other side Tersimano had his armour crased and broken in di­uers places, and therefore receiued greater dammage than the black Knight, whose armour was so good, that no weapon could pearce, and in the end lent Tersimano such a blowe vpon his helme, that hee brought him quite out of his remēbrance, wherupon he fastned hold in the raines of his bridle, & vnlaced his helmet, & plucked it off, and see­ing the good knight to auoid a great deal of blood at his mouth, he so­rowed very much, fearing least his life should bee in some danger, and therfore called for help vnto him, & shortly recouered him againe, who seeing himself in his enemies hands, & ouercome in that honorable as­semblie▪ had much adoe to saue himself from sounding againe: but yet like a wise man, seeing it was not boot to kicke against the sharpe, he yeelded vnto Fortune, & thanked the black Knight for his gentlenes, confessing himself to be ouercome both by his bounty & valour, and al­so by his singular and rare curtesie: wherupon al the companie dissol­ued the black Knight and his Lady to their lodging, their attendants following them. And the Lord Perduratus, & al the rest of the compa­ny as wel strange and forren princes and knights there assembled, as also his own Nobles & countrimen, went to his pallace inuited of him there to remain continually, during the time of this Iusting and tur­nament, where they were royally feasted. Al this morning Cornelius, Deualoys & Priscus kept cōpany with Perduratus (to view this braue cōbat) who had so effectually dealt with thē (because his deer friends) that he won thē not to aduēture thēselues against Modestas chāpion, before the time limitted shuld be neer expired, & therfore they had now good opportunity to glut their eies with the glorious hue of most rare [Page] beauties, which was the onley obiect of their delightes: whereupon Cornelius glancing towards Verosa (with whome hee had but little conference after his comming to Florence) hapned to espie faire By­santia, who sitting next to her cousen Verosa, stayned both her, & al the rest of the company in beautie, asmuch as Phoebus in bright­nes doth excell the least starre in the firmament. Herewith Cornelius hauing handled the pitch, was defiled therewith, for he that is subiect to change wil soone finde a choice, whose amours are alwayes like the Camelion, that is of euery collour, and so they, subiect to the dart of of euery beauty which they behold.

Chap. 17

THis fickle Changling thus mooued with the star-bright beau­tie of Bysantia, longed very much to assay if his traine woulde take fire, doubting least his friendship with Verosa would be a great let vnto him in this enterprise. And therefore to keep her occupied, he wished his cousen Deualoyes to bee doing with her, who yeelded vnto his request, & cōcluded to put this in practise of either s [...]de when opportunity would giue them leaue. Priscus was not idle al this while, for he did also cast in his mind howe to compasse the fauour of Verosa, greatly doubting thereof, because Cornelius was present, yet much animated, knowing his stay in Florence to be short, after whose departure, hee was in some better hope to recouer his desire. These new entertained seruants of Venus, more busied themselues with such friuolous cogitations, than in noting this braue and resolute combate between the blacke Knight and Tersimano, but being thus finished, Priscus was very glad that his friend had so happylie perfor­med this dayes worke, although (for feare to discouer his friend) hee kept his ioy secret to himselfe.

Repast being taken, and dinner ended, Cornelius and Deualoyes [Page] (although before this time they neuer seperated company with Pris­cus since their cōming to Florence for olde acquaintance sake) singled themselues, and went about with their cunning slatteries to entrap the silly and innocent Ladies, whom happily, according to their ex­pectation they met within a place conuenient, to impart their mindes vnto. Cornelius taking Bysantia by the arme, and Deualoyes Ve­rosa, they spent great part of this afternoone thus together, walking in the priuy garden, where by chance they had ouertaken the two La­dies, taking the benefite of the fresh aire. Verosa seeing her louer Cornelius to court another, making no semblance of friendship or dalliance with her, albeit at the first she was pleasant to Deualoyes, contented to take the aire of the fire to driue away infectious humors, although she meant not to burne before she would be reclaimed from that errour, seeing Cornelius to be such a changeling, and that she found her selfe wronged by him, she determined not lightly to be­leeue any Ligurian Courtier for his sake againe. And now repenting to haue built vpon so slender a foundation, very wisely and discreetly she sorrowed not so much, because she could not better holde a sliding shadow, or to speake more trulie, fickle and vnstayed substance: and therefore resolued not to wade further than she knew howe to re­turne, nor to trust before she had good triall, in the end cloyed with his flatterie, and not well pleased with Cornelius presence, whose light and wattering disposition she now farre more abhorred, than euer shee was in loue with his person, shee did shake vp Deualoyes with such short and quipping answeres, that now he found hee had met with his match: and thereupon Verosa with a Flea in her eare, parted com­panie with them vpon a suddaine, whereby she interrupted the conten­ted delight of Cornelius and Bysantia, who did well agree together: for Bysantia was ignorant of any friendship between her cousen Ve­rosa and Cornelius, and knowing him to bee descended of so noble a progenie, measured his secrete and priuate intentions, by his outward apparition, and being something credulous, she gaue him friendly en­tertainment who being in the depth of their conference, were forst to parte with a short vale: for Bysantia would not stay after her cousen there. But Verosa in this choller made such haste, that she recouered her chamber, before Bysantia was out of the garden, who mended her [Page] pace to ouertake her cousen, yet came short, but being at the entrance of her chamber, she could heare Verosa warbling with her lute this ensuing fancie.

BYsantia entered the chamber (before Verosa scant had breathed some few sighs after this sorrowful dittie) & asked her cousen why she started away vpon the sudden, hauing vnderstood somewhat by her song, which she ouerheard, she charged her with iealousie, adding further that if she did beare any mind to Cornelius, her self would re­pulse him in his sute, & giue him no more hope of obtaining her good wil. Then quoth Verosa, I pray God you be not more iealous than I am, when you shal find Cornelius but a flatterer: for surely hee hath promised as much or more vnto me (I am perswaded) than euer hee wil perform with any: wherfore take heed, for you may wel know, the Rose hath his prick, the Lawn his brack, the deadliest Adder lurketh [Page] in the finest grasse, & the greatest deceir is alwayes couered with the fayrest speeches: trust not afore you trie, for feare thy repentance shuld come too late: and as for me I am indifferent, for I had rather want than be cumbred with such a fickle friend, whose fancies be more in number than his yeares, & his yeares ouer many to be thus nussed in the sude of wind-wauering inconstancy: wherefore Bysantia, thou art old ynough to warm by the fire and not burne, to look vpon the Adder with her pide skin, and not to handle her sting, to make a differēce be­tween a flattering parasit, & a faithful & indissembling mind. And ha­uing a while debated vpon this matter, Verosa perceiuing by this li­tle discourse (that had in this behalfe passed between Bysantia and her selfe) that she had rather looke vpon the Panther, than come within his breath, gaue her the scope of aduising her selfe, and so leauing the chamber of Verosa, they went foorth to see what sturring there was abroad, and at their first flight, they met with Priscus walking alone in an outer gallery, not far from Verosas chamber, who came there of purpose to espie opportunitie to discouer his affections vnto her: who at their first meeting gaue him verie friendly entertainment, and de­sirous to confer with him singly, desired her cousen Bysantia to spare them a little time, who presently left them together to determine of new salues for their olde sores: for Verosa knew well of the loue hee had borne to Florida, and her disdainfull vnkindnes vnto him. And fin­ding her selfe in like sort agreeued with the wauering and fickle dis­position of Cornelius, she disclosed the whole euent of the matter vn­to him, as being both assured of his fidelitie, vnto whom she discouered herselfe, and also knowing that Priscus woulde-ioyne with her in com­plaint, being in like sort deluded by Florida, as she had bene with the dissimulation of Cornelius, burst foorth with great vehemency to ex­clame against his wauering inconstancie. Priscus giuing attentiue ear hereunto, was the gladdest man in the world▪ to find Veroso in this predicament. And where before hee doubted but Cornelius his pre­sence, now he found that let remooued, and therfore was boide to open his griefs vnto her, which he discoursed with her in this sort.

My deare Verosa, and only deare vnto me, because Verosa, is it possible that the Uine should beare the fruit of a brāble? the pear tree a crab? & that vertuous Deuasco shuld haue such vicious chickens as [Page] Cornelius and Florida, nay rather I thinke they be changed & none of his bloud, or els they were borne vnder some malignant Planet, whose aspectes predominate ouer their natiuities, were contrary to all humanity, nusling them vp in the bower of inconstacie. Wherefore (my sweet Verosa) let vs rather reioyce than bee sorrie, to bee rid of such wauering Kytes, and fickle changelings, whose voyces inchaunt like Syrens, and sighe preiudice like the Basiliske, alluring with their melodie, and inchaunting with their sorcerie, that sooner may one sur­fet of their cancred spices, than euer haue any iust cause to triumph with true delights. And least we should so farre wade in their incon­stancie, that we might be in danger of loosing ourselues therein, and withal should so long parlie of the dissimulations of flattering louers, till we should sauour of their hypocrisie, and so transnature our selues with custome, to execute a vile and base office, let vs therefore leaue them to their fancies, which is as hot as wild fyre in shew, and as cold as Ice in operation.

Priscus made here an vnperfect period, throbbing out many sighs, to ease his wearied and panting heart, and hauing perfectly taken breath, that he was able do speake, he glaunced to Verosa some parte of his affection, assuring her that his loue was in no fleshly fantasie, but a meere choyse of chastitie, founded vpon the rocke of faith, and builded with constancie, onely led thereunto by the singular vertue, which so shined in al her actions (like the glowing worm in the night) that it lighted him out of the bottomlesse dungeon of darke despaire: he shewe [...] also vnto her how the great and loyall amity, between him and her brother Moderatus, was a spurre which still prickt him for­wards, to compasse a meane to be tyed with perpetuall vnion to him and his for euer.

Here Priscus paused againe, and Verosa noting his suddaine sighes, his solemne protestations, and strange passions, well knowing the man to be of a vertuous and rare disposition, whome she alwayes affected for the same, and her brother Moderatus great friende, and therefore must the rather be fauoured of her (making no doubt of his constancie, whose faith already had obtained credite sufficient to dis­charge the same) after some fewe protestations, to ground in him a good opinion towards her (which was needlesse, being already so pe­remptory [Page] in that point, that he iudged Verosa only beautifull, onelie wise, and only vertuous) shee made it not coy to confesse vnto him, that she would requite his loue with the like, so farre as with mode­sty and her parents consent she might, to whome she was in dutie and obedience bound.

Priscus was so wel pleased with this answere, that hee would suf­fer her to procced no further, but rauished with ioy of this happy mee­ting, disclosed how that in defence of his sisters beauty, her brother Moderatus was the Champion to perform that honorable triumph: leauing vnrecited no act or circumstance either of his friende (and her brother) after their departure from Albigena, coniuring her not to disclose any of these secretes, til the substance of the whole being ripe, she meght behold the conclusion of a most excellent and rare exigent: and so sealing his bargaine with a secrete kisse on her sweet lips, hee tooke his leaue for that time, both of her and Bysantia, and so rested to expect further aduentures the next morning.

Chap. 18.

THe noble Perduratus ▪ forseeing (very wisely) by admitting all to the combat of the sword, there might growe great inconui­ence, wherein so many worthy and valorous Knights should be brought into such an extreame perill, and vnpossible but that some of them should miscarry, did therefore make a solemne procla­mation to be made, that no man either forriners or countrimen, shuld presume afterward to enter the combate with the sword, without his special licence, but to [...]rie their knightly prowesse by iusting only, and [Page] no otherwise, after which commandement was published abroad, all determined to obey the same, and the blacke Knight being ready in the field, expecting a Competitor, there repayred diuers, as wel prin­ces of great renowne, as worthy knights of peremptory resolutions, trying their marshal skil with that inuincible champion, who daylie got the honour of the field, and so well behaued himselfe in that honou­rable exercise, that very few scaped vnhorst the first encounter, so that after two or three dayes were expired, he had verie little to doe, for that the fewe remayning vnfoyled by him were affraid to aduenture themselues, least they should be discredited thereby. In this meane time Cornelius and Deualoyes had good opportunity to court their Mistresses, which they did with great diligence, but notwithstan­ding all their dissembling flatteries could not preuaile: for that Ve­rosa being once burned, would not handle the fire againe, and she had schooled her cousen Bysantia for being too credulous, so that these sickle changelings were descryed, and their welcome was thereafter: who perceiuing their sophistry would take no effect, they grew not only melancholy, but also (as it were) desperate, and therfore the time of the triumph being expired, only one day remayning to make a final conclusion of all, they prepared themselues to hazard their credits, be­ing in such fury, that they supposed no humaine power could with­stand them, with this resolution hauing prepared Tawny armours for themselues (the badge and token of despised louers) after part of the day was spent, they came both to the fielde, and aduancing them­selues to the place of Lystes, the black Knight was ready to receiue them: and so Cornelius ranne first, and broke his staffe vpon Mode­stas Champion verie gallantlie, but neuer shakt him in his seat: And the black Knight knowing Cornelius (for that he had some speaches with him before the Trumpets sounded) when they came to the en­counter turned away the end of his staffe from him, whereat Corne­lius was very wrath thinking he had so done in disdaine of him, & fet­ching his course the second time charged his staffe vpon him with a double force, but the good black Knight slenderly regarded his furie, passed by him in like sort as before, not offering any maner of encoun­ter vnto him, nor yet receiuing any dammage by the strong encoun­ter of Cornelius, whereupon Deualoyes started to his cousen, and [Page] perswaded him to leaue, and that he might trie himself with the black Knight, who as it seemed fauoured him, by reason of some olde ac­quaintance, or els was affraid to deale with him, and therefore wold offer him that occasion of kindnesse, whereby to auoyd futher triall of his strength, with these perswasions Cornelius restested satisfied, and Deualoyes prepared himselfe to take his fortune, to finish and con­clude this whole triumph: for the last houre therof was now at hand, and therewithall turning his horse about, spurred him to runne with great swiftnesse, and the black Knight perceiuing his purpose, gaue him the meeting, and the encounter was so rough, that Deualoyes measured his length vpon the ground: whereat he was greatly offen­ded and would haue drawne his sword, but that hee was commanded by the Iudges to stay, both for that the time appoynted was now fini­shed, and also because it was against the kings commandement, and then (patience perforce) Deualoys was faine to stay his hand, notwith­standing that he had rather haue lost his life outright, than be so dis­credited in such an honourable assemblie.

The valour of the black Knight did put Perduratus in remem­brance of his sonne Moderatus (whom in marshall actiuitie (as hee supposed) he did much resemble) and that rack-master Remembrance torturing with great extremitie his mind in thinking thereof, but ne­uerthelesse (like a wise man) dissembling his griefe, least thereby his guests would not think themselues w [...]lcom, when they should see him melancholie, he took al things patiently▪ and sent a messenger to de­sire the black Knight and his Lady Modesta to supper, wherby they might see if his skill in carpet trade were equiualent with his mar­shall discipline, the blacke Knight accepted of his bidding, and pro­mised to satisfie his expectation, who after the messengers departure was at great warres in his mind, how he might discouer himselfe to his Parents: in the end Priscus being then present with him, they de­termined that Modesta should be first conducted to the Prince, who following certaine instructions they gaue her, shoulde open all the matter vnto them, which she assented vnto, and then being conducted by Priscus to Perduratus presence, after that she had demaunded li­cence to speake, shee framed her speach vnto him in this man­ner.

[Page]W [...]rthy and renowmed Uice-roy, the mirrour of true nobilitie, and the lanterne of perfect vertue to all Christian Princes, I haue by the direction of King Lothus my father, arriued here to your court, where I came vnder the conduct of a worthy knight, who by mine owne consent, and his great merite, hath wonne me to be his for euer: from him, and in mine owne name also do I salute you, and your La­die Flaminea, wishing you both long life, health, and happines, to fa­ther these new erected buildings, and their possessors, and to eternize your owne worthines in the Annales of perpetuall honour: I bring tydings (O victorious Prince) which I knowe will be no lesse wel­come vnto your Highnesse, than they are profitable and pleasing to your subiects, yea such tydings as I doubt not the child vnborne shall haue iust cause to reioyce therein, but before I discouer so great a se­crecie, I am to craue a gift of your royal Maiestie, in granting wher­of you shall augment your owne fame, encrease your owne power, and inlarge the territories of your dominions, where of the other side in denying my request, you should not only do iniustice, but also reape dishonour, in doing lesse than honor and vertue commandeth.

I am to make this request for one that nature bindeth you not to denie, and for one that honor and pollicie commaundeth you to yeeld vnto his desire, whose good wil being obtayned, Perduratus may brag of happinesse with the mightiest Prince in Europe.

Then know noble Heroyes, that here I present you and the Lady Flaminea, with noble and victorious Lothus his sonne and heire, Moderatus his dearest friende liuing, I say, I present your excel­lency with Priscus my brother, who hath vowed to bee a husband to Verosa, or neuer to be any: who deserueth Verosa, for that hee lo­ueth Verosa so well, who is not hated of Verosa, because Verosa knoweth already so much, and willingly accepted thereof. Now you know him, I leaue for you to iudge whether hee deserueth Verosa. And yet famous Prince, I bring better newes, for that I present Priscus vnto you from the thrise worthy Knight, whose valiant deeds at armes, hath made his name famous in the worlde, in vanquishing proud and arrogant Delamure, (whose very name was a terrour to all Aemulia) who falsly accused mee of fornication, being innocent therein: in destroying the monstrous Gyant Bergamo, that got such [Page] honor in my fathers court in performing the first part of this triu [...] which now is happily atchieued by him, in vtterly rooting out mischieuous crue of deuillish Albanus: Priscus my brother and his friend by good fortune conducted to the place where those barbaro [...]s people charged him with a number of vncutteous blowes: yea from him I come to make this request, that desireth rather to gaine ver­tuous honour secretely, than to make any ambitious ostentation ther­of publiquelie. And therfore, least I should holde you longer from your deserued ioy, and desired expectation than stood with reason, knowe (victorious Prince) that I come from my Champion, my heartes ioy, and your right renowmed sonne Moderatus, from him I come who in my Fathers presence (as you all will witnesse) hath gained to himselfe perpetuall honour: All these thinges considered, I ex­pect Verosas acceptance, and your royall consents, and then all is perfected to make happy two kingdoms.

I leaue to your iudgmentes (Gentlemen) whether Perduratus and Flaminea had not iust cause to reioyce in these so gratefull and prosperous newes, not onely in finding their lost sonne againe, but al­so in so honourable and worthy a match, both to Moderatus and Verosa: so that all these ioyes concurring together in one, stirred in them such ouer-ardent delight, that the vehemencie thereof berea­ued them from the vse of their speach for a long time: In the end, the tydinges being verie welcome vnto them, all the whole courte there assembled, reioycing likwise at these prosperous newes. Per­duratus first commaunded his sonne to bee sent for, who being come, fell vpon his knees to his father, crauing pardon for his suddaine departure, his so long absence, and the concealing of himselfe so long from his Fathers court, who (carrying with him sufficient reasons, to excuse himselfe, though no more than his owne presence, which verie often (with bitter teares of his Parentes) was desired) was kindly embraced, and louingly entertained of his noble Parentes, who neuer suffi [...]ie [...]tlie satisfied in beholding of him, watered their checkes with aboundance [...]f salt teares, for ioy thereof. And in the end recouering their speach againe, they returned vnto Modesta many kinde thankes, with verie friendlie and gracious acceptance of [...] franke and g [...]tle offer. Whereupon order was taken, to make [Page] and things in a readinesse, for the solemnizing of the Nuptials, aswell [...] Moderatus and Modesta, as of Priscus and Verosa, to the greate contentment of all Florence, and to the prosperous and happie state thereof.

Cornelius and Deualoyes beholding all which happened, albe­it at first they could not bee perswaded, but that they were in a dreame, yet calling themselues to better remembrance, they were so disquieted in minde to beholde this sudden accident, that all the en­treatie that Perduratus could make, was scant able to perswade them to stay the consummation of the mariages: which being fini­shed, they presentlie departed towards Albigena, leauing the Flo­rentines to triumph in the multitude of their new ioyes.