the castle, & knocking at the gate, it was opened to them out of hand by the Centri∣nels, who had notice of that was past, and what they should do. The valiant Gouer∣nor receiued them curteously: and Abyndaraes going to the gate and taking his wise by the hand brought her vnto him, & said. Behold Rodrigo of Naruaez if I keepe not well my word and appointed time? For promising thee to returne thy prisoner, in∣steed of one, I bring thee two, for one was enough to ouercome many. Behold here my Ladie, & iudge if I haue not iustly suffered for her sake: accept vs now for thine, for in thy virtuous and noble minde I repose my whole trust and confidence, and in∣to thy hands commit her deere and chiefest honour. The Gouernor was verie glad to see them both, and said to Xarifa: I know not faire Ladie which of you haue con∣quered each other in loue and curtesie, but truely thinke my selfe greatly bound vn∣to you both. Come in therefore, and rest you in your owne house, the which from henceforth, as also the master of it, accept for none other. After this friendly en∣tertainement, they went with him into his dining chamber, where after a little while they refreshed themselues, bicause they came somewhat wearie. The Gouernor as∣ked the Moore how he did for his wounds. I thinke (said he) that what with the way, and what with paine, they are somewhat rankled: which faire Xarifa hearing, with an altered an appalled countenance said vnto him. Alas how comes this to passe my Lord? Haue you any woundes about you, and I not knowe them? Who escapes (saide he) from thine, needes little to care for any other. Truth it is, that at our late skirmish in the night I got two little woundes, which my troublesome iourney and negligence in curing them hath made somewhat worse, but all is but little or no∣thing. It is best (saide the Gouernour) that you lay you downe, and I will send for a Chirurgeon that is heere in the Castell to cure them. Following which counsell, faire Xarifa caused him to put off his apparell, and though she set a good face on the matter (bicause she woulde not giue him any occasion to feele her inwarde greefe) yet was she altered much and troubled in her minde. The Chirurgeon came, and searching his wounds saide, that they were not dangerous, bicause the signe was not in those places when he receiued them; and also, bicause they were smitten ouerthwart, would not be long in healing: For with a certaine ointment that he made out of hand, the paine of them was somewhat asswaged; and in fower daies (by meanes of the great care the Chirurgeon had in healing them) hee was as sound and whole as euer he was before. But one day, after dinner was done, the Abencerajesaide thus vnto the Gouernour. As you are wise, Rodrigo of Naruaez, so can you not choose, but by the manner of our being at Coyn, and of our comming hither, imagine more then you haue seene, which affaires of ours by our owne mis∣fortunes (driuen to this desperate (though happy) euent, wherein they nowe are) must be (I hope) by your aduise and helpe brought to some good end. This is faire Xarifa, of whom I tolde you: This is my Lady, and my deerely beloued wife: In Coyn she woulde not stay for feare of her Father. For though he knowes not what hath passed betweene vs, yet she feared least this accident at some time or other might be discouered. Her Father is nowe with our King of Granada, whose highnesse I know, doth beare you especiall good will, and loueth you, (though you be a Christi∣an) for your valour and vertuous disposition. Wherefore I beseech you (gentle knight) to sollicite our pardon at his gracious hands for dooing what is past without his leaue and priuitie, since Fortune hath brought it (though happily) to this doubt∣full passe. Comfort your selues Abyndaraes and faire Xarifa (said the noble Gouer∣nour) for by the faith of a gentleman I promise you to do what I can for you in this
