ΑΛΕΚΤΟΡ. The Cock. Containing the first part, of the most excellent, and My-theologicall History, of the valorous Squire Alector; Son to the Renowned Prince Macrobius Franc-Gal; and to the Peerless Princess Priscaraxe, Queen of high Tartary.  
Though long at length.   depiction of a cock 
A TRIBULATIONE.  
Imprinted at London by Thomas Orwin, and are to be sold by Edward White, dwelling by the little North-door of S. Paul's at the sign of the Gun. 1590.   

Amici cuiusdam Carmina in laudem operis.  

ADfuit antiquis facundia maxima linguae,  
Hic decus eloquij; carminis alter habet.  
Tullius, Jtaliam summa dulcedine mulsit;  
O Rhetor dulci suaviter ore fluens.  
Mantua, Virgilium iactat, qui carmine dulci  
Pascua descripsit: & Phrigis arma viri.  
Hammondum iactet, celebrâtque Britania nostrum;  
Cni, lepor in multa non minor arte latens.  
Jnsequitur casùsque virum; seuósque dolores;  
Permare, per terras, deliciásque diwm.  
Dúmque sit eloquij, priscorum Laurea prima  
Fas erit Hammondo, proxima quaeque dare.  
Nec satis hoc Hammonde, tibi? laus summa secundis?  
Proximus á primo, quisquis secundus erit.  
Non tu falsa quidem metuas convitia vulgi,  
Doctis nec satis est, posse placere viris.  
Mome malign vale; vigeat, relegatur, ametur;  
Jngenuijque decus, saecula nulla tegent.   
A. S.   

ja: Smith in praise of Alector.  

FIerce Hercules resign thy wont fame;  
Brave Hector, here yield up thy high renown;  
Achilles stay, and throw thine Armour down;  
For preux Alector, now must bear the name  
Of valour, courage, prowës: when all is done:  
'Tis he alone, that hath the garland won.   

Stoop Pyrrhus then, and Caesar strike thy sail;  
Base Tamburlaine retire, and sound retreat:  
Not all thy bold attempts, and conquests great.  
May with Alectors valour countervail.  
For courage, prowës, and deeds of chevalree  
None may the garland were, but only he.    

A Dizain in praise of the Book.  

OF great exploits, of mighty feats of arms;  
Of Heavens, of hell, of doom, and dismal fates:  
Of bold attempts, of murders, hurts, and harms;  
Of monsters rare, of machiavellian mates;  
Of wretched spite, of over mortal hates;  
Of devilish drugs, of Philtres, and of charms;  
Of country's strange, and of their brutish states;  
In brief, who list to read of loves alarms?  
Let him draw near, this book at large imparts;  
Their several kinds, their ends, and their deserts.   
ja: Thornburghe. Gent.   
The first part, of the most excellent and My-theologicall History, of the valorous Knight Alector, Son of Macrobius Franç-Gal, and of the Queen Priscaraxe, etc.  

Of the taking of Alector in the chamber of the fair damosel Noëmia Gratian, his invasion and merucilous defence, of her slaughter in his arms, with her taking, accusation, and imprisonment, and of her sepulchre & Epitaph. CAP. I.  

The occasion of this slaughter appeareth more plainly in the 3. Cap.  THE Pavement of white Marble in the lower court of the Palace of the Gratian Lords, and Citizens of Orb, had changed the snowy hew into sanguilent red, by the effusion of humane blood; and was covered in many places with dead bodies lying round about the valorous Alector; as the grass abated by the Mower: some being slain out right, and others yet drawing breath, and yielding up the Ghost. On the other side, the court was all replenished with harnessed men, enforcing themselves either to take a live, or else to slay the gentle Squire: who being taken one morning by the over late waking out of a sweet and golden sleep, in the chamber of the fair Noëmia Gratian, and perceiving the door to be broken upon him, (more for safeguard of the honour of his Mistress, than for fear,) was leapt down out of a window into the lower court, clothed only for haste in his shirt, with a coat of arms of Say, with a jassarin of cloth of Gold, and silk purple, with a chain of gold, and a red hat on his head: the residue being bare and naked, saving with a great and large brazen shield; bearing upon green sinople, a Cock of gold elevant, armed and spurred with gueles; and with a fair, rich, and most excellent sword, whose refulgent splendour died in boiling blood, was so terrible to his assaillants by the example of the most hardy already ●laine, that they durst not come near him. For his sword was of so fine and hard metal, cutting and piercing like fire, and in an arm so mighty, that there was no so good armour which seemed not of silvered paper or brittle glass, or that was able to defend their bodies from being cut in pieces, if they came within his right stroke. Wherefore they seeing that by the approach and touch of this redoubtable sword, the certain and present death to be at hand, no man durst come near him, but standing far off with fearful cry, they cast at him stones and bullets of lead, darted javelins, shot arrows, and thrust at him with long pikes, especially the two brothers Gratians germans to the fair Noëmia (who taking impatiently and unworthy the defame and dishonour which they imagined to be done to their Sister, and that by a stranger whom they had so honourably received, and so graciously entertained into their house and family, and desiring to revenge the domestical outrage, and death of their third young brother, whom they saw lying slain upon the pavement by his overmuch hardiness) assailed vigorously above the rest, this young Squire with great bushes of shaking pikes and boisterous lances, so right and rudely, that they molested Alector more than any of th''others, as in deed it touched them most near. But he with his good sword and by the nimbleness and agility of his body, turned away their blows so readily, and abated them so desperately that in little space he had cut a sunder six pikes as though they had been kixes, and disweaponed the two brethren three times. From other blows coming far off as stones, darts, and arrows, they wear not so surely sent, but by the legerity of the Squire, at whom they could have no just aim, they still failed: and those which came right, he received them upon his impenetrable shield, which was of such assurance, that it made him hardy and without fear, that carried it. notwithstanding in such peril a great advantage happened to him. For in the midst of the Court, there was a great pillar of marble seven foot high, made in triangle wise, and the sides railed in with hemiticles, making three half rounded meetings. Upon this treangled stone in honour of the surname of the Gratian family was erected, the statues of the three Graces, called the Charites, in shape of three naked virgins, holding one another by the hand in dancing wise, with their visages turned: the one forthright, the other sideling, and the third right behind. Between two angles of this stone, in one of the rondles, was Alector backed, and retired in such sort that he could not be taken neither strooken behind, by reason of the largeness and thickness of the stone, and hardly on either side, by reason of he two angles which came out of the Hemicicle, which defended him: in so much he had not to defend himself against his Enemies, but only before: which he did so bravely, and with so youthful courage and with so hot and boiling a blood, that he neither thought of nor feared the peril, being emboulded with the virtue of the shield which he carried, ravished from the Trophy, against the spirit of hardiness. 
See the whole process of this in the 19 Cap.  Withal which forces being garnished, he installed himself (in the mids of his crying enemies, far more fearing, than approaching near him,) like a wild Boar grounded and set in the wood against an infinite company of dogs, earnestly, but far off baying, yalping, howling and crying: amongst whom, if any one begle over young and foeble presumeth to assail him in his fury and heat, incontinent with his crooked and furious tusks he setteth his guts into the wind, and his life into the air, giving example and fear to all the rest; whose nature is that the one being hurt the others run away. Even so were they in great multitudes about Alector, crying, threatening, and dispiting him: but not over passing the bodies of them, who lay slain before them. Nevertheless the number still increasing, he found himself so charged with stones, bullets, and bars of wood, with shafts, arrows, and darts: that if the Goddess of health herself would have salved him, she could not. And therewithal issewed out of the palace a young maid of singular beauty, and of more sovereign grace (and this was the fair Noëmia Gratian, sister germane to the three brothers Gratians, the one slain, and the other two fight for revenge, children of the wiseman evander Gratian, and of the noble Lady Agathagine, the chief and ancient house of the Orbitains'.) This young maid, who in truth was the Mistress of Alector, seeing her most dear friend, in the midst of his mortal enemies brought to that stall of bucherie, and so many staves and arrows, flying upon him, that hardly she could see him under his shield, (more replenished with arrows, than the back of a hedgehog with bristells) could no longer stay herself, but moved by a furious rage of love; setting a side all virginicall shame, all maidenly fear, and all honour of her noble blood, exceeding the pastianimitie of her feminine kind, with more than a manlike heart, ran through the mortal weapons of her brothers and parents' assailants, unto her friend the defender of his own life, and the honour of them both. She being uncorfed with her hairs hanging down fair like Phoebus' beams, with her visage sad and bedewed with tears, nevertheless replenished with hardness & grave constancy, her fair body being more white than the statues of the Graces of Alabaster, which were there set up; and illuminated amids the white, with a natural & vive incarnate; covered only with her petticoat unlaced, and cast over with a light cloak of white damask put herself between the two parties, turning towards her friends and their adherents with a hardy and boldened voice, she began her speech as followeth.  
" My dear brethren and you my Parents and friends, I beseech you cease your shooting, stay your strokes, and listen a while to me. The assault which you make here upon this fair, young, valiant, and virtuous Gentleman (whom you know not) is either for the love of me your Sister and kinswoman, or else for hate and revenge of him, your offendor as you suppose. It is either for the one, or the other, or else for both, by reason of a certain sinister suspicion (which ought rather to be taken up and concealed, than notoriously discovered.) If it be for the love of me, I beseech you for my sake to pardon Alector his life, honour, and liberty; to whom (as you yourselves can tell) I own both life, liberty, and honour: whereby he being once dead it is impossible for me to live: besides this in doing him wrong, with the vile vice of ingratitude contrary to your nature and the surname of your house, you shall violate the holy right of hospitality, killing your guest in your own house, whom heartily and worthily you have thereinto received, and entertained. And if the violence which you do him, is to revenge any fore-fault or offence of youth, either of his or mine: you ought rather to conceal than reveal it? If you require vengeance for it, take it of me which am cause of the evil (if any evil be) and upon my body and heart (for his virtue) vowed unto him: to whom I shall be a pavoys and bulwark of defence, that willingly spared not himself for me: yea and am as ready and willing to receive for him your shot and mortal blows, as new I go to cover and embrace him."  
This spoken: the fair and gracious Noëmia with body and arms cast herself upon the worthy Squire Alector, embracing him straightly, kissing him tenderly and hanging about his neck most lovingly, their faces and breasts joined together (which both of them had naked) and covering all her body against the force of his assailants. Which thing her brethren and parents perceiving, and having understood both her prayer and protestation, together natural pity and parentage moving them, began already to retire and lay aside their arms; when a wretch and cursed springal (who long time had pursued the love of Noëmia, and could never come to one only smiling look,) turning his sweet into sower, and his love and desire into disdain and despite, with the great cherishing which he saw her show to Alector; purposed to slay them both at once: wherefore seeing his opportunity he let fly an arrow feathered with light inconstancy, and headed with a head of cruel anger, tempored with the venom of jealousy, thinking to dispatch them both at one instant: but the cursed arrow lighting in the right side of Noëmia passed through her body, whereby of a sudden her beautiful flesh, smock, and cloak of white damask, changed their snowy hew into a vermilion colour, and the damosel feeling her inward deadly wound, pirtifullie cried out: " Alas I am wounded to the death for you my friend Alector: brief hath been the pleasure of our loves; and sad the departure. The flower of my beauty and youth is as soon vaded again, as the morning rose, plucked up and withered at night: But the death is somuch less grievous unto me, in that I am slain by saving you from that mortal stroke; and in that I die between your arms (my dear friend) leaving to you therefore the revenge." At these words her speech failed her, and her eyes closing, she inclined her mouth upon the face of Alector: who thinking to ease her, pulled out the wicked arrow, but with drawing it out, her life with her blood departed: and this (not long before) so fair and gracious a creature fell down dead at the feet of her friend Alector, so sad and so enraged with fury of so villainous a shot, that forgetting himself, and the present peril wherein he was, by ardant desire of revenge: and to recounter the murdering shooter and slayer of his Noëmia, came out of his fort, throwing himself like a wounded Lion through the midst of the multitude, breaking the press, beating down all before him, and with his strong " shield repulsing all that he met, furiously cried out: Traitorous Archer, murderer o' Maidens, where art thou? Why presentest thou not thyself before me? Thou lewd coward and traitor, to the end I may accompany the most unworthy of death that ever lived, or that I may fill myself of revenge with the clearest of thy blood? Cruel Tiger; lurking Serpent, coward and wicked Crocodile, that without offence hast given death to the liveliest virtue, and after fliest away like a wasp leaving her venomous sting behind her, darest thou present thyself unto me?" So went Alector crying and furiously threatening, striking, and abating down of men, that no man how hardy soever he were, durst stand against him, unless he meant to be slain. But whiles, through desperate rage he laid so about him at random, striking upon those whom were before him, and taking no regard to those who followed him, suddenly he found himself assailed with six puissant men, who by main force took from him his shield, and so consequently one part of his hardiness: and albeit he made much resistance to the great hurt of his enemies, yet nevertheless the multitude so oppressed and over charged him that his sword fell out of his hand, the which one of the brothers Gratians took up with the shield. So was Alector taken and led by force of people to the Potentate, governor of the town and chief justice called Diocles who seeing this fair young man of such a liberal countenance to be accused by so many voices speaking against him, the one accusing him of Rape, another of Treason, another of fornication, and others of many murders. To all which accusations he answered nothing, neither demanded any thing but the death, to accompany his most dear and woeful Noëmia,) would not give judgement headlong, but doing the duty of a Potentate (like a most wise man) knowing all these people to be passionated, the one party with fury and appetite of revenge, and the other with desperation, grief, sorrow, envy, and contempt of life: advised himself to let both parties cool until the next morning, when by their cold blood they might return to reason and their right sense, whereupon adressing his speech unto the tumultuous people, and chiefly to the two brother's complainants, he spoke in this manner: " Lords Gratians, to morrow the parties being heard, I will show you right. Mean while return yourselves in peace, and I will keep the offendor in sure custody." This said, they all retired themselves evil content enough. Alector was then committed to the keeping and custody of the captain Palatine, and the others departed to go bury their dead, amongst whom the foresaid fair Noëmia was found slain, and buried with great lamentation of her brothers according to the use of the country, even in the same place where she was slain, hard under the foresaid pillar of the graces, for the excellent gifts of spirit and body that in her life time beyond fortune they had ennobled her withal, and in the stone was engraven this Epitaph. 
Lo here Noëmia fair, that constant Maid doth lie  
before these Graces who bewail her want of breath:  
That (for Alectors sake, her steadfast faith to try)  
hath felt the stroke of love; and dint of cruel death.    

Of the accusation and process against Alector, and of his defence. CAP. 2.  
THE next day the Lord Diocles Potentate and chief justice of Orb, sitting upon the Tribunal seat in the great Basilicq, caused to appear and come before him the Gratian Lords complainants, and the Squire Alector defendant, to understand & judge of the commotion and slaughter happened by their cause; in the assistance of all the Magistrates, Orders, and Estates of the City of Orb and of the greater part of the people there assembled and gathered together by reason of the case so new, strange, and of so terrible example. The two brothers Gratians clothed in long garments of mourning colour, with visages sad and withered, either for very sorrow, or else by artificial cunning of some sulphurian smoke, 
For oftentimes an Hegers mournful cheer,  
Through feigned show doth prove a laughter mere.  with shaven beards; hairs rend and torn; implored justice against Alector being there present, a stranger, a spy, a foyler of maidenly beds, a violator of hospitality, a raptor of virginity, a thief, and breaker up of noble houses, a troubler of public peace, and a bloody murderer. Declaring that at the persuasion of their late deceased sister Noëmia Gratian, a gracious maiden (more peradventure than was expedient for him) upon the recite of certain valiant feats of Arms (unknowing whether they were truly or falsely given out) they had received him into their house, always held noble of all antiquity, and esteemed a house of honour. This feigned and masked Gentleman, who under colour of a certain courtlike civility, wherein he seemed to have been trained up, and by the allurement of a certain beautiful youth, in him by the gifts of nature shining: had corrupted the good nurture & manners of their sister, being a simple and young maiden, and the best esteemed of this age, and had tempted her honesty, even unto the entering into her priute chamber at unlawful hours in the night, abiding there the whole night alone with her (whereby may be judged the rest): where, after that by revelation of some domestical and faithful servants he was discovered, by breaking up the doors, he (by fraction of the hospital lodging villainously violated & polluted) was leapt down through a window into the lower court, where again he hath committed many murders, aswell upon the domestical servants, friends, and familiars, come to their succour, as of their proper parents and allies; yea and that he had wickedly and cursedly slain the youngest of the brothers Gratians: and for that cause their so amiable sister, by rage of furious love had so lost her senses, that she was come miserably to be slain in his arms; neither was it known by whom, unless by himself, who by holding her embraced, had slain her, as it is very likely. And thereupon demanded justice to be given them, aswell for the private interest of the persons of their brother, sister, parents, friends, and domestical servants, as also for public example of other such like disturbers of their public peace, stirers of civil discord, and corupters of good manners. Concluding him to be worthy of the most ignominious death that could be adjudged.  
The most wise and just Potentate Diocles having in great and attentive silence heard and understood the action and complaint of the brothers Gratians, only with his left ear, and having always held his right ear stopped with the palm of his left hand, upon which he had still his head inclmed, following the example of the adder, & subtle serpent, who fearing the enchanted words of the charmer stoppeth her ear against the ground: even so did this most wise judge, who had closed his right ear with his left hand under colour of resting his head, to the end he might reserve it to hear the other party. And for that cause turned himself on the other side, holding his left ear leaning upon his right hand, and opening the other to hear the defendant: who, clothed in his apparel which was brought unto him (except his arms) with an assured and liberal countenance and with a seemly face and upright body, (which already privily had gotten him the favour of all) with hardy speech he began his defence in this manner.  
Equitable and just Potentate, I know not if the order of worldly things confound themselves, & preposterously reverse and turn to a contrary disorder: when before your honour, I see myself innocent, & having received miurie, (for which cause to me belonged the complaint) am nevertheless arrested and criminally accused, by those who have outraged me: and who in my behalf have violated the holy right of hospitality: enforcing themselves (as much as in them lay) to have murdered me in their own house, whereto they had invited me to lodge; and thereupon had slain me, if vist God, my right, my good sword, and mine impenetrable shield had not saved me. They have called me unknown stranger, for the which (that I may make myself known to the whole company) I give you to understand that I am Alector, borne of noble blood, son of the most renowned prince Franck-Gal, called the old Knight of the swimming and flying horse, sufficiently known through out all the world, and of my Lady Priscaraxe, Queen of Tartary: so that I am a noble man, and not an unknown stranger as they term me, but a worldling and a Citizen of the world, and a Squire, wandering to seek who may give me the order of Rnight heed, and to find adventures in all places, without counting myself a stranger in any noble house which is open to honest men: as they would be taken for & esteemed, in causing themselves to be called the Gratians; who for token of graciousness, have addressed the statues of the three Graces in the entry of their lodging, towards whom at the perilous assault which was made upon me thinking to save myself, as with signs and tokens of Graces and inviolable franchise, I found such grace, that I have there received more than three hundred handy strokes, and many more of shot and stones; yea far more favourable were the hard stones sustaining and holding up the insensible Charites of Alabaster to me, than those men who call themselves Gratians, having both sense and reason. For they fought with me to the death, and these defended me and saved my life: wherefore I say, that the Gratians and their consorts are more hard and ungracious, than the statues of the Graces in Marble, that by their cruel impiety (themselves violated and polluted,) have caused the innocent blood of their 〈◊〉 sister to be shed, and cruelly immolated and sacrificed between mine arms before the images of their Charites; who (in detestation and horror of so abominable a sacrifice,) seem to turn their faces from seeing such an excecrable forfeit, as the murder of their fourth sister, the most gracious Noëmia, before their Divinity; and under the safeguard and liberty of their worshipful and inviolable images, traitcrously transpeirced with a cursed arrow; let she from far by a rascal, coward, wicked, and traitorous archer, whom (if I might know) I would neither pardon quick nor dead. And in this most evidently appeareth, the calumnious insimulation of mine accusers, who intending to say upon me the murder of their most gracious Noëmia, slame between mine arms with anarrowe: whereas I myself had none other offensive weapons, than mine only sword, wherewithal I would rather have transpeirced mine own heart, than to have offended or harmed her. Protesting before you, that for no other occasion, but only in hope to revenge mine own Noëmia, I do here either defend my cause or life, & not for pleasure or desire that I have longer to live in this world, desiring rather to be with her, or where she is, than here to languish after her being dead: but before I die, cruelly to take revenge upon the traitorous murderer, with the same shaft that he pierced her noble heart, to the end I may carry her agreeable news of revenge into the other world. But in that they accuse me to have been taken locked within the chamber of Noëmia their sister, and that by breaking and manner of scaling I was leapt down into the lower court by the window. In this I was never taken, nor in doubt to be taken: for being lodged in their house (the which for a certain pleasure to them done, in all and by all they had left unto me, with all the goods that were therein) I did not esteem the chamber of Noëmia to be interdicted me, wherein oftentimes I entered openly and not as a thief or wicked person to bezzle her substance or honour, or to violate her body: but as a Gentleman, to whom no Lady or Gentlewoman of honour ought to refuse honest company, unless that as a villain he had purchased the same with villainy; the which shall not be found in me: who never held speech nor did act which should displease her, neither had any dishonourable scandal nor sinister suspicion come thereof, if they themselves had not procured to defame their sister, and to find occasion to deprive her of her dowry by their insatiable covetousness. For the which it is sufficient to be conjectured that they have caused her to be stain in this tumult, by a traitorous shot of an unknown man of their side, who cannot be found. But if I see him I shall know him well enough. As touching the breaking up of any thing, not I, but they themselves did it, breaking violently the chamber door, by proud disdain to knock thereat, or familiar calling to open it, and (as I believe) to rob and steal mine arms from me which are so fair and good, as in the end afterwards like thieves they did; which nevertheless as yet I challenge of them and desire they may be sequestered and put into your custody (O Lord Diocles) until the end of judgement, wherein if I he adjudged to die, neither my Lord and Father Frank-Gall, nor the hardy spirit of the black Knight Gallchalt, shall suffer peaceably to enjoy. If I leapt down at the window into the lower court, it was not for conscience of any evil deed; which hitherto I have not committed, upon the proof of arms with the sword and shield (for as yet I am not Knight) against the two brothers and all others who dare presume to charge me with villainy: neither yet by flying or fear of their assault, for I never had doubt of them, as full well I have given them since to vuderstand: but only by descending without ladder or fraction, with my hand set upon the window easily going down, to give way and place to their furious insolence and threatening cries, and for shunning of committing any act of hostility in a house of hospitality: and also because I would not give any dishonourable suspicion to their sister, whose honour if I had not had in more recommendation than they (who have brought it in question) without leaving the place, I had well defended their entry, and have sent them with their parents like insensible fools. But having these two respects, I thought better to stake my force and hardiness, and to give place to their fury, than to fight with mine hosts, and give scandal to their sister. And if I had found no impeachment in the court, no drop of blood had been shed by me in their house. But you know (O just Diocles) that it is permitted, yea and necessary by the righteous law of nature, to repulse force by force, and violence by violence. Wherefore perceiving myself ercluded from all way of flying combat, and finding myself environed with a mighty company of armed men who had sworue either my death or captivity (who am free and son of free and liberal condition) and assailing me on every side without mercy or grace, I retired myself towards the azile and sacred statues of the Charites and Graces, thinking there to find grace, franchise and safety. Wherefore, if in defending my body, some over rash persons have feign under my trenching sword, I say that it is not I that have stain them, for I never had will thereto, and the just law doth not judge but voluntary deeds: as for these, they themselves like furious wild Boars have rashly come to be stain, and therefore of their own voluntary death I plead myself innocent. To conclude, whereas they charge me with violence and Rape, committed on the person of their sister: I answer it is so far from truth, as contrariwise their sister Noëmia being by the terrible and savage Centaur ravished, and without hope of recovery from being ever lost, I by valiance against violence have brought her home safe and sound; and so restored her to her brothers. Whereby if it were so that I had subtracted her to me, and appropriated her person to my will, yet have I no taken, but that which ought to be mine by good conquest and right of war, for that they lost her with ill keeping, and I got here again from the monstruous Centaur, and therefore she should be mine by universal right of people. And thus concluding, for mine absolution, I crave full deliverance, and restitution of mine arms. Or otherwise, if I be found guilty of death (which shall less grieve me after the death of my most dear Noëmia) most instantly I beseech you (O Lord Diocles, and all you the assistants) that you will cause that murthcring archer to be sought and found out, that so traitorously hath stain the innocent Noëmia, and after that you have condemned him to cruel death (as reason and justice require) to put him into my hands, that I may execute and take vengeance upon him, to the end my soul after her departure out of this body may carry agreeable news to the spirit of Noëmia, in witness of the constant love, that in her life and after her death I have borne her. And for faithful proof of my words spoken and alleged in my defence: let the domestical servants even unto the torture, be examined and asked, who kept her company when she was ravished by the Centaur, and by me delivered out of his hands. Likewise let Arcana her familiar chamber maid, be examined, who to all her deeds and secrets was most privy.  
The defence of Alector heard and understood (which seemed not unreasonable) the thoughts of the whole assistance by close favour, accorded to his absolution and deliverance. But the just judge Diocles who believed not easily in simple words, by the advise of the Counsel; caused Tharsides and Calestan (domestical servants in the house of the Gratians) to be sent for, who had been in the company and conduct of Noëmia, & present at her ravishment: likewise Arcana her secret damosel was sent for, who appearing before the Potentate Diocles, were adjured in the name and by the faith which they ought to Sovereign jove, to tell truth of all that they knew and had seen between Alector and Noëmia, with threaten of death if they dissimuled any thing, or if they concealed or disguised the truth of the matter as it was. These poor servile persons so adjured, began to look one upon another without speaking word, either of them fearing in himself to utter or conceal the thing, whereof they might be coargued by the other; until Tharsides first took and addressed his speech to the Potentate, in this manner.   

A Narration of the Ravishment of Noëmia carried away by the savage Centaur; of her recovery by Alector; the beginning of their secret love in the den: and the continnuance thereof till her death. CAP. 3.  
MY Lord Diocles and most just Potentate, in whose presence the most assured tremble, for reverence of thy severe judgement, which receiveth neither favour, flattery, nor lying, I protest poorly and entirely to utter that which I know without conceal or dissimulation. There are two months already past or there about, that my Lady Noëmia deceased (whose Soul rest in peace) was sent for by my Lady Callirhoa her cousin, to her castle of the Greenhead, to accompany, & pass the time with her certain days, whiles my Lord Spathas her husband was gone twelve journeys from thence toward an Augur, being an ancient Hermit of a most strait life, and a Divine man, resident about the horned rock, to inquire, and know of this holy man, of certain ordinary and almost daily prays and slaughters which were done in his lands and woods; of persons and beasts either stain, ravished, or incurably lost, without knowing by whom, or whether it were a Devil, a savage beast, or a man that committed these outrages. For the bodies of those who were found stain, were strooken and pierced with arrows, headed with the venomous teeth of Dragons, or else marked and stricken with round blows without wound, which gave suspicion that they were shot or strooken down by the hand of a man. But when any man followed them who were ravished, there could none other trace be found but the footing of a horse so soon vanished into the thickness of the wood, that those who pursued them oftentimes found themselves lost. And for that cause my Lord Spathas was gone towards this divine Augur to understand and hear some certain advice of him. In the mean while my Lady Noëmia sent for by her Cousin Callirhoa with the leave of her Parents, and three brethren who had the charge and sovereign recommendation of her after the death of her parents, went to the Greenhead accompanied with Calestan and me; of her hastard brother called Floridas and this her weighting maid Arcana: and there we tarried three weeks with joyful cheer until the return of my Lord Spathas; who brought no other answer from the wise wan, but this obscure problem, afterwards by him found, but over veritable. 
The cruellravisher is neither Man no Beast;  
Who of the snowy Hind shall shortly make conquest,  
By killing of the Leopard, that sought her to defend,  
And chase of two Hearts, who durst him not attend.  
But there shall come a twice borne child, whose worthieforce  
Shall her redeem, and stay this monster sanz remorse.  
And for his fact receive that flower as a prize:  
Whereof shall shortly'nsewe abundant plaints and cries.  My Lord Spathas for that time understood not this obscure answer, nevertheless he could get none other: whereupon he returned as evil advised as he went, albeit he kept this aenigme still in mind. Who interpreting the worst, and fearing least the evil should fall upon his house, or upon those who were there in, specially on his fair Cousin Noëmia (which he conjectured to be the snowy Hind) on the next morning (in an evil hour) sent us towards Orb. For in passing by the wood of Hazards, as we road cheerfully one morning under the shadow of the great leaved trees, giving ear to the melodious tunes of the chirping birds, we heard a great brute like the trampling of a drove of beasts approaching us. And suddenly we perceived a most horrible monster of greatness, grossness, & enormous hideur, who unto the lower part of his belly had an humane shape, rather Giantous than natural, with a great hoary head, brusking up like the brussels of a wild Boar, with a visage fierce, and looks fear full, his mouth opened, discovering his great teeth, his body and arms full of veins covered with clear hair, not much unlike the silk made of a fleece. And the rest of his body in the form of a great red horse, exceeding the common bigness of other horses, running, flinging, and leaping upon four horse legs strong and light, right towards us, carrying a great massy Club hanging at his girdle made of a green and crooked branch of hazel with his leaves, and a number of arrows at his side, and a bow in his hand, wherewithal he let fly an arrow, and stew the horse of Floridas, who feeling his horse to fall under him, readily set foot on ground, and hand to his weapon to defend his fair sister Noëmia (whom he loved most decrely) against this horrible monstrous Centaur, running forth right to ravish her. Wherefore Floridas postposing his life to the health of his sister, came only to him with his sword. But the Centaur gnaying with despiteful laughter drew out his gross mare, and gave him such a heavy stroke upon the reins, that he bruised all his bones, and then trod him with his horsely feet till he broke his heart: Seeing this, we fled, abandoning my Lady Noëmia, whom far of (turning ourselves) we saw ravished by the Centaur; who having mounted her up behind him, was entered into the thick wood. And after her, her damosel Arcana running on foot with her hair about her eyes: for the Mule whereon she was mounted, being afraid of the Centaur (as a Mule is a fantastical and umbragious beast) had thrown down his charge, and by main running, returned to the Castle of Greenhead from whence we were departed. Whereupon after we had lost the sight of my Lady Noëmia; we came flying towards Orb to declare unto her friends this sorrowful news. And as for other things I know none, but that the next day after at night we saw her arrive, safe and sound, whom we supposed to have been utterly lost; in the company and conduct of a right fair Squire, whom you may behold here present. Who ever since hath remained in the house of the Lords Gratians, behaving himself most graciously towards all, and most lovingly with my Lady Noëmia; like a young Gentleman with a fair Gentlewoman. If there be any other thing I know, let Arcana be asked, who ought to know more: for as touching my attestation Calestan can bear me witness.  
Then arose Calestan affirming the deed to be so, adjoining therewithal that in flying, the Prophecy of the wise man came to his memory to be verified. For this monstrous Hippocentaure was neither man nor beast, but of double stature, ravishing and murdering: as for the snowy Hind conquered, it was Noëmia, the Leopard (who is a beast, bastard to the Lion and the Pardatide) was Floridas the bastard stain; the two Hearts did fly, being them two servants Tharsides and Calestan, who through fear had abandoned their dame by flight. But of the rest of the problem, he protested to understand nothing, as one not knowing the consequent effects; whereof Arcana may be asked: Arcana then at the commandment of the judge arose, and protesting by her faith to report the truth upon pain of her life began as followeth.  
All that which Tharsides and Calestan have related is according to truth and verity (my Lord Diocles): after whose flight and my Mules, I being on foot, knew not what better to do than by extreme dolour, which brought my desperation of life, to run after my Lady Noëmia, whom my soul could not abandane: in following the trace of the Centaur by an unknown way which I saw him hold, in crying and lamenting so high, that all the wood rang, & the only Echo filled mine ears, who with me seemed to bewail the misfortune of my Lady Noëmia. At my haughty cries & clamours in the wood, I met with a right fair, young and brave Esquire (which was Alector whom you see present before you) mounted upon a goodly Courser, who seeing me so to run half out of my wits, demanded the cause of my dolour; which when he had understood, he required me to conduct him to the place where I had seen this monster, saying that he would deliver my Lady or else there die the death. I comforted with this promise, in so much that I seemed to be as light as a hind, ran before towards the thick of the wood, whereinto I saw this monstrous Centaur enter, and the Squire followed me a gallop: until at length we perceived the Centaur having discharged his prey, and training her by force into the hollow of a high Rock, environed with xv. great Okes right thick and levy. Alector seeing him, cried from far: leave that Maiden thou byformed monster and address thyself to me, who will chasten thee for thine outrage. The Hippocentaure hearing and seeing him come with bridle loosed and the sword in his hand, let fly at him an arrow wherewithal he had pierced him through if he had not been covered with his impenetrable shield. Wherefore fearing lest his horse should be slain, set foot on ground, and addressed himself to the monster with marvelous hardiness: whereat the Centaur being aghast, babbled against him certain barbarous and savage speeches of ●urious threatening, and gave him such a weighty blow with his Club, that made Alector (who received it upon his shield) to bow, his knee: but hastily getting up again, he restored it him so fiercely with a blow of his sword, so rudely set upon his humane ha●…h, which was his horsely shoulder that he discovered his sinews with great dolour and effusion of blood: wherewith the monster cast forth a cry so hideous that all the wood rang of it, and the wild beasts for fear ran to hide themselves; and after that lift up his massy Club, and let drive a lurdie blow sufficient to fallen an Elephant. But Alector both light and nimble, easily shunned his great stroke which fell in vain, and so rudely, that the Centaur therewithal had his arm and hand astoned, so as with great pain could he lift up his massy Club any more. The which Alector perceiving, with his good sword cut off one of his hands hard by the joint, which fell to the ground with his massy Club, which called the Centaur to cast forth a more horrible cry than before: and seeing himself disarmed and dismembered, with the fear which he had of the shining sword of Alector, turned his hinder horsely parts, jerking out such strokes that the air seemed to sparkle with fire. But the valiant Esquire prompt and quick to turn himself, shunning always the blows; or else bearing off with his shield the furious yerkes of his heels, struck him overthwart in his yerkings with such a cutting blow, that notwithstanding the hardness of his skin, and bruskled hairs, he cut a sunder the sinews of his legs even to the discovery of his bones; which as yet were whole. Which the Centaur dolefully feeling, turned again his face, and with great ire leapt upon Alector, thinking to have beaten him down with his forefeet. But the gentle Squire seeing so fair a mark, forgot not himself, but with a thrust into his horsely breast pierced unto his humane heart. And so this byformed monster being strooken to death, fell down to the earth with all his four feet, tumbling in his black blood, and giving up his last cry, not altogether in humane voice, nor altogether in horsly gneing, but mixed with both, like a man gnaying, or like a horse brutally speaking, until such time as he was clean dead: and at that instant the Heavens began so to power with Lightning, Thunder, and great Rains (which as I think were the devils carrying away the soul of this monster) that necessity constrained my Lady Noëmia and me, at the persuasion and assurance of Alector to retire ourselves into the hollow of the Rock which was the habitation of the Centaur, where we entered in not without great fear, aghast at the marvelous combat, and of the hardiness and prowess of the valiant Squire who comforted and assured us right humainely. And there within we found much Venison, and divers fruits of the wood, which we used that night for the present necessity. And whiles they were eating, my Lady Noëmia (in whose heart love had already taken place by regard and admiration of the beautic, hardiness, prowess and graciousness of this young Esquire, whom she beheld with great admiration by the light of a most marvelous scabbard of his sword which he carried, so clear in the night and in an obscure place, that it gave so much light as a flaming brand;) demanded him, what good adventure had brought him so happily for her deliverance? My fair Lady said Alector (who on his part was no less attaint with the grace and beauty of Noëmia, than she of his) I know not well by what way I am come hither, more to my happiness than your own: but this I am certain, that either by some Hyperborean wind, or spirit, I have been since one month past, ravished upon the Septentrional Seas from the top of the wings of Durat Hippopotame the great swimming and flying horse of my Father Franck-Gall, and carried by him over Lands and Seas by many journeys, to the great discomfort and sorrow of my said Father, whom I know searcheth me throughout the World, until at length this windy spirit reposed me in a fair Garden of a Castle not far from hence: where a young damosel like you (but not so fair, and somewhat more aged) found me, and understanding my name, mounted me on horseback, upon that condition that I should follow you virto this wood, and give you aid if you needed the same. For an old Witch the same morning had told her, that if you were not recovered by Alector, you would be utterly lost. And that the first man which she found called bv my name, she should without delay send after you. Now thus it is, that I was no sooner reposed in the Garden, but the Spirit who had carried me about so far, at his departure seemed to say to me after a whispering manner in my left ear, entering into my brains these words following. 
Alector rise, and go to save the snowy Hind  
From monsters hands, then trudge Franck-Gall thy sire to find;  
Who doth thee sack, on lofty seas, ytossed with many a wind.  And thereupon entered into the Garden a right godly Lady, fair, young and of great grace, but notwithstanding sorrowful, and lamenting her own Cousin Noëmia, lately departed from the Castle of Greenhead, (for so was the place named from whence I came) for the words which the old witch had told her. This young dame thinking herself to be alone and unproudied, finding me in the garden which was closed on every side with high walls beyond the compass of a ladder, was not a little abashed: but after assuring herself demanded of me, who had let me in? What I was? And what I would have. And I answered, I could not tell, Alector, a horse. She hearing this name of Alector, without demanding me other thing, led me into the Esquurie & gave me leave to choose the horse which pleased me best, upon the foresaid conditions. The which most agreeably accepted, I chose this fair apple grey which you see, (now had he because of the tempest put his horse under covert amongst the trees, which Noëmia and I incontinently knew to be the horse of my Lord Spathas. And we understood that she who sent him after us, was my Lady Callirhoa of the castle of Greenhead.) Continuing than his purpose, I chose (quoth he) this fair apple grey who presently was saddled and bridled for me, and whiles that he was making ready, the Lady of the Castle advertised me of a certain monster. Thus being mounted, with leave taken of the Lady; I promised to accomplish her commandment. And upon this horse ever since from that place, (for my former journeys I could neiter mark norknow, no more than the way which the bird maketh in the air, the serpent on the ground, or the ship on the sea) yea on this horse have I been brought hither without finding any man by the way, or creature of whom I might ask news of you, which I desired to know: but only that I met a little mule fearful and unbridled, which fled through the wood right towards the castle, who notwithstanding at the sight of my horse stayed a little and asked him (as I think) in the Caballistic language some news of you. But the fantastical mule in his mulike speech answered Hynha (I know not what it is) and suddenly departed, running with bridle abated towards the Eastle from whence I was come: which gave me suspicion that some trouble was happened unto you, and for that cause I hasted, until by the cry of your Gentlewoman I turned the bridle, and by her having understood your trouble, came presently to your succour, to accomplish my promise, where I have done mine endeavour as you yourself have seen.  
You have done so much (quoth my Lady Noëmia, who always had her eyes fastened upon him in speaking) you have done so much and so valiantly (O noble Squire, deliverer of a ravished maiden) that I shall find myself eternally bound to you: yea I myself, my brothers, and all their Gratian family, confessing for this first & over little gratuity towards you, that I have neither in nor without me, a thing worthy and sufficient to recompense your merit. What is your name, Madam (quoth Alector)? My name (quoth she) is Noëmia. Noëmia, (quoth he) whosoever hath given you this name, hath not failed conveniently and well to call you: for truly Noëmia is as much to say, as fair: and most fair are you, yea and more gracious. And for that you allege not to have sufficient to recompense the pleasure and service which I have done: not for this (which I confess to be little or nothing in respect of your dignity) but for all the services and honours which I desire and pretend to do for you in time to come, and for the great and unspeakable love which I bear towards you, I require you Lady Noëmia, and demand in recompense, a little of that which aboundeth in you, that is of grace, virtue, mutual and irrevocable love. 
For, to be loved, and eke to love,  
The Gods you sent from Heaven above.  And this is the recompense which I desire, the which I pray you not to refuse, unless you will see my blood mingled with the blood of this Centaur: whereof perhaps you may afterwards have so much sorrow for the less of so loy all a friend, as presently you have joy of the slaughter of your rovishing enemy.  
The Lady Noëmia as yet young and simple, & one who never had heard so much of love, at the words of this fair young Squire, sound herself clean changed, moved, and chafed with the hears which she had never before felt; and with trembling words answered him thus; My fair friend, albeit hither too I have never felt nor known what love should be, whereof so much speech proceedeth: nevertheless now (I know not by what new transmutation) I feel myself so changed, in flamed, and affectioned towards you, (I know not whether it be that which we call Love or no) that I cannot will but what you will: nor have pleasure or contentment in other but you; yea, as though I were wholly transformed into you: whereby I esteem it the least duty which I can or would do for you, to love you who love me, and hath saved my life. Wherefore with all my heart I grant you my love, wherein none other shall have place during my life: yours I am by good right, & by your conquest; my body and my life is in your power, and mine honour in your hands: which like a noble and frank Gentleman (as you are) I beseech you to save.  
Alector so joyful as might be, thanked her right affertuouslie, laying on her kisses upon kisses, passing from the mouth to the heart, and (as the common saying is, Fire goeth into the oven through the mouth) inflaming more and more the sparkles of this secret fire, laid together by pleasant touching with the hand, lightened with the wind of gracious sigh, and frm time to time renewed & sprinkled with the water of tears, distilling from their two hearts, linked in the press of love. In such sort, that by contemplation of that sweetness, (to tell the truth of that which I have sworn) it caused the water stand in mine eyes, and through sorrow of being alone, I laid me down to sleep upon a bed of leaves until the morning.  
And therefore, as I would not know any thing of that which passed between them, so do I know nothing: but that in my sleep (I know not whether I dreamt or not) me thought I heard certain sweet complaints of my Lady, intermixed with joy; where upon willing to arise and to go towards her, she commanded me to sleep and take my rest: which willingly I did till the next morning, that the Sun was alreadi high, and shined into the Cave; and at that instant rising, I beheld this couple of fair young persons, which the Sun discovered, lying face to face, and half embraced upon a great bed of moss, which was (as I suppose) the centaurs bed. And as I beheld with great pleasure my Lady Noëmia, how she had gotten a new and higher colour than her natural whiteness, by her morning sleep. The horse who had no more meat, began to gnay very loud, so that Alector leapt up, and girded him with his sword and shield, which were near him: and my Lady Noëmia arose also, who beholding me, became all red and shamefast, for having (as I think) slept so long.  
Then Alector, after that he had given her the Good morrow, with a gracious accolade and amorous kiss, mounted upon his horse, setting her before him, as light as a young Goat, and I mounted behind him upon the strong grey nag, on whom these three young bodies full of youthful courage, weighed no more than one only man: and so we returned towards the way to Orb, where by the way we found the dead body of Floridas, which we mounted upon the branches of a tree, to the end the Wolves and other savage beasts should not devour it, & his gelting feeding with the hackney of my Lady: upon whom she mounted, and I on the gelding of Floridas, and so returned we to Orb into the Gratians house, where we sound the wheel household all troubled and vexed with sorrow, for the death of Floridas and for the loss of my Lady Noëmia: whom they accounted for certain lost, and myself with her which was the lesser damage. Whereupon they seeing us return whole and sound, at the first they were abashed, but their abashment was soon turned into joy and gratulation, chiefly towards Alector of whom they had by me understood the noblesse, valour, prowess, and honesty, the desperate rescue of their sister, and the slaughter of the monstrous Centaur. Whereof to be more certain they sent to fetch the body of Floridas their bastard brother, to the end he might be honourably buried (as afterwards they did) and the body of the Centaur to have proof of mysaying, as also for pleasure of the sight and vengeance. The which byformed body was brought in a chariot with four wheels and four horses, so great, so monstrous, and so to be wondered at, that the beasts of the wood durst not approach, and the men of the town scarce behold. The which monster after they had made show thereof to all the people wondering thereat, they caused it to be fleed, and the skin to be stuffed with many sweet and dry herbs, and set it with the foresaid massy Club upon one of the gates of the house, where it seemeth to be yet alive, and to defend the entry, with looks so hideous and threatening, that as yet may be seen: to the great honour & praise of the vanquisher that hath destroyed such a Devil, the which is Alector here present: to whom the brothers Gratians in acknowledge of benefit done to their sister, offered and abandoned their house and all that was therein: which Alector accepted most agreeably for the love of my Lady Noëmia, whom he loved right tenderly, and whom oftentimes he came to visit, cherish, and make honest love, without villainy, dishonour, or passing (to my knowledge) the girdle. If there be any other forfeit, either true, or by false accusation intended, whereby so much evil hath preocéeded, I protest to know no more than that which I have already spoken. And therewithal she held her peace.   

Consultation upon the criminal process of Alector. The commandment of the Oracle by the Archter. The slaughter of the Prophet Calliste, which was cause of the devouring Serpent in the Theatre. Capital sentence prenounced upon Alector, that he should be delivered to the Serpent. CAP. 4.  
Diocles' after he had paused a while upon all these foresaid things, alleged, and approved, retired himself into the Counsel chamber, with the principal of the bench, where the matter was diversly discoursed, some consenting to the absolution of Alector, as one that was not conninced of any other crime than of amorous youth, and of worthy act in defence of his body: others, chiefly the old men, and such as had daughters marriageable in their houses; and to whom as much hung in their eye, said that it was an evil example against good manners, and a great presumption of domestical rape, deserving (at the least) punishment, if they did but proceed according to his own confession. And were it but the homicide of so many men stain by contumace rebellion of not obeying to justice, he was culpable of death. But other unwilling to condemn him to death, gave sentence that he should be chastened with some ignominious and corporal pain, with banishment. And as these divers opinions were in question and the judge Diocles weighing the one with the other, behold one of the Ministers of the temple, Deacon to the Archier, that is to say to the chief Priest and Prince of the Priests of jove his temple, the great and foveraigne God of Orb, came from the said Archier named in his proper name Croniel; to speak secretly to the Potentate Diocles. Which done he suddenly departed: for it is not permitted to such holy men, to assist in capital judgement. The Deacon being departed, Diocles spoke to those of the Bench, and said; My Lords, the Archier of the Temple of jove, the holy man Croniel hath sent me word presently, that he by revelation which is come to him this last night in watching and praying in the Temple for the prosperous estate of our Common wealth, was commanded by an Angel of Sovereign jove, to advertise and defend us from giving capital sentence upon this young stranger, other than that which is ordained by jove himself; that is, to put him into the Threatre of the Sands, only with his shield, sword, and an arrow without a bow, to fight with the great Serpent of the Sands, so to make proof of his innocency if he vanquish, or to suffer pain for his offence if he be overcome. This divine sentence was allowed of all, yea of the most rigorous, who thought he should never escape the force, teeth, and venom of the Serpent, and so should he give pleasure to the people, and spare one of their own men: the most just hoping nevertheless, that he who had discomfited the biformed Centaur would deal well enough with the Serpent, and so deliver the Theatre and Town of a cruel beast, and inward enemy.  
Now is it to be understood that certain years before the Archier Croniel, there was in the Temple another Archier called Calliste, a man of great virtue, holy, and a Prophet; who in the festival days when the people assembled themselves at the spectacles in the Theatre or at the Sands, he would come into the mids of the people, and openly and eager reprove them of their usual vices, and prophecy unto them, that of the just blood shed, the earth should bring forth a terrible and cruel revenger, who should devour their entrails, until such time as the twice born child coming from towards the Pol-Artick, delivered them thereof. Thus did this holy man go erving through the Theatre and the Sand, so as he hindered the plays, comedies, spectacles, and other public pastimes: insomuch that one day, the people provoked by commotion and populous fury, with casting of stones chased him under a gutter or sink of the Theatre, and therein stoned him, leaving his body in the filth: which notwithstanding the next day (after the populous fury passed) was drawn out by the Ministers of the Temple, and honourably buried in the entry of the Gutter where he was stain, in a sepulchre of black marble highly erected, with his Prophecy written therein: which stopped up the mouth of the gutter. Nevertheless, it hide not so close the murder of this holy man, but within one year and a day after, an horrible revenge of that fact publicly appeared: for as the people in great multitudes were assembled to behold the dancing of an Elephant, behold from between the gutter stones & the sepulchre, issued out a most horrible serpent, who flying upon the people, with his tail & throat destroyed a great number, the residue with terrible fear running out of the Theatre: which thing every 3. day he used to execute on the people, who by no engine or human force could find remedy, yea he would spoil them in their houses: until at length they were advised every week to give him 2. capital offenders, whom presently he would carry into the gutter, and hold himself therewith content. Then understood the people that the Prophecte of the Archier Calliste was pattly fulsilled, but not wholly at an end.  
Two dairs after the process of Alector, was the time to give the Serpent his proye: wherefore the great Potentate Diocles coming out of the Counsel & the Benchers standing about him, and he himself set in the justice seat, & Alector being presented unto him, thus pronounced sentence; The present appointed cause in the criminal accusation of the Gratians against Alector, " being obscure and doubtful aswell on the one part, as the other, to the judgement of men, is now by heavenly Oracle sent to the divine judgement who shall condemn his fault by death or show his innocency up victory; at the proof of combat against the Avenger Serpent of the Theatre in the plain of the Sands, only with his sword, shield, and an arrow without a bow." Whereunto we will send him within three days at the furthess. This sentence pronounced, was right well allowed and received of all the assistance (who demanded not the death of this young Esquire, but bore him secret favour, in hope of some marvelous adventure of the combat, as it came after to pass) as also of the two parties. For the Gratians thought verily that their offendor should incontinently be swallowed up of the most horrible Serpent, who only with his venomous breath did slay those who approached him. Alector on the other side trusting in his hardiness, legerity; and promise, demanded nothing but that the third day were come, and inquired after if his sword and shield were safe? To whom it was answered, that he should not care, but that they should be delivered him the day of the Combat. Wherewithal he wonderfully rejoiced, and thanked the Potentate of his clemency, to the great abashment of all the people, who marveled to see him so assured in such a mortal and present peril. And so by commandment he was carried back to the lodging of the Captain Palatine to be kept in his guard, where without ceasing he lamented his Lady Noëmia, speaking to her as though she had been present, and promising her revenge. And in this his great complaint which every night from three hours to three hours he awaked, he would cry out with a loud veice O Noëmia, O Noëmia, O Noëmia! and reclaiming incessantly the Sun to advance the day and time of his Combat against the Serpent, whereof his care was so small, as the thought was great how to find out the murdering Arthur of his Noëmia; so remained he there for that time. During the which, the sovereign and most just judge Diocles caúsed diligent and secret inquiry to be made to know who it was, which in that tumult shot the arrow, wherewith the fair, gracious, and virtuous Noëmia was so accursedlie slain: wherewith, all in general were sad and sorrowful. For in the death of this noble Maiden, was buried the flower of beauty, and grace of all the Maidens of the City of Orb: for the which cause she was deplored, bewailed and lameveet in common dueil, all the people with one voice crying vengeance and penal justice of the murderer. But for all the diligent inquiry that could be made, nothing could be found, saving a light presumption and suspicion of a young springal called Coracton, who had sometime greatly wooed her, and of her had gotten nought but a conquest of refusal, for the vicious nature which abounded in him: but this presumption was not sufficient, chiefly because at her burying, this gallant mourned above all the rest: msomuch that with force of tears, he washed away all suspicion. The judge perceiving he could find no other thing, went himself in person, (before she was permitted to be buried) to see the body of the fair Noëmia, lying (before the pillar of the 3. Charites) with such grace (albeit dead) that she seemed swéetelie to sleep, more whiter than her snowy garments purplesied in blood: wherewithal he himself (being a most severe man) was moved to tears, and commanded the bloody arrow to be delivered him, the which after he had beheld it, lift it up aloft, demanding if no man knew it: but no answer would be given. And lifting up his eyes, he beheld the Charites of alabastre, and saw that from their slonie eyes distilled abundance of tears, lamenting the death of their fourth sister: which he showed unto the people, who of such a miracle began to weep, and cry vengeance for the fact. And amongst these enterprises, Diocles advised between the hands of two Charites a little scroll, rolled up, the which he secretly took without the knowledge of any man, and after he had read it, he closed it in his hand with the arrow, and retired to his lodging, giving leave to bury the dead body, which in open mourning was interred before the statues of the 3. Graces, with the enscription of the Epitaph, as hath been before declared. And the sepulchre was covered with flowers and perfumes, strewed by the people in lamentation of the fair Noëmia.   

The revelation by night to Croniel Archier. The arrival of Franc-Gal. The foretelling of the black Bird The mortal peril of the Archier by a Lioness, slain by franc-gal. The reincountrie and assembly of the Archier and franc-gal, with their deplorations. CAP. 5.  
THE evening of that self same day, the Archier Croniel being in the Temple at his nosturnall meditations, as every night before he was accustomed to do: he received a certain inward intelligence, that the next day after noon he should go towards the sea side, by keeping the way of the sepulchre of Thanais, and that hard by he should find a man who should save his life, him he should bring & lodge in his house, and of him should he learn much. Croniel the next morning after sacrifice and dinner, took his bow and quiver, to pass the time at shooting & chase of beasts and birds in the field: (for seldom or never went he to the plays at the Theatre, by the occasion of his predecessor) and taking with him same vinualls and a little wine (if so he should noode it) and so set forwards on the way toward the sea by the way of Portune, to seek out the beasts and birds of the field.  
Now the same morning was arrived at the next Port the magnanimous Prince Franc-Gal Dysir Macrobe, & his men upon a great Hippopotame, being a huge & marvelous sea horse, swimming and Hying upon the waters and floods, with the feet of Polype and wings called Durar. This franc-gal through seas and lands went seeking his son Alector, who on the Septentrion seas was ravished and carried from him by a horrible wind, 
The whole process hereof is shown in the 21 Cap  he knew not whether, and (by fortune having taken land at the next haven) with his only page, held the high way to the great City of Orb, where appeared to him a black bird, like a raven, but somewhat of lesser body, with beacke and clées red; who flying before him from tree to tree seemed to sing in human voice these words following. 
Come with me, come, come, come,  
thou shalt go to the Sands:  
Where thou shalt find thy Son,  
come with me, come, come, come.  
For I a Prophet am  
whom thou no more shalt see,  
Come with me, come, come, come,  
thou shalt go to the Sands.   
franc-gal hearkening to her and taking her song for an Augury, followed her always until she was flown very far of, and reposed herself upon a high tree attending him. But the Archier Croniel who was under the tree, seeing the foul at a fair advantage, bend his bow, thinking to let fly an artowe to have killed her: but as he was taking his mark with eager leveling, behold a Lioness issued out of an old ruined cave which was hard by (where she nourished her young) and fair and softly came stealing to assail the poor Archier, who gave no been at all saving to his aforesaid mark: and therewithal had strangled and carried him to her young, had not Franc-Gal (who was not far off) presently advanced himself to the succeur of the poor Archier with his sword in his hand, and the shield of azure with the Senue of gold in readiness. The Beast hearing the brute of the sounding harness (for Franc-Gal was armed) and the great noise which he made in crying, turned fiercely against him, and cast her mighty paws upon his shield, with such a force that she plucked it out of his hand: but Franc-Gal so puissant as a Giant, gave her overthwart the sides such a stroke with his sword, that he cut her body in two pieces; wherewithal the beast dying gave out such an horrible cry that two of her whelps (so young that scarce they could creep) issued out of the ruined cave, crying after their Dam. Franc-Gal seeing them said that of an evil beast no young aught to be left, and for that cause flew them both, and in terror of others (after the manner of africa) hung them up by the tails upon a tree, with the moieties of the body of their Dam, to the great astonishing of the Archier: who being relieved out of the sudden fear which he had by reason of the Beasts claws, greatly marveled of this ready, sudden, and unlooked for help and succour, and of the valiancy of this fair old man: for the which he thanked him right heartily, knowing for a certain, that it was he which by the nighthe reuclation was showed him, should save his life. And for that cause demanded him, what good fortune had brought him so happily to his rescue from the death, and what he sought in those Countries? (for by his parsonage, arms and habit, he knew him to be a stranger) and promising him all aid and succour, in any thing wherein be might serve him.  
I am come hither (quoth Franc-Gal) by following the augury of a Bird, prognosticating to me, that she would conduct me to the Sands at Orb: but thou, by seeking to kill her, hast caused me to lose her; not regarding or taking heed thyself of the fierce and savage beast which was behind ready to devour thee, whiles thou soughtest to eutrap and slay my guide: which may be an example, that oftentimes he which is a murderer in will, is murdered himself in deed, the taker taken, and the ender brought to an end.  
It is truth (quoth the Archier) and I acknowledge it, and I confess that without thy succour I had been dead: for the which most heartily I thank thee; and in recompense of chase away thy Bird which conducted thee, I promise thee by the faith of an honest man, to lead thee whether thou wouldst go, and to aid thee in what I may, tell me only whether thou meanest to go. I pretend (quoth franc-gal) to go to the Sands at Orb, there to find my fair and young son Alector, being well brought up, and a valiant Squire: whom the wind ravished and transported from me being upon the Septentrion seas, whom I shall never see again, (alas) as the song of this auguring Bird hath presaged me. Notwithstanding without him, I neither can nor will live any longer; and therewithal franc-gal cast out great sighs from the bottom of his heart) for with him he hath carried away my soul & life, as I have foreseen in my dream in Scythia upon the lions skins. O fair child! O marvelous infant! fatally engendered, twice borne, supernaturally nourished, grown up before the time, wise before age, strong above nature, hardy beyond humanity, adtienturouslie fortuned, feared of the wicked, beloved of the good, yea of spirits: who by iealouzie (as I think) have ravished and carried thee I know not whether. Must I for so small and brief a time of enjoying the presence of thine amiable person, so long suffer the absence of thee, that after my long and tedious peregrination heretofore spent, I must now again traverse the world to seek thee, in fear and doubt whether ever to find thee? And at this word, the bloody tears departing from the depth of his heart enterrupted his speech, insomuch that he remained a little space in silence, and afterwards to begin his doleful speech again in this manner, turning himself to the Archier. And therefore my friend Archier, I tell thee this, that I have lost a Son called Alector, engendered of Priscaraxe Queen of Tartary, one of the wisest and fairest Dames underthe Heavens of the Moon; whom I love, & desire to see again, (for I have not seen her in more than eight years) neither is it lawful for me to return (by reason of an oath which I have taken before her) without bringing her son made Knight, either by my hand, or by the hand of some other. For the accomplishing whereof I have already assayed, but always failed, yea and have found myself impotent and forlorn of my members and tongue in going about it: the cause thereof I cannot imagine, unless the Fates have ordained that his Knighthood shall he given him by some other hand and not by mine, the sovereign grant it may be of a better.  
God grant it (quoth the Archier) but what are these Fates and Destinies whereof thou speakest? are they any puissances of Fortune? (which is nothing as I think) No, no (quoth franc-gal) I call the infaileable and immutable ordinances of sovereign God that ruleth all with his providence, Fates. It is right well spoken, and most worthily understood (quoth the Archier) and so thou seest it is not the will ordained by the Sovereign that he shall be made Knight by thy hand, it is to be understood, that it is reserved for a better, without contrarying or being angry therewith.  
No more do I quoth franc-gal, neither am I sorrowful, but for that I cannot find my Son Ale●… without whom I cannot return to the Queen Priscaraxe his mother, neither can he without me by sworn promise, which I doubt me can never be accomplished of either of us, as my heart giveth me; remembering the presages, oracies, visions and dreams, which have given me such significating. And hereupon, with grievous sighing he held his peace. Which caused the Archier to imagine, that the fair Esquire, which he understood was condemned to fight with the Serpent of the Sands, might well he the Son, which this fair old man went searchng and sorrowing for: and therefore he said unto him; Thou strange man consolate thy spirit, for I hope to show thee to morrow him whom thou demandest. Then franc-gal reviving out of his deep thought, cast out a great sigh saying; And shall I then find Alector carried away by the winds, which can not be followed? Yea: but I shall never see him again, for which I must die and end my peregrination, rendering the fire, the light, and vigour of my life, to him of whom I have received it, by a termination of life which is called death, most terrible and fearful of all things: the which is near and imminent to me, as I see and perceive in myself. For to every man is given divinely to foresee that which is to come, thieflie when he approacheth to the end of his life, when the spirit is more nigh himself, and less wrapped in terrestrial things, whereby he seethe and understandeth more cleetelie and purely: for such is the will of the divine providence, to the end man be not taken unprovided, and die beastly.  
Art thou then God quoth the Archier, to know the things which are to come? God I am not quoth he, but man, to whom God hath given long life, experience, science of the stars, interpretation of auguries, and knowledge of my nigh end, as the divine Fates have ordained, my spirit prognosticated, the oracles foreshowen me, and the Prophecies foretold me. What other thing did the dream of my heart carried away by the flying Basitisque presage me? the oracle of the marinall man Proteus, foretelling my departure without return? the vision of the wicked crow at Tangut? of the stockdove? of the crane? and of the vulture? the raven resting upon my head? the mortal threatening of the spirit of Gallehault, & the song of this lost black bird? Now see I well then my fatal hour to be instane, and that I must away: let us therefore, O Archier my friend, be going; and conduct me according to thy promise, to the Sands of Orb, where I shall find my life, my death, or both. And so they put themselves upon the way, the page of franc-gal following them. And in going, the Archier, who (by signs and conjectures, but chiefly by the nightly revelation, and diviue commanundement to come and find this stranger, preserver of his life) knew well the next day to show him the fair Squire, combattor of the Serpent, & to present him for his son, that he might know more cokens of the matter, thus began his speech.   

The devise of the two old men Croniel and franc-gal, held upon the way going towards the City of Orb. CAP. 6.  
O Stranger my friend, quoth the Archier, thou speakest so obscurely, and thy talk so intermingled with destomachall sobs, deep sighs, and sudden mutations, with confusion and mingling together of Prophecies, Fates, Oracles, and Miracles, that I cannot well understand the discourse of thy far and vagrant peregrination searching thy son whom thou callest Alector, carried away (if it be credible) by the winds: unless thou bring forth the beginning & first causes of this adventure, when, and in what place, & how thou hast lost thy Son, what he is, and what thou art, of what Nation and quality; for to my judgement thou seemest not to be a man of servile or base condition, but rather a frank and liberal Gentleman, as full well thou hast given me to understand at our first meeting: wherefore I beseech thee of courtesy disdain not to reckon unto me thy fortune, and thy dear Son Alectors, from the beginning to the end, clearly and patiently without confusion or interruption of complaints. That quoth franc-gal, can I not well do my friend Archier; for, as from the air moved by tempest troublesome winds do blow, great showers of rain fall, and thunder claps issue; even so from a tormented heart can nought proceed but sobs, nought distill but tears, nought descend but weep and wailings. Moreover the time letteth me, yea and the desire also which I have of going to the place whereof the bird sang, will not permit me to do it, upon whose tune nevertheless I know not what to coitiecture it is so ambiguous, and seemeth so conerarie in itself.  
And for this cause, quoth the Archicr, oughtest thou less to ●efer the narration to me of thy facts, affairs, and adventures, whereof I hope to give thee some good counsel and comfort after I shall well understand them. And for that the way to the Sands (whereto thou pretendest to go) is not so short as peradventure it seemeth to be, but long enough from hence (as I may tell thee) for us specially who are already old and heavy by age, or rather destitute of the lively fir● which heretofore hath sustained us quick and nimble, who now go gravely and heavily: the length of the time and way will suffice thee to reckon, and me to give care to thy former fortunes: whereof (as God love me) I have dolour and compassion with thee: for being a man I esteem no human thing, but that it may touch me. I heartily thank thee of thine humanity quoth franc-gal, but by how much thy compassion should be consolatory unto me, by so much should the commemoration thereof be ●oiefull: and therefore it is better for me with science to keep my profound dolour in my transpierced heart; than by uttering my misadventures to renew my former griefs. No no, quoth the Archier, thou must not do so, but to the concrarie solace thy beavie heart, by revealing thy grief to him, who without feeling it will lighten thee of the one haife, yea peradventure of the whole. And therefore discharge thy body of thy harness and mantle, by giving it to thy page, and thy heart of thy passions by communicating of them to me (being a stranger, yet notwithstanding a man): and so shalt thou do thyself pleasure, and accomplish my desire; and thou eke by accounting it, and I by the hearing thereof, shall abridge and shorten the length of our way, and forget our weariness: for as the common proverb goeth, 
In travel, talk without reproach,  
Is better than a tottering coach.   
Ha old companion quoth Franc-Gal, I feel that already to be true in me which thou hast said: for thy humane speeches do invite me to ease my heart, in vomiting the remembrance of my divers adventures, as well good as evil, with my present deliberations, & the sweet conceits of my hope to come, which among other things do promise comfort and counsel of thee. And therefore now will I take as great solace and pleasure to discover to thee my fortunes, as thou hast had curious desire to inquire them of me: hearken therefore as we go leisurely, and thou shalt hear marvels. Begin then peaceably, quoth the Archier, and I will willingly give attentive heed thereunto.  
Then Franc-Gal put off his purple mantle whose cape was of cloth of gold enriched with a great and celestial Saphir, and took off from his neck his shield carrying upon Azure a Son of gold, & his helmet from his head, whereof only before he had but lifted up the visor, giving it all to his page who followed him, being a young and lusty man called Oplophor. And so remained franc-gal, only in his single corselet, great and strait, his body being of a fair and upright stature, exceeding the common form of men, and lifting up a head already half bald what with age and bearing of his helmet, his hairs white and his heard silvered, long, & wreathed like the streams of a swift brook, his visage fair, and being open, full of redoubtable serenity, with a gracious dignity, admirable to all the beholders, chiefly to the old Archier, who seeing him openly, esteemed in his heart never among mortal men to have seen a more fair creapure; saving that the serenctie of his face was somewhat troubled with a cloud of inward grief, yielding forth gross tears, which distilled down his white beard: which thing the Archier apperceiving, said unto him after this manner; Noble Lord, for so thy appearance doth declare, leave I beseech thee these lamentations to women and children, and to soft and effeminated men, & reckon constantly to us thine adventures: for unto a man of such a parsonage, as I see thou art, armour is more seemly than tears. Thou sayst truth quoth franc-gal, and speakest like a wise man, and of a high affair: and for that cause will I suppress my passions, and in proceeding on our way, account unto thee mine actions; and therefore give ear. That will I do (quoth the old Archier) saving (under thy correction) I will now and then make some short and interlocutorious demands upon such points, wherein I shall perceive a more plainer intelligence, to be better than a simple narration. Right willingly, quoth franc-gal, for by that means I shall have leisure to breath in my going and speaking; and our talk shall be more gracious being altered, than continued; and the matter better remembered and understood. And therefore I pray thee fear not to enteriect incidences, and break my talk, where thou shalt see thyself not fully satisfied. And now behold, I begin my history.   

A narration of the ancient Tower of the three fatal Sisters, and of their old Mother Lady Anange. CAP. 7.  
THere is in the World a certain long way, 〈◊〉, and little frequented, by reason of the sharp, blind, and hard keeping thereof: the which way notwithstanding leadeth to the most ancient Temple of the Sovereign. And by which, the renowned King Perseforest took 〈◊〉 of the architecture of that p●…relesse Temple, dedicated to sovereign jehovah, which he erected and edificated in the diabolical forest of Darmant, to these and extermine the wicked spirits, who at that time kept their habitation in those solitary forests; and to give address to wandering Knights, who in those pathless woods ●pentsearching strange adventures. At the ●…ie of which way, leading towards the foresaid sovereign Temple, was a most ancient round Tower, builded before the memory of man: whose foundations were 〈◊〉 deeply hidden, even unto the bottomless pits, and there under a most horrible Barathre or prison of accursed and wicked creatures. But the top thereof was so highly elevated, that it seemed to exceed the heavens, and whereunto no earthly eye (were it ever so sharp) could ever attain: only three fair & ample stages might be perceived, garnished with great and mighty porches, engraven and figured with infinite images, and shadowed with divers and sundry colours, metals, and precious stones of exceeding splendour: and for the rest unprohibited to all people, with open gates & clear windows. Within these three Stages were dwelling three Fates, Sisters germans, and daughters to a high, puissant and ancient Lady called Anange, resident (as it is said, and held for certain) on the highest top of that Tower. 〈…〉 her in the first Stage, her wor●… her 〈◊〉 and first fatal Sister called Cleronome, was 〈◊〉. 〈…〉 Stage another fatal Sister 〈◊〉 Zodore 〈…〉 and in the last and lowest 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 fatal Sister, who had to her proper name Termame 〈◊〉. Thus were these three fatal Sisters germans 〈…〉, resident with their train in the three pa●…s 〈◊〉 ●…ent Tower, so well contrived and near together, that ●…selie they might enter the one into the other: but 〈◊〉 all ruled their ancient mother Anange.  
Upon this point, the old Archier began to reply in this sort: It is a common proverb (quoth he) that a good liar must have a good memory, lest by forgetting his first talk he contrary himself in his last. Wherefore 〈…〉 take heed that in the beginning of thy process, th●… be not found by thy forgetfulness a liar, which 〈…〉 I can hardly bear withal. Remember 〈…〉 thou toldest me that the foundations of the Tower ●…of thou speakest, are so low as the obscure depths, where the eye of mortal man never penetrateth, and that the top thereof by his immensall height, doth 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of our humane sight: how then cometh it to pass, that the depth of this Tower and the things there 〈◊〉 are known amongst men? and how is it evident that on the top thereof the ancient Lady whom th●… callest Anange, mother to the three sisters inhabiting in the foresaid three palaces is there resident, seeing thou hast said the excell●…ude of the Tower is not to be comprehended with the eye of man? whereby it seemeth, that either thou dost guess thereof by imagination; or else that thou knowest it by revealation.  
Therein thou failest not (quoth franc-gal) for partly I have known it by clear and true revealation by a Calodaimon very familiar with me, who assisteth me in all things, and oftentimes ravisheth my spirit out of my body, carrying it into far and strange places, and showing me marvelous things, which no man can tell unless he had been there present: whereof (being returned again to myself) I have good remembrance, and I have reported that which afterwards hath been found veritable. And thereby it happened, that one day being at the foot of this Tower, contemplating the marvelous workmanship thereof, and reasoning with myself that according to the exceeding height of it, belonged necessarily a foundation of terrible depth: whiles I was overcome with this consideration, behold from a part of Heaven came flying towards me a white feathered Bird, with her beak & legs so red as fair coral, her eyes of the colour of fire, flaming in show like two precious carbuncles: who in kissing wise came and put her beak into my mouth, wherewith by an occult virtue she drew my spirit unto her, leaving my body in the mean time gasping and panting much like to one in a trance. And so having elevated my spirit unto the lower Region of the air, not by flight upwards, but as it were turning & going round about all the climates of the world (like those who by often winding clime the rude and high mountains) until it was elevate right towards the North over an Island called Ireland, where suddenly this Bird left me, and let me fall shooting like a tempest into this Isle, in a great hole or well right deep: where in the midst of the darkness, by a little glittering of a sulphurian light, I perceived the depth of this round Tower, abased even from the superficialitie of the earth unto the point centrique or centure of the same: and below a Barathre or eternal prison, where by the infernal obscurity I could see nothing but darkness dispersed upon the face of the depths: but well might I hear horrible cries, & fearful hurlings mingled with plaints & groans like to men tormented, and furious enraged beasts fight amongst themselves, throwing and biting one another in extreme rage. Whereupon through great fear I leapt out affright so rudely, that I mounted out into the clear light: where the forenamed white bird (which in truth was my Calodaimon) came and took me, demanding me saying; Franc-Gal hast thou seen that which thou desirest? Yea, yea, quoth I, and heard fearful cries which caused me to retire: but I knew not what it should be, unless it be the eternal prison of the wicked Giants Triphon and Briaro, with their complices and followers, who were not afraid to set themselves against the Sovereign: upon whom (being cast down and desolated) the mountains & great rocks, which are the foundations of the ancient Tower which thou didst behold, have been thrown: the which oftentimes they shake & cause to tremble by the impatience of intolerable pains, in shaking sometimes the foundations by the abundance of water cast and thrown out by their conduct, and other while by the impetuosity of the winds coming from their despiteful sigh: & sometime by the violence of the fire coming out of their throat, and by the inflamed vapour of forcible ire and outrageous wrath. Nevertheless for all their forces they shall never bring it to ruin, nor cast it down, neither shall they be discharged or come out of this tenebrous prison, unless the infinite bounty of the vanquisher surmount the obstinate malice of the vanquished, who neither hope nor desire it, but obstinately please themselves with their pains, as the cursed serpents feed themselves with their own venom: and therefore let us leave them in their eternal miseries. In saying thus, he carried me up so high, that having the elements and planets under my feet, I found myself above the Tower, wherein I beheld in great sublimity upon the pommel of the top thereof this old Lady, which my Calodaimon told me was Anange mother of the three Sisters: and having intentively considered her estate and puissance, in a moment I descended into my body, & being come to myself, I remembered well the marvelous things that I had seen, and such as I have accounted to thee in truth.  
That which thou hast accounted quoth the Archier, is wonderful, yet nevertheless seeming true and credible in mine opinion: for me very same or the like not long since hath been heard of in this Region, by a marvelous and supernatural adventure.  
What is that I pray thee, quoth franc-gal? that I I pass no 〈◊〉 in my narration, before I have understood of thee the example serving for the confirmation of my speech; which will cause thee more easily to give credit to the rest. Therefore I beseech thee to tell it me, and I will give thee good audience.  
I am ●…ght well content, quoth the Archier, so that the whiles thou remember the point where thou leavest, of the old Lady Anange sitting upon the pommel of the Tower: and therefore now take thy rest a while, and I by manner of interlecutorie respiration will reckon to thee a thing convenient to the narration of thy ectasticall vision and ravishment of thy spirit to the depth and top of the Tower.   

Of the love of Mammon towards the saire Lady Thanais, of her ensircement, poisoning, and death. CAP. 8.  
IN the prime of my youth, (about 470. years passed) I being of the age of knowledge, as it were 49. years; there came into these parts an unknown man, ill shaped and black like to an Aethiopian, nevertheless very rich in silver, gold, precious stones, and other metals, & for the rest, of a great and subtle spirit, and exceeding well learned in every science far above all other that he met. This man having taken his dwelling in the City of Orb, (whereto we are now going) and there (by reason of the store of money that he possessed, and for that the Town (by means of the Sea near adjacent, and of the rivers, ports and passages thereto adjoining) is very commodious for a place of merchandise) he held and door the state of a merchant & Banquer. Of what merchandise quoth franc-gal, made he his traffic? He was said the Archier, a temporal merchant: for he sold for time by count and measure. So this temporal Merchant called Mammon, holding a famous Banque in Orb, became amorous of a right fair and most renowned Maiden, of one of the richest and noblest houses in the City, which Maiden was called Thanais. This fair Mammon being thus taken with the love of Thanais, began to court her evil favouredly enough, and more imperiously than graciously, by vaunting of himself, ostentation of his great riches and cunning, and with dispraising and blaming of all others, chief of the virtuous: besides that, he sought to allure her by rich gifts & presents, of gold, of gems, rings and jewels, (although by nature he was very covetous) but above all with most fair and ample promises. But the Maiden, to whom these proud bravadoes were intolerable, and who had perhaps lodged her heart in some higher place, rejected all his presents, refused his offers, shunned his encountry, & would give no ear to his proud words; as one whom she hated as much as he desired her, both for his improbous and ungracious behaviour, & for his displeasant gesture. Whereupon, being advertised by one of her Morian slaves, that she was accustomed every morning so soon as she rose, to go half unclothed with her hair hanging down, to take the air in the garden, to refresh and wash herself and visage, in the silvered streams of the fountain, which ranue through the same: he (for a certain peer of money, & promise of redemption out of bondage, and setting at liberty of this her Morian slave) was by her let in to the garden; where he hide himself in a thick Arbour till the morning, that his desired Thanais should come: who according to her accustomed manner failed not. Then he from his embushment seeing this fair young creature coming, covered with a single petticoat of light satin, and abating the dew with her bare feet whiter than Alabaster, her fair arms (naked and beautified with lively whiteness) being discovered: her breasts (borne out with two apples of ivory, or paps of the same colour) lying open; her head lightly trussed up with a fair & white kerchief of fine linen, behind the which one might behold her golden hairs, whereof one part untrussed hung down over her neck & shoulders, and another part frisseled and curled descended waving over her clear eyes, like two pieces of silver newly forged, which being somewhat aggravated with overmuch sleep, and seeming as yet never strooken with love, made them have the greater grace. Mammon out of his embushment perceiving such divine humanity, with pain should he desist or defer his joys from running to embrace her: notwithstanding love which in his first movements is never without fear, defended him, and withheld him, till such time as Thanais without espying him was arrived at the fountain: where (as she was beholding in the reverberant clearness of the Water, the flower of her fair youth, making herself ready to wash her eyes, hands, and vermilion lips) suddenly behold Mammon (coming out of his den) threw himself unawares upon her with opened arms, speaking to her as amorously as he could, and presented unto her with humble suits, and affectuous requests, both his goods and person; adjoining to his prayers, threatenings and outrages: in such sort that seeing her obstinate refusal, her turning away of her visage, and her repulsing of him away with her arms, with a furious heat which inflamed him, he assayed to force her, and to ravish her of that by violence, which otherwise he could not obtain by love, hope of promises, nor fear of threat ning. The silly Marden trembling with fear, seeing her body and honour in danger by the assault of this furious man, cast forth a loud cry, calling to her aid two brothers which she had, young and brave men, inhabiting next to the garden: who understanding the fearful voice of their well-beloved Sister, suddenly went forth in arms, with a company of servants well provided. Whom Mammon seeing coming towards him with terrible fury, knew right well, that it was not very sure for him to remain there. Whereupon mortal fear so adjoined lvinges to his light heels, that by a lively course he leapt over the wall, and saved himself by swiftness, and escaped the hands of her brethren seekers of revenge: who having lost the ravisher, took their woeful Sister, and consolating her with assurance, led her into the chamber, to revive her affrighted spirits.  
Mammon thus escaped from their hands, found himself marvelously confounded and troubled with the obstinate refusal and proud disdain (as he thought) of his well-beloved Thanais: whereby nevertheless his ardant love was nothing at all cooled or diminished, but contrariwise, more inflamed and augmented. For even as a Cannon shot striking against a rock or hard wall, by reason of so sharp encountry, receiveth new strength of impetuous retire: even so the furious courage of Mammon having encountered so sharp refusal of fair Thanais, & so sore a chase of her brothers, chafed himself more abundantly with despiteful anger, and the fury of his love or rather of rage, received more vehement force, by the offence of so rude a ripulfe. Whereupon there remaining no more mean or hope of obtaining his desire; he took him to his wicked arts whereof he was a sovereign Master, and purposed to make her love him by force and against nature, by the virtue of a Philtre or loving poison, which he composed in an apple of Venus, commonly called a love apple, or an apple of folly, made with the blood of a wagtail, and other drugs fit for that purpose, odorated with many hot spices, sweetened in sugar three times baked, and enchanted with three words which he knew to be proper to the making of the same: in such sort, that he made an apple of confiture, right sweet to the smell, and right good to the taste, but most dangerous to the body and heart, as the issue showed. This being done, he practised with the Moriau slave for money, promising her affranchment and deliverance out of bondage, if she would and could find the means to make her Lady Thanais in some collation to eat this apple, having such virtue, that whosoever presented it, should be in favour and grace of the receiver thereof, and yield to the giver great advantage. The Morian slave being covetous, and giving over much belief to his fair words and flattering promises, and presuming already of her liberty & franchise, which above all other things she most esteemed and desired, withal, of the good will of her mistress; right willingly took both the money, and the apple, which was put in a vessel of Crystal, promising him that she would minister it to her Mistress, with the first opportunity; which thing she delayed not to bring to pass. For the self same day that Thanais was so overtaken, and put to such distress by Mammon (as it hath been said) she remained so moved and altered, that in the Eueving at her going to bed, her heart began to fail her: for the aid whereof, her Slave presented her with this confected apple, which she found very delicious to the taste, insomuch that her spirits revived again: and after she had drunk a little wine, suddenly she fell into a profound sleep, yet nevertheless being troubled with dreams and terrible santasies, which she witnessed by the turnings of her face, disorderly moving of her limbs, and profound sighs intermingled from time to time with cries, in such sort, that when she awaked, she was found to have lost her senses, transported of her spirits, and become altogether foolish. Finally, after long torment of body and mind, by reason of the inflammation of that villainous apple, the poor and miserable Thanais died, her body remaining after her death so horrible and hideous to behold, that they made no greater haste than to go bury her, and to carry her to a sepulchre in the end of a field, appertaining to their father's house, adjoining to the high way where we now are, and very near to this place, for as I think, behold the sepulchre which already beginneth to appear unto us, wherein Thanais with her Morian slave were buried. Who in remorse of conscience of this her wicked ministery, went and hanged herself, having beheld the heavy adventure of her traitorous service, and well knowing she could not escape the hands of the two brethren, who would revenge the death of their sister upon her. Behold what she got by the promise of Mammon, showing in effect that the reward of sin is death. Thus were cheese two bodies buried in this sepulchre which thou seest before us, which we may go to see, and there repose ourselves a while and take breath. In saying whereof, these two old men approached to a sepulchre of Maible, which was at the end of a field on the left hand of the high way. For the custom at that time was to build their sepulchres every man in his proper ground, along by the high way side, to the end that travelers in arresting and reposing themselves upon the stone, might be occupied in reading their Epitaphs: which these two old men did, turning towards the Tomb. And the good Archier laid down his bow and quiver upon the stone with a bottle full of wine, whereof he drank first out of a silver goblet which he had about him, and after presented it to Franc-Gal, who received it with a good will, and drank to him again. These two old men being thus reposed upon the lower steps of the sepulchre, made their coliation with a morsel of white bread, and the wing of a roasted and spiced Pheasant, which the Archier had slain the day before, and brought with him in a fair napkin for his refection in the fields, as ordinarily he was accustomed to do in going to the chase: and so they drank either of them once. And afterwards whiles the Squire made an end of emptying the bottle, they mounted the steps of the sepulchre to see if they could behold some Epitaph, where they found in a stone of flourishing Porphire variable of colours and waved like the streams of a swift River, which was upon the Tomb, a black knight of brown Marble engraven, bearing a guilded shield, holding by the mane a fair white mare of snowy Alabaster, enforcing himself to mount upon her; but the mare by her figure showed herself so rebellious in flinging that he could not, wherefore through anger he thrust her through the body with his flaming sword, out of which wound in stead of bowels issued a Serpent, and at the feet thereof was set a Mole engraven in Jeate.  
Franc-Gal was much abashed at this figure, and said that it was notably made according to the history before mentioned: for the stone of green and waved Porphirie represented the garden and fountain: the black Knight with the guilded shield signified the foul and rich Mammon: the white Mare figured the fair Thanais: the Mole was a token of the Morian slave: the holding of of the Mare by the main, and assaying to mount upon her, signified the forcement which Mammon would have done in the garden: the kicking of the white Mare represented the refusal of Thanais: the stroke of the burning sword, was the poisoning apple, and the wound her death; but of the Serpent which issued thereout, he could not conjecture what it betokened, until the Archier enterpreted the same afterwards, as you shall hear.  
Having thus contemplated the figures upon the sepulchre, they might perceive below upon the stone of Porphirie four verses engraven: whereof the first two were written in ancient letters of black colour, and the two last in red letters of a sanguine colour, which seemed to them later & fresher written than the first, as in truth they were according to the adventure which followed, & the four verses of the Epitaph were these. 

Here lieth Thanais who late hath slain  
Love, death, and eke the Negro vain.   

Mammon who caused her death by force,  
Shall gender life in her dead corpse.    
At these two last verses Franc-Gal was much abashed, and demanded of the Archier, if he knew their signification? Yea (quoth he) and I will tell it thee presently. Sat down if it please thee, and at thine ease give ear to the residue of my History.   

Of the generation and birth of the fatal Infant of leasing. CAP. 9  
THese two old men being reposed on the banks of the sepulchre, the old Archier began the continuance of his tale in this wise. After that the two bodies of Thanais & her Morian slave, were entombed, and the ceremonies, according to the custom of the Country, in doleful manner accomplished, each one retired to rest. Only Mammon remained in a terrible unquietness, not finding rest either of soul or body: for the furies of remorse, repentance, disdain, wrath, wailing, despite, impossible desire, and rage of unbridled love, shook continually before the eyes of his fantastical understanding, their burning & bloody torches: in such sort, that his vehement passions would neither suffer him to sleep or rest, especially the love of the deceased Thanais, which by so much more was inflamed in him, as the hope of ever obtaining his desire was furthest from him. So as when he would settle himself to sleep, the figure of Thanais seemed to present itself before him in such beauty and grace as he had seen her in the garden. And as lovers forge dreams according to their sensual appetites, and disordinate desires, he suddenly imagined, and fully persuaded with himself, that Thanais was not dead, but by force of the Philtre, only fallen into a Lechargie and swowue: and that by going to the place where she lay entombed, he might yet enjoy that without let or hindrance, which he so long had desired. Upon this, sleep overcame him, and a Phantasine in the the likeness of Thanais disformed, pale, and deadly, seemed to appear unto him, saying; Mammon thou sléepest, and I suffer in attending thee: why comest thou not to the place where I am, to take without danger, that which once thou wouldst with so great peril ravish from me. Upon this his dog barked and Calyph his Page fearfully began to cry: and he himself wakening, demanded what he ailed? For that (quoth the page) I have seen a flying serpent issue from behind the curtain of your bed, and departing hereout by the lover hole of the chimney. Mammon hearing this talk, and conferring this vision with his dream, found himself so disturbed, that through the impatience of love he arose, & taking with him for sole companion his only page as yet very fearful, in the beginning of the night, came to the place where we now are, mounted up to the sepulchre, and (with his help) removed the stone from the monument (for at that time these figures were yet unplaced) and causing his page to keep the watch, lest any one should come and descry them, he entered into the sepulchre, where (in the performing of his detestable assignment) he employed a great part of the silent night, whose obscurity and darkness seemed to him sufficient to cover and cloak his villainy. Which being done, he might hear the voice of some wicked spirit speaking through the carrion carcase of the Morian slave, uttering these speeches following; Mammon thou hast begotten a child. Return therefore to this place, and at this instant hour, within two and twenty days to receive the fruit of thy seed, whereof fail not: for if thou do, our Prince shall not fail to fetch thee by his Legionaries to thy great evil and torment. How can this be (quoth Mammon) that within three weeks the child should be grown to perfect birth, whereto nine months are requisite or at least seven? An evil weed (quoth the spirit) cometh forth sooner than a good herb, besides that thou must understand, that when nature feeleth herself to fail & tend to corruption, than she forceth herself the more, and advanceth more faster to generation. And for that the Matirce of this dead body must die shortly, it hasteneth itself to bring forth the fruit of thy seed before the due time, which thou must come to receive within three times feaven days, at the hour appointed: wherefore fail not; & now get thee hence, for thou hast no more to do here. This said, the voice ceased, and Mammon sore afraid issued out of the sepulchre, whereupon with the aid of his Page Calyph he laid the stone, & returned to his lodging, accounting these things to his man, who was privy to all his dealings, especially of this his love toward the deceased Thanais, and with him consulted whether he should obey the Morisquine spirit, and return again thither within three weeks, or no: which thing after some deliberation taken, was concluded. And the two and twentieth day after, at the same nightly hour, they came to the place and removed the stone from the monument; whereinto Mammon entered, and by the variable shining of a blue sulphurian fire, which sparkled between the heads of the dead bodies, he might perceive an Infant newly borne, laid at the feet of Thanais, upon the end of the winding sheet, between two women of terrible aspect, & of divers forms; for the one had a visage pleasant and laughing, but blistered with divers colours like the work of a rich jewel enamelled, and yet nevertheless delectable to behold: and she like a Fatallesse (as she was) predestinated the child in this sort; Thou child Desalethes, (for so thou shalt be named, in being borne without term, & nourished without milk) I foretell thee, that thou shalt be the greatest liar of this world, a simuler and dissembler in words and deeds, in all false works and speeches under appearance and colour of amiable verity, and clean contrary in covert thought to that which thou shalt speak in open words; even as thy external members are fair, and thy interval foul and filthy. (As in truth this child named Desalethes was, his face, neck, hands, and all that outwardly appeared, being very white, fair, gracious to the eye, pleasant, and alluring, holding the form and beauty of the mother: but the rest of his body and members which were hidden, were swart and filthy, according to the deformity and obscurity of his father.) After that this first Fatallesse had thus sinisterly presaged upon this byformed Brat, the second Fatallesse who was of visage more sad, severe, and of colour pale, (but white and cleanly) thus propounded his destime; Like as you (my sister Calendre) have cast your sort upon this child, that he shall live so long as he continueth in his lying; even so I do destiny him, that he shall die for telling the truth, and that so soon as he shall have spoken it. So be it Sister Clarence (quoth Calendre) in giving their hands right and left the one to the other, and so comoyned they laid them upon the head of the child, who at that instant arose, as it were of the age of fourtéen years, furiously-crying; Mammon, thou honest man, thou shalt leave me here rather buried than borne. No, no, my dear son (quoth Mammon) that will I not truly: and therewith embraced him; and the two Fairesses suddenly vanished away, with the sulphurian fire, which turned to a most stinking smoke: and at that very instant issued out of the body of the Moor, the horrible voice of a wicked spirit, thundering out these words. 
That which is thine take thou away,  
And in this place no longer stay.   
At this commandment, Mammon remembering well what he had heard and understood of the Destinies of his Son Desalethes, took him by the hand, and went out of the Monument together, whereon by the help of Calyph they laid the stone again. Which was no sooner laid, but a thunder clap and lightning fell from Heaven upon the plate of Porphirie, with the statues of black Marble, of Alabaster, and jeate, in figure of a black Knight, a young Mare, and of a Mole, even as we have now seen them. And forthwith were found engraven these two last verses in bloody letters, beneath the verses which the two Brothers of Thanais had first set up, written simply in old black letters: which two verses last engraved, (as it is shought with the devils claw) as also the statues fallen out of the air, are without either plaster or souldring so firmly affixed to the Porphirie, that it is impossible to remove them. All thost who afterwards saw and read them have remained marvelously astonished, and could not conjecture nor understand what they should signify, until such time as the whole matter was discovered by Calyph the Page of Mammon, and that by this adventure.   

Of the first institution of Desalethes under Doctor Pseudomanthanon, of the arts which he insigned him, and how his disciple profited: what payment he gave his Master, and in what manner he practised his science. CAP. 10.  
MAmmon and his son Desalethes being come out of the sepulchre, the father coveted the naked child with his cloak, & so took their way homeward with Calyph who followed them giving care to their talk: amongst the which Mammon by the way asked his son Desalethes if he had seen the two fatal sisters Calandre and Clarence and understood their presages upon him? Desalethes very simply answered no. But already he lied according to his natural property. For he both saw the two Sisters, and understood their talk yea vetter than Mammon, as one that was between them. The father hearing his young son answer so simply, with a white visage, fair, sweet, and amiable, and esteeming that he said truth (which was nothing less) reckoned to him the presages that he should not die, but for telling the truth, whose contrary is lying: and therefore for the conservation of his durable life (like a most wicked man as he was) he exhorted him to set all faith and truth aside; and to settle himself continually to speak and practise lyings, frauds and disloyal infidelity: whereto the simple babe answered, he knew not how to lie, neither could he do it. But therein he lied so egregiously and filthily, that the air therewith was infected, as if it had been with the breath of a Basilisque: for he could no more lie, than the Basilisque kill, the Wolf devour, the water drown, and the fire burn, whose primitive beginnings were for that intent. In such sort, that when he spoke most simply, he then most of all lied. Yet his father being deceived in his false & dissembling simplicity, believed him, and being come to his lodging, incontinently he appareled him in brave and sumptuous array (which he could do very well, being one of the richest in the City of Orb) and decked him in clothes of gold, silver, and and silk of all kind of colours (except white and red) but specially of changeable colours, and of all several sorts of silks, metals, and clothes of tissue, embroidery and others, and of all the divers cuts and variable fashions, which could newly be found throughout all the Nations of the world.  
Desalethes thus appareled with such rich and brave habits, and for every day a new change, which covered his black laydnesse, and set out the fair and white parts of his visage, neck, breast and hands, he seemed so fair a child, so pleasant and gracious to all, that ever ie one took of him great pleasure. Wherefore his father Mammon seeing him so desirable, loved him greatly, and fearing the sort which he had understood, (which was to die for saying the truth) and believing (that which in lying he had told him) that he knew not how to lie: gave him in charge to be taught to a right excellent Master, who of that Art made profession, not publicly, but privily, and secretly; neither read he but by night. This good Doctor was called Pseudomanthanon, most skilful in the Arts of his profession, which were Magic, Cabalicke, Thalmud, hypocxisie, brotherie, idolatry, judicial Astrology, Sophistry, Poesy, Alchemy, Empery, Medicastrie, legerdemain, subtlety, pillory, banquerie, usury, interesterie, change, barterie, beggary, falsifying of weights & measures, forgery, hap-lourderie, reverie, and carrionly gingembrie, poisoning, cozening, dicing, brawling, mockery, bawdry, bitcherie, flattery, policy, blabberie, menterie, divilishnesse and damnerie; with such other sciences and practices colouring & destroying verity. Of all which, this cunning Doctor Pseudomanthanon was sovereign Lord, and a nightly ensigner: from whose school (as the soldiers issued out of the belly of the Trojan horse) infinice numbers of cunning men chief of the Greeks', as Lucian, Homer, and as it were all the Poets; except Lucan, Lucre●, Columel, Caton, Theognis, Phocylides, Arat, and some others, who were banished. From thence are likewise sprung the pleasant volumes of Lancelot of the Lake, of Tristram, Perseforest, Amadis of Gaul, Palmerin, and such like: but chief from thence is proceeded the first copy of the Alcoran in the Arabian language, afterwards translated into Latin. To this right cunning Doctor, was this fine disciple Desalethes delivered to be taught all these good arts of falsity and menterie; who in very little time so studied, and in so short time advanced himself in the science and practice of these arts of lying, that he passed and surmounted his Master: and deceived him often times in his own deceit; specially in the payment for his teaching: for having agreed with him on this condition, that he should pay him one talon valued at 500 crowns, in the reward of his teaching, in the first cause that by menterie or fineness he should win in turning right with sleight: the accord being written and signed, it fortuned that Pseudomanthanon seeing his scholar Desalethes to have well profited in his arts, demanded of him his promised salary: but Desalethes denied it him, telling him flatly, that he ought him nothing. Whereupon Pseudomanthanon called him before a judge where he appeared. And the Master after he had made his demand, and shown the accord of the bargain, thus propounded his reason cutting on both sides in this wise; O fool, and evil advised Scholar, dost thou not know, that necessarily thou shalt be condemned to pay me, whether thou winnest this matter, or no. For if thou win it, it cannot be but by fine policy, & wresting the law, whereby thou must needs pay me according to our accord and writing, which is such that at the first cause by thee craftily gotten, thou shouldest pay me a talon: but to the contrary, if thou dost lose, thou shalt be condemned to pay me by execution of the judges sentence; and so canst thou not escape to pay me. To this, the well learned scholar by a crooked piercing, and contrary reason, answered in this form; O good Master, and subtle Doctor, saving thine honour: thou takest not this argument by the right end: but contrariwise as it seemeth to me, I ought necessarily to be absolved of thy demand, whether I win this matter or lose it. For if I win it, I shall be quit by the absolute sentence of the judge: and if that I lose it, I ought to pay thee nothing, according to the accord set down in thy writing: where it is agreed, that I should not pay thee until the first matter that I should get by fine deceit: wherefore not winning this first, if I be condemned, the condition of the bargain being not come, the bargain is nothing, & I shall owe thee nought. And thus (O absurd Master) I cannot fail to escape thy pursuit.  
The judge hearing such alterations by contraries and indissoluable Antistrophes, and not knowing what judgement to give, sent them both for an hundred years and one before Rhadamant the infernal judge, the whole Bench crying after them in execration of their knavery, this sentence afterwards most renowned: Of an evil Crow a naughty egg, of an evil Master a worse Disciple. Behold how Desalethes began to practise the Science which he had learned under his good tutor Pseudomanthanon, and (which is worse) using it in all ways he could, intermeddling in great affairs with many people, but specially with the wicked, forsaken, incurious, careless, evil advised, youthful and dishonest persons, with light believers, and strangers of far Countries, and with the dead (who can neither bite nor reprehend); such were his people for whom he stretched his nets, counterfeiting the devout hypocrite, judging another hardly, and impudently justifying himself, never swearing but when he had a gainful occasion to perjure, wherewithal easily he made an end of pleading and bridling the Mule. Likewise in buying without payment, selling for ready money and nothing delivering, receiving without acquittance, borrowing without rendering, retaining the imposts, or (if force constrained him) rendering them diminished, having great weight and long measure to buy, but sinal and short to make sale by, forging wills, and serving for all and by all as witnesses and pawns: a singular workman to semble and dissemble, to counterfeit all letters and signets, to raze cleanly and subscribe properly, to blanche parchment, & to renew an antic seal, to make a new obligation with notary and witnesses already deceased, of an old & prescript instrument: never handling butter without greasy hands, taking weighty gold and good money, and rendering it light, rebased and feeble, or else false, clipped, chiseled and changed money for it: mingling divers accounts together, and having many papers of unreasonable reason: opening all letters which came to his hands, to see if any thing were in them that could hurt or do him good, & sealing them again with the like signet, (after themanner of Alexander the false vivine) or holding & canceling them if it were expedient: spreading brutes abroad of an uncercertaine author, sowing darnel and wicked suspicion amongst friends by secret detraction, and false reports: but above all things a seller of Thurim smokes. For the residue, the best child in the world, a pleasant liar, a gracious flatterer, an assured boaster, well languaged, well spoken, and a most courteous Courtesan, and for that cause welcome to all company: bringing his deceitful words and deeds so finely about like a Mercurial Ulysses that it was always to his profit and vantage, and without leaving any thing wherein he might be discovered or overtaken in. Saving that an ancient man called Cron, who always invisibly followed him pace by pace, and observed all his deeds & sayings, after he had long time endured them, he finally discovered and stirred against him innumerable people whom he had all deceived and desrauded one by another. These by conference had together knew and discovered the hidden lies, falseness, and wickedness, whereby they had been by him abused, deceived and defrauded: some accused him, and others brought witness against him with the aid of old Cron, who revealed the greatest part of his most secret, hidden, and shameful villainies, which he least hoped should ever have come to light. Whereof being attaint and convinced (albeit no torture nor torments could make him confess or acknowledge it) he was notwithstanding declared a public enemy, and condemned to lose his head, and that all his goods should be confiscate to the Prince of Orb. His Master Pseudomanthanon feeling the wind thereof, suddenly vanished, & gained with his heels, taking his flight from thence, and hiding himself in divers secret places, whereas yet he maketh profession of his clandestinall lectures. As for his father Mammon he was banished and sent back into Turquy, and passing through Italy and Venice, and remaining there a while, left behind him some of his seed, whereof afterwards sprung up many children of his generation, as Vliespiegle the inventor of subtleties, the gentle knight Imbauld of Solier, and such like exquisite workmen. After that the capital sentence was pronounced upon Desalethes he was delivered into the hands of the executioner, who led him to the place of justice, showing by the way so small repentance of his wickedness, that he said with loud voice, he had not mericed a common death, but rather a public entertainment of him and his in the palace of the City, and a statue of gold upon a Marble pillar in the common place, for his great virtues and good deeds: doubting not but that after his death they would deify him, and put him in the catalogue of worthy and heroical men, in the heaven of Mercury, with the Duke Ulysses and Autolie, and that there should be composed a new Odyssee of his high and worthy praises. But on the contrary, all the world, yea those of his own faction reclaimed against him in execration, crying with aloud voice, Take him away, take him away, kill, kill the wicked man. Nevertheless he marched bravely to Must-dy, (for so was the scarfoll of red & black Marble in the market place called, where the offenders do play their last prize) walking with a lofty gate, & a visage so constant and joyful, as though one had led him to a wedding, or some joyful feast, and that because he held himself certain of his sort and destiny, and that he had as yet never failed to lie; whereby he assured himself not to die, and therefore the fear of death made him neither tremble, nor look pale. With this assurance he marched and mounted up into the place of punishment, and when he was upon the scarfoll Must-dy, the executioner would have bound and blinded him: No, no (quoth he in lying according to his natural disposition) I will never run away, have thou no fear, for I have enough for us both. In saying thus, he kneeled down before the Marble stone, and whiles the Executioner prepared his sharp cutting sword, he turned his view openly to all the people: to whom (that he might make his last lie) he said with a loud voice, Farewell ye people of Orb, I go now to die. This said, he inclined his body, and the hangman who had already prepared his sword, in availing it, with a rude stroke cut off his head.   

Of the flying head, and abymed body, with their return, and revelations of the things by them seen, of their death and burial, and of the reclosed depth. CAP. 11.  
HIs sort then deceived him (quoth franc-gal) when his head was stroke of, for thereby faileth all miracles. No, no (quoth the Archier) but contrariwise thereby came great wonders: for after the stroke given, no blood issued either out of body or head: but presently no sooner than the sword was withdrawn, the body without head rose upon his feet, and leapt down on the ground amongst all the assistants and beholders, sore abashed to see a headless body to run: the which impetuously passing through the press (who gave way & retired themselves at the strange spectacle of so monstrous a hideur) until it came to an obscure dungeon and profound gulf, which a little before happened by reason of a terrible earthquake, and had swallowed up the great tower of the clock and watch of the city into such a profound depth, that no cord with the sound of a plummet could find the bottom thereof; whereinto this headless body cast itself. And at the same instant, the head (stricken off above the neck) sprung up from the scarfold three or four times, always mounting higher & higher: and in this order mounting, the carthalages and gristles of the ears sprung out with sharp pings, in such sort that they became wings without feathers like a fimdermouse, flying and carrying up the head into the air so high, that right soon the sight thereof was lost; the whole multitude of people remaining so much astonished, as the marvel thereof merited: some looking into the deep pit (where they could see nothing) and others lifting up their eyes into the air, to see when the head should fall from the heavens. But after they had long mused on the one and the other, they might hear a sound like a wind vehemently coming from far, and the voice of a spirit therewithal, saying; You men of Orb, tarry not for the quick departed from hence to view the height of heaven, and depth of earth; but retire yourselves, and return again hither three days hence about this hour, so ill all you see the end of that you look for. This said, suddenly a great thunderclap broke out of an obscure cloud, and after that, a mighty shower; which caused every one to retire to his house, attending the third day after according to the premonition of the unknown voice. At which day and hour a far greater number of people assembled thither than before of all kinds of ages, attending some miraculous sigue, which failed not to happen. For as they were beholding some up into the air, and others into the bottomless gulf, behold out of the same they might perceive the headless body coming out, and mounting upon the foresaid scarfold, there kneeled down before the stone, and the veins (where the head was cut off) opened, and began to shed forth blood: whereof the body took part in his hand, and with his finger writ upon the stone certain verses, which afterward were read. And at the same instant they might perceive from the height of the air, the flying head to descend with membrane and serpentine wings, diminishing by little and little until they came again into their natural form of man's ears, and rested on the pillar upon an iron pike, where the heads of the executed were accustomed to be set. Thus as every one was attentively beholding these mysteries with great silence, the head with a trembling, hollow, and deadly voice (nevertheless incelligible) pronounced these verses following; 
The palaces and Sisters three aloft in haughty tower  
I late have seen, & beldameke that there hath built her bower.  
Above the which consists a place, whereas those blessed wights  
Remain, who have in faith & troth taken their chief delights:  
But I as one deserving not so high for to aspire,  
(Because deceit and lying both have been my whole desire)  
Am judged to the depth. For why, as yet I never told  
The truth till now: yet 'gainst my will it is you may be bold.  
For I must die, & desperate death you know (& I may wail)  
Must needs descend beneath the tower. Lo thus my speech doth fail.   
This said, the head in hideous turning shutting the teeth, and closing the eyes, suddenly waxed pale and died: and the body by and by stretching forth itself with pulling in the veins fell down flat dead upon the plain of the red and black Marble. Then was accomplished which was presaged by the two fatal Sisters Calendre & Clarence at the birth of this child Desalethes. These verses pronounced, were heard and understood of all the assistance, set down in writing or retained by heart of many, specially of me, who keep them yet in memory in such sort as I have recited them. Hereupon was the public Clerk commanded to mount up to the scarfold of Must-dy, and look on the Marble stone, what marks, signs, or letters the dead body had made with his finger and blood. The Clerk going up, found upon the white Marble a bloody writing of ten verses, saying thus (as he pronounced them with a loud voice. 
I have both taste and touched (by tumbling over deep)  
The pangs of endless pains: which being thick & steep  
Below the Tower round, have their foundation fast.  
Whereas those wicked wights in prison strong arecast  
Who nein word ne deed have taken ought delight  
But have the sacred truth repugnd with all their might.  
And for so much as I have used all my life,  
To sow the seed of lies, of discord, wrath and strife,  
By judgement 'tis decreed, and unto you be it known,  
That corpses & head forthwith into that gulf be thrown.   
This writing thus pronounced and understood, all the Assistants were of the advice that this sentence should be put in effect, albeit that they remained very hashfull of these novels never before understood of them, either of the round Tower, of the three Sisters, of the old Dame, or of the obscure and deep prison, whereof we understand not as yet the substance. Notwithstanding the executioner being sent for, and commanded by the Magistrate, took the dead and hideous head, and drew the body with an iron hook unto the deep pit, whereof before we have spoken, and threw them both therein: from the depth whereof was presently heard a fearful and lamentable cry, as it were of innumerable persons gréenously wailing and desperately howling. And thereupon this depth closed in such firmness, that there remained no appearance either of Tower, trembling, or opening of earth; only there appeared all plain above the earth: and no brute was any more heard, but every one by reason of the astonishment remained in pleasant silence: and the Sun began most brightfully to display his beams, and thereafter ensued a right fair clear and beautiful day, which before had been darkened with thick mists, black clouds, and rainy weather.  
Behold the History, wherein I have made thee a very long, and peraduencure envious digression (quoth the Archier to Franc-Gal) which hath only been to confirm thy saying very likely to be true, and by the vearses aforesaid agreeing with thy rehearsal, to confirm the talk which thou hast begun, of the immensall Tower, of the three Stages, of the three fatal Sisters, of their ancient mother Anange, resident in the highest thereof, and of the low and black Prisons under the foundation of the same. Which talk as thou hast begun, I pray thee go on forwards, and make an end thereof if it please thee. For I have great desire to hear thy discourse to the end, to see if thereby I might understand the substance of the vearses, which I have recited to thee, which me seemeth to be very much agreeing with thy forerehearsed narration.  
I am content quoth franc-gal, but let us rise and follow on our way, and in going I will make an end of the residue thereof, to render thee part of the pleasure which I have received of thine, which hath seemed neither long nor wearisome, but rather most delectable, for the marvels which thou hast recited therein, which are very conformable unto my discourse, whereby I hope they shall be more lightened and expounded: wherefore let us rise and be going.  
So these two wise men arose, and (forgetting not their arms, baggage, bow, quiver, bottle, cup, and napkin, after they had once again regarded the miraculous statues upon the Tomb, and wished rest to the spirits of the bodies there lying) left the sepulchre, and betook them to their former way, and first talk, franc-gal thus continuing the same.   

Of the ancient Lady Anange, of her great authority and puissance: of the offices of the three fatal Sisters Cleronome, Zodore, and Termaine, and of the cierges which they administer to the Pilgrims coming to the Sovereign Temple. CAP. 12.  
IN the top of which great round tower was a comble in the fashion of a round lantern, so clear as the bright day, with windows on every side, in such sort, that it had prospect every way: & there within was resident a great Lady, right ancient, and of most redoubted authority, having sovereign puissance upon all that is below her, and casting her view over all: whereby only accordingly as she stretched forth, or retired, raised or abased her aspect of universal conduct) she advanced or arrested, drew up or put down both men and all human affairs submitted to her: without hindrance of any, who can by no means resist her, neither she contrariwise do otherwise than she doth: and for that cause she is called Anange, because of necessity all things must be as she hath ordained, and not otherwise: not that she doth any thing with force, violence or extortion either to nature or reason, but because all things are governed by her only regard, and reduced to the final and right point of her eternal ordinance; from which she suffereth nothing to divert, but incontinently causeth it inevitably to return. So great is the authority and puissance of this ancient Lady Anange: and so did I see her in the highest of the Tower, when the white bird, as I told you before) drew my spirit from me with a kiss, and elevated the same unto the height thereof. This ancient Lady hath three fatal daughters, named (as it hath been showed) Cleronome, Zodore and Termaine, resident below their mother in three inferior stages of the Tower; nevertheless both near and passable the one to the other, & there it was their duty to receive the Pilgrims which would ascend up to the sovereign Temple, whereunto the way was very difficile by reason of the obscure paths, very hard to be kept without conduct, and light going before. For which cause these three fatal Sisters were there constituted in that office to furnish the Pilgrims travelers with cierges, aswell to lighten them in the way wherein they are to walk, as also to offer their oblations to God in the sovereign Temple. And they gave and distributed them not after one fashion, but after divers sorts, even as by fortune, or rather by secret ordinance they came to their hands: some being great and long, some less, and others very small. The first fatal Sister resident in the inferior Stage, gave to every one his cierge, the second lightened them, and the third finally put them out, either before or after they were offered up. Now these fatal cierges were like the Brand of Meleager, and in them consisted the life and death of those who received them: and they carried them with such determination, that so long as they burned and gave light, the person carrying them lived; and incontinently so soon as by the office of Termaine they were put out, at the same instant ended the corporal life of those who carried them. For by the ordinance of Anange, it was necessary that once they should be extinguished, either by default, or violence; to the end that in offering them, their savour might ascend to God, who was worshipped in the ancient Temple, to be received or rejected good or evil, according to the matter whereof they were made, and according as they had been used and handled honestly and purely, or foiled, broken, or polluted filthily and villainouslie. And none, or very few were offered at the sacrifice during their lively light, but necessarily they must be by the three fatal Sisters extinguished, either in default of matter, or violent accident. And yet nevertheless, after they were once lightened, they remained in the arbitriall conduct, entertainment, & government of those who had them in their keeping, with express defence of putting them out, but constantly and clearly to carry them, until such time as Termaine had put her hand thereto. Notwithstanding some either by envious disdain, desperation, or other evil affection would put them out before the time, and spitefully cast them to the ground together with their bodies dying; others would cut & break them in pieces of despite. Some thinking to make them burn more clearly than their substance and wyke would permit, did trouble, snofe, reverse, traverse and blow them, in such sort that in a while they consumed them, so as they endured but a short space. Some others going about to stuff, anoint, & grease them with old oils, and other fat liquors, thinking to make them last longer, and adjoin to their first making (being a thing impossible) have clean contrary to their opinion euflamed more abundantly, and consumed more hastily, rendering moreover a smoke of most filthy savour: but contrariwise others there were, who held and carried their fair cierges in a constant rightness highly elevated, whereby they rendered light more apparent & longer shining, aswell to themselves, as to those who went before and followed them. Others also adjoined thereunto Balm, Myrrh, incense, & other aromatical gums, serving not only to their shining, but also causing them to leave a most good and gracious smell after their putting out, and sacred offering in the Temple, where by the Sacrist Termaine they were extinguished, and gathered together. Howbeit all of them came not to the term of receiving in the end of their peregrination, and offering of their cierges by the third fatal Sister Termaine: but the greatest part failed by the way, either by reason that the matter of the light was of so small durance, as being of pitch, rosel, or terpentine; or for being too little, or over small of substance; or by reason their wyke over gross in respect of the wax, or for that oftentimes they were violently put out by casualties happening by the way: specially by the blustering of winds, by hurts and embushments of evil encountry, by reins, waters, tempests, & other like accidents, which put out the lights, and so consequently kill those who carry them: because they were fatalized as hath been showed before: whereby it cometh to pass, that the greatest part of the Pilgrims perish by the way, and never arrive at the third station of the fatal Sister Termaine, noryet to the Temple to offer and present the sanour of their cierges.  
Thus were these three sisters resident in three lodgings within this great Tower, furnishing to the Pilgrims the cierges of their conduct, way and life, which the first and highest presented them, the second and lower lightened, and the third and last put out and offered in the Temple. But as the Poet divinely singeth; 
By fatal sort all things do fall to ruin and decay:  
From ill to worse, and at the last consume & wear away.  Even so commonly it falleth out, that the first munistcences are larger and more liberal than those which follow; as all natural things are best at the first. So cometh it to pass that the cierges which have been first presented, have been fairer, longer, and greater, better fashioned, and of better wax, and so consequently of longer endurance & clearer light. Likewise the first men who received them, were found more greater & stronger (like Giants as they were) to carry and elevate them: yea and more wise and apt to conduct and maintain them, as those who knew well that their life and death depended thereupon: which they would neither dispraise, despite, nor have in sorrow, but esteemed, honoured, and kept them right dearly, as the gift and grant of the great King of all kings, in whose honour they would render it again to him in his Temple in offer of their last voyage, and to the termination of the last fatal Sister Termaine, to whom all in a manner happily arrived without any mal-encounter, trouble, or hurt.   

Of the Macrobians, their virtue and great age, of the long lift of Franc-Gal, and causes thereof. CAP. 13.  
BUt amongst all those great light bearers, the most prudent & most advised of spirit, and the most strong and durable of body, have showed themselves to be the blood of the Macrobians; who were children of a good, sage, rich, and noble labourer called Kamat, and of a virtuous and excellent Lady and singular good housewife, called Madam Sophroisne: who accompanied not themselves with rascals, but on the contrary esteemed it great honour and noblesse to employ body, members, and spirit to all honest and fruitful labour and excerior exercise of the body, and interior and temperate moderation of the mind. And thereby have sprung of their bloods, most mighty Kings, Princes, and valiant Knights. Cyrus' the most renowned King of Persia from them descended, and took therein great glory; Agathocles King of Sicilia thereof vaunted; The good Roman Consul Marcus Curius thereby held himself honoured; and the worthy Knight Serran thereof made his bravadoes: the rich King Hugon labouring in his golden chariot, thereby kept amagnificall estate, to show that he was extract of so high and generous a race, as that of the noble Lord Kamat and the virtuous Lady Sophroisne; whose successors were called Macrobians, men engendered of good lawful and shamefast blood, under good consteflation, well and temperately nourished with the first and best fruits of their most wholesome and fertile Region, situate in the high Aethiopia, between the East and the South, under the most temperate Climate of Meroe, abounding in all goodness, in sweet and wholesome waters, and in a most pure and beautiful air, like a continual Spring; people of a most fair form of body, of members strong and boisterous, of good and liberal spirit, loving and exercising justice, equity and liberality: reverently honouring age, their fathers, mothers, parents, and betters, their auncitors, and God above all, who is ancienter than all things, and elder than time itself. Such were the Macrobians, to whom by fortune or rather by providence, happened the first, best, and most durable cierges, which they carrying, keeping and governing wisely, lived two, three, and four times so long as other men. And to me which am of their race, befell one, delivered me by Cleronome, long, strait, well waxed and tempered, durable, and of clear light.  
Where is it then (quoth the Archier) hast thou offered it up already? or hath it failed or gone out by the way. No no quoth franc-gal, for if it were our I should then be dead. Show it me then quoth the Archier, that I might see the fashion thereof. Then franc-gal smiling said unto him thus, show me also thine that Cleronome gave thee in the beginning of thy Pilgrimage. Mine (quoth he) I have none that I know of, for I am no Pilgrim, neither have I any remembrance that ever any cierge was given me. Neither hast thou remembrance (quoth Franc-Gal) of thy first shirt, which nevertheless hath been delivered to thee; so likewise hath thy vital light been given to thee, as mine hath been to me; but they are unvisible to our corporal eyes, for every one carrieth them not upon him, but within himself. Of whose flame we feel the natural heat; which faileth when they be extinguished: by their light we see outwardly and understand inwardly how we ought to guide them in our peregrination, wherein we be Pilgrims from our youth, and by divers ways, adventures, and dangers do bend our course toward the sovereign Temple, where we are promised rest, as if it were to the return of our proper and paternal house. How (quoth the Archier) I had thought we had not had other light than the daily Sun, the Moon, and nightly stars, and the burning fire to conduct us. Thou art not sufficiently advised for so good an Archier (quoth Franc-Gal) for when this light (which in the beginning is given us by Cleronome for our conduct) cometh once to be put out, than we see and know nothing, albeit we have our eyes open, and that the Sun, the Moon, the Stars and the clear light of candles and torches shine upon us. Wherefore thou mayst well understand, that neither our light which we use in our pilgrimage, nor the cierge of our sight, life, and way, which was given unto us by the first Fatal Sister Cleronome, consisteth of those external lights.  
I understand well now (quoth the Archier) oh how thou hast lightened the eyes of my understanding, and illuminated my light with the clearness of thine! Well, at this instant begin I to know myself, and thy mystirall & secret talk, which is very profitable and delectable unto me: wherefore I pray thee (if it shall not be over tedious unto thee) to go forward unto the end thereof. Mark well then quoth franc-gal.  
After that I had received of Cleronome, this fair cierge great, straight, full of good matter, well made, and garnished with many sweet and flagrant savours, and that the second fatal Sister named Zodore had lightened it with a clear and lively fire: I carried it high and strait without doing it force or injury, in such sort that it hath already lasted and conducted me 900. years and more, continually flaming, and in most illustrious manner shining aswell before as behind me, round about me, below me, and above me, yea even unto the heavens. By the clear light whereof I have walked, & by the benefit of the long days, years, and worlds, wherein I have lived, I have seen a far off the governance of things both before and behind me: although I see not the one so well as the other, because I must turn my head a tene side to behold them. Likewise I have beholden the circumstances aswell on the right side as on the left: together with the things which have fallen under my feet, and the imminent perils which have hung over my head, from the high point of my Saturnian Planet whereunder I was borne. And all this by length of the time have I seen through the resplendaunt brightness of my cierge, by the which I have viewed the causes of things, and the consequences and progress of of the same: and as I was not ignorant of the antecedents, so compared I the similitudes, adjoining to the present the things to come, so that thereby I have foreseen the whole course of my Peregrination, which hethertoo hath been long, durable, and divers, through strange countries and regions of the East, West, North and South; not without suffering of many labours, travels, fortunes and strange adventures.   

Of the prevision of the Cataclysme, of Durat Hippopotame the sea horse, whereon Franc-Gal surmounted the waters, whereby he was surnamed Cock, and of his encountry with Priscaraxe a my-serpentlike woman. CAP. 14.  
FOr one day elevating my cierge towards Heaven, I perceived an exorbitation of the eight Sphere, from the West unto the East, & contrariwise from the East unto the West, approaching and drawing together above the centre of Aries and Libra, not in stretching wise, of the right course in length, but of exorbitant moving in height and breadth, by equation approaching and drawing together, making two small circles of exorbitance: whereby after long progression of time, this exorbitant moving was come to the point of the small circle: the Zenith being regarded by the Sign of Pisces and Aquarius, of the Planets, of Orion and Hyades: then knew I well by proof, that the Cataclysme of inundation should be shortly. Wherefore for the avoiding of all perils that might happen, I took in the great river of Nilus in Egypt a young Hippopotame, that is a watery horse, having head and body like a horse, but without comparison far exceeding in greatness, strength and belly other terrestrial horses, having legs accordingly, saving that the feet finished in large and flat cartilages in the fashion of a goose foot, for swimming the better: neither had he only four feet like a terrestrial horse, but many and a great number, wherewithal he cleaved the floods, and swam like a Dolphin: as for his tail, it was great, long and full of scales like a great fish, flat in his hinder latitude, wherewith he beat the waters, & turned himself most readily to what side he would by the moving thereof: his head he had elevated great and puissant, carrying in his throat four great, crooked, and cutting teeth. This horse Hippopotame such as I have described to thee, and which thou mayst yet behold at the next Port, where I have left him with my men: (for he is so great and mighty, that he is able to carry easily many persons, and other living creatures, albeit he be a most wicked and dangerous beast, specially when he hath drunk too much. Nevertheless I handle and tame him so well, that I make him rideable through all waters, yea and main seas, after that I have armed him with convenient harness on all sides. Besides this, by a certain art whereof I have the knowledge and experience, I open his sides, and plant in him great wings, by the aid whereof wheu he hath spread them in the wind, he goeth faster upon the waters than the fowl in the air). This great horse Hippopotame being thus prepared to serve me when need should require, one day elevating my light, I perceived already the cataracts of heaven open, the water pot of Aquarius turned up side down, the sign of Pisces in exaltation, Orion with his sword cutting the clouds, and the most stinking hogs and the goose behind me, to noise the open depths, & unbounded seas. At this great brute lifting up my head, I beheld a great and marvelous brook of waters impetuously coming to fall upon the Region and way wherein I walked, and to overwhelm with waves all the pilgrims passengers in the way, in putting out their cierges and lives; wherefore the soonest that it was possible for me, I took provision of victuals sufficient for certain days for me and mine who were most able to mount with me upon my Hippopotame, by the foreknowledge that I gave them of this brook which I saw coming, whereby some believed me and fled to the mountains, others would not, and so were enclosed with the floods. I was no sooner mounted, but my Hippopotame was elevated upon the waters, which covered all the face of the earth, and stifled all the creatures therein. Then began my marinall horse to swim with his flat feet and to spread his wings, which having once taken the air and wind, transported us into divers Countries and Regions at the pleasure of the winds, waves, and horse, to the great marvel of the people, who having gamed the uppermost top of the barren mountains, saw us ride upon the waves, a thing of them never before soene: wherefore through great marvel which they took thereat, they cried to us of all sides with loud voices, Gal, Gal, Gal, which in their Armenian language signifieth, Surmounting the waters: by admiration thereof, that they saw me great and pvissantly mounted on horseback upon the profound waters, as it were on firm land; whom I went and visited, because I found that the greater part of them were unprovided of victuals, and hunger starved upon the barren tops of those high mountains, and distributed unto them part of those things whereof I had made provision, especially of wine, whereof I had great plenty, I succoured those which wanted to comfort their heart, for there is nothing that so soon slaketh extreme hunger as the liquor of wine. And because that I gave them it liberally (be it spoken without vaunt or reproach) they gave me the title of Frank, which in the Celtique language signifieth liberal and hardy, so that afterwards the name of Franc-Gal remained to me. Hadst thou then (quoth the Archier) any other name before than Franc-Gal? Yea (quoth he) my proper name was Dysir, but afterwards I was always called Franc-Gal, which name displeaseth me not at all.  
Now tell me Franc-Gal (quoth the Archier) how could thine Hippopotame carry thee so many days with out being weary, or plunging himself in the waters, and drowning of thee and thine? Because (quoth Franc-Gal) his nature is such, that so long as he hath air and wind, according to his wings and his feet in the water, he maintaineth himself in his vigour, and getteth more and more force, and new legerity, fearing nothing but fire & stones: and is never perilous or dangerous, but when he drinketh overmuch. Wherefore my sovereign care hath always been to keep him from his contrary element, fire, stones, and overmuch drinking: for the rest he is of the nature of the Chameleon, living of the air and of his watery element: and so quiet, that when we have landed, and he retired his feet, and abased his wings, he remaineth still, without either kicking or biting, and of as peaceable rest, as he is of terrible legerity and dangerous passage when his feet are in the water, and his wings in the air, and his crooked teeth out of his throat. Behold what my horse Hippopotame called Durat is, upon whom I surmounted the waters, whereby the name of Gal was imposed upon me.  
After that the inundation of this great River was come down, and the Cataclysine had taken end: being weary of riding amongst the fishes, I came one day and landed in the Region of Scythia called East Tartary: where having recreated my spirits with the sinell of the new earth lately discovered, and having refreshed my body with meat and wine, feeling myself weary of travel, & beaten with continual showers, I laid me down upon the ground on six Lion's skins sowed together, which for that time served me against the storms, and there I fell in a profound sleep.  
During the which, this vision came to me: It seemed to me, that before me grew a fair plant of a flower called double Solsie, otherwise named the friend of the Sun, which altogether seemed to incline towards me, till that it had covered my legs. Wherefore seeing this fair double flower bending towards me, desire forced me to gather it both branch and root, and therefore with my dagger I digged it up: but under the root thereof I found a serpent's egg, which being broken, there issued out the thickin of a Basilisque, otherwise called a Cockatrice; which incoutinentlie becoming feathered and waxing great, flew away, carrying my heart with him which he had taken out of my body: wherewithal affright, I waked, and found myself embraced and clasped body and legs, by some body casting itself upon me; which all at once I perceived to be a young maiden all naked, & of a great height, whose shape of body surmounted the common sort, and of an excellent beautiful face, with bright golden hairs, & glimmering like Phoebus' beams, her face white, and coloured with red like to Aurora, hereies' grey and comely suruaulted with little brown eye lids, hernecke straight and well proportioned, her breast large & highly elevated with two round and incarnate dugs, her rains broad, her belly round white and fair. But her lower parts, in steed of thighs, legs and feet, finished in a long serpentlike tail, of divers colours like shining mail, wherewith she linked herself between my legs, and with her fair naked arms, embraced me so about the neck & body, that I could scarce be rid from her without violence to so fair a creature (as she seemed by her superior parts) so lovingly kissing me: which withdrew me from giving her any outrageous repulse. But on the contrary part this Serpentlike tail wherewithal I felt myself interlaced, gave me hideous fear, & abomination of a creature so monstrous: wherefore tenderly I rid me of her embracements and linking, and taking her by the hand, asked her what she was, and what she would with me.  
I am (quoth the Maid right graciously) daughter of Phoebus and Rhea, created lately in this present place by virtue of the Sun heating the earth, as yet sumie with the late inundation, and animated with a good airy spirit, who by the first information rendered my Essence perfect: except, that forsomuch as the Sun and man do engender man in their proper and human form, and that I (being not engendered of the seed of man, but only of the Sun and of the terrestrial humour heated by the Sun) could have but only the superior part after the humane form, and the inferior part such as the earth could fashion in the form of a Serpent, nevertheless not venomous, (although they say, that venom lieth in the tail) but of good nature and not hurtful, as thou shalt well know: furthermore my name is written on my right arm, which I neither know, nor shall know but only by thee: for, for thee, and of thee to conceive fruit, I am newly sent into the world. I understanding this talk, looked upon her right arm, wherein I perceived her skin in certain places gilded like the thigh of Pythagoras, in form of Persian letters, declaring this name Priscaraxe. Of which name well understanding the good signification, and considering this so fair and gracious creature (albeit monstrous, but for good cause) I spoke unto her in this sort; My sweet heart Priscaraxe (for so is your name written, which I pray remember well) I know now that in a lucky hour I have met with you, and for that good fortune I will not refuse you: and forsomuch as I have found such singular beauty & good grace in your upper parts, without disdain of your low, terrestrial, & serpentlike unvenimous parts, I accept you for mine, and will be wholly yours. In saying thus, I embraced and kissed her, and for the pleasure & kindness which I found in her, I remained in her company 32. days: at what time she felt herself to have conceived, and to be with child, which was her chief and sovereign desire.   

Of the leave taken by Franc-Gal of Priscaraxe, elected and constituted Queen in high Tartary, of the homages and fealties taken of the people assembled, and of the creation of the order of her Knights. CAP. 15.  
THe time being come that Priscaraxe felt herself to be with child, I determined to leave her, albeit that departure from pleasure be grievous: and notwithstanding her conversation & company was most agreeable and delectable to me; yet nevertheless, the earnest desire of accomplishing a universal peregrination, which of long time I had enterprised, moved me the more, specially being so well accommodated with my good horse Durat Hippopotame, very proper to pass the seas and huge streams, being sure to find enough of others to pass on firm land and traverse the regions. For esteeming the whole earth (given to the sons of men for habitation by the sovereign Lord, who for himself hath reserved the Heaven of Heavens) to be but a house and domicile of human creatures: I accounted myself unworthy of the name of a man, and of the household of mankind, if I should not have seen and known all the parts of this universal house: and for that cause had I enterprised the circuit and passing about the whole terrestrial world. For the performance whereof, it was unnecessary for me to arrest myself at pleasures, but rather the most sweetly I could, to departed from my well-beloved Priscaraxe: wherefore one day being alone with her, after accustomed solace, I began this talk with her.  
My most dear Priscaraxe, there is no company how fair and good soever it be, but it must in the end finally departed, either by death or otherwise; but mortal departure is more grievous than any other, because it is without any hope of return: but voluntary departure is always consolatory amongst us that live, in hope they shall once again see and be united together. Wherefore the separation of us twain being once necessary, will we, or nill we, it seemeth to me, that it be better voluntarily made between us, being now living, in good health and in perfect amity; than to abide till we be constrained to departed by death in grief & sadness. And for that cause I have thought good to signify thus much unto you, that within these few days I must departed from your most loving company.  
At this word Priscaraxe touched to the heart like a savage beast wounded to the quick, cried out: O God who would have thought it? wherewith, she inclined herself upon my breast, her voice and spirit through anguish half cleaving a sunder, and after a long preclusion & gathering together of her spirits (which of sudden dolour were vanished away) she thus pursued her talk: who would have believed (alas) that from so noble nature, could have issued such inhumanity that after these pleasures by thee received thou wouldst have left her, who gins but now to feel them? O Franc-Gal! is this the franchise whereof thou bearest the name? For pleasure to render me grief, for honour dispraise, for graciousness ingratitude, and for love death? Alas my dear Lord and friend (if thou wilt permit me to use this name) consider and believe for certain, that by thee I am with child, yea & that of a marvelous Son, as the destinies of my original have pronounced. Consider then that a better part of thee, remaineth enclosed and conjoined with my body: which being not able to live without thee, must of force die; so shalt thou be a murderer both of me and partly of thyself. But I believe not (most dear Lord and friend) that thou hast so hard a heart: wherefore telme (I beseech thee) in truth whether these be thy words, or but dreamt by my fearful imagination, which would the Gods it were? And in saying this, she cast her arms about my neck in embracing, familiar kissing, & bedewing my face with the tears which she shed. Then albeit I was greatly compassioned, yet permanent and constant in mine intention, I said thus unto her; Priscaraxe my most dear friend, although my departure from thee be as sorrowful, as my conversation with thee pleasant; yet is it so that there is nothing more certain, than that within four days I shall departed from thee: for so it is necessary aswell for me, as for the rest of the world, to circuit which, & the things therein contained, I have an immutable desire, as also to accomplish a certain vow of pilgrimage that I have made to the sovereign temple, which I never saw, neither know where to find: but I have vowed, & it behoveth me to do it; neither will I cease traveling till I have found it. Why then (quoth she) lead me with you, & leave me not here desolate in danger of beasts, & men almost wild, more dangerous than savage beasts: who seeing me (imperfect of human nature, finishing in form of a Serpent, enemy to human kind) will kill or burn me as a monster, and with me the fruit which is come of your seed, in my womb, even your Son, as yet unperfectly form: of whom the vaticinations have promised so great things, that only might move me to accept perpetual company with you in your far voyages. My great friend Priscaraxe (quoth I) if I should condescend to your request, made by simplicity and ignorance of things, and that I should accord to your demand in leading you with me: truly, under colour of friendship and humanity, I should be a most cruel and unnatural enemy to you, & put you, your child and mine, to the hazard of cruel death. For how long the ways be, how intolerable the travels, how fearful the dangers, truly your tender age and weak kind can hardly guess: besides that, according to the form which you have, you are not able to travel without legs on the land, nor ride on my horse Hippopotame on the waters. For above all, his nature is that he carrieth no female kind, but he casteth and drowneth it and all the charge therewith: & so should you give annoyance to yourself, to me, & mine, and put us all in mortal peril. Wherefore it is necessary that you remain here in peace and sure rest, where before my departure I will cause you to have not only assurance of your honour and life, but also authority and reverence to your person. And esteem not yourself abandoned of me, seeing that of my proper blood (as you assure me) I leave you another Me, that is the child engendered by me in you; who shall (unless my augury deceive me) be valiant, hardy, and liverall; and therefore so soon as he is borne (if percase I be absent) cause him to be named Alector. For he is engendered under my Planet, and shallbe borne of the daughter of Phoebus in his plain flower, extract out of the serpent's egg, which is your body having the form of a Basilisq, that is to say Royal. And so shall be accomplished the dream which I phantasied when I found myself first embraced of you. Wherefore, leaving you a child of my body, you ought not to think me wholly separated from you. Besides that, be you assured, that so soon as I have achieved an end of my Peregrination, which shall be so soon as possibly I may) I will return again to you with great joy: and so I promise you by the faith of an honest man and of a true friend. And in sign of this faith promised, I give and leave you this ring of gold, empaled with a most fine flaming Carbuncle giving light in darkness: whose nature by composition and casting in work under this Syderation is such, that if I be prisoner or locked in any strait, it will become pale like the light of a rainy Sun; if I be sick, it will be heavy like lead; if I be dead, it will wholly lose the splendour, and become black like a dead coal: but if I be in liberty and in health, it will hold his vive colour shining as presently you see it. Of all which effects, the signification is written in these words, Tant, que viuray. Wherefore my most dearly beloved, I leave you, and give you this ring for assurance and gage of my faith, (as the Ring is a proper Symbol of love and faith) praying you in this confidence and sure hope of my return, for the love of me to keep, and often to behold it with curious inspection of my behaviour. And this said, I put the ring upon her finger, & kissed her, which she received both graciously and amiably, but with abundance of unfeigned & hearty tears: nevertheless somewhat consolated upon hope of my faithful promised return, she appeased and comforted herself.  
Now during the while that I tarried with her, I passed away my time principally in two things; the one was to get from the mountains, rocks, and caves, such dispersed and wandering men, women, & children, as for fear of the Cataclysme were fled for safeguard unto the high places: where they were become barbarous, and almost savage. Whom nevertheless by sweet language and some good deeds I drew unto me in the plain field, & caused them to taste the fruits of the earth, chief of grapes, which at that time were ripe (for it was about the time of Autumn) and ensigned him how to plant and dress the vineyards, to mollify them, and to draw the sweet liquor of wine from them, & thereof gave them to taste, which they found marvelous good and delicate: the like did I of other fruits of the earth, as of wheat and other seeds. For before they lived with acorns and flesh, like wild bores, wolves, & ravening beasts; yea some lived with man's flesh, and drank nothing but simple water, or else the milk of beasts, which already they knew well to feed in the pastures of the mountains. Likewise I taught them to cut and felwood, to square stones, to temper fat earth, and therewithal to build houses and villages along the water side for their dwellings, and sure defence of their persons and cattle, against the injury of rain, wind, and storms, and against the violence of savage beasts, and to assemble themselves by numbers in redoubtable defence against those fierce and savage creatures: exhorting them to civil and honest company, to mutual aid, and not one to outrage and harm another, to chastise and punish those who hurt one another by common accord, and for the executing of justice to constitute a wise Governor over them, to whom, all with one consent shall bear reverence as already they had done to me. All which things they willingly took and learned like men who are fellowlike creatures, and easy to be disciplined, and thus they assembled in great numbers round about my lodging along the fair River of Tanais, bearing honour and obedience to me.  
The other part of my pleasure and daily pastime was to tame many wild horses (which in that Region are excellent) and to exercise myself in hunting and shooting: whereby I slew great numbers of Bears, Bulls, Buffles, wild Boars, Hearts, Lions, Panthers, ravening Wolves, Pardalides, Mustells, paul cats and other beasts of most fair and soft skin, whereof there was great numbers, and caused them to be flayed, dressed and perfumed by two of my men, who could both do it very well, & ensign others. Of these fair skins I caused brave apparel to be made for my Lady Priscaraxe (who before was clothed only in linen) of so proper a fashion, that they set forth the fairest of her humanity outwardly, as the neck, the breast, and wrists: 
The first invention of trained gowns, & causes why.  but beneath her girdle they covered all the rest of her lower parts, with an ample stole hanging down to the ground before, and with a long train trailing on the ground behind, and covering her serpenticall tail: in such sort that those rude and simple people apperceived nothing, being given to understand that this long train behind the garment was a mark and token of feminine nobleness, which was measured according to the length of the tail; which opinion remained yet unto this day. These brave garments thus made of so fair and variable skins, and joined and laced together with rich buttons, costly chains, clasps of gold, and precious stones, gave to Prriscaraxe an admirable ornament of beauty, with increase of authority and opinion of nobility, covering her lower serpenticall parts so honestly, whereon she b●re and turned herself so cunningly and so easily, that she seemed to tread little inferior to a young and want on wench; and thereon would incline herself at pleasure in low reverence and humility to whom and where it appertained: and likewise to raise herself right of stature more high than the common sort, as it did become her, which got her great majesty and dignity, yea opinion of divinity. Having thus adorned her with habits & honour, I assembled all the people in a large meadow round about me (who degan already to be somewhat civil) and at the sound of certain musical instruments which my men had, many others descended from the mountains as yet half wild, ●nd joined themselves to the troop: and there being ●ounted upon a platform made of boards, and being set ●pon a bench with the fair and well orned Priscaraxe, after I had with my hand and mouth given them sign of silence, with a high and clear voice, I began this short O●ation.  
You have known by experience (my friends) how much your former savage life is amended and bettered in all goods and commodities, by the society and human agreement amongst yourselves in amity, peace, and justice: assuring you (that by how much the more you do use and exercise it) by so much shall you be from day to day increased with goods and felicity: and shall be are rule over savage beasts and cruel monsters, which heretofore have infested you, surmounting you in hardiness, force and legerity, and were to you very redoubtable. On the contrary side, if you pluck up, contrary, and outrage one another, you shall be made a proy to them, and your bodies their pasture, and meat for the black and ravening birds of the Heavens. For by accord little things become great, and through discord the great do lessen, perish and fall to nought. Wherefore above all things I admonish you to civil society, concord, faith truly holden, mutual amity, eviting of outrage, punishing of the offenders by equitable justice, the conseruatrix of your common wealth. Which cannot be better administered nor distributed than by one sole head & Prince to be obeyed and authorized of all. And therefore it is expedient to choose amongst you one of your Nation, a man of good understanding and natural judgement, well orned with corporal sense and members, good, sage, just, temperate, knowing all, and known of all: to whom you shall owe all honour, reverence, sovereign right and puissance, by homage and faith to him given. And therefore choose amongst you him whom you like best, and after he be informed of the office and duty of his principality, I will crow● him for your King. At this word, all began to cry with one voice, Franc-Gal soit nostre Roy, aultre Roy ne voulons con Franc-Gal: Let Franc-Gal be our King, we will have n● other King but franc-gal. The cry with the beckoning of my hand appeased, I answered them thus; That cannot be (my friends) for Franc-Gal is not of your Nation, but a stranger come hither by adventure: and know ye that strange Kings have seldom been good to the people of wh● they took not their original: beside, Franc-Gal can not resist the immutable ordinances of the ancient Lady Anange of the universal Tower, who hath destined him to visit other people and nations of the world: for he can be with you no longer than the day & hour present. Choose therefore among you the best, wisest, and the most upright which you think to be in the multitude, and present him to me mounted; whom after I have informed of his office, I will (with your consent) establish and crown him King.  
At this answer, the poor Tartarians remained sad and sorrowful: nevertheless they assembled themselves in 24. bands, and out of every band (after consultation) was sent one man to speak for all: so were there found 24. excellent men above all others, in person, speech, and spirit; who meeting together to communicate the will of the people, they were found all (a great marvel and sign of accord) of one advice, that is to say, to refer to me the election of their King, whom they would hold firm, stable, and inviolable: affirming and swearing thereto by the wind, & by their Acinac, which after their usage is as much to say, as By life and death. Having thus heard the relation & delation of these 24. I thanked them and the whole multitude for the good opinion they had of my judgement. Then rising on my feet with the fair Priscaraxe whom I held by the right hand to the sight of all the people, with a loud voice I began as followeth.  
Ye men of Scythia, seeing you refer to me the honour of this election, and have so instantly desired me being a stranger for your King; for both which I thank you: know that I will give you a King in seed extract from my blood, whom as yet never mortal man hath seen; together with a Queen of your country and generation: that is, this present young Lady Priscaraxe, of such form & beauty as you see. (At these words Priscaraxe inclined herself low bending her tail in sign of humble thanks, with right agreeable modesty: then with a sudden turn of her tail, she raised up herself in most high form, surmounting even the Giantlie height of Franc-Gal himself, which gave her great appearance of royal majesty). And to the end (quoth I) you esteem not her original nobility small: know that she is extract and borne of your land and country (which is not small, unless you esteem your native soil small) and she is engendered of Phoebus, whom you so much honour and worship: she hath likewise an illustrate spirit of understanding, and she is illuminated with a most clear prudence, and shall justly and wisely rule and govern you: her name is Priscaraxe, the signification whereof you may well understand what it importeth. And if you desire a man king, know ye that in her and within her body you have one engendered by me (whom you have so required) extract from the most ancient and illustrate blood of the Macrobians: who, in my judgement will not foreligne his father. And therefore so soon as he shall be borne, (if peradventure I be not returned hither again, as I hope I shall) I pray you and ordain that you call him Alector: and that you take and crown him with this Helmet to him destined. And therewithal I showed them a very little crest of a Helmet, decked with fair Rubies which was ordained for Alector: & forthwith I brought out a rich Crown of gold, wrought with flowers, and enriched with gems of all illustrate colours, in saying unto them; behold the royal Crown prepared by my will, and with good judgement for my Lady Priscaraxe here present, a most fair, wise, and noble woman, daughter to Phoebus, extract out of your land and country, and being now great with a man child engendered by franc-gal Macrobius: advise yourselves whether you will take her for your Queen or not? We accept her (answered all the multitude with one cry) we accept her and take Priscaraxe for our Queen and Sovereign Lady. Then lifted I up the Crown on high in the sight of them all, and so easily set it upon the comely head of the fair Priscaraxe, whose hairs were according to the Crown, saving that more naturally they were browned, cresped, and changeable: which being by her graciously received, she humbly abased herself by turning her tail, and after that arose up strait and higher than of custom in heroical restance with visage full of majestic; nevertheless amiable and gracious: over and above her natural beauty, she was attaint with a comely red shamefastness elevated by the fire of modesty, intermingled with joy, and and lightened above with the glittering splendour of gold, and the gems of the rich crown set upon her head: whereby her form appeared to the Assistants so fair, Empirelike, and almost divine, that every one as it were moved with one self spirit cried out, Vive la Royne, vine la Royne Priscaraxe: etc. God save the Queen, let Queen Priscaraxe live, & welcome be the fruit of her body, the future King Alector. Thus cried the whole multitude at the crowning of Priscaraxe so high, that the air, mountains, hills, dales, valleys, and floods ringed again with the resonant reclaim of Echo. The noise ceased, I addressed my speech again to them saying: Ye people of Tartary, seeing you have chosen and consented to the election of my Lady Priscaraxe, to be from henceforth your Queen, Princess, and sovereign Lady, and thereby have irrevocably transported in royal right, the supreme puissance of your persons and substance: come therefore now and do her faith and homage. Whereto all incontinently obeyed, and first of all the 24. chief men presented themselves on their knees, and gave their faith of homage and obedience in the white hand of the Queen Priscaraxe, giving others example to do the like; who refused it not, but willingly & with a good heart came to do homage to their new Queen: bringing with them in sign of honour, some boughs from the trees, some garlands of savage flowers, some branches of the vineyard, others wheaten ears, & bunches of green grass: which they strewed round about their fair Queen: insomuch that the whole platform was strewed, and the Queen all covered with wild saffron and other flowers of the meadow, which very graciously she received, and after the homages done, she arose in excellent straightness, and made them this oration no less short than sweet.  
Scythian Tartarians, sithence at your request the most noble Prince Franc-Gal hath constituted and crowned us Queen of this Region, of you the Inhabitants therein, and of all that which is in your substance, bodies & goods: like as you have called and taken us for your Queen, so do we receive you for faithful men and good subjects, promising you justice amongst yourselves, & defence against all your enemies, by the grace and wisdom given us from the Sovereign, by the commandment and counsel of my Lord Franc-Gal, and by the forces and aids of our members, that is of all of you in general, conditionally that you keep your plighted faith to us, which being the foundation of justice, entertaineth and increaseth the society & fellowship of men. At this conclusion every one bend their knees and heads in sign of reverence and obedience, and being risen, lift up up their heads and hands in sign of good will and readiness to do the commandment of their Queen, & sovereign Lady. Hereupon I caused to come before me and the Queen, the 24. chief men who were the fairest, strougest, most burliest, the best and assented and speached in the whole multitude, and who had the gifts & grace most abundantly: and demanded of them if they would not willingly employ their lives for the defence of their Country, Common wealth, royal justice, and of the faith & homage which they had promised to their Queen? whereunto all with one consent answered, that willingly they would. Then caused I them to give their faith bore headed, and kneeling in the hand of the Queen: which being received with oath of obedience, to sustain & defend her towards and against all: she gave to each of them a ring of gold in sign of the honour of Knighthood, which they received anon after, and about their necks I put a collar of gold, whereat a Sun of gold hung; saying unto them I do ennoble you, be ye noble men, you and your posterities for ever: conditionally that you commit no treason or felony against your Sovereign. Wherefrom they all answered that they would keep themselves, and thanked me humbly for their enoblishing, and of the honourable presents received of me and the Queen, vowing their bodies and lives for her and me. And all this was done upon the Pretoire of Gazons in open sight and regard of all the people, who from far beheld this mystery knowing not what it was, nor to what end, and marveled all thereat, finding it notwithstanding very fair, & hoped as much to be done and given to them: but the common and ancient Proverb saith, Not all, nor by all, nor to all; and therefore I commanded them to separate themselves in small companies by 9 and 9 and to place them in the meadow, and the 24, round about the Pretoire: which willingly they did, & disposed themselves by 9 and 9 in a company. Being thus ordeived, I sent to every fellowship a quarter of roasted venison, 3. loaves of bread, and a great wooden tankard full of wine, made with grapes, honey, and water: declaring to them, that it was the first liberality of the Queen towards them at her coronation, & inviting them to be merry and make good cheer: which they did, as also the 24. noble men which were about the Pretoire, to whom we likewise sent such meat as we were served withal. At the end of the banquet, I took my cup of gold full of wine, & after I had presented it unto the Queen, (who tasted first of it) I lift it up and gave sign and token that I drank to all in joy of my speedy departure: and they likewise on the other side by showing a sign of great joy, pledged me with gladsome acclamation. The cry ended, and the multitude appeased, I descended with the Queen, and caused 24. of the savage horses which I had tamed to be brought in, together with 24. morrions of iron, and as many corselets, made of the skins of wild bores and bulls, which I had taken in hunting, and caused to be dressed in an herb called Aaron's Ox, being an herb very strong, sharp, cutting, hardening and binding leather in a little season: likewise 24. shields made of Tillac, strengthened with the sinews of hearts and bulls; and 24. lances garnished at the end with leopards teeth in stead of iron: together with 24. swords whereof I always carried a good number with me, the which I put into the hands of the Queen Priscaraxe. These things made ready, I caused mine own men to ride the horses, to make them bend, turn, to give the carréere, to caper, to mount, to leap, and to fling, thereby giving example of discipline to the 24. strong men so to govern and handle them. Then caused I them there to be harnessed with the corselets, and the morrions upon their heads, and then to all and every of them I gave the Accolade, & made them Knights. The Queen girded their 24. swords about them and their shields, and I presented to either of them a lance and a horse, whereon easily they mounted without putting foot in the stirrup: for they were ridden naked, and handled easily enough for their first riding, together for that they were well tamed and accommodated. After that, for their first exercise and pastime, I caused them to just and tourney with my men: where, after they had encountered with their lances, they laid hands on their swords, which they never before had handled, & found them marvelous fair in their glistering splendour; being joyful to handle such weapons flaming like the Sun. Whereby they skirmished so courageously, that in the end the sport had turned into quarrel, had I not caused them to cease, and every one to take his arms again: exhorting them oftentimes to like exercises without strife, and to all the duties of knighthood, but specially to sustain & defend their Queen Priscaraxe: of whom (with a last kiss and straight embracement without power of speaking of one word to her, nor she to me, by means of the great sorrow of heart) I took my leave, and of the 24. knights, & of all the people. All which followed and accompanied me unto the port and haven, where my people (having trussed up all my baggage) were already gone to prepare my good and great horse Durat Hippopotame: whereupon being mounted with my company, he stretched out his long flat feet, and raised his wings in the high air: where having once received wind, presently he carried us from the land into the high seas beholding nevertheless the shore, where the Scythian men, and the 24. new knights, followed us with their sight so far as they could see us, together with the Queen Priscaraxe; whom I had left with a transpierced heart, whom I never since have seen, and am in doubt never to see more.   

The apparition and foresaying of Proteus, the return of the Queen Priscaraxe, her childbearing, & the double birth of Alector, his crowning, nourishing, and manners. CAP. XVI.  
HOw so (quoth the Archier) did thy Queen Priscaraxe die then? No, no, (quoth Franc-Gal) but (as I have since understood by a messenger and letters which she afterwards sent me) after she had followed me with her eye, until she had lost the sight of me, she remained with sorrow and auguish, cold, stiff, and as it were passed herself, planted upon the sea side like a statue of stone, till they might see the sea move and boil, and from the bottom rise out on the foaming water a great troop of Phocques or sea calves: and after them launched from the depth a great Seaman, old and ancient to look on, with long grey hairs, white beard, and monstaches; dropping with salt water, his skin yellow, rough and full of scales, his arms sinned with the fins of fishes, his body naked in humane form unto the navel, the residue finishing in a gross and great tail of a fish, wherewithal he beat the water, and made it bound up in sprinkling, and bedewing all his Phocques which he chased before him with a great wand made of a Whale's bone which he carried in his hand: who beholding Priscaraxe with his green and ugly eyes, foretold her these prophetical verses which I have here written in the bark of a tree. And therewithal Franc-Gal pulled out of his bosom, a roll of a white Phylire, wherein were written certain verses, which he read, and pronounced to the Archier in this sort. 
Like as the time, once being past, cannot return again;  
Even so the man which now departs (though it be to his pain)  
Unto this place, no more shall come. For why in country's strange  
The destinies appointed have, that he long time shall range.  
Wherefore thou Queen Priscaraxe now, no longer him attend:  
For once within eight turns of Moon; there shall of thee descend,  
A fair and noble bird; the which shall be of double birth:  
And at the last (as King) he shall be crowned with joy & mirth.  
Yea he a worthy Knight shall be, and of such valurerare,  
That even his looks shall cause the proud, & stronger sort to fear:  
By virtue of an inward spirit, that shall be him assigned  
Or rather (to descry the truth) descend to him by kind.  
Yet nathles thou shalt (of him) have little cause to joy:  
Yea short the time shall be, that thou with him shalt play or toy:  
For scarcely fledged, with wings yspread, his soaring flight shall take  
By cutting of the Air, and shall his proper nest forsake  
A loftier seat for to obtain. Wherefore when time shall come  
That he will needs from thee departed, do not withstand his doom:  
For if thou wouldst, thou canst not strive, against the will and mind  
Of the superiall powers, who have this lot to him assigned.  
But now (O Priscaraxe) henceforth (it shall with thee proceed:  
Leaving three Faons' in Gal his nest, extract of Peacock's seed)  
Thou shalt departed out of this soil, to seek with moestfull cheer  
The flagrant flower of withered tree, whom thou dost love so dear.  
And then not finding that thou seekest by long and lingering pain,  
The perfect shape of human kind, & new name shalt obtain:  
And with a worldly King (as Queen) thou shalt a while remain  
In bliss full joy, upon the coast of fruit full Aquitaine.  
And of thy seed shall come the first of all those worthy wights  
Which after to the house of Lux, shall give their shining lights.  
By twelve fair signs, so shalt thou live in perfect rest and peace  
Till at the length through curious care who will not seem to cease  
(Because thereof thou takest name) to cast her eye aside  
And that disclose, which thou hast sought, with all thy care to hide.  
And when those secrets thine shall be disclosed, in mournful wise  
Thou shalt departed that sappy soil, piercing the heavens with cries.  
Still losing more & more the form and figure of thy Sire  
And shalt unto thy Mother's shape thyself at once retire.  
Now therefore get thee to thy house, & see thou look not back,  
With careful eye keep thou thy child, that nought he seem to lack,  
And if thou wouldst learn his name, that doth these things descry:  
Know that it is old Protëus, which never yet made lie.  These divine verses pronounced (quoth Franc-Gal, continuing his purpose) the old man plunged himself to the bottom of the Sea with his troop of Sea calves, so that nothing remained to be seen but the troubled superficialitie of the water, and this paper of the bark of a white Phylire tree, swimming to the shore, which was taken up and kept, and afterwards sent to me written in such verses as thou hast heard.  
After than that this prophecy was pronounced and understood, the knights who were about the Queen, and had seen, heard, understood, and kept the prognostication of Protëus, ●ame towards her to comfort her, and lead her in, with all the people consolating her, and so two or those knights took her by the arms to comfort & lead her away. So they returned back, the Queen Priscaraxe sliding so easily upon her serpenticall tail (being hidden and covered under her long trained gown) that her going seemed divine, yea like the Gods (who go without moving feet or knees): the rather because she was so well appareled, richly decked, and crowned with this illustrate crown, that it made her to shine like the daughter of Phoebus. And when they were come to the Palace which I had caused to be begun, and well advanced, the Queen Priscaraxe (having sent away the multitude populare, who had followed her in admiration & reverence, & thanking them of their pains) retired into her lodging, and all the people into their houses and cabins. But the 24. knights made their habitation the honestest that they could, round about the Palace royal, to be always ready at the commandment of the Queen: who (for honour and for pledge of their fidelities towards her) took 12. young boys, and 12. young maids of the children of the 24. knights, of either of them one to her service, whom she caused to be clothed and decked with fair skins and precious jewels, which I had left her: governing and maintaining herself in such sort, that she was beloved and honoured of all. And the popular people of all their fruits, milk cattle, venisons, foul, fish, and to be brief of all that they got by proy or conquest, would give her the first presents, likewise did the Gentlemen knights, who above all things honoured and served her, and made her to be feared of her subjects, by their ordinary exercises of arms & chivalry, which they used every day before her Palace, continuing and increasing better and better. The Queen in the mean season became greater and greater, insomuch that at the end of eight months being one night a bed in her secret chamber all alone (as one who for her lower parts kept herself the most covert that might be, so as therwas none but two damsels only, the one called Piste, and the other Siope, that were privy to her serpent's form) the anguishs and pains of childbirth came upon her: where after long fluxions of great dolour, she brought forth a great lump in the figure of a long round egg, far exceeding in bigness the egg of an Ostrich; of substance, skinnie, white, clear, and shining like a transpiercing crystal, so as with in she might behold a most fair child swimming in clear water: whereof this massy lump was full, and the child wound and wrapped up, in the mid thereof. Which the mother seeing knew not what to do, either to break this lump to take out the naked child which she long desired, and whereunto motherly love solicited her, or else to leave it whole for fear of hurting the fruit within it, which mortal fear forbade her. Wherefore at length she concluded to let nature work: and for that cause she kept it always in natural heat near to her body and naked flesh, and in the most hot and covert places; in the night she put it in her bed, and in the day under her furs, until the end of nine days, that in holding it between the palms of her hands (which are of most temperate heat) and warming it with her breath, beholding still the enclosed: suddenly it began to unfold the members, stretching out the body, arms, and legs, and to turn round, in such sort that it broke the shell wherein it was enclosed, and so came forth into the hands of the mother, who received with great joy this child twice borne, crying in the infant's voice for the new sent of the air, at the voice whereof the two familiar damosels Piste and Siope came in, who took it and washed it with water and wine lukewarm: and being once washed, it appeared so fair as it was marvelous to behold, & so white as snow, with frizzled hairs as yellow as gold, the body great and strong as it were of the age of three years, straining itself, and incontinently going alone: and which is more, it began to laugh and play with the damosels, and so soon as it saw the Sun it lift up the head and eyes, in knowledge of his mother's Sire, and saluted it by and by with loud voice: but somewhat lisping in singing these words, I salute thee. Whereat the Queen and damsels began to laugh heartily, although they were very much abashed thereat: the rather for that he was borne booted with buskins of silvered scales and spurred with gilded spurs, in token that he should be a magnanimous knight. And it is very like, that for so much as he was borne with such arms, that nature (for not hurting the body of his mother) had provided this shelly vessel to emlose him withal. Who after he was cleansed, he was brought and rendered to his mother, who received him with great joy, and remembering the name which his father had ordained, called him after this manner; Alector fair child, the Sovereign increase in thee virtue, honour, liberality, hardiness, and prowess, for of beauty thou hast not failed: and therewithal she kissed him right tenderly. The Child as it were understanding her voice, began right graciously to smile, and by a sweet laughter began to acknowledge his mother, who caused to call and assemble the 24. knights, with a sufficient number of the common people, to whom she showed the fair child, declaring to them that it was conceived by Franc-Gal, whereof they were all glad; and accepted him for their King to come, and for that cause in their presence, put upon his head the vermilion crown which Franc-Gal had left for him, which becomed him the most properest that might be, and he planted it so naturally on his head, that it never after from thence departed. After this the Queen presented him her vermilion nib of her white dug, that he might suck, but he obstinately refused it; and when she would instantly have applied the end thereof to his mouth, he turned away his face, and began to cry aloud this Phrygian word Beco, beco, which is as much to say as bread, bread: then did they present him bread, which he eat together with roasted flesh, with a good appetite, and likewise both cheese and fruit; and dranck without difficulty both milk, and wine of honey. Wherefore from that day forwards, he was nourished with whole meats. wherewith he grew and fortified so great, membrous, and strong, that he grew three time so much as other children, in such sort that at siue years end he was as corpulent, puissant and right of his members, and as prudent and advised in his spirit, as though he had been fifteen years fully complete. And from that time, he began to tame horses, to run the hart, to hunt the wild boar, to break lances against the ground, to skirmish, wrestle, vault, leap, throw the bar and stone, to run the stade, swim in the water, to assault and climb high trees and walls; in such sort that of all the young squires of 20. years age there was not his match, although he had not full six; chiefly in hardiness of enterprise: nor more virtuous in franchise & liberality, especially towards the damosels of the Queen, and all other young and fair maids and women: towards whom he began already to be so inclined and given, that he could not be withdrawn their company; so addicted was he to present the humble service of his gentle person to young and fair damosels and other maids and women: yea and by reason of the entire familiarity which he had with his mother (being one of the fairest exeatures in the world) he assayed to return to the place, from whence he was issued. Which thing the Queen perceiving, and fearing lest his over hardy youth through ignorant simplicity should do some outrage to honour and nature, like a most wise woman, determined to rear him out of his nest, and to send him into some place where he might find me.   

Of the peregrination of Franc-Gal, through the world: of the news received from Priscaraxe, his letters and presents sent back to her, to Alector, and to the four and twenty Knights, and what issued thereof. CAP. XVII.  
NOw was I entered into the fift year of my peregrination: where, leaving Tartary situated in the great land of Jmans, I mounted on the Sea upon my great horse Durat Hippopotame in the harborles' gulf of Pont Euxin, and having passed the large Propon tied thereof, and entered into the Mediterran Seas by the straits of Hellespont & the arm of S. George, I visited (towards the East and South upon the coast of Asia Minor) Natholica, Phrygia, Pamphilia, Cilicia, Caramania, Suria, Egypt, and the seven mouths of Nilus, Lybia, and Barbary even to the Mount Atlas. And towards the North and West, I discovered La Maree de Peloponnesse, and after that passing the hill of Isthma I boarded the famous ports of the noble towns of renowned Greece, aswell in the seas of Negropont, as of Archipel: without leaving one Isle, neither Rhodes, Candy, Lango, Methelyn, nor Malto, nor the disperse Isles, where my Hippopotame aboorded not, and brought me where I might descend. Likewise in the firm lands of Macedonia, of the gulf of Larthe of Epidaure or Albany, and of the foot of the smoking Mountains. In which place my cierge of sight, life, and way, had like to have been extinguished, and I and all my people in peril and danger. For from these Acroceraunes and lightning mountains, arose a multitudes of wicked spirits aswell airy as watery, deing envious (as is credible) of the good advancement of humane kind, or rather of my over hardy experience in daring to attempt and prove their elements of water and air being unaccustomed to man; and beyond the course of his condition: which damageable devils with the wicked winds of Cecias and of Turbin, heaped together over me and round about me, gross clouds like great mountains, one linked in another, black, leaved, heavy, sulphurian, hot colds, and cool heats, beating and striking the one against the other in fearful break, whereby and whereout abundant and often fire flashes, & coruscations proceeded, horrible thunders abounded, redoubtable lightnings issued, and most hard and penetrable stones fell, together with wrestling winds and sounding tempests. By and through all which perilous moliments these wicked Cacodemones envious of the prosperity of man, so stirred & unquieted the waves of the seas, that sometimes they were elevated above the clouds, and of a sudden again into the very bottoms, fight and breaking their waves, and seeking above all to thrust my horse Durat Hippopotame against the craggy rocks & stony cliffs, or else to burn him with their hot and ardent lightnings which 2. things were the chiefest & greatest to be feared. But he holp himself so well, with his flat feet and with his strong and puissant tail, ruling the torment of the waves that he saved both himself and us, who were trembling with fear of the present death hanging over our heads. And albeit these tempestuous spirits did so charge him with all their force that they made him to abate & strike his wings, and so tormented, heated, and altered him, that he was constrained to drink, whereby he became (according to his nature as hath been said) more dangerous, furious, untractable, and perilous, insomuch that what with force of sudden leapings, rude flinging, prompt windings, & often rise, he had almost drowned us in the Ambracian gulf. But I kept him so varrowly, held his bridle so closely, & his cruper so highly, that I made him rise up & spring out into the plain seas. And then came to my memory the ancient lady Anange who by vive imagination advised me to bear up the cierge given me by Cleronome, & lightened by zodore. The which having reared on high, & ventiled to make it burn more high and clear I might behold two celestial lights, proceeding from the highest, to come & join with my light: by virtue of that which together with mine endeavour, knowledge, & strength all this wicked & wandering spirits, airy and watery, all adverse and traverse winds, floats, waves, hoysting, sinkings, thunders, lightnings tempests & all other torments departed at an instant, & returned to the tops of those Acrocerean mountains, whereas yet they rage, & devilishly lighten: whereby they are called of navigators the hills of devils. These wicked spirits retired into their Acroceranicall castles, the Sea in the space of two hours being settled, became so tranquil, calm, quiet and equal, that it seemed nothing but a field of glass; saving that on the top thereof floated the nests of some Sea birds, builded closed, and interlaced with vigne twigs and ears of corn, by such natural architecture, that with pain could a man break them with the blows of a hatchet, & of such fair and artificial building that no basketmaker or topiarie workman could fashion the like. And this was in the time of the Brume about the 14. of December and wintry Solstice when the Sun entereth the Tropic of Capricorn; whereby I knew that the birds swimming in those fair nests were called Halcyones, who in this time do build, cover, and hatch their young: to which birds, nature hath granted thus much grace and privilege, that for the space of 14. days, the waters and winds seem to obey them, and in this time (which is the sorest part of winter) to appease their rigour, and to moderate themselves, in such peaceable tranquillity, that the air and Seas are in rest, and perigrinations sure, which I think to be done by a secret favour of nature to this little bird; whereat I was much ameruailed, & could not find the cause for what utility either of the world, or of this creature: the most wise Lady dame Nature was so favourable to these little birds, as in this perverse time to give them the tranquillity, which she refuseth to afford unto men; which to my thinking is unworthily done. Wherefore elevating my cierge higher to consider the cause more metaphysicallie, I supposed the cause of this tranquillity, to be the return of the Son (who is the most illustrate Lord, and ruler of the inferior things) into the Tropic of Capricorn. But as I was resolving on this point, behold a voice which seemed to issue out of the mouth of my horse, saying: 
'tis not as thou dost think, Franc-Gal, this calm & quiet space  
Of wind and seas, ordained is in figure, sign and grace  
Of one, I mean the child of peace, the high & Sovereign's son  
Who in the time of quiet rest into this world must come.  
To bring to them th'eternal peace, that will receive the same  
With joy; or else refuse it to their own confused shame:  
Ne yet is this tranquillity in favour or respect  
Of this small bird, who by foresight this calm doth not neglect  
To close & hatch her tender young, when stormy winds do cease,  
To show that wealth doth most abound in time of rest & peace,  
Inquire therefore no higher cause, ne make no more a do:  
But keep thy course, and take the time while time doth serve thereto.  And hereupon the voice ceased, which seemed to proceed out of the throat of my horse: whereat I was sore abashed and astonished, and for that cause I demanded and said, how cometh it to pass Durat, and when and where hast thou learned to speak and prophecy? But he answering me not one word, turned his head toward the West, and took his direct course with enlarged feet, and wings hoisted up, so that within a while I arrived at the ports of Dalmace and Sclavonia in Illyrica, and so passing through the unsatiable throats of Scylla and Charybdis alongst the coast of Messina and Rliegium, I discovered the Isles of Sicilia, Sardinia, Corsica, & all the coast of Apulia, Calabria, Naples, Italy, and entered into the arm of furious Adriatieum; where at that time the rich town without land was unfounded: 
Venice.  and so passed by the coast of Lygorne, and overtook the ports de la Luna, passed by the happy Gaul Narbonnoys, and from them coasted the occident sea Hispaignia unto the pillars of the high mountain Calipe and Abyle, where the great Oeean Sea maketh way to pass into the Mediterrane Sea, and separateth itself into the great Asia, the rich Aphricque and the populous Europa. And in all the places where my Hyppopotame took land, there let I him repose certain days: and in the mean while, upon other terrestial horses, or on foot (as thou seest me now, if the way were not long) I traversed the countries and Mediterrane Regions, visited the towns & people to learn & know their languages, laws, manners, and fashions of living commending them if they had wealth, and helping them if they had less, according to the wisdom which the sovereign had given unto me. In recompense whereof I returned from them loaden with honours, graces, riches, presents, substance, and victuals; wherewith I charged my good horse Durat for the provision of my voyage.  
Now as I was reposing myself, one day arrived a messenger come towards me on the behalf of the Queen Priscaraxe, who had followed, and sought me by sea and land continually and all places, demanding Franc-Gal the great old knight upon the flying and swimming horse, of whom he had heard news in all places by evident tokens, yet nevertheless he had erred & wandered by sea two whole years before he could meet me: vatil such time as I arresting at Cales he had means to find me, where he presented me letters of credit sent by the Queen Priscaraxe containing partly that which before I have reckoned to thee, without forgetting the fair child Alector who was twice borne, the manner how, & his sudden growth: but above all things she sent me word, how that ordinarily beholding every day and hour, the ring which I had left with her, wherein was set the changeable Carbuncle, oftentimes she had found it somewhat changed, one while being pale, another while dark, another while clear & shining: but that in the 4. year of my departure the 14. of the month of December (which was the day wherein I was tormented in the gulf of the Diabolical mountains) in beholding my ring, she perceived it very pale, ashy, & almost extinct of all the light. And thereupon she had dispatched this messenger to go seek me through all seas & lands, & to inquire of my health, well doing, & fortunes; and to reckon to me hers, such as had happened to her since my departure, requiring me right affectuously to return shortly. And for that she willed me to give faith and credit to the words of the bearer, very curiously I asked him of such things, as had happened since my departure: whereto he answered me very assuredly, beginning at the apparition of Protëus the old man of the sea, of his prophecy written in the bark of a tree, which he delivered me, and is that which thou hast seen, (O Archier) understood and read. Then rehearsed he me the exercises of the knights, the honours, duties and presents done to the Queen: her childbirth, the double nativity of Alector, his coronation, nurture, manners & exercises, and his sudden advancement & growing. Whereof I had such joy at the heart, that I could conceive no greater. Finally he recounted to me from point to point all things in manner & form, as I have made the narration: thus having heard all, I caused him to rest himself, & made him good cheer for certain days. And the whiles I writ an answer to my most well-beloved Priscaraxe, willing her to maintain herself always in royal authority and majestic, with sure and joyful hope of my return, if death, sickness or prison did not let me: marry it was first requisite for me (by force of my destinies) to circuit and compass the roundness of land and sea, until such time as by continual going forwards, I was returned to the place where from I departed, which could not be done so shortly, praying her the while to entertain herself with her knights and people, in peace and justice, in virtue and honour, nourishing and bringing up her son Alector well and nodly, causing him diligently do exercise all honest and virtuous actions meet & worthy for a young prince, which should be the greatest pleasure that I could of her either look for or receive. The letter after this tenor closed & sealed, I writ another shorter to the 24. Knights in general, willing and commanding them inviolately to keep their faith and obedience promised & sworn to their Queen Priscaraxe, to aid & assist her in the maintenance of Peace & justice, & honourably to keep the noble estate of Chevasry & exercise of arms. And for the better maintenance thereof, I sent than in a little bark for that cause expresty made & apparresled; 24. stéeled & acomplet armours of double metal, & so many triangled & guilded shields azured & painted with divers colours and figures of armoury with proper ●…uises, & as many strong lances of Sapin headed with iron: and therewithal 24. pair of spurs, the usage whereof they had not as yet experimented albeit they had seen a certain form of spurs borne with Alector. As for the Queen Priscaraxe I sent her a double collar of gross round pearls, & so Alector a right fair sword of fine Chalybian azure (forged by the Chalybes, people in Hispania being singular workmen in iron and steel) damasked: the guard and hilts being of hard steel wrought with wreathed serpents by a most subtle linking amelled and guilded upon the scale, their eyes being of little clear sapphires the poygne being of of Lycorne & the pommel of massy gold wrought with the head of a lion, the two eyes being two rubies, & hears of the fringe of fine gold wreathed & hanging down: & the top of the pommel was fastened with a gross diamond: the scabbard was covered with the skin of an Adder, the fairest and best remarked that a man might possibly fee; all traced naturally with lines of gold, or at least seeming to be guilt, so blue as Azure, so red as blood, green like the emerald, violet in flower, and white like the colour of ivory: and between the lines in the black spot, it was mailed with lesser scales like silver: whereby it appeared by-day so fair and rich, that no work of silver and gold might compare to this natural orfavorie: and that which is more, by night it was so clear as a lamp rendering light and splendour sufficient to see seven paces round about it: for such was the natural propriety of the Adder as I perceived one night, when to take my rest I was gone aland on the coast of Barbary, where by the proper clearness and nightly splendour thereof, I discovered this kind of serpent. Wherewithal being after my first sleep awakened, and marveling to see in the sand such a strange removing lightning, I drew near it, and beholding it to be a kind of serpent; I set my foot on her head and slew it: neneverthesesse for all it was slain, yet did not the skin thereof lose the splendour, but remained shining, albeit not altogether so lively and far off shining, as it did being alive: yet was it of natural substance so clear and shining that all the circumstances of the place by two great faddomes were lightened and easy to be seen. Wherefore having reposed there all the night, in the morning I beheld the Adder so shining by night, and seeing the skin thereof so fair, so variable, speckled, barred, and mailed with gold, silver, azure, purple, sindal, and all other fair colours, I caused it to be fleane, cleansed & tanned in the bark of Cassia and cinnamon, and afterwards made thereof a scabbard for the good and rich sword which I sent to my Son Alector, with the other presents: which being laid in chests of Sapin, I caused them to be put in a little bark well victualled and furnished with Mariners, & other things thereto necessary. So giving to the messenger a rich Cassock of crimson velvet buttoned with gold, a doublet of yellow watery silk chamblet, and a hat of Albany covered with clear blue silk velvet, broidered and barred with circles in snares of love, and knit strings of thread of gold, with a fair bow of Bubalins horn, and a quiver of a Tayzons skin full of arrows, feathered with ravens feathers, I licenced him to departed, and sent the letters & verbal answer by him, with commandment to declare that which he had seen of mine estate. So departed he and went his way, and sailed without any hard encounter, torment, or ill adventure, till he arrined in Scythia; where he having taken land, mounted up into the palace of the Queen Priscaraxe: to whom (as I have understood since by my Son Alectors arrival with me) he presented my letters, presents, and gifts sent to her, to Alector, and to the 24. Knights, who were assembled in the queens chamber to hear news of Franc-Gal (which is I myself) whom they hold for their Sovereign. The letters understood, they accorded very gladly thereunto, and received the presents most agreeably: specially Alector who could not fill himself with pulling out, beholding and shaking his excellent fair sword. The messenger being in the order that I had appareled him in, and ready in the audience of all the assistance, recited all that he had seen and understood of me, with the great honours and praises of my virtues, prowess, worthy revengances, meritorious liberalities, justice, & good ensignements, which he heard reported of me through all the places where I had passed, and where he had followed me: whereof they were all most glad, specially my Lady Priscaraxe, who, with a sweet remembrance mixed with sorrow and joy, could not abstain from weeper; ing incessantly before all the knights; who after the message declared, comforted and consolated her: and she the more to increase her joy, put the rich double collar of Margarites (which I had sent her) about her neck, and invited the 24. Knights to supper, who departing from thence, went to arm themselves in the new harnesses which I had sent them, and to put on their spurs which they never before had used, and mounting on horsuark went to Just and prove their new armours, which marvelously pleased them, aswell for the brightness of the burnished iron flaming like the son, as also for the sound and clattering of the harness, and for the beauty of the helmets and shields painted and guilded. But if there were no man to whom these habiliments of such hard and impenetrable iron, and of such refulgent splendour, seemed brave: yet was Alector clean ravished with admiration, in such sort that forgetting all wantonness and love, he desired nothing more, than to be made Knight, to the end he might wear such warlike habits, and see himself once armed and mounted on horseback, garnished with shield and spear, as for a sword he could have no fairer nor better, than that which I had sent him. In these thoughts and desires Alector beheld the Knights, being all armed in white, and to prove their spurs began to prick their horses, who (being not long before savage, never accustomed to be tickled in that order) began to run with the bridle between their teeth, to fling, and leap so rudely that a man could see nothing in the Meadow but Knights abated to the earth and unbridled horses running through the field. Notwithstanding they mounted again, and pricking their horses more moderately, accustomed them by little and little to the spur and bridle. So jousted they certain hours, and fought with swords, hatchers of arms and clubs, having most great pleasure to hear their hard armour so to sound, and to give one another such great blows without hurt. Thus justing and fight a space for their exercises, every one went to disarrue himself, and afterwards came all to supper into the palate where the Queen made them right good and joyful cheer. And after much talk at supper held of me, of my liveralitie towards them, and of the beauty and bounty of the arms wherewithal I had garnished them, in whose brighenes they beheld their valour, as Ladies do their beauties in Crystal glasses: upon sure confidence therein, they enterprised and expedition to go make War upon the monstruous and fierce beasts keeping their Caves in the Mount Imaus, who from day to day issuing out of their hollow rocks spoiled their cattle, and destroyed their flocks: and from thence to pass the foresaid mount of Imaus to fight with the Giants of India: who oftentimes accustomed to enter upon their marshes, and to ravish their fair wives and children. And upon this concluded deliberation (which afterwards was accomplished) every one retired himself to rest. But Alector who had gotten the flea in his ear, with the desire which he had to be made Knight, and to bear fair white harness, could not sleep: for, the gneying of horses, the bruit of armour, the clattering and bruising of lances, and the blows and strokes of swords, which he thought always to hear, awakened him uncessantly; neither did he ought but study whether he might departed before day without taking leave of his mother to go seek out Franc-Gal his Father, whose renown pricked him forward more than any other thing: but consioering on the other side that it should be villainy and dishonour to himself, and grief to the Queen his careful Mother: motherly pity and natural honesty willed him to demand licence of her, which he hoped (his intent considered) should not be devied him: and upon this resolution he slept till the morning; which being come he speedily arose and apparelled himself, and so came against the rising of the Queen to give her the Boniour, and in humble reverence presenting himself to her on his knees, he began his pretended suit in this manner.  
" Madam, the birds of Heaven holding of the elementary pureness of the air, and resenting in part somewhat of the celestial divinity; following nature the surest guide (as by experience I have seen) do cover and nourish in their nests their young ones during the time that they be small, naked, unfethered, and not able fly: but when they be great, puissant and able to defend and save themselves from other birds of prey, and that they be once fledge and feathered sufficiently to bear and elevate their bodies in the air then do they disnest them; and after they have taught them to sly about their nest, they lead them every day further and further, & finally at length let them fly without way or trace, through the empty seeming field of the air at their voluntary pleasure, and freely abandon them with as little thought by assurance of their greatness, as before they had care and affection of their smallness by reason of their infirmity: and so send them at adventure, albeit they see the immensall space in the air of a 1000 ways, unmarked, and without sign or token as the earth is, and never hope either their return, revision, or reknowledge. Yea and when as yet they would not leave their nests, but live idly therein like Cokoes, their parents beat them with their wings, gripe them with their claws, and nib them with their bills until such time as they have chased them by force out of their nests; wherein no bird of good fught ought or will remain after it be flegde, & sufficiciently feathered to rise in the air: this I have spoken Madam; and to advance myself further to speak in your honourable presence, youthful shame, motherly reverence, and childish fear do defend me: but I know your wisdom to be so great, that you understand well enough whereto my speeches do tend." Then the Queen Priscaraxe, who by an occult and ingenious prudence given her by Phoebus her Sire, knew what he would have said, by the only opening of his mouth: and who was not ignorant, that by this gentle figure of the bird, her dear Son Alector demanded of her privy leave to go search strange adventures, and Franc-Gal his Father: could not abstain from shedding forth gross ceares in hearkening too, and beholding her Son speaking on his knees before her, under such humble and figuratrue speech of the bird, not daring openly to discover the request of his desire, which sufficiently he declared under the image of the birds: which brought the Queen in memory of a dream which she had the night before, wherein it seemed to her, that her little sparrow which in delices she had nourished so tame that it would fly round about the house reasonable far off, but so soon as she called it, it would at her call return and come to her fist: and in her sleep she had seen it suddenly to become a right fair and great bird of brave and divers plumage, with a face of horn, a beard of flesh, neck and legs like to a Griphon, breasted like a Lion, and sighted like to an Eagle, which departed from her further and further, and would not return, for all the calling she could make: but flew so far and so high that she lost altogether the sight thereof. Moreover there appeared to her in vision, that she lost three other in a cage to go seek this: and through great desire to follow it, two great and large wings were given her, wherewithal being carried into divers places to seek her sparrow, she could not find it: but in the end she rested and reposed herself upon the high tower of a strong castle, where her wings fell of, and her serpent's tail turned into humane legs and feet: and thereupon waking the vision vanished away: whereof well understanding the signification and fore thinking of that which would follow, nevertheless knowing that the assign of the celestial ordinances must be fulfilled, together fearing lest the unbridled wantonness of Alectors youth, and the over familiar conversation of the great Son with the young mother without husband, might breed either criminal incest or defamed suspicion, she resolved herself (as before she had determined) not to hinder his departure, but rather honestly to licence him to go, under good occasion of sending him towards his father. Wherefore taking him by the hand & making him arise, she said thus unto him: " Alector my fair Son, my dear Son Alector: if I shed tears be thou not abashed: for having passed short time with joy in the company of my Lord Franc-Gal thy father, I somewhat consolated myself to have such a pawn of him and his promised return, as is thy person engendered of his blood. But now seeing thou art inclined to abandon me and follow him, and that by celestial destiny it must needs be so, feeling myself at this instant as it were bereaved both of husband and Son the two dearest persons to me in this world, no marvel it is though I be sad, for the anguishs of perpetual want do already environ my soul; my heart telleth me, and my dreams presage me that I shall never see either of you both again. Notwithstanding sith I am not ignorant that childishness and puerility being over past, and youth entering it is neither honest nor expedient for a young man which is extract and come of a noble race to remain unglorious specially under his mother's wing, but rather follow the virtuous steps of the father, if so he be (as is Franc-Gal thy Lord and Sire) and with hardiness of the execution of his enterprises to search the immortal honour by happy pursuits of great fortunes and strange adventures, whereto the supernal powers do call and conduct him: whereto then being eternally ordained, as I cannot so will I not resist it. Wherefore my fair Son Alector, my dear Son Alector from henceforth I give thee licence (albeit to my great sorrow and heart grief) and liberty to departed to morrow morning without letting me know or understand thereof, for mine eyes and heart will not serve to feel and see it. On this condition that (having found by seeking through the world, thy Father Franc-Gal whose renown will ensign thee where to find him) thou take the order of Knighthood of him, for of a more wise, valiant and virtuous man thou canst not receive it. And the soonest that is possible for thee, to lead and bring him towards me and thyself with him, for so shalt thou promise me:" In this speaking she put forth her hand, and Alector kissing it (with his own first) covered it with great reverence, promising and swearing by his faith, to do the Queen's commandment to the uttermost of his power. This done, said, promised, and permitted Priscaraxe gave to her dear Son two fair shirts as white as snow, as sweet as balm, a fair vermilion hat of purple leather chequered, a fair coat to ride in (made with the needle) of divers coloured silks, wrought with embrothered feathers naturally painted like the Oriental birds, with great large and hanging sleeves, and a fair jacket above that, wrought and friaged with golden thread waved, all which was made and woven with her own proper hands; and taking from her neck a most precious and rich chain of gold, put it about the neck of her Son Alector to show that he was come of noble blood, and so most tenderly and piteously kissing him she bade him, adieu; for she had no more power to speak to him, but retired into her secret chamber that she might weep her fill, and by force of tears let out the anguishs and sorrows which oppressed her heart. Alector on the other side moved and naturally compassioned with the dolor of his Mother, yet nevertheless right glad for having obtained leave, returned to his chamber which was within the queens Palace, and preparing all his trinkets, caused the fairest and strongest horse that he could choose to be made ready, trussed up a little male, & after he had rested and slept certain hours in the night he arose before day, and appareled him in all that which the Queen had given him, and so mounted on horseback, and departed all alone, without speaking or bidding farewell to any person, taking his way by land (for the Sea was as yet to him unknown) upon his left hand towards the East, leaving Europa on his right hand, choosing Asia and entered into Suria, passed the river of Euphrates to go into Persia and the Indeses, where he encountered with such adventures as he afterwards told me, and as thou shalt hereafter understand.   

The process of the peregrination of Franc-Gal through the World, with the discovery of the Seas, Isles and land. CAP. XVIII.  
WHiles these things were this a doing in the interior Scythia, after I had sent back the messenger which found me in Calis, I mounted on my good horse Durat Hippopotame, upon whom (leving Hispania and Mauritania which I had suffciently visiired) I entered and passed boldly the strait of juberaltar or of Hisphal & came into the great Ocean Sea which doth contain in his compass the whole earth. Then taking my way on the right hand towards the North, riding over the great fishes & Britanicall whales, I coasted the rivages of the exterior Spain, of Portugal, of the Ocean Gauls, of the great Isle of Albion, called great Britain of England, Scotland, Iwerne, Ireland, the Islands of Orcades, and the utermost Thule. From thence returning on the right hand towards the West, I went to see the lands of Corterar, of Terra Florida, the country of Chamaho Temistitan, Beraigne and Peru, abounding in gold and precious stones; Cuba, the lands of the black Moors where the birds be green, the trees red: the Isles of the Giants, and the country of the cruel Cannibals devourers of men, without forgetting the Isles lying in that Occidentiall Sea, as the fortunate Isles; the Isles of Canary and Madera: Zipangre and the 7448. Isles of the Occidental Archipelagus. Then takin my return by the Meridional, and passing under the Tropic of Cancer through the Hesperian gulf, I coasted all the interior Libya, and entered into the far of Magatian, and into the peaceable Seas without torment, and so went to view the happy land of Calensuan. From thence I returned by the coast of Africa towards the South, and passing under the Equinoctial, I came to coast the high & low Aethiopia, the Nigrites, the Realm of Gambre and Senegue unto Capa de bona esperanza, and so to the Troglodytes habiting under the earth. From thence coasting Arabia and the lands nigh the red sea I passed alongst the Realms of Goa, Canover, and calicut, and so visited the great noble & rich Isle of Taprobane, Perne, the Isles of Malucques, and the two javes: and having compassed the black Realms of Quiola, Melinde, Scilam, and Habest, I vizited Zaphal the Isle of the golden mines, and came to the Realm of Quinsag, and so entered into the Barbarian Sea, and from thence into the Indian seas. I passed the Realm of Cathay, and entered into the high India, and took land at Tangut to repose myself a while, hoping anon after to traverse the region of Bator and to come into Tartary, and so having made the whole Tonrne of the lands, seas, and Isles, to render myself again to my most well-beloved Priscaraxe. And know (O Archier) that over and about all these marinall journeys, in every country and Region where I landed, I traversed the firm lands most commonly on other earthly horses, to know the diversity of the towns, countries, and manners of men: reforming them if they were barbarous, and bringing them to civility if they were savage and cruel, ensigning them Religion of honour to their Soucraigne, Virtue, Faith, justice, Temperance and Marriage. Likewise teaching them to know the good fruits, plants, trees, roots, herbs, grains, and metcalls which they had in their regions and knew not: ensigning them also hushandry, and to till their grounds, vineyards, and gardens, with the workinanship & making of garments and houses: and by force of arms chastening the wicked and obstinate, doing violence and outrage to other men: likewise purging the country of monsters, of evil & dangerous beasts: and doing infinite other acts of virtues which should be over long to reckon, and loathsome to thee to hear, and to myself less honourable to declare my praises by mine own mouth. But thus it fell out, that by these my merits and good deeds, I got the favour, love, and good will of all the Princes & people of the world: receiving of them innumerable riches, presents, & precious gifts, of all the best and excellentest things which were in their countries and Region, but above all I got to myself an eternal good renown: whereby being known, reclaimed, & beloved through the world, my Son Alector searching me, could not fail to understand news of me every where: inquiring always for the great old Knight upon the swimming and flying horse: who finally came and found me at Tangut, having traversed other terrestrial, ways, than I had passed, before I came into the Scythian Region where I engendered him upon Priscaraxe, as I have recited to thee before.   

The Voyage of Alector seeking his Father, the news which he had of him after he had been ravished at the River of Tiger, where he slew the ravening Wolves. Of the taking of the shield at the Trophy, of his fall, and of the invisible laugher. CAP. XIX.  
WHiles I was in my far travels, Alector was on the other side traversing the regions of Asia Minor, the great Mountain of Tor, the floods of Tiger and Euphrates: but in passing the Tiger being a ravishing flood, and impetuous like an arrow (whereof it beareth the name) his horse, for all his strength and force he had, was nevertheless ravished by the running stream of the water, which he could not withstand, and was carried into Armenia to the foot of a mountain, where he took land: and after he had shaken his ears, main, tail, and whole body to cast of the water, he began to neigh aloud. At this neighing two ravening Wolves deseended from the mountains seeking their prey upon the neighing beast, and with wide and open throat, threatened nothing but to devour him, howling most horribly. The horse naturally knowing his enemies, began to snort and fling furiously, in such sort that he struck one of the wolves which would have fastened on him behind & have lopen upon his croup, whiles the other assailed him before. But the gentle horse, seeing the one, and feeling the other, gave such a fling with his two heels against his breast, so rudely, that he sent him stre foot back to the earth, amazed, with his sides bruised. And with that rude fling it behoved Alector to fall to the ground: who fearing more his horse than his own person, arose spéedilis with his good sword naked in his hand, and presented himself before the great ravening wolf, who perceiving him, left the horse, and flew upon Alector, throwing one of his paws upon his head, thinking to have struck him down, and after to have strangled him with fair teeth: but he found the green hat of leather hard and strong, which defended him from hurting his head, and yet for all that he plucked it of and left him bare head. Alector in the mean while slept not, but with his good sword gave such a stroke upon the care of the beast, that he struck it off with part of the head, and the stroke falling upon his shoulder, cut off his foot & right leg. Where with all the beast being enraged, began hideously to howl, and so as Alector (thinking that he had slain the beast) slooped down to take up his hat to cover his head, the ravening Wolf through mortal rage caught him by the arm which he had naked, with his sharp teeth, so straightly, that with the pain he felt, almost his heart had failed him: but his noble hardiness caused him to take courage, whereby he gave such a thrust with his sword into the body and heart of the beast, that with the issuing of the blood his life departed, and force failed: his teeth notwithstanding remaining in Alectors arm, through mortal conunision so faslned, that he could not recover it from the dead beast, having but one hand wherewith to help himself. His horse on the other part had so trampled the other Wolf with his forefeet, so beaten him with his hinder heels, and so pressed his neck with fair teeth, that he had made an end of killing him, the Wolf lying dead stretched out upon the earth, and the horse afterwards snorting and neighing. At the noise whereof issued a fisherman out of his house which was thereby; because he got his living with catching of fish upon the river, with nets, hooks, and a little boat. This good fisherman seeing these two ravening Wolves dead, was marvelously astonished at the valour which he saw to be in so young a person, and sore compassioned of the evil which he saw him suffer. Wherefore he approached near him with salutation and gentle speech, and by force of his hands, and strokes of a beetle upon the jaws of the Wolf, and with a knife which he had abouthin, he opened the teeth of the Wolf, and delivered the arm of Alector, who seeing his victory at the first combat with his sword which he had ever made, through great joy he began to sing aloud & clear in the Scythicq language, Cokolostis, which is to say, Victorious. And thereupon the Fisherman led him to his cottage and washed his wounds in warm wine and Miske with sage: applying thereto leaves of the herb Peoesne, with the skin cut from the Wolves foot, which he flayed off whiles it was hot, wherewith he covered his arm so just, as though it had been a sleeve made expressy for it. In the mean while an old wife which he had, put some fish into the pot to boil, and other some upon the gridion to roast: then spread she on the ground a large Heart's skin cut round, and set thereon Barley Bread reasonable white, baked upon a tile, with dried Raisins and Apples, with Wine made of honey and water, enuiting simply their Guest to eat and drink; whereto he accorded most willingly as one that had need thereof. Whereupon they sat down with their legs a cross about this fair table cloth without seam, where the old wift served them with boiled and roasted fish, and with store of fruit. So they eat and drank at their ease, devising of the adveuture, and how the impetuous flood had carried him, unknowing in what country he was. The Fisherman told him that he was at the foot of the mountains of Armenia. Then Alector demanded of him, if he knew no news of me, giving him tokens of my swimming and flying horse. The Fisherman told him, that above two years passed he had seen mounting against the river such a great and huge horse, carrying divers persons and other things, but amongst the rest, a strong, great, and fair parsonage armed with the skins of Lions upon a white harness, carrying a great shield with a Sun of gold in a fleld of Azure: and afterwards that he had understood, how this great man had discomfited and overthrown a great company of thieves which rob and spoiled the whole Region: for which cause the country had done him great honour. As touching the fact, he spoke troth, for in my voyage by Sea, coasting the rivages: all the mouths of the Rivers which I found, I was accustomed to enter them, to see and know the Towns and Countries lying there about in the continent: whereby it happened that passing the Persian gulf alongst Arabia, and viewing the mouths of this fair River Tiger falling into the Sea, I entered into the same, and so mounted against the streams. And by fortune apperceiving a Caravanne of Arabian thieves and robbers, who under the conduct of a puissant and valtant (but a wicked) Knight, enfested the whole Country. In so much that having understood the popular complaints, I landed with my men (whereto those thieves had likewise feignedly invited us, to rob and spoil us) and so set upon this Cavaille & evil harnessed company with such hardiness and exploit, that of a great number of them, there remained but five, who saved themselves by flight, and we pursued them to Mount Caucasus, where we overthrew them all, together with the great Knight, who bearing a shield with a Cock of gold, defended himself so long as he could, and yet nevertheless would never render himself. Wherefore with a great stroke of my sword, I clove his head in twain, and then hung I up their arms & the shield above them all, upon an old tree which was in that place in the form of a Trophy: & caused the valiant Knight to be buried at the foot thereof, who through obstination to my great grief had caused himself to he slain. And so for that time we purged the country. This done, one night I returned into the Persian sea by the other mouth of Tiger (for it emptied itself into the sea by two mouths, the one notwithstanding, not far distant from the other) & took my way towards Madagascar Zanzibar, and the Isles of the Grifons. Alector hearing this news of me, was wonderful glad, wherefore rising from the table he thanked his host & hostis for their gentleness. And for that he had found the sleeves which was made of the skin of the Wolves leg to be very fair, and well beseeming him (for he had his arms naked, for so much as the sleeves of his coat did not cover him, but were open and hanging by like a coat of arms) he required the fisherman to slay the other leg for his right arm, and to slay and give him both the skins of the Wolves, which the good man most willingly performed: and Alector more willingly arcepted them and thereof made fair bards for his horse, saying that he had well merited to have part of the spoil, for that he had been participate of the danger, and done his duty in the fight. Wherein this young youth well declared that he was come of a frank and noble nature and birth: having thus harnessed and barded his horse with these fair skins of the ravening Wolf, he mounted upon him and took leave of his host; having understood that I had gained the height he determined to follow me, and to mount up against the impetuous river of Tiger, not by the ravishing way which had so carried him away, but by the surest way of the land. And road so long by many journeys, that one day at Son going down he found himself at the foot of one side of the mount Caucasus in a plain divided into three high ways: where was a place of reasonable space & ample enough, and in the mids a Trophy erected upon the body and branches of a great old and dead tree, charged with all sorts of harness, Lances, swords, and shields. In contemplation whereof, Alector who had a singular pleasure in arms, alighted, letting his horse feed on the fair grass which was about the tree, and with great contemplation began to behold these sorts of arms hanging upon the Trophy of the tree. But above all the rest, his eyes following his affection, were most fixed upon one fair and great shield made in form of an egg and covered with a plate of brass whereon was elevated a Cock of gold, armed and spurred with Gules in a damasked field of green synople, the Cock being raised on his tiptoes, beating his wings, and looking up a fit. This shield so pleased this young Alector (as youth is delighted with such pleasant pictures) that he concluded to take it off and carry it away for the coverture and ornament of his body, as also he would have done the other arms, but that he fame them over great for the corpulence of his age: as also for that he had been advertised, that to put on harness before he was knighted, appertained not unto him. Wherefore considering that he was but an Esquire to whom it is lawful to carry a shield, as arms of defence and not of offence; and ignorant that the Trophies are inviolable like to Sepulchres, through simple affection and desire, mounted upright on his horse, and reaching as high as he could with the point of his sword took down the shield which hung on the highest of the shield, his horse apperceiving a fair fountain running at the foot of the mountain amongst a sort of trees, and being a thirst of his daily travel, stole away from under his master to go drink, wherewithal Alector fell down with his naked sword in his hand and the shteld after him. And at the same instant he might hear a great laughter of one who mocked him with open throat. Whereby thinking that there had been some body hid there about, who with laughing had mocked him at his fall, he suddenly arose, put the shield about his neck and the sword in his hand (as he was of nature cholerik enough and proud, and as glorious of sudden rising as shameful of his fall) with a fierce and long voice, said: what art thou that laughest, and mockest me in secret, as though it were at a lubber, for being fallen not of feebleness or ill attempt, but by the stealing away of my horse who held me up. Laugh not, nor mock not, but only come and show thyself in place, and thou shalt be very highly mounted if I lay thee not a long more rudely than I myself am fallen. At these words the other began to laugh more louder than before: wherewithal Alector being more moved; how cometh it to pass (quoth he) that there is such mockers, in this country? Ah villainous mockers, coward and over hardy, thou laughest, and darest not show thyself, but I will find thee well enough, and guard thee well from laughing. And so (full of impatient indignation) he went searching from one part to another this fair laugher, who so much more continued: and when Alector was in one place, he might hear him laugh in another right against him: and when he went the other, it seemed that he laughed on the other side, so as this invisible laughter, caused him with hot fury to run here and there from one side to another, despising, threatening, provoking, and beating the bushes and brakes with great strokes of his sword laid on in vain through despiteful wrath, until such time as the night overtook him being very black and obscure. Wherefore Alector being wearied and traveled with running and turning, with casting and flinging of his strokes in vain, as also with hunger and thirst which he had suffered a great while, apperceiving the obscure night to approach, and fearing to lose his horse, bethought him to leave his laughter, doing him no other harm, nevertheless threatening and assuring him that the next day he would find him and make him change his laugbing into weeping; whereat this ridiculous spirit (as he was) began yet more louder to laugh and in good earnest: for Alector was well guarded that night from finding his laughter the next day. Seeing therefore that he profited nothing in tormenting himself to seek after him, he took a Hare which he had strooken and slain in a bush, thinking that it was his mocker, and by the clearness of the scabbard of his sword made of the Adder's skin (as I have declared before) he followed the trace of his horse towards the mountains, while he came to the tuft of trees where he found his horse laid in the grass up to the belly, eating and reposing himself by a fair and clear fountain, issuing from the foot of the mountain. Then his choler being passed, he said, that his horse after his kind was wiser than himself, who after his labour took rest and food, whereas he travailed in vain and hunger. Wherefore his sword put up into his scabbard, and the shield (which so much pleased him) put about his neck, and the thongs very strait knit and locked for fear of losing it: he took his Hare, flayed, & panched her, & then washed his hands in the spring, and drank (for with chafing himself with choler and travel, he was very thirsty) and so having pulled his Hare in pieces, eat the flesh raw (which was no novels to him) somuch as he pleased, and till he was satiscted: then went he again to drink, to wash his mouth hands and face with the clear water of the fountain, and being thus refreshed he laid him down upon his shield by his horse, where being weary with daily travail, he fell into a profound sleep.   

The apparition by night of the great black Knight challenging his shield of Alector, what the Knight was, and of the talk passed between them: and how this black Knight carried Alector away in the air towards his Father at Tangut, and let him fall laughing. CAP. XX.  
TOwards midnight as Alector was in his most prosound sleep, him thought he heard a fearful voice, which in frightful wise said unto him: Alector thou thief, these Alector and sacrileger, restore me my shield which thou hast taken and strooken down from the violated Trophy against all right, and after for recompense hast sought to beat me with the strokes of the sword: restore it me I bid thee. At these words Alector wakened with fright, and arose in haste: and so he might apperceive before him, a great black and fierce Knight with a pale visage like one who had been dead long time before: yet nevertheless one foot and armed in all parts with some of those arms which he had seen the day before upon the Trophy, save only that he wanted a shield. Which great black Knight, said to him again thus: Alector, thief, sacrileger, and perjured, thou hast rob me of my shield, polluted & violated the sacred Trophy: and thou being none other than an Esquire against the vow of nobility hast taken arms against me, who am or have been a Knight, seeking with all thy power to kill me: yea thou hast slain and (which is worse) eaten one of my companions of housh old: and now dost thou think to escape thus with thy rape and sacrilegious theft? Restore me my shield. Alector understanding himself thus injured not in his beard (for beard as yet had he none saving that of flesh and blood) but in his face and visage, was marvelously chafed in his skin: yet nevertheless weighing the reasons of the black Knight (which soemed to him not unreasonable) like a youth well taught (as he was) answered him thus: I have not stolen the shield, but have taken it openly as a thing publicly abandoned of all men, & in the open sight of all men which would have beholden me, yea of the laugher who mocked at my fall, and after hide himself. I know not whether it were thine own or not: for if I knew? But well, I am no sacrileger, at the least wittingly, for I never knew till now, what a Trophy was: neither whether it were sacred or profane, truth it is I have taken the shield, because it seemed to me fair, and necessary for me and my body, & hanging there unprofitably upon an old tree, the which notwithstanding I am ready to render to him, to whom it shallbe shown me justly to appertain; otherwise not, for it fitteth me well. And to say that I have falsified the oath of a noble Esquire, and committed felony towards the order of Knighthood; I have not done it, neither would do it. Truth it is. I sought with my sword a foolish laugher, and scoffer, who (as it seemed to me) mocked at the fault which my horse made me: which laugher I well heard, but I could never see nor find him: saving that in a bush (where me thought I heard him laugh) with a strokeof my sword cast at adventure I killed a fat Hare, which there was set. I knew not whether that Hares laugh in this country or no, but this I am sure of, that I was laughed and mocked at, & that I have eaten her with a good appetite. As for thy companions which thou sayst I have slain and eaten: I know not who they be, for I never saw them, unless they be Hares, and that thou thyself art some Devil of a Hare, for thou seemest to me not much more hardy: and the common saying is, that Devils do wittingly transform themselves by the fields into hares. Wherefore show me thine ears, and tell me what thou art: whether thou be a Hare or a knight, which are very contrary. For a knight rideth on horseback and is armed, hardy and valiant, or at leastwise aught to be: and the Hare goeth on foot, is very searefull, & by nature unarmed of all defence, both of horns, teeth, claws, poison, hardness, and all, saving of a certain fearful legerity: which is the cause that he is the most fearfullest beast amongst all other creatures, and a pray to the Eagles of the air, and dogs of the earth, and Chamarins of the water: yet should he not find it, especially in the dog days & elevation of the Eagle; wherefore telme if thou be a knight, or a Hare, or a devil, or the laugher and mocker of whom I would willingly revenge myself if I could méste with him. I am no Hare (qd the great black knight) but the hare which thou hast slain and eaten was my companion; for he kept company with me in my sepulchre: I am not fearful (for no man can do me more harm) neither was I ever, but have been in my time a worthy knight, hardy, & enterprising great things, of nature frank & liberal, extract out of the noble lineage of the Macrobians, & called Gallehault, as witnesseth my shield which thou bearest, wherein is a Cock regarding high towards heaven, whereby I would signify my high enterprises and hardiness: and of such virtue is the shield that whosoever carrieth it, shall never have fear or doubt: & it is that which maketh thee now so assured against me. Now it happened me thus, that for my great frankness and excessive liberality (which is called prodigality) I became very poor, and yet nevertheless I would always maintain my greatness and magnificence, for the atchiving whereof, I was constrained for want of mine own to take of other men's. Wherefore having assembled to me a great company & carravanne of Arabinas', wicked people, & apt to do evil, I destroyedal this country with robberies, assaults, ravishments spoilings & thefts, keeping with my men all the ways, corners, and passasses, with the ports of rivers and seas, taking away the arms, horses, rings, jewels, stuf, apparel, gold, silver, & merchandise of such as we took, selling their bodies for slaves, or abusing them luxuriously if they pleased us. Nevertheless this life (whereto proud poverty had brought me) pleased me not, but I had it in abomination: and for that cause I determined, that after I should be gotten up again insubstance, to have killed all my companion thieves to the end they should do no more evil, and to retire myself, and return to my former honourable, liberal, and less prodigal life. But of this pain, one of my great uncles of the Macrobians called Franc-Gal which is thy Father, delivered me: whom I know thou goest to seek, and whom I will cause thee to see to morrow, in recompense of the pleasure which he did in delivering me from the wicked life which I led. For being mounted upon an Hypoppotame, which is a great flying and swimming horse in the River of Tiger with some company of valiant men; for so much as we were many more in number, wherein we trusted, we invited them by feigned courtesy to take land and come and rest with us, which they did, being advertised before what people we were, and for that cause they searched us. Whereupon incontinently as they were descended well armed and weaponed, they flung upon us with such fury and valour, that notwithstanding the great resistance which I made, all my Arabians were slain and discomfited by the great prowess of Franc-Gal, being half a Giant, who struck not a blow without laying two or three on the ground. So were the takers taken, and the spoilers spoiled, except four who through their legerity fled, and I after them. But that saved us not: for Franc-Gal who by sovereign force and natural agility ran faster than any horse or heart followed us not running but flying (as it seemed) unto the place, where not able in haste to gain the mountain, and seeing him alone, we returned five against him, and I myself more than any other resisted him: as for my companions, he had soon cut them in pieces; but I held him tack reasonable long and hardy enough in the virtue and coverture of my shield descending myself with great courage: whereupon he seeing my hardiness and noble heart, he summoned me often times to render: but I being envious of my wicked life answered him, that as then I had never bowed, and that it was dearer for me to die, than either to require mercy or receive it. Wherefore he perceiving my obstination; ah (quoth he) there is none lost but such as are obstinate, and in saying so, he gave me such a stroke with his sword, that he clove my head in twain. At these words the great black Knight plucked off his helmet and showed to Alector his cloven head, in such sort that one might perceive the brains consumed with worms, then putting on his helmet again, he continued his tale, saying: with this great stroke I fell down dead: and Franc-Gal unarmed me and my fellows also, whose carcases he left as food for the beasts of the earth and fowls of the air: but my body he caused to be buried at the foot of the great withered tree in the meadows her about, and laid a stone upon a grave. Then hung he up our arms in the Trophy of the great tree and my shield above all, which thou hast taken off, therefore restore it me. Alector then answered him; Gallehalt, sith that my Lord and Father (as thou thyself hast confessed) hath conquered by force of arms the shield of thee, thou hast no more title in it, but by right of heir, it appertaineth to me who am his son, and for that cause willingly I will not for go it, unless it be by greater force than mine, but will keep it so long as I can for thy sake who art my kinsman, and hast not any more need thereof: as also for the honour of my Father who hath valiantly conquered it, and for the beauty and virtue which I see and feel to be in it: and therefore go rest thyself in thy sepulchre, and let me sleep in peace. The Gallehault in a terrible and fearful voice said unto him horribly; Restore me my shield. And in so saying the great black knight (which was a sprite in the form of Gallehault) took the shield with both his hands, which Alector had surely fastened and buckled about his shoulders, and which the more he held and embraced. Wherefore this umbragious black Knight lifted up the shield in the air by a certain force and spiritual puissance, and carried up Alector also who was fastened to the shield, and at an instant caused him to lose ground, and raised him up so high in the air, that his horse, (which he might perceive by the light of the clear mome, and whom he bewailed to lose, seemed to him but a little Hare lying upon the grass, by reason of the far distance and height that the fantastical Knight had elevated him, carrying him through the lesser region of the air by the field, whereat this Esquire was fastened & hanging (for it was not lawful for the knight to touch his person) causing him to traverse the air and winds, striving the one against the other so rudely, that with great pain could he fetch his wind, for that the sudden moving took away the faculty of taking breath: in so much that in three or four hours he had carried him more than twelve hundred miles from the place where he had found him: and a little before day he abased himself the height of a lance from the ground over a fair green and soft meadow, where the black Knight shook the shield to shake off Alector, but he had so well buckled it, and held it so fast embraced, as though it had been borne and vuited with his body and arms. And yet nevertheless for all the shaking, Alector was not a whit astonished, but remained assured as though he had been on firm ground, through virtue of the shield which he would not leave, saying thus. 
Or ere I shall it leave, I will be slain:  
Else with, or on thy back return again.  He had not so soon spoken the word, but he felt the shield loosed by the black Knight, and he fell down upon the grass all astonished, aswell for the change of the air, as for the fall which was reasonable high. Wherewithal this Spirit of the black Knight who had brought him thither for his good, and who took pleasure to chafe the hot blood of his hardy youth, began to laugh far greater and louder than ever he did, in the same voice which he had heard him laugh the day before. Wherewithal Alector being irrited, arose on his feet in great anger, saying: Hay my Lord Devil the laugher: it is then thou gentle Gallhea, that mockest and laughest at me when by misadventure I fell to the earth like a lubber: but if I could catch thee: Is this evil done to laugh without doing other harm (quoth the sprite) thou threatenest me vainly and with injury, for having done thee a good turn, for if I would, it is not yet one hour passed, but that I might have let thee fallen from above the clouds upon the hard rocks: where contrariwise, I have let thee fall down easily upon the grass and soft ground, for not hurting thee. And if I have a little played the Frog with thee, to laugh at the fire of thy pleasant youth, it hath not been for thine evil, but for thy good. For I am thy Kinsman, and I love thee, and take delight to help thee, as hereafter thou shalt understand, at such time as thou shalt have need of me. And know that it was I which chased thy horse to the fountain, to make him steal from under thee, and to make thee fall with the shield. For which the poor innocent beast is now well punished, for the savage beasts of mount Caucas are descended in great number at the sent of his fresh flesh, and have devoured and eaten him: as likewise they would have done thee, (being not able to save thyself with all thy force and hardiness) if I had not transported thee from that place, where I have dwelled two years and more, conversing about the tree and Trophy, always in watch to hearken and attend thy coming, and to save thee my shield, which belonged to none but thee. And all those that have assayed to take it before thy coming, I have cast them down headlong, and ruinated them after divers ways, and after another order than thou art fallen: in somuch that they returned no more to take it down. For I kept it for thee, and I give it thee, carry it with thee, and keep it well, so it shall stand thee in great stead many times. Now is my wrath and guard achieved, I will return to my repose, where I shall always be ready to aid thee in thy extreme necessities. Salute in my behalf thy father Franc-Gal whom through my means thou shalt fee this day; for if I had not this night brought thee more than 1200. miles, thou hadst never seen him, reccon unto him the things which thou hast seen, and show him this shield. Tell him that Gallehault Macrobe whom he knoweth, sendeth him word, that very shortly he will visit him, to revenge the mortal wound which he received of him: to God I commend thee. And thus as Alector would have thanked him, and demanded an interpretation of his sayings, he saw him suddenly changed into a long and clear flame of fire like a tailed comet, flying through the air more swifter than the shot of a Cross bow, mounting still towards the higher Region through the which he had been brought, and followed him still with the eye until he had lost the sight thereof. Whereupon knowing not what other thing to do, he laid him down with his shield upon the grass, and remembering in himself the calk which he had had with Gallehault the great black Knight with the cloven head, he fell a sleep in the fresh of the morning, a little before the break of the day, at such time as all living creatures take sleep, by reason of the moistness of the night falling.   

The sad Augur that happened to Franc-Gal, his encounterie with his Son sleeping: the mutual knowledge and talk held between them. The kill of Troluat the Sea monster. Their departure from Tangut, and the loss of Alector carried away by the wind, and the lamentation of his Father: and thereupon the arrival of the two old men at Orb. CAP. XXI.  
THis night I had not well slept by reason of an evil Augur which was happened to me the day before: for as I was at a window in the palace of Tangut where I was lodged, there came flying towards me a young Dove carrying in her bill a branch of bay leaves which she presented to my hands and rested upon my sister: and as I did contemplate and behold how jolly she was decked with feathers violet, changeable, and guilded round about her neck like an enamelled chain, I saw coming towards me two great birds of prey: the one a Raven croaking, who rested upon my head, the other a red Vulture who ravished away the Dove with his claws very far off, and high, insomuch that I lost the sight thereof, and avon after he came flying by me again carrying always the Dove with him, which me thought was become a stork, carrying in her bill a turning and wreathing serpent. And thereupon came an Eagle who took the Dove letting the serpent fall to the earth stark dead, and the Vulture flying away in the air, the Eagle carried away the Dove (resembling a stork) so long that I saw him no more. But the Raven who was upon my head, beat mine eyes with her wings and would not departed, until forcibly I chased her away with the blows of mine arms and hands: so that at length she was forced to arise crying and croaking in mortal threatening wise. This Augury (which of a truth was very sinister and of an evil presage to me) did so trouble me, and represented unto me so many cursed significations, that I could not sleep in all the night: wherefore being weary of my unquietness, I arose before day, & having deliberated to departed very shortly, I went towards the Sea to see how my Hippopotame fared: whereupon it happened that in passing through the meadow (being yet somewhat dark) I perceived a far off a certain long light stretched out near the ground, yielding such a brightness that one might well see that there was one laid thereby, and still me thought I had seen this light before that time. Wherefore approaching more near, and Aurora already having chased away the darkness of the night, I saw a most fair young man sleeping full sweetly: at the first sight of whom, mine entrails moved within me, and I might perceive that he was laid upon the green shield of brass with the Cock of gold, which partly I knew to be that which I had before time hanged upon the Trophy, marveling much how he should come by it. For after I had hung it upon the tree, and seeing it so fair, I had great desire myself to have carried it away, and did my endeavour to have plucked it down again, but it was in vain: for I might aswell have plucked up the tree by the root, but a grey Crow iugging over me, cried: 
Labour no more to gain the shield,  
For 'tis ordained for a twice borne Child.  Which when I understood I left off, esteeming that it should never happen to any; for as a man dieth but once, so is he borne but once. And thereupon I remembered myself of the double birth of Alector which the messenger had accounted to me, and therefore I imagined that the fair Esquire might be my Son Alector: considering also the sword which he wore, which incontinently I knew to be the same that I had sent him with the shining scabbard, which was that which I saw first glister, beholding likewise his rich apparel, and the chain of gold about his neck, which were tokens of nobleness. Besides this I saw the streaks of his face resembling the form and beauty of the Queen Priscaraxe, yea more fair and more admirable, and remembering with myself moreover, of the fodaine and great growth, that I was informed of his advanced youth. All which things conferred together, I assured myself for certain, that this young Esquire was my Son Alector, which made my heart to throb and mine ryes to shed tears through pity and Fatherly love. And thus as I beheld him through amorous affection, he began to stretch out his arms and to open his eyes so clear as fine crystal, and seeing me before him, suddenly he arose on his feet, and after an honest reverence he began his speech with the first word of truth saying to me thus: good Father what would you, that thus peaceably have overtaken me sleeping, and thus atteutively beholden me. Fair Son (quoth I) for that me thinks I should know thee, and yet have I never seen thee before this present hour for the which I render thanks to the Sovereign. And the first word which thou hast uttered in reverence of mine age (as I think) in calling me by the name of Father, is issued out of thy mouth by natural instinction, for I am thy Father, and thou my Son borne of the Queen Priscaraxe.  
You are then Franc-Gal (quoth Alector) the great old Knight with the swimming and flying horse? For other Father will I not acknowledge under the Heavens: Franc-Gal am I for certain (quoth I) and to put thee in more assurance come with me, and I will show thee my swimming and flying horse. To this he most willingly agreed, so went we devifing together unto the sea side, where I showed him my great horse Durat Hippopotame, the which he seeing so great, so puissant and marvelous, that a hundred terrestrial horses were not comparable unto him, he was astonished, desiring greatly to be mounted upon him, in lamenting his own which the savage beasts had eaten. Then knowing for certain that I was his Father Franc-Gal, he prostrated himself on his knees in humble reverence before me, acknowledging me and saying: my Lord and my Father, behold here your humble Son Alector which my Lady & Mother the Queen Priscaraxe, hath sent your O how truly hath Gallehault the great black knight spoken and kept promise, who told me that this day he would set me in such a place where I should see my Lord and Father Franc-Gal: without the aid of which good spirit, it had been impossible for me ever to have found you through so many long and divers errors. Hereupon I inquired of him, who was that Gallehault Knight, and that good spirit who had addressed him to me? and in our returning and going towards Tangut he accounted to me all his adveutures, and the conquest of the fair shield in such sort as I have recited it: whereby I understood that it was the great and valiant Knight, the thief which I has overthrown and slain against my will through his own obstinate courage, and buried at the foot of the Trophy, and then I knew that the shield was destinated to Alector, but that the black Knight threatened to see me shortly, yea and to revenge his death; that gave me a sad signification, with the evil auguries which I had the day before. But the great joy I had to see my Son Alector so fair, so well borne, brought up, and taught, and of so happy a beginning, made me forget all ill conjectures, and to set a side all doubts and fears of infortunes which hung before mine eyes, and which as yet are not ended. And so devising, we returned to the palace where my men attended me, unknowing but that I was yet in bed, because in the morning at my departure, I had firmed my chamber door, and was issued without the knowledge of any one, for every man slept sound. Being thus returned to the Palace, after I had declared to my men who and what Alector was, all of them received him with great joy, with admiration of his beauty and good grace, doing to him most great honour and reverence, yea more than to myself (as many do rather worship the Sun rising, than going down) for the which I was neither sorry nor enuions; for his great beauty, virtue and honesty, did well merit it: hereupon the tables were covered, and we went to dinner most gorgeously. And amongst other communications which were held at the table, Alector declared to me the great grief that Priscaraxe had of my long tarrying, and of the earnest desire which she had of my return, for the accomplishing whereof she most affectuously required me by him, which he also on his part most earnestly desired, saying that he had promised and sworn to the Queen his Mother, never to return again to her, unless he brought me with him: beseeching me with humble reverence to do him the favour to satisfy his promises. Wherefore, I who was no less affectionated towards the Mother and Son, than they towards me, deliberated, and made him promise assuredly to departed the next day: and for that cause I commanded my men to truss up harness and baggage, to appoint and make ready my good horse Durat: which they did with great and good diligence. The whiles I and Alector went to take leave of the King of Tangut, rendering him thanks for his hospitality: who on the contrary, thanked us of the good succour which I and my people had done him with our great Hippopotame against a horrible monster of the Sea called Trolual, so great as a little Isle in the Sea, or a great mountain on the earth: who, at every full moon would cast himself into the havens, ports and creeks, devouring and destroying all that he met, and swallowing up men women and children alive, yea horses, kine, and other beasts. This monster Trolual seeing our great Hippopotame going upon the Sea, and we mounted upon him, thrusting and breaking the waves before him, launched himself with terrible impetuosity against us and our great horse, where he thought to have had abundant pray: but he found mauchat maurat, or maurat mauchat: 
A Proverb in France when one meeteth with his match.  for our Hippopotame (who is the most hurtful creature and greatest doer of harm in all the world, when he is puised thereto with violence) as the Trolual opened his mouth so large as the arch of a gate to have swallowed him up and us therewith: he caught him with his two great teeth before by the lip, in raising him out of the water so high as we were, whereby presently I thrust my lance into his throat, with the point sticking & fastening in his roof, and the great end planted in his jaw below; so as the monster found himself fast in the teeth of mine Hippopotame, gagged with the lance, and not able to shut his mouth for the pain of the iron piercing his sensible parts: the which one of my men called Cetophon apperceiving, with a marvelous hardiness and readiness, with his naked sword in his hand leapt into the depth of the monsters throat so far, that he found out his very entrails and heart, which he hurt and wounded with so many blows of his sword, that he might feel the monster weakened: wherefore suddenly he retired himself out of this monstruous body, and rendered himself to us again. The horse Durat in the mean while flinging with his feet, and training with his teeth this monster unto the shore: who through anguish of death, beating the water with his tail had (like a tempest) moved and disquieted all the Sea, boiling and died with the abundance of blood which he shed: so as three stades round about, it seemed to be the red sea between Arabia and Aethiopia: when we were arrived at the shore, Durat, let go the monster Trolual upon the sands, whom by reason of his weight he could no longer draw, because his life was failed and through dead, to the great joy of all the people dwelling about the Sea coasts. And this was the cause why the King of Tangut and all his people rendered us so many thanks with most rich and hovourable presents.  
This self same evening Alector stirred up with a most ardent desire and impatience of longer tarrying, with most earnest expostulation, humbly prayed me for the first request of the Son to his Father, that if I loved him, at the self same hour I should make him Knight, which I as one that could not refuse to do any thing for him, easily yielded to his request, for the accomplishment whereof, going about to speak the solemn words and to lift up mine arm to give him the accolade, all humaive puissance failed me, as though I had had the paisie, of tongue, arm, and all the parts of my body: and when Aleft off, my puissance and force came again to me, and as I would have proved to reiterate the same twice or thrice, so often this paisey came upon me; whereby I conjectured that either the time served not thereunto, or ets that I was not he ordained of the heavens that should give Alector the order of Knighthood. And therefore for that time I left off to make any more proof, deferring it till another time and place to my great shame, and no less sorrow of Alector: in this fearful confusion all of us went to rest, and the next day we mounted upon the great horse Hippopotame betaking ourselves to the high Teptentrionall Seas: where Durat stretched out his large stoating feet, and reared his wings, carrying us away so lightly that he rather seemed to fly that go. Whereof Alector (who never had ridden over the fishes) was so much 〈◊〉 and glad as cóuld be: wherefore through great desire of discovering the furthest part of the immensall space of the Seas, like a young, greedy, and nimble youth as he was, he mounted (now go I 〈◊〉 my mortal griefs) he mounted (alas) he mounted to the top of one of the wings of my horse Dura●, armed always with his sword and shield which he would never abandon. And as he was perched in the highest, beholding on the one side the mountains of the region of Bator, and the hills Anubies, which seemed to fly from us: and on the other side the great Seas without bottom or shore: and I fea●ing lest he should fall, called on him to descend. But behold (alas) behold, a strong wind arose from the Hyperborean parts, or rather a strong Steay and wicked trouble some spirit who taking him by the shield, elevated into the air my dear Son Alector crying from the airy Region so loud as he could help 〈◊〉 my Lord Franc-Gal, help me my most dear Father otherwise you shall lo●e me, and I you, for Gallehault carrieth me away. In saying these words, in my presence and view he was suddenly transported towards the land over the high Mountains, Towns and Regions, so as at an instant I lost the sight of him. And as though he had carried away my heart and my soul with him, I remained of extreme dolor cold and pale, ready to cast myself from the top of my horse into the Sea, had not my men kept me who by all means possible comforted me, showing ●…ee, that 〈◊〉 he was carried to the land, there was less danger, and greater hope of recovering him again, in seeking towards that part whereto I saw him carried. At their words having recovered my spirits, and come again to myself, I cried out saying: O how true ye● how too true of signification was the fantastical vision which happened to me at my my first arrival in Scythia at my return from the Indies beyond the Ganges in the golden Regions, whereof I ensigned the ignorant people the valeur and usage: and where I lay sleeping upon the lions skins in the place where my Lady Priscaraxe came and found me first dreaming, how the marigold inclined towards me: which was thou O Priscaraxe daughter of Phoebus, and the Basilisq covered in the root, who after ●lew away, carrying my heart with him: which is thou O Alector Basilisq, little King, and royal child, it is thou that being elevated by some Spirit amorous of thee and envious of me, hath ravished thee through the air into a strange land, carrying away my heart, which is my soul, my thought, and my life. O heavens! O Gods! Wherefore do you not content yourselves to permit misfortunes to happen, without sending of us other prodigious and significations to our double torment? first with the fear, and after with the evil. For what other thing threatened the ravishing Vulture, the speckled Dove coming towards me with the green branch of bay leaves, but only the ravishing of my fair Alector carrying in sign of nobleness a chain of gold, and come towards me with good news? But of this that I saw him become a stork discomfiting the serpent, I cannot conjecture what it should signify, (but only his pity and childly love, which is natural to this bird:) and the wars against those which are wicked. And that once again (in spite of the sinister Raven resting on my head, which threateneth me of my near death) I shall see thee, though but a while. Wherefore I swear and make a bow that I shall never cease traveling and searching the world, and never return towards thee (O Queen Priscaraxe) till I have found thy Son and mine; that with both of us thou mayst receive joy of our presence, as I think thou hast had great sorrow in our absence. Then turned I my Hippopotame towards the land, whereto I had seen Alector carried, which was upon the coasts of Issedon, of the Gangeticq Indies, of Sives, of the silken lands, and regions of gold. To traverse the which I entered one of the mouths of the great river Oechardes, coasting the Nubian lake in searching all those countries, until I came to the next port, where I took land at the singing of a bird which said thus: 
Get thee to Orb and thou shalt find in deed,  
The sturdy stroke ywith the Serpent vile:  
Where if thine eye took not full chary heed  
It may perchance his sight from thee exile.  The which having well observed, and inquiring the way to Orb, I have found thee (O Archier) in a good hour, who haste solaced me with thy good and pleasant talk, and with thy sweet patience in hearing my sad and uncomfortable discourses: but a sorrowful and passionated heart, findeth itself very much alleged, if it may get some Sympathicthi person to whom it may declare his dolours, as I have done to thee (O good old man) who haste patiently given ear to the rehearsal of my divers and finister adventures, with compassion and condoliance, as thy tears themselves do witness: (and thereupon the Archier, wept pitifully) and in this patience and communication of thy good talk and company, (for the which I thank thee) thou hast conducted me hither to this place, which as I think is the town of Orb: (and at that instant they entered into the gate of Orb.)  
It is truly the City of Orb (quoth the Archier) where is the fair Theatre, and the magnifical temple of God jove, whereof (for not dissembling with thee) I am the Archpriest and great sacrificer, having near to the temple a most ample and fair lodging where I dwell ordinarily, well garnished (thanks be to GOD) with all things necessary to the life of man: where I beseech thee in honour of jove Xenios' to take thy lodging and right of hospitality with me, for the night draweth on, and it is time to draw towards rest, where we may after at our ease achieve the residue of our talk. This offer presented by the good old Archier with his entire heart. Franc-Gal refused not, but willingly accepted of it, thanking him for his gentle hospitality, and went with him: his Squire Oplophor following him, who of such and so long sermons willingly fed not himself, thinking it long that they were not already housed. So entered they into the town at the east gate called port Physe (for the City of Orb was great and excellent fair, such as hereafter shall be described) so went they forwards through a great, long, large, and straight street (where every one in passing by did reverence to the Archier) until they came into a most large place where the four great streets of the four principal gates met together, and in the mids of the place was the great Dome or temple builded round, the fairest and most magnisteal which possibly was to be seen, and so high, that the top thereof seemed to exceed the clouds. At the instance of the Archier they entered therein, & before the altar which was in the mids they kneeled down with adoration and thanks giving, lifting up their eyes and looking up towards heaven through a round lantern which was right over the altar in the top and midst of the pinnacle, where infinite lamps were hanging burning and shining night and day, which set forth the place most worshipful and princelike. Their prayers done they arose, and by a little door in the temple whereof the Archier had the key, they entered into a fair house which was the Archiers' dwelling, very sumptuous and magnifical, where they entered into a fair and great hall hung with rich tapistry, with large and high windows glassed with imagery, and hoving prospect into fair gardens and orchards. In which hall briefly the tables were covered, and water brought in, and they two fitting down alone, were served with delicate and exquisite meats. Franc-Gal seeing none set but them twain, asked where the Mistress of the house was? The mistress of the house (quoth the Archier) is none other than Reason and Sapience, sent by the Sovereign, by whom all this house is ruled and governed: for being from my nativity vowed to sacred things (which ought purely to be handled) neither my body nor heart consenting, have ever been polluted with woman, nor other fleshly attouching, nor shall not be I hope. For having by divine grace kept the virginicall purity wherein I was borne, until this present age, which is four hundred and fifteen years, till white snows and cold frosts which lie on the tops of the mountains, sufficiently declare that there shall not be much more heat below in the valleys. And for so much as by revelation made in the assembly of the people, I was constituted Archier, that is to say Prince or chief of the sacreds, and not an Archer shooter, although for the avoiding of idleness the Mother of all vices, commonly I exercise myself to shoot in a Bow at the beasts and birds estranged from men, in which act thou foundest me, and savedst me from the beast enemy to man, of whom I took no heed. And so I was and am yet Archpriest and principal sacrificer of the temple of jove. By whose revelation and admonition. I knew of thy coming into this country before I saw thee, and to encounter and receive thee I was sent by him to the place where thou didst stude me: the rest, I will communicate unto thee to morrow: for now the hour of nightly prayer calleth me to mine office, get thee to rest in peace. This spoken the Archier went to the temple, wherein he entered all alone, about the first Vigile of the night making fast the door after him. On the other side two Ministers with two candlesticks of silver and two cierges of pure and sweet wax conducted Franc-Gal into a fair chamber all wanscotted with Cypress, and said him in a bed of Ebony garnished with clothes of red veluer with fringes of sattain, the curtains of taffatie changeable white and black, and the teasterne of green and brown, sowed with tears of silver. At all which things Franc-Gal (who was one of the wisest men in all the nine ages) took great heed, with observation of the evil presage which all these things showed in signification of his death near at hand for he knew us well that the Cypress was a funeral & sepulchear tree, and that the cerges belonged to burial that the Ebony was a good sinking to the bottom of the waters: the red fringed with sky colour, to be the vermilion life turning into leadie and mortal heaviness: and the changeable curtains of white and black to be a sign of change from light to darkness, & from life to death. Wherefore Franc-Gal who was of singular and almost divine wisdom, remembering his oracles, visions, threatenings sent him by the spirit of the black Knight, the Augury of the Raven, & ravishment of his Son Alector, knew by foresight that his death was ordained, and which he concluded to be near at hand without any fear or sorrow, saying only that he had not seen his well-beloved Priscaraxe and his dear Son Alector once before his death. For the humane condition of mortal men is such, that never man (how infortunate soever he be) dieth without sorrow of some thing left imperfect. Notwithstanding Franc-Gal after many and divers thoughts tormenting his heart, finally concluded to that which was necessary, and humbly to submit himself to the divine immovable ordinances: and with this resolution after long waking he fell into a doubtful sleep about the second crow of the Cock, a little before the break of day at such time as the moisture of the night falling either into dew or hoary frost, bringeth drowsy sleep upon all creatures.   

The morning's Adoration of the Orbitans, the description of the temple, and the manner of prayer and sacrifice. The Sermon of the Archier and chief Priest, and the common prayer of all in Music. CAP. XXII.  
THe next day after the Sun was up, the Archier led Franc-Gal to the the temple, whose gates were already open, & the people come thither in great multitudes to the morning adoration: Franc-Gal went on one side of the altar kneeling down to prayer, and the Archier remained before the altar prostrate in long and silent prayer with the heart and not with the mouth. Likewise all those who came into the temple presently adored him whom they saw not, in prayers of only thought without moving of tongues or lips, but with their eyes elevated on high in most deep and admirable silence, for the imperial reverence of the place, which was in perfect roundness mounted upon thirteen pillars only, but so great and massive by reason of their height (which seemed to reach up to heaven) that the thirteen arches were most large and spacious: with the top and round pinnacle over the mids by a great round hole of three fathom in the diameter, giving open view and prospect to the heavens: and the curtains of the walls composed on thirtéen porches with galleries erected one above another, whereto they mounted by four vices of stairs, found out at the third, seaveuth, tenth and thirteenth pillar; and in these galleries whose windows were of clear glass open behind and carved before, were builded seats of marble to sit in, and desks before to kneel and lean upon. The lower part also was round about garnished with seats and vaults of Cedar, Ebanie, Cypress, white Arabia, brown nut tree, and all other would meet for workmanship; which banks and seats were assigned for the women to sit in. As for the beauty and magnificence internal of the temple, it was not like to a grange or desolate house void of ornament, but it was in all parts filled and repaired with many divers and fair figures, images, statues, and paintings of stone, wood, ivory and other things, guilded, silvered, azured, and coloured with all fair and illustrate pigments and metals: which images and statues naturally and lively represented, not only the beroycall persons of men and women of virtue: but also all beasts, birds, and fishes, which fly, go, or swim in the earth, air, or waters. Neither were the living creatures only pictured, but also the insensible creatures which are in the two inferior elements: each one having his several devise in short writing appointed, according to their natural property, in attestation of the greatness puissance, glory and grace of the Sovereign God whom they named jova. As for example. 
Upon the statue of the man was written.  
Of straightness God hath given thee a gift,  
That thou to heaven thine eyes shouldst lift.  
Upon the statue of the woman.  
Thou art endued with beauty and grace,  
That virtue in thee might have a place.  
Upon the statue of the Elephant.  
Of bounty and great puissance,  
Is our great God his essence.  
And below.  
God to the good doth not denay,  
Both prudence, force, and life for ay.  
Upon the figure of the Serpent.  
He that is borne to do evil,  
Shall be condemned to the Devil.  
Upon the bird Phoenix.  
One only of himself hath been,  
Whom never man as yet hath seen.  
Upon the Dolphin carrying Arion on the Seas.  
The friend of man, is God: whose grace  
Doth him defend in every place.  
Upon the figure of the Nightingale.  
Each spirit in earth and heaven above,  
Singeth to jove praises of love.  
Upon the Palm tree.  
The lower fortune doth thee abase:  
The higher to heaven lift up thy face.  
Upon the flower de Lis.  
Whom virtue hath endued,  
With honour is renewed.  
Upon the Rose.  
A pure soul as I suppose,  
To God is like a fragrant Rose.  
Upon the marigold.  
Towards the Son divine,  
Turn thou both spirit and eyen.  Thus with such images, statues and simulachres, of men, birds, beasts, serpents, fishes, trees, plants, and other things naturally and lively portrayed, graven, erected, cut, & diversely figured, with painting, colouring, guilding, siluering, and gemining, the interior part of the temple was so illustrately decorated and enriched and seemed so light some, fair, delectable, and honourable to behold and so instructive in the inscriptions, with the contemplation of these fair things (outwardly showing and declaring the glory of God and by the windows of the eyes, entering into the understanding to illuminate the same) that they ravished the interior spirits with an ineffable admiration of the bounty, greatness, and puissance of God, yielding the temple so devout, religious, reverent, adorable and Imperial, that those who entered therein found themselves transumed, and divinely ravished as it had been in a trance. Such was the interior ornament of the Temple, in the midst whereof was the place of Sacristee elevated upon thirteen stairs of Marble and porphyry of all colours, and above that was the Altar erected, builded and wrought after the rustical fashion with all kind of rude stones in the property and natural fashion, without cut, work, or polishing of man's hand. And upon that was laid even and level a fair, great and large table of artificial emerald in form four square, having thirteen foot in every square, and set just right under the clear window or lauterne of the temple whereon nevertheless miraculously never rain fell, never wind perceived, nor never any tempest touched. About the altar were set nine chairs guilded, conered and garnished with silk velvet, which were the seats of the Ministers serving at the altar, and on the East side right opposite to the great door (which was Westward) there was three pillars of jasper nine foot high set triangle wise, in such sort that one was before towards the altar, and two behind; upon which pillars was set a tabernacle of sweet wood, wrought, carved and guilded with fine beaten Gold, and open behind, and within the same a very fair chair of ivory. This tabernacle was the pulpit, whereas the prophetical word was shown unto the people by the Archier; such was the Dome and Temple of jove in the City of Orb, which hereafter we will describe. After than that the Archier being chief Priest, his nine Ministers, together with Franc-Gal and the people were entered into the Temple, they prostrated themselves on their faces and from time to time held up their eyes and hands to heaven, & so continued their adorations and mental prayers about one hour in great silence, the Archier and chief Priest arose, and after he had turned to the people, and universally saluted and blessed them, he was by three of his ministers mounted into the pulpit upon the foresaid three jasper pillars: where after he had a while lifted up his eyes to Heaven in high conception of thought, he addressed himself to the people with a clear and intelligible voice, after this manner.  

" You people of Orb who are here gathered together to hear of me (who am but a voice crying in the temple) the great magnificences of God: that you may understand them and comprehend them in your souls, that you may praise them, hear them, and thank him for them; his infused grace for the accomplishing hereof forthwith be given you, with his benediction."  
" The Sovereign God jova, which Was, Is and shallbe, a name which is above all names, and which appertaineth to none other but him: first hath made you of nothing, which is an especial gift of his marvelous puissance, that you above all other things know that of him you hold your being and first essence. And after that he hath created you, not ignoble bodies, as stones and metals; not insensible plants, as herbs or trees; not brutal, deformed, cruel or monstruous beasts; as if it had pleased him, he might have form you but Asses, ill shapen pottage pots, villainous Toads, cruel ravishing wolves, or monstruous imaginations: but he hath created you men, fair & right, looking up to heaven, whereby you hold the root of reason which he hath given you: by whom you are made like to himself, & by him form to his own image. Besides this, he hath made all other creatures, the elements, yea the celestial bodies themselves, and heavens for you, and for your use and service: the earth, to sustain & nourish you quick, and receive you when you be dead: the air, to keep your soul in life: the waters, for your usage, cleansing, and navigation: the fire, to revive your heat, and for your light: the Stars, for tokens and influences: and the heavens, to receive your souls which he hath given you immortal, through spiritual privilege above all other creatures, who being once dead, nothing remain more of them. All beasts he hath condemned with their heads inclining towards the earth, in sign that they be subject and serviceable to you who are directly elevated: some for your help, as horses, oxen, asses, and camels, yea the great and strong Elephant doth serve and obey you: the others for meat and nourishment, who by their deaths conserve your lives. See you not the good fishes both of river and Sea, swimming in your porrages, broths, sauces, and juice? Do you not see the flesh, fat, and entrails of beasts aswell savage as tame, to enter into your kitchens; and the fowls of the air to fall into your dishes; and all trees, herbs, plants, corns, seeds, fruits and roots to be given you for nourishment and medicine? And all this of the grace of God, and to his glory, as the workmanship, figures, and statues of this temple do show you for visible examples: whose architecture & building is made to the pattern and imitation of the universal world, which is the true temple of sovereign jove, whose bounty and glory all these things do witness and set forth. Consider then ye Orbitans, and acknowledge how many and how large benefits, the most great and most good blessing of God hath enlarged you with, to whom you can restore nothing: for what thing can you offer him, that is none of his, whose throne is heaven, and earth his footstool? what then would this most great and good Lord ask you which is your own, and in your power to give him, for such infinite goodness whereof he hath been your author and giver: with certain promises and infallible premonstrance of more greater and more durable hereafter, yea everlasting, such as he bestoweth upon the superior and blessed spirits, which ordinarily assist him in endless praise and glorification of his bounty and puissance, before the throan of his divine majesty? What requireth he of you? Or what can you give him of your own? He desireth no other thing of you (my friends) but a very small retribution and acknowledge, nevertheless he will that it proceed from you and from your hearts. He will nothing of you for so many and infinite benefits, but only a simple and little gramertie, one only thanks giving and one collaudation and glorification to the benefactor: the which we would gladly do to any mortal man, for any small pleasure that he should have done us. But he will that this recognizance, this thanks giving and retribution of glory be given him of your own proper, pure, and best of the heart, without feigning or dissimulation, which cannot be hidden from him. For without comparison he seeth more clearly into our thoughts than we do see into these exterior things, wherein our corporal senses may be deceived, but he not, because he is a most pure and simple Spirit. Wherefore (my friends) in humble and hearty thanks giving for so many benefits which he hath already best owed upon us, which he daily doth, and promiseth to do in time to come: chiefly for that he hath this day revealed by me that this City and common wealth shall be presently delivered of a great evil wherewith it is troubled: for these infinite of benefits let us render unto him all together with one heart and true zeal, with one faith thought, and will, and with one speech and voice, thanks, honour, glory, and praise for ever and ever world without end."   
This Sermon finished, the pontifical Archier and his nine Ministers with divers voices musicallie according, in quavering Trebles, deep Bases, sweet Tenors and sharp Contratenors', together with Organs, Lutes, haps, Viols, Psalterions, Recorders and all sorts of Musical instruments no less harmonious than religious, the hands and tunes according with their voices, song these words and sentences following. 
O Sovereign God of great insinitie,  
Blessed be thou for our humanity:  
Do not refuse to hear the harmony  
Of this unite accorded company:  
Crying to be heard from thy sublimity.  
The gentleness of thy divinity  
Our adverse fate with fortune doth supply.  
Honour and praise to thee O Lord on high:  
Who art the giver of our wealth and store  
Grace, praise, and thanks, we yield to thee therefore.  The pontifical Archier and his Ministers having sung this Psalm of thanks giving in example: all the people answering, sung with great devotion the same words in like tune, accords, and sounds of instruments. And after this fair song in devout prayer, magnifical praise, and reverent thanks giving to the Sovereign God jove, was sung universally by all the assistants in the Temple in harmonious accord not only of voice and words, but also of one faith and intelligence in heart: every one of them came with great reverence and presented himself at the Altar, humbly offering in sign of recognisance of the divine benefits, that which they thought best: some ornaments and vessels of silner and gold, of crystal, stone, and precious wood, and other matter of value; some empty, and others full of sweet liquors, balms, myrrh, incense, perfumes and odorements, of the savour whereof all the people breathed: others offered clothes of silk, wool and flax, of all sorts and colours: others brought white bread, hot cakes, and smoking pasties: other vessels and flagons of the best wine they had, but above all things they offered willingly their first fruits and their first borne, whom they presented to God, and the Archier, gave them back again in exchange and redemption of some fowls or little innocent beasts: as of a pair of Piggions or Turtle Doves, or of a Lamb or white Rid. Likewise offered they the first fruits of their Wheats, grains, trees, vines, plants, and gardens, in acknowledge of the benignity of GOD which every year gave them increase. And if they were of handy crafts, they presented the first of their works and most excelletest pieces of their labours, in attestation that they held their invention of the Spirit of God. All which gifts being placed and set upon the Altar, the Archier blessed; in praying jove to extend his hand over them in benediction, and yearly multiplication. Then the ministers gathered them together, taking for the Archier and themselves that which seemed to them best (for he which serveth at the Altar must live of the Altar) and distributing the rest to the poor, aged, sick, lame of body, deprived of sense, and to the poor widows and orphelins, aswell of the town, as of the country, being received, lodged and nourished, in a great common lodging called Vaniah: but the fairest and best was reserved for the nourishing & honest entertainment of such persons as had well merited of the common wealth of Orb in what thing soever. For such persons as by virtue, prowess, counsel, devotion, or other meritorious act, had done any great good to the common wealth: were honourably remunerated, by estate, nourishment and public entertainment in a palace called Prytan as hereafter shall be declared. Behold how ordinarily the goods of the temple were distributed by the order of the chief Priest: who, having done his office and the people retired home, or where they thought best, returned into his lodging, leading with him his guest Franc-Gal; for whom he took great care, by reason of a vision and revelation which appeared to him the evening before, and was such as followeth.   

The vision of the Archier in the Temple, signifying the death of Franc-Gal. The assembly of the Magistrates and people in the Praetorian Basilique. The oracle of the Charites found written in their hands: with the judgement and preparation of Alector against the serpent. CAP. XXIII.  
THe first night that Franc-Gal was received into the house of the Archier, after they had supped, and talked, and that he was conducted into his resting chamber, which seemed so most full unto him, as hath been shown: the Archier according to his custom went to the temple to his evening prayers, where as he was praying, generally for all, but especially for his guest Franc-Gal that he might hear good news of that which he sought for: it seemed to him of a sudden to hear the deadly hissing of an Adder, and the intempestive crow of a Cock, for as yet it was not the second vigil of the night. And hereupon through the lantern in the top of the the temple, he might perceive a light, resembling a most clear Star to fall upon the Altar, which no sooner had touched the table of emerald, but it kindled and arose in a high and right flame, which nevertheless mounted decreasing: and incontinently after this Star followed a Swan as white as snow, who rested herself hard by this celestial fire, and with the sweet blast of Zephyrus began her deadly song, which she is accustomed by nature to sing upon the banks of the crooked river of Mcander when she is reposed upon the wet grass, and perceiveth her death at hand: and in singing distilled from her eyes abundance of tears which fell upon the Starry fire, and quenched it by little and little: the swan likewise afféebling both in voice and life, according as the fire diminished: in such sort that at the last tear which the swan shed, she died, and the fire vanished flaming up into heaven from whence it was descended. By this vision, the Archier incontinently understood, that the latter end of Franc-Gal was near at hand, and that he should shortly die through some dolorous or joyful cause. Wherefore in the morning before his entry into the Temple, he went to visit him, but he found him not in his chamber; whereon looking out at the window he perceived him walking in the garden very pensive, whereinto he went and saluted him: Franc-Gal saluted him again in a voice very low and hidden. Then the Archier asked him wherefore he was risen before day, and had not taken his rest at his ease? My rest (quoth Franc-Gal) is very near, so far as I understand by many presages, but chiefly this night through the fantasy of mine unquietness, which have not suffered me to repose: to the end they might prepare a durable sleep for me, without waking until the revolution of the world. And therefore let us go to the Temple to pray and give thanks to him, who hath permitted our being till this present: so went these two good wise men right to the temple to accomplish the sacrifice, such as hath already been reested. Which being done the greatest part of the people assembled themselves at the great Basilique Dicaste, where Diocles bore rule as Potentate of Orb, with all the Benchers, Magistrates, Lords, and notable Citizens. Before whom was brought this young Squire Alector who (by the Gratians) had been accused of so many crimes, whereby the death of their fair sister Noëmia was happened: the which Alector but three days before had been adjudged by sentence of the divine justice, to prove his innocency, by fight with the great serpent of the Sands. This young Squire coming before the face of the magistrates, of the whole justice, and of the Potentate, showed himself so assured and brave, as they seemed to be severe and grave, demanding at that instant justice against the murdering Archer of his fair and well-beloved Noëmia, whom he bewailed without ceasing: for the rest, neither having nor showing any thought or care either of his proper person, life, or death, saving only that he might revenge his fair Noëmia. Then Diocles the Potentate showed to all the benchers of the counsel, the little bill which the day before he had found between the hands of the statues of Alabaster of the three Graces, wherein these verses were written. 
The Arrow being in the hand  
Of vanquisher, revenger of  
His Lady's death, the vengeance shall,  
From Heaven above descend upon  
The murderer of Noëmia fair.  
And shortly after that shall end,  
The Pilgrim's life and voyage long,  
Through fearful fright and sudden joy.  This bill, being first declared from whence it came and in whose hands it was found; was taken for a divine token, and allowed of all with common sentence that the arrow wherewith Noëmia was stain, should be put into the hands of Alector to see what would happen. Who being called into the judgement place was demanded of Diocles, if he remembered not the condemnation of combat with the serpent, whereto he had been adjudged? and whether he disposed not of himself to obey the sentence. Yes (quoth he most hardly and assuredly) and I thank you too for the honour which you do me: neither wish I any better, but that the traitorous murderer of Noëmia were also joined with the serpent, that of them both I might make a sacrifice of revenge unto the Spirit of my deceased Noëmia. May it therefore please the heads of justice to garnish me with mine arms, which are my good sword, with the lyberian scabbard shining, and my shield with the hardy Cock, which I brought from the Trophy of Gallehault. Showing thereby that all beasts by nature are muniated with their own proper arms aswell for defence as offence. " The Lions (quoth he) have their griping paws, the Elephants their trunks, the Hearts and Bulls their horns and foreféete: the horses have their biting before and jerking behind; the Boars their tusks, the Tortoise and shell fishes their hardness, the Bees their sling, the Scorpions their tails, the Serpents their venom, tongue, and deadly teeth; only man is borne without arms, as a creature of peace, unless with their own handy work and labour they obtain, or conquer them: as I have gotten this sword of my Father's gift, and therefore proper to me; and my shield by mine own conquest: which arms only (for others appertain not to me being but a simple Squire) I require to be restored and put into my hands, that I may not be found a naked man and unarmed of all weapons aswell offensive as defensive against this terrestial enemy of man, armed with malice, subtlety, force, nimble lightness, piercing teeth, dangerous tail & mortal poison: besides that, with hard shayles on his lubric skin: whereas I being naked and ungarnished of all defence against such and so well armed an enemy: if I be overcome, it shall be mine own evil and damage in particular; but in general it shall be the shame, reproach, and coniusion of those men who hereafter shall be stain and devoured by the most wicked of all beasts: whom Sovereign God (which you call jova) hath condemned to be trodden under the feet of man, unto whom power is given to tread upon the Aspic and Basilisque, and to foil with his feet the Lion and Dragon: which you shall see come to pass, (GOD giving me the force) if you restore me mine arms, which have been unjustly taken from me, and the which I here demand before your justice."  
The Potentate and all the Magistrates were amerueiled, not only at the brave hardiness of Alector (which naturally might come of the fire of his age) but much more of his liberal eloquence and reasonable wisdom before age, albeit he were far younger than they took him to be. Wherefore presently they caused his arms to be brought forth, delivering to him his good sword with the scabbard of the shining serpents skin, and his green shield with the Cock of Gold; which he recetued with so great joy, as they bade been taken from him with great sorro we and lamentation. And besides that, the Potentate Diocles following the advertisement of the Archier, and the Oracle written by the Charites, put into his hand an arrow being bloody half way to the feathers: which he took, and after he had beheld it a long time (as one which he had somewhat known to have pulled out of the body of Noëmia) demanded what arrow it was? And what he should do with it? To whom it was answered, that it was the same arrow wherewith Noëmia was stain, and that he should do with it as the fencer doth in the Sands. Then cried he with a loud voice to all the assistance, if there were any that would challenge it against him? But no man answered word. Wherefore he fastened it under his girdle, and said: Now my Lords let us go when it pleaseth you, seeing I have mine arms, I am ready to fight against this dragon and public enemy, and to revenge the private injury of murder if the traitor may be found. Then the Potentate sent four trumpets through all the streets of the town to cry and publish to the people that at noon, a hardy and valiant champion should fight with the Dragon of the sands in hazard and peril of his lift, for the public wealth, and expition of certain manslaughter by him perpetrated, and by his cause happened; and for that cause who soever would, should come and see it.  
At this cry all the Citizens prepared themselves to go see this delectable and profitable spectacle: where were found a greater number of people than ever were at the sands for out assembly. To which place Alector was conducted by 400. Soldiers, deputed to guard and esose the steld: at this tumult Franc-Gal and the Archier who after dinner sat at the windows of the great hall looking into the street were moved to demand what it was, and having understood the cause, determined to go thither (albeit the Archier was not after times found at such sports) nevertheless he was invites to go, in hope to see the revelation come to pass which was showed to him of the public health. As for Franc-Gal he was come thither for none other cause, but only to find his Son at the Sands of the Theatre according as the black Auguring bird had foretold him. So went these two wisemen together to this new spectacle.   

A description of the City of Orb, of the Basilique, Hyppodrome, Prytan Theatre, Sands and other places. CAP. XXIIII.  
THe City of Orb was so called for the round form and fashion of the same: situated upon a little high mountain, yet nevertheless very large, in half roundness like to a demie Globe in such sort as the mids was the highest & most prospective castilie descovering round about, and descending not headlong but by little & little pleasantly going downward in such sort as neither mounting nor descending one could scarce apperceive the elevation of the mids nor unevenes of the sides, so easily descended it unto the outwardmost walls wherewith it was enclosed in perfect circularitie, founded and builded of the hard stones of the Rock, of the height of 30. fathoms and of the thickness of three: ramped with 19 gross bulwarks with their knights and false loop holes, and garnished with towers and places of sentinels, and environed in stead of ditches with a great riner called Cloterre, carrying great vessels charged and laden with all sorts of merchandise, coming from all the parts of the world. For they entered and went out of the City of Orb by four principal ports, the one oriental called Port Physe, another occidental called Port Thane the third meridional called Port Valentine, and the last Septentrional called Port Passante, and look how many gates it had, so many bridges it had, that is to say: the little bridge, the bridge without guard, the bruting bridge; and the trembling bridge: through and over which ports and bridge they entered and issued into the city or stelds there about, (for they had no suburbs) the territory of which fields contained a great country in compass, divided into four regions according to the partition and ports of the City, but of far different quality & temperature. For in the territory appertaining to Port Physe the air was sweet by reason of Zephyrus coming from the west, and tendering his last breath in this eastwardly region, the herbs, plants, and trees were always in flower & gréennes: the people were gracious and loving, contented with a little, not doing much other thing but dance, leap, gamball, run, sing, pipe and play upon instruments, court, contract marriages, or to advance them or borrow for the time to come to compose ballads, songs, sonnets, rounds, to search novelties, to chase beasts and souls, to fish and to clothe themselves in colours and to maintain themselves without care or thought: for they were all of them either infants, boys, or young folk of the one and the other say. ●…nd when they had passed their youth; they made their transmigration into the territory of Port Valentine which was meridional, of a hot air, inspired with the southern or Etesian winds. And in the region of this gate grew abundance of fruits of the tree, as also grass & pasturing, with wheat and other corn of all sorts. In such sort that on that side the port one could see nothing but mowers, hay-makers, reapers, harvest folk, fruicterers, merchants, travelers, trafficquers, men of arms running at tilt, Philosophers disputing, and usurers lending upon revenue of the fruits to come; there might one behold store of cattle in the stelds, abundance of bees, butter flies and emmet's: and albeit the region was very hot and dry, yet the people so much the more refreshed themselves with the fair flagons cooled in the clear and niveall fountains.  
From thence they passed to the Septentrional Port Passant, where the air was divers, unconstant, cloudy, cold, moist, and troubled with contrary winds: for the rest, a good country & very cultine yielding peaches, grapes, nuts, & filberts, where one could see nothing but gathering of grapes, pressing of wines, tunning them & laying them into the carts: nevertheless the people of this country were almost all grey. The other region of Port Thane subject to the cutting western winds was very sterile and barren, saving that there was great store of fat cat-tail, wildfowl, and venison, & this was the territory where the greatest there was kept, nevertheless commonly in close houses where they kept their banquets, marriages and mummeries. There killed they continually store of hogs and shoots, making thereof sauciges, chitterlings and puddings: whereof as also of other things they sent presents & newyear's gifts one to another, for their entertainment in mutual love and friendship: and in this soils ordinarily dwelled the old men, who after they had served God in the morning, passed the rest of the day in drinking, warming, talking, playing at cards, at glit, primero and flux, or else with the tables at chequer, dames, lourch, and tictat. Such were the four ports and four finages of the City of Orb, where the inhabitants by the ordinance of the Magistrates of the town passed all the year, and made their transmigration from one port and region to another: for if they were weary of the heats of Port Valentine, they went and refreshed themselves in the Ice of Port Thane, and pass the time there in sedentary plays. And if they were cloyed with the mists and cold of Port Passaul, they would go dance amongst the flowers of Port Physe: for such power had the Citizens of the town, wherein notwithstanding it was continually temperate, by reason of the concordant discord of the winds, temperatures, and qualities of every port, and of his adjacent territory, the which made an equal concurrence at the closing of the town: which (as hath been beforesaid) was in perfect roundness mounting by little and little unto the navel or mids, where was edificated the temple of jove (before described) in the great place, where the four great streets of the town met, being builded very ample and large with singular fair and magnificat edifices, and traversed with a hundred small streets turning round and always descending in level with the four great streets, the buildings were of such strait level, that from the temple one might view plainly to the four ports of the City, and from the four ports to the Temple. Before the which was a most fair and great fountain: of lively, silvered, clear, and wholesome water, the spring thereof never defailing, but yielding forth abundance of water through 12. figures in manner and fashion to the 12. signs of the Zodiac: which made a brook always increasing and turning about the lanes and streets of the whole town, aswell for the watering and common use of men and beasts, as also for the purging and cleansing of the streets and houses; which spring and winding brook being come down unto the latter and lowest circular street alongst the inwardmost wall, by how many springing heads it increased by so many pipes it emptied itself into the great river of Cloterre, wherein was made bounds & sluices to open and shut as occasion should serve: which sluices being shut, all the streets would stand full of water, wherewithal they being washed by opening again of the sluices all the filthiness and scavage of the town was sent through the foresaid sluices into Cloterre, and by that means the City on all sides was kept cleanly and fair. At the four corners of the great and large market place were four stately and public edifices, that is to say: the great Basilique Dicast, the Palace Prytan, the Hippodrome, and the Theatre: the Basilique Dicaste, was the judicial Palace, or hall of justice wherein were decided all causes and controversies aswell civil as criminal. In the same was a long, large and ample hall whose mounting was of marble stairs, and whose entrance was by two gates on either side. This great hall was lofted and paved with suitable artifice all of white and black marble: the fit being double was sustained by 40. pillars of grey stone, viz. 12. on either side & 12. in the mids parting the two lofts, and two in the upper end of the hall and two below. At every pillar was fastened and set a rich and brave statue of a Legislator of some noble justice passed with the inscription of his name and title of honour, and upon the middle pillars were fastened twain, on either side one. Between the pillars on either curtain of the wall, on the highest towards the arch of the fit were fair glass windows, decorated, painted & illustrated with ancient Histories, memorable examples, excellent and singular sentences and executions of justice: and beneath were fixed great brazen tables wherein with gross letters legible a far off, were engraved, all their laws: according to which (being once received in the common wealth of Orb) the Citizens governed themselves. And for this reason were these laws engraved in tables of brass that none might pretend ignorance of the laws: at one end of the foresaid hall was a Parquet or place of audience closed with iron bars wrought and silvered, with two rows of seats with their desks and footestooles: the one on high wherein were placed the Orators and advocates and the other below wherein the pledors sat, the complainants on the one side and the defendants on the other. Above and over against the end of this Parquet was elevated a high Tribunal, all made of Ebony wrought and réeled very artificially, on both sides of which Tribunal were 24. seats somewhat lower, that is to say: 12. on the right hand and 12. on the left: whereon the 24. Assesors and principal counsellors sat in cloth of velvet; and in the Tribunal, sat the Potentate and chief justice: which Tribunal in stead of crimson velvet or cloth of gold, was hung and covered with the hideous skin of a dead man, which was sometime a Potentate and wicked judge, and who for his tranuersing of justice and abusing of his Sovereign office had been flean quick, and his skin in stead of tapestry put upon the justice seat to give example to those who afterwards should sit therein, not to do any injustice worthy of so sharp a punishment. On the two sides of the foresaid Tribunal was placed reasonable high, two statues, the one of gold which was the image of justice cut and sigured with a virginicall visage, nevertheless of a vehement and redoubtable regard, the light of her eyes sharp and pricking, neither humble nor fierce, but representing a certame dignity of reverend sadness: this statue was of Gold to signify that as the Gold is incorruptible, so justice ought to be: and as it is soft and pliable, so ought justice to be more soft and merciful than rigorous and more bending to equity. The statue was figured a Virgin, because that justice ought to be entire, inviolated and uncorrupted, she was of face severe sad and constant, in sign that justice ought not to give care to sweet words, prayers, flatteries nor praises: her regard was fierce and vehement, to give terror to the evil, and confidence and assurance to the just and good. On the other side was a statue of fine Crystal clear and white, portracted all naked, which was the statue of Verity: in sign that justice is or aught to be accompanied with Verity, who of ourselves clear and cuident, pure and without spot, and for that cause she was portraicted of white and most glistering Crystal, and in form of an naked body, for Verity will have no covering of fraud or dissimulation but showeth herself as she is. Thus you may perceive what their great hall of this Basilicq Dicaste with the Parquit and judicial seat were: adjoining to the upper end whereof on the right and left hand were two bodies of a house, membered with many chambers, and amongst the rest in either house was a right fair chamber in fashion of a four squared hall, garnished round about with settles below, and with rich capistrie above: For the rest clean empty of other things saving with tables and chairs about them: and both these chambers had entrance into the Parquit of the great Balican hall, the chamber on the right hand being called the counsel chamber: because thither the Potentate and Assesors retired themselves when any doubtful judgement was remitted to the counsel. In the mids thereof, was a large table of marble round and Polygonal. For this table held 25. entrangulared spaces, every one of a foot and a half broad, and about the same so many chairs made bravely of common wood. But one amongst the rest being more large was made of Cedar, wrought and guided with fair figures, with a footstool that he which set upon it might sit somewhat higher than the rest, and a cloth of estate and a pillow of velvet whereon on the Potentate and Precedent did sit in the mids of this Marble table, was a little pillar of Crystal, and on the same a statue of like matter Diaphane which represented the Image of Prudence in a feminine form, not naked but covered with a long Crystalline stole, embroidered with damasquines of Gold, and seemed with Golden Stars. Nevertheless she had three heads that she might be better brained and more sage, the one was old regarning the things past, another of mean age considering things present, and the third young, foreseeing things to come. In her right hand she held a Lydian stone which some call a touch stone, and with her left hand she presented a little table of Gold wherens were written these words in Greek. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which is as much to say. Prudence is always a great Treasure.  
And upon the table of white marble was engraven in black this sentence in latin letters. Primum consultò opus est, deinde maturè opus est facto. That is to say: Take counsel first, and then perform it speedily.  
In this chamber was the counsel held, and for that cause called the counsel chamber; the other chamber on the left hand was called the chamber Sphragide, because that in it was signed and sealed all acts, instruments and exploits of justice, written by faithful personages thereunto deputed, and by solemn oath sworn: this chamber was like the other, saving that it had two long tables of the length of the hall alongst the wall, with glass windows above, and long benches beneath with seats separated and distinct by little spaces like to the seats of the choir in acanonicall Church, and therein were set the Pragmatical writers in two ranks on the one side and the other of the two walls, nevertheless but only on one side of the tables which was in the hench side next to the walls: the other side of the tables being empty saving that they had two mounting steps, whereby those who had there to do might the easier come to the two tables. At the head of this hall was another table of black marble and against the wall a settle with seats, wherein sat two sealer's which had the view and application of the writings, and the keeper of the seals who canceled or sealed them according as he judged them lawful or not, the mark of the seal was a hand open and in the palm thereof an eye regardant. In the mids of this chamber there was likewise (as in the other) a pillar made in the fashion of a rock of Lazurine stone, and upon the same a statue of burnished iron in a feminine figure having one hand against her breast about her heart, and the other stretched forth presenting it with her open palm, and this was the Image of Faith or fidelity firm and infringeable like iron and constant like a rock, holding and performing that which is promised with heart and deed: in the rock was engraven in Greek letters. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which is to say. Believe nothing unless it appear. And in latin letters was written. Fides fundamentum justiciae. Which signifieth that Faith is the foundation of justice. At the two corners of the other end of the great Basilican hall, were conjoined two gross towers of hard stone, builded after the rustical fashion strong and thick, not windowed, but loop hole like the holes made for a cannon strait barred with iron and barbicanes, with small light. Whereinto was no entrance but through a little wicket with two doors of iron, barred and bolted coming out of the great hall: and these two towers were with three rooms, the one in the ground very deep, without window or light, & that was called the Barathre: the middle out of the ground, receiving a little shimmering light through the holes before named, and this was called Latumie: the third was above, having barred window and lettices, whereby those who were put therein might both see and be seen, and for that cause it was called the Cage. Within these two towers were locked all malefactors either in the deepest middlemost or highest, according to the weight of their offences: beneath the great Basilican hall was a vault closed with strong walls on all sides, saving it had a small door with bars of iron, and a window grated with iron to giu light, within which vault (which was called Criptoportique, and no less wider nor larger than the great hall, and for cause builded with many small chambers) were put the civil prisoners or captives, under the charge of a keeper being a sufficient honest man: as on the contrary, for keeping the Towers, two rude and barbarous gaolers were appointed. And also the keeping of the two Chambers both Council and Sphragide was committed to two Consiergs men right ancient and wise, both for the custody of them, and appareling of the hall and Parquet when necessity required. And at the two gates of the great hall were ordained two porters to open and shut them at sun rising and going down, according to the Equinoctial time. Such was the Basilican Dicast of the justice of Orb, wherein Diocles the Potentate sat as precedent, right over against the which was the Hippodrome a great equal and uniformed place being in length 187. paces and a half, and in breadth 62. paces and a half, in fashion sour squared, not equilateral but far more longer than large, all environed with triple galleries erected one above another with arches sustained with little carved pillars; and this was the place, where men on horseback ran for the best game for the ring, and there was the place of justice and trial of arms on horseback with lance, sword, hatchet, and club. At one of the ends of the Hippodrome was the barrers wherein the horses were enclosed, beating the ground with their feet, and forcibly staying till the sign of running were given by the trumpeters at the commandment of the judges: at the other end was a scaffold of marble stone slew degrees of height and feats thereon for the sayrest damosels of the town to sit, assigned thereunto by ordinary exthange to give and deliver the prize of honour and valour to the best doers, according to the sentence of the judges who had their places in a lower porch in the mids of the Hippodrome, between the ranks of the galleries: and on the other side right over against them were mounted the trumpets, who at the commandment of the judges sounded to give sign. And so soon as the barriers were open, the gallant light horse issued out to the course, and the Knights to the lifts to just: every one assaying to carry away the prize and honour, being no les pricked forward by the sharp regard of the fair maidens, than their horses were moved with the sound of trumpets and prick of the spurs: and thus you may perceive what the Hippodrome was. The third building was the Prytan or public house of the city: in theforefrunt whereof was a large lower court, and from thence one mounted by 10. stairs of stone into a right great and large hall garnished all along the walls with benches, and at either end a great chimney above the benches, the walls were covered with books and rastles, whereon were hanged all sorts of arms, swords, lances, corselets, morraines, and other harnis in abundance. In this hall the people assembled in the last week of December to change the magistrates of the year before, and to choose new for the years following, and to take advise what was to be done for the utility of the common wealth. Over and beside this great hall there was a walking place squared, and clear on all sides with many windows. Through this was a way into another less hall both close & secret with a triple port, and three ushers to guard them. Where the politic governors of the town (who were 12. in number) consulted and concluded the weighty affairs concerning the common wealth of Orb. Near to this part of the building was another great court, and in the mids thereof a fountain with two cisterns whose top being of alabaster cast out water, through three pipes in great abundance: beyond this court on the back side of this public house, was another great and large part, brave, sumpruous and magnifical, comprehending two great hals, the one below elevated; notwithstanding eight stairs high on the one side, and on the other side in the fashion and form of a ladder: the other above of like greatness having their kitchens and offices on the one side, the other opening with triple windows into the court; which two halls were garnished with tables of Cedar, and with stools and chairs suitable round about them, and two green beds of repose; the residue being hanger with rich and fair capistries: wherein those who dwelled there came to eat, drink, walk and devise one with another, that is to say, such as by any good work, or profitable invention, either by wisdom, valour, liberality or other virtuous act, both honourable and profitable to the City had well merited of the common wealth. For whom in prize of honour and favour, this fair lodging was appropriated, where they were at the common expense, nourished and entertained gorgeously with daily banquets in the foresaid halls, served with officers and servants (at the common expense) withal, meats and dishes, in rich vessel of gold silver and crystal, and with prerious lyunen: besides this, they were accompanied every day with the most apparent and noble Lords and Ladies of the town, recounting unto them often times their meritorious good deeds with praise and thanks. Moreover they received every morning every of them a fair flower (according to the season) with humble reverence & a sweet kiss of the most fairest maidens of the city. And to retire themselves privately apart, was ordained a great gallery transuersing the foresaid halls and parted into 24. chambers, all garnished a like with rich beds of imbrodery with tables & trestles wrought and furnished with tapistry & delicious linen, every chamber having adjoining unto it a wardrobe & cabin, with a page proper and ready to serve them: the prospect of which chambers was partly easterly and partly southerly, into the most ample gardens, bowers, and meadows, where the birds continually delighted them with their sweet & melodious songs: all which was done at the expense public of the Citizens. Besides this every year was made in the great hall below a panegyrical oration in the honour and praise of the well deservers of the common wealth, all which things were done and maintained in the Prytan house, to move and give courage to all virtuous young men to do such acts, whereby they might get such favour and meritorious praises as that they might be nourished & nobly entertained at the expense of the common wealth, in reward of their desert & good deeds which they esteemed a most great honour proceeding of just cause, as in truth it was: and thus you may perceive what the Pritan was. Now resteth the Theatre and the Sands whose proportion was in fashion, like to an egg, containing 2000 paces about, the walls whereof being of divers coloured marble, were divided in three ranks of admirable arches below, in the midst & above, elevated of an incredible height, every rank containing 72. arches: among those above, were placed so many fair statues as there were pillars to uphold the arches: beside, over and above the ranks of arches, was another rank with 72. large and ample windows giving light to the halls about the Theatre whereby the people might look in and out of the same: the entrance whereof was through 12. gates into the place, where for the ascending up, were elevated 45. seats of stone, the highest whereof had compass 1098. foot, and the twentieth seat after in descending which was the middle degree had 726. foot in compass, and the lowest and last of all had 300. foot in compass: whereby a man may conjecture what the other 42. seats did contain in compass, wherein 25000. people might sit at their ease to behold the pastimes, every one of them having one foot and a half for his place, without reckoning the largeness of the 12. gates. At the foot of these degrees was the Orchestre, wherein sat the Lords and Magistrates, and before them a little below was the place and platform where for the solace of the common people and to win their favour, the richest and notablest Citizens oftentimes did use and exercise all manner of plays and pastimes. In the same proportion right before and in the sight of the Theatre was a great long large and ample place empty and discovered: which was called the Arenes because the ground was strawed all over with sand, to the end that both beasts and men might have furer footing which came thither to the chase, to fight for the best game, or for the exercise of their body, for wrestling, running, leaping, casting the bar, or for fight with cudgels or sharp swords, naked or armed, or to chase and fight with all sorts of fierce and cruel beasts. At the end of which place was the sepulchre of the ancient Archier Caliste, before the mouth of a cloaque or gut where the great Serpent abode, against whom Alector the same day should fight. Such was the Theatre and Sands of Orb: and of such magnificence was these four noble buildings at the four corners of the market place, where the four great streets met in the highest of the City: and where the most Imperial Temple of jove was placed, the exuberant fountain, and the fair and holy lodging of the Archier, and his Ministers, together with the house called Vaniah which is as much to say as the nourishment of our Lord: for therein were nourished the poor, old, sick, lame, impotent, and frail pedple, together with the poor Widows and Orphans, with the goods offered to God in his temple. Besides all this, there was diverse other public places, as porches and walking places aswell in rainy weather as in fair: the four markets, viz. the wheat market, the wine market, the flesh market, and the fish market; and the fift market of fruits, eggs and white meats. Moreover there was yet another great and large porch full of seats and desks, intermingled with walking places and galleries, and a high pulpit of whole stone cut and carved, which was the place of reading and disputation of all sorts of arts and sciences, and all at the public charge of the City. Furthermore at the four gates were four fair keys upon the river side of Cloterre which went round about the Town, at which keys ordinarily arrived great boats charged with all forts of Merchandise, coming from all parts, and not only by river, but by land with Wagons, Mules. Camels, and other horses. For the receipt and bestowing of the which, were appointed round about the keys great ware houses, and at every key a great porch, wherein the Merchants of all Countries and Nations assembled together, and kept general exchange of Gold Silver and Money with writings, letters, answers, bills of exchange and recariage, and all sorts of negotiation. Thus you see and behold the description of the renowned City of Orb; which hath been set down here by way of digression: after which extravagance we must return again to our matter, which was of the combat between Alector and the serpent of the Sands.   

Of the Combat and Victory of Alector against the Serpent. Of the arrow thrown up into the air with imprecation, of the fall thereof in flaming wise upon Coracton, and of his horrible death. CAP. XXV.  
THe people of Orb the same day assembled themselves in greater numbers than ever had been seen before, not only for the marvel of the Combat, but also to expect the hope of the public weal according to the revelation with the Archier had shown them in the moruing: whereby there was so great a multitude of people, aswell Citizens as strangers, that all the degrees were full, all the windows arches and galleries, yea all the pinnacles and tops of the walls were charged with people. Amongst the rest came also the two wise men Franc-Gal and the Archier Croniel, for whom (by reason of his Bishoplike dignity) was reserved the most honourable seat in the Orches' tree, from whence he might best behold and most openly discover all the sauds and Theatre. He who knew his place went to sit down, leading and joining with him Macrobius Franc-Gal, upon whom universally all the Theatre cast their eyes, and all those before whom he passed arose and inclined their heads in sign of reverence to him: brought singular admiration of the reverend dignity of his face, full of probable majesty which they saw him in his visage: and in the more than royal comeliness, form, fashion, straightness, height, greatness and giantly jointure of this so fair and soheroical an old man that their worshipful Arch Priest Croniel with so great honour led with him: specially so armed (for he carried his armour with him) and clothed with so rich a cloak of purple and with his precious and illustrate shield of azure with the Son of Gold. To be brief the whole assistance of the Theatre through great admiration of him had their ententife regard upon Franc-Gal.  
Hereupon the trmupets sounded and Alector was set into the Sands clothed only with his purple hat on his head, and his jagged Gallican coat of arms, with his jasseran fringed with Gold, and armed with his good sword with the Lyberian scabbard, and with his green shield with the Cock of Gold, together with the slaughterous arrow: for the rest so fair, that he seemed to be made and form to be beholden of all; young, vigorous, membrous, well set, great, tall, and of a hardy and assured countenance, in such sort as there was none (specially of the young Ladies and Maidens) but pitifully beholding him, lamented that so fair a young gentleman should be set into so mortal a danger, whereout (as they thought) it was impossible that he should escape: nevertheless he walked bravely attending his enemy. Now was it the day and hour that the dragon was accustomed to receive his ordinary food, whereupon smelling presently he fresh humane flesh be issued out of his Cloaque behind the Sepulchre of Caliste lifting up his dragonlie head with flaming and piercing eyes, with his great and open throat, full of venemus teeth set in triple order, and casting out a horrible hissing with three viberant tongues, which gave a mortal fear unto all the assistants of the Theatre, saving unto the hardy Alector, against whom the serpent with great turnings and windings came to devour, thinking verily at the first munch full to have swallowed him up, which all the beholders thought likewise. Amongst whom Franc-Gal beholding this fair young youth so clothed, armed, and put into so mortal a peril, incontinently knew that it was his son, and therewithal through hideous fear he became so white and pale as an image of plaster, stiff like a statue of stone, & cold like unto a pillar of brass: for the which he had presently Aqua Vitae cast into his visage & into his mouth: whereby recovering again his spirits he cast forth a most high & dolorous cry, saying: ah fair Son Alector, Alector my dear child! Who is he that hath unjustly condemned thee being an innocent child unto so horrible & peerless a combat? Is this the fore sage of the funestriall bird, which showed me that at the Sands I should find thee? Alas! In deed I have found thee, but by and by I shall see the lost: whereby I shall find the foresaying overtrue and cursed, which told me that I should find thee, but never after see thee, as in truth I shall, for the Oraconicall belly shall be thy Sepulchre: yea so shall it be mine, for with thee will I die or else save thee from so strange a death. This saying he cast off his Cloak, drew out his great and large sword, embraced his fair Celestial shield with the Sun of Gold, and would with all his force have descended into the Sands to succour his son: but the 400. men of arms who enclosed the field, with 'slud him: through whom nevertheless he had by his valour passed, had not the Archier been, who with instant prayers and tokens held him: declaring unto him that by no means he ought to strive against the judgement of the Potentate of Orb, which also by any humame force he could not, praying him to have patience and good hope in the bounty and revelation of the Sovereign God jova, by faith in whom he assured him that Alector should departed conqueror: who in the mean while fought valiantly with his monstrous enemy: and having understood the cry of Franc-Gal and apperceiving the shield with the sun, knew that his father was there present; who with all his force would have helped him: whereby his courage increased and his forces redoubled by the presence of his genitor, to whom he cried: " My Lord my Father trouble not yourself, neither have doubt of me, but assure yourself that within a while I will come to salute and embrace you, being once victorious of this wicked beast, in the mean while your only presence and sight shall be my sufficient aid."  
This hardy and confident speech held Franc-Gal, above other things; nevertheless trembling like a leaf at every assault the serpent made, who was above threescore foot in length and a yard in greatness about, with a profound throat and gaping. Who seeing himself frustrate of his purpose, and that his invasions were employed in vain, by reason of the legerity and swift turning of the vigorous Alector, was chafed in his cold nature, and so provoked that his throat was all swollen with horrible venyin, which he had gathered together through spiteful anger that he found resistance in one only man. Wherefore he wound himself into a great roll, and suddenly by plunging out himself he would assail Alector, who readily leaping aside lent him great blows overthwart the body: and giving him many wounds; but not deep enough by reason of the hardness of his seals: wherewithal he raised the Sand. Nevertheless once he rolled up his long tail so impetuously wherewithal he whipped Alector (who took not good heed of it) with a blow so violent, that he struck him to the ground, and suddenly turned his head and great throat to have devoured him. Then Franc-Gal was out of countenance, his spirit was troubled, and his knees failed him: likewise all the people became sad, esteeming Alector for overcome and lost; but the courageous Champion seeing the deadly throat of his enemy open over him, with his right hand gave him such a prick, that he made a deep wound in his throat whereout did spring black blood and thick red venom in great abundance: and with his left hand covered himself with his shield. The furious serpent perceiving in the shield the figure of a goloen Cock highly elevated (which naturally he feareth) & smelling withal the savour of the scabbard which was made of the skin of a kind of Serpent, what with sudden fear, and with the pain he felt of the wound in his throat, he quickly retired himself, in such sort that the gentle champion had leisure to rise & pursue his enemy, who fearing the shield, the Liberian scabbard, & the point of the sword which he had felt to the quick, would not cast himself unadvisedly upon Alector, but began to play again with his tail to strike him to the ground. But Alector who once had been stung therewith before; took better heed, & every time that the serpent stroke at him with his tail, he would nimbly spring up into the air, in such sort that his strokes were employed in vain upon the sands: which caused this dragonlike monster to chafe in his fury, and with great ire turned his head toward Alector, who still put before him the shield which he knew to be a fear unto him: and for that he saw that the blows of his sword would but little prevail upon his hard skin, he thrust the steely point of his good sword so firmly into his scales, that it ran so deep in & pierced so rudely, as Alector could not pluck it out again: & the serpent being a beast of marvelous force, in turning himself with a strong pluck snatched it out of his hand. Then new fear assailed Franc-Gal & all the beholders, losing the short joy which they had received of the two wounds made in the throat & back of the serpent where at blood & venom issued most abundantly: & for that they knew not whether they were deadly or not, they remained doubtful betwixt fear and hope. In the mean while the serpent being impatient of his dolorous grief which he felt, turned his head towards his back, and biting with his toeth the hilts of the sword whose point sticking fast grieved him, so much plucked at it, and with force of anger so wrong it, always widening & tearing the wound, that at the length he plucked it out and cast it on the sands, not without great loss of the most part of his teeth. And then perceiving his enemy unarmed, he cast himself furiously upon him: Alector not having any thing wherewith to defend him, presented him his shield: & remembering the arrow which he had stuck at his girdle, pulled it out readily and placed it so between the jaws, of this wicked beast; that he could not shut his teeth to gripe the arm of Alector, for the more he strove with it, the faster it stuck: moreover he found himself grievously offended with the body of the arrow which made of Ass, being an Alexit herian wood, and naturally contrary to the serpent's kind. Whereupon this monstrous dragon retired in wreathing himself horribly through the great dolour & anguish which he felt: not only of the wounds, & arrow; but also of the wood thereof being wholly against his nature & kind, for the plucking out whereof he had neither feet nor hands: wherefore he thrust into his mouth, the end of his tail, which availed him nothing being over feeble and having lost his force by reason the seal of his back was broken. Whereupon this monster finding himself thus wounded, overcharged with the wood and head of the shaft contrary to his kind, affeabled of his force, and his adversary near at hand carrying the Cock and scabbard where were so fearful unto him, and who again had recoveted his sword, would no more assail him, but retiring himself by turning and wreathing as fast as it was possible for him, sought to enter again into his Cloaque, which he could not speedily do because the breaking of his back hindered his former legerity whereby he thought to have entered his hole: the which Alector seeing, and knowing his great advantage by the cry and brute of the beholders joyfully clapping their hands, got before, and cut off the way to this flying monster, by turnning his head with great strokes of his sword upon his jaws and on his tail when he began to resist him with it, so strongly and so often that by little and little the Serpent began to ware so feeble, and his fierceness so to diminish, that not able longer to hurt, he sought wholly to sly. In such sort that the gentle Squire came before him, and without fear thrust his arm with the sword so far into his throat that it pierced his heart. The serpent feeling thereby his deadly wound, began through extreme pain and anguish to turn & wind in cruel wise. Alector then being joyful, and seeing his white belly uncovered which was without seals, thrust in his sword a foot below his throat, and so cut it down to his navel: in such sort, that with the blood, venom, fat & intestines there issued out of the belly of this devouring serpent the body of a man all consumed, whom he had but two days before swallowed down, the bones only remaining like an Anatomy, wrapped in some paeces of bloody and filthy clouts. And the serpent a little before being the terror to a whole town, who had made so many trooked turns and windings, and given so many blows with his venomous tail, and that had eaten so many people, being then vanquished, slain, ripped and constramed to void that which he had devoured, and all by a young man: did that (being dead) which never in his life time he would do: that is, he stretched himself out right like a falue pillar, and occupying in his so lying a great part of the Sands. Alector beholding him in this wise began to say: " O wicked beast when thou canst no longer harm, thou dost that which is right & good. If thou in thy life time hadst maintained thyself so right, as thou hast conformed thyself at thy death, so many people had not by thee been devoured, nor thou slain." And in saying so, he mounted upon him with his feet, and trod upon the head of the dead serpent, in singing for joy with a high and clear voice and face lifted up to Heaven an Epinic song of victory which he had learned in the Polonian language passing through that country, when as the spirit of Gallehault carried him away: to the great consolation of the people, & incredible joy of Franc-Gal his good father. This done he put up his sword: and then pulled the arrow out of the serpent's throat: the which he holding in his hand, and viewing it red with the fresh blood of the serpent, and as yet stained with the old blood of his Lady Noëmia slain, could not but cast out with a profound sigh three great tears without weeping, & these words. " O murdering Archer that with this arrow hast traitorously slain the innocent Noëmia Gratian the fourth of the Graces before their worthy statues, and between mine arms, and who through an evil conscience of thy wicked deed darest not manifest thyself, thinking by occult dissimulation to escape the just vengeance: I beseech the Sovereign God jova, who in this temple before us is worshipped, that the blood of the innocent which I see yet on this arrow, may fall with cruel vengeance upon thee, that thine iniquity may descend upon thy head, to the terrible example of all envious traitors and spoilers of the innocent." This spoken he darted up the arrow into the air with such impetuosity, & accompanied (as it is credible) with the virtue of some superior power, that it mounted with an unspeakable legerity so high, that all the assistants who had their view still towards heaven lost the sight thereof, attending when it should fall, longer than an hour with great marveling. And seeing it not to fall, they descended into the Arenes to behold the horrible body of the serpent lying upon the sands, so enormous, hideous and fearful (albeit he was dead) that the greater part of the multitude durst not approach him, but behild him a far of: saving only the vanquisher Alector which contemplated him in his length, greatness and terrible form, armed with impenttrable hardness, with the deadly venom of sharp teeth, with catching without letting go, with a devouring throat, & consuming belly, and with the miserable remainders of his devorations. And hereupon considered the grace of force and hardiness which the Sovereign had bestowed upon him to overcome such a monster who held so notable a town in so miserable a subjection: nevertheless having some doubt of his death and whiles he sought very curiously on all sides, behold a voice issuing out of the carrion corpse of this monster, sounding so high & great, that it was heard through the whole Theatre in these words: 
Son of Franc-Gal which now hast overthrown,  
The revenger of Calistus lately slain:  
To thee full heavy news, by me is shown  
That thou shalt be transformed for this thy pain.  These speeches being cried high and deep like the thick sound of a thunder bolt was heard of all, who ran to see what it was, but nothing appeared; for the serpent was stark dead, and this voice proceeded not from the beast but from some spirit, to give advertisement or terror to Alector of that which was to come: whereto he took then no great heed for admiration of this monster and great joy of his victory. And thus as the whole multitude were about him and the Serpent in contemplation, astonished at the enormity of the one and virtue of the other: behold the arrow an hour before darted by him towards Heaven, with a great bruit fell down from thence again in a flaming fire, cutting the high region with a sharp sound and lightning, with such impetuosity amids the fearful multitude, that it fell upon the head of a young man named Coracton borne in Orb of better house than name, who being strooken therewith, and attaint with this Celestial fire unquenchable fell down to the ground, where through the intolerable pains and heat wherewith he felt himself burned, he lay tumbling and groveling in the sands horribly crying: " Mercy, mercy Noëmia, Mercy Frank Alector, for I am the cursed Coracton that through malicious envy and enraged jealousy have traitorously slain the fair Noëmia with the proper arrow that now pierceth and burneth my brains and entrails. Mercy, (O Soul of Noëmia) content thyself with more lighter revenge: what canst thou do more to me, if the death be too little for me? O Alector, for the love of Noëmia (which was so dear unto thee) I require of thee this last gift, that with thy sword (the revenger of evil) thou wilt vouchsafe to abridge my life, and rid me out of the torment wherein I burn. Now truly (quoth Alector, who would have been sorry that the death of his Noëmia should have been revenged with any other hand, than his own) this graciousness shall not be denied thee, but it shall not be with my good sword, because it is unworthy to be stained with so wicked a blood," and therewithal he took a halberd out of the hand of one of the 400. men which kept the field, and therewith gave him such a blow upon the head that he clove it in twain, the brains all sprinkling about the sands burnt and smoky. Nevertheless for all this the Celestial fire and the arrow which had entered into his body ceased not to follow and burn him until the head, corpse, entrails, flesh bones and sinews were clean consumed into stinking ashes, together with the murdering arrow. Such was the divine vengeance that fell upon the traitor and envious parricide Coracton, wherewithal the people were astonished in fear and terror of the great virtue and more than humane puissance supernaturally given to this young Esquire, who forthwith was taken by the Potentate Diocles accompanied with all the Assessors, Magistrates, and Lords of the town, and led into the chiefest place of the Theatre: where (with Croniel the pontifical Archier) was Franc-Gal, so ravished with joy for the health & victory of his son Alector, that he was beyond himself not knowing whether he were man or spirit, quick or dead, sensible or unsensible. And nevertheless his son Alector came before all the multitude & saluted him with humble reverence & childly cheerfulness saying unto him: " My most honourable Lord & father, thanks be unto the sovereign, that beyond all my hope & in spite of the ravishing transport of the wicked spirits, we are again assembled, & united together, and so shall continue if God please, who hath vouchsafed to grant me a sight of you after so long a depart, & you to find me after so long & uncertain a search: which I verily believe you have made. Franc-Gal understanding his son answered him thus: Alector my most dear child, the soveraigae God jova increase thee with virtue, hardiness & honour." Then beholding his shield, and elevating his eyes to heaven, began again his speech, saying: " Thanks be unto the Sovereign and to thee most high son, for that before my departure out of this mortal life (which shallbe very soon) wherein I have lived nine ages & more, I see before me my most dear Son Alector borne of my Lady Priscaraxe Queen of Tartary, and have seen his first prowess, promises of far greater in tune to come, with his first honours done unto him in a strange country, yea & that amongst his enemies such as had vowed his mortal destruction: my child I pray the sovereign jove that the order of knighthood may be given thee by some valiant and magnifical man: for of me thou hast failed the receining thereof: & when as thou shalthave received it, persever to honour Sovereign jove, and to give him praises every hour both day and night. Lift up thy spirit and eyes towards heaven from whence thou hast taken original, and thy courage to high enterprises; hardiness, prowess & honour always accompany thee; virtue, freedom, and liberality never abandon thee; be friend to the good, an enemy & revenger to the wicked. My Son, the hand of the most puissant, most great and most good God bless thee, and my fatherly blessing take thou in a good hour." Saying this he put his hand upon the head of his son: and then adressing his speech to the Croniell Archier, he said thus: " I likewise thank thee (most virtuous Archier, for thy faithful conduct, honest company, and of thy good and veritable foretellings, which have consolated me, and given me to understand that the end of my peregrination is at hand, and that shortly the vaticination of Proteus shall be accomplished: I have lived and perfected the course which nature hath given me. To be brief my great Image shall go under the earth, and the flame of my Cierge remount up to Heaven from whence it came, cause my departure to be signified to my faith full companions who are at the next port with my Hippopotame but above all send word into Tartary to the Queen Priscaraxe to let her understand of my departure, to the end she stay no longer for me." Croniell promised him to accomplish his request, if the mortal thing should chance to happen, which seemed to him neither to be ready nor near at hand, considering at that present he was both in perfect health and bigor. In the mean while the Magistrates, lords & multitude with great silence beheld these two persons strangers, the father and the son, in great admiration of their heroical comeliness, and equal and like beauty according to the difference of their ages: together with their excellent magnanimities, valiant facts and adventurous deeds, and of their fortunate encountry, and mutual knowledge the one of the other in that place of the Theatre: in such sort that either without speech or moving, universally they held their immutable eyes upon Franc-Gal and Alector. Then Croniel the Archier said: " Ye men of Orb, who upon these 2. strange men do cast your view in great admiration, know ye, that our Sovereign God jova hath sent them into these regions from far Septentrional countries for the public health of our city, and destruction of our domestical and internal enemy, whom you yourselves and in your presence have seen slain and discomfited by the son of this wise man: who likewise before hath delivered the woods and fields round about us from the danger of the terrible Centaur whom he slew, and delivered the fair Noëmia from his hands: which afterwards was the occasion of the scandal that now hath turned to our great common good, for therewith we are bound to him, and own the greatest and chiefest honour and praise next unto God. To whom: first of all let us go and render thanks in his temple, where we will devise further with what prize of honour we shall acknowledge the merit of this young man. Al the people general answered hereto. So be it."   

Of the thanks giving in the Temple, the public praise, the prize of honour assigned; with the civil crown given to Alector. Of the death of Franc-Gal, the lamentation for him, his elenation and translation, of the loss of Hippopotame; and of the bird sent away as a messenger. CAP. Vlt.  
AT these words the Archier between the Father and the Son went right to the temple; whereto he was followed of the Potentate, Magistrates, Lords, and the greater part of the people. And being come thither there were set on the highest degree before the altar, three chairs. In the middlemost the Archier took his place, in the two others Franc-Gal and Alector were placed, and the Potentate with the other Lords, counsellors, and other Magistrates, betook them to their accustomed seats. This done, all of them following the example of their Bishop bowed their knees and inclined their heads in silent prayer and thanks giving: and afterwards rising up, at the suit and imitation of their Priest Croniell and his ministers, with the found'st of all forts of instruments according with the voice, in harmenious Music they sung this song following. 
Thanks be to jove our great and Sovereign Lord,  
Who hath us brought out of these mortal dangers:  
Honour and praise we people him afford,  
That hath us saved by the hands of strangers.  
O blessed spirits, and sacred Angels bright  
Vouchsafe now to present before his throne  
Our grateful psalm and song of sweet delight  
Acknowledging that through his grace alone  
The worthy child and Son of virtuous sire  
Hath slain our foe, that did our death conspire.  After this psalm sung with great joy and jubilation, the Bishop Croniell spoke unto all the assistance in this manner: " This day have you soene (my Lords & friends) that thing accomplished which not long since I have showed unto you by divine revelation which is unfaylable: that is, the public health, with our deliverance from the common terror and universell danger, by the overthrow of the serpent; which this young and valiant Esquire Alector son of the sage Franc-Gal, hath slain, to the extreme hazard and peril of his life. So as by this most virtuous act he hath restored your whole city to the wont security: for the which all in general own him thanks and honour, and not only to him with vouchsased to accomplish the meritorious act of so great a praise: but also, to his father, who for us and the common wealth of this city hath brought into the World a Son of such virtue. Now have we an ancient order and a most laudable custom, not to be ingrateful to the well meritors of our common wealth, but over and above our verbal regratiation, to reward & honour them with some notable public deed, and some gift of honourable prize: wherefore prepare yourselves to yield this favourable grace towards these two strangers, who to my thinking have well desetued the same." At these words all the multitude cried with one voice: we yield thanks to Alector our persever, who hath exposed his life for us against our internal mortal enemy, and that hath delivered us from his dangers: moreover we give thanks unto his bertuous father Franc-Gal who hath sent us such a worthy Son: and we likewise declare both of them worthy of the rights of our city of Orb, to be set amongst the estates of the Prytan, and particularly the civil crown to be set upon the head of Alector as a deliverer of the city; then quoth the Bishop: are you all of this mind, will and consent? Who answered with one voice, yea: then the Archier caused to be brought by his ministers, a most fair crown of gold, fashioned like to the leaves of an Oak enamelled with green, and the bays of weighty rubies, and the acorns of sine emeralds, which when he had taken it in his hand, he turned towards Franc-Gal and Alector, saying unto them in this wise: My Lord Franc-Gal a man most virtuous, and thou Alector Esquire most valorous, the city of Orb universally thanketh you for their wholesome deliverance out of the danger and public evil: in acknowledging whereof the Lords Magistrates and all the people do grant unto you being strangers all the rights and privileges of this city, and from henceforth receine you for citizens and Patrices of this town of Orb, in assigning to you the estate of Prytan, so great and honourable, that it is only ordained for the excellent benefactors, who have well deserved of the common wealth. Over and above the which, for especial honour of thy virtue (Alector) of thy magnanimity, & valiant victory over the monstrous serpent of the sands the internal enemy of the city, for thy worthy revenging of Noëmias' death, & slaughter of the savage Centaur our external enemy, for the excellent prize of honour for these thy valiant acts, they present thee with this rich crown, acknowledging thee for the liberator of their city. In this saying he lifted up the fair and rich crown and set it upon the head of Alector, who receiving it graciously with a shamefast redness, resembled to one of Phoebus' morning beams: his Father Franc-Gal beholding him so affectionately and fatherly with an extreme interior joy at the honour wherein he saw his Son, (a little before as an offendor condemned) took such a sudden joy after the extreme dolours and deadly fears which he had not long before conceived aswell by his dreams, oracles, visions, augurs, and proper prognostications, as also of the peril wherein he had seen his son unhoped for in combat with the serpent, that his soul was almost out of himself through the violence of the unspeakable adventures, divers encountries, sudden chances unlooked for, and strange mutations from sorrow into hope, from hope into travail and dolour, from travel into doubt, from doubt into fear, from fear into unhoped joy, and from joy into incredible admiration: by which divers contrary, and striving passions being perturbated he resembled a living body in a ravished soul (as in truth he was,) nevertheless such a new joy shined in his merry vermilion face full of gracious cheerfulness: that it witnessed the pleasure which he received of the happy hour, and honour of his crowned son, as already from his infancy he had an evident sign. Alector then seeing him thus  with joy, demanded if the crown were properly appertaining to him: and it was answered yea. Then he lifting it from his own head, set it upon the head of his Father Franc-Gal: who, through sudden mutation (which is perilous and oftentimes deadly) from fear into assurance, and from sorrow into unhoped joy, being already half beyond himself, and feeling this sonnelie pity to crown him, through excessive joy and love, could no longer keep his ravished spirit from flying away through vehement exultation: and at the same instant was seen a long, straight and a most pure and clear flame issuing out of his eyes, and mounting towards heaven through the top of the temple, which in truth was the light of his cierge put out the last day of his peregrination in the temple of the Sovereign God: according to the ordinance of the ancient Lady Anange, and of her three daughters Cleronome, Zodore, and Termaine, who as then ended the cierge of his life, sight and way: in such sort that he remained stiff, and departed in the same habitude of joyful and pleasant face which he had, when (with the extremity of love and joy) the crown was set upon his head by his dear son Alector: in such sort that none thought he had given up the Ghost but only the good Croniell who before had revelation of his departure: and who by conferring the visions and oracles together and understanding privately his speeches doubted the worst. Wherefore having signified so much to the people, in the presence of them all he lifted up his head by the chin calling him three times by his name; but it availed not, for there remained neither life, soul, nor spirit in him, his Son Alector more sorrowful of his father's death, than before he had been joyful of his new glory, embraced, accolled, kissed, called and cried to him, but he might easily perceive him to be nothing but a statue of flesh separated from the soul: whereupon through great heaviness and sorrow which struck him at the heart he swooned in the chair, in such sort as it was thought that both Father and Son had been dead, the whole multitude being astonished of so sudden a mutation from joy into sorrow, and from life into death. Nevertheless with the help of those who stood by, Alector came again to himself beginning with haughty cries to lament his Father, to the great commiseration of the whole multitude, who thus dolorously heard him cry: Alas Franc-Gal my Lord & Father, have you brought me into this World, to have no more acquaintance with you, but only three days at Tangut and one only day at Orb? Alas must it chance thus, that having traveled so many lands and Seas to seek me who was carried away by the wind, you must find me here in mort all peril to your grief, sudden and short joy, and unlooked for death? O my most dear father, well have I attended to be made knight of your haud, for of a more worthy a man I can never be made. Well I see now that if I would be a son any longer, I must go seek another Father: this saying he fell down again, nevertheless he was by the Ministers speedily taken up, and by the Archier consolated, who showed unto him the good and long life of Franc-Gal his Father, tegether with his happy death in extreme joy and felicity, without feel of pain or sorrow, his glory of immortal renown gotten through the whole world, which should redound perpetually to his successors. For the better manifesting whereof (tending only to the end to consolation) he turned his speech to the people, and by manner of an oration funebrall, he declared what Franc-Gal was, his noble race, his virtuous acts and deeds, his benefactions to all universally (in ripping up his whole life) and his strange adventures as he had understood them of Franc-Gal himself and as they have been before declared and shown. This oration being well understood, all the people universally marveled at such a virtuous and heroical parsonage, making for him a public and common mourning from the highest Magistrate to the lowest of the poor people: who bore such reverence to this most virtuous deceased Fran-Gal that they would not willingly lose the sight and presence of him, nor hide so noble a body under the earthly darknesses. And therefore by the advice of all the wise men and consent of all the people, and at the common expense and charges was made a great Tabernacle of most fine crystal in fashion of a tower, wherein was enclosed the body of Franc-Gal, situated in a chair, the crown on his head, in the same form, habitude, and countenance of joy, that he deceased in. In this estate they elevated him upon four pillars of guilt brass on the north side of the Altar, whereby they might always have him in their sight as a very Image of virtue: where he remained whole in his former beauty for the space of 400. years after, until such time as the world began to commit Idolatry to him, wherewithal the Sovereign jove being ●…rited, one day he caused it to be lift up by four angelical spirits, and transported into such a place, that afterwards it was no more seen. These funebrall things being accomplished, the next day the Archier conducted Alector towards the Haven, where they found Franc-Gal his company attending their Master, to whom Alector (who by them incontinently was known and cherished) commanded to discharge all the goods being upon the Hippopotame, that they might be conveyed to the town of Orb. Which when they had done, he showed unto them this sorrowful news, willing them no longer to attend their prince, for that he was dead, where at all of them being astonished demanded of him saying: Is Franc-Gal deadened And he answered them absolutely: Franc-Gal is dead. At these words Franc-Gal is dead, the horse Durat Hippopotame began to move (as one having understanding and intelligence of the death of his Master) and shaked his wings, feet, tail, head and body with such a violence, that the Sea arose round about: and in this torment there issued out of the deep Sea the old man Protëus, who cried aloud, never man henceforth shall ride upon thee. In this saying he led the horse into the lofty Stas, where, in the sight and to the great sorrow of all the beholders, he sunk him in the depth, in such sort that never after he was seen. The people of Franc-Gal seeing what had happened, and that they were both without conduct and means to ride on the Seas, followed Alector as their Master till that they came to Orb, carrying with them the goods and riches of their late Master, that they might present them to his entire body, and see him in his tabernacle: and as they were thus ready to return, behold a bird passing by, came and rested on the shoulders of Croniell, who knowing this bird to be sent him by divine ordinance, took her in his hands, and having written in a white leaf these verses: 
Priscaraxe Queen of Tartary, no longer dooattend  
The coming of Franc-Gal: for why, his life with joy hath end.  
The onelysecing of his child Alector full of grace  
With honour crowned in virtue mild, hath wrought this doleful case.  He bond it to her neck, commanding her in the name of jova the name of the sovereign God, to be a faithful messenger, and to carry this letter to Priscaraxe Queen of Tartary and so let her fly with his benediction: and the bird as one having understood his commandments incontinently took her flight over the Seas and septentrional parts in such sort that within a while the companions of Franc-Gal, Alector and Croniell, lost the sight of her, and returned to Orb, where, what they did shall be declared in the Second part. And how Alector was transformed by fantasy into a bird, and afterwards restored to his former shape, made Knight, with his facts and heroical deeds. Likewise the message done by the bird to Priscaraxe, of her dolours, decliningand trasmigration into Aquitaine, and all that happened to her there: moreover of the passage of Alector into France unto the obscure valley afterwards called by him Vau ieur, and of his notable and worthy doings. Finally his posterity until the coming of the pensive Pilgrim. All this shallbe shown in the Second part and thus shall end the First.   
Though long at length.  
FINIS.