she ranne to receiue him, and both of them with such extreme passions of loue and gladnes embracing one another, were not able to speake one worde, for the infinite ioy they had at each others sight: But comming to themselues againe, at the last she saide thus vnto him. What the cause may be, that thou hast staied so long (my lo∣uing Lord) I knowe not, but what sorrowe and anxieties of minde I haue passed for thy slowe comming, my impatient loue is able to testifie. I hope, thou dost imagine faire Lady (saide he againe) that it is not by my fault and negligence, but mens dis∣seignes doe not alwaies fall out fit to their desires: So that if there be any trueth in me, thou maist well beleeue me, that it was not in my power to come sooner then I haue done. But breaking him off in his excuses, she tooke him by the hand, & leading him into a rich chamber, they sat them downe vpon a faire bed, where thus she said vnto him. I was desirous my thrise beloued Abyndaraes, to haue thee see, how cap∣tiues in loue can fulfill their promise; for, from the very day, that I gaue thee my word for pledge of my hart, I haue sought the meanes to discharge me of it. I sent for thee to come to this Castell, to be my prisoner, as I am thine. But now I haue brought thee in hither, to make thee Lord of me, and of my fathers treasure, vnder the honourable name of a lawfull husband, whereunto my estate, nor thy loyaltie cannot otherwise consent. I do knowe well, that my fathers will wilbe contrarie to our workings, who being ignorant of thy valour, and not knowing thy deserts, as well as I doe, will perhaps bestowe some richer husband on me: but I esteeme thy noble personage, and thy vertuous and valiant mind more, then the greatest riches in the world. And hauing saide thus vnto him, she hung downe her head, blushing not a little, that she had so much discouered her selfe, and in so plaine and open termes declared her affection vnto him. The noble Moore tooke her in his armes, and many times kissing her white hands for such louing and curteous wordes, saide thus vnto her. I haue no new thing (sweete Lady of my soule) to giue thee in requi∣tall of such great good as thou dost offer me, bicause I am no lesse (as I was before) wholy thine. Onely this pledge I giue thee in token of my vnspeakable loue, that I receiue thee for my beloued Lady and wife: And heerewithall thou maist lay aside for a while that modest shamefastnes, and maidenly teynt, which continually thou hast had, since thou hast taken me for thine owne. Vnwillingly she did the same: And vpon this conclusion they went to bed, where with a new experience they re∣kindled the flames of their enamoured harts. In which amorous enterprise, passed on either side many louing wordes, and deedes fitter for imagination, then to be written. The Moore being in so great ioy and pleasure, fetched on the sudden a pro∣found and painfull sigh, and turning from her, began to lie so sad and pensiue, that faire Xarifa perceiuing it, was much amazed and troubled in minde to see so sudden an alteration: who lying still, heard him breath foorth a deepe and dolefull sigh with turning his body on euery side. The Lady vnable to suffer so great an iniurie to her beautie and loyaltie, thinking he was displeased with the one or both, rising vp a little in the bedde, with a milde and merrie voice (though somewhat troubled) saide vnto him. What meanes this Abyndaraes? It seemes thou art offended with my mirth. I heard thee sigh, and tumble, and tosse thy body on euery side: why man, if I am wholy thy ioye, and thy delight, why dost thou not tell me for whom thou dost sigh; and if I am not, why hast thou thus deceiued me? If thou hast found any fault in my person, that hath abridged the delight of thy imagination, cast thine eies and minde vpon my will, which is sufficient to supply many wants, and vpon my zealous and louing hart, that wisheth it the fairest and finest in the world for thy
