THE Famous History of Chinon of England, with his strange adventures for the love of Celestina daughter to Lewis King of France. With the worthy Atchivement of Sir Lancelot du Lake, and Sir Tristram du Lions for fair Laura, daughter to Cador Earl of Cornwall, being all Knights of King Arthur's round Table.  
By Chr. Middleton.  
AT LONDON, Printed by john Danter, for Cuthbert Burbie, and are to be sold at his shop by the Royal Exchange. 1597.   

To the right worshipful Master Edward Stanley Esquire.  
SIR, were I not more comforted with assurance of your Generous disposition, than persuaded of any merit on my part, by offering the Patronage of this History to your hands; I should as certainly despair of the acceptance, as I am uncertain whether it be worthy to be accepted From the time of my first entrance in Printing till now, it is the first Book of this kind I ever had power to dedicate, from my first years of capacity to read any printed thing, my affectionate duty hath to your W. been dedicated.  
Enisham one of your Lordships was my birthplace; and as my Friends there pay duties for the place they live in, so tender I this here as part of my duteous love.  
The Author of the Book hath left it to the wide world without a Patron, perchance esteeming it unworthy protection: neither do I think it in the least part worthy your protection, before whose excellent judgement (so daily conversant among the most judicial) it cannot but vanish like light smoke before a bright flame. All my excuse is love, all my request is pardon; which as (I first inferred) your noble disposition assures me of. On which foundation building, I cease now to be more bold.  
Your Worships, most dutifully affectionate: john Danter.   
The famous History of Chinon of England, Son to Lord Cador Earl of Cornwall, with his rare achievements for fair Cellestina daughter to Lewes' King of France.  

CHAP. I.  
How Chinon the Earl of Cornwall's Son was borne a fool, and of the excellent ornaments of nature wherewith his fair Sister Laura was beautified.  
IN the beginning of this flourishing Kingdom, when Arthur then Monarch of this little world, with his attendant Knights, whose valorous exploits every where acted for their Country's honour, hath eternised their everliving names, even in the farthest coasts of the barbarous Pagans, where yet in despite of consuming time lives their eternal Trophies as spectacles for all posteritics.  
In this time lived there in England an ancient Knight, whom this famous king for his many merits and well deserving deeds, had installed in the Earldom of Cornwall, a dignity as he thought fitting the deserts of this famous man, that had so often undergone the furious attempts of the uncivil Pagans, enemies to God, foes to his country, and great hindrances to the then but young plants of springing Christianity, as also endeavouring himself every where to defend the fame of his country, then of all other only fame worthy the Honour of his order every where honoured, and the duty belonging to his Knighthood, which he always performed, till at the last when the weight of many weary years, 'gan bow his declining body down to the lowly earth, making his oft tried Armour too heavy a burden for his now war weakened body, his brandishing sword beating down his age fallen arms, and every supporter of his lusty limbs begins to fail of their former force, he determines to end his life in peace at home, whose beginning he had spent in wars abroad, encouraging younger men with the spectacle of his former valours, courageously themselves to attempt the like endeavours.  
In which time of his home abode, the heavens blessed him with two goodly Children, a Son & a Daughter: but yet as it is the continual course of all ruling fortune to mix with every good some ill, with every sweet a sour, & with every sunshine show of promising hap, a tempestuous storm of ill boding hurt, so fared it in the issue of this yet unhappy Prince: for when the stealing hours of all ripening time had brought them from their Infant cradles to some participation of sensible knowledge, his Daughter whose name was Laura, so forwardly prospered in every Liniament of her beautiful body, & all eternal qualities of a virtuous mind: so that in short time she became the censured subject of all wise judgements, in determination whether nature had better beautified her body, (where indeed she had exceeded herself) or the Gods qualified her mind, wherein they had made her the only similitude of themselves. No pen that was not busied in painting her praises, though all too little for that purpose, and no tongue but was still telling her perfections, though they never could attain them: for too bright was her beauty, to be shadowed in the couloring cunning of a mortal capacity, and too high her heavenly mind, to be enstauld with the earthly weeds of man's base wit, that as the toil some Sailors in the dangerous Seas watching the misfortunes of a tedious night, doth with themselves mightily admire the gorgeous state of many twinkling stars, till when the silver Moon proudly rising from her glorious bed, draws back their dazzled eyes to behold her more than common countenance: so fares it in this age of theirs, where no star may compare with her state, no face with her fair fortune, nor no grace with the least glimce of her glory: so to leave to express that in words, which could not be comprehended in all wits, never did nature before compose of so rude a Chaos, so comely a creature: But her Brother whose name was Chynon, outwardly form in as fair a fashion, as might well beseem the son to such a fire, but in his mind more than a maimed man, wanting that portion of sensible capacity which commonly doth accompany even the meanest seruillitie: So that by how much his Sister exceeded in extraordinary wisdom, by so much was he scanted in ordinary wit, where in steed of Princely feature, was nothing found but foolish behaviour, for high atchivementes boyish follies: for that which is required in a man, not so much as is commonly found in a child, uncapable of the rudiments of good counsel, and unfit to conceive the commodity of comely quality: whence as all men with admiration wondered at the one, so none but with commiseration pitied the other, that so well fashioned a body should contain so ill form a mind, strongly had nature forged his limbs, which promised his valour, but weakly had the envious Fates framed his mind, where was no hope of better, So that here nature unnaturally handling so good a subject, had enclosed in the perfect body of a man, little better than the unperfect soul of a beast, like almost the imitating of an apish artificer, that in fair shows deciphers a formal substance, in curious cunning colours painting a Princely perfection, which satisfies the outward sense as the same, but cannot content the inward conceit, being but a bare show: So by every outward appearance was he judged well, till trial by experience to every one proved him worse, but how great a corsive it was to his careful Parents, I leave it to them to consider whom experience hath taught to conceive the like inconvenience, great grief was it to his old father that had been himself full of valour, to see his young son though able, yet unfit for any such endeavour, which turned his hoped for rest to hapless ruin, his aged mirth to angry moan, and what so ever other content, into a contrary conceit, to see his poor neighbours comfort their servile lives with the sight of their forward Children, and he their unfortunate Lord wanting that redress which those poor creatures in respect of him in such plentiful manner do daily possess.  
Thus grieving to remember that which he cannot forget and sorry to have so discontented an object to his aged eyes, which he still be wailed, though by no means his grief could be healed, at last learns with patience to bear that which with pains he cannot amend, and instantly solicits the great Parliament of heaven, in whose dispose rests the estate of all creatures, that in their unsearchable wisdom they would either open the eyes of his blinded soul, forged in the misty vale of a cloudy ignorance, or else cut short the unpleasant date of his weary life, and so prevent the ensuing ignominy of his future times: where we must now leave him a while in his folly, till the process of our History bring us thither again.   

CHAP. II.  
How two of King Arthur's Knights, arrived in Earl Cador's Court, and how Lancelot du Lake obtained the jove of fair Laura.  
DUring which time this young Lady Daughter to this worthy Earl Cador, with the report of her matchless beauty, resounded in every ear the welcome sound of self pleasing love, and thereby incited many adventurous Princes, and matchless Knights to forsake their farthest Countries with contented travails, to confirm with their eyes what had so filled their longing ears, as doth the never moving pole draw the adamantine touch of every stéely compass, still to direct their purpose to one point, so fared it here, whether declines the glance of all eyes, the thoughts of all hearts, and the aim of all actions, amongst whom arrived two Knights of the honourable order of King Arthur's round Table, which was then so fully furnished with a peerless troop of courageous Caviléers, as justly compared with all countries for like company, whose names were Sir Lancelot du-lake, and Sir Tristram du-Lions, two wonders for their worthiness, matchless for their might, and for their courtesy exceeding compare: who amongst many millions of other brave Gallants there all for one purpose assembled, proudly opposes themselves against all approaching powers both of foreign and home-born foes that durst any way set themselves against her Sovereignty, wherein they so valiantly behaved themselves, especially Sir Lancelot du-lake, whose undaunted courage struck such terror to the hearts of his foes, and won such favour in the sight of his friends, as he was generally admired of all, but especially of Laura whose maiden heart being now touched with the prick of affection, received so deep an impression, as could never after be razed forth again, and look as there is no substance without his accident, no fire without his smoke, nor shadow without his body: so is there no love how closely soever it be shadowed, how cunningly soever it be dissembled, or how far so ever removed, but will by some means manifest itself, which in her proved true: for though her modest countenance blushing, ashamed at first to discover the earnest affection of a so soon conquered lover, laboured what in her lay still to repress her new mounting thoughts winged with the aspiring defence of a restless lover: yet like fire the more it is kept down the fiercer it riseth, floods the surer they are stopped, the sooner they overflow their banks, and winds the greater that are their oppositions, the more furious are their forces: so fared it with the labouring heart of this lawless lover, sometimes determining to disclose with her tongue what lay so hid in her heart, and then she blushed for shame: then determined to smother it in oblivion; and then looks she pale as fainting in despair: no minute but there entered into her mind the thought of a thousand doubts, no doubt but redoubled her trouble some thoughts, and both more and more doubts, still increases she unquenchable fire of her love-thirsting soul.  
In that things by how much they are hard to compass, by so much are more worth being once compassed, gladly would she forget that which most she delighteth to remember, feign would she shun the snare that she so willingly runneth into, and desires to wink at that she doth most desire: On the other side the worthy Knight despairing of his good fortune, or else doubting his former force, grew with melancholy demeanour to spend half in despair, the days he was wont to overpass in the fullness of desire, thinking either her affections were else where so thoroughly settled as could not be severed, or his worth meriting demeanour deserved not so much as a fair aspect from those powerful planets that guides the distressed estate of his sickly soul. Look as a weary wayfaring man, that tired with the toilsome labour of a tedioust avail, despairing with in his time to enjoy the end of his journey, and therefore useth a speedier pace to perform his purpose, so fares it with the still troubled mind of this distressed Knight, who determining with himself how he might work some means that might merit mercy in the moody censure of that disdainful Judge, who as he thought with a severe sentence, would rather pronounce his death than promise his life, determined with himself how he might do his endeavour to obtain her friendly favour, which with long consultation he thus concluded, namely to undertake some hardy adventure, & dedicate his labour to her love, and so if peradventure the happy course of all helping heavens did so prosperously further his attempts, as that in his weary plotted way, he might but fortunately find any worthy work, whose conquest might deserve commendations, he fed himself with this hope, that the settled persuasion of his sure love confirmed by the dangerous endeavours of his longing life, perfectly presented to her memory, by the achievements of his worthy victory, would somewhat assuage the fury of her contemptuous conceit, & if not at the first win her, yet by little & little wear out the blot from her memory, that detains his love from her mind: yet lest his abrupt departure might be a greater cause of his disgrace, he determined before he went to paint forth that passion in the unblushing lines of an amoreus letter, which he could not disclose with the inforsive words of a pity moving lover, & therefore sequestering himself from the resort of all company, he thus in pitiful terms discovers his pure love.  
Lancelot du-Lake, to the Sovereign of his soul, matchless fair Laura.  
LAura, pardon my rude proceeding, in that I so barely begin with thy naked name, for that thou dimmest all accents of fair, and exceedest all Epithets of wit, the Poets thought Venus' fairest when she was naked, for that her beauty being sufficient of itself, scorned all the artificial ornaments of rich apparel: And so of thee, whose shadow fairer than her substance, canst not be fitted with any style which thou dost not far surmount: Look down upon the servile estate of a subject slave, that burning in the fierce flame of a never dying fire, prostrates his silly soul at thy perfections shrine, so deeply imprinted in his heart, as but the comfort of thy pleasing self, no salve may ease his dying smart, only thou hast hurt me, and save thyself none can heal me. Ah do not then triumph in my tragedy, because peculiarly from thee proceeds my remedy: nor be not proud of thine Art, because thus piteously I implore thine aid, but with gentle favour entertain what with humble submission I entreat, and in requital of that deed I will impose to myself a toil without rest, a travel without end, and be a Conqueror without conquest, till my ceaseless pain may deserve thy pity, my toilsome travel procure our truce, and the Trophies of my victory requite some part of thy courtesy: Thus what I do or what I suffer, what I presently possess, or whatsoever I shall have, I sacrifice at thy Altar, as propitiatory offerings, and with the sad sighs of a sorrowful heart cense thy sacred shrine, still entreating but this, that thou wouldst gently accept these rude lines of a rude Lover, and when discontented distance shall divorce me from thy Angelical presence, thou wouldst at the least pity my sorrow, though thou wilt not salve my sore.  
Thine whilst his own Lancelot du Lake.  
THis Letter he delivered to a Page attendant upon him, and whilst his servant was gone to convey it to her, himself went in to take his leave of the Duke and the rest of his Noble friends and fellow Knights, where with a tedious discourse he discovers the cause of his so sudden departure, vowing his devoted service wholly to her honour, for whose love he was now forced to leave his Country, and seek strange Adventures in foreign Coasts, whom they all were sorry to forego; yet seeing his importance, solemnly commits him and his intended enterprises to the good fortune of his still favourable stars, except Sir Tristram du-Lyons, who for love of him, and honourable care of his solemn order, would needs in despite of what ever contrary persuasions, accompany him in his course: whom when Sir Lancelot had with many persuasive arguments of forcible friendship dissuaded from his endeavour, laying open unto him the great cause of his delefull departure, which so devoutly he had vowed to perform, as also what discontent the absence of so many Knights would breed in their King and Captain Arthur of England, whose royal furnished Table had ransacked the treasury of the world for to supply his want: yet all in vain strove his words to dissuade the other from his will, for not all the sugared words the others oratory could afford, would any whit dissuade him from his former purpose: but in despite of what ever accident should ensue, he would needs accompany him in his journey, vowing to sustain what hardy storms of abject misfortune soever should betide this thrice famous Lancelot his vowed brother, that never should the burning heat of all springing summer, nor the cruel cold of dead kill winter, weal nor woe, prosperous felicity, nor adverse extremity, sunder their souls whilst life did uphold their bodies: Whom when Lancelot saw that by no means he could dissuade, he gently admits his so long desired company, and with as many thanks accepts it, as the other with millions of offers had urged it.   

CHAP. III.  
How Lancelot du-Lake, and Tristram du-Lions arrived in the French Kings Court, & how Lancelot du-Lake overcame Roderigo Duke of Austria, and won the chiefest prizes in the Tournament, with other things that happened.  
THus these two adventurers for honour, after they had solemnly ta'en their leaves, joyfully set forward on their journey, & with a prosperous wind quickly cuts over the calm consenting Seas unto the bordering rocks that walls their country France from the fury of the sometime surging Sea, and after their arrival, being proudly mounted upon stately steeds, stout of courage, able of limbs, and beauteous in show, attended only with two Pages, who for that purpose they had appointed, takes upon them the nearest and directest way that bordered upon that coast where they lately landed, & spending the parching heat almost of a whole summers day wandering through desert woods and many unpeopled plains: till when the sweeting Horses, of the weary sun swiftly descending from the highest top of that heavenly hill, whence in his glory he overlookes the mightiest mountains that the earth affords, & by their fiery tract summoned the silent night up to her weary watch, they began to look out where they might espy any convenient place for their purpose, where that night they might repose themselves to rest.  
At last after much curious search descending down into the pleasant bottom of a lowly dale, where by chance ran from forth, the bowels of a mighty mountain, a cool fresh spring, whose silver current shadowed over with the heat expelling power of thick tuffted trees, refreshes the increase of all adjoining valleys, who weary with wandering, and willing no thing more than such pleasure as there was plentifully promised, they alighted, and raining all their horses to the big bows of an aged neighbouring Oak, 'gins with the fresh cool current of that pleasant spring to allay the thirst of their hot stomachs, where they had not long solicited themselves in the shade after their great travail, but that an ancient Hermit inhabiting the desert rooms of that unaccquainted corner, walking his accustomed journey, by chance lights upon these weary knights, as they were cooling their weak limbs in the delightsome depth of that pleasant spring, who as joyful to see some creature, of whom they might be better directed for the furtherance of their affairs, as the other was willing to supply their wants, with that poor provision that himself wanted not, they with courteous salutation entertain him, and he courteously regréeting them with the like wishes of good luck, requires what, whence, and who they were that had so far wandered from the beaten ways of those wide Deserts, to whom Lancelot with reverent regard to his old age, mildly answers that they were two Knights of the round Table, adventerers in Arms, that had for the honour of their order, the credit of their country, & the love of their love worthy Ladies, undertaken to travail even as far as sun and seas, the one would give them light, and the other afford them land.  
Then answered the old Hermit, are you happily come into these Confines: for not far from hence is the great Court of that mighty Monarch Lewes of France, that for the eternal memory of all succeeding posterity, hath for to try the strength, valour, & manhood that all the wide world can afford, appointed three Prizes, the first a rich Armour curiously wrought, and richly be decked with precious stones, whose worth I cannot in words sufficiently set forth, with all the habilliaments thereunto belonging: the next a gorgeous Bed curiously covered over with beaten gold, the fashion whereof far exceedeth the worth of the massy work, & all the rich adorning thereunto appertaining: the last but best, fair Celestina his daughter and heir, whom I may well call the wonder of our world, whose beauty I will not labour to blaze, least failing in furthering that rare report, I should discredit myself in seeming curiously to commend that whose least moytic exceeds the highest reach of any earthly mind: There may you try the trust you have in yourselves, & cut short the process of your long pretended journey: for that thither will resort all the flowers of Chivalry, that now flourish over the face of the whole world: To morrow gins these triumphs, whether in good time you shall attain, and for that this day well nigh done, will not afford you any further travail, please it you but to accept the turfio cabin of a homely Hermitage, and the simple supper of a silly sequestered man, that having forsaken the vain delights of his young days, hath be taken himself to the melancholy remembrance of his after life: where to supply your want of meat, you shall have store of welcomes, and when the next morn shall bring glad tidings of the swift ensuing sun, myself will direct you back thither, from whence you far erred in declining your weary journey hither.  
These two Knights courteously accepting the pleasure of this aged Hermit, contented themselves that night with the unbolstred bed of a hard hurdle, & when the lively Lark a gladsome Herald to the dawning day, 'gan with her silver sounding note to discharge the melancholy glooming night, hence haste these same following adventurers, to practise their forward endeavours, whom the old Hermit duclie directs how they should again get into the great traced way that directly would carry them to the Court, and so with many prayers for their good speed, committeth them to the charge of him that carrieth the care of all creatures: from whence they had not long travailed recounting to themselves the happy chance of their speedy arrival, but before them over an even leveled plain, they might espy a wide beaten way, being full fraught with still approaching travailers, that like a huge and mighty stream sending all his force to the sea, turns all the course of their conveyance to one end, directs their iournney with all speed thither, supposing that to be the way that should lead them to the Court, and those travailers wandering thither to be witnesses of the rare report of those deeds of Arms, whereof their old Host had the other night given such great commendations: where when they came, they found it to be even so as they before imagined, and turning themselves that way whither pressed the stream of the increasing company: At last they overtook a mighty knight clad in habiliments of gold, such as was the Armour of Achilles, mounted on a black Barbarian Steed, that with his stately gate stoutly contends to put down his Master in pride, trapped with the rich pomp of Persian work, curiously set with stars like Diamonds, that playing with the dazzling beams of the golden Sun, dimes all the gazing eyes of the greedy beholders: before him rides richly mounted ten esquires bearing ten lusty Lances, and thus marching in as triumphant a state as ever did Caesar in the Roman streets, he comes to the Court, where were ready prepared all necessary circumstances for such Knightly services: where before the Court upon a plain green provided for that purpose, the attendants appointed to be erected a rich Pavilion of wealthy wrought Crimson silk, the ropes of the same colour wrought with silver threads, and what else belonged to the supporting thereof was workemanlike wrought of the same metal: there till the time that every thing was ready for the Tilt, he reposes himself, where Lancelot longing to know and prove what was contained with in all this Port, boldly 'gins inquire of an attendant upon him what he should be, who answered that his Master was son and heir to the great Sultan of Babylon, drawn from his Country with the same of fair Celestina, for whose love he came thither, to adventure his life.  
Shortly after approaches the place another puissant Knight clad all in black, and he only attended by a little Page that bore his Lance, erected a sable Tent, of whom when he required to know, it was answered that he was called Triamore, son to the Duke of Britain, who for that he had long affected this beauteous Prince (for whose sake all this was provided) and she with like affection answered his love, seemed discontented in himself, that she should be offered to any but himself.  
Next him came many other of whom were too long severally to dilate. But in the end when all were ready, & every thing for these stately triumphs orderly provided, the Prizes brought forth, the Judges set, and every other appurtenance orderly appointed, the first that entered the Lists was Ferdinand heir to the Emperor of Almain, mounted on a white Courser, that being artificially arrayed with cunning conceited wings, Peggasean-like deceived the earnest eyes of every beholder, with a show of feigned flight.  
Against him prepares a Pagan, mighty of body, and cruel of countenance, who furiously meeting, like the fatal opposition of two Elements, shivers their strong staves, whose splinters spinning in the empty Air, with their buzsing sound, tells the brave encounters of their furious fight from whom they flew, which course the Pagan borne from his Horse, and sore bruised with the big bound of his unwieldy body, was conveyed from the place of their Chivalry, almost past hope of recovery.  
In whose revenge stepped forth many mighty men, hardy and approved Knights whom this young Prince with like fury, forced to fall with their fellows: till at last like an angry Boar newly roused from his drowsy den, bustling up his big brissels, as aiming at an act of rigorous revenge, steps forth the proud Sultan's son, and he pricking his Palfrey to the end he might rigorosly root out the springing hope of this young Prince, clapping as heavy a Lance in his strong rest, as ever Ajax fore the walls of Troy, shivered for the recovery of their unhappy loss: even like the furious stroke of two strong streams, that with their tirrible thunder affrights the unaccustomed ears of their near neighbours: meets in the midst of the Lists the lively Lords, where with equal encounters they were both dung down to the ground, where Ferdinand his horse unhappily falling upon his Master's leg, so bruised it, as he was not able again to recover his saddle, but was conveyed thence: which when the young Sultan perceived, stoutly triumphing in his valiant victory 'gins saucily to proclaim aproud challenge against all Christians, for the revenge of those fore punished Pagans: which vain glorious vaunt so stirred up the never vanquished valour of valiant Lancelot, as that addressing him to the fight, 'gins show himself at the other end of the Lists, as ready to recover the almost lost Honour of his Christian Country, whom so soon as the Sultan had espied, spreading his wings like a greedy Goshauke hovering over a fearéfull covey of cowardly Fowls, 'gins address himself to his former demeanour: whom Lancelot with such courage encountered, as bearing down both horse and man to the ground, astonished the unchristned slave with so fearful a fall, as almost quite expelled the vital spirits from his big swollen breasts: But yet feeling himself in so great a danger of devouring death, & out of all hope of the pitiful compassion of his eager enemy, began again to rouse himself, and speedily preparing his strong fencing furniture, so assay the fortune of a furious fight, casting over his shoulder a large sheltering shield and brandishing in his hand a keen edged Turtle-axe, 'gins no we a foot to assail him, that before on Horse back he did assault.  
When Lancelot perceived it, he provided himself for the like purpose, and courageously encounters this harm hammering Heathem, where betwixt them again began a far more fiercer fray on foot, than was cruel encounters before with their Horse, which continuing very long on both sides confirmed with the fierce falls of their unwieldy weapons, makes at length Sir Lancelot du-Lakes arms (weakened with the issue of much blood, that the Pagan had spilled with his blows) almost to fail of his former forces, which being espied of the Christians, and especially of the King, who above all other, despised a Pagan should possess so Princely a Prize, as they had there provided, 'gins every where to inquire of that Knight, on whose strength almost now depended their whole estate, to whom at length word was brought that it was a Knight of King Arthur's round Table, whose name was Sir Lancelot du-Lake, to whom all the Confines of Christendom hardly in Chivalry afforded a fellow: which struck such a dismal dump into the moody mind of this discontented King, to see the Champion of Christendom so near vanquished, under the pitiless power of a most hellish heathen, as almost drives the bright Roseal colour from his afore well coloured Cheeks.  
Till when this still triumphant Knight shakeing himself as from a sluggish slumber, reaches at the Pagan with such power, as that at one blow with his well tempered sword, he quite cuts a sunder the strong turret that hemmed in his head, & settling further down to his harmful head, batters a sunder the silver wall that shields the principal parts of soul serving sense, and the rest remaining remnants of that little world, wanting the direction of their greatest guide, altogether fail any further to sense their fainting fellows from his battering blows, which sight bred no small content to the almost sickly soul of the King, who expected nothing less than the so speedy death of his spiteful foe, who being by the conquered disarmed of his rich habilliaments, was by the rest of his company quickly conveyed to his curious Tent, and all his attendants sent home with sorrow, that whilom flourished in such hope for felicity.  
After this approached many other Knights to try their fortunes in that fight: from whence Sir Tristram du-Lions won the honour of that day, still working for greater glory with more manlike demeanour: Till when the nights black shadow, gins set an end to that days bright shows, and so every one expecting the end of their adventures, thronged to hear the just judgement of that sure censuring Senate, forepointed by the King to determine of this doubt, who with one assent after they had highly commended the many valorous deeds of divers courageous Caviléers, did above all wholly attribute the honour of that days duty to Sir Lancelot du-Lake, as one that had best deserved it of them all, and so putting him to the King, at whose hands he was to receive this renowned reward: he there with no less pleasure to hear the murmuring noise of the muttering multitude, buzsing the report of his valorous deeds: then with the hope of those rich rewards appointed for the Conquerors meed, received at his Kingly hands all those robes, of more than estimable estate, and whatsoever by due was sitting his desert.  
Amongst which was that more than fair Celestina, for whom rather than the rest was assembled such and so many mighty men, even from the furthest Coasts of all the Eastern Kingdoms to the Western Isles, bound up in the Ocean's bosom: but for that himself had before settled his service, to honour that Saint whose Idea graven with the Diamond points of Crystal carving eyes, in the impregnable table of his secret heart, whence no fury of new assaulting force, can ever wash it away, determines in this to win to himself the report of more worth, than by his former acts he had fully achieved: and therefore with many thanks to his Majesty, receiving the rewards of his honour, which now lay all in his power to dispose after some conference, such as to like affairs are most fit, calling for Sir Tryamore, of whom we before told you, that he was son & heir to the Britain Duke, 'gins thus discourse his honourable intent.  
Since quoth he the unmerited mercy of ever helping heaven, from the great attempts of many more mightier than myself, hath attributed the honour of this day to the undeserved duty of my deeds: By the censure of which sentence, I am to enjoy the possession of all this pleasure, whose especial good, rests in the glory of this more than a Goddess: yet since my mind not cappiable of her loves impression, because alrerady it retaineth the beauty of another, in such sure possession, as that no time can try it, no beauty blot it, nor other love with languishment lavish it away, to thee will I give what I might by right take away, and so gain more honour by the voluntary release of her love to thee, than I should get fame by the forcible detaining of her affections to myself: In which I shall bind thy love to me, as to a friend, her liking as to a favourer of her fortunes, and further the fair fruit of a yet scarce blooming bud, in the blessed bosom of another's beauty; & so delivering her freely over to Sir Triamore, twixt whom there had been afore such settled liking of likely love, to the kings great content, the lovers full consent, and his own more furthered intent, he disposed of the greatest part of his prize: the other several rewards he determined to send over into England to present to his Laura: for whose conveyance he addressed a trusty Esquire of his own, that from a child had followed him in all his actions of honour: where awhile we must leave him to his further adventures, and prosecute the presentment of his Prize to his peerless Paramour, which by his Page was quickly performed: who flying with the favourable fortune of well wishing winds, in shorter space than commonly acompanieth such tired travelers, arrived in England at the old Earl Cador's Court, where was then a Royal assembly of Courtlike company: to whom when it was known that there was arrived one ready to tell strange tidings of the admirable achievements of their late fortune finding friends, assembled all together to hear those welcome words into the Earls great Hall: where both himself, his daughter and his unseemly son, as also the rest of that Royal resort orderly placed with attentive diligence, quieted themselves to hear expressed these strange exploits: to whose presence did press a comely Esquire attended by a drudging Dwarf that was loaded with a rich Armour, who after he had in order rendered deserving duty to every several assemblant, thus delivered his message.  
Great Earl to whose honour wholly submites itself the whole worth of his work, that from the fierce fury of Aliens arms hath bravely born away these Princely rewards Grant pardon to my rash resort, and give licence to my truth telling tongue in few words to disclose the especial cause of my hasty coming: and then with the honourable accidents of these worth worthy wars, 'gins he to paint forth the praises of that famous fight: wherein from the still flowing force of many furious foes, had his matchless master bravely borne away the home brought booties: Which tale he so furnished with fitting Epithets, and true titles of adventurous valour, as never sung the sweet tuned tongue of heavenly Tully in the famous Capitol of still renowned Room, with more applausive speeches of a truth urging tale, extolling the eternised honour of those thrice famous adventerours with the heaven scaling style of a more than earthly Oration: and then with the black tragic tunes of strange misfortune, such as was the Art framed action of that Thracian Knight, when he described to doleful Dido the true story of Troy's estate: To whose powerful speech listened the attentive care of that pity moving Prince of whom we before told, when the happy heavens dispersing now the sable vale of sad faced folly, that so long in the dark dungeon of ignominy, had locked up the happiness of his after hopes, being now able in himself to see, that which before in another he could not discern, even as the Eagle after her age casts her bill, the Serpent slides off his skin, or the wanton Buck his harmless head: So he to the great admiration of all those worthy witnesses, suddenly starting at the strange tale of this well spoken Page, grievously be wailed the luckless date of his forespent days that had so sluggishly over slipped the young years of his youthful jollity in the fabling fancies of childish folly: wherein he neither had discharged the duty of a son, satisfied the honour owing to his country's service, nor won the least part of that worth, that by due desert he saw generally attributed to many men of far meaner birth, & therefore now turning his former foolish demeanours to more Princely promising endeavours, he suddenly solicited his old sorrow tired sire, that he would thus far further his intent, as to grant him leave a while to forsake his native soil, and learn thus to adventure for honour in far foreign lands, whose instant entreaty not brooking the deferring of further delay, earnestly urged his now more fortunate Father to further so his forward Son, as that presently providing all such necessaries as to him was most needful, without any more means made for his bootless abode, fitly furnished him in every point for such a purpose: where every necessary being provided, and himself now ready to departed, blessed with the many prayers of his joyful father to see his forward son recovered from the helpless horror of dark ignorance, to the approving prowess of Princely pusance, and with the well willing wishes of all his friendly favourites, he departs his home to seek his so long lost glory abroad.  
Mean while whilst thus Lancelot has sent over to his Mistress the afore named favours, speedy preparation was provided in France for the solemnezing of this Royal marriage betwixt Sir Triamore, and fair Celestina: which for that his father then resident upon his Dukedom, was desirous to content his old conceit with the sight of his sons marriage: Sir Triamore earnestly entreated of the King, that he would so far further his old father's request, as to licence their departure home into Brittany, whereto the old King willingly condescended and most Royally furnished this their joyful journey: whither being attended with sir Lancelot du Lake, and sir Tristram du Lions, besides many other aswell valiant Knights as beauty braving Dames, drawn out from the chiefest choice of all that Country, merrily sets forward on their way.  
In the mean time the Sultan hearing of the disgraced death of his son, and certified by some of his espials, of the pretended purpose of these Christian Princes were the only sharers of that glory, 'gins presently to levy what forces his Country in so short a time was able to lend, and embarking with all speed his Army, in short time landed all his men upon the unhappy Coast of Brittany, where orderly encamping themselves, about the warlike walls of that strong defended Town, where the Duke with all his attendants kept then a puissant Court for the welcoming of his son and his beauteous Bride; cutting off all those conveying passages, that leads any way to their neighbour compassing Confines, removing all semblance of succour from their longing fight: And being further certified of the near approach of that triumphant troup of valiant Victors, that fearing nothing less than such trothless treason, wears out their journey with such joy, as experience in far meaner men's matters proves passing all other pleasure.  
Whose purpose the subtle Sultan purposing to prevent, in an old overgrown wood, situate some four miles from the City, flily ensconced a great Scout both of horse and foot: who as soon as they had encompassed this careless company within their ill intending Arms, rudely rushed out upon them: who for because their coming somewhat too sudden in with the other Knights, could hardly provide to resist their foreplotted purpose, and the numbers so far different, as scarcely might they afford one Christian to twenty Pagans, whereby they were forced to a furious sight: In which sane only Lancelot, Tristram, and Triamore all were slain, and Celestina maugre all their force, conveyed away in the sight. Which when they perceived, like three enraged Lions, amidst the troops of the Forests fearful inhabitants, prays upon the cursed carcases of these unchristened Curs, till when no more fuel was left for their fire, no remainder whereon they might, work their further revenge, nor any other subject for their conquering swords, hope of recovery was past, because their numbers were too great; the fury of further fight in vain, because themselves were too weak; and being desperate almost, what way to take to find relief.  
Long time they spent in disputing what were best to do in this extreme danger, themselves being sore wounded with the many blows of their over numbered foes, their Armour bruised with the oft falling forces of their Foeman's swords, and their weapons almost all broken in this barbarous battle, incites to their sad thoughts what secure means they might seek for their best safeguard.  
Being thus left destitute well-nigh of all defence, they wandered up and down the untrodden ways of those waste woods, one reciting this, another inditing that, and the third misliking both; till when the comfortless covering of the sad faced night, 'gins hide away the life joying sight of the lightsome day, when these sorrowful sighing souls wandering in the unpeopled paths of these wide woods, spent all that tedious night in tired travels, sometimes straying this way, and then stepping that way again, till the sorrow of their sour chance had almost quite taken away the ready remembrance of themselves.  
At last as every sorrow hath an end, so had this long night, and the pleasant spring of the next ensuing day 'gins somewhat to cheer up their troubled minds from the cruel cares of their over passed pains, when determining with themselves to make speedy post to every several Christian Kingdom, and from thence to levy such powers of people, as should perforce make this heathen Hellhound again to render up to their hands this beauty staining Bride, whom he had so cowardly caught away: Till wandering together down the pleasant side of a summer showing hill they might espy beneath in the broad bottom of a dismal dale a great worn way, yet not such as accustomably are the conveyances of peopled beaten paths, but as it were the fatal footsteps of some mighty Monster that with his ill favoured feet had poisoned the sprouting springs of that pleasant Plain. Which after they had a long time followed, prying every way what this wonder should import: At last they a far off might hear the unaccustomed cries (as it should seem) of some tormented soul, that being grievously afflicted with some strange torments, made those ruthful moans to move the compassionate minds of some wayfaring wanderer to deliver her from that great misery: which they like two lost fellows in a great grown wood, that with the resounding Echoes of their loud scriking cries, brings themselves after long search together again, who listening from what likeliest place this same might grow, at last under the dark shade of a sheltering Cypress that overhung the mouth of a craggy Cave, he went out (as it should seem) of the big body of a ruinous Rock, they might perfectly perceive the same to proceed: Whither posting in all haste, striving who should stand in most stead for the release of this loss (as they supposed) rudely they together ran down without regard into this dark Den, who as soon as they were in, from out the dark covert of another cabbining Cave stepped forth a mighty Monster, framed with the deceitful face of a fair woman, but the big body of a subtle Serpent, whose poison swollen bowels bearing the breadth of a mighty Tun, was supported with the jointles legs of a Castle carrying Elephant, hands had she in form like a man, but in the substance of her frame more than a monster, a tail that Serpent like catcheth in the unprovided travailers, her back strongly fenced with broad buckling scales, that proudly opposes itself 'gainst the toughest steel, her force more than could be comprehended within the reach of a reasonable conceit: for she (after her Crokadile complaints she had) drawing the harmless Knight into that subtle snare, quickly routs up against the mouth of the hole a mighty stone, which the force of many men could not else remove, and so locking in these well meaning men within the compass of her loathsome Den, she leaves them to the comfortless consort of their now almost cureless cares.   

CHAP. FOUR  
How Chinon after his transformation from his foolishness, betook himself to seek for foreign adventures, and after how he encountered Sir Lancelot, and Sir Tristram in a Forest, where happened a strange adventure, and how Chinon pulled a sword from an enchanted Rock of stone.  
By this had Chinon crossed the Seas out of his own country, and arrived in France where he never came before, and himself yet ignorant in the course of travail, wandered up & down a long time, seeking some worthy work wheron he might make trial of his strength. But for that the desolate Coasts bordering upon the sea side, afforded no matter for his manly courage, after he had there spent some few days, he takes a new course of travel over the untrodden hills into the bosom of the next bounding Country.  
Which weary way, for that his horse being young and not yet used to the hard hap of adventures himself, even as a child that new sprung from his cradle, can hardly countervail the world's weary works; so fared it with this new Knight, who was greedy of glory, but unfit to find it: yet hoping of better hap, draws out his journey over many high hills, and then settles he down into the melancholy shade of deep darkened valleys, where before never footed any earthly creature, save foul Serpents, no noise but the sorrowful sound of the ill boding Owl; no light save the glimmering of a little beam that shining through the transparent leaves of black Cypress boughs showed him some comfort amidst this more than the shadow of death: No meat could he come by, save such as that unfruitful earth did afford, nor drink save the troubled streams of an unpleasant spring, that mixed with the unwholesome sorts of dead dropping leaves full of the filthy slime of sluggish Toads, and many such unwholesome creatures: his Bed the overgrown moss upon the side of the mountain; his pillow the top of an uneven stone; his covering nothing save the overshadowing bows of age trembling trees; his nightly sleeps often affrighted with the hissing of many foul snaks, unacustomable antomes to his ears: yet as he that will travel upon the sea, must address himself to abide the trouble of every storm; he that will enjoy the sweet content of felicity, must needs undergo all the hard haps of envious adversity: so he that will in this spacious world seek the advantage of Honour, must bear base direction of unseemly misfortune.  
So this young Prince after he had long time wandered thus without the direction of any way, at length espies a far off a chalky path, scaling the top of a high hill, whether with much ado at length he came unto, and after he had long time climbed upon the side of this mount, at length with many weary steps he attains the top: from whose height he might again look back at his overspent journey: following a long while the broad tract of that beaten way, presently he came to a narrow cut of passage out of the side of a flinty Rock, where the high hill steep o'er his head, troubles the course of the wind wandering clouds, beneath the lowly bottom of a black dismal Dale, filled with the furious force of aspiring springs, that working from the womb of the sea, even unto the highest top of that mighty Promontany, breaks out again, and with a fierce fall down into the dismal Dales, makes such a hideous noise: as when the unbridled force of the overflowing sea breaks down the bounds of his neighbouring banks, and drowns all the near placed plains, with his ever-working waters: Yet Chinon still hoping that after showers, at length would come a sun; after woes, weal; & after these hard passages pleasanter plains; with as much patience as he could, overgoes this grief he had, and 'gins at last to see the farther side of his weary way: from whence looking down, he might espy a more pleasant dale, whether descending by a down falling path that went into the bottom of a Hill he gladly at length attained, and there in a more fresher and pleasanter stream than before of a long time he had met withal: he some what refreshes himself, and being content with such fruit as that soil did afford him, he goes forward on his journey, still searching for that he could not find: At last he came as he thought to the mouth of some Cave that was fully filled up with the strong bulk of a mighty big stone, whose hugeness was such as could not be removed by the might of many men, where in old almost outworn letters, were these lines engraven.  

In prison here a puissant wight,  
Betrayed by cunning craft now lies:  
Whence no man but a maiden Knight,  
Can free him from his miseries,  
Whose first tried valour must assay,  
To rid this wretched man away.   
Which when he had red and curiously considered, 'gins to resolve with himself, to assay whether his fortune should be so good as to perform this service, where looking round about for him that did here in a peremptory painted challenge keep the passage of that place, where this Knight whereof mention was there made, is by subtlety enclosed, at last suddenly, but from whence he saw not, there was a huge deformed Monster, such as before he seldeme or never had seen, whose shape neither imported the proportion of man nor beast, but a mixture of them both: from forth the furnace of whose fiery belly, issues like the ashes of Aetna, many cloudy mists of dark smoke, that almost smothered this famous follower of hardy deeds before he began the fight, and in this Fog armed with the bulk of a young springing Dake, the fell force of whose fall, had been sufficient to have ground him a sunder, 'gins unawares to assail him: which when perceived, nimbly leaping back to eschew the heavy stroke, prepared in as short space as he could to provide himself for this fray, but ere he could be in every point armed, 'gins again this monster the second time to assault him, which he in the best sort he could devise, sought means to escape, for to undergo it he could not: and then nimbly conveying himself within the end of his mighty weapon, with his well tempered sword 'gins assay to work upon the Monster, but all in vain, for so strongly was it every where buckled with ensconcing scales, as no more entrance was afforded for his sword, then if he had strooken upon the hard face of a flinty Rock, when the subtle serpent with a sudden turn gave the Knight such a heavy blow with the poisoned weight of her strong tail, as perforce beat him down to the ground, and almost banished the breath from his body: But he mindful of what he had in hand, to encounter so unnatural an enemy; long lies not in that case, but nimbly rousing up himself again, 'gins freshly to assail his enemy: who still threatening him with the bog blows of his unwieldy weapon, puts him every way to his shift how he might best shun them.  
At last spying a fit opportunity, he with his sword endeavoured to cut asunder her unaccustomed kind of weapon, which in short time he performed, so that now free means he had for to assay what he could do upon her unwieldy body: But all his labour was lost, for so safely was she guarded from all entrance, as not the kéenest steel the smoky Cyclops forged for the mighty God of wrathful war, could ever enter into her: when he troubled at once with two ills, the furious force of her serpentine tail, which now proves her best weapon, and the brimstone flaming which still issued out at the Furnace of her fiery mouth.  
At the last after much labour, the weary Knight tired almost with this tedious toil, 'gins somewhat to return back, to the end he might recover again his nigh lost breath: which flight for that the Serpent did not with such eager force pursue, as she was went to do in the beginning of their fight, he made longer stay to recover thereby better strength, & then as two furious fight Stags that fetching a far flight, thereby to encounter with more force, gins again these new old envies and with their furious blows so plagued one another, as if the opposition of two great Armies had sent the noise of their battering Arms from every resounding echo: till at length after the many fierce assaults of the furious Knight, his foiled enemy in a sudden as she came, vanishes away, which he suspecting but to be some devilish devise, with an intent to set upon him again at unawares, 'gins circumspectly to pry into every corner, to the end he might be sure that no entrapping ambushes of her hobgoblin companions, might privily lurk to ensnare his life: when unwares he perceived the mighty stone so marvelously laid over the Cave of itself to roll away, and from forth the hole issues out three goodly Knights, two whereof he knew, for his Countrymen and old acquaintance: but the third which was a stranger he never saw before, these were they of whom we said afore were by the subtle shift of a deceiving Siren, cunningly compassed in that Cave: where when Sir Lancelot du Lake and his fellow Tristram saw Chinon, that at their departure from England they left foolish in their friends, & his father's house, miraculously transformed to a valiant Knight, and so luckily there arrived, for their relief: no marvel if with admiration, their wondering wits were drawn into a labyrinth of such deep conceits, how this might come to pass; that being amazed as were those stone turned people, which gazing upon Gorgon's head, could hardly believe in their minds, what was so lively presented to their eyes, till Chinon perceiving their passion, 'gins thus to waken them from their drowsy and sluggish dream.  
Fellows in Arms (quoth he) the very report of whose valour hath from the heavy weight of obscure folly, roused my dead drooping thoughts to the lively remembrance of a higher mounting mind, not happier shall you be in this your release, than I in bringing you relief; in that the succession of after growing ages, shall eternize my name for the opening of this worse than hellish mouth, and for the vanquishing of that more than miraculous Monster, for that by the one I again restored to the world two such valiant Knights: and by the other, rid them of a pestilent plague.  
Stand not in a maze, for I am the man that lately you left in a world of folly, but now by the power of provident heaven, raised from that dejection. At last Lancelot (overcloied with joy to see him thus fortunate, that whilom was so foolish) regréetes his good hap with many joyful words, such as commonly pass betwixt long parted friends at their unexpected meeting, and then sir Tristram likewise salutes his honourable adventure, with the many great thanks and good wishes of like future good fortune: then sir Triamore for that he himself altogether unacquainted with Chinon, although he had often heard his friends and then followers in Arms, with much grief to relate the woeful case wherein they left such a Prince, as there they named in England: yet he gins to inquire of sir Lancelot the whole passed story of his friends estate, who with joy repeating, what oft with sorrow he had seen performed: 'gins certes him in every point according to his ask, which when sir Triamore understood that he was a Knight of comely carriage and courteous demeanour, he forthwith with many gentle greetings and more thanks to heaven and him for their happy delivery, vowed unto him all the honour of his actions: Who long professing kindly friendship and duteous endeavour, to deserve this more than common courtesy, they were presented with a troup of Fairies; 'mongst whom was Oboram there King, who especially choosing Chinon from the rest, began with many words of wonder to commend his Chivalry, for that last being his first Combat, he had so valiantly behaved himself, as had all the chief choice of powerful Christendom strove with themselves to have exceeded his worth, their Forces all joined in one, in respect of him had been none: And then turning to the rest of the Knights, told them that the Monster by whose devise they were there deceived, was no other than himself, who for the desire he had to approve the Prowess of this new come Knight, undertook that shape, in requital of which wrong he had provided a costly sword, which by his Art was fastened within the close binding body of a strong Rock, and he of them that should stoutly pull it out, should for his pains enjoy a Jewel of rich price: which sword was artificially framed for Julius Caesar, by the cunning craft of a mighty Magician, inhabiting within the desolate places of those dark valleys, and for that it so pleased the great Director of all men's dealings, that that work should come to nought, for that the valiant Roman was before the perfection thereof unluckily slain in the Senate, he had closely reserved it to another use: But who that should be of all them four, (of which by necessity 〈◊〉 needs be one) that as yet was not known to himself, and then leading them through the dark shades of many light lacking vaults, she wing them the secrets of his close couched Kingdom, bound up within the bowels of the earth: whether when they were a little descended, they might partly see armies of many little Elves come posting towards him, as special attendants on his train, whose busy fingers would gladly have been pinching their weary legs, for higher they could not reach: but that forbidden by the great charge of their commanding King, they durst not adventure it again,  
Thus after their long walk in those close kept countries, he brought them at length into a broad vale, in midst whereof was graven up a mighty ragged Rock, wherein was a fair fashioned sword curiously contrived of many sundry metals, which should seem by some or other means to have been strooken thereinto, where this fairy King told them they were all to approve their forces at the pulling of it, and he whose lot it should be to win it, for his pains should always were it, whose temperature was so good as would clearly cut a sunder what ever, stone, metal, or any harder object was opposed against it, the virtue this, that whosoever wore it should never be assailed by base crossbiting of any sly deceitful Enchanter.  
And thus with many words extolling the excellency of the thing, and promising good fortune to them whosoever should attain it. He first appoints Sir Lancelot, who as greedy of this goodly weapon, as a hungry hawk of her prey, stoutly steps forth, and laying hold of the sword with a main force, offering to unsheath it, could nothing at all remove it. The next was sir Tristram, and he also offering to do his endeavour therein was also at the first expelled: Next him steps Triamore, but his force as feeble as the rest let stand still that for which they also strove: till Chinon taking sure hold upon the hilt, with one hand did more than they were able to effect with all their power: which when he had done, brandishing it about his head, as promising therewith to work some extraordinary wonders, he straight ways by Oborams direction was presented with a rich Armour, and all necessary furniture thereunto belonging, borne by two little Elves, which he strait put on, and then girding himself with his new got sword, makes all possibe speed to return as one longing to approve what those rich habiliments did promise: to whom Oboram after a long oration of much prefiguring valour and valiant exploits by him to be performed, with many offered assurances of what ready help rested in his power to perform, whereof quoth he thou shalt ere long stand in need: gives him further, a fair shield, composed by the cunning of a famous Enchanters: wherein was in rich metal curiously engraven a stately flinty Rock, shivered in pieces by the power of a naked man, under which in letters of gold was engraven this posy, Nihil difficile, & appointing him a Page of his own bringing up, a little ill favoured Elvish Dwarf, but trusty it all assays, commits him to the keeping of good savouring fortune, till time and his necessity shall again bring them together.   

CHAP. V.  
How Chinon and Tiamore redeemed Celestina from the Sultan of Babylon, after a most strange manner, with other Noble atchivementes that they performed in the same exploit.  
THus in a sudden trance they being back again conveyed to the place whence he first led them: where they than begin to acquaint him with all the manner of their triumph in France, the loss of their Lady, the victory of the Pagan, & what else ill hap had betided them since their departure from the King of Frances Court, which tragic tale so whetted the longing lust of this peerless Prince, to revenge the injuries of those his so happy met mates, as that he strait 'gins to devise how he might best work some speedy means for her deliliverie, that now was closely penned up in delights, far more worse unto her than dark Dungeons: which with many hammering plots: At length he thus purposed to bring to pass.  
Thou Triamore quoth he, for that by thy default this Lady so unluckily lost her liberty, shalt venture with me thus to recover her, and these my friends shall in another sort employ themselves, as I will direct them: then seeing thy years are yet young, thy face lovely, and every well fashioned part of thy body fit to further our intent, thou shalt take upon thee the shape of some enchantress, I & my dwarf trimmed up in other apparel will attend upon thee as diligent servants which thou shalt pretend thou imployest in such secret affairs, as none save such simple slaves, will abide to bear: where thou shalt undertake to procure the liking of fair Celestina, to affect him which for that no welcomer news can come to his besotted mind, than the sound of such service, he will easily condescend to do any thing that thou shalt direct him to: which being done, leave the rest to my disposition, and in the mean time these my ancient friends shall whilst we work within, attend here without, and the next night when the Queen of shades gi'en in her quiet rule to dim the glimmering show of lesser lights, in some secret place, that thou (for that the best cannot direct us in this country) shalt appoint to attend our coming: where for the next days arise we will work a deed of such worth, as shall eternize our honour in all ages, and make unborn Children hereafter to repeat what exceeding valour, we for our Christian Country (overloaden with the hateful burden of barbarous Pagans) performed, and then instructing them thoroughly in every point of his purpose, and carefully providing to take away every obstacle of adverse suspicion, that might any ways be a hindrance to their well intended purpose, they meeting all again on their sturdy steeds rides forth, till they came near to the place whereas the Pagan with all his Army lay, and there in the same place whereby treason they were surprised, stays Lancelot and Tristram in a thick Castle, covered over with thick leaved holly, where they might easily shroud themselves from the sight of all passengers: whilst Chinon; Triamore, & his Dwarf sets boldly forward to execute the fore plotted purpose: who coming into the Camp, made it strait known to some of the Sultan's nearest attendants what they were: Triamore pretending himself to be (as afore we told) an Enchantress, that was come from far, to further the love of the great Sultan to fair Celestina: Which news when it was told him, sounded no less pleasant in his ears than Ane Caesar at his Coronation: where charging them strait to be brought to his presence, he 'gins to question with Triamore of his skill, posing him in the relation of kings past, as how, when, and where he first surprised that Lady: which Triamore for that himself was an unfortunate actor in that doleful Tragedy could in every point ●●tly answer him: which the Pagan simply attributing to his great skill, gives thanks to his gods that in so good time had thither directed the skilful Enchantress, by whose means he hoped not only to enjoy his new joyless love: but also to perform such prodigious exploits, as should redound to the eternal dishonour of all Christtan Countries, and then gins to question with him about the recovery of his love.  
Triamore with a fine forged tale, 'gins tell him that if he would but practise such means as he should apprint, he would so Enchant the lovely mind of that fair Christian Princess to assert him, as mangeral the malice of whatsoever opposing power, she should forsake father and friends, kinsfolks and Country, & only bind herself to tarry with him.  
Which soul pleasing sound, did ring such sweet music in his rude ears, as that he with all speed willed her but to determine what was herein to be done, and he with as much expedition would fully effect, if it were to the loss even of half his Kingdom.  
Then quoth Triamore, this night hath Cynthia filled fully up her empty horns, whose favourable aspects will fitly further our purpose: when therefore the silent night hath shut the eyes of every watchful creature, thou, thy love, and myself, must by some such means as thou shalt best appoint, be conveyed secretly from the Camp into the bosom of a near bordering wood, where we may clearly see all the coarse of the ceaseless frames of never resting heaven: where I with my invocations, and sorcesive Magic spells, will so Enchant the mind of thy beauteous love, as hence forth she shall never affect any other save thyself, and then pretending to prepare such necessary furniture as should fit her purpose, she desired that herself and her servants might a while be removed into some secret place, where they might provide all things fit for their purpose, and where they might have some speech, with the Damsel, which was speedily done: for a secret servant nearly belongs to the Sultan, was appointed to direct them: where by themselves they had free talk with fair Celestina: to whom Triamore gins to relate all that had happened them since their inforcesive departure, with the happy adventure of Chinon for their delivery, and what else had befallen them, in that travel: and then comforts her with the hope of escape, by their thus plotted purpose: where long they were repeating their overpassed pains and rejoicing in their hoped happiness, till time approached of their departure: when the Sultan not unmindful of this matter, sent to the Sorcerer to see if all things were ready for their purpose: which affirmed that she was orderly provided.  
At last the latest hour is come, when he calling together all the chiefest of his Captains & acquaints them with the cause, which tended so much to the furtherance of his desire, & entreating the most of them that they would walk with him out into the next adjoining wood to be witnesses of this work: to whom they willingly condescended, & then gathering themselves together, after the watch was set, they secretly departed: where the Sultan still thinking on the enjoying of his love, never dreamt of any pretended treason that might thereby ensue, but greedily catching like a foolish fish at the golden bait, they still follow on their way, till they were come to the place where Lancelot and Tristram lay hid: where Chinon casting off his disfiguring mask, gins now to show himself in his own likeness, and with a watch word calling for his fellows, bravely sets upon these their enemies: where in short time they had sent to hell all the rest, save the Sultan himself, and taking him prisoner, carries him away bound: when Triamore now once again reveling in the treasury of his love: gins with all humble submission, attribute to the honour of Chinon all the forepassed proof of this their fortunate service which they had performed.  
But Celestina that now like the Thracian damosel returned with the Lord of her love from the dismal Gates of Hell, begins with the tears of true joy to prostrate herself at his honourable feet, whose force had again restored her from the tedious slavery of loathsome captivity, to the pleasant presence of life feeding liberty, vowing devoted service for this her second life: But Chinon disdaining that the foul faced earth should enjoy so much as touch of her heavenly hue, with gentle entreaty raises her up, and thus replied to her suppliant speech.  
Fairer quoth he than is the common composition of earthly creatures, and therefore of more worth than millions, if I have aught done in this that hath bred thy content, it is no more than the beseemeth the duty of my degree: Then do not thus attribute more honour for my meed, than is due by deserts to my deed: more is thy smile towards the reward of a well deserving work, than the rich rewards of many millions of an others vows, more pleasant is the sight of an hours sun, than the show of twenty shadowed days: but thy sight exceeding the brightest shining sun, that day is at the mid days height the piercing beams of every bright eyes sight, more welcome to us, than day to the weary watch, or the repose of a quiet Inn to a tired travailer, gracest our pains with thy presence. More worth is his work that rifles in the rich bowels of the gold grown earth, than he that drudges in the bottom of a dunghill ditch, and yet the last labour is more than the first: but that the subject exceeding in worth, excels the reward of his work more than the travail graces' the thing: but the worth of the subject dignifies the desert of the deed, whereby our credit by thee is maintained, and not thy matchless self by our might magnified.  
Look on him that for thy love adventured his life, and the reward of my pains is this, that they redound to thy pleasure, and for thee Triamore, fish new again thou hast thy hearts content, remember the estate of thy old father as thou toldest me, is compassed within the circle of yonder besieged walls, still expecting the speedy help of his forward friends: but yet hath this night's work so weakened hysfues, as that there is no doubt of further danger.  
By this with such like that had they chased away the sable show of this silent night, and next the sun 'gins with cheerful countenance to look upon the honourable acts of their thrice praise worthy exploits, when by this time they were wandered far from the place where they first gave the onset to achieve this honour: where Chinon calling to him his two countrymen, gives this careful charge,  
You two quoth he whose honours accents is every where blayed for your valours, shall henceforth leave these wandering ways, and return with me into our Country: where I will present to my longing Father this Pagan Prince, the first frints of my Maiden manhood, doing all my humble duty to his Honourable age: but first in safety let us convey these Fair friends to their father's Court, and set them there safe from further sorrow at home, that have sustained the hard brunt of fell misfortune abroad, where may as many pleasures attend them there in peace, as honourable accidents happen to me in wars.   

CHAP. VI  
Of Chinons' return into England, accompanied with Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram, with their most honourable entertainment there.  
AFter that he had thus adventured for the recovery of beauteous Celestina from the hands of the Sultan, that had traitorously ta'en her away from Sir Triamore, & sent them home to her father's Court to solemnize their marriage. Lancelot, Tristram, and himself, took the direct way that led then home into their own country, that there they might in quiet tell those things with pleasure amongst their friends, which they had in trouble performed with labour amongst their foes: In which journey no occasion of further let encountered them any more, but as fareth with ordinary travailers, they peaceably pass over their journey, till they came home into Corn wall to Earl Cador's Court, that was not a little glad to see the return of his son, with good hap to answer the long expectation of his fair hope, he entertains them with such courtesy, as commonly pass betwixt lost friends, at their unacquainted meetings.  
Chinon discoursing to his old father the story of their travails whose very words breeds new life in the dried sinews of his old limbs: as death the approaching sun cherish the decayed winter worn strength of the earth's increase. Lancelot he presents to his love the Trophies of his victory, with many persuasions how for her love he had adventured his life in winning those Princely Prizes, the chief whereof (whose worth exceeded all except herself) he had bounteously bestowed upon sir Triamore, Tristram, he follows on his friends with the praises of them both: first how by their means the Lady was achieved: then how by Chino●s devise she was secondly attained, with all the whole History of their former fortunes: where what joy was generally received, as well of the King himself, and her, that whose life still lasts in the everliving acts of succeeding ages, famoused as much for the renown of his round table, as Alcides for his twelve labours, jason for his journey to Caicos, or the Greeks for their triumphs at Troy. He now in the winter of his waning age, affecting to hear that now of others which before in his youth he had effected the like himself, welcomes home all these weary wanderers, that had been so long abroad, writing in the Registers of other realms the courage of their own country: as also the poor inhabitants of this pappy Kingdom, that joyed to see their neighbouring lands despoiled of such rich rewards as was brought home by their countrymen. Thus when every man had filled his ears with the report, Arthur willing also to further the courage of this young Cavaléer, summons a solemn meeting of all the Nobles and Peers of his country to his Court: where when at the time appointed all were gathered together, the King at a Royal banquet, 'gins to declare the cause of this their calling together, that themselves should see how Princely he had, and would still pay the rewards of such deserts, as by the adventures of their young countryman Chinon had been prosperously performed, and then with Epithets accents of honour, telling the victorious tale of his fight, as Aeneas the Tragic story of their fight he concludes his speech with the performance of his promise, which was the solemn orders he commonly used at the installment of any of his Knights, and dubbing him, therewithal appoints him his place at the Table: where a while he remained, as well to comfort the decaying date of his Father's years: whom wrestling age had almost now laid along in his grave, and as Mariegold that never spreadeth her flowers but against the sun: So he never opened his age dimmed eyes to behold the cheerful countenance of any creature save his Son Chinon, and like the melancholy Turtle when her mate is from her sight: So fares it with this aged Earl, that never sleeps but dreams of his Son, never is well waking when he sees him not, & never contented with any sounds if he hear him not: as also the entire affection of his King and Captain Arthur of England, that enamoured with his courtesy, was lost to leave his company, he was forced a while to refrain his affections, whose body thought it was walled in at home, yet was his mind wandering abroad: which the fates foreseeing, (as do the careful Parents provide for their forward children) seek means for their furtherance in that quality whereto they are most inclined, loath that so many virtues should be cooped within the compass of a 〈◊〉 Island, and not spread their branches abroad to the wide world, carefully contrived a means to convey him away.   

CHAP. VII.  
How Chinon was by the Fairies conveyed into Egypt.  
THus he spending the pride of his days at home in dalliance, letting rust eat away his well tempered Armour, that wars before had scoured, lying one day upon a pleasant overspread bank, under the covert of a nature framed Canopy, bound together with the bows of sweet smelling roses: upon whose pleasant sprays sat the several sorts of music making birds, that with their natural notes, calls on enchanting sleep to possess the quiet organs of his body with all pleasing rest, in the midst of a sweet slumber, suddenly appears to the view of his drowsy thoughts, two airy bodies such creatures as we call Fairies, whom some imagine to be those spirits that fell dawn upon the earth, and since that time inhabit the several corners thereof; sometimes deluding men's senses with the shows of that they are not: other, sometimes showing themselves in the semblances they commonly accustom to put on, dancing roundelays over the pleasant meads, searing the secret corners of every shade: in which sort it should seem they found this Knight, to whom they 'gan show a rich embroidered armour, curiously carved and richly set with all manner of precious stones, and a fair sword with all the formal furniture thereunto belonging, fair passing that which before he had pulled out of the Rock, and there withal gins feed his fancy, that they nourished his imagination in the perfectest joy of all natural delight, with the show of a fair Virgin, whose rare countenance promised more than her outward colour of attire, for that meek were her weeds, such as commonly we read of the Arcadian Shepherdesses, whose perfections have put to silence so many pens in labouring to portrait their picture. But herself more than a mortal Maid, looked upon with the impartial censure of a judging eye, might draw into an endless Labyrinth, the labouring thoughts of an endeavouring wit, striving with itself to picture forth her worth. Where a while we must leave him 〈◊〉- like spending his time in this sweet speculation, and for a time talk of this rare fight here showed him in his sleep.  
This Lady, was daughter to an ancient Lord, named Bessarian chief Counsellor to ●gba●a● then King of Egypt, and was there earnestly beloved of a noble Man named Perosin who for that he saw by no way he could compass his desire, neither by amorous demeanour of himself, instance of his friends, nor earnest soliciting deserts of his dumb intermissive gifts could-prevaile to draw toward him the duty of her love he determining by another drift either to win her to himself, or to wear her out of conceit with all other, ●●●re●ly 〈…〉 ●e with an old Witch, whose name was Eurropa, who hired by him, hammered about to work some mean how she might change the settled affections of her maidenlyke mind, somewhat to incline themselves to his intent: which when by no means she could bring about, she strait works a way to remove her quite from all company, to live on the unpeopled Plains among brute beasts, and to that end aiming her actions, by means of an airy Spirit attendant upon her, suddenly conveyed her from the Courtly presence far off to, an unfrequented Plain, scit●●●te by the River Nilus, where she perceiving her ●●l●e displaced, but seeing no reason of her remove, straightway gins to consider with herself what luckless occasion might thus cross her in her hopeful course, and when after long search in the self known record of her inward conscience, she could find no ready reason, how her offences should any ways have procured so great a punishment, as this unnatural divorce, not only from the comfort of her kindred, but all other friends, 〈◊〉 with all humble duty always honoured her superiors, & with careful turton entreated her ingrowth being ever held as the my●rrc●● of good demeanour. And thus finding herself as clear from those vengeances meriting ●●nes that ●●●wes do●●●● the heavy wrath of all-iudging Gods so sharply with such severe plagues to punish the o●●●●ces of men, shedding many showers of amber warens, whose power were able to have drawn pity from the stéely hearts of hell-holden furies, sits her down by the side of that silver stream, that with his seven heads, still sends fresh supply to the all eating sea, and tuning her voice to the bubbling music of his gliding course, & to the flocking sorts of sundry-fish, that like the dancing Dolphins at the sweet sound of Arion's Harp gather themselves together.  
She singes this Ditty.  

Ye free borne people from th' enthralling bands,  
That we poor souls perforce are subject to:  
You glide with pleasure o'er these golden sands,  
And feels no hope of weal, nor hap of woe.  
Time, fortune, foes, nor any other power,  
Changes, casts down, or turns your sweet to sour:  
But we whom nature wrought unto the best,  
Triumphant time still tosses up and down:  
And they whom former fortune whilom blest,  
Cruel misfortune with a sudden frown:  
Casts from a throne where surest we seem to dwell,  
To worse woes than death, despair, or hell.   
Thus whilst with this song she sought to please her sorrow suddenly this wicked woman, by whose means she was brought thither,) carried through the empty air in ●●erie flaming care, such as was that secret searching Medea, amidst the sable shadow of the silent night, ouerr●●● so many toys of hills to find those herbs, that in the age worns limbs of a bloodless man, calls back fresh spring to keep again his residence in that body: who presenting herself unto her in the accustomed shape at other times she usually showed herself: gins at her first entrance to disclose unto her the manner of translation from her father and friends unto these peopleles plains, confessing herself both to be Author and actor of this devilish devise: where quoth she for the coy countenances that so oft thou haste repaid to the pity moving persuasions of him, that for thy love well nigh 〈◊〉, wears out in woe, the days and watches with tirrible torments the night, that in every sentence he speaks, so oft cities thee by thy proper name, and himself with bare conceit that he hath, thee whom by consent he rightly should have had, pines away poor soul in the physic fits of a passionate lover. In whose revenge quoth she I have here seated thee by thyself, far from the resort of men, where desolation shall here teach thee to tell thyself that thou art now worse than wild beasts, that before esteemest of thyself better than fair framed men: where quoth she, till thou canst call back thy proud presuming thought, to pity his case that for thee spends his life in such care, here shalt thou have thy abode, and be as far from any consulation ●●●ation of others, as then art from comforting of him, and so suddenly leaving her again to herself she departed.  
At which abrupt Oration, the maid seemed at the first dismayed: yet at length comforts somewhat made her conceit, in that she knew the means of her remove, and so at last after she had long remained 〈◊〉 in that people wanting world, to eschew the ec●●●●● of harm, and the effect of idleness, she be took 〈…〉 careful keeping of some simple natured ●●●●pe, whereof that place was stored, of whose wool she now begin to spin her ●●●e some homely attire, that was wont to be robed in the richest array that nature and Art could afford, and in the mean time, the weary works preventing all occasions of further misfortune, that might else in the continuance of time have crossed their intent; work or means to disert & it her woeful Father: who now destitute of all his children, his daughter the hope of comfort to his diclining age, and having three goodly sons, whom nature had every way furnished with gifts fiting their degrees, whose names were Michander, Terpander, and Theonas: all those had he employed in the quest of their sister, when as his foes taking the advantage of their time, Perosus that was also a counsellor, 'gins secretly to inform the King of certain treasons pretended to his life and land, by Bessarian father to this new shepherdess, of whom before we told you: to the end that having unfurnished him of the kings favour, himself might the easilier effect what occasion soever should be offered, and the poor father left destitute of all means to further his sons affairs: which the king at the first was loth to believe, both for that he had had so long trial of the faithful service old Bessarian had always performed, as also that he supposed that such subtlety could not harbour in a silver coloured hear: for that quoth he Serpents always lurk in young green tufftes, & not in winter withered grass, age abolishes deceits, as it abandons vain delights, & as the body waxes weak, by so much more doth the mind wax strong, as being now freed from all the intisin ●●●●eni●ns in 〈◊〉 age, whereunto the vain pleasures of this wicked world did still entice him to in his youths whereunto the other ready so reply with fresh 〈…〉 ●●●●ment, shows strait to the King the intermissive letters that so long had passed to and fro, betwixt Bessarian and many of his majesties enemies, for the effecting of their treasons, to which he had so cunningly counterfeited the oldmans' hand, as if himself had substantially set it down, and the better to prove every several circumstance of this his surmised tale, he presently produces two or three perjured companions, who for that purpose he had suborned: whose substantial tale took such effect, and so far incensed the King, that in all haste sending for the old guiltless soul who was so far from pretending this ill, that notwithstanding all the cross occasions that so unluckily had happened unto him, he spends all his time intending still nought but his Sovereign's good: where when he came, the King breaking forth into impatience, begins with traitorous names to upbraid him, who God knows was so far from inventing it, that he studied nothing more than the preventing it: and then untipping unto him the forged treason, showing him the counterfeit letters signed by his own hand, the several circumstances proved by such sufficient witnesses, as there pretended themselves to be, impatient of excuse, and therefore utterly denying to hear his further answer, still urged by the envious invented persuasions of his subtle enemy, 'gins thus to be wray his hatred.  
Experience quoth he hath taught us, and the daily proof of still present time offers occasions to our eyes of new examples, how in brute beasts the countenance of long time groundee perfect love, as the silly dog that brought up at his Master's trencher, in his bind remembers his courtesy, and whiles nature lends him liberty of life, endeavours himself still in all duty to requite it, and shall then man their reasonable ruler, be worse than these reasonless things, by him so ruled herbs, trees, and other vegetable creatures increasing from the earth, to them that with care manure their roots, & prune their branches render fruit for a reward, the beasts they in their sundry kinds requites their owner's cost: as one with his skin, another with his fleece; one with his huff, and another with his horn; one with his labour, and another with his love; and shall not then he whom God hath made as Master of all these creatures exceed them in his reasonable reign, that subject themselves reasonles to be ruled. Since first I came to sway the heavy Sceptre of this great Kingdom, and took into my hands the tuition of so many people as inhabit these spacious plains of wide west Egypt, have nourished thee even in my bosom; nearest have I kept thee to myself, because I would draw thy affection from all other, & haste thou now with Hopes ungrateful snake, stinged him in the breast, that so carefully sought to preserve thee in his bosom.  
Can it be that under the reverend show of such honourable age, should rest the undeserved thoughts of unreverent revenging rage. Is there found foul dross in fair gold, bad shows on good substances, & can there be such hatred in sure hearts? I, I, I see the fairest summer shine hath his sudden shower she best blossom is oft times soon unblasted & the truest friend proves oft the most treacherous foe: But as no man commends the sunny morning, nor the showery night, the frustrate hope of his fruit, for the bad blasted bud: so let every man especially condemn the souls secret friend, when her turns to a sore searching foe: which simile I to thyself must now apply: that under the fair show of friendship, hast secretly gone about to overturn my estate, & bring this welgoverned common weal to a ruinous decayed wrack, which fault is so apparent, both by thine own hand sufficiently set forth, as also confirmed by the Testament of others: as that my patience, scarce containing itself within the bounds of evil behaviour, cannot abide to hear any excuse, and therefore will I against thee pronounce this heavy doom for thy ill deserving deeds, the punishment of death were a pleasure to thee, so that so I should ease thee of a great deal of sorrow, if thou shouldest still continue in thy best state thou wert likely to sustain, and therefore from henceforth like a cursed creature, shalt thou wander in the world and eat the bitter bread of banishment in a foreign soil, that whilom livedst so sweetly in thine own natural seat, and so for ever I banish thee from the compass of this Kingdom, to bury thy silver hairs in sorrow, that hadst such hope to harbour them in their grave with joy.  
At which words the old man not able to speak for the abundance of fears that stopped up the way of his words, was forced to leave him without further reply and hopeless of any help, patiently to depart. By this time had the King (more to punish his supposed s,) seized upon all his goods, to the end he might leave him no succour to save himself abroad: which when he saw, sorrowfully sighing to himself, desperately departs away without any further following the King, for the repeal of this his punishment, and strait way betakes himself to his travail: which when Perosus perceived how they now had brought every thing even to the bent of their own bow, 'gins glory to themselves in their likely prosperity, purchased by the hard hap of an others adversity: but on a sudden Eurropa, the Witch by whose counsel all this treachery was contrived, looking further into the matter what was likely to follow: by these means perceived in the speculative glass, how that the rightful revenging gods had by many means determined her release: 〈◊〉 first by Chinon, whom for that purpose they had brought out of England: then by her brethren, who had undertaken to search all the world for their sister and lastly by her father, whose guiltless banishment could not long be concealed, & then being called home to his former place, would seek such means for her recovery, as their power could hardly prevent, and therefore to escape these ensuing ills he thus determined to deal. The maid who though she was from thence far remote, and in a place whether lay no ordinary passage: yet foreseeing how at length that all would hit upon that way encloses by her wicked works this fair Damsel within the ruin of an old Rock hard by the river side, upon whose banks before she made her abode: where accompanied with shadows of natural creatures, having fair womanly faces like herself, that seemed to outward sense of the far beholders, to make her merry with melodious music, but to herself she found it far contrary, proving nothing else but a harsh discord of misliking sounds: which outward semblance was for this purpose by them provided, that it might somewhat satisfy any idle beholder, to see that her prison was rather a pleasure, than any such pain as should move the minds of men to venture any thing for her release: where poor soul she now cooped up in a Cage that before took her pleasure upon these spacious plains, like to the beguiled bird that unwares falling into the Fowler's gin, is now raged up in a little compass, that whilom was went to play upon the broad branches of every springing Plant.   

CHAP. VIII.  
How Bessarian her father was by the Witch turned into the likeness of a Bear, and how he met with his sons in that shape.  
THUS having determined of her, they strait ways begin to strive with themselves how they might devise some drift to remove the fear that they had of her Fathers rising again to his former state, which by the means of Eutropa the Witch they thus contrived.  
She calling to counsel her attendant spirits: by whose means she brought to pass all this matter, 'gins give them severally in charge to use their Arts in plaguing of this poor man, which they should so surely effect, as no hope should be left of any more comfort to come unto him: where beating together their hell bred brains, they thus concluded with themselves, that they would change him from the shape of a man, into the big body of an ugly Bear, and so let him die a beast that was borne a man, and further yet, to aggrevate his woes, which might notwithstanding this envy have an end, they intended in his disguise to hasten on his death, lest by some crossing occasions, as oftentimes are usually seen unexpectedly fall out for the release of Magic bands, which they thus determined when they had wrought their wills in his transformation, about his neck they hang a scroll, wherein were written two verses which were these.  

He whose good hap shall kill this bear,  
That man shall have his hearts desire.   
Thinking by this means the better to draw on every man's might, to the effecting of their former plotted purpose, for that all men by a natural instinct are greedy to get any hope of pursuing their purposes, though oft times they do it with the danger of their lives; where the oldman turned after this manner, wanders through the woods, clogged with the burden of self feeling sorrow, and in despair of relief, settles himself to that thraldom without hope of release. Many were the miseries in this shape he susstained, as the many hungry days that in spite of himself he was forced to spend, for that his stomach was not used to feed upon such filthy carrion, as those beasts accustomably devour, the raw restless nights without covert he must now continue, the want of his friends, and fear of his foes, with a countless company of more griefs than the capacity of man can conceive was contained in him, being then as a beast, saving that still he retained the use of his reasonable soul, which they by no means could make to miscarry. In the mean time the Witch now in the midst of her business, seeing in her speculative Glass (wherein sho usually saw what accident soever was likely to happen) the approach of her Brethren, who (by tracing up and down in the World) were some of them come near (at unwares) to the place where she was; posted herself with all speed, the better to prosper her purpose, and with violence enforces a spirit (one of her own Attendants) to use the organs of her body, to an end which herself had devised: that was, to send sundry ways her Brethren, who were like severally to come thither where now their Sister did sojourn.  
And by that time this Hag had brought this purpose to pass, Michander her eldest Brother (that now almost wearied with walking up and down among the high desolate Hills) has framed his journey towards that River, the which with his swelling waters moistens once every year those pleasant Egyptian Plains, to refresh his tired limbs in the cool streams of that pleasant Current, bathing his sweet body in those refreshing Springs; suddenly in the midst of a cloven Rock he espies sitting a company of fair Creatures, whereof one (exceeding all like the Huntress amidst the naked troops of her attendant Nymphs) he quickly starts up and hies to the place where he supposed they should be: to which as he came nearer, he might perceive the middle most Lady that so far exceeded the rest, to be Cassiopem his Sister, for whom he had made such search; when in an ecstasy of joy, standing still as not able at the first to utter the sudden mirth of his mind, the envious Stone closes his sides and shuts them all from his sight. At which sudden accident, his senses as far cast down as before they mounted themselves with the hope of recovering his Sister, 'gins with himself devise what this matter might mean, till from the Rock he heard one pitifully call him by his own name; which at length he perceived to be the voice of his Sister whom before he had seen: and answering again to her sudden call, gins demand by what means he might come unto her. To whom strait she answers, that there was no passage to that piare: for that by the wicked work of an envious Enchantress, she was there so surely enclosed, as neither force of man, edge of weapon, violence of fire, nor any other earthly means whatsoever the World could afford was able to avail, except himself would adventure one thing for her deliverance. And then she conjures him by the duty he ought to his Father, the love to her his Sister, and the care of preserving their Kindred, that he should undertake this Adventure: which he with more earnest desire offers to do, than she could with her former reasons persuade him too, desiring her to tell him his task, that he might slip no time, but in all haste high him to the performance of this thing, which was like so highly to pleasure them both, her with comfort, and him with content. To whom she thus gins to unfold her intent.  
Under (quoth she) that topless Hill which we call by the name of Taurus, that with his length gyrdells in the wide Continent of flowering Asia, under the root of an everlasting Lily, stands there a Vial full of Virgin's tears, that encountered with the like cross as I am now (poor Soul) in, and before her release died there for sorrow: to whose eternal memory, against the infective rage of this over ruling power, the Fates have there reserved that powerful Potion, whose Virtue is to break the strongest enchanted Bands; and so She that by them was thus bound while she lived, have the Gods ordained as an Instrument to unbind them now she is dead. But the still working wits of these wicked wretches, hatching nothing but harm, intending nothing but what is ill, and performing nothing but that which tends to our plague, have to prevent that which is thus provided, strongly guarded the ground where this Vial standeth, with the power of a sight killing Serpent, such as we call a Cockatrice, against whom no power is able to prevail.  
At which words Terpander breaking her from her further discourse, gins to persuade his sister a little with patience, and ere long he doubted not by his means to work her liberty. And thus like the greedy Greyhound that suddenly sets out to follow the swift footed Hare, flies he to attain his purpose, believing as his sorrowful Sister did, that there had been that virtue in the water, but it was only the deceit of her deadly Enemy, that determined to make away all her brethren whose endeavours were else likely to work her release: and therefore (as before we said enforced her tongue to tattle that which her mind did not mean, whereby she might be their deaths in seeking to do her good.  
Not long after Terpander had thus betaken himself to his journey, with hope that her release from that place should repay the deserts of his pains, comes to her the second brother, whose name was Micander, and he as the first joyful to see the end of his journey, which was the sight of his sister, gins after the manner of new met friends to resalute her, and as he offered to have kissed her hand for joy of his good hap suddenly the Rock shutting her from him, devorees a sunder both their desires to resalute whose proffered kindness, she speaking from her prison, tells him with tears the manner of her enclosure, entreating him by all the true love that nature works in the minds of men, that he would undertake some means for her freedom; which he readier to offer than she willing to enjoin, calls to his solemn vow all the Gods of Heaven and Guiders of Earth, that were it a greater toil than to number the sands of the Shore, the drops in the Sea, or the stars in the Sky, more heavy than the burden of Atlas, more foylsome than the Labours of Hercules, or more tedious than the Labyrinth of Theseus, he would with ease undergo it, with courage perform it, and with pleasure proceed in it: and therefore hastened her forward (poor Soul) to pronounce his harm.  
She 'gins tell him, that in the Deserts of Arabia rests Orion's Harp, brought thither by the means of an Inchawntresse, to release from the thraldom of such subjection as now I am in, a valorous Knight, whom another Magician had there imprisoned: and failing by some cross occasion to perform the purpose whereunto it was brought, there still remains; but kept by a man-eating Cannibal, having néither the form of a man, nor the fashion of a beast, but compound of them both. Him (quoth she) if thou canst overcome, and bring back that well tuned Instrument, at whose strokes the dancing Dolphin delighted, bears on his back woeful Orion from the fury of the fierce swelling seas, when by the Pirates he was cast among the waves. The sound whereof willbe sufficient to undo the doors of this devilish device: for which deed thou shalt be blessed, and I borrowed from this punishing prison. Which said, the forward young Man, loath to lose time by standing on reply, gets speedily from the place and hies him to his labour.  
After whose departure, by chance (as did both the first) comes Theonas the youngest and last of these brethren, who at a sudden seeing his Sister there enclosed in the Rock, 'gins as did the other, to resalute her with such loving looks as accustomable pass betwixt longing friends at their first meeting; where after many words on both sides, Theonas wondering why she should sit so still in her seat, and not offer the like courtesy he intended to her, 'gins to draw nearer the place where she was, when on a sudden, the Rock (closing together) denies his nearer approach: at which, she sorry within and he as sad without, 'gins both of them distill as many amber tears from their christalcies, as might have dissolved again the craggy cliffs of those pitiless Rocks. At length she (as afore to the other two) 'gins tell him the manner of her life, and entreats his aid for her release, telling him of a perilous Island that was somteime kept by a skilful woman named the wise Erganea, where on an Altar in a Temple (there built unto her name) lies a golden Book, in which (quoth she) is contained all the Enchantments that Art can afford, and their several releases again, kept by two Harpies (such were those monstrous birds with whom Alcides fought, and for his conflict with them was so great, it was accounted as one of the xii. Labours he achieved): thence if thou canst but fetch it away, it will be the only mean to work my release, and end thy long desires and tedious labour.  
Where too the young man attentively hearkening, as one that longed to eternize his name to succeeding posterities, for the performance of some such famous Work, makes small delay to prosecute this business, with comfortable promises of fairer days, cheering and comforting her mind, leaves her to the mercy of her Foe, till his happy return make her more fortunate.  
These several Adventures by her imposed on her brethren, had this Witch before provided, only for a mean to destroy all them that should in this labour endeavour themselves, and perforce made her tongue the unwilling Instrument to incite them to this ill: who otherwise intended their endeavours only for her good.   

CHAP. IX.  
How Chinon came to the Rock where the Lady was enchanted, and what happened thereof.  
IN this time the Fairies (by whose means Chinon was coweighed out of England) had brought him to the place, where in the Vision whilst he lay asleep under the Arbour in England, they showed him the fair Shepherdess, and had taken their leave, telling him, how (by his means) that Lady (now in Captivity) was to be released: but how many dangers he must first pass through, left him there to follow his farther fortune, with great promises that after labour he should find rest, after storms calms, and after frowning adversity smile prosperity: and so on a sudden vanished away. When he (seeking up and down for her, whom by no means he could find) wondering how so rare beauty could be bred in such a homely soil, whereas the Earth was unfruitful for want of tillage, the Trees unorderly bearing fruit for lack of pruning, and the several Beasts disagreeing in their own kinds for want of ordering: plainly the true definition of solitary desolation, that oft abounding in all things, is cause of decay to every thing. At last as he wandered along the River, he heard excellent music, and a more excellent voice tune forth this ditty.  

How sweet a thing is this Content  
To which poor country Swains are born?  
These falls of Fortune they prevent,  
And other hard mishaps do scorn.  
Oh how thrice blessed had I been,  
If (but obscured in country weeds)  
Those mighty men I near had seen,  
Whose loathed love my sorrow breeds?  
But such is the unconstant state  
Of this still-changing World's delight,  
Making the mean a Prince's mate,  
Crossing high hopes with low despite.  
Which makes my Soul (in sad despair)  
Die here ten thousand times a day,  
Wound up within a world of care,  
Whence nought can it release away.   
When he following the sound of the voice, at length found her where she was sitting in the hollow side of a Rock, hemmed round about with a show of such creatures as herself, to whom Chinon gins thus to bewray himself.  
Ah thou more than thyself, in that thou retainest too heavenly a form for any earthly frame. How impartial are the Fates that turns the never standing Wheel of Fortune, to grace with so continual a Sun this Soil, and lower with obscure showers on other places. Goddess of these Plains that givest more grace to these fields, than did the Goddesses to the place where they pleaded for the golden Prize. Hadst thou lived in those days when young Apollo loved, than hadst thou been the Paramour of Learning's Prince, and guided his will that now governs the World. For thy sake am I transported from the furthest place of the wide western World, into these cynged Plains of ever over dried Egypt. For thee will I follow the adventures of Arms, so that when for thy sake I have sought the World, and with my sword engraved (in never changing characters) thy God like name in the farthest corners of all-breeding Earth, where no consuming fire, cutting sword, nor eating eternity shall ever wear away thy memory: so that for my labour thou wilt reward me with thy love.  
When with exceeding passion he had delivered these speeches, with more than common admiration he paused, like one that were suddenly amazed with the show of some unacquainted sight, stood a long while as in a trance: when as the wily Witch perceiving this new come Companion likely to mar what she and false Perosus (by their practices) had been so long a making, begins to take once more the charge of her tongue, and thus boldly gins to tie him to his task.  
Fair Knight quoth she, whose willing mind to do me service, wins more reward than I am able any wise to bestow: If I were what now I am not, then would I do what now I do not, with favour requite thy forward fortunes: but thus it is, and then she gins in a long History to relate her frowning fortunes. First drawn from the Court, then perforces long time by herself to dwell solitarily upon that unpeopled soil, and lastly when she began to comfort herself with that country content: then solitarily to shut her up in that place, where was no passage for any people to come to her, and she deprived of all power to come out to them, & then telling how there rested no hope of redress, if that for her sake some mighty man would not undertake a treble task, worse than tormented Sisyphus his toil.  
Which words wrought such a desire in the mind of this forward Knight, as vowing to perform more mighty deeds than those deeds of the old Giants that heaping hill upon hill assayed the height of heaven, he instantly gins to entreat that in this her charge, she would admit of him as her Champion.  
At which words the Hag that all this while had hid her substance in an invisible shade, 'gins urge her to impose upon him all those plagues she had appointed the other three, and when his persuasive Oration was scarce done, his eager mind that already was working for so fair a reward, like the towering hawk, that swiftly takes the advantage of the fearful foul fares he, that proud to himself so fair a Saint should so soon accept of his service, and employ him in so serious a piece of service as was the remedy of her release, fly's with at speed to effect his purpose, and she poor soul hoping well that one of her workmen would at last return again with the reward of their work, with comfort contents herself to abide the end: where we must a while leave her very melancholily meditating with herself, how she might best spend her time in that wicked Prison, thinking every hour to be a whole year, and every year a thousand, till she had heard again some news of her searching servants, that had spread themselves all abroad in the wide world to seek her some means for to mitigate her misery, and restore her to her former freedom again, and now a while follow our several Adventurers for her aid, that by this time had travailed far from the place where they first took in hand this journey.   

CHAP. X.  
How these brethren came to the several places appointed by the sister, and of their adventure there.  
TErpander the eldest brother, who first undertook this charge, journeying through the spacious plains of Asia, hopeless to find: for that being long since, he came to the side of the mountain, where he was promised to find this vial of tears, and had almost sought every several corner of the same, and yet could find no likelihood of any such matter: Notwithstanding loath to leave unsought any place, where showed any appearance of such a matter. At last he saw a far off the rising as it were of an Alabaster Rock that half overshadowed a hole, artificially cut into the side of the hill: whether hying him apace to see what there by might be meant, came at last to the place, and there at the first seacute; eing nothing that might any ways avail him, was about to departed again, till hearing somewhat hasting itself forth of the hole, he stood still to see what it might be, at last appears unto him the forepart as it were of an overgrown Cock, but far greater than any of that kind, that with his fiery eyes poisons every object he sees, against whose force Terpander had providently provided a bright Armour of steel, which covered every several part of him, on whom when he looked, the reflex of his sight, sending back again the dart of poison to himself, that he threw out at another, powerfully poisoned himself, the hinder part of this beast was framed after the manner of a Cocodriles tail, such as are commonly resident about the banks of Nilus in Egypt, that with the force thereof had been able to have bruised the best proved Armour: with which when by the retorquation of his over sight, he had lost the use of his eyes he lustily laid about, till such time as the upper part of his body forcibly swelling with the inward working poison, made him so unwieldy that now unable to weald his body any more, was forced to fall down, and with the power of the poison shortly after died: which when Terpander perceived that his we was so soon foiled, taking it to be the place of which his sister had foretold, by reason that in her disccurse, she described unto him such a like keeper of that precious water, as was this same, that there killed with his own weapon, lay dead before him, 'gins diligently to search up and down for the thing itself, which at last on the other side of the rock he perceived: where under a fair Lilies root stood the treasure for which he had spent so much pains: which when he said, heartily thanking those helping heavens, that had so mightily, not only preserved him from the force of his foe, but also helped him to the inheritance of that he so much desired, goes boldly forward to the place, where he saw this Lily spring, & taking away the vial which he poor soul took to be no other than the tears of a virgin, that by such kind of means as his sister had described unto him was placed there, and about to return with joyful news of his sister's deliverance, he had not gone far from the place where first he found it, ere the Vial beginning to warm with the heat of his hand, suddenly by virtue of the venomous water therein enclosed, infused such a contagious heat into every several vain and sinnow of his body, as that wherewith the poisoned shirt was that enraged madding Hercules: So this poor man, that for his good meaning, was thus recompensed with ill measure enraged with the extreme pain of his envenomed limbs, 'gins fall into a frantic humour, leaving the way should lead him back again to his Sister, and furiously without regard of himself, 'gins revenge his injury upon senseless and brutish beasts, that had now lost all the power of a man.  
This was the end the sorceress had intended should beside to him, that in hope to fetch his sister's bliss should there find his own bane, and by some means or other kill himself, or else unable so with reason to rule himself, should fall into the danger of some wild beast, who without pitying his case, might cast him away, where we must leave him in his lunacy, and come to the second brother, who by this time was attained to the appointed place, situate in the bosom of the Arabian deserts: where upon a Cypress branch he might a far off discern the golden instrument, on whose trembling strings the beauteous beams of the sun delights to dally: There underneath this dismal shade, for that now the sun at the Zenith of this Sphere, darts down his perpendicular beams with such force upon the face of the earth, as makes every creature seek to shelter himself in the cool shades: for which cause this monster was then crept under the Cypress shadows, and overcomed with the heat of the air war then fallen a sleep: to whom when Micander came near, diligently viewing each several part of his deformed body, for that the Instrument hung high upon the tree, and without stirring this stubborn beast could no ways be come by prepares himself after the best manner he could to Combat with this Cur, and when he had buckled on his Armour, made ready his weapon and was now encouraged to encounter with his enemy, 'gins with some such noise as then he made to rouse him from his rest.  
When as the Cannibal like the throated Dog whom Theseus awaked in the Gates of hell, sends out such a hideous cry, as affrighted the neighbouring Birds and Beasts that inhabit that part of the world with his terrible sound, and shaking of himself, 'gins show in his upper parts the perfect form of a Dog with long ears, which long dangling ears that exceeded the substance of the greatest spaniels, hung well nigh down to his middle. From the middle downward he had the shape of a man, big boned as are these wild people that living lawless in such unruled places, seeding themselves after their fashion upon the fat of the earth, cut grows the common sort of well guided people, and taking up from the earth a great Iron club, such as was in his judgement too big to be swayed by a man, without any warning 'gins fall to his weapon: where betwixt them two was begun a dangerous fight, & long time continued with uncertain hope of success, till Micander nimbly eschueing the weight of his weapons fall, 'gins get within his reach, & so carves his skin and bones with his well tempered sword: which for that purpose he had only provided, that in short time he made him with the great issue of blood that fell from his wounds so weak, as he was not able any more to bear the weight of his blows, but was forced to fall under his foe: which when Micander perceived, he strait ways dismembers him of all his limbs and leaves nothing behind for his help, but the naked bulk of his body, and then reaching down from the tree that fatal instrument, (which the Witch to another end than he aimed at had prepared,) 'gins turn back his course, and with that Consort, hie him home to comfort his sister.  
As thus he was travailing to his long wished for place of arrival suddenly he determined with himself to try what was the harmony of that famous instrument, that with his sound could call the censelesse trees from their roots, remove the craggy Rocks from their Cliffs, mitigate the revenging wrath of brutish devouring beasts, compose concord betwixt the Lamb and the Lion, the Hound and the Hare, the Falcon and the silly foul: whose strings he had no sooner touched, but determining with himself to sing some delightsome Ditty to the sweet tenth of these silver sounding strings, for joy he had compassed his desire. The powers of his tongue denying any more to execute their office, he was suddenly strooken dumb, which was the plague this witch had pretended should light on him, by the Magic made sound of this Instrument, which was nothing else but an illusion as were all the rest, to draw these brethren into danger, where we will leave him making what shift his dumb demeans affords him to travel homeward, and come now at last to the third brother. Theonas that by the favourable hope of wind and weather was now arrived upon the perilous Island: where coming into the Temple of Erganea the wise Enchantress, that was richly adorned with all peculiar things thereunto belonging. At the upper end thereof upon an Altar of clear Crystal that was covered with a curious cloth of gold, over whom was hung the perfect picture of an ancient woman, which woman was the forenamed Erganea, there twixt two golden Candlesticks that were filled with two continual burning Tayers censing the Temple with sweet savours, lies a golden book which was kept by two harpies, monstruous birds, half Women, and half Serpents, that with their wings so beats the young adventurer, as he was scarce able to abide their force.  
But as he that looking still upon the goles is better encouraged to go forward, he that sees the harbour, takes greater pains to get home, he that is near an end of his labour, thinks all the pains but little he hath to spend: So fares it with Theonas, that looking upon the end whereto he had endeavoured himself, thinks the pains but a pleasure he endured, & in short time so behaved himself, as that he had overthrown one of his enemies, and then like the heart, that by casting his horn, renews his strength, the Eagle by losing his bill strengthens his flight so he at the sight of her fall, gins to fight a fresh, and in short time had the like success of the one as before he had found in the other: so that now there was no partition betwixt him and his prey, but that he might take away the book, to which when he came, opening it that he might be an eye witness what was there included, in sréed of those powerful spells that there he should have read, from out the closure thereof came such a dusty fog, as filling his eyes with a black mist like unto pitchy smoke he was suddenly strooken blind, and there left to grope his way back, that came thither with the perfect use of his eyes. This Book (as were both the rest) was nothing else but a deceit of the Inchaunteresse, to draw thither one of these Brethren; where (in stead of relieving their Sister) they might enthrall themselves. Thus poor Theonas (even in the prime of his Spring) having lost the use of this light, which is the especial comfort of mass life) wanders up and down like old forsaken Oedipus in his exiled life: where we must a while leave him in this piteous case with his brethren.   

CHAP. XI  
How Chinon met with these brethren severally one after another, and what became thereof.  
BY this time was Chinon come to the place where we first left Thersander mad after he had taken up the Viol of Water: who seeing him far so with himself, rending up trees by the roots, tearing up mighty stones from their places where they stood, and tumbling them down from the tops of high hills, into the bottoms of deep valleys; who (notwithstanding his misfortune) kept still the vial about him untouched: to whom Chinon came wondering to see what man should walk that way, gins to question with him about the manner of his coming thither? To whom the mad man far unlike himself, (for that before he was courteous, but now contrary to his kind he had changed his countenance to hair-braind cruelty and in stead of courteous behaviour, answers him in railing opprobrious terms, and at the length gins with force to assail him as an enemy; which Chinon perceiving, closing with the mad man as he came to encounter with him forcibly casts him down, & taking from him the Uiall of water, which all this while he had kept closely in his hands, begins to look what it should be the poor soul had in such request, when suddenly by the like mischance that the other was changed, himself was with Lunacy presently possessed: and raging like Ajax after his foil for Ulysses his armour, or mighty Alcides when on the Mountain Oeta he built the Altar whereon himself was sacrificed, tearing his clothes from his back, the hairs from his head, and lancing with deep wounds the limbs of his body; releases Tirpander from the plague wherewith he was possessed, and brings it upon himself. Which the other perceiving how he was delivered from that danger, pitied the woeful estate of this worthy Man, but help him he could not, for that such was his invincible strength, now by the force of his fury much more augmented, which force neither man nor beast, stock nor stone, nor any other creature whatsoever was able to stand in his hand▪ so that in short time, what with his unorderly tracing through unfrequented passages to find fuel for his fire, and his swift paces that still over-went the other weary weary man, who had tired himself before in his fury, Chinon was quite gone out of his sight, whom we must now leave after the recovery of his wits, traveling home again into his own Country, to seek out some other means for the release of his Sister, and follow Chinon, who raging and raving like an angry Lion at last over-takes Micander, who (poor man as quiet for the sorrow he had lost the use of his tongue, as the other unruly in his rage, seeing him a far off, stayed still to expect the event of his sudden epproach; when the mad man coming to him 'gins with unseemly behaviour to abuse the other poor distressed Soul, and with force pulling from him the Instrument which he was loath to lose, though by it he had incurred such a displeasure: yet at last Chinon (far stronger than the other perforce pulls it away, and assaying with his fingers to strike the strings, was at the first sound thereof strooken dumb, whereof as soon as Chinon was possessed, Micander was strait way released. Which infirmity when Chinon perceived in himself, redoubling the rigour of his hands for the use he had lost of his tongue, 'gins furiously to fall upon Michander and beat him, for being the Author of his ill: which the other perceiving, far unable to sustain the strength of his streak makes means to escape his hands, which by his swift flight he soon attained. So in short time ridding of himself enough from the fear of this foe, he for his own safety, takes home the nearest way he could find into his own Country.  
In the mean time Chynon wandering wyldly thus about the World all careless where he went, because how soever he turned, every where lay his way, at last comes down unto the Sea side, where by chance he finds a Boat ready furnished with all provision necessary for the Sea; who (after the manner of such mad men) leaping there into, (though ignorant what to do or careless whither to go, more than to satisfy his mad humour) launched from shore, and making shift to set up his sail, was quickly conveyed far from the sight of any Land into the midst of the merciless seas, sailing too and fro many days not fearing to be drowned, because he perceived nothing: nor expecting any place whether to go, for that he scarce knew, where he was either at sea or on shore. But at the last (flying with his Bark before the Wind) he was suddenly driven on shore upon an Island, where (leaping a land) he betook himself to travail up into the country, to see what people it did afford: where he had not long traveled, but a far off upon the side of a Hil he espied one sadly sitting by himself, towards whom he made what haste he possibly could.  
This was the youngest Brother of those three, that before we told ye of was strooken blind by looking into the enchanted Book; to whom when he came, suddenly snatching the Book out his hand (after his fond furious fashion) opens the clasps to see what was therein contained, when suddenly issued out such another fog, as that wherewith Theonas was stricken blind, and in like manner bedazels his eyes: when presently Theonas was again restored unto his sight, and wondering to see there so goodly a man possessed with so many plagues at once, gins then with himself consider how it should come to pass? who for that himself was unacquainted with what had happened to his other brethren, could guess at none but that which lately he was punished withal himself: one, for that the reasonless Man (for all these troubles wherewith he was tormented) could not (by his means) be brought within the compass of quiet behaviour, thought it best to provide some means for his own escape, and leave him there to the mercy of GOD, that would not be ruled by the means of a man; so he betook himself to his Journey, where we must also leave him (rid by this means of a mischief) returning to seek his brethren, and take some other order for their enchanted Sister.  
The Enchantress now (that all this while saw the issue of this matter) grieving that her cunning should be so crossed, and yet joying that all these punishments were light upon his head, whom she before feared more than all the rest: set all her wits awork, to devise a means how she might (now having him at such a vantage) make him sure for ever escaping out of her hands again foreseeing, that by his means all this scattered Kindred were likely to be restored again to their former estate. And therefore (by her power) encloses him within the cleft of a Rock, against which she rolled up a mighty stone, such as the force of many ordinary men was not able to remove: and so least by any means he might be recovered out of this enchanted Castle, she places as Porter before the door thereof a mighty Giant, twice as great and grim as the ordinary kind of such overgrowen Creatures use to be. Where, when he was enclosed (supposing him now safe enough from any resort that should bring him relief) she was content all his plagues should cease, and he (the more to aggrevate his grief) be restored again to his wits; which was effected as speedily as determined.  
No sooner was he closely shut up into that uncomfortable Cabin, but all his Instruments (by whose means he came by those crosses) as his Water, his Harp, and his Book vanished away, and he himself restored (as I before said) again to the same estate of sense as he was before, his liberty only excepted: where we must now awhile leave him in his melancholy Cell, and return again into England. to see the sorrow of old Cador Duke of Cornwall, for the sudden departure (without taking leave) of Chinon his Son.   

CHAP. XII.  
How Arthur of England sent three of his Knights to search for Chinon, & how they found him.  
CAdor Earl of Cornwall whilst that these things were thus by this devilish Enchantress effecting, still spent his years in sorrow for the sudden loss of his Son, and at last (wearied with too much grief) he intended to make some friendly means to the King, for to have his royal favour and help for his recovery. Therefore on this determining he repaired one day to the Court, and there finding the King and all his Knights, as careful for his cross misfortune as himself, 'gins in very humble manner (yet with honourable regard) thus to entreat his Majesty.  
Most royal Sovereign (for whom from my first able years may service hath been employed) vouchsafe me in my decayed years this Kingly comfort: Send forth I beseech you) some of his worthy fellow Knights to seek Chinon my Son; who albeit he hath yet deserved little either of your Grace or of them, yet his forward endeavour hath always shown he would much more ere this have merited, had not envious fortune crossed him in this sort.  
To whom the King and all his Nobles present did most willingly condescend. Then calling together all the Knightly company of his Round Table, declared to them Duke Cador's request, and his own readiness to have it undertaken: who all were not only to go in Quest of Chinon, but each man manifested his more than common earnestness, by taking offence if any one were named beside himself. To end this controversy, the King thus provided, that every man should draw his Lot, and on whom soever it fell, that Knight should forthwith choose him two Fellows from the rest of the Company, and so they three should take upon them this desired travail. The Lots accordingly were made, and every one of the Knights drew, and the Lot fell upon Sir Calor, who was Son unto Sir Lancelot du Lake and the beauteous Celestina Daughter to the King of France, whose Parents Chinon before valiantly rescued, being betrayed and taken in the hands of the treacherous soldan.  
But before their departure, it was thought convenient (for the better furtherance of their Journey) to take some counsel of Merlin, who then lived accounted as a Prophet in England, and by his skill I could tell of secret things forepast, and hidden mysteries to come.  
Merlin being sent for by the King's commandment, came to the Court, and shows them in a speculative Glass the manner of his departure out of England, the many troubles he had endured in his Journey, and now at last opens at large the whole manner of that great misery whereunto he is now brought by the means of that subtle Enchantress: telling them further, that except they made very exceeding great speed for to procure his release, he was likely to die there for want of relief, being there detained from all necessaries fit to sustain a man; or at least having of those necessaries a very short pittance allowed him.  
Merlin hastening them forward on their journey, promised all the cunning he could afford for their speedy conveyance, which he effectually performed, so that in short time they were arrived in this perilous Island: where after long search for the place wherein Merlin did promise they should find their friend, at last they might espy this monstrous man, jailor to that unfortunate Knight, stretching himself at the mouth of the Cave wherein in Chinon was kept. To him they made all possible speed, and first of all Sir Calor addressing himself to fight, 'gins before he offered violence with courteous greetings to salute him gently, demanding what he was that lived so desolately in that unfrequented Island? To whom the detested and currish Carl made this unmannerly answer.  
I am quoth he as thou seest, one within whose claws thou and the rest of thy saucy companions have compassed yourselves: if therefore you will submit yourselves to my mercy, then will I thus dispose of you here within a hollow Cave hewn out of this craggy Rock, wherein lies enclosed a knight such a one as you are, who for the like offence that you now have offered, is condemned to the eternal slavery of perpetual imprisonment, within shall you spend your hateful lives, and when for hunger you are wellnigh starved, fall freshly then to eat one another's flesh, but if you stubbornly stand out against me, thus will I despoil you in renting your cursed limbs piece meal a sunder, or else fastening you several to the big bulks of some of these trees: where when the imperial punishment of hastening hunger shall seize upon yourselves, you shall there be enforced to eat your own flesh that might here have fed upon another, to whom Sir Calor thus answered.  
Fowl ugly fiend, we come not to kneel to thee, but to force thy subjection to us and for the release of a Christian Knight they thou keepest Captive within thy power.  
At which words the Giant seeing them address themselves to fight, presently be stirs himself, and taking an Iron mace, (which to that end the Witch had provided) let's drive at Sir Calor with all the might he could, from which he nimbly leaping away eschewed the force of the fall, when as the other Knights coming in to rescue sir Calor, before the Giant could again get up his weapon from the ground, they had so mangled his limbs, as he was now far unable to fight, but falling prostrate down before them, humbly entreats for his life: which they were willing to grant, as not seeking the loss of him, but the life of their friend, to whom the Giant 'gins relate all the manner of the imprisonment of Chinon, and at the last opens the door of the Cave, and calls him out to his friends, who resaluting one another with such friendly greetings as are usual at such adventuros accidents, take their journey from thence up into the Country, and for that the Giant had told them in his former discourse of the manner of Chinons' imprisonment, how that Perosus for whose love all this had come about, had in Egypt taken Arms against the King, for that his treason being discovered, he intended to recall old Bessarian from his banishment, and that his power so daily increased, as that it was now far greater than the Kings, they intended to shape their journey thitherwards and help the king in his wars against this traitorous rebel: where we must let them go forward a while in their journey, and return again to our three adventurers for their sister's liberty.   

CHAP. XIII.  
How Bessarians sons met with their Father in the shape of a Bear.  
AFter that these three young men were again restored to their former estate, Terpander the first of them travailing homewards to seek again his sister, meets by the way his transformed Father, who not a little glad to see his son, though the other taking him for no less than he seemed, made some haste to fly from him, till looking back and perceiving the scroll about his neck for the regaining of his heart's desire, strikes his poor father with such a blow, as breaking his sword upon the scalp of his head, he was forced to fly for want of weapons, fearing lest the Bear should have fallen freshly upon him, being tired when as God knows the silly man astonished with the stroke, was rather afraid of an unnatural death's wound by his son, then willing to prosecute any revenge for the same.  
Not long after Terpander had thus hurt his Father, comes that way the second brother, who in like case meeting with the Bear and hoping by his death to obtain his desire, 'gins with a boarspear he had in his hand eagerly to assail him, in so much shall in short time he had grievously wounded him, but the head of his weapon by chance breaking off, he was forced to fly as did his brother: to be short the Witch that intended by the means of some of these sons, to make away their father. After that the first two had failed, brought thither the third, who eager to accomplish his desire, promised by the scroll that hung about his father's neck, gins a fresh fight, & so wounded his silly sire, as that for want of blood which his weapon had lavishly launched out, he was forced to fall down, whom Theonas supposing to be dead, left there to follow his desire.  
In the mean time whilst these things were thus in doing had there been sought a great battle in Egypt, betwixt Egbaton their King, and Perosus the traitor, of whom before we told you: where by the means of the Englishmen the King overcame, and Perosus was put to flight: who for his safeguard forsaking his Country, betook himself to the Mountains: where after he had long travailed, he by chance met with Bessarian transformed, as afore we have told you, who having some what recovered himself after the wounds of his sons, fearing lest his foe should at his sight fiie a way, lays sudden hold upon him.  
At which Perosus being afraid seeing himself assailed, 'gins make all the means he could for his escape: but the other loath to requite him evil for his ill dealing, in steed of such ravenous behaviour, as comnonly is found in such like beasts, gently fawns upon him, showing himself rather willing to help him, than ready to hurt him.  
When Perosus calling to mind his former offence in the bewitching of the old man, and seeing by the writing about his neck, that this was he whom he had so cruelly crossed, falls down before him, & with submissive tears entreats his pardon: to whom the Bear though unable to speak, yet with dumb demeans showing the effect of his mind, answers in dumb tokens what he could not tell in plausible words: to whom Perosus there promised, that would he but follow him, he would forthwith conduct him to the place where his daughter was imprisoned, & where he hoped also to meet with her, by whose means all this was brought to pass.  
In the mean time Chinon and his fellow knights following their foes from the fight, by chance intercepted Eutropa the Witch as she was flying away, whom presently they intending to kill, & she knowing very well their cruelty, fell down before them, humbly ask pardon for her life, and in requital thereof she would restore to liberty, her for whose sake Chinon had suffered all this extremity, than which Chinon desiring nothing more grants her requests, whom she presently transports to the place where Cassiopea lay imprisoned: where when they came, they found her three brethren dilating unto her their several ill lucks, whom as soon as they came, the Witch released from the bondage of the Rock, and falling down on her knees asks hearty pardon for her amiss, to whom the Lady glad of her release strait forgives that offence, and then Eutropa telling her the great peril Chinon had overpassed for her love: she with all courtesy falls down at his seéeke, submitting herself for requital thereof to be disposed at his pleasure, whom he taking up from the ground, offering himself likewise to her.  
In the mean time whilst these folks were thus rejoicing, comes in Perosus leading of the transformed old man, and humbly there ask pardon of them all for his offence, telling them the manner● he had found the old man, who was by the means the Witch presently restored to his former shape, and then returning all back to the Court to certify the King of their several affairs. Bessarian was then again restored to his dignity, & Perosus saverely punished for his offence, & Chinon and Cassiopeia by the consent of their friends, and mutual love of themselves, were matched together in marriage.  
FINIS.