best reputation, was his
great hardinesse, whereof the common reporte and brute was
nothing impeached or staied for all his youth. For in so many
places he shewed his chiualrie, as not only Spain but Fraunce
and Italie, did singularly commend and set forth his vertue:
bicause in all the warres wherin he was present, he neuer spared
him self for any daunger. And when his countrie was in peace and
quiet, he sought to serue in straunge places, being loued and
estemed both of his frendes and enemies. This Gentleman for the
loue of his Captaine was come into that countrey, where was
arriued the Countesse of Arande, and in beholding the beautie
and good grace of her daughter, which was not then past XII.
yeres of age, he thought that she was the fairest and most
vertuous personage that euer he sawe: and that if he could
obtaine her good will, he should be so well satisfied as if he
had gained all the goods and pleasures of the worlde. And after
he had a good whyle viewed her, for all the impossibilitie that
reason could deuise to the contrary, he determined to loue her,
although some occasion of that impossibilitie might ryse through
the greatnesse of the house wherof she came, and for want of age
which was not able as yet to vnderstande the passions of loue.
But against the feare thereof he was armed with good hope,
persuading himselfe, that time and patience would bring happie
ende to his trauayle: and from that time gentle Loue whiche
without any other occasion than by his own force was entred the
harte of Amadour, promised him fauour and helpe by all meanes
possible to attaine the same. And to prouide for the greatest
difficultie, which was the farre distance of the countrie wher
he dwelt, and the small occasion that he had thereby any more to
see Florinda, he thought to marry against his determination made
with the ladies of Barselone and Parpignon, amonges whom he was
so conuersant by reason of the warres, as he semed rather to be
a Cathelan, than a Castillan, although he wer borne by Tollede,
of a riche and honourable house, yet bicause he was a yonger
brother, he inioyed no great patrimonie or reuenue.
Notwithstanding, loue and fortune seing him forsaken of his
parentes, determined to accomplishe some notable exployt in him,
and gaue him (by meanes of his vertue) that which the lawes of
his countrey refused to geue. He had good experience in factes
of warre, and was so well beloued of al Princes and Rulers, as
he