vtter that dismall doome of her Sonne shee fell into a deadly swound in which sort she continued a good space in which time the nurse was departed with yong Parismenos which when Laurana perceiued she began to vtter many heauy plaints that the very walles seemed to pittie her distresse but being diuersly tormented with feare to thinke what was become of her yong sonne she got to the windowe and there beheld Adamasia with the nurse ready to strangle the Infant before her face but the nurse pittying the infant who lookt with such a smiling countenance that the cruell Tigers would haue spared his life vpon her knées with aboundance of teares intreated the hard hearted Adamasia to spare his life who was no way guiltie of his mothers offence but all the intreaties she could vse nothing auailed but she taking the infant from the nurse adressed her selfe to execute her cruell intent Which Laurana espying beeing therewith terrified called aloude from the window vnto her and desired her to heare her speake before shee spilt the innocent bloud of her yong sonne which caused Adamasia to stay but still shee continued like a furious Lionesse standing ready to deuour her pray and Laurana from foorth her window vttered these speeches If thou wert euer borne of a woman be not so inhumane as so destroy that harmelesse infant which is of no power to worke thy discontent wherein hath it offended thee or how hath it any way deserued such an vntimely death What will it profit thee at all to see his destruction It is I that haue offended thee it is I that may appease thy cruell minde it is my blood that may suffice thy deuouring appetite then inflict thy wrath on my head reuenge thy selfe on mee that héere offer my selfe willingly to destruction What mercilesse creature would be so tyrannous as to destroy an harmelesse innocent when they haue in their power a fitter subiect to appease their ire Cruell Adamasia or let mee call thee gentle cruell woman let my plaints mooue thy heart from acting that cruell déede let my humble teares and remembrance of a mothers loue to her childe reuoke thy cruell doome let my paines and intreaties so much pricke thy flinty breast as to cause thy heart relent and stay thy hand from that mercilesse déede heere I am that haue offended why wilt thou not then reuenge thy selfe on mee that may satisfie thy will and spare that tender babe whose death will make thée so odious that the very earth will refuse to beare thy hatefull body the Sun will send noysome vapours to poyson thy soule the ayre will infect thy intrailes and the very foules will worke thy downefall Remember that his life may bee a meanes to alter my minde but his death wiâ—…harden my heart so much that it will be foreuer impossible for thee to attaine the thing thou seekest at my hand Then bee not so cruell as to spill the blood of that silly Lambe that is not altogether as yet ready for the slaughter Adamasia hearing the conclusion of Lauranaes spéeches perceiuing that they shewed some likelihood that shee would change her inclination wherein she was deceiued deliuered Parismenos againe to his Nurse with many oathes protesting that if Laurana did not the next day grant her request he should surely die Laurana was somewhat comforted by this short time of Truce she had gotten for Parismenos liâ—…e but stil rested in such caâ—…e and perplexity of griefe that she was in the most woefullest estate of miserie that euer any Lady was in her Senses beeing so stuffed with aboundance of sorrow that shee could neither resolue what to doe nor once study how to auoide these intollerable mischiefes The Nurse hauing receiued the young Parismenos with great ioy departed to the place of her aboad where she was no sooner come but she then began presently to deuise how to saue the swéete Babe from death for although she was a stranger to Laurana a woman of a rude and barbarous Nation and altogether voide of Ciuilitie yet by the Diuine operation she was so farre in loue with that most sweet countenance of the yong Infant and therewith she tooke such delight to educate so gallant a Childe that she determined either to saue him from Adamasias cruelty or thereby worke her owne destruction therefore in the middest of the darke night when all things were at silence she stole away from the Castle with Parismenos and by that time it was day she was trauelled some twenty miles from the same wher she gate into a woode and there made such prouision that she carefully brought vp Parismenos as conueniently as was possible for her to doe in that vnfrequented place of whom wee will speake more heereafter The next morning Adamasia came again to Lauranas chaÌ„ber demanding the accomplishment of her request who by that time had sufficiently determined what to doe and weghing the distressed estate she was in considered that if shee should condiscend to loue Andramart shee should both disrobe her selfe of chastitie and doe a most monstrous iniurie to the noble Parismus shee resolued rather to sée the destruction of her Sonne and endure death And therefore tolde Adamasia if nothing but her dishonour would content her minde she might doe all as pleased her for she was resolued neuer to yeelde to violate her chastity but yet most humbly intreated the hard hearted hagge to spare her Sons life shewing such manifold reasons that it would haue pierced the heart of the cruellest Tyrant liuing but Adamasia was rather inflamed to furie then any way mollified with her gentle intreaties that in an extreame rage she departed with full intent to excute her vnsatiate reuenge on Parismenos but comming into the nurses Chamber and not finding him nor his nurse she could not tell what to thinke and making further enquirie being thereby assured that they were not to bee found shee was inraged with such madde and Diuellish frenzie that shee came vnto the two olde hagges that had executed her commandement before on Laurana stamping and staring and discouered vnto them all that had happened and how that the nurse was fled with the yong Infant who by her wicked commandement for many daies after continually tormented the vertuous Laurana with such extreame tortures that it was impossible for her long to endure that extreame misery wherewith shee was brought into a most dangerous estate of death being voide of all comfort and continually she spent her time in bemoning the losse of her Lord and the vntimely slaughter of Parismenos whom shee thought assuredly to be dead CHAP. XXIII How Aadramart vnderstanding how Adamasia had vsed Laurana and missing young Parismenos would haue slaine her but shee hasting to auoide his furie burst her necke downe a paire of staires ANdramart all this while continued in good hope of Lauranas fauour which hee was in some sort assured of by Adamasias perswasion who continually vsed all the delaies she could to hinder
him from visiting Laurana for she was assured that if he had any knowledge how shee had misused her it would turne to her great displeasure But he hauing a long time endured her absynce with an afflicted minde and seeing that he could not attaine the fellicity hee expected but was still delayed by the faire promises of his sister which came to no effect determined himselfe to visit her which he had not done in many daies and therefore with a pleasant countenance he entred her Chamber where at his comming in he found such an alteration as he was astonished to behold the same for Lauranaâ—…ate â—…ate by her beds side vpon the floore shedding aboundance of teares her ornaments all betorne by the two cruell Hagges that vsed daily to torment her her golden tresses hanging disheuered about her shoulders her crimson coloured chéekes turned to a pale hue her Face mangled and scratched with their hellish nailes and all things so disordered contrary to his expectation little suspecting the cruelty that the cruel Adamasia had vsed that in a maruellous perplexity hee stoode coniecturing what might bee the occasion thereof One while thinking that her owne impaciency had caused her vse that cruelty against her selfe Agaâ—…de hee beganne to suspect Adamcsia for that he mist Leda Lauranaes Gentlewoman At last Laurana hauing espied him being abashed at his suddaine comming for that she was so disrobed arose from off the place where she sate fearing least his comming thither might be to offer her some violence But Andramart humbling himselfe vpon his knée vttered these speeches Most vertuous Ladie vouchsafe to heare your vassal speake whose heart is oppressed with a thousand griefes to see the extreame sorrow you remaine in I haue according to your command absented my selfe from manifesting my desire so be acceptable in your sight this long time trusting that your gentle heart would in time pitty the extremity of my passions and now beeing oppressed and ouerburdened by a longing desire to enioy your heauenly presence I haue presumed to shew my selfe in your gentle Aspect though contrary to your command trusting to haue some good hope of your gentlenesse but contrary to my expectation I find my selfe frustrated of all comforts and your selfe to bee in that equipage that I know not how to vtter these my spéeches nor coniecture of the cause of this your sorrow which driueth me into a thousand doubtfull cogitations least I am now more vnwelcome to your company then I haue deserued beeing altogether ignorant of any cause of offence that I haue giuen you More he would haue said but that Laurana interrupted him in this sort It ill beséemeth a man of thy sexe to vse dissimulation for that the cruell vsage I haue endured cannot be vnknowne vnto thee but procured by thy meanes and now further to torment me that am altogether resolued to abide thy greatest furie thou commest with dissembling and counterfait flatterâ—…es to excuse thy tyranny thinking by thy counterfait ignorance to purchase that which thy tyranny cannot effect But be assured that I am now so far from coÌ„descending to conceiue any good opinion of thee as it is but in vain for thee to vtter any more speeches but thinke and be perswaded that by thy cruell deuises thou hast giuen me such cause to hate thee that I will for euer estoome thée the hatefullest Tyrant liuing and the cruellest homicide that is in the world These speeches draue Andrmart into such an amazement that with many thousand oathes vowes and protestations he requested Laurana to manifest vnto him the occasioÌ„ of these her spéeches which she was vrged to doe wondring at the many intreaties he made for she thought assuredly it had béen by his procurement but at last by his protestations she suspected the contrary began to declare to him the manner of her vsage How she was daily whipt and beaten by two olde mercilesse women and how Adamasia had murdered her sonne Parismenos with remembrance of whose death she vttered such aboundance of teares that Andramart was likewise ready to weepe to see the sorrow shee endured This hard vsage quoth Laurana I haue endured by your cruell meanes besides the imprisonment of my seruant Leda or her death for that I haue not of long time seen her and now in fraudulent manner I feare me you come to spill my blood which is héere ready to abide your tyranny Most vertuous Ladie quoth Andramart if any of these euils haue happened by my meanes or any waies by my consent then esteeme me the most cruellest creature liuing then let mee neuer enioy any title of your fauour which will be more greeuous vnto me then a thousand deaths then let the heauens poure down their vengeance vpon my detested carkasse and al the furies of hel eternally possesse my soule Let the earth receiue my bated body into her bowels and let we for euer be detested and abhorred of all creatures Which words he had no sooner vtted but Adamasia was entred Lauranaas chamber and séeing her brother in that rage would haue departed againe but he espying her called her vnto him And Laurana now assuredly perswading her self that he was no way guilty of her cruel vsage abhorring the sight of the tyrannesse said Behold the cruel executer of Parismenos tragedy and your tyranny at which words Andramart drew out his fauchion which he continually ware about him determining to ende her detested life but shee fearing his cruelty and beeing terrified with his gastly countenance ranne with such swiftnesse from his presence that missing her steps she fell downe a high paire of staires and dasht out her hatefull braines and in that maner according to her owne wicked life she desperately ended her daies Andramart thinking her death not sufficient to make amends for the cruell torments Laurana had indured in furious sort ranged vp down the castle vntil he had found the old hags that had bin Adamasias instruments of furie one of them he immediatly slew and the other fled into the court whom he pursused and in the sight of his mistresse who was beholding the dead body of Adamasia at one blow he parted her cursed head from her filthy body Which in some sort reioyced Laurana to sée but he still ran vp and downe raging in such cruel sort that his seruant fled from his presence and hid themselues for feare of his furie At last he came to the place where Parismenos was nursed but finding him gone and withall remembring Lauranaes speeches for very griefe he tare his haire and stamped on the earth at last by directions of his seruants he came to the place where Leda was imprisoned being vsed in most vile sort and vttered these speeches Faire damsel if you haue conceiued any hard opinion of me for this your vsage I beseech you remit the same for it was altogether without my knowledge and assure your selfe I haue so handled the vnworthy procurer thereof that she shal neuer hereafter
neare as she thought Which excuses rather increased her desire and the more shee seemed desirous to goe thither still the more they defrauded her by excuses many dayes In which time she being indued with an extraordinary Wisedom hauing well weyghed eache circumstance of her bringing thither and their friuolous excuses to detaine her there and withall noting theyr behauiours and spéeches beganne to suspect Archas dissimulation To finde out the truth therof she began contrary to her inward thoughts to frame a cheerfuller countenance and comfortable disposition thereâ—…y to féele theyr intents which wrought such effect that within a while Archas would often frequent her companie and in the ende proffered Loue to her vsing her most kindely carefully and tenderly seeming aboue all things to regard her quiet and content whose spéeches shee endured quietly and tooke in good part as he thought that vpon a time amongst many spéeches taking her by the hand he saide Most Beautifull Ladie I haue euer since the first viewe of those excellent Beauties bene tormented with the Passions of entire Loue so that I could take no quiet but in the sweete remembrance of your Perfections which haue bound my Deuotions to your seruire in such a kinde of firme and constant League that my onely resolution is to spâ—…nde my life if it were a thousand times dearer to mee then it is to procure your content Therefore thus boldely I presume to reueale my Affections trusting your Clemencie will adde some ease vnto my carefull heart by shewing some courteous signe of your fauourable acceptance of my humble Suite and though my merite hath no way deserued such fauour yet let mee beseech you to make triall of my loyaltie and you shall finde I will be inferiour to none in good will nor violate my Protested-loyaltie in any vndutifull respect I haue the boldlyer presumed to detaine you here because with your absence my life would depart Then construe not amisse that true loue and sincere Affection which hath caused me to offend in but no offence at all if you vouchfafe not to take it so Here shall you enioy your fill of content in as ample sort as any other place can yéelde Then I beseeche you graunt some ease to my troubled heart and by your clemencie release me of those cares that possesse my Breast onely procured by the piercing dart of your sacred Beautie Which words being ended he offered to haue kist her but shee gently refusing the same made this replie Syr Knight my Sorrowes will not suffer mee to belieue your spéeches nor my late losse permit mee to entertaine your Loue For then might you estéeme me light and so lightly wonne as little regard mee but to put you out of suspence my resolution is neuer to loue anie but my deare Pollipus wherewith the Cristall teares with a violent passage fell from her griefeswolne Eye-balls That griefe quothee is remedilesse Therefore banish the sadde remembrance thereof from your heart and entertaine a perswasion of my Constancie and true Affection which euerlastingly remaine inuiolable without intermission How can I quoth shee in Conscience and without euerlasting staine to wine Honour when I haue neither performed his Funerall nor shewed any token of dutie to his deade Cerps who loued mee most deerely in his life time But shew mee this fauour as to let mee but returne to the Courte to bewaile his death and a while enioy my deere Frendes companie and I promise and protest next pollipus to loue but your selfe Archas hearing her make such an indifferent and reasonable demaund stood like one amazed as not knowing what sudden Answer to make her Thinking that if hee should denye her that Request being so small shee might thinke his Loue to be but slender And if hee should promise her and not performe that might be a meanes to bréede a further suspition in her that all his reporte to her were false So that hee stoode musing a great while confounded in his thoughtes what to deuise for a ready Answere Nay studie not so for that quoth Violetta but answere me another â—…e Which said she withdrue herselfe vnto her Chamber where she â—…egan to meditate of his speeches and how he was astonisht when she â—…equested him to conuey her to the Court Which draue her into maâ—…y cogitations When presently one of the gentlewomen came to her Whom she vsed most kindely and of purpose to feele her minde grewe into familiar conference with her And amongst many other spéeches qd she I pray tell mee what Archas hath reported vnto you concerning Pollipus for he seemeth vnwilling to vtteâ—… his minde vnto mâ—… He told me nothing qd she Which words came from her with such â—…uttering and change of countenance that Violetta began to suspect that Archas had all this while disseâ—…led with her and that pollipus contrary to his report was yet liuing And when â—…orana came shee likewise felt her minde of whom she gathered some probability And likewise when she next came into Archas company she asked him so manie Questions that shee found many contraâ—…eries in his spâ—…ches which setled such a perswasiue opinion in her minde that Archas eâ—…orte of Pollipus was vntrue that shee rested greatly comforted that way but yet in great care cogâ—…ating what he would suppose was become of her How she should get out of that place or giue him knowledge of her being there and auoyde Archas odious Loue which séemed as deadly to her heart as infectious Uenome Archas still prosecuted his sute with great earnestnesse making many friuolous excuses to withhold her from the Bohemian Court growing into such boldâ—…es that oftentimes when she refused his offered embracings and impudent behauiors he would by force kisse her and fold her in his armes which rudenesse he so often vsed that she began so extreamly to abhorre him that his sight was odious vnto her Oftentimes Vloletta did walke into a pleasant Orchard adioyning to the Castle as well to recreate her dulled Sences in those pleasaunt Shâ—…des as in solitarinesse to recount her mâ—…eries and ease her carefull heart by inuenting meanes howe to ridde her â—…e from that Labyrinth of sorrow and also to auoyd Archas odious sight who inwardly â—…usted to satâ—…sfie his inordinate appetit by obtaining the fruition of her delicate bodie and though he knew pollipus were liuing and heard the mones and sorrowfull complaints Violetta mâ—…de able to exteâ—…ate any tirannous disposition yet he persisted in his diuelish resolution with such impudencie that neither regarding har complaints nor the lawes of Nature hee still sought all disloyall opportunities to dishonour her And on a time marking when she went into the Orchard as shee was 〈◊〉 in middest of her silent cogitations hee câ—…me to the place wherâ—… she saâ—…e whose heart began to pant with a kinde of feare when she behelde him and comming vnto her seating himselfe closr by her sweete side he vttered these spéeches You know deare Ladie how long
cause of my gladnesse Violetta hath disguised her selfe and bin with vs in all the time of our trauels and Adonius is now chaÌ„ged to Violetta and hath discouered her selfe vnto me which was more strange to me then it may séeme to you Parismus hearing his spéeches called her fauor to remembrance perfectly knew that it was Violetta wondering that in so long time as shée was in the disguise of Adonius hée could neuer perceiue the same nor once suspect it which affected his heart with excéeding ioy and taking Pollipus by the hand they walked together to Laurana who greatly reioyced at his happy newes presently commanded Leda to carrie apparell vnto her and all things that were necessarie which shée presently executed and at her comming founde Violetta newly awaked and tolde her that Laurana had sent her that apparell which Violetta was well contented with Parismus Pollipus and Laurana by this time were come where she was who stood with a bulshing couÌ„tenance like Venus intrapt in Vnlcans net but Parismus tooke her by the hand said Blush not vertuous damosel for it reioyceth my hart to sée you here could you be so vnkind as in all the time of your trauell neuer to make your selfe knowne till now Well I sée you haue wisdome in making your choice and well haue you deserued to be beloued of Pollipus who I am sure will performe no lesse neither néede you any more trial of his loue for that you haue béene priuie to many infallible proofes thereof Violetta knéeling vttered these spéeches I thanke your honour that vouchsafe mee this extraordinarie fauour as to visite mee that haue shewed my selfe vnworthie thereof but I trust I néed not now stand vpon nice tearmes to this worthie knight for that I may bee fully assured of his fidelitie neither can I séeme straunge hauing béene so long time acquainted with his loue But if my boldnes hath not câ—…used his misconceyte of me I here offer my selfe for euer to bee at his disposition desiring you most worthie knight to pardon whatsoeuer you haue found amisse in me or disagréeing of a maidens chast behauiour and with a fauourable opinion consure of my rashnes both to try your vertues as also to disguise my selfe wherein I haue done so neere as I could nothing that might any way disgrace my chastitie or dishonour my name Pollipus taking her in his armes saide Sweete and kinde loue should I bee so barbarous as to misdeeme your vertues or beare any other then the most courteous conceit of your kindnesse then I might bee accounted the most inhumane creature liuing but contrarie to my desert I account my selfe so inriched and honoured by your loue that for euer I shall endeuour to be thankfull vnto you for the same and beseech you thus to esteeme of mee that it will bee more grieuous vnto me then death to bee out of your fauour Then I desire you let your heart repose that good trust in me that no miserie calmitie death nor affliction shall cause me once in wdrd or deede to be disloyal to your selfe that vouchsafe me the heauenly happinesse I desire Laurana all this while diligently beholding Violettaes modest countenance and bashfulnesse came vnto her and embraced her in most familiar sort saying Most vertuous damosel be not discomforted nor abashed at your disguise for it cannot be taken otherwise then vertuous for by the same you haue shewen a great token of wisdome to make so infallible a triall of the constancie of your friend neyther trouble your selfe with any misconceited opinion of your Chastitie for none can be so discourteous as to disallow the same And as for my selfe I am so fully assured of your Uertues that I shall for euer hate them that shal once thinke otherwise then honourablie of you and hereafter make account to finde me as your most faithfull Friende for at all times I will esteeme you as my Sister and whatsoeuer lyeth in my power to doe you good shall be readie at your commaunde Violetta kneeling downe most humblie thanked her for her Honourable kindnesse Laurana taking her by the hand led her downe into the great Hall where she was entirely welcommed by the King and Queene and by all the rest of the States with maruailous louing kindenesse who hauing knowledge of her exceedingly commended her Uertues and beeing informed of the truth of all that had passed betweene her and Pollipus by his owne reporte grew into such a good liking of her and so much esteemed her wifedome that they accounteâ—… him the most Fortnate Knight liuing to make choyse of so vertuous a Wife And presently her Father was sent for who with great ioyfulnesse welcommed his Daughter Within fewe dayes by the appointment of Dionisius shee was most Solemnely married to Pollipus with great Royaltie to both their exceeding contentments and to the reioycing of all them that were there present Afterwardes all Thessalie remayned in great tranquillitie and these kinde Friendes continued stil in Dionisius Court many dayes vntill Parismus once againe desired to see his natiue Countrey of Bohemia where within shorte time after his departure from Thessaly he safely arriued as shall be declared in the second part of this Hystorie which shall be called by the Name of Parismenos wherein shall be she â—…ne at large the straunge discourse manner of his bringing vp by his Nurse that fledde with him from the Tyrant Andramarts Castle in the Iland of Rocks with the rehearsall of many strange adueÌ„tures he atchieued before he came to his parents Thus courteous Readers you sée the first fruits of my gréene labour rudely put into your courteous handes which if you please to grace but with a fauourable opinion I will in the next Hystorie endeuour to make you some part of amends But if this shall not be kindly accepted you shall for euer discourage me from bestowing any more ydle time in these or any other such like exercises FINIS GEentlemen if a straunger may request a fauour which I am sure no honest well-willer to Learning will denie then let me intreate you in the behalfe of my friend the Author heereof to affoorde him your kinde acceptance of this his first labour which I am the more earnestly to craue at your courteous hands because I animated him vnto the same For comming one day into his Chamber I found amongst other things this History of Parismus roughly penned by him and carelesly cast by in loose papers as minding that it should neuer haue come to the presse But I gathering them together and reading them found the inuention so prettie the matter so delightfull and the Stile although plaine yet so pleasing as liking it requested him to suffer it to come abroad assuring him that it could not but be generally well liked of the better sort Andtherefore since he hath through my perswasions performed the same doe not you I pray you discourage him in his first attempts but kindely accept his
shall not misse Much barbrous blood reuenge shall spill And all of warre shall haue their fill All this shall happen by degree Before this childe shall wedded be And because he will match her according to her dignitie hee hath likewise made a vow that none but the greatest Potentate in the world should be her husband Which said the Knight went into his Tent and brought out a most gallaÌ„t Picture this quoth he is the Ladies forme wherin the Artsman hath shewed some pretty skill but so facâ—…e is this picture vnconformable to the perfect description of her celestiall perfections and as farre different in delicaie as is blacke from white or beautie from deformitie whose view would change the aâ—…ons of the truest Knight liuing from his former constant resolue to adore her beautie and forsake his former vowes onely to attend her person for so diuine are her liniaments and so rare her perfections that her fame is euen spred through all the regions of the world Barzillus hearing him enter into a new discourse of her beautie and that in such affectionate sort hauing before in his fancy said enough beganne to laugh at him saying Knight me thinks thou dotest or else art madde to enter into such commendation of this Ladies beautie hauing peraduenture neuer séene other fayre Lady or else for that thy selfe art affectionately deuoted to loue none but her for I haue séene a Lady that as farre excéedeth this picture as thou reportest shee doth all other which words Barzillus spake onely to see whether his valour and boastings were agréeable wherewith the Knight that kept the Tent was so vexed that he vttered these speeches What ill nurtured creature art thou quoth hee that deâ—…idest the beautie that is rather to be admired hast thou no more manners then to make so little estimation of that which all the world adores thou shalt dearely abide this discourtesie with that hee mounted himselfe and charged a Speare at Barzillus who answered him with such a courage that at two courses he ouerthrew him from his horse By which time a number of Knights were vpon the Battlements viewing their combat and seeing the Knight that kept the Tent foyled burst into an exceeding laughter and so departed Barzillus hauing foyled the Knight for that the night drew nigh withdrew himself from the Golden Tower into a pleasant valley and there stayed that night The Knight that kept the Tent was belonging to the King of Candie who came with perswasion to winne Angelicas loue with his prowesse and with much ado had obtayned leaue of the Gardiants to keepe the passage but hee not contented with his foyle intending to reuenge his disgrace followed him into the valley where Tellamor found them combatting as is aforesaid who knowing Barzillus stepping betwixt them parted the fray Barzlilus likewise knowing Tellamor with great kindnesse embraced him and vpon his request declared the cause of their combat Tellamor then speaking to the knight of the Tent gaue him this farewell Knight returne to your charge for your combat here is at an end for businesse of more importance withdraweth this knight which may turne to thy good for likely thou wouldest haue perished by his prowesse You shall haue occasion enough to exercise your Armes against such as would steale your Lady which this Knight intendeth not therefore returne to your Tent defend her beautie there which none here gainsaieth Tellamor hauing ended his spéech intreated Barzillus to depart with him which the Knight of Candie séeing he returned towards the Golden Tower By the way as they were returning towards Panuamus Castle Tellamor delared to Barzillus how fortunately he came to knowledge of Violetta which exceedingly reioyced Barzillus heart but when hee vnderstood Pollipus misfortune hee was contrarily affected with as great desire to set him at libertie which communication shortned their iourney and in the end arriued at the Castle The newes of their approach soone came to Violettas hearing who knowing both Tellamor and Barzillus welcommed their presence with such effusion of teares that for a space she could not vtter a word but her floud being somewhat stinted saluting them most kindly shee vttered these spéeches Your presence worthy friends bringeth great comfort to my heart after my tedious toyle of misery what thanks my vndeseruing heart can yéeld I render you for the paines you haue taken for my sake for I know you vndertooke this trauell to finde me out that am not worthy to bee so well estéemed of you much lesse vnable to make you the least part of amends You may sée to what poore estate I am brought by the treachery of a disloyal Knight who hath caused my misery your trauell and Pollipus imprisonment intill I was succoured by this courteous Lady whose friendshippe hath succoured mee from famishment This homely attyre I vndertooke for my quiet passage but misfortunes still awayie my miserable steps which no disguise can preuent with that her teares burst into a floud againe Barzillus being mooued with her teares was ready to participate her griefe in the manner she did but at last he sayd I beséech you comfort your selfe in these extremities and let not such passions of sorrow oppresse your heart since the worst of your dangers are past we haue all the reward we expect for our trauels now we haue found you for so much are wee bound to that worthy Knight Pollipus and the most noble and gracious Prince Parismus who is likewise trauelled in your search that we account our liues well imployed to pleasure them and you Violetta hearing that Parismus was trauelled in her search was almost ouercome with passionate affection of his kindnes and remembring what sorrow Laurana would endure for his absence with sighs she said I of all most vnfortunate to be the cause of that noble knights trauell which many wayes hazard his safetie and bréede much disquiet in the Bohemian Court but especially to that most vertuous courteous and honourable Princesse Laurana whose sorrow I know will be most excéeding and all procured by my vnlucky destinie that am altogether vnworthy to be esteemed of them nor in any degrée to be so highly regarded Tellamor likewise grieuing to sée her sorrow comforted her with these words Dears Lady cast off these sad cares and let no disquiet thought trouble you for what is past cannot be recalled but all is now amended by your recouery whose death we all greatly feared By this time Panuamus had prepared their dinner which was serued in after the best sort to which hee and Clarina welcomed them with great kindnesse Clarinas heart being somewhat comforted by their company hoping by their meanes to sée the downefall of Brandamor and her Mothers release When they had well refresht themselues and heard Violletta relate the whole circumstance of her misfortunes they beganne to deuise what course to take to set Pollipus at libertie which they found impossible to doe by force because the strength
Knights to their iourney towards Brandamors castle wher at Sunne-set they arriued and for that night tooke vp their Inne vnder the couert of a spreading Oke deuising amongst themselues by what means they might archieue theyr desire Early the next morning Argalt issued foorth of the Castle intending as his custome was to search if any Knights were in the Forrest for euer since Venolaes imprisonment diuers Knights of Lybia tame to trye their Fortune against Brandamor whom these three Knights supposed to haue beene the Gyant himselfe And Tellamor being the forwardest went toâ—…d him whom Argalt thus greeted Knight of whence art thou or Wherefore commest thou on this forbidden ground Gyant qd Tellamor I come to defâ—…e thée that vsurpest such priuiledge to examine Passengers and my intent is in despight of thée to keepe my standing on this Ground which is free for all men What is thy Quarrell quoth Argalt I come qd hee to reâ—…eeme a Knight whome contrary to equitie thou detaynest and a Ladie whose Lorde thou lately fluest that dwelt in a Castle heereby Argalt hearing his spéeches burst out into a laughter saying Thinkest thou poore knight to doo more then many thy betters could accomplish No Knowe thou art so farrre from attaining the least of thy desires that thy selfe art like to beare them companie Wherewith Tellamor ranne at him and in the incounter burst his speare Whom the Gyant valiant y resisted Panuamus and Barzillus regarding to performe no actes of Knightly Chiualrie to him that was without regard of Humanitie presently both at once with Tellamor assailed him and within little space hadde brought him conformable to the mercie of their swords When Argalt saw himselfe so shrewdly handled and his life in that danger he vttered these spéeches Ualiant Knightes spare my life that neuer yet offended you and let me vnderstand wherein I haue done you wrong and I will doe my best to make you restitution Tyrant qd Panuamus haddest thou a thousand liues all of them could not make vs restitution for any of the least iniuries thou hast done vnto vs but now thou seest thy self in danger thou treatest for pittie When otherwise thou entendest nothing but violence Thinkest thou our minds are so easily drawne to vse mercie towards thée that hast fild the World with thy tyrannies and yéeldest no fauour to any that come within thy power No know wicked Homicide that this is the last houre thou shalt breathe Wherewith he aduanced his Sword to haue thrust it through him Argalt fearing his resolution cried vnto him to heare him speake and said as followeth Woorthy Knights qd he before you finish my daies know whom you put to death I am not Brandamor whom you 〈◊〉 me to bee but his Brother my name is Argalt that neuer in my life offended you therfore I beséech you spare my life and whatsoeuer you impose vpon mee I will perform to my vttermost power Barzillus hearing his spéeches told Panuamus that hee might be a meanes to saue their further Trauell if he would set the the Lady Madera and Pollipus at libertie therefore he thus said Argalt We know not how to trust a man of thy nature and disposition which thinkest euery disloyall action lawfull to further thy diuellish driftes and regardest neyther vertue nor Knighthood but onely thy will therefore if we should enioyne thée to any thing thou wouldst disloyally break thy Oath and soone forget what thou vowedst to vs to performe and contrary to honestie rather betray vs to thy Treacherie but if thou wilt saue thy life assure vs to set at liberty the Lady Madera and the worthy Knight Pollipus and on that condition we will let thée goe frée Argalt being glad of his spéeches vowed and protested with infinite Protestations to fulfill theyr request within thrée dayes vpon which condition they let him depart Algalt being gone beganne to consider what promise hee had made them and by what meanes he had escaped death and how courteously vpon his Oathes they had saued his life and gaue credence to his spéeches Which with intended resolution he purposed to accomplish and being entred the Castle comming to Brandamor Wounded and faint with bléeding he declared to him all that had happened requesting his conset to accomplish theyr demaund which hee had bound himselfe by Oath to performe Brandamor hearing his Wordes fell into a bitter rage against him and vttered these spéeches Why Brother qd hee consider you not what daungers might ensue if I should accomplish your request and withall doo you not remember the Ualour that is in this Knight Pollipus which might by his Libertie bring vs all in danger As for the Ladie Madera I regarde not if I send her hence For now I esteeme her Daughters beautie which was the cause I haue so long time detained her Then if you please send her vnto them and let them seeke the performance of the rest how they can For what néede you regarde your Promise being out of theyr danger Argalt hearing his spéeches perceyuing hee could perswade him no way was content with that And withall being easily drawne sleightly to forget his solemne Oaths to them made thought that Maderas releasement would satisfie them and be more then he néeded to performe Therefore he resolued to send her to them presently with a Message and that Pollipus by no meanes could be set at libertie And coming to Madera who still continued in her her heauy dumps he told her that her time of Libertie was come and that shee should 〈◊〉 no longer detained in that place Madera at the first gaue little credence to his speeches perceiuing hee meant as he spoke thought that newes very Welcome and so let her goe out at the Gate only attended by her two Damzels desiring her to tell the Knightes that sought her Libertie that Pollipus could by no meanes bee released but that they might speake with him if they would whome they should sée at a Windowe right ouer the Castle-bridge Madera was soone espyed of Panuamus who knowing her with dutifull reuerence saluted her with his knée on the ground whilest shée with Motherly teares reioyced to sée him And being mette with Tellamor and Barzillus shee declared to them what Argalt had said concerning Pollipus Which when they hearde they were exceedingly tormented with vexation of the Gyants disloyaltie yet notwithstanding setting all doubts apart they determined to trye if the Giant ment true that they might come to his spéech which was some comfort to them and though they knewe he would omit no opportunitie to betray them yet they went to the Bridge hauing a carefull respect to theyr danger Where according to Argalts message they found Pollipus who knowing them with great ioy Welcommed them with these spéeches Déere Friendes qd hee you sée how I am inclosed by treacherous meanes comming to rescue the faire Ladie Venola Daughter to the King of Lybia Here am I well vsed therefore I pray tell mée the occasion
Panotas house beeing halfe apparelled caught vp his sword and came running towards the place murthering such as hindred his spéede and with his sword made way for his hastie steppes and lept to Angelica solding her in his one arme and holding his sword luke warme with bloode in the other saying Oh sister what ioy do I conceiue at your loyaltie now do I see you loue Parismenos be constant deare sister and let vs both die with him for hee would not haue refused a thousand deaths for our sakes Then began the people to crie out Saue the kings children and such an vprore and tumult arose that heaven and earth seemed to shake with the noyse The Iaylors wife standing by and seeing the two young Princes readie to sacrifice themselues béeing assured that none but her selfe knewe the trueth and that it rested onely in her to saue their liues especially being touched with remorse shee suddenly stept to the two young Princes and said Stay stay gentle young Princes and heare the truth of all This dead bodie whom you suppose to be Parismenos is the Iaylor though cladde in his apparell for that woorthie knight escaped out of the dungeon if you beholde the corpes you shall perceiue it to be the body of my husband With that Marcellus started to the hearse and casting off the cloath that couered the same knew that it was not Parismenos then casting away his sword hée embraced Angelicas in his armes who seeing the truth of all and that Parismenos was escaped with whome shee came of purpose to haue dyed let fall the knife from foorth her hand and casting downe her eyes to the earth was cloathed by the Ladies that attended her The king was so amazed with this newes that hee stood like one sencelesse the King of Lybia for shame of Angelicaes speeches but his eyes vpon the earth with sadde countenance and all the whole assembly of the beholders were confounded in their sences and stood as men transformed into admyration Presently in the middest of this amazement came a knight posting with spéede his countenance bewraying some tragicall report who vttered these speeches Most noble King whilest you stand here debating matters of small importance the Bohemians haue destroyed thousands of your souldiers who now runne vp and downe like men agast for want of their Captaines that all the fields are strewed with their dead bodies the valleys staind with blood and the drie ground is drunke therewith our enemies armes are tired with slaughter and wee compelled to flie for feare with speed receiue this euill or else the pryde of Natolia is lost Then began a newe terror Maximus the King of Lybia Santodelodoro Pridamor and all the Nobles of Natolia hasted to the Campe Marcellus ranne to get him Armour the Queene Angelica and all the Ladies went to a Tower to behold this Battell most to sée the Bohemians death but Angelica to behold the valour of Parismus who she heard was come to redeeme his Sonne Parismenos and in some hope to sée him amongst them her heart inwardly vttering many deuoted Inuocations for the Bohemians Uictorie Maximus and the rest by this time were come to the Gates where they met with thousands of Souldiers flying to saue theyr liues whome they caused to turne backe and beeing without the Gates they could hardly passe for the slaughtered carkasses of Moores Natolians and Lybians that lay dead and in the Campe they sawe such confused slaughters and heard such grieuous cries that it amazed theyr sences to sée the same Here lay thousands flaine there lay multitudes gasping for life and bathing in their Luke-warme blood heere others lay mangled with wide gaping-Woundes there Horse and Men lay both dead togither the Natolians flying the Bohemians pursuing and glutting their swords in blood Then Maximus chéered vp his subiects to new courage then the King of Lybia beganne for to gather togither his scattred forces and Santodelodoro amongst his Moores and those that were before almost vanquished gathering a new head Parismenos hauing knowledge of Maximus approach neuer left vntill he had met him Which when he had obtained he séemed to stretch his armes purposing reuenge and brandishing his Sword smoâ—…e at him with forcible blowes till hee beate him from his Horse and being fallen to to the ground he would haue troden him to death with his Hors-hooues hut that Pridamor séeing the King in that distresse with thousands of Natolian Knightes rescued him which before they could attaine they lost many of their liues by Parismenos valiant Chiualtie Parismus in the meane time met the King of Lybia and vnhorsed him and after him many hundred Knights so that none came within the compasse of his Sword but dyed Pollipus likewise maintained cruell fight against Santodelodoro that thousands of the vanquished Moores lost theyr liues by his valor And such slaughters were performed by Parismenos beeing the first Battell that euer hee Fought that both Parismus and all that sawe him admired to sée the same who had taken Pridamor Prisoner and sent him to his Tent. The Quéene and Angelica all this while behelde the Battell the one with feare the other with ioy the Quéene learning of Maximus death and Angelica in hope that the valiant Knight in azured Armour beset with Eagles of gold that made such slaughter was Parismenos which hope was bredde in her by remembring his comely proportion which this did not much differ By this time the night beganne to approach that the Bohemians wearie of sheadding their enemies blood withdrew them to their Tents appoynting most diligent watch to be kept throughout the whole Campe. The Natolians the rest of that partie glad of some respite retired to their Tents and numbring their Souldiers found the one halfe of them slaine and manie gréeuously wounded that they could scarce butie their dead Maximus was gone into the Citie gréeuously wounded The king of Lybia and Santodelodoro stayed in theyr Tents in the Field Angelica was returned to her chamber very sickly by reason of the ouermuch desperature vexation and griefe she had endured that day being yet more comforted in her heart with hope of Parismenos safetie then she had bene many dayes before Marcellus was returned to Panoraes house tormenting himselfe with excéeding griefe for Dulcias absence fearing that she was perished that hée entred into that kinde of lamentation that Panora was oftentimes in feare he would destroy himselfe Dulcia was likewise all this while in the Campe with Parismenos in very sorrowful estate for Marcellus want Thus each of these friends werein safetie yet none of them in hope to sée the other againe CHAP. XXX Of two Battells fought with the Natolian Forces the manner of Maximus cruell death and of the friendly league betwixt Parismus and Marcellus THe next morning Maximus the King of Lybia and Santodelodoro with the States of Natolia assembled together to determine the doubtfull issue of this warre and at last by a general consent
come to enioy my Parismenos then when my Father imprisoned mee so closely in the Mayden Tower No time yéelds me any rest from trouble No place giueth me securitie nothing but sorrow is allotted to my portion and nothing but endlesse and perpetuall miserie awaiteth my steppes Deare Mistresse quoth Anna I beséeche you adde comfort to your heart for I will vndertake to satisfie Iconius and make a currant excuse for Irus absence and howsoeuer it falleth out you shall be no way troubled therewith In diuers such spéeches they continued vntill the Night drue nigh and they expected Iconius returne Where we will leaue her Iconius being gone out of the Caue with intent to finde out the straunge Knight tracing vp and downe most part of the day before he could finde him But at last passing by the place where he had rescued Angelica from Irus Parismenos espyed him hauing but two knights at that time with him and came out vnto him Iconius espying him comming to him said Knight I haue wandred all this day to séeke you but was frustrated till now the cause was for that my Knights were sometimes slaine and often Wounded by your valor that maketh me desirous to know the cause of your discontent being Willing to doe you what pleasure I can and also to bee acquainted with you therefore I pray you let me know what you are I am quoth he a miserable Wretch ordained to euerlasting torment banished from ioy exiled from Content Wretched and vnfortunate I séeke no companie nor desire acquaintance I care not for ease but discontent pleaseth mee best This life I leade not by constrainte but that none so well agreeth with my fancie Care kéeps me company and this Desart is fittest for mee to dwell in Syr quoth Iconius it séemeth some great mischaunce hath driuen you voluntarily to take this course or else the crueltie of Friends hath exiled you their companie Both qd he But what are you that séeke so much my acquaintance and knowledge I am quoth he a man as miserable as your selfe subiect to as manie misfortunes as your selfe and euery way filled with discontent if I should Name my selfe you knowe mee not hauing liued many yeares in this Desart a disconsolate and disquiet life my habitation being but simple Whither I come of purpose to bring you for that your Noble Chiualrie maketh mee honour you Where if you loue to liue in Discontent that place yéeldeth nothing but sadnesse yet with securitie Parismenos hauing well noted his spéeches beganne to maruell what hee should bee hearing him say hee had liued manie yeares in that Desart thought it good to sée his habitation and therefore saide Syr Knight although I know not whether I may with security giue credite to your spéeches or no yet if you will vouchsafe me such kindenesse I will accept thereof and for a time contrarie to my purpose take some ease Syr quoth Iconius you shall vppon my faithfull promise rest voyde of treacherie and be as secure as my selfe These spéeches past they departed towardes the Caue continuing as they went in some conference Where they arriued euen at such time as Angelica had ended her spéeches And being entred Iconius told Parismenos that was his habitation whether he was Welcome Then stepping into Angelicaes roome he thought to haue found Irus there but séeing her heauinesse and in what sort both shee and Anna by her sate Wéeping he came vnto her with kinde behauiour demaunding her cause of sorrowe But she casting downe her eyes to the Earth made no answere With that hee beganne to suspect Irus had done her some wrong and maruelling that hee could not see him with her nor in the other roome he returned to Anna and asked her if she could tell where he was Who made him answere that she knew not where he was now but that he had bene there not long since With that casting his eyes downe to the earth in 〈◊〉 studie hee espyed the Floore stayned and besprinckled with gore-blood that therewithall his heart began to swell And looking with a fearfull countenance hee asked what blood that was With that Angelica cast downe her eyes and Anna blusht but hee being earnest to know demanded againe What blood it was Anna then answered It is some of Irus blood spilt by himselfe Why quoth he did hee that déede Because quoth she Angelica would not giue consent to his wicked Lust. Where is he now saide hee I know not answered Anna neyther doe I care With that Iconius perceiuing the tract of blood that went out of the Chamber followed the same to his bed Which he found all bestained therewith and againe followed the blood to the Caues mouth that hee was assured that Irus was slaine that in a monstrous rage he ranne in againe to Anna saying Irus is murthered and you haue done the déede Anna then knowing her selfe guiltie stoode as one confounded with feare but at last reuiuing her selfe from her dumps shee said If I did murther him I did it but to saue my owne life and Angelicaes honour With that hee was so enraged that hee drue his Sword and in a furie would haue slaine her but that she with spéede ranne out of the roome and hee after her ready to strike her dead Parismenos hearing that noyse and séeing Iconius pursuing the Damzell being of a quicke conceit euen as the blow was descending stept vnder the Sword and caught the blow Which otherwise had partēd her life Iconius being inraged strooke another at him vntill Parismenos drawing his Sworde saide Holde your hands and knowe whome thou strikest or I will gore my Sworde in thy heart blood Pardon me good Knight quoth hee Rage made me forget my selfe What Damozell is that quoth Parismenos you would haue slaine It is quoth hee one that hath murthered my deare friend By this time some of them had caught Anna and brought her backe Whom Iconius offered againe to haue slaine but that Parismenos hauing séene her countenance knewe her and staying Iconius againe saide Be not so rash without aduisement to lay such violent handes on a sillie Damozell and before you execute reuenge be better aduised and first knowe the truth of the fact she hath committed and vpon what occasion shée was vrged thereto I will not quoth Iconius followe your counsell but now shee hauing confest the déede I will be seuerely reuenged by her life and nothing else shall make me satisfaction for his blood which shee hath shead Discourteous Knight qd he art thou voyde of humanitie or doo I wish thée to doo any thing that disagreeth to reason I sweare by Heauen let but a haire of her head perish by thy accursed hand and thy death shall be the ransome Here doe I stand in her defence and therefore the prowdest of you all touch her and if you dare With that Iconius said Doest thou requite my friendship in this sorte to take part with my enimies or tell me Doost thou